Bel (Bael) Tree: How to Plant and Care for It in Jaipur

Monsoon (July–September)

• Let the rain do the work, but drain any standing water from the basin.
• Weed and loosen the soil around the plant.
• Give the yearly feed in June–July. In year 1: 5 kg FYM plus 50 g nitrogen, 25 g phosphorus and 50 g potash per plant, increasing in the same proportion each year. In sodic soil, add 250 g zinc sulphate.
• Watch for bacterial canker: water-soaked leaf spots that turn into holes. Ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) for approved control.

Post-monsoon (October–November)

• Water every 10–15 days.
• Spread organic mulch about 20 cm thick in the basin after the rains.
• Training: keep the bottom 75 cm of the trunk free of side branches and keep 4–6 well-spread main branches.

Winter (December–February)

• Water once a month.
• Cover young plants on frost nights. In arid Rajasthan, frost can damage leaves and tender twigs.
• Remove dead, crossing or diseased twigs. Otherwise bel needs little pruning.

Summer (March–June)

• Water young plants every 10–15 days and keep the mulch in place.
• Leaves will fall in the dry season. This is normal and does not mean the tree is dying.
• In May–June, check new leaves for leaf miner and leaf-eating caterpillars. Overall, bel is relatively free from pests and diseases.