Kachnar Tree (Bauhinia variegata): How to Grow It in Jaipur and Use Its Buds
Bauhinia variegata
Kachnar is the orchid tree that flowers on bare branches in late winter and gives the buds for kachnar ki kali ki sabzi. How it copes with Jaipur's heat and frost, when and how to plant it, care for the first three years, and how to tell it from look-alike Bauhinia trees.
Frequently asked questions
Will kachnar grow in Jaipur?
Yes, but it needs help at first. Jaipur's roughly 600 mm of rain is near the dry end of its range, so water it regularly through its first two or three summers. It handles Jaipur's winter cold well.
When will my kachnar flower?
It flowers from late January to April, mostly before the new leaves. Young trees often start flowering when only 2-3 years old.
Why is my kachnar bare in spring?
Kachnar is deciduous. It drops its leaves around November-December and stays mostly bare until about April, flowering in between. New leaves follow. This is normal.
Can I cook the buds from my tree?
Yes, kachnar buds are a traditional vegetable, cooked after a short boil. Make sure the tree is true kachnar (five stamens, flowers in late winter on bare branches) and eat them cooked. Do not eat bark, pods or seeds.
How is kachnar different from Bauhinia purpurea?
True kachnar has broad, overlapping petals, five fertile stamens and flowers on bare branches in late winter. Bauhinia purpurea has narrower petals, three fertile stamens and flowers in autumn while in leaf.
This article was prepared with AI assistance. Please check important details against the sources shown in each section.
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