Kachnar Tree (Bauhinia variegata): How to Grow It in Jaipur and Use Its Buds

When to plant

Plant in July or August, once the monsoon has soaked the ground. February to early March, while the tree is dormant, can also work, but only if you can water every few days through April, May and June. Do not plant between April and June.

Choosing a sapling

Buy a polybag sapling from the forest department or a nursery you trust, ideally 1–1.5 m tall. A taller plant gets above goats and trampling feet sooner. Kachnar is raised from seed, not cuttings.

Check that you are getting the right tree. Several Bauhinia species are sold as kachnar. True kachnar has broad, overlapping petals and five fertile stamens, and it flowers in late winter on bare branches. Bauhinia purpurea, which looks similar, has narrower petals and only three fertile stamens, and it flowers in autumn while still in leaf.

Pit, spacing and protection

• Pit: 60 × 60 × 60 cm, refilled with the dug soil mixed with well-rotted farmyard manure. Add a handful of neem cake where termites are common.
• Spacing: about 5–6 m between trees and 4–5 m from walls.
• Basin: shape a saucer-like basin about 1 m across to hold rainwater.
• Guard: goats, sheep and cattle eat the leaves greedily, so a tree guard is essential for at least two years.

First-year watering (practical advice)

Season	How often	Amount
Monsoon (Jul–Sep)	Only after 8–10 dry days	10 L
Post-monsoon (Oct–Nov)	Weekly	10–15 L
Winter (Dec–Feb)	Every 2 weeks, in the morning	10 L
Spring (Mar)	Weekly	15 L
Summer (Apr–Jun)	Every 3–4 days	15–20 L

Water less if the soil is still damp.