Curry Recipes Online

Beginners Guide => Grow Your Own Spices and Herbs => Topic started by: fitdog on February 04, 2019, 07:53 PM

Title: Curry Leaves
Post by: fitdog on February 04, 2019, 07:53 PM
Anyone recently grown curry leaves, i come from Bradford the home of curry lol but the price of fresh curry leaves is horrendous so want to grow my own.  I have used the search function but looking for recent growers. Where can i get seeds/saplings from and will they do well indoors?
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: livo on February 04, 2019, 09:34 PM
I'm growing a healthy plant that presently has a whole lot of great big seed berries (drupes) on. This will not help you much though as I live in a temperate, bordering sub tropical region. You may be able to grow successfully in a pot if you can have it indoors with horticultural suitable lighting or in a glasshouse over winter.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: fried on February 05, 2019, 04:56 PM
I heard that last year there was a shortage of fresh curry leaves, leading to panic in the restaurants that I eat in Paris where it is considered an essential ingredient. I don't know if there's some worldwide curry leave shortage or it's just seasonal.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on February 11, 2019, 01:05 PM
Hi Fitdog,
Yep i have grown my curry leaf tree from a small plant that i got from "The Citrus Centre" (google) im in surrey, its now 3 years old and a healthy 2ft high bushy tree, last year i got a crop of berries that didn't quite make it to seeds, maybe this year lol,
just avoid frost, keep it away from ponds, (scale insect) and during the winter an outside shed is fine, during the summer feed with citrus food, soak the pot and then let it dry out before watering again, ie stick your fingers in the soil and only water when the soil is dry for at least two inches, its good fun, enjoy
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on February 13, 2019, 04:02 PM
I heard that last year there was a shortage of fresh curry leaves, leading to panic in the restaurants that I eat in Paris where it is considered an essential ingredient. I don't know if there's some worldwide curry leave shortage or it's just seasonal.
Hi Fitdog,
Yep i have grown my curry leaf tree from a small plant that i got from "The Citrus Centre" (google) im in surrey, its now 3 years old and a healthy 2ft high bushy tree, last year i got a crop of berries that didn't quite make it to seeds, maybe this year lol,
just avoid frost, keep it away from ponds, (scale insect) and during the winter an outside shed is fine, during the summer feed with citrus food, soak the pot and then let it dry out before watering again, ie stick your fingers in the soil and only water when the soil is dry for at least two inches, its good fun, enjoy
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: livo on February 20, 2019, 01:20 AM
Here's mine in full berry.  I'll try to grow some from the seeds this year.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: Bob-A-Job on February 20, 2019, 02:22 AM
As a relatively Green fingered individual, growing my own chilli plants, I have been following this thread and others.

Whilst I am not above paying for plants, I prefer to grow from seed if I can, although I have found that sometimes the advertised plant is not always the seed provided.

My son has an 'App' that identifies most plants and I have asked him to identify my Bay Leaf Bush, the next time he is over (I aquired a small bush cutting from a very old family friend).  I recently read on here that some are ok and some are Poisonous!  I have not harvested any leaves yet, as you can tell from the fact I am still here!
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on February 20, 2019, 09:17 AM
My son has an 'App' that identifies most plants and I have asked him to identify my Bay Leaf Bush, the next time he is over (I aquired a small bush cutting from a very old family friend).  I recently read on here that some are ok and some are Poisonous!  I have not harvested any leaves yet, as you can tell from the fact I am still here!

Very wise
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on February 20, 2019, 10:03 AM
As a relatively Green fingered individual, growing my own chilli plants, I have been following this thread and others.

Whilst I am not above paying for plants, I prefer to grow from seed if I can, although I have found that sometimes the advertised plant is not always the seed provided.

My son has an 'App' that identifies most plants and I have asked him to identify my Bay Leaf Bush, the next time he is over (I aquired a small bush cutting from a very old family friend).  I recently read on here that some are ok and some are Poisonous!  I have not harvested any leaves yet, as you can tell from the fact I am still here!

Curry leaf seeds have to be wet within its Berry to be viable, if it has dried out it won't germinate, there is quite a bit of good stuff on youtube, I have tried several times with cuttings by buying fresh curry leaves on sturdy stems but none worked, i suspect they were to old, or had been kept chilled so i bought my plant.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: livo on February 20, 2019, 11:01 AM
I'll have to read up on harvesting the berries. Thanks for that heads up mickyp. Some may be ready to go.

Propagation from cuttings can be tricky and varies from plant to plant. Some can be grown from hard cuttings (old wood) or soft (new wood) but in different seasons. Others are only easily struck by one or the other during one season. Environmental conditions need to be carefully controlled for some, while others will strike by dropping a piece on the ground. I'd say trying to strike from a leaf sprig would take a bit of practice and some luck.  You may have more success trying from your own stock plant as store bought may be completely unviable due to the time lapse after cutting.  Rooting hormones may be required as well.  There are several nurseryman and horticulturalists in my wife's extended and immediate family.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on February 20, 2019, 12:18 PM
I tried rooting powder, scratching the bark off, coating it in rooting powder, one stem i bought gave me a run and started to shoot buds but then died, i think the energy / food within the stem caused that, you might be right about my own plant, but that is providing me with my needs for now so i will leave it be.
I shall be cutting back a bit in march to stimulate new growth, last summer which was a good one it doubled in height.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: chewytikka on February 20, 2019, 01:07 PM
Great looking curry leaf tree you have there mickyp

Love to grow one myself, but its not going to happen.

I just have to rely on my local Asian Store.
@1.39GBP still cheap enough for its unique flavour.


(http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/218468c40dec2bbe53afb98949ec1920.png) (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#218468c40dec2bbe53afb98949ec1920.png)


Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on February 20, 2019, 01:26 PM
Great looking curry leaf tree you have there mickyp

Love to grow one myself, but its not going to happen.

I just have to rely on my local Asian Store.
@1.39GBP still cheap enough for its unique flavour.


(http://www.curry-

recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/218468c40dec2bbe53afb98949ec1920.png) (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#218468c40dec2bbe53afb98949ec1920.png)


Thank you,

It was one of those things that through a gauntlet down for me, buying the fresh leaves and thinking could i grow my own, so i looked into it.
After trying to grow cuttings i bought one about 10 ins high for
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on February 25, 2019, 07:42 PM
Cut my tree back and harvested some leaves, hopefully new growth will kick in over the next month or so
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on February 25, 2019, 07:44 PM
Cutting, rooted using turmeric, fingies crossed
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: livo on February 25, 2019, 09:14 PM
That looks a viable cutting. It may help to leave 1 or 2 leaves on the top side shoots. These will allow some photosynthesis to continue. Too many though is no good as you'd know. Did you only use Turmeric below ground?  A dab of Turmeric paste on the exposed cut surfaces is also beneficial to promote healing over and reduce risk of disease, mold or fungus attack.

I planted about a dozen seeds yesterday.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on February 25, 2019, 11:18 PM
Thanks for that Livo, i didnt know that about the tumeric paste, i will take that on board.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on February 27, 2019, 09:41 AM
Well i hope the earth tremor that shook our house last night didn't upset twiglet the baby curry leaf tree,
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on March 19, 2019, 04:18 PM
Curry leaf cutting 22 days on,

Livo to answer your question which i somehow missed yes i used just Tumeric as a rooting powder nothing else, i also used soil from the garden rather than potting compost, firstly it gives more physical support and has no added nutrients, i wanted the cutting to root which i think its more likely to do if its hungry.
I also brought the cutting in and placed the pot on a heat mat to warm the soil, apparently that encourages root growth, its far from tropical here lol
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on June 07, 2019, 11:29 AM
My plant would be unrecognisable at the mo as i cut a lot back to harvest, and it's sprouting new branches and leaves, it did have berries forming but i removed most as they take energy which i would prefer to go to leaves, so loads are forming, sadly i check it every day and yesterday afternoon discovered about a dozen greenfly.

All that needs to be said is they are not there now, removed and plant sprayed grrrrrrr.

Chilli plants are doing well too
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on June 07, 2019, 02:39 PM
Just as a point of interest, with what would you feel comfortable spraying a greenfly-infested edible leaf if you were later planning to eat those leaves ?
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: bhamcurry on June 07, 2019, 03:12 PM
Phil, I'd spray edible leaves with soapy water. Soap always kills bugs, but there is no residual action so you'd need to keep spraying until the bugs are gone.

Natural bug predators like ladybugs or dragon flies would also help.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on June 07, 2019, 04:01 PM
Hi Phil ive used an insecticide spray, it say's if using on edible fruit do not harvest for three days from spraying, i will not be harvesting these until late summer or even next year when i will prune, the leaves will be washed, dabbed dry, used or frozen. Bham i do mist it and the chilli plants with water containing a drop of Fairy liquid which will then sit on the leaves rather than roll off, bugs dont like wet leaves lol
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: Bhaji Bob on June 11, 2019, 10:35 AM
I'm impressed with the efforts on home growing curry leaves and the pictures of full plants shown are great.  I've given up on growing stuff now
so obviously have to buy this sort of thing at one of the local Asian stores.  However, yesterday I came across a supply at Sainsbury's - 5g (3 sprigs)
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on June 11, 2019, 02:41 PM
BB, its all about the fun and challenge, it would be 18 months before you could harvest anything but its a tenner well spent.
+ points for you is you dont have to worry when you go on holiday about curry leaves and chilli's lol.
Next time you go to your local Curry House, ask them where they get there's, they may even give you some ;)
,
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on June 11, 2019, 05:03 PM
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: Bhaji Bob on June 11, 2019, 05:28 PM
Better value for sure.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on July 11, 2019, 05:17 PM
Yay curry leaf tree has hatched a sproglet
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: Garp on July 11, 2019, 07:55 PM
You sure that's not a stray weed mate?
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on July 11, 2019, 09:27 PM
Lol, checked that Mr Garp, it
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: Garp on July 11, 2019, 09:35 PM
Congrats mate  :D
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on July 11, 2019, 09:52 PM
TY MrG
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: chewytikka on July 12, 2019, 01:19 PM
Banned Fresh Curry Leaf update.  :D ;D

(http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/39c8edb5b809be8bcc9ef024d28edd15.png) (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#39c8edb5b809be8bcc9ef024d28edd15.png)
Bought a bag of fresh curry leaves  this morning GBP 1.29
dispelling an earlier rumour/ media myth that they are banned in the UK.
Making a few BIR South Indian Tamil and Malabar curry dishes this weekend - Yum
You just can
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on July 12, 2019, 02:32 PM
Lol it thrives in the middle of a moat of Cobra
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on July 12, 2019, 03:19 PM
Sainsbury sell them fresh but do not state country of origin, Waitrose however state Spain as the originating country which is fine, the ban is India, Sri Lanka, etc, so the Myth / rumour remains trooooooo and intact :)
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on July 23, 2019, 10:33 AM
There ya go Mr Garp, tis a proper sprog lol
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: Garp on July 23, 2019, 06:36 PM
Haha mate. Looking good. You going to transplant it?
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on July 23, 2019, 10:51 PM
Yep, next spring I will give it a go :)
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: vinotinto on August 01, 2019, 08:38 PM
So my curry leaf tree had started to grow, most likely through feeding and misting as well.  But I have found a few days ago that the growing tip was broken (dunno how) and has died....will it keep on growing do you think??  Either sprouting from the same place or from elsewhere?
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: livo on August 01, 2019, 09:59 PM
I recently visited a country homestead not far from home and was absolutely astounded when I realised I was standing alongside the biggest curry plant I've ever seen. It was actually multiple self seeded plants from the original that was planted only a few years ago.  When I commented on it and asked if it was used, the owner told me that she regularly delivered fresh leaves to the local restaurant and that her husband used them in his cooking.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on August 04, 2019, 09:47 AM
So my curry leaf tree had started to grow, most likely through feeding and misting as well.  But I have found a few days ago that the growing tip was broken (dunno how) and has died....will it keep on growing do you think??  Either sprouting from the same place or from elsewhere?

Hi VT

The top of my plant was knocked off by a football which created a fork and new growth, so your plant should be fine, keep feeding it each time you water during the summer and back off from Oct and then just prevent the soil from drying out.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on August 09, 2019, 04:25 PM
Good o'le Sunny Surrey
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: Onions on September 12, 2019, 06:05 PM
My son has an 'App' that identifies most plants and I have asked him to identify my Bay Leaf Bush, the next time he is over (I aquired a small bush cutting from a very old family friend).  I recently read on here that some are ok and some are Poisonous!  I have not harvested any leaves yet, as you can tell from the fact I am still here!

Very wise
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: vinotinto on September 17, 2019, 01:38 PM
Hi Micky - thanks for this.  It is sprouting new growth so I may get another couple of small branches this year....there is no denying that they grow slowly - yours is a monster compared to mine :)
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on September 17, 2019, 07:27 PM
your welcome Vino, remember cutting back in the spring will promote new growth, as does cutting back during the summer, misting the leaves with citrus food in the water is like taking an aspirin via IV instead of swallowing it, and bugs don't like wet leaves ;)
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: George on March 10, 2020, 06:24 PM
George you can get Curry leaf trees from "The Citrus Centre" keep them out of the frost and don't overwater, they are quite a resilient
plant.
Waiting for spring to arrive for new growth

You make it sound easy. I bought small plants similar to those sold by the Citrus Centre and found them the most impossible plant to grow EVER. I kept them at around 25C so it wasn't frost damage. Give slightly too much water - they die. Give slightly too little water - they die. Touch the ultra fragile roots and they fall off. It was an expensive experiment which failed. I am very envious of your success.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on March 10, 2020, 07:26 PM
If its any help i kept my tree when i first got it in the conservatory, not good, it got scale insect.
So i moved it outside on the edge of the pond, where kids pllaying football broke the top off and knocked it into the pond.

After swearing and drying it out it has grown well, during the summer it lives in the garden away from footballs and in the winter it live in an outside cabin where temps can drop to 1 0r 2 deg but no frost. I have loads of leaves frozen and i take them fresh also.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on April 21, 2020, 10:14 AM
Spring is in the air
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on April 21, 2020, 11:18 AM
Strong wind from the East where you live, Micky !
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on April 21, 2020, 11:30 AM
Gusty at times Phil, watering cans tumble across the back garden which is fortunately south facing.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on April 21, 2020, 11:49 AM
Would you like me to set the pot upright, Micky ?
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on April 21, 2020, 12:19 PM
That went straight over my head lol....don't claim on me for a strained neck.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on April 21, 2020, 12:30 PM
Right way up now, Micky (except for Livo, of course, who will have to stand on his head).
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on April 23, 2020, 09:34 AM
Thank you Phil :smile:
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: Garp on April 23, 2020, 06:51 PM
I notice you said you have a pond, Micky; do you have fish in there? I inherited a small garden pond when I moved house three years ago. Just got goldfish and shubunkin(s) in there.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on April 23, 2020, 07:45 PM
I notice you said you have a pond, Micky; do you have fish in there? I inherited a small garden pond when I moved house three years ago. Just got goldfish and shubunkin(s) in there.

Yep Koi and Carp, they started in a half oak Barrel, then moved to a brick/render pond then fibreglass, had some of them 15 years, lost a big one that i called blackie two years ago and was gutted, vowed not to give any others names, they feed from my hand.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: Garp on April 23, 2020, 07:46 PM
 :like:
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on April 23, 2020, 09:49 PM
Yep Koi and Carp, they started in a half oak Barrel, then moved to a brick/render pond then fibreglass, had some of them 15 years, lost a big one that i called blackie two years ago and was gutted, vowed not to give any others names, they feed from my hand.

I lost my largest Koi and a ghost carp when we were still in Kent (before moving to Cornwall
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: vinotinto on May 23, 2020, 09:33 AM
So this is the current state of play of my curry leaf tree (more of a shrub!)  It seems to be sprouting new branches quite frequently but its still less than 20cm in height.  Still resides in my kitchen where its warmer.  Should I be doing anything else with it or is it all in good shape?
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on May 23, 2020, 09:48 AM
Yes, taking cuttings and sending them out to members !
** Phil.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on May 23, 2020, 10:04 AM
During nice weather keep it outside, use citrus feed in the water each time you water it and let the soil dry before watering, they dont like wet feet. If its cooler than 4 deg c at night i bring my plant into an outside building. Next year in the spring cut it back to induce more growth, good luck
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: vinotinto on May 23, 2020, 10:07 AM
Thanks Micky.  Phil - if it ever turns into a tree I'll send one out to you 
 :smile2:
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: mickyp on May 23, 2020, 11:37 AM
I have tried taking cuttings without much success, however when you get shoots from the roots they are quite easy.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: vinotinto on May 23, 2020, 12:44 PM
OK thanks Micky I was going to try it.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: George on November 29, 2021, 04:46 PM
Nearly 2 years after my previous attempt, I bought some further curry plants from sellers on eBay and am having another try. The first two plants were from the same seller and are relatively small. The other two plants are something like four times the size, from a different seller. Three are being grown in soil. I am experimenting by growing one of the smaller plants in nutrient solution (hydroponics) in a beer tin. I think some people here previously mentioned the idea of getting cuttings to root from grocery-sourced curry leaves. So I tried that, too. Only one stem has sprouted some roots, in water with air bubbles for oxygen, and I don't know if this will lead to some new growth higher up. Far right in photo. My house is now between 3C and 5C so the cutting and plants are in a chamber I made. It is heated to 20C and has a small LED based growing lamp. That's where the colour come from in my photo.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: George on April 06, 2022, 12:56 PM
Here's a further photo, just over 4 months after the previous one. For anyone who likes the flavour of curry tree leaves, the plants are recommended and quite easy to grow.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: Robbo141 on April 06, 2022, 01:24 PM
Looking good George. Curry leaves are great in some dishes and I’m looking forward to planting season for those and chillies galore.  Let’s see pics of your curries with them?

Robbo
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: George on April 06, 2022, 06:57 PM
Robbo - I have only used curry leaves bought from an Asian store, in cooking so far. I will wait a while longer before trying leaves from my relatively young plants. In June, at the start of the brief British summer, I will put them outside in a greenhouse. My aim is to see if I can get them to flower and produce seeds, so I can try to grow even more plants.
Title: Re: Curry Leaves
Post by: foureyes1941 on April 07, 2022, 04:25 PM
After being given a couple of curry tree seedlings from the bottom of her huge curry tree that my friend in Goa presented to me, I brought them home and have had them on the window sill where one is doing better than the other about the same size as yours George. My moan is that I can never get them to grow large enough to enable me to take enough leaves from them for the amount of curries I cook.A previous specimine I had which was larger got covered with tiny red mites and was discarded after being unable to eradicate them. I will persevere as I love the smell of curry leaves.