{"product_id":"annatto-10-grow-bag","title":"Annatto - 10\" Grow bag","description":"\u003cp\u003eAnnatto (Bixa orellana) is a bushy evergreen shrub or small tree that thrives in India's warm, humid regions. It bears showy pink-to-white flowers followed by clusters of striking heart-shaped, soft-spined capsules that ripen from red to brown.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach pod splits to reveal numerous bright crimson seeds coated in the pigment bixin, the source of the natural colourant commonly called sindoor or annatto. The plant is grown both as an ornamental and as a useful dye crop in tropical gardens across South and East India.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEasy to grow and quick to establish, it is a rewarding choice for large gardens, hedges and home boundaries where its colourful seed-pods provide year-round interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBixaceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eNative region\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical America (Central \u0026amp; South America)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature height\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-5 m (up to 6 m as a tree)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature spread\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2-4 m\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFoliage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen, broad heart-shaped glossy green leaves\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower colour\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePink to white\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower season\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMainly post-monsoon (Sep-Dec), can flower year-round in warm zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eClimate zone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical and subtropical; suits most of peninsular and eastern India\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSunlight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun for best flowering and seed-pod production; tolerates light partial shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWatering\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRegular watering to keep soil moist when young; water-wise once established, avoid waterlogging\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSoil \/ mix\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWell-drained loamy or sandy-loam soil rich in organic matter; tolerates a range of soils\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLoves warmth, 20-35 C; sensitive to frost and cold below 10 C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eHumidity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrefers moderate to high humidity typical of tropical India\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFertilizer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApply well-rotted compost or balanced NPK at the start of monsoon and again post-monsoon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePruning\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrune after seed-pods are harvested to shape the canopy and encourage bushy growth\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eRepotting\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBest grown in ground; if potted, use a large container and repot every 2-3 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePropagation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasily raised from fresh seed; also by semi-hardwood stem cuttings\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePests \u0026amp; problems\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally hardy; watch for mealybugs, scale and occasional leaf-eating caterpillars\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eToxicity \/ safety\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeeds and pulp are widely used as a food colourant and are considered non-toxic; not known to be poisonous to people or pets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eUses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;Annatto is valued in India for both ornamental and practical purposes:\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;ul\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Natural orange-red dye and food colour extracted from the seed pulp (bixin), used in cooking, butter, cheese and confectionery.\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Traditional colourant for fabrics, cosmetics and lip\/face tints.\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Decorative shrub or informal hedge for large gardens and boundaries.\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;The colourful seed-pods are used in dried flower arrangements and craft.\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;\/ul\u0026gt;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;Plant at the onset of the monsoon (Jun-Jul) so seedlings establish with natural rainfall. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot away from cold winds and frost pockets.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;In North India protect young plants over winter, as the species dislikes temperatures below 10 C. Feed with compost before and after the rains, and harvest the seed-pods once they turn deep red but before they dry and split. Prune lightly after harvest to keep the bush dense and productive.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy is annatto called the sindoor or lipstick plant?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIts bright crimson seeds are coated in the pigment bixin, which yields an orange-red dye traditionally used as sindoor, food colour and even lip tint, giving the plant its popular names.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow annatto in North India?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, but it is frost-sensitive. Grow it in a warm, sheltered spot and protect young plants during winter, as it dislikes temperatures below about 10 C.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow do I propagate annatto at home?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe easiest way is from fresh seed sown at the start of the monsoon. It can also be grown from semi-hardwood stem cuttings taken in the warm season.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"vedicflora","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51047746470134,"sku":"PLT-ANNATTO-B10-NA","price":60.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/4980\/6326\/files\/nurserylive-seeds-annatto-bixa-orellana-shendri-sindur-1-kg-seeds-17028130111628.jpg?v=1782710814","url":"https:\/\/vedicflora.com\/products\/annatto-10-grow-bag","provider":"vedicflora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}