Galán de Noche: [Sowing, Care, Irrigation, Pests and Diseases]

Heartthrob night ( Cestrum Nocturnum ) is a shrubby plant of the nightshade family , native to the continent American , specifically Central and South America , which is also known as Huele Night , hediondilla, skunks, night jasmine or lady night.

It is a fast-growing plant , which is around 5 meters high and requires constant pruning , especially if it is grown indoors. It reproduces easily by means of seeds and cuttings , in fact constant pruning is  useful if you want to multiply the plant.

Its name refers to the fact that the flowers emanate their delicious aroma during those hours , but this is usually so persistent that it remains even in the early hours of the day . It is for this reason that the gallant at night is distinguished by being one of the most fragrant flowers in the world.

You can enjoy its fragrance from late spring to early fall .

On the other hand, it is a very toxic plant due to its high solanine content . In fact, its intake can be fatal. 

   

 

Characteristics of the gallant

The gallant at night or also known as the jasmine of the nocturnal flowering (Cestrum nocturnum) is so called because its white-yellow tubular flowers bloom at night; and during the day, they remain closed.

It belongs to the nightshade family , also known as the potato plant family .

It is known for its aroma and is possibly the most fragrant plant in the world. When blooming, the flowers release a scent of sweet perfume that permeates the area.

It is a tropical plant that was first discovered in the West Indies and was most likely brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus in the 15th century.

Now it can be found growing in subtropical regions around the world and even in temperate climates , where winter temperatures do not drop below -10oC (although it may well lose all its growth and leaves at such low temperatures).

When should the gallant be sown at night?

In early spring, after the last frost.

It blooms from late spring and throughout the summer .

Where to plant a gallant at night?

It is not at all resistant to frost , although it is tolerant to low temperatures , as long as they are not below -2 ºC.

Ideally, plant it in warm and temperate temperatures.

It can be sown in direct sunlight or in semi shade, depending on the region.

During spring and summer they require direct exposure to the sun, otherwise their flowering is complicated.

The optimum temperature is between 18 and 25 ºC.

How often should the gallant be watered at night?

Depending on the region, in times of greater heat, irrigation can be daily every third day. And in wetter and colder times, it can be watered every other day up to a couple of times a week.

Ideally, the substrate should always remain moist in its most superficial layers. Irrigation should always be moderate to avoid flooding.

A water deficit causes the leaves to fall off. On the contrary, an excess of water causes its leaves to acquire a yellow tone and contract dark spots.

How do we prepare the land?

They do well in a wide variety of soils, provided they are well drained and soft, and rich in organic matter and iron .

It grows best in moist, sandy soils.

 The optimal pH should range between 6.6 and 7.5 

It requires iron for its cultivation.

It is necessary to periodically add some organic fertilizer, it can be compost , or worm humus . This, especially, at the end of winter , when the late-night hunk wakes up from his winter slumber.

 

How to sow Galán de Noche step by step

Clear the ground

It removes weeds and old crop debris and all kinds of residues to ensure that your greyhound receives the right amount of nutrients.

All plants must be pulled from the roots to prevent them from growing again.

 

Prepare the ground

Moisten the soil before sowing. This will prevent the seeds from moving easily

Fertilize the soil. Spread a layer of worm castings or compost over the soil .

Put the seeds in the ground

The method of sowing is broadcast , which means that the seeds are spread throughout the land on a regular basis.

Create grooves on the ground, leaving half a meter of distance between each row. Then spread the seeds evenly over the soil and lightly cover them with soil.

Bury them 1.5 cm deep and cover them lightly.

Water the land regularly

It is recommended that you water when you see that the upper layers of the earth have dried.

Select the healthiest and strongest seedlings

The seeds will germinate after fifteen days. If more than one seed has germinated in each hole, keep the strongest . To do this, do not pull on the weak, as you can damage the leaves . A simple pruning at ground level is sufficient.

Preferably, do this when the plant is about 15 cm tall . In this way, you guarantee the integrity of each plant.

Once they are 12 inches tall , the plants will be strong and self-sufficient , and will grow faster.

Protect your plant and give it good maintenance

Check your plants regularly ; this to prevent them from contracting pests and other diseases.

Pay regularly

Feed your gallant at night regularly with organic compost or compost , in this way you will ensure that it has the necessary nutrients.

With the fertilizer , the flowering is ensured and that the leaves remain for a longer time.

During spring and summer, it is recommended to add iron-rich liquid fertilizer every 15 days.

Prune your plant

The gallant at night should be pruned at the end of winter to favor its flowering in spring and summer.

The branches are also trimmed after the main flowering, in early summer, so that a second flowering can occur.

Pests and diseases of the gallant at night

Some of the most common pests and diseases that affect the gallant at night are:

Red spider

It is recommended to avoid substrates with excess nitrogen and to monitor crops during the early stages of development . In fairly dry climates it is recommended to water the crops at night to maintain humidity.

Another recommendation is the disinfection prior to planting in plots with a history of red spider mites to ensure that no eggs remain.

To combat an infestation, an extract of garlic and chili can be applied , although if the plant is very affected , it is best to remove it to prevent it from spreading to other plants.

Biological control can be carried out through its natural enemies. The main predatory species of spider mites for eggs, larvae and adults are other mite species such as Amblyseius californicus and Phytoseiulus persimilis. The Feltiella acarisuga mosquito is also a fairly effective predator.

White fly

Whiteflies are usually attracted to yellow and light green colors , so traps or containers of these colors with sticky surfaces can be placed to adhere them.

Biological control can be carried out through its natural enemies. Some of them are ladybug, lacewing, predatory beetles (Orius sp) and parasitic wasps (Encarsia sp).

To combat them, in addition, ecological alternatives can be used , such as applying 1% potassium soap sprayed with rain or distilled water on the underside of the leaves .

Aphids

To prevent the appearance of aphids, it is recommended to completely eliminate weeds and remnants of previous crops.

Biological control can be carried out through its natural enemies. The main predators of aphids are the Aphidoletes aphidimyza , which is a small fly whose larvae feed on more than seventy species of aphids .

To combat them, in addition, potassium or biodegradable soap can be applied on the underside of the plants. It should be applied very early in the morning or in the afternoon , when the sun no longer hits the leaves. The soap will help clean the molasses excreted by the aphid and will soften your cuticle.