Has anyone had any experience overwintering this plant indoors? When I brought it in last fall, it was a small plant, and had the most wonderful fragrance. Now, it is a huge plant (it's been under grow lights all winter) and I've rooted several cuttings from it. But, it seems as if the lovely scent has all but disappeared. Any idea what might cause this, or know if the scent will return when the plant gets back outdoors?
Overwintering patchouli
Huh. Interesting problem. Since it's the oils that make the scent, maybe it is a fertilizer situation, but you say it's been growing ok- so who knows!
That's mysterious alright.
I nosed around online and this site had good general information about pachouli: http://www.richters.com/newdisplay.cgi?page=./QandA/Growing/Growing.html
Maybe it's a humidity, heat or pH thing. Or possibly even too much light, since it's supposed to be partial shade. Or just seasonal, LOL! At any rate, for some reason the leaves are not producing the essential oil the way that they should.
I'd sit tight and wait for summer. Even though it's not visibly dormant, maybe chemically it is.
patchouli is one of the most sought after scents when I make soap.
I've never grown it but I would think that it might have something to do with being in side all winter. Give it some time to see how it does when you put it back outside.
Janet
Hiya meadowyck, 'm a patchouli lover :) One of my favoritest soap scents.
It needs warmth and heat to do well, and even though it's a plant that wants part shade, I find it less fragrant in the winter. This year I overwintered cuttings in a gesneriad terrarium, they did better than the "mother" plant.
Celene and lot of folks are lovers of that scent. it is one of those you either love it or don't....LOL
Sad to say I'm not using scents anymore due to sinus surgery that took my sense of smell and taste away... so making soap isn't much fun these days...
Janet