Cananga odorata 'Ylang-Ylang'

These rare seeds are for the world famous Cananga odorata tree. Native to tropical Asia and northern Australia, it is commonly called Ylang-Ylang and is among the most celebrated flowering trees in the world.
Numerous clusters of flower bundles grow out of the axes of the leaves. Every flower has six tongue-like, twisted petals which remind one of a star. First the flowers are white, and then change to green-yellow and in older age to orange-reddish. Often the same tree shows different flower colourings.

Once established it will bloom unremittingly almost the whole year. To promote the spouting of flowers, a regular pruning of the tree is necessary. After the flowers little green fruits develop, which become black. The fragrance is stronger at night. From the yellow flowers the best oil can be produced. The blossoms are distilled to obtain cananga oil, which is used to manufacture expensive perfumes, including the world famous Chanel No. 5.
Grown in the tropics as an ornamental and for the fragrant flowers, this rather uncommon tree makes an outstanding landscape specimen tree or unique and fragrant indoor large potted plant.

This is an extremely rare and delightful tree to own and is surprisingly easy to care for, with no particular requirements of soil, water or food and highly resistant to pests and diseases. It is evergreen, quick growing and hardy to zone 10 and the warmer areas of zone 9. Its growth exceeds 5m (16ft) per year, and it attains an average height of 12m (39ft) in an ideal climate. The black avoid fruits have many seeds.
They flourish best indoors in the house, conservatory or heated greenhouse. Cultivated species are smaller and sometimes held as bushes by a continuous pruning.

Sowing: Sow indoors at any time of year.Sow seeds as soon as possible.
Keep the seeds in the fridge until you are ready to sow.
Sow the seeds in a tray containing standard potting mixture. Just cover the seeds with 1/8th inch soil. Water from the base by standing in a tray of water until the soil is moist. Then place the tray in a sealed plastic bag or cover with a plastic dome and put the pot out of direct sunlight.
Keep the tray at around 24 to 27°C (75 to 85°F). Bottom heat will significantly speed up germination. It is important to keep the seeds warm and moist (but not soaking wet) at all times. Seeds germinate in 2 to 4 months and may not germinate at the same time.

Cultivation:
When seedlings appear, gradually expose to direct light. Prick out seedlings into their own larger pots and grow on. Pot on as required.
If planting outside, harden off for 10 days before planting out in spring.

Pruning:
It is advisable not to cut more than third of the trees height at a time. If you want to trim it lower, wait a year and you can cut a further third off.

Medicinal Uses:
The essential oil of ylang-ylang flowers is used in aromatherapy. It is believed to have a calming effect, relieve high blood pressure, normalise sebum secretion for skin problems, and is considered to be an aphrodisiac.
In Indonesia, ylang-ylang flowers are spread on the bed of newlywed couples. In the Philippines, its flowers, together with the flowers of the sampaguita, are strung into a necklace (lei) and worn by women and used to adorn religious images.

Medicinal Uses:
Cananga odorata is a tropical tree that is native to Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
It is commonly grown in Madagascar, Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia and Comoros Islands.

Nomenclature:
The name ylang-ylang is derived from the Tagalog term ilang-ilang for the tree that is a reduplicative form of the word ilang, meaning 'wilderness', alluding to the tree's natural habitat.
A common mistranslation is "flower of flowers".
The tree is commonly called the Fragrant Cananga, Macassar-oil plant, or Perfume tree.
Traditional Polynesian names include Mata‘oi (Cook Islands), Mohokoi (Tonga), Moso‘oi (Samoa), Moto‘oi (Hawai), Mokosoi/Mokasoi/Mokohoi (Fiji).