From the Editor’s Desk

LET US BE RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS OF THIS PLANET……

Hello friends…..

In my opinion, we were better restricted inside.

Shocked!

Yes. You heard it right.  We were better contained inside.

Not too long ago, I still remember the newspaper headings, which read like

“Snow-capped mountains seen from fields of Punjab.”

“Wild elephant found loitering around in colonies in Dehradun.”

“Water of the Ganges becomes crystal-like.”         

And we all would agree that if the animal kingdom could enact a bill like National Register of Citizens (NRC), we humans would be thrown out as illegitimate occupants of this planet.

And truly so.  The piece of earth that was handed down to us by our fore-fore ancestral, we have left no stone unturned to spoil it, and at times, doing the irreparable damages.  And look!  What are we going to hand it down to our future generations?  They too need the equal amount of oxygen, if not more, to breathe in. They too have right to access to safe drinking water.  They too have the equal rights to the Mother Nature.

Well. Those rights we also have.  But with rights, come the responsibilities. Responsibilities to safeguard the nature, the earth, the planet.

Our sinister goals to become the super power on this planet have led to mass destruction. In the name of economic development, we have burnt millions of acres of forests; we claim to have rights over all mountains to turn them into heaps of mud and garbage.

It is time that we wake up to harsh realities.

Let us be responsible citizens of this planet.

Let us forget about what others need to do.  We must ponder how I can contribute my bit to this earth. 

How many times we have wowed not to use plastics? And still using them.  How many of us are adding to the waste to the mountains of garbage, that is costing a huge INR 450 Crores to the environment in Delhi alone.

Atrocious is not the word enough to describe our behaviour.

So, if we want our next generations to thrive on clean, green environment, let us take a pledge to contribute a bit from our own.

As always, we remain committed to our mission of making this planet clean and green, in our own small ways.

Jai Hind!

ADENIUM REPOTTING

Potting a plant is simply shifting the plant without disturbing its roots into a new and bigger pot. But over the time, the nutrients in the soil get depleted and the plant becomes root bound; that means there remains no room for further growth of the plant. To overcome this problem and make our plants healthier and grow fast, we do repotting. It not only means shifting the plant into a bigger planter but also changing the soil by adding nutrients to it. The ideal time to re-pot a plant is early spring season when most of the plants come out of their sleep i.e. DORMANCY to grow actively.

Repotting of Adenium, also known as Desert Rose, is a little tricky process as one needs to be little cautious and follow a certain procedure while repotting it to avoid killing them. One needs to first understand what they are actually repotting; is it a sapling or a fully grown plant.

Loosen the side soil and carefully take out the sapling using some spoon or stick and transfer it into a pot with well drained soil media. Never hold the tip of the sapling and forcefully take it out. It will damage the sapling not only from its head but also hamper its roots and result in killing the sapling.

REPOTTING A GROWN/ MATURE ADENIUM

It needs a certain procedure to be followed. The same procedure needs to be followed when the plant is bought online and has reached the owner by travelling bare rooted for certain period of time. The steps that need to be followed are as following:

• Carefully take out the plant from its current pot and clean the extra soil from the roots. Dip it in a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide ( 1-2 ml/ Ltr water) for 10-15 minutes. After that take it out and let it dry for some time.

• Check for soft and black or dark brown colour patches which are rotting. Using a sterilized knife or a pruner, cut the rotten part and apply some good fungicide on that part.

• Let the plant dry in the same condition for 7-10 days in a semi shade area. You  can tie a string to it and hang it as well.

• After 7-10 days, repot the plant in well-drained soil. Till the plant gets 2 new pairs of leaves, simply mist the water. Do not fill the pot with water. Also keep it in semi shade area only.

• Once the plant gets 2 new pairs of leaves, start showing it morning sunlight of 2-4 hrs and waters it slightly more.

• After it has fully settled down, keep it under full sunlight and water when the top soil of 2 inches is completely dry.

To make well-drained soil, one can use coco peat, river sand, cinder, gravels, brick pieces etc. The trick to find out whether the soil is well drained one or not is by just taking some soil in hand and make a fist. When you open the fist and the soil sprinkles out even if its little damp it means the soil is well drained one. Another way is by putting it in some pot and filling it with water. The water should drain out immediately through the drainage whole.

Prune the plant to get more branches and blooms. Always apply fungicide to the pruned part to avoid any fungal attack. Prune it diagonally so that the water droplets do not stay on it. You can also use some Fevicol to seal that area to avoid water setting over it. Avoid chemical fertilizers for 2 months after repotting. Let the plant settle to its new environment.

HAPPY GARDENING!!

Sugandha Singhania

sugandhacpsinghania@gmail.com

GARDENING IN MARCH

BEST SUMMER FLOWERS FOR INDIAN CLIMATE

India is a country which has four seasons. So we are lucky to be able to grow different varieties of flowers according to the seasons. In winters though, we have endless varieties but summer blooms have their own charm.

 The summer season in India, owing to temperatures more than 30 degrees, is the peculiar season where you need immediate getaways and what is better than relaxing in your own garden of summer flowers blooming and giving you the much-required pleasantness. March to April is a good time for sowing seeds for summer flowers, bulbs and vegetables.

 These are the top summer flower plants which are of low maintenance and can be easily grown in your balconies/Terrace or on ground.

4) Sunflower

5) Zinnia

6) Aparajita (Clitoria):

7) Mogra

8) Sadabahar(Vinca Rosea)

9) Pentas:

10) Mirabilis jalapa

11) Petunia

12) Morning Glory

13) Roses

14)Kochia

15)Gomphrena

16) Tithonia

17) Rudbeckia

18)Coreopsis

etc.

Potting

All these plants are hardy and drought resistant and don’t require any extra fertilizer.

Sow seeds in sand or vermiculite. All these plants grow well in sun. Over watering will result in fungal rot; so water carefully.

Other problems suffered by them are Aphids, powdery mildew and Aster yellow rot.

Bulbs

• Caladium
• Scadoxus (football lily)
• Tuberose
• Lycoris
• Gloriosa lily
• Costus
• Canna

Planting

Mix 3 portions soil +2 parts sand + 2 compost +2 leaf mold + 1 (neem cake + bone meal).

 Place one bulb in 6-in pot. Cover the hole with broken pieces of brick, pot etc. Add potting mix to the pots. Place bulbs with nose side up and cover it with soil lightly. Water sparingly. Do not water in between till you see the new growth.

Vegetables

All summer vegetables like Lady finger, Cucumber, bitter gourd, melon, musk melon, gourds, jimikand, spine gourds, drumsticks, cowpeas, brinjals, chaulai, coriander and radish (summer variety) can be grown.

Sowing

Soak seeds overnight .

Make a potting mix comprising soil, compost , neem khali and plant 2 to 3 seeds in 18 to 20-in pots. Cover the seeds lightly. Seeds will take a week to germinate .

Always remember: Buy seeds from a reputed agency. Treat seeds with fungicide before sowing. Do crop rotation.       

Rama Tyagi
tyagirama1@gmail.com

WORLD WILDLIFE DAY

03 MARCH

World Wildlife Day seeks to celebrate the world’s plants and animals while raising awareness of issues that impact wildlife. Wildlife refers to all undomesticated native plants and animals of a region. The day also serves to highlight issues such as urbanization, poaching, pollution, and the destruction of wildlife habitats. It encourages everyone to contribute to conservation efforts.

“The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed World Wildlife Day in December of 2013 as a celebration that would take place annually on March 3rd. The date chosen coincides with the day the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed. The CITES is a document that regulates the trade of wild animals and plants around the world.”

                                                               (Extract From Internet)

Sometimes I wonder if the life of the animals is truly wild, or is it our life that is wild from their perspective. After all they are still living life as they are meant to, utilizing and maximizing the resources provided by the Mother Nature without greed and ulterior motive. We on the other hand are living a life of contradiction, exploiting the gifts of nature without a care, to feed our greed.

The effects of the human greed are most evident on the survival of the Ganges River Dolphin which is moving towards extinction due to the irresponsible behavior of the humans.

The Ganges river dolphin is primarily found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers and their tributaries in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Being a mammal, the Ganges river dolphin cannot breathe in the water and must surface every 30–120 seconds. Because of the sound it produces when breathing, the animal is popularly referred to as the susu.

As the ecosystem collapses in the river systems, it has a horrific effect on the dolphins. Entanglement in fishing nets as by-catch have caused significant damage to local populations, and individuals are taken each year by hunters; their oil and meat are used as a liniment, as an aphrodisiac, and as bait for catfish. Poisoning of the water supply from industrial and agricultural chemicals, too, has adversely affected the population, as these chemicals are biomagnified in the bodies of the dolphins. The presence of more than 50 dams along these rivers causes segregation of populations and a narrowed gene pool in which dolphins can breed.  This also decreases river depth that hinders their growth and breeding.

It is time that we humans understand that the walk down the chosen path of the greed will create an imbalance in the nature which will ultimately effect the very existence of humans too.

Deepti Jain

deeptijain1956@gmail.com

GROW LIGHTS

The grow lights are used as sunlight substitutes for growing plants in dark area or indoors. There can be various kinds of grow lights that can be used on plants; from very simple or complicated.

Types of Grow Lights

Fluorescent Tubes: They are inexpensive, easy to use and readily available in a variety of sizes and shapes. Fluorescent grow lights are the first choice for many home gardeners. Fluorescent lights, which provide light primarily on the blue end of the spectrum, are cool to the touch; so they are safe to use above tender seedlings. Compact fluorescent lights are great for small-space gardening. You can also use newer full-spectrum fluorescent grow lights which, because they provide light on the both ends of the spectrum, are very close to natural daylight.

LED Grow Lights: This new technology offers many benefits to indoor growers and greenhouse owners because they are compact, low-heat generating, lightweight and easy to mount. LED lights may appear dim to human eyes because the bulbs don’t provide a lot of yellow-green light, but they offer plenty of red and blue light that maximizes plant growth.

Incandescent Lights: Old-fashioned incandescent lights are hot and can’t be placed too close to tender plants. However, some gardeners use incandescent lights, which provide light only on the red end of the spectrum, to supplement standard fluorescent tubes that provide mostly blue light.

However, most indoor growers are opting for newer technology LED or fluorescent lights, which are easier to use and more energy efficient.  Other types of indoor lights include metal halide lights or high pressure sodium lights. 

Selecting grow lights for plants requires careful consideration, as plants have very different lighting requirements. For example, plants such as dracaena or ferns require lower light while African violets and similar plants thrive in low to moderate light. In general, succulents, most herbs and many types of orchids need more intense light. Seedlings require a lot of bright light to prevent them from becoming leggy. Keep in mind that nearly all plants need at least six hours of darkness.

 Source– Gardening Know How, Photos   – Internet 

Vandna Bhatnagar

vandnabhatnagarvandna@gmail.com

CROSSANDRA FLOWER

Crossandra infundibuliformis, the firecracker flower, is a species of flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae, native to southern India and Sri Lanka. It is mostly found in south Indian region Malenadu and Kerala.

In South India, Kanakambaram is the favourite flower of ladies to put in their hair. It competes strongly with jasmine to adorn the south-Indian hair-do. It is an erect, evergreen subshrub growing to 1 m with glossy, wavy-margined leaves and fan-shaped flowers, which may appear at any time throughout the year. The flowers are unusually shaped with 3 to 5 asymmetrical petals. They grow from four-sided stalked spikes, and have a tube-like 2 cm long stalk. Leaves are 6-9 x 2-4 cm, elliptic, pointed at both ends, usually crowded towards branch ends. Flower colours range from the common orange to salmon-orange or apricot, coral to red, yellow and even turquoise. The common name “firecracker flower” refers to the seed pods, which are found after the flower has dried up, and tend to “explode” when near high humidity or rainfall. The “explosion” releases the seeds onto the ground, thereby creating new seedlings.

A great long-lasting color plant, Crossandra can bloom almost nonstop all year long in the right conditions. In tropical climates, these heat and humidity-loving plants put on quite a show with their spikes of bright orange, yellow, salmon, or pink blooms. They can also make wonderful houseplants with their glossy, deep green foliage that looks good even if they are not in bloom.

Soil and location

Firecracker plants perform best in bright and indirect sunlight. In the summer, you should not keep these plants in the sunlight directly and in the winter, keep it as much as indoors under the patios or under the net where it receives light but protected from frost and cold waves.

Temperature

Due to being a tropical plant, it cannot tolerate low temperatures and more frost. The proper temperature for its optimum development should be around 28-35 degrees Celsius.

Sowing Time

Generally, the best time to sow Firecracker seeds is from March to October, 12 to 15 cm apart in the raised beds. Approximately 2 months after planting, you can transfer it in the main area.

Watering

Firecracker plant requires regular watering during the planting and flowering phase. More frequently during the warm atmosphere and long dry weather will increase the flower production.

Propagation

You can easily propagate the Cassandra with seeds and stem cutting. Take cutting in the spring season and dip in the rooting hormones, plant the cutting in the seed-starting mix to get the best results. After a new growth, plant it in a suitable place. Young plants grow fast and they need early re-potting.

How to grow Crossandra plant in a container?

To increase the Cassandra flower blooms in the pot, use the potting mixture, which is rich in organic matter.

Make soil so that it retains moisture well. Check the proper drainage in the pot, so that excess moisture does not accumulate in the lower part of the pot, otherwise, the plant may develop root rot.

Keep your pot where it can   get sunlight for at least 6 hours. Potted plants require water because these plants prefer moisture. Be careful not to have water logging around the plant. If the upper surface of the soil in the pot is dry, give it water immediately.

Once a month in spring to fall, fertilize your plant when the plants are growing actively. Cut dead flowers from stalks and separate them. Firecrackers grow flowers round the year. Removing dead flowers improves the appearance of the plant. When the size of the plant is large enough, re-pot it.

Varieties

Approximately 50 species of Crossandra are found within the larger genus. All of these are native to sub-tropical areas including India, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Madagascar, where they are weak and borderless plants.

However, only one species of it is common, known as Crossandra Undulifolia. This plant is native to Sri Lanka and South India, although the breeders have introduced some diverse color species, including Mona Wallhed, in which beautiful flowers come.

A great long-lasting colourful-bloom plant, Crossandra can bloom almost nonstop all year long in the right conditions.

Crossandra flower care

Ventilation is required in summer, otherwise, the leaves  drop. To improve the plant branches, remove the young plant. This plant does not tolerate gas combustion products. During development, it is possible to trim the lateral branches to stimulate the flower of the plants. Remove faded flowers immediately. This plant requires a cleaning process regularly.  You can clean the leaves with soft clothes.

Pests Problems with Firecracker plant

Firecracker plants are affected by spider mite. If water is supplied excessively, its leaves, inflorescences, and stems may cause problems of rotting, often in the cold when excess water and moisture become stable. Due to excessive water, the leaves can also go soft.

With a strong super-cooling, the plant usually drops the leaves. If the environment is hotter and dry, the leaves twist. With a strong draught also the plant can wilt, and the leaves begin to fall. The production of flowers is affected by insufficient lighting.

But overall, Crossandra is a beautiful plant for Indian climate. So do grow and enjoy the blooms throughout the year.

Happy Gardening.

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com.

IXORA

Ixora is native to Asia and its name derives from the word ‘Isvara’ or Ishwara, a name variously meaning God, Supreme Being, Supreme Soul, Lord, in India. It is a branched shrub, up to 1 m tall; branches are hairless.

 Ixora is a tropical to semi-tropical evergreen shrub that is suitable for landscapes. The plant is often grown as a perennial one. The large flower clusters come in red, orange, yellow and pink, and it’s also known as jungle flame and flame of the woods. Minimal maintenance is needed when growing an Ixora bush. 

The plant has glossy leathery leaves that are oval shaped. Leaves are mostly stalkless, opposite decussate, 4-8 x 1.5-6.5 cm, entire, apiculate, blunt or with a short sharp point, 8-15 pairs at lateral nerves, hairless; stipules triangular, cuspidate or awned. Flowers are borne at branch-ends, in dense corymb-like cymes, flower-cluster-stalk very short or absent; bracts about 8 mm long. Flowers are stalkless, bright scarlet, hypanthium 1-1.5 mm long, becoming hairless, teeth, about 0.5 mm long. Flower-tube is prominently long, 2.5-4.0 cm long, 1.5 mm wide, hairless, petals 8-10 x 4-5 mm, twisted in bud, throat hairless. Stamens are 4, inserted on the throat of flower-tube, filaments are very short. It is a very common garden plant.

Blooms are clusters of four petaled florets which can last four to six weeks on the stem. Flowers are most prolific in summer but can also appear at other times of the year. The best floral displays are produced by Ixora grown in full sun situations. Well-drained soil and moderate to slightly acidic pH are crucial to growing an Ixora bush. Fruit is spherical, red when ripe, crowned with the sepal-cup teeth.

The plant develops chlorosis when installed in alkaline soils. Keep the soil evenly moist and prune the plant when it gets unruly. Ixora responds well to shearing and makes an excellent low hedge with its 4 to 6 foot height.

Propagation of the shrub is through stem cuttings which can be rooted with the help of a rooting hormone. The flowers also occasionally produce a dark purple to black berry with seeds that are sometimes viable. Clean the pulp off the seed and soak it overnight. Plant in a 2-inch pot filled with good seed starter mixed with sand. Moisten the mixture and fasten a plastic bag over the pot. Place in a warm location with moderate light. Keep the pot moist and move it to bright light as soon as the seed has germinated.

Care

Ixora plant care is negligible, which makes it useful as part of the low maintenance landscape. Annual spring pruning and fertilizing will enhance the plant’s health.

Some diseases like Fungal are common, but can be minimized by suspending overhead watering. Water only the root zone to prevent the foliage from getting wet. Spider mites and aphids are common but are more of a nuisance than a serious threat. Use an insecticidal oil spray to combat these pests. Use a 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch around the root zone to prevent competitive weeds, enhance water retention and add organic nutrients to the soil. Care of Ixora plants in containers requires re-potting every two to three years. Bring the shrubs indoors if any frost is predicted. The plants are extremely tender and will succumb to freezing temperatures.

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com

SAVING SEEDS FOR NEXT SEASON

Many types of plants produce seeds that you can save now and sow the next season. That way, you can easily grow the same varieties in your garden again. Plus you will often end up with plenty to share with friends and family. And after the new coronavirus led to seed shortages earlier this year, it’s just a smart idea to save seeds now in case something similar happens again next spring. The best plants for saving seeds are heirlooms, old-fashioned varieties, and open-pollinated plants, because the seeds usually grow into plants that look just like their parents. If you save seeds from hybrids, it is likely they won’t grow into the exact same plants next year. But if you want to experiment and see what you get, hybrids can be fun to grow from saved seeds, too.

Perennial seeds are ready to harvest after the flowers are done blooming and petals have fallen off, like Gmelina, Jasmine, Gulmohar, Amaltas etc.

Follow these steps:

• Cut the flower head with scissors or a knife.
• Collect the ripe seeds from the flower head and place on waxed paper.
• Allow the seeds to dry for about a week.
• Clean the seeds by removing any husks or pods.
• Place seeds in an envelope and seal. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark and dry location.

Tips for Saving Seeds from Annuals

Just like many perennials, there are lots of annual plants with seeds that are easy to save. Harvest them after the flowers bloom, and follow the same instructions above for saving perennial seeds. Some of the easiest annual flowers to collect seeds from include:

Alyssum

Antirrhinum

Brachycome

Candy tufts

Dahlia

Hollyhock

Larkspur

Marigold

Mesembryanthemum

Mimulus

Nasturtium

Nemesia

Pansy

Petunias (non hybrid )

Phlox

Poppy

Snapdragon

Stocks

Sweet peas

Verbena

Viola

Etc.

If you require the beds or pots for next season, then keep a few healthy plants for seeds and remove others. Don’t pick seed heads immediately after the petals fade, though. Wait until the seeds themselves, if they’re visible, have reached mature size, if not ripened. I think of this as the sunflower rule: I hold off picking the heads of these cheerful flowers until I can see that the seeds have plumped up. If I pick them while they’re still shrunken and flat, they never fill out. Same thing applies to the seeds in pods, like scarlet runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus) and lupines (Lupinus spp). Hold off harvesting until the pods fatten from the seeds within. Seeds need the living plant to give them nourishment while they swell into full size in the seed coat.

You can cover the seed pods or matured flowers with some transparent bag and tie the mouth with thread to protect from falling off or any bird or squirrels eating them.

Chambered seed pods when they’re green, and with annual poppies and spider flowers, which self-sow too quickly can be collected and dried in boxes. Air-dry seed heads in shallow boxes.

Once you have your seeds, find a protected area to ripen and dry them.  Shallow cardboard boxes that soft drinks or shoe boxes (make holes on all sides for air circulation) are shipped in or clean pizza boxes work well. Their low rims don’t hinder the air circulation that’s vital to drying. Newspapers are also good, but I’m a klutz, and the boxes offer protection from accidentally sweeping seeds onto the floor.

Spread seed heads and pods in a shallow layer, allowing space between them. It’s important to dry them immediately so that mold doesn’t set in. If you collect berries or other fruits, either remove the seeds from the fruit before drying, or dry the fruit and all and dissect them later.

When the pods and seed heads feel totally dry—which can take anywhere from a week to four weeks —shake the seeds into an envelope or paper bag. Sieve the seeds to remove chaff and litter, and then transfer them to small envelopes or lidded jars for storage. Don’t forget to label them: write the plant’s name and the date on your containers, and then store them in a cool, dry place until planting time.

Tricks for handling tough seed heads

Collecting seed from dried seed heads and pods can sometimes be a challenge, thanks to the plant’s own defences. Some seed heads are painful to handle, like the prickly heads of Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia) gazania and purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). With seeds like this, I snip off the seed head and place it in a paper bag, and the seeds drop of their own accord. If I have to peel apart a stubborn seed head, I wear gloves to protect my best tools—the ones at the ends of my arms.

Other seeds can be messy to dissect. Those with attached parachutes, like most varieties of clematis, globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa), and little bit, require painstaking work to separate seed from feathery chaff. Is all this nitpicking necessary? Not if you’re going to be planting the seeds yourself. I plant them, attachments and all, and they germinate just fine. Also, I do the same with mesembryanthemum.

Composite flowers—including sunflowers, coneflowers, asters, Gazania, marigolds and daisies—produce many nonviable seeds along with the good ones, so not every seed will grow. To find the plump ones, you can sort through your collected seed or just plant them extra thick.

That’s my whole approach to seed-saving. I keep it simple. Trial and error are just part of the game. Successes are wonderful, and failures make grand learning experiences. If Mother Nature can do it, why can’t I?

Share your seeds with friends, neighborsand public parks in the following autumn and spread the joy with everyone.

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com

HOLI

THE FESTIVAL OF COLOURS

Holi is one of the Hindu festivals which is celebrated with equal zeal and fervour.  More than that, it is celebrated as a “Festival of Love”, where people from all walks of life and from whichever section of society or religion, come together and hug each other and play with colours.  As age-old traditions continue, it is not uncommon to see Hindus and Muslims opening up theri homes to each other for such religious festivities.

This festival of colours is celebrated in the month of March, corresponding to the Hindu calendar of Phalgun.  The festival indicates the start of spring season, which in fact is already initiated by festivals like Lohri, and Vasant Panchami.

There are varying accounts of origin of Holi, like any other Indian festival.  As per one story, there used to be an evil king Hiranyakashyap, who wanted to be worshipped by each one and all.  However, his own son, Prahalada refused to worship his father and worshipped Lord Vishnu instead.  The king conspired to kill his Prahalada along with his sister Holika, who had boon that she could not be burnt by fire. So believing, Holika sat on a pyre along with Prahalada. But due to ardent devotion of his, Prahalada came out unscathed, while Holika was reduced to ashes.  So, Holi is also celebrated as the victory of good over evil.

The rituals start a day prior with burning of a holy pyre, called Holika Dehan.  People gather at centre points of their localities and make a bon fire.  Next day is when people play with coloured powder, called “Gulaal”.  People come out of their houses and visit each other and hug them, asking for pardon in case they have hurt anybody.  They are supposed to let go of any bad feelings for each other. The kids spray coloured water over each other.  Amongst this madness of joy, some people indulge into drinking of a Thandaai, a drink laced with a green herb called Bhaang.

Though Holi is celebrated in whole of India, the cities of Mathura and Vrindavan are known for this festival.  As the legend goes, Lord Krishna played Holi with his lover Radha in this area.

Sushil Bhatia

sush16534@gmail.com

SHIVRATRI

Shivaratri meaning ‘Night of Shiva’ is an important festival celebrated on the 13^th night and 14th day of the month of Phalgun (February-March). Maha Shivaratri is the wedding day of the Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati.

It is the night when Shiva (Natraj) is said to have performed the Tandava Nritya. Hindu scholars say that on this day, Shiva drank poisonous negativity to protect the world which came out of Samudra Manthan resulting in his neck turning blue.  It is also believed that flowers bloom exactly the day after Maha Shivratri, hinting at the fertility of the earth.

“Flowers please the mind and grant prosperity. Hence, men with righteous deeds bestowed the name Sumana on them.”

―The Mahabharata book

It means when man with pure heart offer flowers to God and Goddesses, then deities bestow prosperity to them.

The flora associated with the worship of Shiva matches with the qualities attributed to him and symbolises the nature of human being.

Bael Patra or Aegle Marmelos, the triangular three leaves of Bilva tree are offered to Shiva. It is symbolic of three eyes of Shiva or the three spokes of Trishul, Lord Shiva’s weapon. It is kept on the head of Shiva to cool the hot-tempered deity and is considered to be conducive to wellbeing and happiness, and the destruction of sins as well. 

Datura Flowers: Shiva remains in divine intoxication. So it is associated with removal of the poison of envy, terror, rivalry, foul language and wicked nature and one can become pure and get rid of all sin.

 Bhang (Cannibis sativa): It is believed that he created Bhang out of his body to clean up the elixir which was received after the churning of ocean. The plants of Bhang grew wherever the elixir fell. It is believed that bhang helps him in controlling his anger and thus world remain safe from his destructive power. 

Aak (Calotropis gigantia): its fish-like shaped fruit reveals the complexity of Shiva’s existence. White flower with bluish tinge match with the bluish hue of Shiva’s throat.

 Kaner  (Karvira): Yellow Kaner is used to please Lord Shiva. It is also associated with Shiva due to its poisonous nature..

Rudraksha(Elaeocarpus ganitrus): It  is believed to be tears of Rudra (Shiva) when he was meditating.  Wearing of Rudraksha beads as necklace or armlet or adorning it on other parts of body is considered auspicious.

Ber (Jujube): A highly nutritious fruit, ber is offered to Shiva as it is symbolic of longevity and gratification of desires.

Sonia Agrawal

sonia.agrawal6@gmail.com

AN ESCAPADE WITH

VERMI-COMPOSTING

CHALLENGES FACED BY ME

                        “What ever we do is not a spread of flowers. It has its own problems.”

We experience all these problems in the due course of that work towards completion. Same thing happened with me also when I started vermin-composting. I am sharing my experience. I am sure my little experience will sail you through too while trying vermi-composting.

There were many white small creatures which were giving me a feeling that my poor earthworms    will get eaten by them as many were attached to the body of earth worms.

When I searched net, I found these are not harmful aphids. These aphids like moisture and are detritivores like earthworm and the earthworm to which they were attached would have been dead.

We can avoid aphids by keeping extra moisture away as earthworms like just a bit of moisture and these aphids like more humidity. You can leave the bin open to evaporate the extra moisture and also can add dry matter like coco-peat to check moisture.

Once in morning when I went to check upon, vermi-compost bin, I found earthworms on the lid.  Again it was frightening time to see my dear earthworms leaving their home. Thank to Google baba… who gave me an insight that either the bin is too dry or too hot.  And I found that it was too hot as the place where I kept due to construction work in balcony was very near to inverter.

Till now I have come across one more problem, that is lose of  skin colour of the worms pinkish from brown to whitish. My observation is that if there is dryness in the vermi-compost bin, they lose colour or it might have completed its life cycle.

Enjoy your experience with the earthworms and wait to get black harvest from the bin.

Sugandh Bhatnagar

sugandhbhatnagar1999@gmail.com

WATER PLANTS – 2

As water temperatures begin to rise through the spring and into the summer months, aquatic plants will begin to grow. Aquatic plants are beneficial to our water bodies, though too much growth can be an issue. Understanding the types of plants growing in our ponds can be helpful in deciding how to manage them. Let’s take a look at the three main categories of aquatic plants: submerged, erect, and free floating.

Submerged Aquatic Weeds

Submerged plants are rooted in the pond bottom and grow up through the water column. Submerged plants are usually found in water less than 10 feet deep, but some species can grow at depths of up to 20 feet. Juvenile fish use strands of submerged plants as cover to hide from predators. Additionally, submerged plants can help to add dissolved oxygen to the water which is an important part of maintaining a healthy pond. While some submerged plant growth is a good thing, if the growth becomes too dense, fish may avoid the area, water flow will become restricted and dissolved oxygen levels drop, resulting in anoxic conditions. Non-native species include hydrilla and parrot feather milfoil. These non-natives grow very rapidly and can completely fill a pond from top to bottom if not managed.

Emergent Aquatic Weeds

Like submerged plants, emergents are rooted in the pond bottom, however these species extend above the surface of the water. This category includes floating emergents, plants which float on the water’s surface and are rooted in the pond bottom, and erect emergents that grow through the water column and extend straight out of the water. These plants are often found in wetlands and along the shoreline, typically growing in water up to 4 or 5 feet deep. Bulrushes and cattails are common erect emergent aquatic plants, and water lilies are common floating emergents. Many emergents flowers can be a nice addition to your pond, but too many of them could be a problem.

Free Floating Aquatic Weeds

Free floating plants live on the water’s surface, are not rooted in the soil, and are usually found in areas with little to no water movement. Duckweed and water-meal are common free floating plant species, while water hyacinth and giant Salvinia are fast growing non-natives. These plants are good habitat for insects which in turn provide food for the fish in your pond; however this is also habitat for unwanted pests like mosquitoes. Since these plants are not anchored in the soil, it is possible to control them simply by moving the water.

Aquatic vegetation is an important part of your pond that can add aesthetic value and help maintain your pond’s ecosystem, though management may be necessary. Overgrowth of native species or the presence of non-native species can reduce fish habitat, lead to anoxic conditions.

Rama Tyagi

                                                                                                tyagirama1@gmail.com

FUN ACTIVITY WITH WASTE BOTTLES

These days, there is lot of emphasis being given on recycling of the waste products to avoid damage to our environment.  By recycling the waste products, we not only help minimise damage to our planet, but also make beautiful and useful things, which is limited only by one’s imagination.  So, here is a help to recycle your waste bottles.  Apart from serving as small planters, they will get you admirations from your neighbours.

Materials required: Fun & Food  or similar bottles, mouldit (shilpkar or similar kits), Fevicol, Fevicryl colours, talcum powder, sculpting tools, brushes ,water, rough cloth.

Procedure

1. We have to cut the upper part of bottle with the help of heated knife. Also, drill a hole at the bottom for the drainage. 

2. Mix both types of moulds. Mould it with the help of talcum powder and then cover the bottle with thin layer of clay. 

3. Then, on the thin layer of mould, make a design of wall on it. 

4. Then with the remaining clay make the figure as shown in the picture. 

5. After drying, paint whole planter with black Fevicryl colour. 

6. Then with some other bright colours, add strokes of the brushes on the planter and highlight some area. 

7. Then add your plant. 

Ready!!!Get set go

                                                                               Seema Gupta

saruvarusisters@gmail.com

WORLD WATER DAY

Water is the main constituent of Earth’s hydrosphere and of all known living organisms. It is vital for life, even though it provides no nutritional value and provides no calories.

Water covers 71% of Earth’s surface in seas, oceans and rivers. Small portion of water occurs in ground water (1.7%), in glaciers and the ice caps of Antarctica and Greenland and in air as vapour and clouds. Water plays an important role in world economy and 70% of fresh water used by humans goes to Agriculture.

Water is important for our homes and family life, our livelihood, our wellbeing and environment. Water benefits our lives in many ways We have to value water and safeguard it effectively for everyone.

World Water Day is observed on 22^ndMarch, every year since 1993 to raise awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without safe water. It focusses on the importance of fresh and safe water. It is about taking action to tackle global water crisis. Its core focus is to support the achievement of water and sanitation for all by year 2030.

World Water Day,22^nd March 2021, is, about what water means to people, it’s true value and how can we protect the vital resource in a better way.

The theme of World Water Day 2020 was about water and climate change and how the two are inextricably linked. It emphasises on it’s effective use which can help in reduction of floods, drought, water scarcity and pollution and will help to combat climate change itself. By adopting the healthy practices, we will provide health and sanitation to masses and by using water more efficiently the green house gases will be reduced.

Each one of us has to play an effective role in our daily lives. By taking surprisingly simple and easy steps,  we can combat climate change

The concept of celebration of Water Day goes back to 1992, when it was decided to observe it on March 22^nd, 1993. Later on, other celebrations and events were added. Take, for instance, the current International decade for Action on water for sustainable development 2018-2028. The event serves to reaffirm that water and sanitation overcome, are  key to poverty reduction, economic growth and environment protection.

Let us come together and join hands to save water and save our future.

जल बचाओ कल बचाओ

ShailjaMishra

mishra.shailja6325@gmail.com

PRESERVING PLANT MATERIAL

There are certain times of the year like summers when we don’t have fresh flowers.  These are scarce or in poor availability. It becomes frustrating to make an arrangement, but this is not necessary if plant material is preserved when they are plentiful like now a days. There are several methods of preservation with which you can preserve winter and spring blooms. In many cases these preserved material lasts for years and can be used again and again.

Preserved materials can be arranged in containers either on its own or combined with fresh materials.

They can be also used in various ways like plaques, pressed flower pictures or swags. They can be used in festivals, parties by spraying with metallic paints and glitters according to themes.

There are two main methods of preservation.

By Drying

• Hanging up
• Pressing under a weight or with a flower press
• Pressing with Iron
• Standing in water
• Placing it at a high temperature
• Using desiccants

By absorption of Glycerine.

Drying : Drying gives long-lasting results in plants with strong tissues.

Hang up to dry. Plants respond differently as they dry out and those with strong, rigid tissue often keep up their shape even when they dry up completely.

Method

1. Remove the leaves.
2. Tie the stems into small bunches with the flowers at different lengths, so that they do not crush each other.
3. Hang upside down, to help the preservation of the shape, in a warm place with a free circulation of air.

The plant material is ready for use when it feels quite dry.

Storage

Store plant material in boxes lined with tissue paper to protect from crushing. Mildew and loss of rigidity occur if material is stored in a damp atmosphere.

Restoring: Steaming can restore shape lost due to crush during storage.

Colour: Some amount of colour is lost in drying if they are kept in strong sunlight; so dry in dark place. Dipping flower heads in borax or alum powder prevents colour fading. Shake off powder before use.

Suitable Plant Material

• Acanthus flowers
• Achillea  Flowers and seed heads
• Acroclinium Flowers
• Agapanthus Seed heads
• Alliums   Seed heads
• Amaranthus Flowers
• Artemisia Flowers
• Celosia Flowers
• Delphinium Flowers
• Helichrysum flowers
• Hemerocallis seed heads
• Iris. Capsules and seeds
• Limonium flowers

Then we have some seeds pods of perennial trees which can be dried,like

• Neem
• Gulmohar
• Amaltas
• Cassia
• Kigellia
• Silver oak
• Pine cones etc

Pressing under a weight

Plant material can be put in layers of newspapers and kept under  heavy weight. Pressing stops shrivelling but flattens the material. Pressed leaves and grasses can be used in different arrangements. Small flowers and leaves dried this way can be used in making plaques and candles. Coasters and cards can also be made. Store in very dry places in boxes.

Suitable material

• Adiantum fern
• Calendula
• Cosmos
• Clematis
• Cineraria
• Coreopsis
• Delphinium
• Narcissus
• Ranunculus
• Viola
• Just for example.

Standing in Water Method

1. Pick up the flower when it begins to dry.
2. Stand in half an inch of water in a jar or bottle.
3. Do not top up the water if it is absorbed by the plant material.

Store in a dry place in boxes, standing up in a jar of sand or hanging up.

Achillea and Hydrangea are suitable plant material for this.

Using Desiccants

Borax, Alum Sand are used to preserve delicate plant materials. The length of time taken to dry the flowers depends on tissue structures and temperature of the surroundings and is from one to six weeks.

Plant material is buried in the drying substance and left undisturbed until the moisture has been withdrawn.

All plant materials like Roses, Dahlia etc are preserved by this method.

Absorption by Glycerine

This is an easy method and very popular too. With this method, material is supple and not brittle.

Method

• Take the plant material in a growing stage like a stem with buds.
• Add 1 part of  Glycerine and 2 parts of  warm water. Stir well.
• Cut plant material which is in good condition.
• It should be mature but not old.
• Add more mixture if it dries up. A disinfectant can be used to prevent molding.
• Store in boxes in a dry place.

Suitable plant material

• Adiantum
• Anthurium
• Aspidistra
• Buxus
• Dracena
• Hydrangea
• Ferns
• Roses

And the like.

Try these methods to enjoy your plants when you don’t have any in the garden.

In the next part we will discuss the mechanics of dry material.

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com.

CELOSIA PLANTS: TO STAND OUT

The January/February 2021 issue of Horticulture includes annual feature on the New Year’s award-winning plants. In 2021, it was noticed that celosia was named a winner in two different award programs. One honoured a new celosia grown for its flowers, while the other highlighted a celosia bred to be a foliage plant.

For 2021, All-America Selections, which bases its decisions on plants’ performance in 80 test gardens across the United States, named Candela Pink celosia a Flower Winner. This flowering celosia displays tall, feathery flower spikes all summer long. The AAS judges were impressed by Candela Pink’s long bloom time, deer resistance and tolerance of heat and humidity. It also has an upright habit that makes it easy to include in garden or container combination plantings.

Candela Pink celosia is grown for its feathery hot-pink flowers.

Meanwhile, Fleuroselect, an international organization of ornamental-plant growers, breeders and distributors, chose to honour the new Gekko Green celosia with its Gold Medal and Approved Novelty Award. (These award categories recognize new cultivars that truly surpass older and/or comparable cultivars). Gekko Green is a celosia grown for its foliage. This cultivar won’t bloom until very late in the summer, and even then its flowers are tiny. It is putting all its energy into producing gorgeous purple-and-green marbled leaves. Gekko Green and the related burgundy-leaved Lizard Leaf are touted as coleus alternatives for full sun.

Gekko Green is unique among celosias because it is grown as a foliage plant.

Both Candela Pink celosia and Gekko Green celosia prefer full sun and regular moisture. Try them out for yourself in 2021!

Image credits: Candela Pink courtesy of All-America Selections. Gekko Green courtesy of PanAmerican Seed.

Compiled by: Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com

INTERNATIONAL FOREST DAY

21 MARCH

The 9th International Forest Day falling on 21st March 2021, is to make aware the ongoing efforts to promote afforestation at comprehensive level to face and mitigate Climate-Change, this being the result of rapid Industrialization and other growth factors in the previous century.

Its importance and promotion by United Nations at International level is of high significance, in which Countries are encouraged to undertake efforts to organise local, National, and International activities involving forests and trees such as Tree Planting Campaigns and protect the species that habitat them.

Around 1.6 Billion people including 2000 Indigenous Cultures- depend upon Forest for fuel, food and shelter. Forests are the most Biological diverse Ecosystem on Land, Home for more than 80% of terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. Yet despite all of these efforts, priceless Ecological, Economic, Social and Health benefits, Global deforestation continues on alarming rate. Deforestation has resulted in 12-18% of world’s Carbon emissions- almost equal to all Carbon Dioxide (CO2) from the Global Transport Sector.

Well, investing in Ecosystem restoration will help in healing Individuals, communities and the environment. The purpose is to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of Ecosystem Worldwide. As such offering the prospect of putting trees and Forests back to degraded Forests, Landscapes at massive scale, thereby increasing Ecological resilience and productivity is a massive task.

Well said, equally crucial, healthy Forests are one of the World’s ‘PRIMARY CARBON SINKS’ for the favorable climate-Change.

P KMalhotra.

Malhotrapk1950@gmail.com

WORLD WOODS DAY

21 MAR

Wood is good!!!

World woods day is celebrated every year on 21st March. 

Children are our hopes and it’s our responsibility to protect and save this environment for them and give them a better life. Nature is amazing and one of it’s beautiful creation  is trees. They are not only home for many creatures, they can also be used in many ways for human  beings too. Let’s try to understand how we can do that.

A very important part of our environment is wood. Now the question is how do we protect wood? And how do we get wood? Yes! Wood comes from trees and that is a universal truth we are aware of. Are we supposed to cut trees and protect wood ? The answer is big NO.

Due to natural disasters many trees are broken or uprooted. Year 2020 is one od the best examples of it. We experienced  Cyclone Amphan, Nisarga, Nivar, floods and many more events like this. So here we get the opportunity to convert few of our loss into benefits.

We all know that wood is a beautiful material & we can craft it into sculpted works. The beauty of wood really extends well beyond what we can see with naked eyes. Wooden toys  and wooden instruments are the best and simplest way of conserving wood. It’s a good source for building material.

 Many a times, due to unavoidable circumstances we do cut trees but it’s very important to maintain the balance between chopping trees and plantation. 

 Bamboos are some of the fastest growing plants in the world and that’s why they can be utilized in many ways.  Like wood, it is  a natural composite  material with high “strength to weight” ratio useful for structures. They can be utilized as a building material for scaffolding, bridges and also for flooring.

 Bamboo as a construction materials, has been  traditionally associated with the culture of South Asia, East Asia, the South Pacific, Central and South America. In India, bamboo was used to hold up simple suspension bridges.

 But in North East (Shillong), they have started making wooden basket for carrying goods to the market. And recently they have started promoting the use of waste bamboo material to make dust bins.

So it’s time to make India better and healthier by shifting to natural things rather than plastic and artificial things, because wood is durable and long lasting.

But we must understand that we must not cut trees to get wood, but use the wood of the wasted and uprooted trees.

Amrita Bharti

getslim.feelgreat@gmail.com