FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Hello friends…

I am sure all of you are in manageable spirits and doing good these days.

Because in today’s times, managing ones spirits is really a challenge.

Sometime back, I was invited to a Junior School to attend a story-telling event. I was requested by the host to tell a story to the young citizens of this earth.

And I was reminded of a tale which my grand mother used to tell me long time back. And I am proud that the whole world today is realising the significance of what our fore fathers used to tell us.

There is a very famous incident that appears in the epic book Ramayana, where the demon king Ravana kidnapped Sita, wife of King Rama; and a long and fierce battle ensued between the soldiers of Rama and Ravana.

In one such battle, Lakshman, the younger brother of Rama, is injured by a poisonous arrow and falls unconscious. In that disparate hour, Hanuman was asked by the Lankan Royal Physician, Sushena, to get a herb, named as SANJEEVNI BOOTI, “a magical herb which infuses life” from the mountains of Dronagiri.

Not recognising that particular herb, Hanuman cut out the portion of the mountain and brought it to revive Lakshman.

Well, we may not be able to go to the mountain and cut out a portion, but we definitely have an alternate way of doing it.

It is now the hard way that we have realised the importance of having a small herb garden in our kitchen or at the backyard. In fact, Indian ancient books like Vedas, Upnishads, etc are brimming with the description of hundred of such herbs which can be taken in various forms to ward off numerous of the common health problems.

Take, for example, the Holy Basil, which apart from being considered as a Holy plant in Hindu mythology, is full of anti-bacterial, anti-biotic properties, apart from being a strong germicidal and fungicidal.

Aloe Vera is full of anti-oxidants and is considered an immunity booster.

Fenugreek has been recognised as a wonder herb which can control your cholesterol levels.

Ashwagandha, (Withania Somnifera), is widely used to fight diabetes, arthritis, cancer etc.

And let us not forget the huge health benefits of common Turmeric.

And the list goes on and on.

And to remind you, these are the plants which can help you to keep your spirits high, along with good health.

It has been our endeavor to encourage people to grow these herbs in their kitchen gardens and utilise their immense benefits for a good cause.

As always, we are committed to help make India a clean, green country.

Happy gardening.

We eagerly await responses.

GARDENING IN MAY

May has arrived and the days are getting warmer and longer. Summer is here, plant out summer flowers and get the planning for autumn.

There are plenty of flowers and vegetables to sow and grow in May. If you had sowed seeds of summer flowers, they will be ready to flower. Keep on checking for spidery mildew and bugs on zinnias Kochia, gomphrena, sunflowers, Rudbeckia etc.

Look after your finished spring bulbs for next year. Once they’ve gone over, resist the temptation to cut back the foliage. Instead, let it die and break down on its own and add liquid fertiliser all around the clumps. This will give you an even better display next spring.

Optimise your watering regime — watering early and late to get the most out of your water — and start collecting and recycling water whenever possible.

Harden off half-hardy plants before you plant in containers or beds. You can still plant

summer hanging baskets with purslane, portulaca, adding good-quality compost, slow-release fertilizer, to keep them in top condition.

Harden off dahlias and tender exotics.

Fruit garden in May

Strawberry: Keep pests away from your strawberry crop. Protect strawberry plants with straw (to control weeds and lift the berries off the ground) and netting (to keep birds off the fruit).

Hang pheromone traps in stone fruit trees from May to August to monitor plum-fruit-moth activity.

Hang pheromone traps in apple trees to reduce codling moth.

Keep young fruit trees well watered while they are putting on rapid growth.

Remove blossom and fruits from newly planted fruit trees to help them establish properly during their first year.

Regularly check the center of gooseberry bushes for green gooseberry sawfly caterpillars — they will quickly skeletonize leaves if not removed.

Erect garden netting around soft fruit plants to prevent birds eating your crop.       

Onion, Pepper, Brinjal, Okra, Onion, Chilli can still be planted along with gourds and peanuts.

Looking after your lawn in May

Feed your lawn with a high-nitrogen fertiliser to encourage healthy green growth.

Water the grass during hot weather — that’s particularly important for newly seeded or turfed lawns. Never allow new lawns to dry out.

Stay safe, take care and keep on doing gardening.

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com.

MIGRATORY BIRDS DAY 2021

“Sing, Fly, Soar — Like a Bird!” 

World Migratory Bird Day seeks to raise awareness about migratory birds. Migratory birds are those who migrate to different regions either to avoid harsh weather or to breed. This migration is not only important for their survival, but it is also important for our society.

Migratory birds are responsible for spreading seeds, pollinating flowers, and acting as pest controller. This day aims to educate us about the threats migratory birds face as well as the importance of protecting them.

World Migratory Bird Day was started in 2006 as part of a collaboration between the Conservations of African-Eurasian Migratory Water Birds (AEWA) and the Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and create annual awareness-raising campaign aimed at people living in all the major flyways that highlights the ecological importance of migratory birds and calls for their global conservation through international cooperation

Sing, Fly, Soar — Like a Bird! 

Migratory birds enjoying in a lake.

(Ramoorthy P/BCCL Hyderabad )

World Migratory Bird Day is observed bi-annually, on the second Saturdays of May and October, to celebrate birds that migrate during two distinct seasons. This United Nations-recognised event aims to promote conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.

Lakhs of migratory birds fly to India every year from thousands of kilometers all over the world. India lies in Central Asian Flyway, from the northernmost breeding grounds in Siberia to the southernmost non-breeding wintering grounds in West Asia and the Maldives .There are many locations in India where you can spot several species of these visitors, most of them visit a few specific sites, and visit every year to that place. We are discussing some of these hotspots in India.

Chilika Lake, Odisha

Siberian stork birds at Chilika Lake, Odisha

(Pritam Thakur/BCCL Chandigarh )

This lake is a good place to spot migratory birds. Migratory birds start crowding here every year from the month of October, especially in the lagoon area of the Nalabana Bird Sanctuary located in Nalabana island.

Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan

Birds at Keoladeo National Parks

(Bhagirath/BCCL Jaipur )

This place is known to be an important winter ground for the species of Palaearctic migratory waterfowl—large aquatic birds from Europe, northern Arabia, Asia north of the Himalayas, and Africa north of the Sahara. During winter, flocks of migratory ducks gather here. Formerly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.  It is also a World Heritage site.

Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat

Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary

(Bhadresh Gajjar/BCCL Ahmedabad)

Being the largest wetland bird sanctuary in Gujarat, this place is a famous wintering ground for many avian species. You can find here White-tailed Lapwing, White stork, Purple moorhen, and Heron, among many other species that migrate in from around the world.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kerala

Vembanad lake

(Jipson Sikhera/ BCCL Kochi )

This place is located on the banks of Vembanad lake and occupies an area of 14 acres. Migratory birds such as Darter, Siberian stork, and Egret,travel across from the Himalayas and Serbia, among other places, and visit this place every year.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka

(Ajay Ghatage/BCCL Bengaluru )

Spread across 40 acres on the banks of Kaveri river, bird species from Siberia and Latin America come here year after year. Asian Openbill Stork, Common Spoonbill, Black-headed Ibis, White Ibis are among the bird species that can be found in this Sanctuary.

The State of India’s Birds 2020 report highlighted a notable decline in migratory bird species in the past few decades. Birds, in their annual journeys, in search of warm weather, breeding, and nesting, migratory birds often take up familiar routes to their final destinations, navigating with the help of mountains, rivers, and coastlines. Through their voyage, however, they face many ordeals and their problems seem to be increasing with time.

Top 10 beautiful migratory birds coming to India:

Siberian Cranes

Siberian Cranes

Amur Falcons

Amur Falcons

Greater Flamingo

Amur Falcons

Greater Flamingo

Greater Flamingo

Demoiselle Crane

Bluethroat

Black-Winged Stilt

 Blue Tailed Bee Eater

Bar Headed Goose

Rosy Starling

Great White Pelican

Information and picture courtesy -Internet

Vandna Bhatnagar

nonofficial66@gmail.com

GARDENING IN CLAY SOIL

It’s a big challenge to grow in clayey soil although it is richer in nutrients but it drains out slowly causing root rot and when it dries out, becomes very hard.

We can follow few things mentioned in this article to manage clay soil.

To test soil pH, and adjustment of Ph:Clay soils are rich in nutrients, but it may be too acidic or too alkaline, and nutrients won’t be available to the plants. You can use home test kit easily available in market, then follow the recommendations for adjusting pH. For most garden plants, a pH of 6.3 to 6.8 is ideal.

Adding organic matter: To improve drainage, lighten the heavy soil and provide nutrients for beneficial soil microorganisms add organic matter. It will help improve the soil by increasing aeration. You can add compost, aged manure and mulch with organic materials like grass clippings, shredded leaves.

Build raised beds: As clay soils hold water, raised beds can help improve drainage by encouraging water to run off. Raised beds may be a mound of soil, or can be constructed out of wood, brick, or stone.

Plant a cover crop: A cover crop is like a living mulch. Different cover crops are appropriate for different regions. In the north, winter wheat and winter rye are popular choices; in warmer regions, crimson clover and oats are commonly used.

Improving soil takes time; do not expect overnight results. If you will  follow the above steps you should notice some improvement in coming years. Within a few years, you’ll have rich, plant-friendly soil.

Vandna Bhatnagar

Nonofficial66 @gmail.com

FRAGRANT FLOWERS TO LIFT UP SUMMER SPIRIT

Scented flowers add a layer of sensory pleasure to the garden, bringing fragrance that can evoke memories and herald the coming spring or summer season. When planting flowers for their scent, keep in mind that some flowers are lightly scented and must be appreciated up close, while others can engulf the entire yard in their perfume—think of magnolia .

Many modern plants are no longer fragrant, though, due to the genetic manipulation that has gone into their creation. They have been bred to be full and bushy, or disease-resistant, or perpetually blooming—and these virtues often come at the sacrifice of scent. Heirloom flowers are often your best bet for having a scented garden, and to grow them you may need to start them from seed.

If you’d like to include some fragrance in your garden, follow some basic tips for getting the most from your scented flowers:

Plant them where you will be able to enjoy their fragrance most frequently—for example, alongside a path, patio, open window, or in a container you can move around easily.

Plant in large clumps for the strongest impact. The scent of flowers will dissipate if they are planted in a wide-open, windy area.

Spread fragrant plants throughout the yard so that different scents don’t compete with one another.

Some plants are most fragrant in the evening. Plant them near your dining or entertaining areas.

Look for fragrant groundcovers and lawn alternatives that can be walked on. Plants with fragrant leaves are even more potent when the leaves are crushed underfoot.

The fragrance of flowers will change subtly throughout the day and with variations in the weather and growing conditions. You’ll need to experiment with fragrant plants to see which grow well for you and which combinations appeal to you. Not everyone appreciates the same scents.

Many insects are also attracted to scented plants. The butterflies will be welcome, but keep scented flowers away from children’s play areas and away from people who are extremely sensitive to bee stings.

If you’re ready to add some fragrance to your garden, there are many great options to get you started. Keep in mind that bloom times may vary based on the local climate as well as microclimates on your property.

Brugmansia

Brugmansia is a large, tree-like plant with 8- to 9-inch blooms that dangle upside down and give off a citrus-floral scent that is most pronounced in the evening.

Mirabilis jalapa

Mirabilis is Latin meaning wonderful. The flowers open in the late afternoon, in response to cooling temperatures. They may stay open all day on overcast days, but their sweet, lemony fragrance is most intense in the evening. They will self-sow and can be grown as annuals.

Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana) Nicotiana sylvestris

Nicotiana is sometimes referred to as jasmine tobacco, because of its intense, sweet scent. Go for the tall Nicotiana Sylvestris for a fragrance that will permeate the evening air. Many of the shorter, modern Nicotiana Alata have only a faint scent. Nicotiana is usually grown as an annual.

Belladonna Lily

The rather rude common name of Naked Lady was given because the flowers bloom before the leaves appear. The beautiful tubular flowers give off an extremely sweet scent that is often likened to bubble gum.

Cestrum nocturnum/Night Blooming Jasmine

The scent of night-blooming jasmine wafts in and out of the air, usually catching you when the air is still. Unlike Jasminum officinale, which can be very sweet, night-blooming jasmine is often described as a sultry scent.

Roses

Although not all roses are fragrant, they may be the first flower most people think of when it comes to fragrance. There is actually a lot of variety in rose scents, from candy-sweet to exotic and spicy.

Jasmine

One jasmine plant can perfume your entire yard. The beautiful evergreen foliage and star-shaped flowers are simply a bonus of its spicy, sweet scent. The most fragrant flowers that you can grow in your home garden are Jasmines. There are so many extremely popular species of Jasmines like Jai, Juhi, Bela, Mogara, Chameli etc. Most of them are perennial climbers & can be grown in big sized pots.

This evergreen, twinning tangle of a vine is not a true jasmine. It smells so much like one that it earned its common name. A well-established plant will be covered with the fragrant blooms.

Clematis

Sweet autumn clematis is covered with a cloud of small white flowers in the fall. Besides their beauty, the flowers give off a gentle vanilla scent, which really hits you if you can walk below the vine. This plant is invasive in some areas.

Tuberose

These flowers have an unusual sweet scent that has been likened to everything from candy to Dr. Pepper soda. The stalks holding the large, white flowers can reach five feet tall. In cooler zones, the bulbs can be lifted and stored for winter.

Plumeria

Plumeria, also known as frangipani, is a small tropical tree with attractive, leathery leaves and sweet-smelling, waxy blooms that burst forth from early summer until autumn. Plumeria flowers are so stunning and fairly easy to care for. If you live in a warm climate, you can enjoy growing plumeria plants in your garden.

Kanak Champa

It is normally evergreen in its natural, moist habitat but goes bare for a brief period in dry situations like Delhi. It tolerates frost well and prefers full sunshine. Flower buds are densely rusty-hairy. The fragrant, pure-white flowers are exposed when the flower-cup peels backwards like a banana skin. A common ornamental tree in large gardens in Delhi.

Champa

Champa is a very well known flower native to India, and popular for its fragrant flowers. It is a tree up to 50 m or taller, Flowers are fragrant, petals 15-20, yellow, inverted-lance shaped, Champa is found in the Himalayas, up to NE India, South India and SE Asia, at altitudes of 600-1300 m. Flowering: June-July.

Cannonball tree/Couroupitaguianensis

This large deciduous tropical tree, 75′ tall and indigenous to the Amazon rainforest, is listed as a rare tree and flower in India. The leaves, up to 6″ long, are simple with a serrate margin; it flowers in racemes which are cauliflorous; the yellow, reddish and pink flowers are stunning fragrant. These are 3″ to 5″ waxy aromatic smelling, pink and dark-red flowers growing directly on the bark of the trunk.

Magnolia grandiflora

Magnolia is native to the south-eastern US, and is one of the most magnificent of the fragrant trees. Its trunk is typically straight and erect with spreading branches that form a dense, broadly pyramidal crown. It has large, thick, leathery dark green leaves which are up to 10 inches long. In the spring, they have a golden to rust color on their undersides. The large evergreen trees may grow to 90 ft tall, and the fragrant white blossoms that have smooth, almost velvet-looking petals, are 8-12 inches across. The snow white flowers are huge, and cup-shaped when young.

Gardenia (Cape jasmine)

These are beautiful evergreen shrubs that can be grown as houseplants. Plants bloom for long time with large, white flowers with sweet fragrance that can perfume an entire room

Ylang-Ylang (Cananga Odorata)

Pronounced as (eelang-eelang) it is native to rainforests of Asia and Australia, perfect for Zone 10-11. It is also called perfume tree, blooms profusely year round, pouring exotic fragrance to the far long distances. If you are living in a tropical region, grow this.

Mock orange

Blooms in summer, mock orange flowers emanate a pleasant orange like odour that is refreshing like mint, those who have it in their garden knows how elegant its fragrance is..

Crinum asiaticum

Commonly known as  giant crinum lily, grand crinum lily, spider lily,is a plant species widely planted in many warmer regions as an ornamental plant. It is a bulb-forming perennial producing an umbel of large, showy flowers that are prized by gardeners.

Combretum indicum

Other Names: Chinese honeysuckle, Rangoon creeper

Popular for its highly fragrant flowers, Madhumalti is a creeping vine that grows up to 8-25 feet tall. It produces a cluster of blossoms that changes color gradually. Initially, they are white, then they turn into pink and eventually to red. Emerging during springs and summers, the mesmerizing fragrance of its flowers is at the peak during the night time. This creeper can be trained on trellis, arbors, and borders as an ornamental vine.

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com.

KEEPING THE GERANIUMS GO ON ALL SUMMER

Geraniums are one of the all-time classic flowering annuals for growing in flower beds, containers and hanging baskets. Their large brackets of flowering petals can brighten up any area of the landscape. Especially when you consider you can grow them in a wide variety of colors that fit any need. In our NCR region it’s really a hard task to save them in summers.

Geraniums bloom in red, white, pink, salmon, and a whole slew of variegated combinations. And with just a few tried and trusted methods of care, you can keep those blooms lasting from late spring to whole year.

Here is a look at these simple secrets to help you keep your geraniums blooming and blooming all season.

1. Give Geraniums Plenty Of Space & Soil

When it comes to keeping geraniums productive, there are two important factors to consider when it comes to the soil they grow in: Soil quality, and soil mass. The soil needs to be fertile enough to provide the nutrients needed for strong growth, there has to be enough soil to promote extensive root structure. Unfortunately, if the potting soil is poor, even added nutrients in the form of liquid or dry fertilizers won’t be absorbed by the roots. It either runs right through the plant, or can’t find its way to the roots. Both of which will keep your geraniums away from producing new blooms and from flowering. But not only is the condition of the soil important, so is the amount of soil available for each plant to grow. That is especially important when growing in baskets, containers and pots.

2.Avoiding Small / Shallow Containers

Avoid containers that are shallow or small in circumference. Not only do plants run out of nutrients and soil space, smaller containers can overheat quickly in the hot summer sun. In the process, they dry out quickly and damage the roots over time.

It is actually a simple formula for success: The more room and space that is available for soil, the better your plants will perform. Planter boxes should be at least 8″ in depth for best results.

For pots or hanging baskets, select vessels that are at least 12 to 14 inches in diameter. Anything less, and it’s simply too easy for the plants to become root-bound by mid-summer.

3.Pruning /Pinching Back Foliage Early In The Season

If left to their own growing patterns, geraniums tend to grow more upward than outward. This can leave plants and their ensuing blooms looking thin and sparse. But by pinching back the foliage growth early in the season, you can create a stockier, more full-bodied plant.

For best results, pinch back (we use scissors to trim back) foliage and any stems to about 1/3rd of the plants size. This forces the plant into developing new shoots below. In turn, it creates a healthier plant with thick, strong growth at its base. All of which then sets the stage for more buds and more blooms all summer long.

4.Deadheading

To keep new blooms coming on all summer long, deadheading is an absolute must! Deadheading is the process of removing the spent blooms of a plant. And the more often you perform this easy chore, the more your plant will respond with even more blooms.

By doing this, you keep the plant’s energy and resources focused on producing new blooms, and not on trying to salvage what is left of an old stem. As long as dying stems and flower heads remain on a plant, the plant will continue to try to send nutrients its way.

As soon as a bloom stem begins to fade, cut it back to the base of the foliage. Not only will it keep your plant looking neat and tidy, but it will set the stage for even more colorful flowers to come!

5.Fertilizing

Although geraniums are not massive feeders from the soil, a slow and steady intake of nutrients will help to continually power strong growing habits and full blooms. This is especially true for container and hanging basket plants. Feed plants every two weeks with either compost tea or an all-purpose organic fertilizer for maximum blooms. In addition, mulching plants (even container and basket plants) with a coating of compost will help leach nutrients slowly into the roots below.

6.Proper Watering

 Geraniums often suffer more from over-watering than from a lack of water, especially when growing in pots, containers and hanging baskets. It is important when planting in a container setting to be sure the vessel has adequate drainage. Check the bottom of containers for drain holes. If there is only one, consider drilling in a few more to help excess water escape.

When watering, water deeply but less frequently. This allows the roots to head deeper into the soil, increasing both their nutrient intake and their ability to conserve water. If the foliage begins to yellow, it is usually a sign the plant’s roots are water-logged. If this occurs, cut back on watering for a few days, and check to make sure water can exit the container.

I hope with the above suggestions you will not be able to save your Geraniums but see them flowering too.

(all photos, courtesy Internet)

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com.

Every year on the third Friday in May, thousands of people around the world participate in Endangered Species Day by celebrating, learning about, and taking action to protect threatened and endangered species. Wildlife refuges, zoos, aquariums, gardens, schools, libraries, museums, community groups and individuals hold special programs or events for people of all ages. Due to the global coronavirus crisis, the programs organized for Endangered Species Day 2021 will primarily be online events, digital actions, and remote activities. 

This day gives us the opportunity to be more aware about the conservation of endangered species and learn about the different steps the country is taking to properly protect these animals.

On National Endangered Species Day, here are 7 endangered animal species which  are endangered in India.

Photo Credits- Wikipedia

1. Asiatic Lion

The Asiatic Lion is one of the mightiest species of lion in the world. The entire population of the species can now only be found in India and is now restricted to Gir National Park and environs in Gujarat. The IUCN Red List has declared the animal endangered because of the constant decrease of its population since 2010. The total number of Asiatic Lions left in the country are now just 650.

Photo Credits- AFP

2. Bengal Tiger

Referred to as the ‘Big Cat’ in our country, the Bengal Tiger has 70 percent of its overall population living in India. Due to the rigorous poaching instances in India, the species has become endangered in the last 4 years. Corbett National Park has a large number of Bengal Tigers currently, though the overall number of these tigers in India are down to around 2000.

Photo Credits- britannica.com

3. Snow Leopard

The snow leopard is a large cat which used to be found in large numbers in the mountain ranges of Asia, but because of constant human interference in their natural environment, the number of snow leopards have dropped down to almost to bare 500. These cats can now be spotted only in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the western and eastern parts of the Himalayas.

Photo Credits- Wikipedia

4. Nilgiri Tahr

The Nilgiri Tahr is an endangered mountain goat species, which is now found in some areas of Kerala. The species became endangered due to continuous poaching and lack of natural habitats for them. They are considered as the state animal of Tamil Nadu but are now having troubling finding a home in the state. There are around 2500 Nilgiri Tahrs left in the world now and their numbers keep decreasing due to harmful human activities.

Photo Credits- Reddit

5. Kashmiri Red Stag

The Kashmiri Red Stag is also known as Hangul, and has been critically endangered for decades. The animal is found in dense riverine forests of the high valleys in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. The number of Kashmiri red stags had fallen as low as 150 in 1970 but since then, there have been many conservation drives conducted to protect this critically endangered species in our country.

Photo Credits- Britannica

6. Blackbuck

The blackbuck is also known as the Indian antelope and in found in several regions of India, Nepal and Pakistan. The species has also been declared extinct in Bangladesh and is now endangered in India due to heavy poaching and tampering of its natural environment. The blackbuck can now only be seen in small herds in the country, but as a conservative measure, it has been introduced in Argentina and the United States to increase their number.

Photo Credits- savetherhino.org

7. One- horned rhinoceros

The one horned rhino is also called the Indian rhinoceros and is listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN. The animal is mostly found in the foothills of Himalayas, in India and in Nepal. They are usually poached for their horns, which allegedly have medicinal properties. Due to constant poaching, the numbers have decreased over time, with now more than 2000 such rhinos remaining in the wild. Now they are being conserved in several wildlife sanctuaries and parks in the nation.

Fact Source –Internet

Vandna Bhatnagar

  Nonofficial66@gmail.com

PESTS OF MAY

Hello Gardeners.

Hope you all are good and taking good care of yourself during this period of pandemic. You all must have sown seeds of summer vegetables by now.

As you are aware all summer crops come under zaid.

Zaid crops are summer season crops. They grow for a small time period mainly from March to June. These crops are mainly grown in the summer season during a period called the “Zaid crop season.” They require warm dry weather as a major growth period and longer day length for flowering. This period is supposed to be best as we have to worry less No worries of frost or rains.

But still we have to fight with plenty of pests.

Like you know along with spring when new leaves come, old leaves fall which houses many insects and they start looking for new dwellings. In order to find new dwellings and food they venture to our new crops hence we see different types of pests on our different  Vegetables, fruits and flowers. As we had discussed in last month still if anything left can be freshened up again.

Controlling of pests and diseases is very important in home gardening. In March and April pests become very active. If not taken care they trouble you in May too.

There is variation in temperature in morning ,afternoon and night. Though May becomes stable but still you don’t know due to drastic climate change.

Pests to watch

Butterfly

Butterfly plays havoc on Cycas revolute. Cycas revoluta plants are very expensive. There is a great demand for its healthy leaves in floral arrangements. However, a butterfly destroys the leaves so badly that the entire plant becomes an eyesore. Twice a year a bunch of new leaves emerge from the center of the foliage. The butterfly which lays eggs on the new emerging leaves is Chiladespandava, commonly known as Cycad blue. These butterflies never lay eggs on mature leaves, so preventive measures are to be taken only when new leaves are about to emerge. At this time thoroughly wet the central cone-like bunch of the leaves and dust Wettable sulphur on them. After wettable sulphur is dusted, see that no water spray falls on the leaves; this would wash away sulphur. Odour of sulphur will deter butterflies from laying eggs. This treatment should be followed once every week till all new leaves have fully emerged.

White flies: Plants show curly leaves and later turn black .

Jaggid: This also sucks and spreads viruses. They are hopper insects.

Leaf-miner: It is visible as lines on the leaves. Remove infected leaves immediately. Use of garlic spray is beneficial.

Caterpillar: They are very active during this period. These are active on curry leaves, tomatoes etc.

Thrips: They are fringed, winged minute pests.

Mealy bugs: They are seen as white colonies on hibiscus, plumeria etc.

Ants: Don’t think they are harmless. They indirectly harm the plants .They are seen on vines of tori etc. They make lines on leaves by their continuous movement which make leaves and stems tender and hence susceptible to viruses.

Treatment. Make small balls with 5 gm boric powder and baking soda  with water and place near the base of the plants. 

Termites/White Ants: Take raw cow dung / empty corn cob /dry stick .Ants will get attracted to them.Then pour hot heeng water on them.

Other problems are like:

Damping off: It is due to seed borne or due to transplanting errors. Treat seeds with fungicide /trichoderma/cow urine 5 drops in 1lt of water. Soak soft seeds for 30 min and hard seeds for 6hrs.

Downy Mildew: Avoid misting in the morning to prevent it.

Treatment: Take 100 ml buttermilk in a copper vessel. Keep for 5 days .Strain and spray in the evening.

Early blight

Treatment: Take Sulphur 2 gms which can be sprayed or you can use unusable almonds with skin. Soak in water and crush. Strain and spray. Almonds and guava leaves have sulphur .

Powdery Mildew Treatment: Take 40%milk in 60% water and spray. Repeat after 14 days.

Aphids: They are green and dark brown. They damage the plant in two ways. They suck the plant and injure it by making holes. When they inject the plant they spread viruses also through their saliva.

Treatment

1.They can be removed by high pressure water.

2.Take used vegetable oil, like that left out of pakoras. Oil 5 drops, neem oil and ginger, garlic chilly paste and 5 drops of Soap, mix in 4 L of water and spray on the plants.

Precautions

Always wash your plants in the evening to avoid fungal disease. Neem oil spraying is beneficial.

Another solution is to take handful leaves of  5 plants like Kaner, Bel, Bhang, Neem, Aak And Datura. Soak them in water for 5 days. Strain, dilute and spray.

Make ginger, garlic and chilli paste and add apple cider (5gms of each) .You can add turmeric,  cinnamon in 5 L of water. Strain and store in a bottle. Keep in shade. Use as per requirements. Effective on mealy bugs, sucking pests.

Chop 2 cups of fresh bottom leaves of tomato plants. Dissolve in 1 L of water and leave overnight. Spray on plant foliage. Being pungent pests don’t like the taste.

Rust: Mulch your plants by using dry leaves on soil or use pieces of cardboard around your plants.

Besides these I would emphasize again:

To buy seeds from verified place, treat seeds before sowing by soaking them in fungicide solution like trichoderma.

Plant your seedlings in the evening and treat again with fungicide or with a

Mix of haldi & cinnamon powder.

Rotate your crops 

CROP ROTATION

This is the growing of different crops, one after another, on the same piece of land.

As we all are home gardeners with limited spaces and resources we have to make best use of the limited spaces available to us

Crop Rotation is very much important in agriculture. It plays a very big role in ensuring an Improved and Sustainable Agriculture production as discussed below;

1. Maintains soil fertility by enabling the fixation of nitrogen.

2. Helps in recovering leached nutrients.

3. Controls weeds, pests and diseases by breaking their life cycles.

4. If legumes are included in the rotation, they add nitrogen to the soil.

5. Controls soil erosion by ensuring a good vegetation cover all the time.

6. Maintains the soil structure since the levels of organic matter are maintained.

7. Reduces farming costs since it minimizes the use of fertilizers and manures.

etc.

When practicing crop rotation, the following should be put in consideration to ensure a good crop rotation;

(a). Deep and shallow rooters should alternate to enable the proper use of nutrients at different soil levels.

(b). Crops with the same nutrient requirements should not follow one another.

(c). Crops with the same pests and diseases should not follow one another.

(d). Legumes should be included in the rotation to provide nitrogen.

(e). There should be a resting period (fallow) at the end of the rotation.

etc.

PRACTICE A GOOD CROP ROTATION. YOU WILL NEVER REGRET.

Let’s together take agriculture to another  level of development.

Happy Gardening

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com.

WORLD TURTLE DAY

23 MAY

The purpose of World Turtle Day, May 23, sponsored yearly since 2000 by American Tortoise Rescue, is to bring attention to, and increase knowledge of and respect for, turtles and tortoises, and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive.

World Turtle Day is celebrated around the globe in a variety of ways, from dressing up as turtles or wearing green summer dresses, to saving turtles caught on highways, to research activities. Turtle Day lesson plans and craft projects encourage teaching about turtles in classrooms.

World Turtle Day 2021: 7 facts about turtles

1. Turtles belong to one of the oldest reptile groups in the world. Their origin dates back to the time of dinosaurs, which is nearly 200 million years back, which makes them significantly older than snakes, crocodiles and alligators.

2. The shell of a turtle is actually a part of its skeleton, and is made up of nearly 50 bones. The shell makes up a part of the turtle’s rib cage and spine. The shell of a turtle actually grows with its age, just like a human skeleton!

3. Despite what most people believe, turtles can never come out of their shells. Their shells grow with them and it’s impossible for them to outgrow their shells. Sea turtles, unlike other turtles, can’t even retract their flippers and head back into their shells.

4. Turtles are very fond of jellyfish, even though some species are poisonous. Their appetite for jellyfish can sometimes prove harmful for them, as many times they ingest plastic, thinking it’s a floating jellyfish, which can choke them. Turtles can be herbivores, carnivores and omnivores in nature.

5. Turtles breathe air and lay their eggs on land, which makes them amniotes. Even though they spend most of their lives underwater, they still lay their eggs on land. Most of the sea creatures are anamniotes, which means they lay their eggs underwater.

6. Turtles are cold-blooded, which results to an incredibly long life span. Another reason for their long life span is that they have very slow metabolism and can survive without food and water for a long time. They can also survive in harsh conditions, which also adds to their life span.

7. There are a total of 300 species of turtles in the entire world, out of which 129 species are endangered. This is because of constant human interruptions in their natural habitat. They are also poached by humans and are pushed into illegal pet trade. Most of the species of turtles and tortoises are vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered, according to the IUCN. The most common reason why they are endangered is because they are slaughtered for their meat, skin, shells and other properties.

National Marine Turtle Action Plan (2021-2026) By Government Of India

The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has released ‘Marine Mega Fauna Stranding Guidelines’ and ‘National Marine Turtle Action Plan’.

Key takeaways 

The documents contain ways and means to guide improved coordination amongst the government, civil society, and all relevant stakeholders on the response to cases of stranding, entanglement, injury or mortality of marine mammals, and also conservation of marine turtles.

These two documents highlight:

• Actions to be taken for handling stranded animals on the shore, stranded or entangled animals in the sea or on a boat.
• Management actions for improved coordination.
• Reducing threats to marine species and their habitats.
• Rehabilitation of degraded habitats.
• Enhancing people’s participation,

Advance scientific research and exchange of information on marine mammals and marine turtles and their habitats.

Status of turtles in India

Five species of Indian turtles along with their IUCN status are as follows: 

• Olive Ridley – Vulnerable
• Green turtle – Endangered
• Loggerhead – Vulnerable
• Hawksbill – Critically Endangered
• Leather back – Vulnerable

They are protected in Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, under Schedule I.

They are also protected under the Biodiversity Conservation and Ganga Rejuvenation programme.

Let’s join our hands to protect beautiful creation of God.

Thought Development , Facts and Photos Coutesy –Internet

Vandna Bhatnagar

nonofficial66@gmail.com

WORLD BEE DAY

20 MAY

World Bee Day is celebrated to create awareness about the importance of bees. Bees are important insects that help preserve balance within ecosystems. They play an important role as they help pollinate flowers and agricultural plants. According to worldbeeday.org, one-third of all food produced in the world depends on pollination. Unfortunately, bee populations have been decreasing due to climate change, pollution, and intensive agriculture. This day aims to encourage new solutions to prevent bee populations from declining.

World Bee Day was established in 2017 by the UN General Assembly. It is observed annually on May 20th, the birthday of Anton Janša, a pioneer in modern beekeeping.

Choosing a honey plant to attract Bees

There are a great many bee-friendly plants to choose from that are suitable for even a flowerpot, both herbs and aromatic plants. Examples are basil, thyme, lemon balm, short stem sunflowers, coneflowers and many more.

We can also decide to plant a bee-friendly tree, such as wild cherry, chestnut, maple or lime if large area happens to be at disposal. In a garden we can plant some shrub–roses. There are also many options for planting honey plants in a field, such as sunflowers, pumpkins, buckwheat, poppies, oilseed rape, heliotropes or clover, etc.

 Raising awareness among children

We can make the younger generation aware of the importance of bees by distributing bee friendly plants and trees. Children like to hear buzz sound made by the bees. They should be encouraged to keep water for bees.

Plant flowers with single petals. Flowers with a single row of petals, rather than flowers with more than one row, are more attractive to bees. Single-petaled flowers have more pollen than other flowers, so they provide a little more food for hungry honey bees. It’s also easier for bees to reach the pollen when there is only one row of petals to crawl across. Here are a few flowers bees particularly love:

• Asters
• Calliopsis
• Clover
• Cosmos
• Crocuses
• Dahlias
• Foxglove
• Geraniums
• Hollyhocks
• Hyacinth
• Marigolds
• Poppies
• Roses
• Snowdrops
• Sunflowers
• Zinnias

Plant yellow, white, blue and purple flowers. These colors attract bees more than pinks, oranges and reds do. Your garden doesn’t have to be exclusively yellow, blue and purple, but having a good amount of flowers with these hues will keep the bees buzzing in your yard.
Plant flowers that bloom in sequence. If all of your flowers bloom at the same time, the bees will have a feast, and then run out of food before the summers end. Plant a variety of flowers that will bloom throughout the spring, summer, and into the fall to keep the bees in your neighborhoods fed and happy.

Plant flowering vegetable and fruit plants. Berries, melons, squash, cucumbers, and fruit trees, especially cherry trees, all produce fragrant flowers and fruit that are attractive to bees. Bees are beneficial to these plants, so providing them in your garden will be a treat for you both. Bees adore these fruits and vegetables:

• Blackberries
• Cantaloupe
• Cucumbers
• Gourds
• Cherry trees
• Peppers
• Pumpkins
• Squash
• Strawberries
• Watermelons

Plant herbs that attract bees. If you have space for a little herb garden, that’s another great way to attract bees. Mints attract certain types of bees, as do sage, rosemary, thyme, bee balm, and a number of other herbs. Here’s a list of herbs that bees love, for your reference:

• Bee Balm
• Borage
• Catnip
• Coriander/Cilantro
• Fennel
• Lavender
• Mints
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme

Let it get a little wild. If your grass is close-clipped, every stick has been picked up, and there’s not a muddy spot to be found, bees will have trouble finding a home in your yard, no matter how many wildflowers you plant. Bees are wild creatures who need a wild habitat to thrive. Follow these steps to invite bees–

• Allow for some open, meadow-like spaces in your yard and garden.
• Leave an area un-mowed and let wild clover grow. If you don’t have clover in your yard, scatter some white clover seed over the area in the fall.
• Leave a small brush pile and some leaves lying where they fell. Bees will use them to make a home.
• Leave patches of exposed dirt that turn to mud when it rains. Some bees live underground and will thank you for access to the mud they need.

Make a bee bath. Bees have trouble using birdbaths, because they aren’t able to land in deep water. They need an island to land on so they can walk to the edge and take a drink or a bath without drowning. To make a bee bath, take a wide, shallow dish or tray and line the edges with flat rocks. Pour water over the rocks and into the bottom of the tray. Place it in your garden near the flowers that attract the most bees. The bees will be able to land on the rocks and access the water.

Provide a bee shelter. Rotting vegetation and stumps are great shelters for bees. More and more backyard gardeners are installing hives and other bee shelters to provide nesting spots for bees. If you’re serious about attracting bees to your yard and helping them thrive, this option might be something to consider. You can start by building a small bee “house”. 

When planting a bee-friendly plant where we live, we provide pasture for bees and other pollinators and increase the variety of fruit and vegetables on our tables. Furthermore, we contribute to the preservation of nature for future generations. That’s the purpose of World Bee Day. Let’s join hands and save the wonder creatures.

(Source for theme development and photos  — Internet)

Vnadna Bhatnagar

Nonofficial66@gmail.com