From the Editor’s Desk

Hello friends…..

Biodiversity is the biological variety and variability of life on earth.  Biodiversity is a measure of variation at the genetic, species and ecosystem level.

Since the time humans have emerged, we have seen an ongoing biodiversity reduction and an accompanying loss of genetic diversity, caused primarily by human impacts, particularly habitat destruction.

To put it simply, it means that we are impacting the biodiversity in an adverse way by ways of global warming, environmental degradation, ocean acidification, mass extinction etc, to name a few.  Some human activities that have tremendous impact are population explosion, overconsumption, overexploitation, pollution and deforestation.

The studies have shown that humanity’s current demand is 70 % higher than the regeneration rate of all the planet’s ecosystem combined.

In a report in “Frontiers in Conservation Science” warned that population explosion is a significant factor in toxification of mother earth.  This also increases the risk of pandemics. Human-induced land degradation is increasingly becoming a serious concern.

To give an example, increased consumption of Palm Oil in our food, and other products, has caused 47 % of deforestation since year 2000 for the purpose of growing Palm Oil in the regions of Asia, Latin America and West Africa.  This has led to massive deforestation.

As per a study, about 100 bird species in India alone face extinction.

The scientists agree that given the present rate of population growth, we would need at least four planets to provide our future generations a livable life.

And the results of such studies are heart-rending.

That simply means that we have not been doing justice with mother earth and resources.

In that sense, it is time that we respect our planet, whether it is in terms of population growth, over-exploitation of already meagre natural resources, toxification of environment and waters around, or for that matter, doing our little bit in making our surroundings more green and less toxic.

Together, we stand here, committed to make a better world, a cleaner world.

Jai Hind!

FLOWER BULBS : JUNE

In horticulture, the word bulb includes underground modified stems which are used for propagation e.g. bulb, corm, tuber and rhizome. Plants with tuberous roots are also grouped as bulbous plants. A large number of these plants producing attractive flowers are grown in the hills and are commercially important plants in floriculture. Many types flower well both in plains and hills but the season of growth and flowering may vary.

A bulbous plant has normally three phases during a year—growth, flowering and dormancy.

Cultivation

Bulbs prefer loam or sandy loam soil. In stiff clay, rooting is delayed and too much moisture often causes rotting. If the soil is not perfectly well-drained, the bulbs may be planted on a bed of sand. Watering is not required after planting as the fleshy underground stems contain sufficient food materials to develop initial growth of root and shoot. Before root formation, watering proves injurious to the bulbs and helps in rotting.

Bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes are used for vegetative propagation.  Various methods  used for propagation are as follows.

Division of clump: Rhizomatous plants, like the Canna,  Alpinia can be divided into small clumps. Offsets produced laterally are separated for multiplication.

Cormlets or bulblets produce new plants. Bulbs, corms, rhizome or tuber are usually planted when they have shown signs of sprouting after dormancy.

The planting materials are normally placed deep in the soil and the soil around it is gently pressed. The depth of planting varies with the type or plants and size of bulbs. For most of the bulbous plants grown in tropical gardens, the planting depth is between 3-10 cm.

Most of these plants require sunny conditions, while Eucharis and Zephyranthes thrive better in semi shade; few types, e.g. Pancratium, Haemanthus, Zephyranthes etc grow and flower well in sun and semi shade. Bulbs, corms and tubers should not come in direct contact with fresh organic manure; rhizomes are not usually affected. Time of planting depends on the season of flowering, environmental condition of the region and condition of the planting material.

CALADIUM (Araceae)

The genus comprises about 16 herbaceous perennial species with tuberous rhizomes. They are a native of tropical America and are widely grown in warm humid climates for the beautiful and attractive foliage produced during the rainy season. Some of the important species are Caladium bicolor, C.humboldtii,  C.picturatum, and  C.schomburgkii.  Numerous varieties have been raised particularly from C.bicolor.

Leaves are usually peltate-sagittate, stalks variegated, blades are with very many shades of colour, e.g. variegated green, blue green, dark green, light green, spotted with white, red, transparent white, etc. Leaf veins may be red, silvery or green.  Leaf margins are coloured with purple, white, yellow or red. In some species, the shape of the blade is lanceolate-sagittate. Flowers are unisexual.

The pot compost for planting Caladium should be prepared by mixing loamy soil with leaf mould and well-decomposed cow dung manure. It prefers moist but porous soil. Application of liquid manure at frequent intervals enhances growth and improves colour of foliage. Caladium is propagated through division of the tuberous rhizome and rarely by seeds. It is planted in summer and leaves show a fine display of colour in the rainy season.

The leaves start fading in autumn and water is gradually withheld until they have withered. In dormant condition, the rhizome may be allowed to remain in the soil or dug out and stored in a cool and dry place.

COOPERIA (Amaryllidaceae)

The genus is named after Joseph Cooper, an English gardener, comprises about 6 species native to North America, and differing from Zephyranthes by the long perianth tube and erect anthers. They are tender bulbous plants with the habit of Zephyranthes but blooms only at night. Important species are C.drummondii and C.pedunculata. Flowers are fragrant, white, and sometimes tinged with red or pink.

Flowers are solitary, the perianth subtended by a bract like spathe. Leaves are long, narrow flat and twisted and appear along with the flower. It is cultivated in a semi shady location and in sandy loam soil. Addition of well-rotted compost, sand and charcoal dust in beds or pots is beneficial. Cooperia is propagated by bulbs. It is planted during spring in a rock garden, border or in pots and starts blooming during May-June.

COOPERANTHES (Amaryllidaceae)

This genus is a product of intergeneric hybrid between species of Cooperia and Zephyranthes, first raised in 1900 by Percy Lancaster at the Agri-Horticultural Society, Alipore, Calcutta. Hybrid between Cooperia oberwettii x Zephyranthes robusta is known as Alipore Beauty, is probably the best known Cooperanthes. Flowers are light lilac, rose or white.

It grows well in well-drained sandy loam soil, rich in organic matter and in semi shade. Cooperantes are propagated by bulbs. They are planted in the spring and the plants start flowering by the end of summer. They are grown both in bed or in pots and are good as cut flowers.

CRINUM (Amaryllidaceae)

The genus Crinum, comprises more than 100 species of large and showy flowering bulbous plants. They are closely allied to Amaryllis and distinguished by the longer perianth tube. The species cross freely and many fine hybrids of Crinum, between Crinum and Amaryllis and Crinum and Hymenocallis are known. Some of the important cultivated species and hybrids are C. longifolium, C. mooriei, C. powellii, C. variabile, C asiaticum, C. augustum, C. careyanum, C. yuccaeflorum, C. giganteum, C.zeylanicum.  Flowers are usually white or in shades of red and purple.

The stems arise from the tunicate bulbs with a more or less elongated neck. Leaves are large, about 150 cm long and 12-15 cm wide, evergreen or deciduous, depending on the species.  Flowers are regular, often highly scented, tube narrow, with six segments and usually funnel-shaped. In some species flowers are 30 cm long and 15 cm wide.

Most of the species prefer shade or semi shady locations for planting. Crinums usually have large bulbs, sometimes as much as 60 to 80 cm long with numerous fleshy roots. If planted in beds, the soil should be dug to a depth of two to three feet, mixed up well with sufficient quantities of rotten cow dung and compost. It can also be grown in large pots containing soil rich in organic matter.

Bulbs should be of good size and planting is done to a depth below the ground level, twice the size of the bulbs. The plant will grow and flower for years, if watered in the summer months and top dressed with fresh loamy soil around new vegetative growth. Bulbs are planted in April to get flowers during the rainy season.

EUCHARIS GRANDIFLORA (E.amazonica) (Amaryllidaceae)

Eucharis is an important bulbous plant, popularly known as `Amazon Lily’. It prefers semi shade and flowers better in plains than on the hills. The bulbs are globular in shape, leaving large lanceolate. The flowers are about 7 cm across, white, sweet, scented, and 5-7 blooms appear on a stalk. Eucharis grows better in pots than in the ground and the compost should be rather rich and heavy instead of sandy, but must not be often disturbed. It flowers in the summer and rains and the leaves begin to wither before the winter. Hybrid˯

GLORIOSA (Liliaceae)

As the name implies, the genus Gloriose means’ full of glory’, popularly known as climbing or creeping lily. They are tall creeping plants, supporting themselves by means of tendril which arises from leaves. This genus comprises about six species of rhizomatous plants native of Africa and tropical Asia. Important species, commonly grown in the gardens in India are G.superba and G.rothschildiana.  Leaves are oblong, lanceolate. Flowers are showy on long pedicels in leaf axils, perianth of 6 distinct long segments; stamens six with versatile anthers.

Well-drained soil in a sunny location is ideal for planting Gloriosa and the attractive flowers make a fine display of colour when trained on bamboo frame work or low trellis. Gloriosa is vegetatively propagated from rhizomes, which may be cut in pieces and planted to a depth of 3-4 cm in April-May.

The plant flowers in July-August. After flowering is over the plant begins to wither and the rhizome becomes dormant. If left undisturbed, Gloriosa continues to produce flowers for several years in the same place. Application of liquid manure once at the active phase of vegetative growth and another just before flowering is recommended.

HAEMANTHUS (Amaryllidaceae)

Haemanthus is one of the popular and attractive bulbous plants, commonly known as Football Lily or Bloody Lily. The genus comprises nearly 60 species, native of South and tropical Africa. The flowers are red, crimson, scarlet, pink and some species are white or pale green in colour. Some of the important species are H.multiflorus, H.magnifica, H.lindenii, H.albomaculatus, H.coccineus, H.tigrinus, and H.candidus.

Bulbs are usually large with thick skin. Stems are green, short, thick and fleshy. Leaves are usually large and luxuriant, turn yellow and dry in the winter months, the scape is sometimes curiously coloured. Inflorescence is a dense, many flowered umbel, perianth straight and erect with a short cylindrical tube. Flowers are showy and produced in ball-like heads. Fruits are berry like, indehiscent. Flowers often appear before the leaves or sometimes simultaneously.

To plant in beds, the soil is deep dug and mixed with well-rotten compost and planted 40 cm apart. It grows well in pots and small pots are preferred. Application of organic manure in the rains and liquid manure before flowering is beneficial and the plants will continue to flower for several years in the same place.

They are propagated by offsets, which should be detached from the mother plant during spring. The bulbs are planted in pots or in beds during spring season to bloom in summer and early part of the rainy season.

HEDYCHIUM (Zingiberaceae)

Hedychium consists of 40 species of rhizomatous herbs native of Asia and several species are grown for their beautiful and fragrant flowers in both plains and hills. It prefers semi-shade and moist soil and produces many flowered large spikes during July-October. The leaves die before winter.

HEMEROCALLIS (Liliaceae)

Hemerocallis is popularly known as Day Lily as the flowers last for a day and the blossoms fade at night. This genus consists of more than a dozen species and they are mostly native of China and Japan. The plants are very hardy, stout rooted, glabrous, perennial herbaceous plants, admired for their showy blooms.

The leaves are almost grass like, 2 ranked at the base of the scape. Flowers are lily-like, large funnel shaped, yellow or reddish orange or brown in colour. Though the individual flowers last for a day, many flowers open successively to keep the lasting beauty for a long period.

Hemerocallis grows in a wide variety of soil. While planting, the ground should be dug to a depth of 50 to 60 cm and mixed up with well-rotted compost. They take a year or two to establish properly and should not be disturbed very frequently. Planting is done in February to March and flowering continues from May to August.

Propagation is by division of the clumps and also by seeds. Some of the species are self-sterile and seeds can be obtained easily by crossing two species. Many new-varieties with attractive large flowers of various colours have developed by hybridisation.  After 4-5 years, Hemerocallis clumps may be forked out during January-February separated and can be replanted again in the planting season.

POLYANTHES TUBEROSA (Amaryllidaceae) Tuberose

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa), a native of Mexico, is widely grown in the plains of India and blooms profusely during the summer and rains, flaunting its fragrance outdoors and indoors. Most artistic garland, floral ornaments, bouquets and buttonholes are made from these flowers. The long spike of flowers is excellent for table decoration. The flowers remain fresh for days together and bathe the atmosphere with their sweet pleasant fragrance. ‘

The tuber is bulb-shaped and the plant is commonly classed among the `Bulbs’. The leaves are 70-80 cm long, narrow, linear and radical, bright green in colour. The flowering stalk which emerges from the centre of the cluster of leaves is about 80-120 cm long bearing successively smaller long pointed clasping leaves, uppermost ones are much reduced and bract-like. The flower buds are tubular. Flowers are 5-6 cm long, borne in pairs in an open spike pure wavy white, highly fragrant, tube 2.5 to 3.0 cm long, slightly bent near the base, expanding widely where it meets the oblong obtuse segments.

There are three types of tuberose in cultivation – `single’ with one row of corolla segments ; `semi-double’ bearing flowers with two to three rows of segments and `double’ having more than three rows of corolla segments. Though there is no popular named variety in tuberose. ‘The Pearl’ is known to be a variety in the double flowered type. A variety with variegated leaf bearing single flowers is also grown. Single flowered types are more widely cultivated than the other types.These days coloured tuberose in pink and yellow are also available in the market.

The bulbs remain dormant during the winter months in places where the temperature is low and if early planting is desired, the dormancy can be successfully broken by dipping the bulbs in 4% thiourea solution for one hour. Normally tuberose begins to flower in 90 –95 days after planting. It flowers during the summer and rains (April-September) in the plains of eastern part of the country and from May to July on the hills, while in milder climates tuberose flowers well throughout the year.

Bulbs having diameter 2.0 and 2.5 cm show satisfactory growth and flowering. The average life of a flower spike is about 10-15 days in situ, while that of an individual flower varies from 4-6 days. Vase life of a spike varies from 7-10 days, depending on the environment and change of water. The spikes remain fresh for a longer period, if kept in 4% sugar solution.

Tuberose can be successfully grown in pots, beds, borders, shrubberies and rockeries. Propagation is by means of seeds and bulbs. Vegetative propagation is commonly practiced and desirable too, because such plants produce better flowers within a short period after planting.

The land should be thoroughly cultivated until the soil comes to good tilth. A good amount of rotted cow dung or farm yard manure should be incorporated with the soil at least 10-15 days before planting.  The planting distance between the bulbs is 10-15 cm, while the rows are spaced 25 cm apart. For pot cultivation, 1-2 bulbs are planted in a 20 cm pot.

A fertilizer mixture containing 6 gms of urea, 16 gms each of superphosphate (single) and muriate of potash per square meter has been found to show satisfactory growth and flowering. The above mixture should be applied in two equal doses – the first dose before planting and the second one, 4 weeks after sprouting of the bulb. Commercial growers dig out bulbs 3 years after planting. They are stored in a cool, dry and shady place and planted again in the following spring.

ZEPHYRANTHES (Amaryllidaceae)

Zephyranthes has a fanciful meaning i.e. the West-wind Flower,  commonly known as Zephyr Flower or Fairy Lily. The Genus has about 50 species of bulbous flowering plants, native of warmer regions of America. It is related to Habranthus, Pyrolirion and Hippeastrum. Some of the popular species are Z.candida, Z.citrina, Z.grandiflora, Z rosea, Z macrosiphon, Z.tubispatha and Z.Verecunda. The flowers are with many colour ranges i.e., white, yellow and various shades of pink.

Zephyranthes is a hardy bulbous herb. Leaves are filiform or linear or may be strap shaped. Flowers solitary, peduncle elongated slender, hollow; perianth funnel-shaped, erect or slightly inclined, stamen 6, stigma 3-fid.

It is commonly propagated by separating the bulbs, sometimes through seeds. Bulbs are planted in spring, 30 to 40 mm deep and 2 to 15 cm apart. They flower during summer and rains and make a very colourful display especially in rains. Top dressing of organic manure once a year in a rainy season will promote flowering and the bulbs may be left undisturbed for many years.

Happy Gardening.

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com

GARDENING IN JUNE

Vegetables

All gourds, Brinjal, Cucumber, Cauliflower (Early), Okra, Bitter gourd Onion, Sem, Tomato, Pepper, etc can be sown in this month. June is the month to set out heat-loving crops–zucchini, summer squashes, cucumbers, and melons.

Though we had planted summer vegetables in March but many of you who couldn’t can still go ahead.  Plant these crops on hills or mounds where the soil stays warmer. Work a spade-ful of compost or well-rotted manure into each hill.

Summer vegetables should be kept evenly moist–transplants should be watered every day until they are well established. Don’t let tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, melons, zucchini, squashes, or cucumbers go dry–this will impede quick and even growth which is essential for sweet, tasty fruits at harvest.

PLANTING EGGPLANTS AND PEPPERS

Be patient with eggplant and peppers. These crops require a soil temperature of 70°F (21°C), the daytime air temperature above 70°F, and night air temperature above 60°F (15°C). Sun and heat are essential for these plants to reach flowering and fruiting. Protect crops in the garden from extreme hot temperatures. Hold off feeding until eggplants and peppers blossom then use moderate nitrogen and high phosphorus and potassium. Use Epsom salts to stimulate root structure. .

PLANTING CUCUMBERS

Like eggplants, cucumbers thrive in warm weather. Cucumbers mature quickly and are easy to look after.  Pinch out the growing tips of cucumber plants when seven leaves have formed. This will keep the plant at a manageable size. Once flowers appear, water cucumbers regularly; avoid washing soil away from the roots. Feed every two weeks with liquid manure once the first fruits have started to grow.

Okra is a heat-loving annual plant that requires 55 to 65 days with temperatures consistently above 85°F (29°C) for full growth, flowering, and pod development. :

Description: Okra is a tender, heat-loving annual that grows 4 to 7 feet (1.2-2.1m) tall and produces a green and sometimes red seed pod which is harvested when 3 to 5 inches (7-12cm) long and sometimes longer. Okra has prickly stems and large maple-like leaves and large, yellow, hibiscus-like flowers with red or purplish centers. Mature pods contain buckshot-like seeds.

Yield:  Grow 6 okra plants for each household member.

Companion plants: Basil, cucumbers, eggplant, melons, peppers.

Container growing: Okra does not grow well in containers. Choose space-saving varieties for container growing.

CARING FOR OKRA

Water and feeding:  Keep okra evenly moist until established. Established plants can be kept on the dry side; stems rot easily in wet or cold conditions. Add aged compost to planting beds in advance of planting and again at midseason.  Add gypsum if the soil is slow draining.

Care: Pods contain a sticky sap that may be difficult to remove from clothing or tools. Prickles on pods can cause an allergic reaction.

Pests: Flea beetles and aphids may attack okra. Pinch out aphid-infested vegetation or knock flea beetles and aphids off plants with a strong stream of water.

Diseases: Okra is susceptible to verticillium and fusarium wilt which will cause plants to suddenly wilt, dry up, and die, usually in midsummer just as plants begin to produce.

Beans Grow beans in full sun, 8 hours of sun or more each day. Beans will grow in partial shade but the harvest will not be full. Grow beans in well-drained soil

rich in organic matter. Prepare planting beds in advance by working 2 to 3 inches (5-7cm) of aged compost into the soil.

Avoid planting beans where soil nitrogen is high or where green manure crops have just grown; these beans will produce green foliage but few beans.

Beans prefer a soil pH of 6.0 to 6.8. Keep the garden clean and free of debris. Remove and dispose of infected plants. Rotate crops to prevent the buildup of soil-borne diseases.

FEEDING CROPS

Spring-sown and transplanted crops will be ready for an extra nutrient boost as soon as they begin to flower. Side-dress young plants by drawing a circle with your finger around each plant at its drip line to a depth of about 1 inch (2.5cm) deep.

Sprinkle a tablespoon of organic fertilizer around each plant or add a line of aged compost; work it gently into the soil with a hand tool and then water well. The extra nutrients will help blossoms develop into fruit and yield sweet-tasting vegetables.

Tomato irrigation: Consistent even moisture is essential for vegetable growth.

WATERING CROPS

When the weather is dry, water summer crops so that moisture reaches deep to the roots. A long, slow watering is best. Most crops want an inch of water each week–this means soaking the soil down to a depth of 4 to 5 inches (10-12cm). Stick your index finger into the soil to gauge watering. Water in the morning or evening when evaporation by the sun is low.

WEEDING

Stay ahead of weeds. Weeds compete with vegetables for moisture and nutrients. Don’t let them get a foothold in the garden.

Those who had sown seeds earlier must check pests and spray to control them.

Enjoy your vegetables and keep on growing them to remain healthy.

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com

PERENNIAL PLANT : CYCAD

Cycads are an ancient group of seed plants that evolved in the Carboniferous or early Permian, some 280 million years ago (Norstog and Nicholls, 1997). They reached their zenith of abundance and diversity in the Mesozoic era. Cycads are one of four groups (cycads, ginkgos, conifers and gnetophytes) that are collectively and commonly referred to as gymnosperms. The Cycadales (the order containing all cycad families) is considered to be monophyletic.

A  Monophyletic group is composed of an ancestor and all of its descendants based on a suite of shared derived characters, called synapomorphies. Some synapomorphies within the Cycadales include girdling leaf traces, a specialized pattern of vascular bundles in the petiole, distinctive meristems.Cycads also bear cataphylls, which are scale-like leaves that serve to protect the apical meristem.

Cycad reproductive structures typically occur in cones, with each strobilus consisting of an axis and a series of spirally arranged megasporophylls  (leaves bearing ovules) or microsporophylls  (‘leaves’ bearing pollen sacs).  All cycads are dioecious, with male and female reproductive structures on separate plants.

Cultivation : These are beautiful landscaping plants .They can be grown in the ground and in pots also. They are beautiful ornamental plants . Many people commonly refer to them as palms which they are not.

Most common variety is Cycas revolute, other varieties being

• Stangeriaceae
• Zamiaceae
• Dioon edule
• Encephalartos
• Zamia furfuracea
• Zamia pumila
• Macrozamia
• Ceratozamia
• Lepidozamia.
• Chigua

They are also referred to as fossil plants. Some are native to rainforests while others are from semi desert climates. They can be found growing in rich organic soils, sand, or rock ,in swampy soil or in salty soils.(halophytic). Some species grow in full sun, while others need full to partial shade. Some can even tolerate frost and  snow .

Cycads have a cylindrical, usually unbranched trunk of spongy wood. The evergreen leaves grow in rosette directly from the top of the trunk creating a crown of foliage as the plant ages and older leaves fall off. Their leaves are used in the flower arrangements due to their long lasting quality. They don’t mind being root bound.

They are best repotted in spring or summer. They are slow growing plants.

Mostly produce leaves once a year. They like their soil moist but with good drainage. Over watering can kill plants. They prefer partial shade .

They reproduce through vegetative propagation from suckers and from seeds too.

Cycads in general are toxic and inedible plants.

Insects appear to be the primary vectors for pollination, including Beetles, or small bees.

Pests & Diseases

• Scale insects and mealy bugs
• Sooty mould
• Rot
• Yellowing
• Caterpillar

Scales can be managed by hand picking washing and applying neem spray.

Fertilize regularly to keep the plant healthy.

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com.

DROUGHT TOLERANT PLANTS

No matter where you live, water is a precious resource.  Some of us need to conserve more actively than others, but none of us would willingly waste water.  So why not plant drought tolerant flowering annuals?  In addition to saving on your water bill, you’ll spend less time on garden maintenance — and that’s welcome news for every busy gardener. Here are five excellent annuals that thrive in dry growing condition

Cleome (Cleome hassleriana)

Cleome is an excellent annual for the back of a sunny border. In a few short months this annual can grow four or five feet tall and two feet wide. Stems tend to branch without pinching and may need to be staked as they get larger. Cleomes are sun lovers and grow best with at least six hours of direct sun. Blooms may be white, pink, lavender, and magenta. In too moist soils, foliage will turn yellow and the plants will not thrive.

Ice plant (Delosperma spp.)

Technically this succulent plant is a perennial. Daisy-shaped flowers come in yellow, white, and magenta; ice plant foliage is narrow, smooth, succulent, and grayish green.  Some varieties spread to provide excellent ground cover, while others are more clumping. They grow best in sandy soils and full sun and do well both in containers and in the ground.

Licorice plant,  (Helichrysum petiolare)

Licorice plants come in several shapes and colors, and all of them are drought tolerant. Its leaves and stems are woolly; this is a common trait on drought tolerant plants, as the hairs on the plant slow the evaporation of water from leaf tissue. Licorice plant is usually grown for its foliage rather than its small, yellow flowers. Leaves may be gray-blue, chartreuse, or multi-colored. in;mso-

Licorice Plants grow well in sandy to average soils. It is a sun lover and may get leggy if it doesn’t receive enough light. Pinch the growing tips to encourage branching.

Lantana (Lantana camara)

Lantana gives so much and asks so little; four inch pots planted in May are the size of small shrubs by August. Lantana tolerates poor soils and blooms best in full sun. Its flowers are irresistible to butterflies. Flowers may be pastel (lavender, cream), vibrant (yellow, vermillion), or multicolored. This plant will bloom steadily and prolifically until frost whether you deadhead or not. Most lantanas are upright growers with stiff branching stems, but L. Montevidensis has a weeping growth habit.

Moss rose, purslane, portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora)

Moss rose is a showy groundcover with flowers in orange, yellow, white, and magenta; blooms may be single or double. Its leaves and stems are fleshy and succulent.  Purslane is an excellent choice for containers and the front of a sunny border. Full sun and sandy soils are best, but purslane will grow in any garden soil that’s not heavy clay.  Deadheading will tidy up the plant but is not necessary for continuous bloom.

Even drought tolerant plants need a little extra water when they’re getting established, so don’t just plant and run. Water well, once a week, while your annuals are settling in; then watch for signs of wilt as the summer progresses. Depending on where you live and how much rainfall you get, these annuals may need very little supplemental water for the rest of the season.

Happy Gardening.

Rama Tyagi.

tyagirama1@gmail.com

SUN-TOLERANT FLOWERING PLANTS

IN  NORTH INDIA Portulaca, Zinnia, Gazania, Ageratum, Globe Amaranth, Sunflower, Woodrose ,Gaillardia, Bela (Jasmine), Sadabahar (periwinkle), Lantana,Hibiscus.

Yellow Bhringraj, mirabilis, cestrum and motia are life-savers in summer garden. These flowering plants keep the bees and sunbirds busy in the garden.

Oleander, Tecoma, Bougainvillea, Kaner bushes and a Chinese orange in pots provide shade and colour. Indian sorrel growing in the shade of all the above plants in pots is my ploy against the sun drying the potted plants. Indian sorrel or Changeri gives pretty pink flowers and keeps the sun from drying out the top soil 🙂

I see flowering trees on the roadsides: Gulmohar, Amaltas, Jacaranda , Plumeria from summer to the monsoon rainy season.

Besides these many creepers like thunbergia, passion flowers , clitoria(Aprajita), Morning glories in different colours, Black eyed susan also add charm to your summer garden.

You can sow balsam seeds also now .

So the overall summer season is not less than winters with so many varieties around us.All plants are easy to grow and care for.

Happy Gardening.

Rama Tyagi.

tyagirama1@gmail.com

TALES FROM THE JUNGLES

PART 1

(The author has served the nation as an Aerospace Engineer in Indian Air Force for 26 years. During various assignments, he had chance to roam the country side, which also is his hobby. In this two-part series, he describes his rendezvous with loan tuskers in the famous Rajaji National Park, along with other interesting sightings and observations.)

I have been a soldier for 26 prime years of my life, and I am a jungle lover by hobby.

While serving with the prestigious Indian Air Force during 1981 to 2007, I have had numerous chances to roam around the jungles of the country. And the memories of these trips are still fresh in my mind, as ever.

It was in Feb 1988 that we got married and I was ordered to go to Dehradun in April 1988, to undergo a two month “Photography and Satellite Imagery” Course in prestigious Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS). Well, that was our second honey moon.

We planned to spend one weekend in one of the forest rest houses around area.  We chose Dhaulkhand forest in the famous Rajaji National Park and got the booking done at the Forest Department. To understand the exact location, you drive by road from Ambala to Dehradun.  About 10 odd KMs before you enter the hill ranges, you have to enter the dry river bed through a barrier to reach this lodge.

We used to have the famous Yezdi motorcycle. So, we, along with my another colleague, Flt Lt Gambhir, riding a scooter, reached the gate of the forest.  The guard, on checking our permissions and defence Identity Cards, opened the gate with a stern warning:” Sir, entering forest in the afternoons is not allowed, But since you are from defence, I will allow you.  This range is famous for wild elephants killing people off and on.  In case you happen to see an elephant, leave the bike engine running, and hide behind a tree. This way, you are likely to be saved, but bike, I don’t know”.

The forest rest house was some 5 kms from the gate, with a jungle lane used by the forest department vehicles. As we reached the bungalow, the sun was about to set down.  There is an old saying that in jungles, the sun sets earlier than the rest of the world. And truly so.

There was no provision of power supply in the building. It was a building with two beds, a kitchen and a bath, built on a hillock of about 20 feet high. The guard opened the rooms for us.

It was a view which is still fresh in my mind.  There was a large herd of Cheetal deer which had descended there to graze on the grass.

On enquiring from the guard, he informed that at that time, there were no carnivorous in that area, though one odd panther killing were sighted sometimes.

As we settled down in the hutment, a lone, wild tusker came near the lodge and started digging for the salt.  It is fact that a lone tusker in the wild is generally in a Musth due to increased levels of testosterones, and extremely dangerous, as I was soon to find out.

Being a photo enthusiast, I caught hold of my photo equipment and ran down towards the elephant.  Judging me to be an easy target, the wild elephant hid himself behind a large Banyan tree. Luckily, I could see its large flapping right ear and understood the game.

(Photo Courtesy : Author Sushil Bhatia, the image has been extracted from a 35 mm slide, a very common format to preserve photos at that time. These require special Slide Projector to project them on screen.  Developed and Processed by the author).

Realising that he had been found out, the tusker came out of the hide and walked passed us, taking the giant, majestic stride, in no hurry. I could take one photograph of that  animal.  The print was taken on a Cibachrome paper, a plastic sheet with three coatings of emulsions, and has been produced below.  The hazinees of the shot clearly states that the shot has been taken under low light conditions, with slow shutter speed and subject moving at a steady space. Of course, the time lapse of about 3 decades has also taken its toll on the quality. .

(Photo Courtesy: Author. The complete dark room procedure, including film developing and printing was done by author himself.)

We munched some sandwiches that we had brought along with us.

The sun changed its colour from the bright yellow to orange red, and finally went down behind the large banyan tree overlooking the lodge.  And the night jungle came alive with numerous sounds. The eerie sound of the cricket, which was hardly noticeable till evening, had started piercing the ears.  The birds had returned to their nests. Far in the dark, a peacock started screeching atop a tree, probably disturbed by a slithering snake nearby. Not far from the lodge, i could hear the hoots of an owl family, along with the fluttering of wings, most likely of Barn Owl, commonly found in jungles. Down in the valley, i could hear some jackals yelping, probably arguing over the old carcass of a deer which they had found.

 I could hear the rustling of grass on the slope, indicating the herd of deer was still grazing. The night was warm, and the swarms of mosquitoes did not let us sleep.

The next day, we perched up a huge “Machaan”, a watch tower, overlooking a water hole.  You need quite a bit of patience to see any wild life.  After waiting for about an hour, we saw a herd of Cheetal stag family, drinking water. As I was about to click, the pack leader sensed our presence and looked back at us.

(Photo Courtesy: Author. The complete dark room procedure was done by the author himself.)

While there, we could see lots of herd of deer crossing, a peacock dancing and a huge

Tusker climbing out on a steep slope. These giants can negotiate any kind of slopes, and you need to watch one to believe this.

We also tried climbing on a Fire watch tower, which is generally built on the highest hill of the area, to locate wild fires.  Me and my wife could not even climb half of that due to the feeling of vertigo, and beating that I took from my wife later that evening for trying the stunt is another story altogether.

Sushil Bhatia

sush16534@gmail.com

LITERARY CORNER

तनहा सफर

लम्हा लम्हा
यूं जलता रहा
कतरा कतरा जैसे
पिघलता रहा
धीमे धीमे
चिराग जलते रहे
एक अरमान
तनहा तनहा
सुलगता रहा

ज़िंदगी
दर्द का समंदर है
सहरा में
दिल फिर भी
प्यासा रहा
हर सांस
एक आह बन के
रह गयी
दिन में तारे
क्यों कोई
गिनता रहा।

न कोई शज़र
न कोई सितारा
शफ़क़ पर
तनहा राही
लंबा सफर
करता रहा ।

सुशील भाटिया

HFSOG MEMBERS IN PRINT

While most of us were busy in doing our own chores, many of our members were trying to put in their little bit towards social cause. And they were rightly caught doing so by various print media.

Here are few glimpses.

URVEE : A UNIQUE EXPERIMENT BY US

It has been our constant endeavor to remain connected with our citizens. And this time, we went a step ahead to offer something for our younger generation.

April is considered as the gardening month for the children all over the world to to commemorate THE WORLD EARTH DAY, which was on 22 April. The theme of The Earth Day for year 2021 was “RESTORE OUR EARTH”.

The society held a virtual competition, named URVEE for children of various age groups, wherein they could show their creativity and also express their concern for our mother earth. They could participate individually, or through schools.

And imagine, the response was so overwhelming, and the creativity so profound that the judges had difficulty in finalising the winners, and in few categories, they had to announce the trophies in sharing.

Also, many of our members burnt mid-night oil to make it a huge success.

And of course, our gratitude to all the judges who happily consented to judge the entries.

Hats off.