FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

At the onset, we wish all our esteemed readers

“A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS 75TH INDEPENDENCE DAY”.

So, here we go again.

It is raining monsoon all over the region. The earth has taken a green look. And with this start our seasons and reasons to celebrate.

Starting with 15 August, as we celebrate 75th year of independence. History books are full of description of those who martyred and gave the supreme sacrifice for our nation to get liberated. And not to forget those leaders who led the country to surge ahead in various fields, from the space journey to handling pandemics.

While we rejoice our freedom, let us not forget to have an introspection within. What has been our small contribution towards making our India clean and green?

Moving on through the list of festivities, then comes Hariyali Teej, where the women around the country like to dress up in the most traditional attires to welcome the monsoon and apply henna on their hands, marking the union of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva. It is also celebrated in the form of worship of the Vata Vriksha, The Banyan Tree, which is a symbol of knowledge as per Hindu mythiology.

Moving further, we celebrate Raksha Bandhan, which is a festival to celebrate the strong bond of love between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a colourful thread, called Rakhis, on the wrist of brothers, while brothers take the vow to defend the honour of their sisters. Indian history is full of instances where a Hindu girl had tied Rakhis to men of other religion, making them their brothers.

And so on.

While it is good to indulge in the festivities, let us not forget the challenges that lie ahead.

Challenges, to help our country surge forward.

Challenges in our society to get rid of mental shackles that still incapacitate us.

Challenges in our families where the fine thread of relationships seems breaking.

And not to forget our pledge to hand over a clean and green India to our next generation.

And we are there to help you fulfil those promises.

Jai Hind!

SEASONAL FLOWERS IN AUGUST

August is the month of rains in India. This is also a busy month getting ready for winter gardening.

Lawns troubled with weeds need attention and dressing of manure is required.

While monsoons last, irrigation of lawns, shrubs ,and pot plants should be restricted to a minimum.

Excessive growth of vigorous growing plants , shrubs, creepers, climbers can be overhauled and restricted by careful pruning. Bougainvillea may be pruned severely. Rose plants can be transplanted now. Those who want early flowering of winter annuals can start preparing. Sowing of hardy winter annuals can be started like Hollyhock, Salvia, larkspur, marigold etc.

Chrysanthemums can be transferred to their final pots towards the end of the month. Flower beds which are not in use should be kept clear of weeds.

Cauliflower, cabbage , tomato, celery, spinach and herb seeds can be sown for early crops.

 The life expectancy and survival of the flowers are also based on the rains they are going to receive. Here, we have some favourite flowers in the month of August. The rainy season flowers can be seen in gardens, ponds or adorning a vase in the month of August. Read on to know about a range of August flowers that colourfully rich and diversified terrain of India hosts, bringing delight and visual pleasure to our senses.

LIST OF FLOWERS IN AUGUST SEASON IN INDIA

 Hibiscus

You can see hibiscus flowers blooming throughout the year; however, it is the month of August that works favourably for their growth.

Lotus flower

One of the most exotic July-August flowers, lotus has been the symbol of spiritual enlightenment. Available in pink, red, yellow and white colours, the flowers have a subtle fragrance that calms you down. It represents prosperity, holistic well-being and spiritual evolution, which has transcended all barriers.

Water Lilies flower

Water lilies are often confused with lotus. They also happen to be aquatic perennials that can fill your garden and living space with a sweet aroma.

Gulmohar

Gulmohar flowers bloom only when they get continuous rainfall. The flowers have a sweet yet noticeable fragrance and are small in size. The colourful blooms look gorgeous juxtaposed against green foliage.

Jasmine

Like marigold, Jasmine is a flower that Indian landscape needs no introduction to! Used in venis, gajras and to make garlands for Gods, jasmine is a rainy season flower that is also called ‘gandhraja’ because of its sweet yet strong scent. These white colour flowers are small and tiny yet can withstand the hot and humid weather quite miraculously.  This small flower has therapeutic benefits as well. Jasmine tea can help in insomnia and anxiety-related disorders. Jasmine oil is also known as the well-known secret behind the long and thick braids of women in South India.

Tuberose

Tuberose bulbs which were planted in February and March start flowering now.

Amaltas

The dangling flower inflorescence can be seen on roads and parks.

Plumeria

Plumeria are in full glory. Protect them from water logging and keep on enjoying their blooms along with fragrance.

Keep on checking your other plants like Cactus, Adeniums, for root rot or pests too.

Happy Gardening.

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com

BONSAI CARE DURING MONSOON

In North India, monsoon time is the golden period for plant growth. Bonsai are miniature  trees grown in small containers that need special care during this season.

1. Best time to style or restyle bonsai.

Do hard pruning to create structure  by removing unwanted branches.

Do soft pruning to develop secondary and tertiary branches by shortening existing branches. Remove all un-required growth.

Pinching should be done to maintain the shape of well-established mature bonsai.

Do not prune Succulents, Junipers, Pine ,Casuarina in monsoon .

2.Repot mature bonsai into a bigger pot if required. 

While repotting prune roots.

3.To protect from any fungal attack wash your bonsai with a shampoo +few drops of neem oil  in 1 liter water) or with bavistin solution.

4.Check for any other pest attack.

5.Spray plant with diluted tobacco and water solution. 

6.Check for any decayed dry leaves stuck in your bonsai as it may result in fungus development on these decayed leaves which may damage green leaves.

7.Protect jin/shari of Bonsai with lime Sulphur solution before it rains.

8.Protect bonsai from very heavy rain as it may lead to soil erosion.

9.If the canopy of Bonsai is wider than the pot ,then rain water can’t reach soil so keep watering  such plants regularly even during rains.

10.Check drainage holes, if blocked then open them to avoid water clogging.

11.Donot fertilize bonsai just before it rains as it will get washed away.

Keep working on your plants during monsoon and keep creating art pieces.

                                    

                                                         SHEEL YADAV

                                                                                               BONSAIST

                                                                                                 EX PRESIDENT   IBA

Vegetable Gardening in August

August is a fabulous month in vegetable garden. The summer crops are giving us great production of lauki, tori, pumpkins, ladyfingers etc. But there are plenty of planting options for planting in August month.

Clear out pots and spaces for August plantings.

Here is a list of few vegetables you can sow in August.

Carrots, cauliflower, beans, chilli, turnip, beetroots, sweet corn, radishes, and spinach etc.

Treat your seeds before sowing.

Start your seeds indoors to save them from rain.

Soil mix for seed sowing should be Cocopeat+vermiculite+perlite.

Provide light and moisture along with warmth to germinate well.

We can also sow seeds of Papaya. It is a good source of vitamin A and C along with iron, calcium ,protein, carbohydrates and phosphorus. Many varieties of Papaya are available, tall as well as dwarf.

It requires well drained loamy soil with compost .Make a mix of garden soil and 25  to 50% compost. Suitable pH value is between 6 and 6.5

You can sterilize soil in an oven at 98 C for an hour.

Wash the seeds to remove gelatinous coat before sowing. Treat them with fungicide then sow. Sow directly in the pot /soil as papaya doesn’t like transplanting.

Apply fertilizer regularly every 15 days. Papaya needs phosphorus for proper root establishment and growth.

It grows well in full sunlight . Provide the plant 6 to 8 hrs of direct sunlight.

On the terrace you can grow in a 24 in pot.

Pests and diseases

• Thrips and white flies can invade any time. Regular spray of neem oil will get rid of pests and mildew. Do not spray on fruits.
• Harvest when fruit becomes half yellow.

Happy Gardening.

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com.

INDOOR PLANTS

WHICH GET RID OF LIZARDS TOO

Lizards are good for the gardens to keep insects away. There is something which makes people cringe at its first sight. There are some great options to keep this reptile away.

Some plants like herbs with a strong, pungent smell particularly work well in keeping these creepy reptiles away.

I am suggesting some beautiful  indoor plants which can be used to keep annoying Lizards away and side by side beautify your surrounding.

1. Mentha Piperita or Peppermint Plant: It is a perennial herb and can grow up to 90 cm. Mentha piperita has a very strong scent. This scent confuses lizards and they are not able to find insects to eat, so they avoid staying in the proximity of Mentha Piperita.

2. Herb-of-Grace Plant: Herb-of-grace, Ruta Graveolens or Rue is an ornamental herb of European origin. It is used for decorative purposes because of its bluish-green leaves. Its musty smell keeps lizards at bay.

3. Eucalyptus or Nilgiri Plant: Eucalyptus is a multi-stemmed plant that can grow up to 10 cm. It has oil glands in leaves which give a strong smell. This scent keeps the lizards away from gardens. Some people plant them around the doors and windows of the house to prevent the entry of lizards.

They are also popularly known as Nilgiri Plant because they are abundantly cultivated in the Nilgiri area of Tamil Nadu.

4. Mentha Arvensis or Japanese Mint: It is a herbaceous plant of 10 to 60 cm height. It has flowers of pale purple colour and 2 -7 cm long leaves. Lizards feel irritated by the smell of Mentha Arvensis. Hence, they avoid lurking around.

5. Euphorbia Tirucalli or Pencil Tree: Euphorbia Trucalli is a succulent shrub with pencil-thick branches. Its latex is toxic to lizards as well as other insects and causes skin irritation.

6. Some other organic lizard repellents are onion, lemongrass and garlic: Plant these  few lizard repellent plants to your gardens to get rid of these creatures. They can will also add a sweet aroma to your house and used for cooking and medical purposes too.

Vandna Bhatnagar

Nonofficical66@gmail.com

Hariyali Teej

The Hariyali Teej festival takes place during the monsoon season, when the grounds are lush with greenery, hence the name (Green Teej). Sawan Teej (or Sawan ki teej), Choti Teej, and Madhusrava Teej are other names for the same festival. Hariyali Teej has the same significance as Karwa Chauth, which is celebrated by married Hindu women.

Teej is a celebration of the monsoon (saawan or shraavan) and all that accompanies it. It is the celebration of nature and its abundance during this period. With India being an agricultural country primarily, this festival serves an important role in the Hindu culture. Women around the country, celebrate this festival by welcoming the monsoon with singing and dancing, dressing up in brightly-coloured clothing, applying henna on their hands Hariyali Teej is a celebration honouring Goddess Parvati and her union with Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva welcomed Goddess Parvati as his wife on this auspicious day. As a result, Goddess Parvati is also known as ‘Teej Mata.’

This festival is celebrated throughout the north Indian states with considerable fanfare. Teeyan is the Punjabi word for it, and Shingara Teej is the Rajasthani word for it.

Hartalika Teej festival is celebrated as Gowri Habba in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. On the other hand, in Maharashtra, women conduct Hartalika Puja and observe Teej Vrat as well. They wear green clothes, golden bindis and green bangles too.

Hariyali Teej festivities may differ slightly from place to place, but the passion and excitement are universal.

Importance of Hariyali Teej

Hariyali Teej is one of the three major teej festivals that Hindu women celebrate (the others are Kajari Teej and Hartalika Teej). According to the Hindu calendar, the festival is celebrated on the Tritiya (third day) of the Shukla paksha (bright fortnight of the moon) of Shravan month (Sawan month). A fast is performed by married women for the sake of their husbands’ lifespan and well-being.

The Vat Vriksha tradition is also an essential aspect of the ‘Shravani teej.’ Swings are hanging from the branches of Banyan trees or Vat Vriksha in most areas and even in residences. Women spend the day swinging, singing, and dancing with one another. On this day, women are given the freedom to enjoy themselves and have a good time.

The Banyan tree is considered sacred in Hindu mythology, and its hanging branches represent knowledge. As a result, worshipping the Vat Vriksha on Hariyali Teej is also considered auspicious.

Hariyali Teej festivities are quite different and elaborate in all of Vridavan’s Krishna Mandirs. The ceremony is termed as the ‘Jhullan Leela,’ and it involves laying swings for their goddess.

In all of the mandirs, religious hymns and songs are chanted, and devotees celebrate this with zeal and enthusiasm. The statues of Lord Krishna and Radha are ornately decked, and water is poured over the devotees after the celebrations to signal the arrival of the monsoons.

“तीज है आनंद और उमंगों का त्यौहार
डालियों में खिलें हैं फूल और वर्षा की हैं फुहार”

Shailja Mishra

shailja6325@gmail.com

Pests & Diseases in August

One of the major challenges to humankind is the threat to food security due to emerging and invasive pests. Increased global trade in agriculture has increased the chances of the introduction of exotic pests.

Early August

Tree/Shrub Insects

Honey locust spider mite: Populations increase rapidly and cause leaf bronzing.

Peach tree borer: Second treatment may be of benefit if heavy flights persist. Monitor with pheromone traps.

Garden Insects

Aster yellows: Peak period of transmission by infective leafhoppers.

Whiteflies: High populations may be present if infested transplants were used in the garden.

Grasshoppers: Increased number of adults present; migrations to gardens accelerate.

Cane borers in raspberries: Wilting symptoms are not most evident at this time of year due to cane boring insects.

Miscellaneous

Yellowjackets: Nest size and nuisance problems greatly increase over the next month.

Miticide/ Acaricide      Dosage per liter of water for spray

• Omite  (2 mL)
• Pyromite  (1-1.5 mL)
• Maiden  (1 -1.5 mL)
• Oberon   (1-1.5 mL)

 Late August

Household Insects

Cluster flies: Flies begin to move to buildings seeking overwintering shelter. Seal buildings to avoid later problems.

Yellowjackets: Nest size and nuisance problems accelerate.

Potato/tomato psyllid: High populations often occur on tomatoes in late summer.

Two-spotted spider mite: Expect highest populations and greatest injury at this time.

Spider Mites Treatment

 Use a mixture of alcohol and water to remove and kill visible spider mites. Dilute 1 cup of alcohol in 30 oz of water and pour this solution in the spray bottle. Spray both sides of the leaves well and wipe them off with the paper towel.

Grasshoppers: Migrations to gardens accelerate and may peak.

Papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink), , Serpentine leaf miner (Liriomyza trifolii Burgess) and  Tomato leaf miner [Tuta absoluta (Meyrick)] are some examples.

Insect pests on an average are estimated to cause 15-20% yield losses in principal major food and cash crops. Pest whose status has been changing from minor to major or secondary to primary pest is termed as an emerging pest.

 Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on vegetables and pulses,

 Spodoptera litura (F.) on vegetables, cotton and oilseeds,

 Pieris brassicae L. on crucifers, L. trifolii on vegetables

Increasing incidence of aphid complex,

Mites of the Eriophyidae and Tetranychidae family have emerged as major pests of bean, brinjal, cotton, cucurbits, okra, apple, ber, citrus and mango in Northern India.

Maruca vitrata Geyer has emerged as a predominant pest in recent years in all pigeonpea and cowpea growing areas of India causing up to 42% damage in cowpea in Andhra Pradesh.

 An epidemic of whiteflies was noticed during August .

Rust Plant Disease

How to Identify and Control Rust Plant Disease:

Fungal rust disease infiltrates these spinach leaves.

What is rust plant disease?

This fungal disease affects a wide range of woody and herbaceous plants. Even though it rarely kills plants, it reduces a plant’s health, vigour, and flower production.

What Causes Rust?

Rust disease is caused by a fungal parasite that needs living plants to survive. Rust diseases occur most often in mild, moist conditions. Rust is spread by spores that are transferred from infected plants to healthy plants. These spores can be transferred either by the wind or by water, which is why rust disease often spreads after watering. Wet surfaces are also needed to cause infections.

Identification: How to Identify Rust Damage Rust diseases come in different varieties and can affect a wide range of plants. People often struggle with rust on their roses. It is easy to remember the defining characteristics of this fungus, as they match its name. Rust plant disease will look similar to the rust that appears

on that old bicycle in the shed.

Look for yellow or white spots forming on the upper leaves of a plant.

Look for reddish to orange blister-like swellings called pustules on the undersides of leaves.

Orange or yellow spots or streaks appear on the undersides of the leaves.

Within these spots that form are spores.

Usually leaf distortion and defoliation occur.

Photo Credit: Bruce Watt, University of Maine. Small pustules appear on the undersides, and sometimes the tops, of leaves when a plant is infected with rust.

Control and Prevention: How to Control Rust Fungi

Unfortunately, there is no easy treatment for rust. Try these tips:

Remove all infected parts and destroy them. For bramble fruits, remove and destroy all the infected plants and replant the area with resistant varieties.

Clean away all debris in between plants to prevent rust from spreading.

Avoid splashing water onto the leaves, as this can help spread rust.

Rust Prevention

Dust your plants with sulphur early in the season to prevent infection or to keep mild infections from spreading.

Space your plants properly to encourage good air circulation.

Avoid wetting the leaves when watering plants.

There are many effective rust fungicides you can try.

A weekly dusting of sulfur can prevent and treat rust fungus. Neem oil, a botanical fungicide and pesticide, also controls rust. Some organic gardeners swear by baking soda for garden fungus control. The efficacy of baking soda spray may be enhanced by mixing it with light horticultural oil.

You can use Copper based fungicide too.

Plumeria rust fungus is specific to plumeria plants. It is caused by the fungus Coleosporium plumeriae. Plumeria rust affects the foliage of the plant but not the stems or flowers. Its spores are airborne or spread from plant to plant from the backsplash of rain or watering. When the spores make contact with moist leaves, they stick to them, then begin to grow and produce more spores. This fungus is most prevalent in warm, humid seasons or locations.

Rust on plumeria leaves is usually controlled by proper sanitation, fungicides, and selecting disease resistant varieties. When plumeria rust is discovered, all fallen leaves should be cleaned up and disposed of immediately. Affected leaves can be removed, but be sure to properly sanitize tools between plants.

Methods of application

The method you choose to apply a pesticide will depend on the nature and habits of the target pest, the site, the pesticide, available application equipment, and the cost and efficiency of alternative methods. Your choice is often predetermined by one or more of these factors. Some common application methods are described below. Broadcast application is the uniform application of a pesticide to an entire area.

A directed-spray application targets pests in a specific area in an effort to minimize pesticide contact with the crop or beneficial insects.

Foliar application directs pesticide to the leafy portions of a plant.

Spot treatment is application of a pesticide to small, discrete areas.

Soil application places pesticide directly on or in the soil rather than on a growing plant.

Soil incorporation is the use of tillage equipment to mix the pesticide with the soil.

Soil injection is application of a pesticide beneath the soil surface.

Happy Gardening

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com

FROM THOISE TO LEH BY ROAD

THE JOURNEY

During about 40 years of my journey as an aviation professional, i have had innumerable chances to visit the few of the most beautiful places of our country. Well, some may term it a professional hazard, as at times, i have landed up looking at the death into the eyes.  But that is the life of a soldier.

That was the time i was working with the famous Jet Airways. They used to fly weekly charter services for the benefit of Indian Army for moving troops from the plains to the high mountains.  The Boeing 737 used to leave Delhi at early in the morning at about 0600 and land at Thoise in about one hour time. (THOISE is an acronym of Transit Halt of Indian Soldiers Enroute, as per Wikipedia).

For those not aware, the village of Thoise lies in Ladakh region, at an elevation of about 10,057 ft, or about 3067 m from the mean sea level, in the area called Nubra and serves the Indian borders at Siachin and nearby. During winters, when the roads leading to the area are closed due to snow, this air strip become s the life line for the people inhabiting the place, both in uniform  and civilians.

Being based at Delhi, it was usual for the company to depute me to audit the Thoise airfield at least once in a year. And I used to love the trip. Simply because of the reason that if you have an eye for the natural beauty, you would never want to leave that place.

So, it was in the month of Dec that i was told to visit Thoise. Being an Army airfield and no civilians permitted there, i needed to have permission from Air HQ to land at Thoise, which was a routine procedure, followed for Pilots and cabin crew of the aircraft landing there.

The magic started as our aircraft approached the valley. I could see the undulating ranges of the pristine, picturesque range of mountains, most of them snow-clad,  as the aircraft manoeuvred its way through narrow valleys to land at rough surface of the airfield.

I could feel the chill running through my spine as the crew announced the outside temperature at Minus 15 degree Celsius (- 15 deg C), while the cabin temperature was being maintained at comfortable 25 deg. Extreme cold, combined with scarcity of Oxygen can weaken the heart of bravest of the braves.

Salutes to Indian soldiers who guard our territories in those conditions.

So, i got down from the  aircraft, waved good bye to the captain and the cabin crew and proceeded to do my job. The technician and other ground staff used to come from Leh.

Before that, i requested ground staff if they could show me where the wash room was; and curt came the answer “Washroom at 10000 ft? Nothing works at this height, not even water.” Handing me a bottle of hot water, i was told to go to that tent in the corner, to do whatever i wanted to and come back fast. I was told not to take more than 5 minutes as thereafter, my knees would freeze and i would not be able to get up.

Once the aircraft departed and vanished behind mountains, i proceeded to the vehicle which would take me to Leh, a treacherous 6 hours long journey, passing through world’s highest motor able road at Khardungla Pass, at an elevation of more than 18,000 ft from MSL.

Before departure, they took me to a small hotel, for a hearty meal of omelet and bread.

As we started out journey in the Sumo, they took me to a dry river bed, with a small stream still managing to flow in this freezing temperature. There I came across a Double Humped Camel, which was kept as pet for travel across the country side.

Though not overtly visible, Ladakh region has a large variety of flora and fauna. Many species of Finches, robins, redstarts are found in abundance here in warmer months. Black-necked crane is one of the most charismatic of the birds of the region.

Among the mammals, the Ibex, (Ladakhi goat) is found in the high terrains.  The Bharal, or blue sheep is even more common.

The snow leopards, once ranged throughout the Tibet region, are hard to find these days. However, as a forest official told me at the airport, you can see one if you camp in the mountains for 10 days.

The country was very beautiful, with wild Yaks grazing in the little grass which was left. Yaks are kept as pet there by the locals and its milk and fur is used by them.

Slowly i could feel the lack of oxygen in thin air. Never the less, the beauty of the place was too stunning and too captivating that i did not mind losing few of my breaths.

After about 3 hours of journey, i saw the board, claiming the highest motorable road of the world at Khar Dungla Pass. As i alighted from the vehicle, there was ice formation beneath my shoes, and m y knees refused to take the load of my body weight.  But the thrill of being there was too much to care for such things.

As we moved, i could see the drops coming down from the tip of the leaves, and as they travelled, they magically transformed into tiny dots of ice. Heavenly and ethereal experience.

As the vehicle made its way on the serpentine roads woven around majestic mountain, we could see the signs of Leh town approaching on the other end.

Well, i have deep-rooted connection to this sleepy village of Leh, as I almost lost my life in a cloud burst which hit this town in the mid-night of 05 Aug 2010, and thousands of humans were buried in deep mud which flowed down from mountains.

This story, in next issue of the magazine.

Enjoy.

(ALL THE PHOTOGRAPHS ABOVE ARE THE COPYRIGHT AND FROM PERSONAL COLLECTION OF THE AUTHOR, EXCEPT WHERE MENTIONED)

Sushil Bhatia

sush16534@gmail.com

BIOENZYMES – AN ECO – FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE

For last few years, the use of chemicals and throw away products has considerably increased because of the ease and convenience to use, but they are harmful and leave hazardous effect on our Mother Nature.

The chemicals in these like, Ammonia, Chlorine, Phosphates and Nitrates along with many other hazardous substances pollute air, ground water, lakes , rivers and whole environment and are harmful for our health too.

There is a simple, inexpensive and completely natural solution to all these, that can keep our garden as well as our homes clean and healthy i.e. Bio Enzymes.

Bio enzymes are organic solutions produced by fermentation of fruits, vegetables, sugar or jiggery and water. The Bio Enzymes use the good bacteria to disintegrate waste and bad odor. The bacteria present In Bio Enzyme do this by producing enzymes, specially designed to breakdown waste into smaller pieces. It has magical effect. These are so simple to make and everybody can make it at home.

Bio Enzymes are perfectly natural way of managing all our Gardening and cleaning needs. It is need of the hour to shift to natural and sustainable living, in order to protect our environment. Our environment and water bodies are severely contaminated due to the enormous usage of chemical filled products viz: pesticides, floor cleaners, toilet cleaners, dish washers ,detergents and so on. The list is endless. We won’t be left with clean water, if we don’t shift to natural ways.

How to make Bio-enzyme

Following ingredients are required:

• Sugar or Jagerry, (1 part)
• Fruits and vegetable peels (3 parts)
• Water (10 parts)

And a Plastic bottle with a screw cap.

All you need to do is to mix all the ingredients in one plastic bottle, with a screw cap and a narrow opening, and leave it for 90 days. Release excess gases produced during the process by unscrewing the bottle once in two days. Ensure that the cap is immediately replaced. The process is repeated for 10 to 15 days and after 90 days strain the solution and store in plastic bottles in cool dry place. The Bio Enzyme is ready for multiple usage.

The Bio Enzyme can be made with variety of peels viz: Orange peels, Lemon peels , vegetable peels, chilly garlic and even with flowers such as rose or marigold. Different Bio Enzymes have different usage.

Uses

Bio Enzymes have multiple usages;

• It is a natural pesticide and herbicide and can be used in plants by diluting in ratio of 1:10 .It acts as an excellent fertilizer for plants and enriches the soil naturally.( 15 ml per litre)It is magical potion for our plants.
• Purifies ground water. Removes pesticides and harmful chemicals from fruits and vegetables. Is an effective cleaner for fruits and vegetables.
• Is an effective cleaner and disinfects any surface.
• Is an effective room freshener and de-odorizer.
• Cleans and freshens clothing and footwear and can also be used as stain remover. Removes grease and lime scales from taps and utensils.
• De-clogs drains very effectively.

Chemically Bio Enzymes are indirectly complex organic solutions such as protein and other by – products produced during fermentation.

Bio Enzymes are versatile, inexpensive and extremely safe It has a magical effect in rejuvenating the contaminated water. One litre of Bio-Enzyme can rejuvenate 1000 liters of contaminated water. Every time it is poured in drains, it indirectly purifies contaminated water.

There is nothing like making your own Bio Enzyme. Make your own Bio enzymes and bring a change in our environment.

Happy Gardening                                                                             

Shailja Mishra

mishra.shailja6325@gmail.com

FROM A PAGE OF LITERATURE

LOOKING FOR A GEM!

As i turned a corner

I heard a small chirp

And hidden in a small burrow

Was this little sparrow.

As I bent

To pick up the sparrow

A voice thundered from above

“If you want to  pick up the sparrow,

You must forget about the gem.”

There was no question

Of ponder

I forgot the gem

And picked up the sparrow

Which was more than a diamond

And I called that little sparrow, D.

(D is the nickname of a small girl the author loves like his own daughter, for whom the poem has been penned down)

Sushil Bhatia

sush16534@gmail.com

EXCOTIC BLOOMS FROM THE GARDENS OF MEMBERS

DIARY OF A BEGINNER : THANK YOU POST FROM A NOVICE

Being new to gardening, one is bound to commit mistakes. I came across Horticulture Floriculture Society of Ghaziabad (HFSOG), on whose forum i am writing right now, and tried to improve myself in gardening. Here I am sharing my faults and remedies side by side.

Now I know that plants may die due to cold wave, heat wave, over watering, fungal attack , over fertilizations, genetic aspects, or at times, due to reasons we may not come to know of .

 My first plant died due to regular watering, which happened to be irregular for that plant. During my school days I learnt that you plant a sapling and water it regularly, and I did so.

My knowledge was limited to Cow dung manure, compost, and then advancing few steps towards  Urea, Sufala, that is all. I myself dug a pit in corner of my house and started throwing all waste for making manure  but  my neighbors complained  of foul smell. I did not go back to school to enquire it from my teacher for a solution, thinking this may be a silly issue.

Today, I know about the correct way of making home compost, which can prevent foul smell.

Plantation is much sophisticated thing now a days. Introduction of internet and cyber education system and social media have brought the experts in your work place.

In the morning you find a problem and by evening that is sorted out. But it should be further made true by highlighting the wrong deeds in day to day gardening habit by a detailed case study.

One can maintain a record of plants which died because of your negligence or some other reason. The same record book can also have a story of success where you made an effort and revived a plant. Having maintained that for few years, the contents of the diary are gems enough that these can be shared. By this time this record book is full stories of failures and successes.

Let our failures become the pillars of success.  let those pillars get built under supervision and guidance of seniors of a society like H&F SOCIETY OF GAJIABAD.

We know that some where, some body is doing something towards building a Green India, Clean India.

Happy gardening !! 

Pradip Das Gupta

pdgchd123@gmail.com

GARDENING  LANDSCAPING

Tips for Designing and Building a Rock Garden

On the face of it, rock garden design may seem simple enough, but there is more to it than first meets the eye. A rock garden can be loosely defined as any garden in which genuine mineral stone is used in a natural manner as an essential visible component of the garden design. The stone is meant to be seen and appreciated in the same way that the plants are, not merely used as a hardscape building material.

But a good rock garden is by no means achieved by merely putting stones, soil, and plants together. Each component must be carefully selected and then just as carefully arranged in a manner that makes the garden seem natural to the style you choose. In most cases, the garden should strive to emulate the natural geology and topography of a specific region. Japanese rock gardens, for example, are usually styled to emulate the look of mountainous regions of Japan, using plants indigenous to that region.

Here are some tips for creating a rock garden that will be easy to maintain, aesthetically attractive, and natural in style.

1.Choose the Right Rocks

In most cases, it is best to choose indigenous rock for your rock garden—the type of rock that is naturally found in your region. Using stone commonly found in your area will make your garden seem like a natural feature of the landscape.

In addition to making your rock garden look more natural, there is another huge advantage to using indigenous stone. Rock is a very heavy building material, so shipping costs are very high. Building a rock garden in Delhi using granite will be an expensive proposition, compared to building it with local rock harvested from nearby places which are just a few miles away.

That’s not to say that you can’t build a rock garden with non-native stone.

 A weathered look is generally preferable in a rock garden, porous, softer rock is usually a better choice than harder rock. Harder rocks take longer to acquire the weathered look that you are striving for in a rock garden because they are less receptive to the growth of mosses and lichens. Promoting the weathering of your rocks will give the rock garden a natural look; weathered stone looks as if it’s always been there.

Also, stick to rocks that look the same in texture, color, and form. If you use rocks of similar appearance throughout your rock garden, it will have a more natural look.

2.Consider the Style

Rock garden design can take many forms. Today, the goal is often to create a garden that resembles a native landscape, but you can also create a variety of themed rock gardens. For example, you will hear the terms “alpine gardens” and “Japanese Zen gardens” used in connection with rock gardens.

Japanese Zen rock gardens provide a place for quiet reflection and contemplation. Their approach tends to be minimalist, making as strong a statement as one can with the fewest components. In a typical Japanese Zen rock garden, for instance, a few choice, carefully placed rocks might form a focal point, set off by a large expanse of tiny rocks or sand that serves as a mulch. The mulch can be raked to form an intricate yet simple pattern. Compared to the Western approach, the plant material is de-emphasized—there may be a few small trees and shrubs but few other plantings.

In the West, the interest in rock gardening began in the U.K. British travelers to the Swiss Alps were fascinated by the alpine plants they found there and brought some back to try to grow them at home. To this day, rock gardens are sometimes referred to as alpine gardens for this reason. Although we have now expanded upon what a rock garden can be, rock gardening in the West traditionally meant the cultivation of mountain plants and other low-growing plants that can withstand the kind of winter cold to which true “alpine” plants are subjected.

Decide early whether you want one of these time-honored classic rock gardens or instead prefer a rock garden modeled after the geology of your own area.

3.Arrangement of stones.

How you arrange the stones in the rock garden is very important in achieving a realistic and pleasing rock garden. Taking your cue from nature, the goal is to make it appear that the stone in your rock garden is merely the exposed fraction of a massive underground formation. This is why rock gardens so often incorporate hillsides or elevation shifts—in the natural world, erosion of slopes is where rocks are most often exposed.

To achieve the look of natural rock, each stone should appear firmly grounded—the “tip of the iceberg.” Each stone also should appear as if connected to its immediate neighbors, separated only by the crevices in which you will be growing the plants.

As in the natural world, stay away from constrained stone patterns and any too-even distribution, striving instead for a feel of randomness in your rock garden. Have a massive grouping of stones here, a smaller grouping there, and mulched areas in between. The arrangement is crucial to achieving the look of natural stones.

The stones in a rock garden should relate to each other as if they comprise a bedrock formation exposed either by gradual weathering or by more dramatic erosion. Consequently, the major rock faces should point in one direction throughout the rock garden. If the stones are stratified, position the rocks in each grouping so as to have the strata lines all going in the same direction, as they would in most natural stone formations.

4.Create an Aged Look

Rock gardens are most aesthetically pleasing if the exposed rock faces look weathered and worn. When the rock is brought in from outside the property to construct a rock garden from scratch, it can look out of place. Its “newness” can stick out like a sore thumb, especially if there are no signs of weathering. The weathered look is most readily achieved by encouraging the growth of moss or lichens on the rock faces.

Moss is fairly easy to establish on new rock. Begin by harvesting some patches of moss you find growing somewhere else—you can even use moss growing on the ground in some shady area of your own lawn. Add about 2 tablespoons of ground-up moss to 2 cups of yogurt and about 4 ounces of potter’s clay. Puree the moss, yogurt, and clay together into a creamy consistency, then apply this moss mixture to the face of the rocks. As the rock moss takes hold in your rock garden, mist it to keep it moist. Within a matter of a few weeks, you will have rocks that appear as though they’ve been in place for decades.

Another way to create a weathered, natural look is to encourage the growth of lichens on the stones. Although lichens are often mentioned in the same breath as moss, these are entirely different forms of primitive plant growth. Lichens are compound organisms composed of two or three individual organisms existing in a symbiotic relationship. The dominant partner is a fungus supplying food by photosynthesis (often through a colony of algae). When growing on rocks or trees, lichens appear as colorful rough patches. There are more than 20,000 species of lichens, often appearing as yellow, green, gray, or white growths on stone or wood.

Lichens are important in rock gardens and xeriscaping because they are not dependent on a steady supply of water. Lichens survive alternate drying and wetting of their tissues, giving them an advantage in colonizing difficult environments. Like mosses, lichens growing on rocks give your rock gardens the desired “weathered” look.

Getting lichens started on the stones in your rock garden is a similar process to fostering moss. Fill a spray bottle with milk, then collect about 2 teaspoons of lichens from an environment that’s similar to your rock garden. Most lichens prefer moist, shady conditions, but there are also some forms that grow well in sunnier locations. Grind up the lichen flakes, add them to the spray bottle, and shake gently to mix. Spray the stone surfaces with the milk solution until the liquid runs down the face. You may need to reapply this mixture once a week for several weeks until active growth starts.

5.Create the Proper Soil

Once the rocks have been set in place to form the foundation for your rock garden design, you should prepare the soil before planting. Building a rock garden often involves creating an artificial slope or raised elevation, so it’s common to add prepared soil rather than using the garden soil already present.

Creating the right soil for your rock garden goes hand-in-hand with plant selection. If you’re planning on a classic alpine rock garden with plants consistent with that theme, then fairly porous, rocky soil will be most appropriate. A rock garden with succulents and cacti, on the other hand, will require a sandy soil—maybe even a commercially prepared cactus potting mix.

In nature, most plants that grow among rocks like well-drained soil. As a general rule, then, you would want to mix sand into the soil that you are using for planting. But it is best to know the particular requirements of the plants that you will be selecting and to base your soil preparation on that. Most traditional garden plants when grown in rock gardens will do fairly well with a good-quality garden soil (black dirt) blended with peat moss, compost, or another organic amendment.

6.Choose the Right Plants

If you are striving for a natural native look for your rock garden, pay attention to what types of plants naturally grow in the rocky areas in your region.  Public gardens often do a good job of creating this kind of environment.

If you are aiming for a themed garden—such as an alpine, desert, or Zen rock garden—then choose your plants accordingly, based on examples you find attractive.

In general, we expect rock garden plants to be low-maintenance, and we forgive them for a certain degree of plainness in the trade-off. The rock garden plants used to complement the rocks should be selected largely with your climate and other practical considerations in mind—this will help keep them low-maintenance:

Rock gardens in warm climates call for plants different from those used in colder climates.

If you live at high altitudes, you might want to consider a classic alpine rock garden.

If you live in the desert, cacti and other succulents are a sensible choice. As a bonus, they also blend in beautifully with rocks.

If your climate is warm and humid, ferns can be an excellent choice, as are begonias, if you desire a flowering plant.

Plant selection goes hand-in-hand with soil preparation. Pay attention to the pH preferences of your plants. An individual plant choice may prefer acidic or alkaline soil, and it’s difficult to mix low pH (acid-loving) plants with high pH plants (those that prefer alkaline conditions).

Whether your rock garden is in a sunny or shady location will have a great influence on the plants you select for planting. Learn all the requirements of your plants, and avoid outliers that have needs unlike the other plants in the garden.

7.Position Plants Carefully

When it comes time to plant, strive for an arrangement that looks natural. As a model, observe a local rocky terrain with wild plants growing on it. Rather than a hodgepodge of species, you normally find sizable colonies of low-growing plants. If you like creeping phlox, for instance, but never know where to put it, your problem is now solved: a rock garden is potentially a great place to plant a large mass of creeping phlox. For dry ground, a similar mass of ‘Angelina’ sedum would be better.

Evenness in size or distribution looks unnatural in rock garden design. Rock gardens are usually fairly natural-looking, informal plant arrangements, not a place for formal symmetry or straight lines

Zen Garden

D.K.Sharma

sharmadk.703@gmail.com

VEGETABLE SOWING CHART

FROM THE CANVASES OF OUR MEMBERS

At times, we must ourselves let out, and spill our skills on to the canvas. and the results are astonishing.

Look for yourself.

• 

रक्षाबंधन

भैया मोरे राखी के बंधन को निभाना

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चौमासे की फुहार पड़ते ही मन हरा होने लगता है धरती भी रंग बिरंगी बूटियों वाली हरी चूनर ओढ़ सहज ही इठलाने लजाने लगती है। अंदर – बाहर एक – सा समा बंधने लगता है। मन और शरीर पर पड़ने वाली बौछारें उत्सव में परिवर्तित होने लगती हैं।

यानी धरती पर बसे भारत देशमें जीवन और उत्सव साथ- साथ एक दिशा में बहते हुए खुशियां बिखेरने लगते हैं। इस तरह पवित्र बंधन से प्रकृति सराबोर होने लगती है।

उत्तर भारत में उत्सवों की सूची में पवित्र बंधन को प्रगाढ़ करता हुआ एक त्योहार आसमानी बौछारों के बीच पड़ता है…. रक्षाबंधन।

प्रेम और रक्षा के बंधन को शक्ति देता रक्षाबंधन का त्योहार सावन ( श्रावणमास) के दूसरे पक्ष(शुक्ल- पक्ष) के पंद्रहवें दिन यानी पूर्णिमा को सोल्लास मनाया जाता है।

इस वर्ष रक्षाबंधन २२ अगस्त, रविवार को मनाया जायेगा।

लगभग पूरे देश में मनाए जाने वाले इस त्योहार के पीछे हज़ारों वर्षों का लंबा इतिहास है और उन से जुड़ी कई कहानियां हैं।

पीढ़ी दर पीढ़ी सरकते रोचक और जीवन दर्शन का संदेश देते प्रमुख किस्से हैं…

देव – दानव युद्ध का इंद्र-इंद्राणी के बीच रक्षाबंधन

श्रीकृष्ण – द्रौपदी का चीर बंधन

रानी कर्णावती – हुमांयु रक्षाबंधन

पोरस-रोक्साना के बीच रक्षाबंधन

श्रीलक्ष्मी और राजा बलि रक्षाबंधन

यमुना-यम रक्षाबंधन….

जैसा कि शब्द से ही विदित होता है, रक्षा बंधन यानी रक्षा सूत्र समय- समय पर बांधे गए।परस्पर प्रेम विस्तार और रक्षा की दृष्टि से बांधे गए पवित्र धागे कालांतर में भाई – बहन के निर्मल प्रेम की कहानी बन गए हैं।सहज दिव्यता से ओत प्रोत यह त्योहार हरदिल की पावन पुकार है।

पति-पत्नी, गुरु -शिष्य, मित्र- मित्र के बीच बंधने वाले रक्षा सूत्र आज खास कर भाई- बहन के बीच का त्योहार है।यही ऐसा रिश्ता है जो अनजान स्त्री पुरुष के बीच भी पवित्रता के साथ कायम रहताहै।इसे नारियल पूर्णिमा के नाम से भी जाना जाता है।कई जगहों पर ननद भाभी के रिश्तों में भी ‌ये मिठास भरता है।

देखा जाए तो ये पूरी तरह से माहौल को आनंदित करने और भ्रातृ भाव की बौछार करने के लिए मनाया जाता है।

हम में से बहुत से लोग पर्यावरण संरक्षित करने की दिशा में पेड़- पौधों में जीवन महसूस करते हुए उन्हें रक्षा सूत्र बांधतेे हैं।

कृतार्थ होते हैं पंचतत्व केप्रति।

सभी को रक्षा बंधन की हार्दिक शुभ कामनाएं

अर्चना प्रमोद

archanapramod.305@gmail.com