From the Editor’s Desk

Modern agriculture, food production and distribution are major contributors to greenhouse gases. Agriculture itself contributes to about 15% of the greenhouse gases, with deforestation causing another 17 % of it.

As per a study, agriculture is said to be more responsible for these gases as compared to burning of fossil fuel.

As per the statistics, such damages have resulted from deforestation, biodiversity loss, accelerated soil erosion, loss of soil organic matter, salination of soil, acidification of oceans etc.

Needless to say, we backyard gardeners can significantly help in reversing the dire trend. Here is an idea how.

Improving your energy-efficiency: Replace outdoor lighting by solar-powered lamps.

Reduce the use of petrol/diesel powered tools: Instead, use hand powered tools to reduce emissions.

Incorporate native species: Using native species can maintain the link with pollinators, and also help reduce pest attacks.

Reduce water consumption: Use mulching to retain moisture contents, install rain barrels, use drip irrigation.

Compost garden and kitchen waste: This is the need of the hour. Apart from providing important nutrients in abundance, kitchen waste composting can reduce emission of Methane gas, a highly potent greenhouse gas.

Plant lots of trees: They help in absorbing carbon dioxide.

And in all these efforts, our society is always standing by you.

Jai Hind.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND PESTS

• As climate change gathers pace, insects are proliferating across the world, which scientists say will threaten food production, particularly in bio-diverse countries like India.
• It is now becoming increasingly clear that climate change is affecting virtually all aspects of life, and one alarming dimension is the growth in the number of insect pests that are a threat to food security, particularly in developing economies such as India.
• Vital to ecosystems and humans, insects pollinate crops and flowers, provide food for higher-level organisms, break down the detritus, maintain a balance in ecosystems by eating the leaves of plants and help recycle nutrients in the soil. However, they also consume somewhere between 18% and 26% of crops produced around the world, a loss valued at USD 470 billion.
• The greater proportion of losses occur in the field, before harvest, and this is heaviest in developing countries. As the world warms up, these losses are likely to grow. India is likely to be badly affected. Although the country has only 2% of the world’s land area, it has around 8% of the world’s species, including insects.
• Climate change will affect agriculture, researchers worldwide are of the opinion that agriculture and horticulture yields will decrease as growing-season temperatures increase. Insect pests are likely to exacerbate this effect.
• Crop losses will be most acute in areas where warming increases both population growth and metabolic rates of insects. This climate change directly affects insect growth, development, reproduction and survival, it also indirectly influences breakdown in temperature-sensitive host-plant resistance.
• The insect world is vast, diverse and millions are yet to be discovered and identified. Until now, less than one million species of insects are known out of an estimated 30 million.  Of these, anthropoids (ants, cockroaches, grasshoppers, beetles, crabs, spiders, scorpions, mites, millipedes, centipedes etc.) are the most dominant and constitute more than 90%.
• As insects are cold-blooded organisms, the temperature of their bodies is approximately the same as that of the environment,” said V.V. Ramamurthy, Division of Entomology, Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. Due to global warming, when the temperature changes and also the relative humidity with more rainless humid days, the sucking pests, in particular, will increase. Also, due to changes in climate in hilly terrains, there will be an upward movement of insect populations. In this process, at least temporarily there will be extensions in range.”
• Insects burn calories faster when their surroundings heat up, forcing them to eat more. Elevated levels of carbon dioxide can increase levels of simple sugars in leaves and lower their nitrogen content. These can increase the damage caused by many insects, which will consume more leaves to meet their metabolic requirements of nitrogen.
• In India, there are cases available to show how several minor pests have become major due to change in agriculture practices and climatic variability. The brown plant hopper is a case in point. It was a minor pest in rice of no economic significance till its outbreaks in Kerala in 1973-74. The spotted bollworm completes its life cycle in 88 days when the temperature is 16 degrees Celsius, but at 25 degrees, the life cycle reduces to 31 days, which means more pests.
• Thrips (a sucking pest) attack on crops like groundnut, cotton, chilly, roses, grapes, citrus and pomegranates
• There are also more frequent attacks of diamondback moth in cabbage, and hoppers on mango.
• In layman’s terms, the appetite of the caterpillar is likely to rise as the earth gets warmer.
• Yellow Stem Borer (YSB) by researchers of Coimbatore’s Tamil Nadu Agricultural University revealed that the number of eggs laid increased at higher temperatures, while egg hatching was reduced. Insects develop faster, which may be why they lay eggs early, and hence, the population is likely to grow earlier than expected.

• Studies undertaken by Indian scientists on the trends of temperature rise, heat waves, droughts and floods, and sea level rise are in consonance with the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).The mean temperature in India is projected to increase up to 1.7 degrees Celsius in the Kharif season (July to October) and up to 3.2 degrees during the Rabi season (November to March). Mean rainfall is expected to increase by 10% by 2070, a scenario leading to a situation affecting many familiar insects restricted to smaller habitats while new pests spread over wider areas.

• There is an increased risk of invasion by migrant pests due to global warming. The most recent case is that of the dreaded fall armyworm crop pest (Spodoptera frugiperda), which mainly devours maize in its caterpillar phase, but can feed on more than 80 plant species, including other key crops like rice, sorghum, cotton and vegetables.

• Cultural methods of insect control will need to be re-introduced and used more extensively. Areas of alternative habitat will need to be replanted on to farms to enable predators and parasitoids to be active. Methods such as sterile insect techniques will also need to be used as alternatives to chemical controls.  Chemical controls will need to be more specialized and used more intelligently.

(Compiled from Net)

HAPPY GARDENING!!

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com

Gardening in December

It’s December and we do expect temperature to fall. We are expecting temperature to be 21degrees maximum to 7 degree C minimum in December. We have many plants which are required to be protected from frost.

When cold weather hits, an overnight frost or extended freeze can damage susceptible plants. Even in mild-winter regions, frost can have damaging effects on cold-sensitive garden favorites like citrus trees, bougainvilleas, philodendrons, diffenbachia, aglonema, Tulsi, fuchsias, salvias and succulents. Luckily, many plants can be saved from harm when the temperature dips below the freezing point (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Kashmir) with a few simple precautions like:-

• Cover Plants Before Nightfall

If a frosty night is forecast, cover tender plants like angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia spp.), bougainvillea, citrus, fuchsia, penstemon, salvia, cactus, adeniums, succulents ,water lilies and tree ferns. Young plants and those that have been recently planted can be more vulnerable to frost damage than well-established ones.

To cover plants, place stakes around small to medium-size plants and drape  green net/frost blankets over the stakes so that, ideally, the blanket covers but does not touch the plant. For larger plants like gardenia and tree ferns, drape coverings over the crown and wrap the trunk. Always remove the covering in the morning. Old bed sheets or lightweight blankets can be used as well and are preferable to plastic tarps.

• Use a Cold Frame

To extend your potential for growing cold-tender plants such as potatoes, lettuce, spinach and other edible greens and get a jump-start on starting spring seedlings, consider investing in cold frames. These enclosed frames trap heat and moisture, creating a greenhouse environment for tender plants. You can make some with bamboo frames as well.

Protect Sensitive Plants with Cloch or Plastic bottles/ jugs can be cut and used as an inexpensive though less charming alternative to cover tender plants in beds.

• Spread Mulch

Help protect the shallow roots of tender shrubs and perennials from ground freezes by spreading a 3 to 4 inch layer of wood chip or straw mulch/sirkis.

• Bring Small Potted Plants Indoors

The easiest way to protect succulents and tender herbs from an overnight freeze is to bring them inside. If you have a sunny spot for them, keep them indoors through the cold weather. Otherwise, bring them back outside during the day.

• Move Large Potted Plants Under Eaves

Cold wind can intensify the harmful effects of frost by removing moisture from foliage faster than the plant can take up water from the roots. To cut down on this damage, move large potted plants to sheltered areas, such as under the eaves, beneath the canopy of large trees or into the garage. Provide extra protection by wrapping the plants with frost blankets.

• Water Well

It may seem counterintuitive to water a garden before a freeze, but providing frost-tender plants with a good drink in the daytime makes plants better able to withstand colder night temperatures. Water early in the day so that the plants have time to absorb moisture before the temperature drops. Avoid spraying the foliage, which can freeze if not given time to dry off.

• Wait to Cut Back Frost-Damaged Plants

Although brown foliage and crispy stalks look unattractive, the damaged growth actually helps protect the lower parts of the plant from future freezes. Hold off on pruning plants that have been damaged until all risk of freezes has passed. If you cut back the plant too early and have more nights with frosty temperatures, the shock of pruning and freezing can kill the plant. Bougainvillea foliage shows frost damage.

Suggested Nutrients Mix for seasonal flowers in winter

• Neemkhali                  5kg
• Mustard cake             5kg
• DAP                         2.5kg
• Bone meal                 1kg
• Zinc                           1kg
• Muriate of potash    1kg
• Cow dung manure   10kg

Mix all components and use 2 teaspoon per 10 inches pot every 15 days

• Rest there’s little work in the garden.
• Roses will be at their best.
• Cannas will be going off and should be given good dressing of rich manure and well watered towards the end of the month.
• Feed Plumerias with rich manure.
• Chrysanthemums will also be at peak.
• Flower beds and borders should be hoed and irrigated only as necessity desires.

Happy Gardening

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com

Manurial Management Programme

• It’s December, meaning end of the year. Lots of learning took place. So I thought why not summarize the lessons once again.
• Nourishment to plants is as essential as food is there for our growth and development. Plant life has to be nourished in order to sustain and encourage its growth till the completion of its life cycle. Nourishment to plants is provided by the addition of manures, organic and inorganic. Organic manures are natural manures and include decomposed animal matter, animal dung, blood bones, etc while inorganic manures are artificially prepared and include salts of ammonium, potassium, sodium and their combinations. The organic manures enrich the soil whereas inorganic manures make the soil dead.
• The system of manuring and doses differ considerably in ornamental plants as compared with fruits and other agricultural crops. We have to judiciously choose as per growth or bloom demands of the ornamental plants  and also what we expect from the plant
• Ornamental plants are divided into number of classes according to habit of growth, life cycle and growth requirements. Therefore, the manurial programme for each class is variable to suit their requirements. The quality and quantity of manure has to be adjusted according to the nature of the plant and the way it grows in its natural habitat.

Manurial programme for the different classes of the ornamental plants

Small modifications can be done as per our needs and expectations from our plants like whether we want the plant bushy or more blooms.

Annuals: Due to lack of space and less access to ground, Plants now a days are mostly grown in pots and hence get limited nutrition. Nutritional potting mix suggested:

• 1) Soil 2 parts
• 2) Sand 1part
• 3) Leaf mould 2 parts
• 4) Compost 2 parts.
• 5) 1tblsp each of Sarson and Neem cake.
• 6)1 tblsp of bone meal +micronutrients can be added

          Or

• 1) Leaf mould 30 parts
• 2) Soil            40 parts
• 3) Farm yard manure /cow dung/vermi-compost 40 parts

For bedding plants: Prepare the beds by multiple hoeing; add well rotted farmyard manure, leaf -mould and thoroughly dried kitchen waste should be worked into the beds to a depth of 12 inches. During growth and blossoming, plants benefit by weekly dressing with liquid manure made from cow dung or WDC. Make sure this liquid should not touch foliage.

For Hardy Annuals (which are sown directly in the open ground where they to grow for eg. sweet peas, cornflower, calendula, coreopsis, eschscholzia etc.) farmyard manure@ 1 kg/sqft should be added in the soil before sowing.

Same goes for half Hardy annuals which can be sown directly or transplanted like gerbera, nasturtium, larkspur

For potted plants

• Soil               : 4 parts
• Leaf mould   : 1part
• Manure         : 1 part.

Shrubs

For growing shrubs in the ground ,farm yard manure @ 2kg /sqft at the time of preparing soil .Top dressing of leaf mould should be given during growth and blossoming. Sand or river soil and manure are dug into the space to be used for planting shrubs.

Creepers

Creepers in general receive the same manurial treatment as shrubs .Creepers in the ground can be given manure once in two years while those in pots require yearly.

Bulbs

Bulbs in pots thrive splendidly. Its potting mix should be of

• Leaf mould      2 parts
• Sand.                1 part
• Charcoal.           1 part
• Compost            ½ part.
• Bone meal +potash+npk 1tbls spoon each.

When growing in the ground, the soil should be enriched with a good amount of leaf mould .Bone meal should be added @ 2gms to the square yard and thoroughly mixed.

Roses

• Soil              2 parts
• Leaf mould  1 part
• Farm yard manures 1 part.

Aroids 

• Coco coir.       :  1 part
• Vermicompost : 1 part
• Perlite              :  2 parts
• Coco chips       :  2 parts
• Charcoal.          : 1 part
• Sand.                 : 2 parts
• Soil.                    : 1 part.

Orchid

For Ground Orchids the mix should be very light just humus and charcoal is also enough.

• Bark          :4 part
• Charcoal.   :1part
• Sand.          :  4 part
• Coco chips  :4 parts
• Perlite.          :1 part
• Cow dung manure rotted well.

Rinse coconut chips and mix with charcoal and perlite. Add water and let the mixture rest overnight. Squeeze excess water and put the mix in a container. Feed weekly with bone meal emulsion and add slow release tabs. Use fertilizer which contains equal parts of Nitrogen, Phosphorus & potassium (10:10:10).Don’t forget to dilute.

Terrestrial orchids like denser mix. Sand, moss and coco peat works best. You can add peanut shells to allow airflow.

Epiphyte orchids like mossy limbs. They can be grown on wooden pieces. Wood should be rough with bark. Do not cover roots. In dry conditions roots can be covered with moss or gunny to retain moisture.

You can experiment with different mixes to see which is best for your plant.

Cactus ,Succulent and Adeniums

• Potting mix should be light, porous media and free draining.
• Khangar
• River sand
• Neem cake
• Perlite

Rest fertilizer which can be added is vermicompost along with inorganic components.

Succulent

• Loam               1 part
• Coarse sand    1 part
• Wood ash or charcoal powder ½ part
• Leaf mould       1 part

Epiphyllous plants

Add half part well decayed organic manure.

Ferns

• Loam         1 part
• Leaf mould 1 part
• Sand.           1 part
• Along with charcoal pieces ½ inches size
• Manure.        ½ part
• Handful of lime and ash per plant.

In the end I would like to say utilize your garden’s fallen leaves and other plant residues to make leaf mould and use in your garden and pots. In this way the plant which had taken nutrients from soil is returned for next season’s growth. The chief constituents of plant food are nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash (NPK). These elements exist in various combinations in plant and animal residue.

NITROGEN: It occurs in animal refuse like Cattle dung,(Cow, horse, buffalo, goat, sheep, chicken, camel, etc), urine and leguminous plants such as peas, beans, pulses and leaves of many trees.

PHOSPHORUS: It is present in animal refuse, urine, bone meal, crabs and shrimps waste, cucumber skins, hair and mushroom waste.

POTASH: Occurs in stems and twigs of plants and consequently in wood ash.

All these elements are available in the waste materials of an ordinary normal garden.

A product known as Activated Compost consists of the same elements but is made by a process which is more rapid than the old pit method .In this process heaps are moistened with a solution of cow dung and urine to start fermentation to produce high temperature. The mass has to be stirred from time to time.

HAPPY GARDENING

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com

HOW TO REUTILISE YOUR FLORAL DECORATION

Flowers have become integral part of Deepawali celebrations. Beautiful flowers add colours, spread happiness with their divine appearance and mesmerizing fragrance.

Deepawali is over and all of us have lots of discarded flowers used in decoration and pooja offerings. You can recycle these discarded flowers in many beneficial ways

     * The Marigold and Rose petals can be dried thoroughly. Add a pinch of turmeric powder to these dried petals, to avoid insects or pets and store in air tight containers. These can be used as organic Rangoli.

*Marigold flowers can be dried and seeds can be separated by removing the petals. These seeds can be used in growing new plants.

*Petals of flowers like Rose, Jasmine and Calendula can be used for skincare products. Boil rose petals for four minutes, allow them to cool and store in bottle. This acts as a natural toner. Dried Jasmine or calendula flowers can be added to scrub or face mask.

* Another good way of using these flowers is in making your own Potpourri. Take the dried flowers of your choice, add a few drops of essential oils and place in a potpourri bowl in corner of your room.

Last and the most important way of using these flowers is in making super rich organic manure. Take an earthen pot with a hole at the bottom. Keep a layer of crushed diyas or garden soil at the bottom followed by a thin layer of compost or Vermicompost. Cover this with a layer of flowers followed by a layer of dried leaves. Keep on adding layers, till the pot is filled, cover the pot and keep in shade away from the direct sunlight. You can also add some mustard cake to this pot. The compost will be ready to use in three months which is highly rich in nutrients.

By following these few simple steps you are not only making best use of your discarded flowers, you are also helping in reducing environmental waste.

      Shailja Mishra

mishra.Shailja 6325@gmail.com

STARS AND PLANTS

Hello Plant Lovers, often we are confused that which plant we should buy and decorate our place. These days, huge variety of plants be it foliage plants, flowering plants or succulents etc. are available in nurseries which too creates confusion. So here is an easy guide for you all to get rid of this confusion. The list suggests plants based on your zodiac signs/stars.

ARIES: CREEPING FIG

Arians are bold, ambitious and always ready to take up competitions. They are ready to face any challenging situation. So, the plant that fits best for them is Creeping Fig which holds the similar characteristics. It can be grown both in pots and hanging baskets.

TAURUS: HOYA HEART

For strong, dependable and sensual earth sign Taurus, Hoya heart suits the best. Taureans like some luxury in their life, so Hoya will be the best option for them.

GEMINI: SPIDER PLANT

Geminis are adaptive, expressive and kind nature and so is Spider Plant. It can grow well in any kind of light be it bright light, low light or artificial light. All it needs is a well drain soil.

CANCER: PRAYER PLANT

The water sign Cancer is highly intuitive, compassionate and protective and this makes Prayer plant its perfect match. The plant gets its name from the movement of its leaves. They open during the daytime and close up at night resembling praying hands.

LEO:BROMELIAD

Passionate, loyal, infamously dramatic, Leos love to be in spotlight and celebrate everything. Same goes with the Bromeliads. They are tropical plants and are well known for their showy flowers and hence are a perfect match for the Leos.

VIRGO: PHILODENDRON

Logical, practical and systematic by nature, the house plant that suits the best to Virgos is Philodendron. It is easy to grow and care, fuss free and quite forgiving plant.

LIBRA: PEACE LILY

Cardinal air sign, Librans represented by scales and are obsessed with symmetry and justice.  They are gracious and fair minded, thus, the houseplant that suits them the best is Peace Lily. Peace lily is air purifier plant and helps in breathe better.

SCORPIO: MONEY PLANT

Water sign Scorpions are passionate and the plant that suits them the best is lilypad-esque money plant. It is also known as friendship plant and is perfect for this loyalty loving zodiac sign. People having dogs at home should avoid this plant as it is harmful for them.

SAGITTARIOUS: SWEET CHEESE PLANT (MONSTERA DELICIOSA)

The houseplant that suits best to the extrovert and humour loving Sagittarians is sweet cheese plant. Though the name is quite delightful, one should not eat it. In fact, it is toxic to dogs.

CAPRICORN: MOTHER OF THOUSANDS

The best suited houseplant is Mother of Thousands. The Capricorns are independent and tenacious similar to the tiny plants that grown on the edge of leaves of the plants.

AQUARIOUS: STRING OF PEARLS

The unique String of Pearls is a perfect match for the uncompromising, original, intellectual and eccentric Aquarians.

PISCES: GOLDFISH PLANT

The plant that suits best to empathic, creative and affectionate Pisceans is Goldfish plant. The plant got its name from the bright orange blooms that resemble leaping goldfish.

Hope this list based on the stars helps the plant lovers to choose the best suited plant for them.

HAPPY GARDENING!!

Sugandha Singhania

sugandhacpsinghania@gmail.com

Tales of Trees in Indian Culture

 TREE NUMBER 4: BANANA

• Botanical name: Musa x paradisiaca   
• Family: Musaceae (Banana family)
• Common name: Banana
• Hindi: Kela
• Kannada: Baazhe, Baale
• Malayalam: Vaazha
• Manipuri: Laphu tharo
• Tamil: Vaazha
• Nepali: Kera  
• Telugu: Arati
• Mizo: Balhlakual, Vaibalhla  
• Angami: Tekhusi
• Sanskrit: Kadalee, Vaaranabusaa, rambhaa, Mochaa, Amshumatphalaa
• Synonyms: Karkandela x malabarica, Musa x champa, Musa x dacca

INTERESTING  BOTANICAL, RELIGIOUS & MYTHOLOGICAL FACTS ABOUT BANANA

• Banana is a tropical tree-like herb, with large leaves of which the overlapping bases form the so-called false trunk. Fully grown, the stem reaches a height of 10 – to 30 feet. From the center of the crown spring the flowers. Only female flowers develop into a banana fruit that vary in length from about 4 – 12 inches. The average weight of a bunch is about 25 lbs. Each banana plant bears fruit only once. The propagation is through shoots from the rhizomes, since most of the seed species are sterile. In India, almost every part of the banana plant is used, either for food, or for wrapping food. The unripe fruit of banana, rich in starch, is commonly dried and fried as chips in south India. The banana stem is also eaten after cooking. The ripe fruit is commonly eaten.
• The Hindi word Kela means shaking, trembling. The name kadali means flag or banner. Banana came from India growing first on either side of the Ganges river and from there went to Persia, Syria, Arabia and Egypt. Buddhist sculptures show banana leaves and a drink called Mochapana is mentioned in the Buddhist book of monastic rules.
• In India marriage podiums are decorated with Banana stalks and carved from stem piths.
• Food served on banana leaves is considered as a sign of purity.
• In the Western Ghats, the Banana tree is believed to be the Goddess Nanda Devi. Her images are carved out of the stalk and in the month of Kartika, floated down the river.
• In the Mahabharata, Kadalivanam or the Banana garden on the banks of Kubera Pushkarini is the home of the monkey god, Hanuman.
• The Banana plant is considered sacred to the nine forms of the Hindu Goddess Kali.
• In Bengal, marriages are performed under it and it is worshipped in the month of Shravan (July -August).
• A saying in Bengali goes: Kela lagiye na keto pay, Tatei kapad tatei bhat meaning do not destroy the leaves of a planted banana, You will get both your food and cloth.
• Many other references are found in Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• The plant is worshipped in the month of Kartika (October-November) by women desirous of progeny.
• The plantain is used in the worship of Shri Satyanarayan.
• The plant is considered to be the nine forms of the Hindu Goddess Kali.
• In Nainital, the image of Goddess Nanda Devi is carved out of a Banana trunk.
• People of hill worship on the occasion of Nandashtami.
• In Tamilnadu, premature babies are made to sleep each day on fresh banana leaf.
• The Banana fruit is offered by certain tribes of Odisha and Madhya Pradesh to the gods Kittungsum and Mardisum and is used in the religious ceremonies.

Various Tales associated with BANANA:

1. The story of Kadali Garbha (Kathasaritsagara)
2. Near Ishukmati, a city of old times was a great forest where Mankanka saint lived. He fell in love with Menka who was an Apsara of God Indra’s court. A beautiful daughter was born to them .Since she was born inside a Banana tree, she was named Kadaligarbha, that is, from the womb of the Plantain.
3. One day the king of Madhya Desha, Dhridhavarman, passed through this forest and saw Kadaligarbha and was captivated by her beauty .He asked the saint for her hand. All Apsaras of heaven came for Maneka’s daughter’s wedding. As Kadaligarbha left with her husband, the maidens gave some mustard seeds to her saying “sow these along the path that takes you to the city. If you have any problem with your husband and you want to come back, you will be able to recognise the path by these”. Kadaligarbha scattered the seeds all along the way to the palace.
4. Dhridhavarman loved his new bride very much and spent all his time with her. This made other wives jealous and they planned to get rid of her by declaring her witch .They planted severed hands and legs in Kadaligarbha’s chambers. The king abandoned Kadaligarbha and she left the palace.
5. She found her way back to her father’s hermitage following the path of the mustard seeds that had sprouted up. Mankanka was surprised to see her. He took her back to the palace and related the whole story to the king
6. The rogue who had spread the rumours and had executed the plan on behalf of the principal queen told the truth to the king.

• Reference in Ramayana

The drooping plant looks sad and is used in comparison to a sad or unhappy Kaushalya, it is shaken violently by strong winds as are frail persons. It grows as a border around settlements and houses (still in-practice) around the ashrams of Rama and Agastya.

• Story in the Mahabharata

 When Krishna goes to meet Vidur before the war, Vidur was not at home and his wife Sulabha offered Krishna Kadali fruit. She was so enraptured by the presence of Krishna that she absentmindedly threw away the fruit and offered peels to Krishna. Krishna noticed it but didn’t say anything as they were offered to him with a pure heart and devotion.

• Another name for this plant in Sanskrit is Rambha, which is also the name of Apsara, wife of Nalkuber. The couple worshipped the plant in order to be worshipped with a male child as it is a symbol of fertility. The fruit is also given to the brides at the wedding ceremony, hoping that she will bear a son.

• In Vishnu Purana, a salutation to Vishnu goes as follows ‘As the bark and leaves of kadali are to be seen in its stems, so art thou the stem of the universe and all things are visible in you.’

• Kadali plants are considered auspicious by Hindus followers of both sects Vaishanav and Shiva.

Plant is also believed to be the incarnation of Parvati and Lakshmi. The status of Shiva in the Shunya   Purana is described in this passage: ‘When Maheshwara travelled naked from door to door for alms Bhagwati Adya advised him to take cultivation:”Grow in your fields all the varieties of crops and grow bananas also,so that we get all the necessary things on the occasion of Dharma worship.

• The Plantain deity, as said before is identified with Lakshmi and Parvati, is an agricultural deity called Navpatrika (nine plants). A life sized statue is carved out of the kadali plant and dressed like a bride with bilva fruit and supported by a piece of sugarcane. The leaves are twisted like a bow to represent the head and hair of the deity. Kachu(black taro), harida (haldi ), javanti(barley), dadima (pomegranate), Ashoka and dhan represent the different parts of her body. This Navpatrika is worshipped as Lakshmi. She is also placed in front of a bilva tree and worshipped as an incarnation of Durga. The nava Patrika are the symbols of Durga and are also associated with the Sun.

• In West Bengal, Ganesha is associated with the Plantain tree. During Durga Puja, the KALA BAU represents Durga, mother of Ganesha. Kala Bau is intended to serve as symbol for the nine types of leaves (nava patrika).The priest tie a bunch of eight plants on the trunk of the Plantain tree. All nine plants are medicinal plants constituting the Kala Bau.

• According to the Sthala Purana, At Neeli-vana-nathar temple at Thiruppaineeli, Tiruchirapalli district Tamilnadu, devotees consider the Plantain to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva and worship it. When the great Shaiva saint Appar arrived at this temple the place was covered with a forest of banana trees. He lay down under the Banana tree but was unable to sleep due to his old age, long walk and intense hunger. Seeing his devotee’s suffering, Lord Shiva served Appar a good meal on a Banana leaf (painneeli vaalai). As the temple was once covered by the Banana tree the lord is also called Neeli –vana-nathar. The fruit of the Plantain tree in this temple is used only as offering during abhishekam, after which it is put into the river.

1. In Odia tribal culture, the plant was the creation of the Savara deity Bimma. As the plant bore nourishing fruit and every part of it was useful, his brother Ramma became jealous of Bimma’s creation and cursed it to die after producing only one bunch of flowers.

1. There is another story in Gadaba tribal about five sisters namely, Mango, Tamarind, Fig, Jamun and Plantain. When all sisters reached marriageable age their father asked about the choice of the husbands. Plantain just desired to have children but no husband. Mango, Tamarind, Amla, Jamun and Fig got married and bore many children which frightened the husbands and they ran away. The girls in their next birth were born as trees and bore many fruits. Plantain never married but produced many children.

USES OF BANANA:

• All parts of the plant have medicinal value.
• Cooked flowers can cure dysentery and piles while juice of the flower with palm sugar cures stomach ache and venereal disease.
• Tender fruit rids bleeding piles, intestinal ulcers and frequent urination. It also prevents night blindness and purifies blood.
• The ripe fruits are useful in increasing blood count and treating the swelling of kidneys, joints, hypertension, and cardiac diseases.
• Unripe fruits and cooked flowers are used for treating diabetes.
• The juice of the stem dissolves kidney stones.
• It also acts as an antidote for snake poisoning by mixing with Leucas aspera.
• The root is used to cure thyroid and glandular disease and cold infusion of the root is effective to detoxify alcoholic persons.
• The Banana contains iron, minerals, Phosphorus and vitamins. It’s one of the most important energy giving foods.
• Unripe bananas are used as vegetables.
• Crispy banana chips are relished by all.
• The leaves are used as plates.
• Fibre is made from stems and used to make textiles like sarees, paper, rope, mats etc.
• The wild banana plants are used to keep away termites.
• Paper is also made from Banana plants.

HAPPY GARDENING

Rama Tyagi

 tyagirama1@gmail.com

THE TEAM BEHIND

“THE HFS TIMES“

Mrs Rama Tyagi            Director HFS

Mr Som Dutt Tygi          Advisor                          

Gp Capt Sushil Bhatia     Chief Editor

Ms Vandana Bhatnagar    Editor and Content Provider

Ms Sugandha Singhania Asst Editor

Ms Shailja Mishra          Editor and Content Provider

Mr Sandeep Rohilla      Executive & Marketing Editor

Ms Sonia Agrawal          Creative Editor

Mr Devraj Singh             Technical Head