Of the Himalayan Birds and whistling meadows

If we observe carefully, the natural world where we live in is a constant source of amazement. I can vouch for this as I myself am an avid nature lover and always look for a chance to be with nature as often as possible. And more we connect with it, the more we cherish it and more we would like to conserve it.

However, that is so easier said than done. With our actions, or inactions so to say, so many species of the birds, native to Himalayas, are on the brink of extinction.

Sanjay Sondhi, who is an avid bird watcher mentions of an extra-ordinary bird, the fire-capped tit, about 10 cms long, who comes to Himalayas for breeding, and flies back to central India in winters. He writes that they have seen dozens of these birds at the same location on same dates, without exception.

He mentions of another bird, European Gold flinch, which is facing extinction.

There are tremendous anthropogenic or human-caused pressures, leading to habitat destruction as forests vanish and pesticides cause decline in insects and climate change impacts food and water availability.

It is high time that not only the general population, but communities be made aware of the problems and they be empowered to protect the species.

(adapted from an article in TOI).

THE FLOWER SHOW 2023

THE FLOWER SHOW & Chatkaare Food Festival was inaugurated by Dr Nitin Gaur, IAS, Municipal Commissioner, Ghaziabad on 17 Feb 2023.

The theme of the show this year was HEALTHY PLANET, HEALTHY HUMANS, emphasizing the importance of healthy planet in keeping the humans healthy.

The participation in the show was open to public as well as corporate participation. There were close to 10,000 entries in about 50 various categories, ranging from flowers to vegetables, exotic verities, including C & S.

Gardening in March 

Summer Flowers 

India is a country of four seasons and we are lucky to be able to grow different varieties of flowers.  During winter, we had endless varieties but summer blooms have a different charm.

The summer season in India supports temperatures over 30 degrees thus it is a peculiar season where you need immediate getaways. What’s better than relaxing in your garden with summer flowers blooming and giving you much-required happiness? March to April is a good time for sowing seeds for summer flowers, bulbs and vegetables.

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

• Marigold: 
• Portulacas
• Hibiscus:
• Sunflower
• Zinnia
• Aparajita (Clitoria):
• Mogra
• Sadabahar(Vinca Rosea)
• Pentas:
• Mirabilis jalapa
• Petunia
• Morning Glory
• Roses
• Kochia
• Gomphrena
• Tithonia
• Rudbeckia
• Coreopsis
• Crossandra
• Plumeria

Potting: These plants are hardy, drought resistant and do not require extra fertiliser. All these plants grow well in the Sun. Sow seeds in sand or vermiculite. Be careful not to overwater since it may result in fungal rot. 

Bulbs :

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

Planting:

Mix 3 portions soil +2 parts sand +2 compost +2 leaf mould + 1(neem cake + bonemeal). Place 1 bulb in 6 in the pot. Cover the hole with broken pieces. Add potting mix to the pots and place bulbs with nose side up covering with soil lightly. You must water sparingly and not water in between until new growth.

Vegetables

Summer vegetables include ladyfinger, cucumber, bitter gourd, melon musk melon, gourds jimikand, spine gourds radish.

Sowing

Soak seeds overnight before sowing. Make a potting mix comprising soil, compost,neemkhali, and plant 2 to 3 seeds in 18inches to 20inches pots. Cover the seeds lightly.

Besides these, fertilise mint with vermicompost after removing weeds.

Seeds will take a week to germinate.

Staking :

Most summer vegetables are creepers, hence it is important to stake or provide an attachment for support. Stakes or attachments should be provided in the beginning. Remove the side growth and periodically spray with neem oil. Put pheromone traps and fruit fly traps to protect your crop.

Water Plants

Re-pot water lilies and lotus and fertilise them. Adeniums must be out of the shelter, repotted, and fertilised. Get ready to see the blooms of adeniums. Continue to fertilise and water the cactus, but do not water succulents unless they require. 

Adhere to bottom watering or lower the pots in the sand bed. Water the sand instead of plants and keep them away from direct sunlight but in bright light.

Adopt an organic way of growing plants. Avoid chemicals. Use organic pesticides and fertilisers.

Eat what you grow and Grow what you eat.

Happy Gardening.

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com.

Hypoestes, The Polka Dot Plant

Polka dot plants (Hypoestes phyllostachya) are common houseplants with colorful foliar display .They are highly hybridized to produce a variety of colors and types of leaf spotting. Also called freckle face plant, this house plant can grow in any type of indirect light but has the best color in lower light situations.

General

An interesting bit of polka dot plant info is that the plant was miscategorized for years. It is now recognized as a member of the Hypoestes group of over 100 plants. Polka dot plantsare from Madagascar. They are perennial herbaceous shrubs whose stems get woody as they age. In its native habitat, the plant can get up to 3 feet (1 m.) in height, but pot-grown specimens will usually be smaller. The foliage is the main reason to grow this plant. The leaves are dotted with darker spots in green and a base color of pink. Breeders have developed many other varieties, some of which have the green mottled spotting, but others are with other hues. There are purple, scarlet, lavender, and white speckled leaves. The Splash Series comes in a host of colors with a green base leaf and mottled splashes of color in pink, white, rose, or red. There is also a Confetti Series with proper spotting-shaped dots that are a bit more sparsely scattered than those of the Splash Series.

Growing a Polka Dot Plant Polka dot plants are well suited for indoor use anywhere but you can also grow them as annuals in temperate to warm zones. The foliage is an attraction for brightly colored perennial flowers and produces an attractive mound. This adorable plant looks great tucked in a planter with other foliage plants, as part of a color display with flowers, or in summer borders for added texture. Polka dot plants are easy to propagate.

The freckle face plant gets small flowers and produces seeds in perfect conditions. Seeds germinate in warm, moist soils where temperatures are 70-75 F. (21-27 C.). The easiest method for growing a polka dot plant, however, is from cuttings. Remove terminal growth at a node and pull off the leaves closest to the end. Dip the cutting in rooting hormone and put it in a soilless growing medium such as peat moss. Keep it evenly moist until the cutting roots and then treat it like a mature plant. Polka Dot Plant Care The plant will give you the best color when it is in a low-light situation, but this causes the canes to lengthen and get leggy while searching for light. Indirect bright sunlight is the ideal location for this plant indoors. Provide temperatures of at least 60 F. (16 C.).

Growing a polka dot plant outside requires well-drained but moist soil with plenty of organic matter. Outdoor plants need little supplemental feeding but indoor plants should be fed once per month. Older plants tend to get leggy, but you can control leggedness by cutting the canes back to lower growth and letting the plant fill in. How to grow polka dot plant indoors Provide good lighting Bright, indirect light is ideal for pink polka dot plants. This will keep the colors vibrant in the plant, while at the same time prevent the plant from becoming lanky. If you grow the polka dot plant in a low-light location, it will grow leggy quickly and fade in color. A location with light that’s too bright will also fade the foliage colors. Place polka dot plants a couple of feet away from an unobstructed southern or eastern exposure window. Or grow the plant under full-spectrum lighting.

Plant in rich, well-draining soil Polka dot plants require even moisture to grow well. This is best delivered by planting in a soil that is rich, yet well-draining. An organic potting soil is ideal. Water regularly Though they require even moisture, polka dot plants will easily succumb to root rot if conditions are too wet. Water when the top ¼ to ½ inch of soil has dried out. Keep in mind that the smaller the container the more quickly the plant will dry out. Fertilize monthly Polka dot plant is a fairly heavy feeder. Fertilize once a month with a high-quality organic fertilizer designed for houseplants. Provide high humidity and moderate temperature Polka dot plants require moist air and temperatures around 75 degrees Fahrenheit to grow well.

Keep the plant in a warm location and boost the humidity. This can be done by creating a humidity tray, misting several times a day and grouping plants together. Plants transpire and humidify one another. Pinch back weekly Polka dot plants get leggy quickly. In order to prevent this from happening, pinch the plant back on a weekly basis. Use your fingers to snip off the top two leaves on the end of each stem. Regular pruning will encourage the polka dot plant to become bushier.

Common Pests and Diseases

Watch out for scale, whiteflies, mealy bugs, and aphids on your polka dot plants.2 You might notice foliage that’s discolored, has holes, or otherwise appears unhealthy, along with small bugs moving on the plants. Plants grown indoors under suboptimal conditions typically have more problems with pests and diseases than those grown outside in the correct environment.

Varieties of Polka Dot Plants

Within the main species, Hypoestes phyllostachya, there are many varieties; all are bred for their leaf coloration. They include:

• ‘Camina’: Dark green and red-spotted leaves
• ‘Confetti’: Leaves in green and spots of white, pink, rose, red, or burgundy
• ‘Pink Brocade’: Green leaves with mottled pink spots
• ‘Splash’ series: Leaves in mixes of greens with splotches of pinks, reds, or whites.

THE WORLD OF SUCCULENTS

Succulents, are plants with parts that are thickened, fleshy, and engorged, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. The word succulent comes from the Latin word ‘sucus’, meaning juice or sap.

One of the most beneficial aspects of succulent is the little space that it requires. The most urban household cannot boast of expansive gardens and space to support plants. Succulents allow us to thrive as gardeners even in minimalistic spaces. A little space by your study table can be livened up with the presence of a healthy succulent. A nook in your parking space can allow you to enjoy some green therapy. Most of us city dwellers, who have gardens are fighting another tough battle- time and energy to take proper care of the plants. Succulents allow you liberty too since they require very minimalistic care These are unusually attractive plants that challenge the notion of typical garden plants, and once you develop a taste for them, you will want to have them everywhere, just like I do! It also allows you to explore opportunities both indoors and outdoors. Fighting Air pollution- plant a succulent. Liven up the space – Plant a succulent. Vertical space optimizations – Yes, you can plant succulents. You can do a different take on a ‘green wall’ by planting it with a variety of small succulents like Sedum, Senecio, Haworthia and Echeveria.

Today, let us talk about plants characterized by thick, fleshy leaves and stems. They are able to store water in their leaves and stems, allowing them to survive in arid and semi-arid environments where other plants would wither and die. We are talking about the plants that are a popular choice for indoor and outdoor gardening – SUCCULENTS. Succulent plants come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, with different types ranging from tiny, low-growing ground covers to tall, spiky plants that resemble cacti. They are easy to pair and thus find their way into different plant arrangements as part of mixed planting with other types of plants.

Let us talk about some of these varieties:

Agave

Agave is a hardy evergreen succulent, which grows up to 4 feet tall, forming a large rosette of narrow stiffly erect leaves with moderately spaced spines. They are slow-growing, dramatic plants that stand out in the landscape.

Botanical name: Agave angustifolia Category: Leaf succulent

Origin: Tropical Costa Rica and Mexico

Great for: Planting beds and borders, rock gardens, accent plants

Haworthia

This consists of a rosette of plump, stiff, upright leaves. It comes in many sizes and patterns. They survive on minimal watering and affection, and they have glossy green leaves.

Botanical name: Haworthia spp. Category: Leaf succulent

Origin: South Africa

Great for: Window planters; giving a structured look in the garden by planting Haworthia in rows and at regular intervals.

Echeveria

This comes in many species and is perhaps the most widely planted succulent. It is well-loved for its rose-like form with fleshy leaves that come in a rainbow of colours. This succulent is evergreen and produces summer flowers.

Botanical name: Echeveria spp. Category: Leaf succulent

Origin: Semi-desert areas of Central America and South America

Great for: Plant a single standout echeveria as the focal point of a container for the look of everlasting flowers.

Furcraea

Furcraea is a hardy stemless evergreen succulent is suited to most of our climatic

zones. Grown for their showy variegated foliage, they may grow up to 5 feet tall. They form a fountain of upright, sword-shaped leaves, resembling undulating ribbons.

Botanical name: Furcraea foetida ‘Mediopicta’ Category: Stem succulent

Origin: The Caribbean and South America Great for: Giving an exotic look to the landscape; dramatic focal point in border planting or pots.

Yucca

Yuccas are extremely hardy plants, widely adapted to many soils and climates. Over time, the plants loses their lower leaves giving the plant a pleasant tree-like appearance.

Botanical name: Yucca Aloifolia Category: Stem succulent Origin: USA and Mexico

Great for: Dramatic focal point in border planting or pots.

Senecio

Senecio is a fast-growing succulent with vines that reach length of 3 feet. They have small, white, cinnamon-scented flowers. Planting drooping or trailing succulents in a tall pot allows for a proper display of the trailing foliage.

Botanical name: Senecio radicans Category: Leaf succulent

Origin: South Africa

Great for: Trailing from hanging planters; ground cover in a rock garden.

Sedum

Sedum Morganianum is best grown in a sturdy hanging basket or a large pot, as its dense, soft foliage tends to get heavy as it matures. Sedums love bright shade or partial sun, and grow equally well indoors too.

Botanical name: Sedum Morganianum Category: Leaf succulent

Origin: Southern Mexico and Honduras

Great for: Hanging pots and ground cover in rock gardens.

Adenium

Adeniums grow to a height of 10 feet when planted in the ground, but are shorter when grown in pots and containers. It adds a splash of colour to the garden, Adenium flowers bloom for several weeks in shades of pink during the spring and summer months.

Botanical name: Adenium obesum Category: Stem succulent

Origin: Africa and Arab peninsula Great for: Feature planting

It is important to water deeply but infrequently, and make sure the soil is well-draining Adapted to dry environments, succulents store water in their leaves and stems. The amount of water succulents require can change depending on the time of year. During their growing season, succulents should be watered every time their soil completely dries out—and avoid adding excess water—a succulent’s longevity increases when its roots have time to dry between waterings. Succulent plants become dormant in cold, winter months, so they need less water during that time. Overwatering succulent soil is one of the root causes of most growth issues, so it’s important to let the soil dry out completely between watering.

Light

Most succulents need bright, direct sunlight to grow and thrive. Please remember they are primarily desert plants, hence requiring ample sunlight so be cautious of their availability. If you keep the plants indoors, then you must bring them to light once a day for a few hours, or keep them by the window gets them the light and keeps them warm. There are some varieties that thrive even with less sunlight. These are sensitive to intense sunlight, so it’s important to monitor their response and adjust their location as needed.

Soil

Succulents require soil that is well-draining and low in organic matter. It is crucial to choose the right potting soil for planting succulents in containers. The best potting soil for succulents is a well-draining mix. To prevent overwatering, it is important to use a good potting mix of porous soil.

The succulent soil recipe is easy to mix and contains only three ingredients.

1. One part perlite or pumice (porous)
2. Two parts sand (drainage)
3. Two parts organic matter (nutrients and tilth.

Potting

The healthy growth of succulents is dependent also on the right container and potting soil. The soil and the container make all the difference. For an outdoor succulent, the pot should have a drainage hole, which allows moisture to escape, letting the roots and soil dry to prevent rot. In indoor plants, you can use well-draining soil instead, which is coarser than regular soil, allowing more air to flow through and promoting evaporation thus reducing the need for draining.

Temperature

Succulents tend to prefer a temperate climate with temperatures ranging from 60 to 80°F. High temperatures sometimes help maintain the deep colours for many succulents, especially for soft succulents. Temperatures either too low or too high harm the succulents. It is thus imperative to maintain optimal temperatures, for healthy succulents. During the hottest hours of the day, one may relocate succulents to a shaded area or cover them with a shade cloth. Those living in areas with extremely hot weather should plant succulents directly into the ground because the temperatures of soil stay relatively constant despite changes in weather.

Fertilizer

Succulents in pots need less fertilizer compared to other houseplants. You can energize them by feeding them with a balanced 20-20-20-like liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks during summer. Apart from this, potted succulents can be fertilized with natural fertilizers like manure tea, compost tea, bone meal, or diluted fish emulsion as well.

Pest

Succulents are generally resistant to pests, but they can be vulnerable to mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects. One must keep an eye out for any signs of infestation and treat it promptly. When you first notice any pests, especially Mealybugs, move your infected plants away from everything else. Mealybugs are nasty little bugs that like to eat new growth on succulents. It’s difficult to say what causes them, but overwatering and over- fertilizing are common causes.

Pruning

Succulents don’t require regular pruning, but one must remove any dead or damaged leaves. Pruning removes dead and dying branches and stubs, allowing room for new growth and promoting the plant’s natural shape.

Propagation

Succulents are super easy to propagate. The best time for propagation is the spring and summer seasons and there are multiple ways for one to undertake propagation. There are 4 four ways to propagate succulents:

1. Division/Separation: This is probably the easiest method. As succulents mature, young pups or babies grow at the base of the plant or on the main stem which can be and allow them to callus and plant them.
2. Leaf propagation: This works best for most Sedums, Jade, Kalanchoes, and Echevarias that have fleshy leaves. To root successfully, the leaf must be whole and not broken.
3. Stem cuttings: This method is suited for succulents with a distinct stem, including the string of pearls, bananas etc. While the cut- part is used for propagating, the mother plant also gives rise to many new young plantlets.
4. Seeds: Some produce seeds which can be used to plant new. However, it is not a common method among home gardeners.

Succulent plants are becoming increasingly popular in India as they are easy to care for, require minimal watering, and can be grown in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings. Many succulent varieties are well-suited to India’s hot and dry climate, making them a great choice for gardeners in the country.

Deepti Jain

EARTH HOUR

(Compiled from Internet)

• Earth is the only planet or Astronomical body known to have life. About 29% of earth is land and remaining 71% consists of water, mainly oceans, but also include rivers, lakes and fresh water falls.
• Earth, its sustainable management and   wise use of its resources including ecosystem are key to combat climate change and protect us as well as our future generations. Engaging and empowering people and community participation helps in restoration of Ecosystem. 
• EARTH HOUR is a worldwide movement organised by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

• The event is held annually since 2008 encouraging masses from individuals to businesses to turn off non essential electric lights, for one hour from 8.30 pm to 9.30pm on a specific day in March end, to raise awareness, towards energy conservation and it’s effect on environment It symbolises our commitment towards earth  planet.
• It started in year 2007, in Sydney Australia, as lights off event and has grown to 7000 cities of 187 countries. Ist Earth Hour was observed on March 31^st 2007, in Sydney. This year Earth Hour is being observed on Saturday March 25th, 2023.
• Earth Hour is a symbolic action and does not purport to help in energy reduction. It is an initiative to create awareness among masses to be concerned about environmental challenges.
• Scientific studies have shown that there was reduction in electricity consumption of average 4% during the event.
• The Earth Hour’s short term energy conservation can be converted into long term actions, including sustained challenges in behavior and investments.

Please join the movement and switch- off your lights in support of nature and our planet Earth.

“Earth does not belong to us, we belong to Mother Earth“

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF MILLETS 2023

THE FLOWER SHOW 2023

IT ALL STARTED LIKE THIS

People visited THE FLOWER SHOW, clapped, appreciated, and went back. But the event that lasted about 3 days, the planning and work on ground had started 3 months back.

It took a whole lot of time and efforts of self-less, dedicated team members, under the guidance of Iron lady, Rama Tyagi, that their tireless work went to bear fruits.

THE FLOWER SHOW

GREEN EARTH CYCLE CAMPAIGN

THE FLOWER SHOW kicked off with a Cycling Event on 11 Feb 2023, in which kids, as well as seniors alike, participated, giving the message of keeping our earth green and clean.

BONZAI MASTER CLASS: 17 FEB 2023

By Jaipal Singh

Mr Jaipal Singh, also called master of Bonzai, explaining finer points to Chief Guest, Dr Nitin Gaur, IAS.

Students showing enthusiasm in knowing Bonzai.

THE FLOWER SHOW – 17, 18, 19 FEB 2023

IN PICTURES

IN THE PRESS

The event of the FLOWER SHOW 2023 was widely covered by the media. Here are few of the titles.