MIRABILIS JALAPA OR Andhi Mantharai Plant -THE 4'O CLOCK PLANT

A NEW- COMER IN MY GARDEN  

Mirabilis jalapa (the four o'clock flower or marvel of Peru) is the most commonly grown ornamental species of Mirabilis, and is available in a range of colours. 

Mirabilis in Latin means wonderful and Jalapa is a not uncommon placename in Central and North America

A curious aspect of this plant is that flowers with different colors can be found simultaneously on the same plant.

Different color variation in the flower and different color flowers in same plant.

Variegated flower on a four o'clock plant.

Naturally occurring color variation on four o'clock flowers.

Additionally, an individual flower can be splashed with different colors. 

Flower patterns are referred to as sectors (whole sections of flower), flakes (stripes of varying length), and spots. 

A single flower can be plain yellow, pink or white, or have a combination of sectors, flakes and spots. Furthermore, different combinations of flowers and patterns can occur on different flowers of the same plant. ^[1] 

Another interesting point is a color-changing phenomenon. For example, in the yellow variety, as the plant matures, it can display flowers that gradually change to a dark pink color. Similarly white flowers can change to lightviolet.

A four o'clock plant in full bloom.

The flowers usually open from late afternoon onwards, hence the first of its common names. 

Flowers then produce a strong, sweet-smelling fragrance throughout the night, then close for good in the morning. New flowers open the following day.

Despite their appearance, the flowers are not formed from petals – rather they are a pigmented modification of the calyx. Similarly, the 'calyx' is an involucre of bracts. ^[2].

The flowers are pollinated by long-tongued moths of the Sphingidae family, such as the sphinx moths or hawkM. jalapa hails from tropical South America, but has become naturalised throughout tropical and warm temperate regions. In cooler temperate regions, it will die back with the first frosts, regrowing in the following spring from the tuberous roots. The plant does best in full sun. 

It grows to approximately 0.9 m in height. The single-seeded fruits are spherical, wrinkled and black upon maturity (see picture), having started out greenish-yellow. 

A PICTURE OF THE PLANT TAKEN  IN MY BACKYARD

The plant will self-seed, often spreading rapidly if left unchecked in a garden. Some gardeners recommend that the seeds should be soaked before planting, but this is not totally necessary. InNorth America, the plant perennializes in warm, coastal environments, particularly in USDA Zones 9–10. moths and other nocturnal pollinators attracted by the fragrance.^[3]

USES OF The Plant

The flowers are used in food colouring. The leaves may be eaten cooked as well, but only as an emergency food.^[11]

An edible crimson dye is obtained from the flowers to colour cakes and jellies.^[11]

In herbal medicine, parts of the plant may be used as a diuretic, purgative, and for vulnerary (wound healing) purposes. The root is believed an aphrodisiac as well as diuretic and purgative. It is used in the treatment of dropsy.

The leaves are used to reduce inflammation. A decoction of them (mashing and boiling) is used to treat abscesses. Leaf juice may be used to treat wounds.

Powdered, the seed of some varieties is used as a cosmetic and a dye.^[11] The seeds are considered poisonous.^[12]

The plant has a potential for the bioremediation of soils polluted with moderate concentrations of heavy metals such as cadmium.^[13]

  

Nizhal

Nizhal, a trust to promote concern for trees in the city, aims to engage the people, doing their bit for care and conservation of trees in their neighbourhood began with Bodhi Tree, which produces the most oxygen.

"The tree can grow without soil, and can absorb water from atmosphere. The tree is not advisable for home gardening, " Babu said.

Next on the walk was 'Gulmohar Tree', called as May Flower. The flowers blooms during the month of May. The tree is an exotic and even a weak species. Even a small strong wind can uproot this tree. The tree is cultivated because of its beauty and the shade it provides, he explained.

When I come across the Mast tree, Babu points out at me and says most people mistake this tree, for the Ashoka tree. "In olden days, there was a myth that planting an Ashoka tree at home would bring sorrow, because shokam meant sorrow. The tree was used to build masts in ships."

The 'Vilvam' Tree, he said, is used in the worship of Lord Shiva. The leaves and fruits are used for medicinal purposes. It is a good natural hair conditioner.

"When you are stressed or tired, stand under the Magizham Tree when it is in full bloom. The aroma from the flower acts as a stress-buster. The tree flowers are used to make perfumes, " Babu says.

 

 

"Nailing advertisement boards on the trees will cause bacterial and viral infections. Cementing around the trees is illegal. The roots start deteriorating, and disrupts the flow of water and absorption of minerals to the branches. Hanging lights on the trees kill millions of microbes and exposes the bird's nests. The birds are unable to take rest in the night. Most people do not know about these things, “ he said.

Lamp lit with the leaf of Jyothi Vrksha

 

The Green  leaves of Jyothi Vrksha can be used to light lamps in sesame oil.

The tree is found in Kolli Hills and Sadhuragiri Hills in Tamilnadu. 

Recycling of Farm Waste

Recycling of Farm Waste

Recycle of garden wastes

Scope

It has been estimated that organic resources available in the country alone can produce not less than 20 million tonnes of plant nutrients (NPK). Vermicompost technology has promising potential to meet the organic manure requirement in both irrigated and rainfed areas. It has tremendous prospects in converting agro-wastes and city garbage into valuable agricultural input. Thus various economic uses can be obtained from organic wastes and garbage and prevent pollution. From vermiculture, we get well decomposed worm casts, which can be used as manure for crops, vegetables, flowers, gardens, etc. In this process, earthworms also get multiplied and the excess worms can be converted into vermiprotein which can be utilised as feed for poultry, fish, etc. Vermi-wash can also be used as spray on crops

Feed ingredients

Cow dung and agro wastes in the ratio of 1:1 to 1:3 may be mixed and allowed to predecompose for about 2 weeks in a separate tank adjacent to the vermicompost tank, before being fed to the earthworms.

Cow dung and agro waste in 1:1 ratio

Cow dung and agro waste in 1:3 ratio

Process

Ideal tank size for small scale vermicompost production is 10’ x 6’ x 2.5’ (150 cu .ft.)

 

Create adequate no. of holes (about 8 holes of 5 cm. diameter at the bottom) to facilitate drainage of excess water

Bedding comprise of broken bricks, stone pieces, saw dust, sand and soil

Release earthworms in this bedding

Pour the feed mix over this bedding of earthworms of about 15 to 20 cm thick

 

Pre decomposed material need not be added in layers but its depth should not be more than 1.5 to 2 feet

 

Tank is covered with thatched roof to maintain the moisture of the tank feed (40% moisture should be maintained)

Under sub optimal moisture conditions the earthworms have a tendency to move downwards towards the bed of the tank. When the moisture, temperature and organic matter are optimum, the size, weight and cocoon producing capacity of earthworm’s increases.

Conversion: One kilogram of worms numbering about 600 to 1000 can convert 25 to 45 kg. of wet waste per week. The compost recovery would be around 25 kg per week under well managed conditions. 

Harvest

The total decomposition may take about 75 – 100 days depending on various factors. Therefore one tank may be used to 4 to 5 times in a year for vermicompost. A few days before the harvest watering of the tank are discontinued to allow migration of worms towards the bottom of the bed. The compost is then transferred outside without disturbing the bed and heaped on a plain open surface. The compost is sieved through a   3 mm mesh and then packed in gunnies.

Conventional sieve

Hand operated sieve

About 1700 kg of compost can be obtained from each cycle. While sieving the unhatched cocoons can also be retrieved. The excess worms can be retrieved and put in new tanks or sold or can be sun-dried to make vermin-protein. The cost of vermin-protein can be taken @ Rs. 5/kg. The compost should be sun-dried and then bagged for sale / use.

3 mm mesh sieve

Vermicompost

Methods of waste treatment by Earthworms

1. Solid waste materials may be spread out over the soil surface, usually on pastures. But sometimes on crops or in forests. To be incorporated directly into the soil – earthworms are important contributors to the burial and decomposition of the waste materials.
2. Wastes may be stacked into heaps or placed in bins, where they are treated like compost heaps-earthworm activity results in the production of large quantities of earthworm casts, which are widely sold as manure.

The second method is easy and is widely practiced in our country.
Vermi Compost tanks – size 20’ x 3 ¼’  x 2’

Total land required for construction of 4 tanks = 900 sq. ft. (30’ x 30’)

Particulars	Quantity	Amount (Rs.)
Cement	20 bags	4000.00
River sand	2 units	4500.00
Hollow blocks (6" x 16" x 8")	600 Nos.	8000.00
Mason	15 days	3750.00
Helping women	25 days	2500.00
Helping men	8 days	1400.00
Shade net for 900 sq.ft. @ 20/sq.m.	900 sq.ft.	2000.00
2" pipe (GI) for shade net erection	51	6500.00
1"GI pipe for shade net erection	91	4500.00
Labour charges for erection of shade net		2500.00
Miscellaneous		1000.00
Total		40650.00

Earth worms – 25 kg for 4 tanks @ Rs. 300 /kg (Euginea utilis)       -           Rs. 7500.00

---

Source

Professor and Head
Department of Floriculture and Landscaping
Horticultural College and Research Institute
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Coimbatore - 641 003

Organic Practises

Organic practices avoid investment on costly chemicals.

There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that in the past 4-5 decades there has been an excessive dumping of chemical toxins on the soil. As a result the soil has become barren and ground water toxic, in many places. Contrast this with organic inputs that are safe, non toxic, and cost much less. For example, if using chemical pesticides and fertilizers for growing a crop in a hectare works out to about Rs.6,000-7,000 the cost of growing the same crop using organic inputs may come to only about Rs.500 - Rs. 1,000, .

 Five leaf extract

For example she uses 5 different leaf extracts (eindhu ilai karaisal in Tamil) derived from Calotropis (called y erukku in Tamil), Jatropha curcas (kattu amanaku in Tamil), Neem (vembu in Tamil), Guduchhi/Amruth (seenthil kodi in Tamil), Chaste tree (nochi in Tamil), Malabar nut (adathoda in Tamil), Kalmegh (siriyanangai in Tamil), Clerodendron (peenarisanghu in Tamil) and Usil (arappu in Tamil). These plants are commonly found in all villages. About 1 kg of leaves from each plant is taken and powdered and then ground into a paste. It is then mixed with 5 litres of cow’s urine.

The concoction is then diluted in 5 litres of water and left undisturbed for 5 days. When required for using about 500 ml of this concoction is diluted in 10 litres of water and sprayed over the plants, she explains.

 

Ginger garlic extract

Another tried and proven mixture she uses is ginger garlic extract (called inji poondu karaisal in Tamil). About 1 gm of ginger and garlic each, 2gm of green chilli and 5 litres of cow’s urine and water are taken. The garlic, ginger and green chilli are ground into a paste and mixed with cow’s urine and water. After 10 days the mixture is filtered and used. The prescribed quantity is about 500 ml of this solution diluted in 10 litres of water which can be sprayed over the plants.

 

Ideal spraying time

The ideal time for spraying these karasals is during 6 am to 8.30 am and between 4 pm and 6.30 pm. Depending upon the soil, crop and other climatic factors the concentration can be raised or lowered. Farmers can contact their nearby organic farmers who are using these karaisals or can contact Ms. Rajareega for guidelines regarding the concentration.

 

Effective control

Both the above karaisals have been found effective in controlling leaf roller, thrips, mealy bugs, fruit, stem and bark borer, hairy caterpillar and aphids. Even if a farmer is not convinced about the benefits of organic inputs he can continue to grow his crops using chemicals, but at the same time he can set aside a small portion in his field to grow the same crop using organic inputs. By doing so he can find out for himself the cost benefit ratio. That itself can convince him of its efficacy.

         

Readers can contact Ms. Rajareega, Raasi organic farms, Muthupatti, via Kallal, A. Siruvayal (post), Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu, email: rajareega@rediffmail.com, mobile: 9865-582142 and phone: 04565-284937.

Flower drop (known to some as “blossom drop”) is a relatively common problem faced not only by chilli growers but by gardeners growing all kinds of fruit and vegetables

One of the questions we get asked a lot is why do the flowers keep dropping off my chilli plants without any fruit (chillies) forming?
Flower drop (known to some as “blossom drop”) is a relatively common problem faced not only by chilli growers but by gardeners growing all kinds of fruit and vegetables. It happens when your plant flowers then each flower falls off without any fruit forming. There are a few possible causes and suggested remedies outlined below.1. Lack of pollination

This is perhaps the most common cause of flower drop and is particularly prevalent when plants are grown inside or in a greenhouse. In these environments there is often a lack of flies, bees or butterflies to pollinate the plants. A simple and free solution is to do this manually by performing the pollination yourself.
To pollinate plants by hand simply get a cotton bud or fine paint brush (or a delicate finger tip will do!)  and lightly rub it inside each of the flowers of a plant. Continue to do this once a day for a couple of weeks and you should soon start to see some fruit setting.

2. Lack of Air Flow

Chilli plants can also be pollinated by natural airflow, particular if you’re growing a high density of plants. In addition by providing better air flow to your plants you’ll help encourage insects onto your plants which will help with point 1 above.
As a general rule once night time temperatures reach 10 degrees I leave my greenhouse windows and doors open 24/7, only closing them when extreme weather is forecast.

3. Over watering

Another cause of flower drop in chilli plants is over watering. If you think lack of pollination is not to blame then it may be worth scaling back your watering to maybe just twice a week (depending on the weather of course). In addition remember that some flow drop is natural so do not get too concerned if not all your flowers turn into blistering hot peppers

4. Not Harvesting Pods

Chilli plants, like any other are designed to produce seed that will get scattered by natural means and therefore multiply. If your plant already has a few chillies on that are ripe, be sure to pick them to encourage further fruit to set. If you leave chillies on a plant when ripe you may find that any new flowers drop failing to result in any new fruit as the plant uses it’s energy to maintain the fruit on the plant rather than produce any new chillies.

5. Unstable Temperatures

Like most plats, chilli peppers like stable temperatures. Exposing flowering chilli plants to very low night time temperatures, or scorching daytime heat can result in flowers dropping off. To avoid these severe temperature fluctuations I always keep an eye on the weather forecast and take re mediate action if wild swings in temperature are likely.

6. Over Feeding

Adding too much fertilizer to your plants can put them into shock which can cause flower drop. When it comes o feeding my pepper plants I prefer the little and often approach as I believe that chilli plants respond better to stable conditions.

Just remember that some flower drop always occurs on healthy plants. If you can eliminate some of the causes above you shouldn’t have too many problems with flowers falling off your plants.

 

The Grapefruits are small sized.Why?- Question Posted By One Of Our Garden Group Member

My grapefruit tree has quite a bit of fruit, but they are all small. Any idea why?

A - It might be a bit early to worry about grapefruit size,

The grapefruits may still be growing and, depending on the variety, will do so until the end of the year. Inadequate watering and fertilizing are common problems that contribute to small fruit size.

As any tree grows, enlarge its watering well to extend slightly past the canopy edge, where feeder roots are growing. Water penetration should be 2 to 3 feet deep. After irrigation, check depth by pushing a slender rod into the soil. If it doesn’t move easily to the proper depth, continue watering until it does.

Our Second Garden Group Gathering taken in the Month of June 2014

The West R.A.Puram Residents Association  hosted its second Quarterly Discussion Meet for Garden Group Gathering members on saturday , the 14th June 2014 between 3.00P.M. to 5.P.M. at the Corporation park in the 7th Main road RAPuram.The programes included discussion topics on Apiary& Honey Bee farming , by Mr.K.Vasanthakumar of Amutha Bee farm. Participants saw live demo of honey extraction. This wasl followed by training on how to organize and  develop Organic Kitchen Garden and Organic Herbal Garden by Mr.Ayappan - secretary of Bio Sustainable Agriculture promotional Society(T.Nagar). As usual there was an exhibit of organic kitchen gardening materials. This time this was sponsored by Go4Organics - Chennai.

For upcoming Group updates and enquiries contact  :

Event Coordinator : sangeetha - 24340348 SMS :9382634871  or email to sangeeth5@yahoo.co.uk   

 

News in Mylapore Times on 20/9/2014

Free seedlings for garden lovers

RAPRA (R. A. Puram Residents Association) is organising a free distribution of tomato, brinjal and chilli seedlings from Sep 22 to 24 for the residents of R. A. Puram. Three seedlings from each variety will be distributed on a first-come first-serve basis. The residents must bring 15 x 15 inch tray filled with manure, earth or vermicompost. At Corporation Park, 7th Main Road, R. A. Puram, 7 – 9 a.m. For details contact Ms.Sangeetha 9382634871, Mr. Sharma at 9383119383.

Hindu Paper Article September 7, 2014

Today's Paper » FEATURES » DOWN TOWN September 7, 2014

 

Nochi plants distributed at garden meet

The Garden Group Gathering, a wing of Raja Annamalaipuram Residents’ Association (RAPRA), organised its monthly ‘Garden Sale’ recently.

B. Manimegalai, president, Central Government Women’s Employee Association, Shastri Bhavan, Nungambakkam, delivered a lecture on the ‘Usefulness of Birds in the Growth of Plants’.

She urged the gathering to place water in bowls for birds. “Many factors are attributed to the dwindling population of house sparrows. Lack of open space, rise in the number of high-rise buildings, increasing use of pesticides and insecticides on fields and gardens, radiation from cell phone towers and rising pollution levels,” she said.

People should grow more fruit-bearing trees to conserve and protect the species, she added.

Garden experts were present during the sale to give guidance on gardening, urban farming and composting.

Free Nochi saplings, sponsored by Chennai Corporation, were distributed to more than 100 people.

 

Community Garden In the Govt. Park - Free Distribution of Vegetable Seedlings to Public on 22nd,23rd and 24th September 2014

Dear friends

On behalf of RAPRA(RAja Annamalaipuram Residence Association), I am happy to inform all our respected residents that the “demo garden programme” of the association is now marching forward to the next stage.

 

 As you are aware, RAPRA is planning to hold a demo vegetable garden in the Corporation Park, 7^th main road. By God’s grace, the work was  started on August 17,2014.

 During the past one month the seeds that were sowed have sprouted into seedlings now. The residents can visit the park and see by themselves.  

On Sunday, 21^st September, we are planning to transplant the seedlings to the trench or pit in the centre of the park.

The entire garden which is less than a cent will be protected with green mesh so that trespassing is prevented. Besides Brinjal,chilli and tomato we are planning to grow ladys finger, short snake gourd  and cluster beans (the seeds for these are going to be directly sown on 21^st Sept) .  
RAPRA is planning at a later date to invite the Mayor to receive the first yield of the garden.

The seedlings available now are tomato, Brinjal and chilli. There is likely to be around 150 seedlings each in these  three varities available for distribution free to the residents.

Those residents who are interested to receive these three seedlings, will have to register their names with Mrs.Sangeetha (Phone 24340348 or 9382634871 ) Email :  sangeeth5@yahoo.co.uk   or Mr.Sharma (Mob No 9383119383) from now on.


Each resident can take 3 seedlings  of each variety. They should bring a tray of 15 inches by 15 inches (nearly this size) filled with manure or earth or organic manure or vermicompost. Residents are requested to hurry as the seedlings will be distributed on  first come and  first served basis. The free distribution is for three days – 22^nd,23^rd and 24^th from 7 AM to 9 AM. After 24^th  if there is a balance of seedlings,  RAPRA will distribute to residents outside R.A.Puram after displaying the news in “Mylapore Times”.

Vegetable prices are  sky rocketing and therefore we are reminding our residents to make use of this golden opportunity to grow the vegetables in your home. Organic vegetable is good for your health.

With best wishes
Dr.Chandresekar
Founder , President RAPRA

STAR PLANTS BY KRISHNAMURTHY

Here are the 27 Stars and Trees

Star	Common Name	Tamil Name
Aswini	Strychnine	Etti
Bharani	Indian Gooseberry	Perunelli
Karthikai	Country Fig	Atthi
Rohini	Jamun	Naval
Mrigaseerisham	Milmesha	Karungali
Thiruvathirai	Long Pepper	Thippili
Punarpusam	Bambusa	Moongil
Pusam	Peepal	Arasamaram
Ayilyam	Alexandrian Laurel	Punnai
Maham	Banyan	Alamaram
Pooram	Flame of the Forest	Palasu
Uthram	Rose Laurel	Arali
Astham	Hog Plum	Kaatuma
Chithirai	Bengal Quince	Vilvam
Swathi	Queen's Flower	Marutham
Visakam	Wood Apple	Vila
Anusham	Mimusops	Mahizham
Kettai	Stunted Jack	Kuttipala
Moolam	Hardwickia	Acha
Pooradam	Tinospora	Vanchikodi
Uthradam	Jackfruit	Pala
Thiruvonam	Swallow Wort	Erukku
Avittam	Indian Mesquit	Vanni
Sathayam	Indian Oak	Kadambu
Pururattathi	Mango	Mamaram
Uthirattathi	Neem	Vempu
Revathi	Madhuca	Iluppai

Contact S.Krishnamurthy in Chennai, India. Call : + 91 44 24611643  or Email him

Money may grow on trees, after all. Only be sure to plant the right one in your garden. The problem is, the one that’s right for me may not do for you. So what do you do' You go to S. Krishnamurthy. The astrology expert claims that every zodiac sign corresponds to a tree species that is lucky for people born under that star. All you need to do is match your sun sign to its tree and plant it in your garden or a temple on an auspicious day, such as your birthday or wedding date. So, just walk into any of the three nakshatira marangal(star tree) gardens that Krishnamurthy has opened at three Chennai temples. Look up your tree from his table that matches 27 tree species to the 27 sun signs in Tamil astrology. Then buy a sapling from him. If you were born under the sign Chithirai, buy a vilvam (bel). If, like Jayalalithaa, your zodiac sign is the powerful Maham, take home a banyan. It may not be an accident that Krishnamurthy is a landscape designer by profession, planning the greenery for promoters and house-owners. But he insists his isn’t a crank idea: the notion of a star tree match is very old in Hinduism. “I have for years researched the various systems of Hindu astrology and interacted withsiddhars (mystics) across southern India,” he says. A star tree, it seems, indicates character, too. “For instance, people born under the star Uthirattadhi are very independent and love to work alone. Like the corresponding tree, neem, they are not likely to wither away in bad times.” Krishnamurthy grows his saplings — 10 common varieties and 17 collected from various forests — at the old Thiruvatteshwaranpet temple to Shiva, where he has a garden. The two other gardens are at the Parthasarathy Swamy (Krishna) temple in south Chennai and the Kapaleeshwar (Shiva) temple in Mylapore. “Each tree has its own life, soul and distinct vibration,” he explains. “Your star tree gives you beneficial vibes and your mind becomes calm.” Just the sort of thing to help Krishnamurthy’s business at a time when feng shui and vaastu are all the rage among the well-to-do. And if his theory lacks a rational explanation, its practical side surely brings scientific benefits, he reckons. “I am promoting tree planting,” Krishnamurthy chuckles. “It’s good for the environment.” The Tamil Nadu Hindu religious and charitable endowments department has allowed him to “display and plant these star trees” at all state temples, he says. Even the temple department in Left-ruled Kerala has sent him an invite. Whatever Krishnamurthy’s sun sign is, all the 27 tree species seem to match it well.

‘

LINKS TO CHECK OUT

http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/horticulture/horti_index.html

THIPILI

Method of cultivation in roof top

Method of cultivation in roof top

1. Trough / Benches 

In the open roof top, based on the bearing load, cement benches of convenient length and depth can be constructed and the soil mixture (2 parts of red soil + 1 part of sand + 1 part of compost) filled up and utilized for growing the fruit or vegetable crops. Leave 1” space at the rim, to facilitate irrigation.

2. Trough (For newly build houses)

For efficient utilization of roof spaces, an inward trough is formed in the unutilized spaces of roof top i.e., like sunkened trough. The length and depth of trough may be designed as per the requirement. The available area is properly coated with water-proofing materials to avoid the seepage of water into the roof area. The inner side is designed with a gradual slope to facilitate the drainage. The drainage hole is covered with wire mesh and gravel for ensured drainage. Finally the entire area is laid with geo-textile material and finally filled up with the soil mixture for raising fruits and vegetable. 

Bearing of Brinjal

3. Pots / Containers :Pots and Containers can be used for raising the fruits and vegetables.

Types of containers

• Cement pots
• Earthen pots
• Plastic barrels
• Wooden barrels
• Boxes
• Crates
• Paws
• Plastic jars
• Damaged buckets
• Tin boxes
• Drums and different sizes
• Plastic covers
• Cement / Fertilizer bags
• Damaged sink / wash basin
• Damaged bowls / water tanks
• Unused water cans

Seed pan and seed boxes
Seed pans are shallow earthen pots about 10cm high and 35cm in diameter with a drainage hole at the bottom. Seed boxes are made of wood, porcelain and earthen pots of 40cm wide and 60cm long and 10cm deep, with 6-8 properly spaced holes drilled in the bottom. Against each holes a crock is placed with its concave side down. Some large pieces of crock are put over it and also by the side of this crock, some coarse sand 2 or 3 handfull is sprinkled on the crock pieces forming a thin layer to prevent fine soil from clogging the drainage hole. Over this, required soil mixture is added and kept in open sunlight for raising the vegetables.

Earthen pots
Earthen pots made of burnt porous clay in various sizes to hold enough quantity of soil and roof space for cultivating different kinds of plants. They have straight sides and are made wider at the top than at the bottom to hold the greatest bulk of compost and also to facilitate easy removal of soil, intact with roots (ball of earth) at the time of planting or repotting.

In our country, pots of varying sizes viz., tube pots, ¼ size, ½ size, ¾ size and ‘thali’ are used commonly. Tube pots are used to raise the rootstocks of mango and sapota for grafting purposes. ¼ size pots are used for potting singly very small seedlings during first transplanting and also for layering in plants like West Indian Cherry and Guava. ½ size pots are extensively employed for growing well rooted cuttings of several kinds of plants and small plants of all kinds. ¾ size pots are preferred for growing Dahlia, Cannas, Palms, Shrubs, Roses etc. In addition to the above, the earthen pots were filled with soil mixture and used for raising vegetable crops. Apart from the above, the soil mixture is filled in polythene covers and used for the cultivation of vegetables like tomato, brinjal, chilli, turmeric, coriander, amaranthus etc.,

Polythene bags
Small polythene bags with punched holes at the bottom for drainage and filled with a porous rooting medium are used for propagation of cuttings like jasmine, duranta, crotons etc., in the mist chamber. Some times, young seedlings which are raised in the nursery are subsequently transplanted in these polythene bags are kept there till they attain required growth for transplanting them to the main field (e.g., papaya, curry leaf etc).

Plastic pots: Plastic pots, round and square are used to keep mostly indoor plants. They are reusable, light weight, non-porous and they require only little storage space.

Fibre pots: These are available in small size varying from 5-10 cm width and are either round or square in shape. They are bio non-degradable and last longer periods with the soil and plants inside.

Paraffined paper or Styrofoam cups

They look like ice-cream cups with drainage holes. They serve satisfactory as temporary containers for growing and transferring young plants on a large seed bed. They are light, cheap and require little space. Recently, thermocole molded pots have been gaining popularity as they are light weight and attractive.

Tools

1. Hand hoe
2. Spade / showel
3. Rose can
4. Hand sprayer
5. Gardening hose with sprinkler
6. Bamboo stakes and jute strings

Other inputs

1. Quality seeds from reliable sources like Agricultural University and Research Stations and National Seed Corporation.
2. Good soil free from stones, weeds and other undecomposable materials
3. Well decomposed organic manure (compost / FYM / leaf compost / digested coir compost)
4. River bed sand
5. Chemical  fertilizers
6. Insecticides
7. Fungicide
8. Organic inputs (Neem oil, Neem seed kernel extract, Panchakavya)

How to start

1. Wash the container thoroughly and make drainage holes at the bottom
2. Mix soil, compost and sand with the help of hand hoe and shovel. 
3. Fill the containers loosely with a gentle tap. The soil should settle, bearing one inch head space at the top for irrigation.
4. a). For the transplanted vegetables, where nursery has to be raised, shallow pans and troughs can be filled with the fine mixture of soil, sand and compost (1:1:1) and the seeds should be sown. The container should be irrigated immediately after sowing. A layer of dry grass or straw is spread on top of the soil till the seedlings emerge, and thereafter it is removed. Most of the seedlings are ready for transplanting with one month of sowing. Recently, protrays are employed for raising vegetable seedlings. Protrays are the plug trays of 2-3’’ depth with a drainage hole. Initially ¼ portion of plug are filled with compost and one seed is sown in each plug and cover the remaining portion with compost or sand mixed compost. The watering and other operations are similarly to the above method.
   b)The seeds of certain vegetable crops which can be sown directly, should be sown in the selected pots/ polythene bags etc., The depth of the seed sowing should be about two and a half times of the seed size. Most of the vegetables are raised by sowing their seeds directly in containers. The seedlings of brinjal, chilli, tomato, capsicum and onion are transplanted in containers / pots after 30-40 days of germination. Their seedlings can also be raised in earthen pot or pans. A single healthy seedling may be transplanted in each container. Several seedlings, each of onion and knolkhol, and can be transplanted in a container of the same size. Two or three seeds are sown directly in such containers and later thinned out retaining healthy seedlings. The number of plants per pot may be varied with shape and size.

NAMES OF FLOWERS AND TREES

Cassia Fistula



  IXORA SINGAPORENSIS


Tabernaemontana coronaria                      Barleria cristata
 

Seasonal Calendar for Growing vegetables

Month	North India	South India
JANUARY	Brinjal	Lettuce, Spinach, Gourds, Melons, Radish, Carrot, Onion, Tomato,Okra,Brinjal, Bean
FEBRUARY	Applegourd, Bittergourd, Bottle gourd, Cucumber, French Beans, Okra, Sponge, Gourd, Watermelon, Spinach	Same as January
MARCH	Same as February	Amaranthus, Coriander, Gourds, Beans, Melons, Spinach, Okra
APRIL	Capsicum	Onion, Amaranthus, Coriander, Gourds, Okra, Tomato, Chilly
MAY	Onion, Pepper, Brinjal	Okra, Onion, Chilly
JUNE	All gourds, Brinjal, Cucumber, Cauliflower (Early), Okra, Onion,Sem,Tomato,Pepper	Gourds, Solanaeceae,Almost all vegetables
JULY	All gourds, Cucumber, Okra, Sem, Tomato	Same as June
AUGUST	Carrot, Cauliflower, Radish, Tomato	Carrot, Cauliflower, Beans, Beet
SEPTEMBER	Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Peas, Radish, Tomato, Lettuce	Cauliflower, Cucumber, Onion,Peas,Spinach
OCTOBER	Beet, Brinjal, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Peas, Radish, Spinach, Turnip	Brinjal, Cabbage,Capsicum,Cucumber, Beans,Peas, Spinach, Turnip, Watermelon
NOVEMBER	Turnip, Tomato, Radish, Pepper, Peas, Beet	Beet, Eggplant, Cabbage, Carrot, Beans, Lettuce, Melon, Okra, Turnip
DECEMBER	Tomato	Lettuce, Pumpkin, Watermelon, Muskmelon, Ash gourd, Ridge gourd, Bitter gourd, Bottle gourd, Cucumber, Chilly, Cabbage