Romantic Gardens Gallery

Plants Care in Summer and Rainy Season

Plants Care in Summer and Rainy Season

                Plants are the priceless gifts of nature. Green color is mostly prescribed by opticians in order to cure a number of optical problems.  Eyesight is sharpened by greenery.  

                Some people love plants as their friends and parts of life. There are thousands of reasons for plantation and protection of plants.  Our climate is subtropical; summer is always severe and harsh.  Every living being is susceptible to its dangerous effects. Plants are also affected to much extent. Some get wilted due to severe water loss and sunshine, other go brown and some die off.

                There are two important things to be kept in mind in order to ensure plants safety.  First is temperature and other is irrigation.  To save plants which cannot resist sunshine for longer durations they should be covered by green shed or green net. ,, while fixing the shed it should be kept in mind that it should be somewhat more towards south-west because sunlight after 2’o clock is inclined at that angle.  Potted Plants could also be kept in partial shade.

                The other most important thing is irrigation. Plants planted in soil should be irrigated twice a day. First irrigation should be at early at least before 9 ‘O clock, and second irrigation should be after 4 pm. Do not irrigate plants in full sunshine and noon time.

                For potted plants irrigate frequently after 4-5 hours because evaporation is maximum and media cannot retain moisture for day long. Try to avoid placing plants under direct sunlight for whole day, place in semi shade area. . Potted plants cannot tolerate too much temperatures as compared to earth grown and field crops. Plants with delicate and soft leaves are more affected as compared to those having hard and leathery leaves.
                 During summer drought period avoid pruining or limit it to diseased or dead portion as pruining of tree also puts stress on the plants. When a tree is stressed during a drought, sometimes gardeners think it needs to be fertilized. Actually, fertilizers can contain high salt concentrations and cause further harm to the tree.
                 These are precautionary measures as whole, typically every plant have specific characters and responses to environment. Consult experts for asking requirement of your plants in description.  

Horticulture -Prospects in Pakistan

                      Horticulture is an important field of agriculture. In Netherland they produce 500 Million plants each year.Their economy depends totally almost on Horticulture. The main outcomes of Hortuculture are fruits, vegetables,, flowers and ornamental plants. It is most profitable and fast growing field. Modern concepts of growing all types of plants are being practiced in developed countries. Some African countries like Ghana are getting reasonable foreign exchange by the export of cut flower to USA and other countries of the world.
                     We have many advantages and positive aspects to adopt and flourish our horticulture business for example fertile lands, inexpensive labor, best climatic conditions and qualified experts of the subject. Lack of entrepreneurship and government interest s are our big problems. Unemployment is growing as a bigger problem with increase in population. This problem could be handled by making policies friendly to farmers, entrepreneurs and other people related to this field. The price hike in food commodities causing frustrations among people could be handled and controlled by increasing our horticultural produce especially fruits and vegetables. Government could start projects with the help of agriculture graduates to cultivate uncultivated and barren lands by installing orchards and commercial vegetables farms, exportable cut flower farms, producing export quality produce.
                  Orchards could make the climate cool and pleasant. Air pollution could gradually reduced by plants. The beauty and value of property could be enhanced many folds by the installation of orchard on farm lands. Government should provide subsidy and loans for promotion of horticulture along with other agronomic crops. There should be sustainable mechanism and easy procedures for new comers to develop urban horticulture business, nursery farms soil less culture and cold storage houses.

 

Emerging trend of Organic Farming.

Emerging trend of Organic Farming.

           

 Organic farming is simply farming without chemicals. It is a system that seeks to exclude the direct or routine use of synthetic fertilizers, biocides, veterinary drugs, hormones, additives, preservatives, growth regulators and other agrochemicals. It relies upon crop rotations, crop residues, livestock manures, cattle dung, composted municipal garbage, vermin-compost, organic wastes such as rice husk, wheat husk, cotton lint and mineral bearing rocks i.e. used to feed the soil and supplies the nutrients required by plants. It is also called green food production.

          Health hazards are drastically increasing day by day due to the use of food commodities accumulating a great amount of toxins contributed by pesticides and fertilizers. Chemicals extensively used for commercial vegetables, fruits and cereals production contains carcinogenic compounds which permeate into the final produce. The noticeable ill effects of pesticides are respiratory problems, cancers, less reproductive ability and many more. The conventional farmers use synthetic pesticides and fertilizers more extensively in order to attain more yield and maximum benefits irrespective of their ill effects on human health. They have no concern with the human health. Wild life is diminishing such as the earth worms have become scarce and the soil seems dead. Sulphure and sulphure-containing pesticides are destructive for beneficial insects and arthropods. Go organic for a genuine, cost-effective, healthier and environmentally safer future

The organic food on the whole is nutrition and meets anatomical and physiological requirements of human. It also helps in interaction of food clean like production, processing, packaging and trading within the environment and the social structures. For keeping good health it becomes necessary to avoid use of such vegetables. Organic food has a better taste and a great variety. It contains on average 50 percent more vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other micro nutrients than intensively farmed produce.

    Organic cultivation replenishes and maintains long term soil fertility by reducing nitrate leaching. Increasing and improving wild life habitant. Naturally occurring microorganisms in soil play an important role in nitrogen cycle and decrease pathogenic fungus and bacteria. It encourages the use of natural and renewable recourses. It is to ensure healthy farm livestock. It provides more predicable economic returns. It boosts farm income and promotes sustainability. It maintains the genetic diversity of agricultural ecosystems. It ensures sustainable and healthy conditions for future generations.                
 In world the total area under organic farming was 31million hectares and there were total 633891 farms managed organically round the world. (By the  FiBL Survey 2007). While in Pakistan at present there are 20'310 hectares under organic farming and 28 farms managed organically. (By the FiBL Survey 2005-07). The studies show that 30.4 million hectares are currently certified according to organic standards. It is commercially practiced in 120 countries. The global market for organic products reached a value of over 40 billion US Dollars.

           As Organic farmers are not allowed to use synthetic pesticides or fertilizers therefore use of such toxic chemicals should be completely avoided. Good agricultural practices are needed to be carried out. The integrated pest management system is to be adopted. Weeds managed manually or mechanically. Green manuring has a positive influence on physical and chemical properties of soil. It maintains organic matter status of soil and increases its water holding capacity .Soil microbial population is also multiplied and soil aeration is improved. The organic wastes are also recycled.

           The dawn of third millennium bears immense concerns about potentially environmental hazards throughout the world. Public apathy and official indifferences on environment protection is not a secret. There is a dire need to decimate polluted environment. Organic farms are better than conventional farms at sustaining diverse ecosystems, i.e. population of plants and animals creating environment friendly atmosphere. Organic farming helps to minimize the greenhouse effect and global warming through its ability to sequester carbon in the soil. Organic farms support nature, whereas, intensive conventional farming has led to dramatic erosion of soil, fall of wild birds, destruction of ancient hedgerows, and extinction of some species like butterflies, frogs, grass snakes and wild mammals.

       The basic standards for organic production are published by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements IFOAM. These IFOAM basic standards define how organic products are grown produced processed and handled. The organic farmers have to meet these standards. Certification, accreditation and labeling the produce as ‘organic’ must be made by the certified and registered agencies. In Pakistan most of the Organic Farms are certified by Control Union Certifications Zwolle, the Netherlands for organic production methods and USDA-NOP standards.

            The mostly grown commodities are organic rice, organic cotton, organic wheat, organic sugar, organic sucrose, Organic Kinno fruit and juice concentrate, and Organic Mango fruit and pulp and seasonal fresh vegetables.

Prospects in Pakistan

Pakistan has a great potential for organic farming by delineating million of acres of most fertile and productive land. Progressive farmers community is destined turning towards organic cultivation. The area under organic farming will increase as public awareness and health consciousness are boosted up by the media. Organic farming here in Pakistan has many challenges to conduct. Organically produced commodities are relatively more perishable.

The reasons for slow progress of organic farming include lack of awareness among people about its benefits. Export of organic produce is at very limited level. There is also lack of inspection and certification agencies. Government price policies and monopolies on market of agriculture produce, causing low agricultural income.                 

The organic food market is growing rapidly in the entire world. Various alternative organic standards are also emerging. Some are also implementing new approaches to defining and buying food. Farmers have to reap market premium for certified production. The organic commodities will have high prices in domestic as well as in super markets. Hence the economy will grow with a potential to alleviate poverty. Organic food is also often linked with the fair trade movement, based on the principle that social and environmental sustainability are inextricably interdependent. Initiatives should be taken to organize marketing of organic food through creation of awareness and establishment of markets. Pakistan has large area which has used minimal pesticides and chemicals, where potential for conversion exists. It is envisaged that a reasonable percentage of production shall be organic in coming five years. The major organic food markets for Pakistan are Europe, the USA, Japan and Middle East. There is bright future which indicates impressive opportunities of different organic food products by Pakistan to export. Organic farming is also compulsory in order to withstand WTO standards to increase export of our agricultural produce.  Future prospects show proper utilization of recourses and profitable use of farm wastes. Soil water and air pollution would be reduced. Organic farming will provide an avocation to the land less laborers. Its objective are to develop low capital less labor intensive, high yielding, better quality and healthy organic farming. Reducing the cost of production to minimum to achieve self-sufficiency in all inputs. It is recognized as a long-term solution to the problem caused by nitrate pollution. Organic agriculture in the beginnings shows lower yields than conventional cropping but as its input are lower than conventional agriculture and labor in Pakistan is cheap, in long when organic agricultural methods have improved soil characteristics, soil fauna and established worm activity and large production of vermicasts, the yields will surpass the conventional methods.

            It is concluded to be a very vast and diversified field. There is growing demand of organic food products throughout the world. The researches and developments on national level are strictly needed to be made. The government should provide subsidy, financial and technical support to the farmers for organic crops cultivation. It is needed to shift our agriculture trends towards saving the nature. This will give us safe agricultural products and the power we use to dispose off our solid wastes. It is right of our next generation that if we can’t give them a better environment, we have no right to worsen it any more.

Importance of Botanical Gardens

Importance of Botanical Gardens

Botanical gardens are the basic resource a nation who may have. Plants have been friends of all living beings since ancient of times. They had served the masses in providing the shelter food clothes and other needs of life.

Biodiversity is essential for an ecosystem to ensure its sustainability. Many valuable and priceless species are endagerd and many are extincted that have brought many losses to human beings and other animals.  

Fragrant Plants

Fragrant Plants

Grow beautiful fragrant and aromatic plants and make the environment fragrant

Among the many benefits of plants fragrance is a big advantage. Fragrance in plants is due to the presence of chemical compounds in flowers and leaves of plants which spreads in the air lik perfumes and makes it fragrant. There are many types of plants some of them are important for their fragrance. You can easily grow them in your lawn, garden and enjoy their fragrance. Some of the fragrant plants give fragrance to vast areas in environment/atmosphere. Fragrance in air helps the nerves to relax decrease frustration brings drastic change to mood and health. Remedies the polluted environment and helps to avoid the air being pungent and unhealthy. Therefore its dire need to plant more and more fragrant plants which are not only important for us but also for our environment society and collectively for our wellbeing prosperity beloved country

Gul e cheen has good fragrance spreads its fragrance far off. You can enjoy it from distance too. Similarly murwa has also good and wide spreading fragrance. Other than these there are Roses, Jasmine, Lady of Night, Motia, Mushk e been, Honey suckle ,Niaz boo, Alaichi, and other plants.

Location selection is important for plantation of these plants, Most of them are shrub and some are climbers, vine shaped. They can be easily planted beautifully at entrance, among poles, columns, balconies, window boxes, near patios, sitting areas, etc, important to note is that fragrant plants should be planted in the form of groups so that their fragrance and color effect could easily felt.  

Decorate your home with beautiful indoor plants.

Decorate your home with beautiful indoor plants.

                                                       

                                                           Muhammad Imran Khan

                                                                 

Suggested titles

• Decorate your living area with plants
• Interior decoration with plants
• Home’s interior decoration with plants
• Interior plantscaping

 Importance

1

 Plants are the lungs of nature. Nature beautifies itself by plants. Here is an outstanding process in which plants absorb environmental carbon dioxide and release oxygen which everyone requires for breathing. Oxygen is absorbed by our lungs, mixed into blood and provides energy to the whole body. Men living in oxygen rich areas are healthier then those in oxygen deficient places. Suffocation is the uneasiness felt by us due to lower concentration of oxygen in air. You can get healthy life and pleasant feelings simply by taking more oxygen which is provided by plants.Plants in green color and broad leaves provide more oxygen as compared to those with pigmented and narrow leaves.

2

With the absorption of CO2 plants also absorb dust, noise, and other harmful gasses etc.

Plants reduce the chemicals in the air.  Aglaonema, Aloe, Aphelandra, Asplenium, Chamaedorea, Dracaena, Ficus benjamina, Gerbera, Hedera, Philodendron, Sanseveria, and Spathiphyllum all reduce things like benzol, TCE, and formaldehyde.

3

The green color of plants have medicinally proved the best results on vision or eyesight. Electronic gadgets and ultra modern lifestyles have created some risks like uneasiness, sadness bored ness. These problems could be easily cured by planting attractive plants on different places either indoor or outdoor.

   4                  

                                  Another extremely important function of plants is the environmental regulation. How does plants regulate the environment is simply by transpiration. Transpiration is the evaporation of water from the leaves of plants. Thus they maintain the humidity in air, keep the temperature down and put a soothing effect on body and sensations. The more evaporation of water from plant leaves means more chances of rainfall and coolness of climate. This way the scientists proved that plants lower the temperature of the area 3-4 ºC compared to the area without plants .

Plants shield house from heat robbing winds and  lessen electricity heating and cooling bills.

5

                                 

                                   Aesthetically plants are also very much important. The beautiful for, size, arrangement of leaves, braches and stem beauty of plants attract the viewers a lot. The mind is get freshed when we see these beautiful natural gifts.

6

                              Indoor gardening gives immense pleasure, thrill, bring intimate and natural association with plants, a matter of over joy, adds charm to the architectural beauty, and complements the interior settings. It is a useful and absorbing hobby. A source of exercising gardening adventures and brings permanence in the house. It’s the best way to overcome troublesome loneliness. Living and innocent friends like plants give the pleasure and concept of life to grow, attract, and benefit mankind.

Plants soften the harshness of buildings, walls, and rough textured constructions.

If hot colors used as paint that can be cooled by plants giving hot and cool effect simultaneously. Thus adding interest to be in such areas. 

The shining and pigmented brood and narrow leaved plants give a waving and eye catching feeling.

Arrangement

Proper arrangement and placement of different adds value to each plants and the whole landscapes.Plants bring movement and life to every room in your home.   However, you will be pleased by the whole picture only if there is harmony in the arrangement and color of the plants you have chosen.   Once you have learned how to take these things into account Select plants according to your nature, taste , and imagination plan.

The larger the room you are working with, the bigger and more numerous the plants can be. A single small green plant looks lost in a large empty space.   Several flowering plants in a basket or arranged in small pots on the same table can serve as a beautifully colorful accent to a room.   Treelike plants have great importance in the sense of decorating.   Large-leafed species like dracaena, philodendron or the banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) can really fill up a sparsely furnished room or entrance hall.

In a small room, large plants are oppressive and take up way too much space.   To get the best effect, you should choose mid-size or small plants with large delicate leaves.   Put the plants where they are going to be visible.   Don’t put too many plants in a small space or it will get too crowded and your individual plants won’t make their full impact on the room.

Plants always look best against simple backgrounds. If they have large foliage they should be placed in front of wallpaper with a small pattern. Large patterned wallpaper calls out for filigreed leaves or ferns.   Even the Umbrella (Cyperus) would work for that. Wood-paneled walls like climbing plants arranged on a wood or bamboo support. These also look great by brightly painted walls.

Make sure your decorative scheme takes into account the way light enters your room.   If you put the plants in front of a bright, sunny wall, their shadows can create interesting and unusual patterns on the wall or ceiling or even plain carpeting.

Make sure the colors of leaves and flowers you choose don’t clash with your decor.   You don’t want to take expensive furnishings and wall coverings and reduce them by the wrong colored flowers in your pots. Place your plants by each other where they can compliment each other.   Put larger plants in the background of smaller plant groupings.   A little bit of ivy (Hedera helix) growing over the edge of a pretty bowl looks nicely casual.

Different furnishing styles take on different plants.   It’s important that you put the right plants into your decor to “complete the picture”.   Yucca, Schefflera and rubber trees (Ficus) fit in well with wooden furniture.   Flowering plants look great with a country style decor.   Bulbs and primulas in the spring and special geraniums in the summer work great here.   If you like the straight or gently curved forms of steel, glass, marble and varnished wood, things like the snake plant Sansevieria , Monstera , Dracaena and Guzmania work wonderfully.

Plants with simple gently curving lines work in art nouveau and art deco settings.   The flamingo flower (Anthurium) and peace lily (Spathphyllum) are perfect.   Furniture made of bamboo and rattan and oriental style shapes are perfect for exotic hanging plants like string of pearls (Senecio royleyanus) or wax plant (Hoya).   Traditional English or French styles go well with bushy, vigorously flowering plants like the cyclamen, carnellias, gloxinias (Sinningia hybrids) or begonias.

All you have to do is play around creatively with plants and figure out what enhances your style.   It’s really not that hard.   Once you start placing plants, you will know what goes with what and what doesn’t.

Ugly features like bad corners and unpleasant design mistakes which harm certain areas view , can be corrected simply ny plants, hanging baskets, walll side containers, above wall pots, base pots, can be used at such places.

Innovative ideas and collections of varying design planting pots which may be of different colours, textures, shapes, and sizes could be helpful. There are many characers and habits of different plants needed to be exploited, observed and broad range of of characters of plants. You can choose a plant of any character which you like the most.

Colour

Colour changes the perception sof space . colours dramatically alter the mood as they are closely linked to mind and emotions . cool colours have the ability to feel us relaxed while warm colurs stimulate muscular activity,lend cosy warmth to area and excites us as we all need to chill.

Plants with white leaves and flowers bright up the dark and shady corners.

Cut fronds ( cul foliage and branches with flowers and fruits) and leaves of pithosporum Hedera, Phomium and many more ,Asparagus, Ferns, Aralias, Aspdistra those often included in bouquets and can also be placed in state of the art vases , helping in multiple functions.

Agave victorial for indoor display.

Maintenance

Wash leaves to remove the dust, stains, dirt, and soot that clogs the pores . wipe wipe gently with damp cotton cloth. Put one hand under the leaf to support as you rub otherwise you will break the stenm or puncture the foliage. If you have shower , turn it on gently set plants underneath.

Most plants have a natural shine and do not need additional luster if kept clean. If a polish is to be used never use it on the underside of the leaves as it clogs the stomata underneath.

Keep the plants in trim by cutting the old dead leaves , the yellow lower leaves, and any brown tips.

Changing the arrangement of plants and places needs care regarding the plants requirement of food, sunlight and humidity.

Consult plant experts to check and know suitable place for each specie or variety you have and you should be well aware of feeding and other requirements of plants.

This is important because some plants are hardy which can bear worse conditions while others so tender and delicate that they cannot bear minute stresses.

Sapmle plants

Auracaria, Asparagus, Beaucarnia, Begonia rex, Calathium, Cholorophytum, Coroton, Coleus, Dracaena, Ficus,  Syngonium, Tradescantia, Senseveria,

Areas

Homes, offices, shopes, banks, hotels, restaurants, clubs and hospitals, universities, colleges and schools.

Harmonize home building .

All About Composting

All About Composting

Composting is no doubt a worthdoing activity as for as farming or gardening is concerned. Compost is a  decomposed organic matter. Organic matter is necessary for plants to grow well and a key to obtain excellent produce. Organic matter provides minerals to the roots, helps to retain soil moisture, good for soil porosity which provoids oxygen to roots. I have come to know many stories of composting by many friends in gardening. All they found it a good and excellent job.
        Composting is not a difficult job. It is quite easy. Make a dig in your nearby place where smell may not be a big issue. Put all your decomposeable household waste, leaves, vegetables and fruit covers etc in that dig and cover the hole with mud/soil.Left it for some months after 3-4 months you will find a good compost ready for filling your pots, flower bed and other plants.

The raw materials used are mixed plant residues, animal dung and urine, earth, wood ash and water. All organic material wastes available on a farm such as weeds, stalks, stems, fallen leaves, prunings, chaff, fodder leftovers and so on, are collected and stacked in a pile. Hard woody material like cotton or pigeon pea stalks and stubble are first spread on the farm road and crushed under vehicles such as tractors or bullock carts before being piled. Such hard materials should in any case not exceed ten percent of the total plant residues. Green materials, which are soft and succulent, are allowed to wilt for two to three days to remove excess moisture before stacking; they tend to pack closely if they are stacked in the fresh state. The mixture of different kinds of organic material residues ensures a more efficient decomposition. While stacking, each type of material is spread in layers about 15 centimetres thick until the heap is about one and a half metres high. The heap is then cut into vertical slices and about 20-25 kilograms are put under the feet of cattle in the shed as bedding for the night. The next morning the bedding, along with the dung and urine and urine-earth, is taken to the pits where the composting is to be done.

The site selected for the compost pit should be at high level so that no rainwater gets

in during the monsoon season; it should be near to the cattle shed and a water source. A

temporary shed may be constructed over it to protect the compost from heavy rainfall. The pit should be about 1 m deep, 1.5-2 m wide and of any suitable length.

The material brought from the cattle shed is spread evenly in the pit in layers of 10-15

cm. On each layer is spread a slurry made with 4.5 kg dung, 3.5 kg urine-earth and 4.5 kg of inoculum taken from a 15 day-old composting pit. Sufficient quantity of water is sprinkled over the material in the pit to wet it. The pit is filled in this way, layer by layer, and it should not take longer than one week to fill. Care should be taken to avoid compacting the material in any way.

Turning:

The material is turned three times during the whole period of composting; the first

time 15 days after filling the pit, the second after another 15 days and the third after another month. At each turning, the material is mixed thoroughly, moistened with water and replaced

in the pit.

The pit method

Generally, composting is carried out in a corner of a field and in a circular or

rectangular pit. Rice straw, animal dung (usually pig), aquatic weeds or green manure crops are used and often silt pumped from river beds is mixed with the crop residues. The pits are filled layer by layer, each layer being 15 cm thick. Usually, the first layer is of a green manure crop or water hyacinth, the second layer is a straw mixture and the third layer is of animal dung. These layers are alternated until the pit is full, when a top layer of mud is added; a water layer of about 4 cm depth is maintained on the surface to create anaerobic conditions which help to reduce losses of nitrogen. Approximate quantities of the different residues in tons per pit are: river silt 7.5, rice straw 0.15, animal dung 1.0, aquatic plants or green manure

0.75 and superphosphate 0.02. Three turnings are given in all, the first one month after filling the pit and, at this time, the superphosphate is added and thoroughly mixed in. Water is added as necessary. The second turning is done after another month and the third two weeks later. The material is allowed to decompose for three months and produces about eight tons of

compost per pit.

Important Considerations for Growing Annuals

               Growing annual flowers is important as it is the real beauty of your landscape. Annuals are grown widley all over the world. Increasing value and awareness of horticulture is probably dependant upon annual flowers. There is a vide range of colours and varities of flowers. Annuls are the soul of your beautiful garden. A garden seems incomplete without annuals. Parks have a major portion of annauls grown over years.
Here I am going to present some important consideration/tips that would be equally applicable to all type of annuals grown in beds and every scale large or small.

Levelling of the bed

Levelling is the key factor in maintenance and development of a good flower bed. It is the most important consideration to ensure quality growth and uniform developments of plants. If the bed is not properly levelled  it will result in in many problems like problems in uniform availability of irrigation water and fertilizers. Plant height, spread and vigor is greately affected. Cost of cultural practices e.g weeding and hoeing is also increased. overall look and display of bed may be destroyed. The flower bed will remain problamatic till the end of the relative season. So dont ever sow seeds or transplant seedlings untill you are assured that the bed is properly levelled. It is amazing that almost all types of annuals, biennials and perennial plants require proper levelling of the beds. Levelling should not be compromised at any cost if successful results are required.

Deadheading

Regular maintenance for annuals includes removing flowers before they go to seed. This process is called deadheading. By preventing seed formation, you can extend the bloom period on many annuals, such as pansies, marigold and petunias. Deadheading perennials is a different story. Deadheading does not prolong the bloom period for most perennials, but it can improve a garden’s appearance. There are a few early bloomers, such as Trollius, that may produce a second flush of flowers if spent flowers are removed. Some gardeners prefer to leave seed-heads standing for the birds. Others find the dried flower heads of ornamental grasses attractive. Plants such as dahlias produce larger flowers if disbudded. A stalk may have five or six buds. To disbud, snap off all but one or two on each stem.

Weeding

Organic Matter

Irrigation 

Promoting gardening, Let's join hands

"Gardening is how I relax. It's another form of creating and playing with colors" (quote)

Gardening is a passion for masses. It is important not only for plants but also for other animals and human beings. Habitat, shelter and living items make us all to be thankfull to gardening. Nature is being deteriorated by many of us in many ways specially by cut down of gardens,trees and shrubs. Instead of doing good we are doing bad by harmfully damaging lungs of nature.

Views and Inspirations 
A friend wrote
"When i started gardening firstly people on my street looked at me awkwardly for getting my own hands dirty... but now i see the whole street ( 8 Houses) getting hold of Malies (gardeners) and uplifting their lawns .I guess its that simple"

Another friend says

"For me it is like lightening one candle with another , we have to start with our family parents, siblings, children, then we have to enlarge the circle to our friends, neighbours , cousins , relatives ... this is atleast the minimum responsibility of every gardening lover. Giving them plants as gifts, guiding them, encouraging them will create interest for them. OR bare minimum we can pass it into our next generation through our childrenn, this should be part of their upbringing.

Ideas
Hold something in your own back yard, invite a few neighbours or friends even kids .. plant some stuff with them and let them take it home .. they'll surely call you for advice on how to keep it alive or at least it will spark some interest in gardening .
Organize gardening workshops in schools , give free seeds,flowers and other stuff.
One thing that everyone can do ... When you have flowers, send them to your neighbour and the people living nearby.Cutflowers would be better.It'll urge them to grow their own flowers.


Plans

They include activities in schools, participating in flower shows, arranging good quality seeds, fertilizers for members. Its a long process and needs serious efforts and patience.

Trees, Prefferably they must be grown

Trees, Prefferably they must be grown .

No doubt trees are an utmost requirement and they have been serving the mankind since start. Living is directly associarted with trees. Importance of growing trees is open to understand for all.

Dahlias How to grow and when to grow / Extra Fancy Production of Dahlia (Indian)

Extra Fancy Production of Dahlia (Indian)

                                Muhammad Imran Khan

MSc. (Hons.) Horticulture

                            

Dahlia

            Dahlias are a tuberous perennial, sometimes an epiphyte, native to mountains from Mexico to Colombia. There are 30 species with 20,000 cultivars some producing large, show, chrysanthemum-like flower heads. Dahlias were originally introduced into cultivation for the tubers which were eaten as a vegetable. They are now commonly grown as garden ornamentals. Dahlias are stout rather woody plants in some cases reaching the stature of small trees; producing summer and fall blooming flowers in a wide range of colors and sizes. The great variety of dahlias results from their being octoploids (they have eight sets of homologous chromosomes, whereas most plants have only two). Dahlias are generally grown from tubers but can also be grown from seeds which can produce new varieties. Dahlias need a sunny location to thrive. Dahlias should be planted in an area that receives at least 8 hours of direct sunlight. An exception to this is in hot climates where they should receive morning sunlight and afternoon shade.

Dahlia is a high value ornamental crop grown in several parts of Washington State. Both the flower heads and the tubers are sold. It is gown by both large scale commercial operations as well as small scale growers. The largest grower in Washington is 10 acres. Other plantings range in size down to one quarter acre. The Washington State Dahlia Trial Garden is located in Tacoma, WA where dahlia varieties are evaluated on an annual basis. There is considerable trade of dahlia between the US and Europe, New Zealand, Australia and Japan.

Dahlias are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Angle Shades, Common Swift, Ghost Moth and Large Yellow Underwing.

The dahlia is named after Swedish 18th-century botanist Anders Dahl. In German the dahlia was known during most of the 19th century as Georgia, being named after the naturalistJohann Gottlieb Georgi of St. Petersburg, Russia.

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae

Order: Asterales

Family: Asteraceae

Subfamily: Asteroideae

Tribe: Coreopsideae

Genus:Dahlia
Species30 species, 20,000 cultivars

• D. apiculata
• D. atropurpurea
• D. australis
• D. barkeriae
• D. brevis
• D. campanulata
• D. cardiophylla
• D. coccinea
• D. cuspidata
• D. dissecta
• D. excelsa
• D. foeniculifolia
• D. hjertingii
• D. hybrid cultivar
• D. imperialis
• D. linearis
• D. macdougallii
• D. merckii
• D. mollis
• D. neglecta
• D. parvibracteata
• D. pinnata
• D. pteropoda
• D. rudis
• D. rupicola
• D. scapigera
• D. scapigeroides
• D. sherffii
• D. sorensenii
• D. spectabilis
• D. sublignosa
• D. tenuicaulis
• D. tenuis
• D. tubulata
• D. variabilis

 

Other names

The dahlia is also known as Tenjikubotan in Japanese, which literally means 'Peony of India'. According to the Japanese language of flowers, it means 'good taste'. In Hindi or Urdu , Dahlia flowers are also referred to as Belia.

History     

Francisco Hernandez visited Mexico in 1615 and noticed two spectacular varieties of dahlias, which he mentioned in his account of medicinal plants of New Spain, not published until 1651.The French botanist Nicolas-Joseph Thiéry de Menonville, sent to Mexico to steal the cochineal insect valued for its scarlet dye, noted the strangely beautiful flowers he had seen in his official report, published in 1787. Seeds sent from the botanical garden of Mexico City to Madrid flowered for the first time in the botanical garden in October 1789, and were named Dahlia coccinea by Antonio José Cavanilles, the head of the Madrid Botanical Garden, in his Icones plantarum, 1791. A few seeds were secured by Lord Bute and sent to England, where they flowered but were lost.

The introduction of the dahlia to the florists of the Netherlands was effected about the same time, when a box of dahlia roots was sent from Mexico to the Netherlands. Only one plant survived the trip, but produced spectacular red flowers with pointed petals. Nurserymen in Europe crossbred from this plant, which was named Dahlia juarezii, with parents of dahlias discovered earlier: these are the progenitors of all modern dahlia hybrids. The Jardin des plantes in Paris received dahlias in 1802, again from Madrid.^[A second species, D. variabilis, was at last successfully grown in 1804 by the gardener at Holland House, Kensington, of Lady Holland, who sent the seeds from Madrid. An early breeder of dahlias was comte Léon-Charles LeLieur de Ville-sur-Arce, intendant of the château de Saint-Cloud, its glasshouses and gardens, who had four varieties to work with,and by 1806 had produced three double-flowered dahlias.

Since 1813, commercial plant breeders have been breeding dahlias to produce thousands of cultivars, usually chosen for their stunning and brightly coloured waxy flowers. Dahlia was named the national flower of Mexico in 1963. Dahlia plants range in height from as low as 12 in (30 cm) to as tall as 6–8 ft (1.8–2.4 m). The flowers can be as small as 2 in (5.1 cm) in diameter or up to 1 ft (30 cm) ("dinner plate"). The great variety results from dahlias being octoploids (they have eight sets of homologous chromosomes, whereas most plants have only two).

 

Cultivation

Dahlias grow naturally in climates which do not experience frost, consequently they are not adapted to withstand sub-zero temperatures. However their tuberous nature enables them to survive periods of dormancy, and this characteristic means that gardeners in temperate climates with frosts can grow dahlias successfully, provided the tubers are lifted from the ground and stored in cool yet frost-free conditions during the winter. Planting the tubers quite deep (10 – 15 cm) also provides some protection. When in active growth, modern dahlia hybrids perform most successfully in well-watered yet free-draining soils, in situations receiving plenty of sunlight. Taller cultivars usually require some form of staking as they grow, and all garden dahlias need deadheading regularly, once flowering commences. Slugs and snails are serious pests in some parts of the world, particularly in spring when new growth is emerging through the soil. Earwigs can also disfigure the blooms. The other main pests likely to be encountered are aphids (usually on young stems and immature flower buds), red spider mite(cause foliage mottling and discolouration, worse in hot and dry conditions) and capsid bugs (result in contortion and holes at growing tips). Diseases which may be found affecting dahlias include powdery mildew, grey mould (Botrytis cinerea), verticillium wilt, dahlia smut (Entyloma calendulae f. dahliae), phytophthora and some plant viruses.

Dahlias, Dahlia variabilis, are a popular addition to the landscape because they have a wide height range (1 to 6 ft) and a variety of flower shapes and sizes (2 to 12 inches). Color range includes orange, pink, purple, red, scarlet, yellow, and white. Some flowers are striped or tipped with a different color. Dahlias begin blooming in early summer and continue to frost. Flower production may slow with high summer temperatures and moisture stress. Dahlias can be started from dormant tuberous roots, grown from seeds, rooted from cuttings, or purchased as transplants. Because dahlias are hybrids, plants grown from seeds do not completely grow true to type. To ensure cultivar consistency, buy tuberous roots of named cultivars and save the tuberous roots from year to year.

Judged shows

Dahlias are often grown for judged shows. Awards are given for best in class and best in show. Traditionally, dahlias grown for shows have used intensive application of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers. More recently, however, competitive dahlia growers have used organic methods with equally good results

Types of Dahlias

               By the florist Dahlias are divided into several sections, viz., Show, Fancy, Pompon or Bouquet,  Cactus or Decorative, and Single. The two former 

run so closely the one into the other, and the distinction between them is so artificial, that they are now practically fused into one, though in catalogues 

the varieties are still ranged under the heads of Show  and Fancy. 

THE SHOW DAHLIA 

               This section comprises all self-coloured and all shaded flowers, such as the Prince of Denmark, which  has a maroon almost a black shading thrown over 

a deep wine crimson ground ; and all flowers having  petals of a pale ground colour, edged with pink, rose, mauve, purple, crimson, maroon, etc. ; J. T. West and  Miss Cannell may be cited as typical varieties. 

THE FANCY DAHLIA 

               This is simply the large rounded Show or Exhibition Dahlia in a later form of development. The  reason why the two sections were divided is found in 

the fact that the Fancy type was later, in point of time,  in appearing, and for a number of years its varieties were inferior both in size and in outline to those of 

the Show type. The first Fancy Dahlias appear to have originated with Count Lelieur of Paris. He succeeded in raising some striped and shaded single 

flowers, and from these, it is believed, the present  race of Fancy Dahlias has descended. Of this we may be certain that the earliest forms of the Fancy 

Dahlia came from the Continent. 

               Two or more colours are necessary to a Fancy Dahlia. There are striped and there are tipped varieties, but the latter are occasionally striped also. 

In the case of the edged Show Dahlia, the colour on the petal edges is always darker than the ground ; in the Fancy Dahlia the reverse holds good. Thus, a 

white, yellow, or any pale ground flower, edged or laced with a dark colour, after the manner of the Picotee, is simply an edged or laced Show Dahlia ; but when the disposition of these colours is reversed, when the petals of a dark or yellow ground flower  are tipped with a light colour, as, for instance, Mrs. Saunders, which is yellow tipped with white ; of Peacock, which is crimson tipped with white, the variety is regarded as a Fancy Dahlia. When the ground colour is light, with a dark edging, as in the case of Miss Cannell, it is a Show Dahlia. Striped 

flowers, no matter what the ground colour may be, are always Fancy Dahlias. All the best Fancy Dahlias produced within the last twenty years have been of 

English origin. It is the custom at some small country flower-shows to admit all tipped and edged Dahlias as Fancy Dahlias ; but this is invariably permitted by judges who are imperfectly acquainted with the technical distinction between the two types. 

THE POMPON OR BOUQUET DAHLIA 

               This type, of which we have so many beautiful varieties in the present day, is of German origin, and  dates from about 1808, when Hartwig of Karlsruhe 

obtained a double variety from the single scarlet Dahlia coccinea. The Germans favoured this small form, which obtained the name of Liliputian, on account of the small size of the flowers, and not because of its dwarf growth, for the first varieties obtained from it introduced to this country were of very tall habit. Hence the Pompon varieties have been known as German Dahlias. Our English florists, 

especially of late years, have greatly improved this type in the newer varieties ; they are now of dwarf and compact growth, singularly free of bloom, admir- 

ably adapted for adorning the flower garden, and invaluable for all decorative purposes. 

THE CACTUS DAHLIA 

               This singularly novel type put in an appearance in England in 1880. Its history and introduction to this country can be stated in a few words. In the year 1872, Mr. J. T. Vander Burg, of Juxphaar, near Utrecht, received a box of flowers from Mexico ; but, by reason of delays in the transit, the contents were for the most part found on arrival to be rotten. All that had roots, or seeds apparently possessing vitality, were sown ; and, among those which grew, was one which produced a small tuberous root, and it eventually proved to be the Cactus Dahlia. It was subsequently named Dahlia Juarezi, after Juarez, a President of the Eepublic of Mexico. By 1874, a good stock of plants had been obtained, and it eventually passed into the hands of Messrs. Anthony Eoozen and Sons, a firm of Dutch nurserymen. Plants of this Dahlia were obtained by the late Mr. W. H. Cullingford, and from him it passed into the hands of Mr. Henry Cannell of Swanley, by whom it was exhibited for the first time at the Alexandra Palace, Muswell Hill, on the 3rd of September 1880, and immediately after, at one 

of the meetings of the Eoyal Horticultural Society. 

               It was at once seen that there were possibilities of development in this interesting stranger. New forms soon began to appear, and at the present time there are many superb varieties of a number of shades and combinations of colour, but all exhibiting the shape of the original introduction, which obtained the name of 

Cactus from its resemblance in colour to the vermilion of Cereus speciosissimus the Showy Cactus a designa- tion which was at once adopted and is now universally recognised. The habit of growth is undergoing con- siderable improvement, and many of the newer sorts are admirably adapted for garden decoration. 

THE DECORATIVE DAHLIA 

               These may be regarded as intermediate forms of the Show Dahlia, brought into notice by the intro- duction of the Cactus type ; but few of them have any pretensions to the true Cactus character, and with the wonderful improvement seen in the latter, many will soon go out of cultivation. They certainly furthered the employment of the Dahlia as a decorative plant in our gardens, the freedom of bloom of some of the varieties being their chief recommendation. In America Decorative Dahlias are most popular at the present time. 

THE SINGLE CACTUS DAHLIA 

               This is of comparatively recent development, but for all kinds of decorative work it has an important future before it. The first varieties were raised by the late Mr. E. J. Lowe, F.E.S., and passed into the hands of Messrs. Dobbieand Co., Kothesay, in the year 1891. Since then the type has been undergoing rapid improve- ment, and when better known its value will be widely recognised for every purpose for which cut flowers are required. A more graceful flower for dinner-table and other decorations, it is hardly possible to conceive than the Single Cactus Dahlia. 

POMPON CACTUS DAHLIAS 

               A group of dwarf, free-blooming, small-flowered varieties is being produced, which promises to be valu- able for market and decorative purposes ; the large blooms of the exhibition varieties, often on weak stems, being found unsuitable for employment in such ways. 

TOM THUMB DAHLIA 

               This is a miniature race of round-flowered Single Dahlias raised by the late Mr. T. W. Girdlestone, M.A., and introduced by Messrs. Cheal and Sons some years ago. They grow from twelve to eighteen inches high, and have proved of great value in the flower garden, forming dense bushes, and blooming with re- markable freedom. 

QUILLED OR ANEMONE-FLOWERED DAHLIAS 

               During the past two years the Continental florists have sent to this country representatives of a race of dwarf-growing dahlias, having flowers with a circle or two of ray florets and the centre a cushion of quilled florets resembling a quilled aster or an anemone- flowered Pompon Chrysanthemum. They need some  improvement if they are to become popular. 

THE COLLARETTE DAHLIAS 

               This is a type of Single Dahlia having, issuing from the yellow disc, which is in the centre of the flower, a circle of small white or primrose-coloured short florets. Two varieties have been sent from the Continent, viz. President Viger, crimson with a white collar; and Joseph Gougon, reddish orange with a collar of orange florets. They are very free-blooming and produce their flowers on long stems thrown well above the foliage. 

Planting 

                 A typical dahlia tuber somewhat resembles a disfigured hand with "fingers"

Select a sunny (minimum of 6 hours) locationprotected from strong winds. Dahlias grow best in a deep,fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5; they arenot tolerant of water-logged soils. Incorporate 2 to 4inches of organic matter such as compost, pine bark, orwell-aged manure and 2 to 4 lb of 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 per100 ft2 (2 to 4 Tbsp per ft2) before planting.Dahlias are very sensitive to freezing temperatures. Largetuberous roots may be planted about 2 weeks before thelast spring frost date. Small tuberous roots and transplantsshould not be planted until all danger from frost haspassed. Spacing between plants depends upon thecultivar and method of growing: rows, beds, or borders.

Large-flowering dahlias should be spaced 3 to 4 ft apart;smaller dahlias can be spaced 2 ft apart.Dig a hole 8 to 10 inches deep and wide enough toaccommodate the tubers. Loosen the soil in the bottom ofthe hole and refill to a depth of 6 inches. Set the tuberousroot on its side, with the eyes facing upward. Cover with2 to 3 inches of soil. Soil should be filled in around theplants as they develop until the surface is level. Manygardeners insert a stake at the side of each hole at plantingfor future support.

Summer Care

Apply a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch using either compost, pine straw, or pine bark. Dahlias are heavy users of water; keep the soil moist but not saturated. Each tuberous root usually produces multiple shoots. While you can leave all the shoots to grow, thinning will produce flowers of higher quality. Leave one to four of the strongest shoots. When plants are about a foot tall and display 3 to 4 pairs of leaves, pinch out the terminal shoot to encouragebranching. One pinching is sufficient for most dahlias; small growing types can be given an additional pinching. Tall-growing dahlias should be staked to support the long stems and large flowers. Begin staking when the plants are about a foot in height. Fertilize monthly with a water soluble fertilizer or apply 2 to 3 lb of 5-10-10or 10-10-10 per 100 ft2 (2 to 3 Tbsp per ft2) in July. Excessive nitrogen can result in foliage production at the expense of flower production. A second application may be needed on sandy soil or during rainy seasons. Flower size can be increased by removing lateral flower buds (referred to as disbudding). When the three buds that form at the end of each branch reach the size of small

peas, remove the two side buds. Small-flowering types should not be disbudded. Faded flowers should be removed to encourage continuous blooming.

Check plants on a regular basis for diseases, insects, and other pests. The most likely pests are aphids, spider mites, leafhoppers, thrips, and European corn borer. Disease problems include tuber rots, ring spot, vascular wilts, mosaic virus, powdery mildew, and botrytis blight. Disease problems can be reduced by following recommended cultural practices and by providing good air circulation. Remove or treat affected plants or plant parts when first observed.

Tuber Storage

            Dahlias are hardy to USDA Zone 8 where they can be cut back and left in the ground to overwinter. In Zone 7b, dahlias sometimes overwinter in the ground depending on  soil drainage and severity of the winter. It is recommended  the tuberous roots be lifted and stored during the winter. After a killing frost, cut the foliage back 2 to 4 inches above the ground. Lift each clump separately with a spading fork. To avoid spearing tuberous roots, begin digging a foot away from the center of the plant. Gently brush soil off the clump of tuberous roots. Spread the clumps in a well-ventilated, shaded area to cure for a few days. Do not leave the tubers in full sun. Dust injured portions with sulfur to inhibit diseases. Pack each clump upside down in a ventilated box or basket using slightly damp vermiculite, perlite, or peat moss to cover the clumps. During the winter, the tuberous roots should be stored between 35 and 50°F and should not be exposed to hot or cold drafts or damp or very dry conditions. If the tuberous roots begin to shrivel during the winter, sprinkle lightly with water.

Growing of quality Dahlias

Growing Medium
In selecting a growing medium, physical and chemical properties of the soil are important. A very important physical property of the growing media ‘porosity’ influences gas exchange and water availability. Good porosity helps in water management and increases the flexibility needed to control moisture levels while extending the schedule of fertilizer applications and it helps in proper root development and plant growth.
Fertilizer application
Blooming dahlias are heavy feeders and should be given fertilizers with a high percentage of potassium and phosphorous such as 5-10-10, 10-20-20 or 0-20-20.
The fertilization of dahlias during production is extremely important to maximize growth. An understanding of complete nutrient management is essential if fertilizer problems are to be avoided.
Water soluble fertilizer: Although this is an excellent fertilization method, it is very important that adequate water be applied so that a sufficient amount of water drains or drips through the medium at each watering. A buildup of fertilizer salts will occur in the medium when watering is not thorough. In many instances the total fertilizer content (soluble salts) of the medium will become so high that plant growth will be severely checked.
The recommendation for constant feed fertilizing of Dahlia is generally 200 to 250 ppm of nitrogen. Experience suggests nutrient problems are minimized when a constant fertilizer program is used. Use a constant feed when using soilless mix, liquid fertilizer can be applied at weekly intervals. When this approach is used, the rate of application is generally in the range of 450 to 500 ppm of N.
pH
The pH scale indicates acid and basic values in the growing medium. The pH level of 7 is neutral that is a midpoint in the scale from 0-14. The values below this point (7) are acidic and those above are basic in nature. Dahlias are influenced by the growing medium's pH. It is believed that many hybrid Dahlias will not flower well at a pH below 5.5, and that leaves will develop brown spots. At a pH below 5.8, Dahlia are susceptible to iron and manganese toxicity. The optimum pH range for Dahlia is 5.8 to 6.2.

Temperature
Temperature effects the growth and development of Dahlia by influencing the rate of photosynthesis and respiration, processes of floral initiation and development, the length of time to maturity, final plant quality, and ultimate post production life. There is considerable variation in the response of Dahlia cultivars to low and high temperatures. While some cultivars may exhibit heat or low temperature stress, other cultivars grown under the same conditions in the same greenhouse may show no signs of stress.

Irrigation
Watering greenhouse floriculture crops remains the most difficult task to perfect. Many factors such as type of crop, pot size, temperature, soil mix, bench design, and type of heat can affect watering practices.
The decision relating to when to water is still an "art" rather than a "science". Criteria such as touching or looking at the medium and foliage color (shiny - no need to water; dull - need to water) have been used for years. Unfortunately, most floriculture crops are watered when they give the symptoms of wilting. When the leaves of a plant wilt, the plant has already undergone a water stress which results in a decrease of the growth rate. This is especially true with Dahlia which are slow to wilt, even when the plants are under a water stress. Subjecting Dahlia to water stress is sometimes used as a growth regulator. However, it is not generally recommended to regulate Dahlia growth in this way. Additionally, allowing a soilless mix to dry out makes it difficult to perform properly unless a wetting agent is added to the medium or irrigation water. Every time a medium is irrigated it is strongly recommended that a sufficient amount of water be applied to avoid water stress, allow adequate moisture for plant growth, and allow for some leaching to occur.

Diseases

Bacterial diseases  

• Bacterial wilt: Pseudomonas solanacearum

• Crown gall: Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Fungal diseases

• Flower blight Botrytis cinerea
• Leaf spot        Alternaria alternata

·         Powdery mildew      Erysiphe cichoracearum
                                Erysiphe communis
                                Erysiphe polygoni

·         Southern blight        Sclerotium rolfsii
                                 Athelia rolfsii 

• Smut     Entyloma dahliae

·         Stem and tuber rot   Rhizoctonia solani
                                   Thanatephorus cucumeris 

• Cottony stem rot       Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

·         Vascular wilt Fusarium oxysporum
                                Verticillium albo-atrum

DAHLIAS are available in the following forms:-

MINI PLANTS - These are rooted Dahlia Cuttings available from April to mid May they require growing on under glass (min 10C) prior to planting out.

POT GROWN PLANTS - Grown in the pots for customers with no facilities for growing on, i.e. ready for planting out.

TUBERS - Small compact Dahlia Tubers - ideal material for propagating purposes.

Different Techniques used for making plant extra fancy

            The extra fancy production techniques are those techniques used to enhance the quality and life of the plants or plant parts e.g. flowers, leaves and stems, and to produce different colors, shapes and sizes.

            Through extra fancy production techniques different flowers and vegetables are made fancier than gained through simple cultivation techniques. Followings are the techniques which are used to make the plant extra fancy:

·         Change in genetics by crossing techniques to bring desire character in plant.

·         Different Potting Medias for proper growth and root system.

·         Fertilizer application (Foliar application of different Nutrition).

·         Foliar spray of hormones increase the size of specific part of the plants

·         Biotechnology: to produce new varieties with extra fancy characters.

Experiment for Making Dahlia Extra Fancy

Planting date

            Rooted Dahlia Cuttings were planted in 8’’ pots to raise the nursery of Dahlia on December 16, 2010. To provide heat these pots were placed under polyethylene sheet.

Transplantation date

            Plants were transplanted  on January 27, 2011.

            Dahlia plants were transplanted in 14” clay pot. These pots were also covered with polyethylene sheet to provide heat for their proper functioning.

Potting Media

            These pots were filled with one part compost, one part coconut coir and one part silt to make porous media. So that the gases and water movement enhances and to provide maximum space for root growth. Dahlia thrives well in porous and well-drained media enriched with organic matter.

Stacking

Plants were supported with sticks to hold in proper shape and tied with strings of cotton, the stacking helps stems to withstand wind and storm.

Fertilization

Fertilizer application: DAP (16:46:0)

Fertilizer application date: 5 Feb., 2011.

After hoeing DAP was applied @ 20 g per pot to give sufficient support to plant. Urea was applied when plant attained 15 leaves stage. Application of Urea at that stage will enhance the green color of leaves. It enhances flowering and helps to increase in flower size.

Foliar spray of growth regulators

            Foliar sprays of Gibberellin (GA₃₎ @ 0.20 ml / L of water was applied each week beginning when the plant attained 5 leaves stage until the week before inflorescence. The application of GA₃ promotes growth of shoots, leaves and will trigger and enhance flowering. As a result early flowering was gained and helped in increase in size of the flower.

Irrigation

            Plants were watered frequently at alternate day.

Hoeing

            Manual periodic hoeing was done to control the weeds.

Temperature

            Dahlia responds best in warm temperature. For the production of Dahlia using the "Fast Cropping" technique to make Dahlia extra fancy, night temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees F and day temperatures of 70 to 75 degrees F are best for optimum plant growth. This temperature range promotes the cell division in Dahlia which will lead to proper growth.

Diseases and insects/pests control

            Diseases and insects/pests were controlled by doing following practices:

• Used disease-free plants.
• Practiced good sanitation by pulling weeds and removing plant debris.
• Used soil amendments to produce a well-drained soil.
• Used disease-free plants.
• Avoided overhead irrigation and water early in the day, no later than 11 a.m.
• Allowed air circulation.
• Removed diseased plants and plant parts.
• Removed old flowers and senescing leaves.
• Used a well-drained soil or potting medium.
• Maintained proper nutrient levels (increased nitrogen and iron have been reported to reduce incidence of Oedema).
• Chemical control: fungicides.

Conclusion

            The Dahlia plants will thrive well by using these techniques. Fancy production techniques are used to make plant more beautiful, to enhance the specific character of plant or plant parts. By using extra fancy techniques we can increase the flower size, flower color, flower number, leaf beauty, shape of the plant, increase produce, increase disease and insects/pests resistance of the plant etc. Plants will be healthier and beautiful than plants grown in normal conditions.

References

1.   Genus Dahlia Taxonomy. UniProt. Retrieved 2009-10-15.

2.    Dahlia Cav. Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 1996-09-17. Retrieved 2009-10-15.

3.   Hernandez, Rerum medicarum Novae Hispaniae thesaurus(Rome, 1651); details of the introduction of the dahlia to European gardens are taken from John W. Harshberger, "The Native Dahlias of Mexico", Science, New Series, 6 No. 155 (December 17, 1897:908-910).

4.    Harvey, Marian (1987). Mexican Crafts and Craftspeople. Associated University Presses. p. 19. ISBN 9780879825126.

5.    Irene Verag Greener gardening Newsday, July 13, 2008

6.   American Dahlia Society web site: http://www.dahlia.org.

Dahlia

Plant dahlias in a sunny position with moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil and ensure good ventilation to reduce the risk of mildew. Remove spent flowers promptly to encourage continuous blooming. Only if soil does not freeze or become waterlogged can tubers be left in the ground for winter. Propagate by division or from cuttings.