Learn Gardening

Cactus Bloom 2 - Exactly one year after

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 05:53:00 +0000

Do you remember the blooming Cereus from last year? Well, I don't know if it's a sheer coincidence or perfect internal timing, but exactly one year after, it is blooming again!!
Strangely enough, all three blooms originates from the same stem. I hope the rain does not mess up the flowers.
These pictures have been shot today, 7^th February 2010.

Lemon Thyme

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:38:00 +0000

Lemon Thyme is physically similar to the English or common thyme(Thymus Vulgaris). The only difference is in its flavor. So, expect this article to talk only about the wonderful scent.
Keeping those plants around help a lot in repelling mosquitoes away - they might even do better than lemongrass. The trick is to crush the leaves of the lemon thyme to dissipate the lemon scent. In the kitchen, lemon thyme beats common thyme with it's wonderful flavor. However, lemon thyme is best used fresh, as it's flavor fades away when dried.

Like the Common thyme, the lemon thyme will grow in most climates, but prefers a well-drained soil and lots of sun. It is easily grown in pots on your kitchen window sill. Find more in the common thyme profile.
Photo by izik and kthread.

Flower Show 2009: cactus and Succulents

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:10:00 +0000

Confession: The only reason I went to the flower show was to have a look at their cactii.
Here are the pics:

Back to State House Page

Flowers Page

Orchids, Geraniums, African violets and Bromeliads

Flower Show 2009 - Orchids

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:20:00 +0000

Some wonderful orchids.. None were on sale though.

Some bromeliads

African Violets

Geraniums

Next Page: Cactii and Succulents

Back to Flowers Show Page

Back to State House Page

Flower Show 2009 - Most Flowers

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:23:00 +0000

Now, that you've seen the State House, Let's get straight to the event. Even from far way, the flower show seemed promising with all those stalls with only flowers, bromeliads, cactii, succulents, ferns, etc...

Let's take a look inside:

Paradise is here :)

Next Page: Orchids, African Violets, and some Bromeliads

Jump to Page on Cactii and Succulents

Back to State House Page.

Flower Show 2009 - State House Mauritius

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:32:00 +0000

What is The State House?

The State House, also called Le Château of Réduit - literally translated form French to The Castle of Réduit - is the Official residence of the President of the Republic of Mauritius. It is found in Réduit, in the district of Plaines Wilhems, in Mauritius.

It is a big mansion buit on 240 acres of land with big gardens and have a nice variety of endemic and exotic plants.

The State House is open for the public only one weekend a year.. This year, it's on 21 and 22 of November. And yeah, there was the Flower Show there...Since I took lots of pictures, I'll break this article in some parts:
Most Flowers

Orchids, African Violets, Bromeliads, and Geraniums
Cactus and Succulents

If you are interested you can visit the State House's Website and Wikipedia's page for the State House.

Difference Between Annuals, Perennials and Biennials

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Tue, 05 May 2009 07:31:00 +0000

When I just started gardening, I didn't care much about what I planted. A flower was a flower. You sow it, it will grow and bloom someday. But if you want to make your own garden design, knowing when a flower blooms or dies is important. The terms annual, perennial and biennial should be clear in your mind:

Annuals
Annuals are plants that grow from seeds, bloom and seed within a single growing season. The complete plant dies(leaves, stem and roots) after the growing season. A common example of an annual flower is marigold which blooms througout the growing season. In non-tropical climates, annuals should be planted in spring.

Perennials
Perennials are plants that come back for many growing seasons. Part of the plant dies back in winter and grow again from the same roots the following growing season. They may not bloom the first growing season and they bloom for only a couple of weeks each season. These plants need periodic replacement(each 3 -5 years).

Biennials
Biennials are plants that needs two years to grow before dying. They grow vegetatively the first year, go through winter and blooms the following year. These plants die after blooming and seeding.

Cactus bloom

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Sat, 02 May 2009 17:38:00 +0000

There's some pictures of my cactus(anyone got the ID???) blooming this year. It bloomed twice this year. The first attempt was right before a tropical depression(a.k.a cyclone) visits Mauritius. The cactus sent a bloom that started to open during the cyclone. Unfortunately, the winds broke the flower off. Notice the grey sky, it was a clear sign that the cyclone was near.

5th Feb 2009

7th Feb 2009

By the 8th February, there were no flower on the cactus, the wind wiped it off. I though that I would have to wait the following year for the next bloom.

Fortunately for me, my cactus was kind enough to bloom again in April 2009!! And this time, I had a better camera to shoot the flowers :-)

18th April 2009

19th April 2009

Same day. Look attentively, there are two flowers

The beautiful flower, open at last

This time, the flowers bloomed well and could be observed without any problem. The flower doesn't last long and dies(turns black) the following day. I didn't try to collect the seeds as this cactus is easily propagated. If you're interested in seed collection, I'll try it next year during the next bloom.

Golden Pothos, Devil's Ivy - Epipremnum aureum

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 06:34:00 +0000

The Epipremnum aureum or Devil's Ivy, or golden pothos is a vine of the family of the Araceae native to the Solomon Islands. When planted in gardens, the vine gets huge and gets support from aerial roots. I've seen Devil's ivy climbing to nearby trees to almost it's top(about 10m high) but in pots, the Devil's ivy are stunted with smaller leaves. The glossy leaves are dark green and variegated with irregular patterns. Although it grows in almost any condition ranging from low shade to sunny, the plant will thrive in bright indirect light. All parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested.

I'm using it as a light barrier

Similarly to Peace Lily, golden pothos is efficient at removing indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde, xylene and benzene

It is a very hardy plant that loves regular watering. Be sure to let the soil dry out between waterings. Fertilize sparingly when the leaves start becoming yellowish. Mine is in the garden and grows vigorously even without fertilizing. The golden pothos occasionally blooms to get green spaths.

Propagation is very easy and can be done by cuttings.

Gardening To Relieve Stress

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:01:00 +0000

Don't be like him

Who isn't stressed? Our busy and competitive lifestyle often put a big deal of stress on us. Some people take a cigarette or a drink to try to relieve stress but they are doing themselves more harm. After one tedious day sitting at your office desk, the best way to get unstressed is by doing some physical exercises. Walk, jog, run, swim, cycle or go to the gym. Did you ever wonder if you could save time by exercising and making something rewarding at the same time?

You've guessed right. Gardening is the solution. As I always say, the fruits of gardening are not only what you get in your plate. If you see your garden as a chore, you won't get the stress out. However if you enjoy gardening, the personal satisfaction you get is one step in getting stress out of your life. Dig, chop, weed, sow.... The list is long. Doing these tasks will do only good to you and your body.

Gardening makes you bend and lift things many times. Be sure to do it right. I usually squat while weeding or planting. If you don't squat, you might put strain to your lower back. If you can't squat, place one knee on the ground(have a pair of knee-pads) and switch knee regularly.

Be cautious when lifting heavy objects. Always sit down, grab the object and use your legs to lift up. Do not bend nor twist your body. If something is too heavy for you, seek help. This advice is not only for elder gardeners!

If your doctor doesn't want you to do these activities, have a walk in your garden. Look at the plants, their colors, their smell... Pick up some flowers to put on your table.

Gardening is an excellent way to relieve stress for all ages but remember to do it safely.

More Gardening Tips

Turmeric(Curcuma Longa) Flower

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 10:31:00 +0000

That's the first time I have noticed turmeric flowers. Each time I plant turmeric(curcuma longa or common turmeric), I dig it after its growing period, but since a couple of years ago, I have left a couple of plants untouched. I let them grow for a season, dry out and grow again to get a bigger rhizome.

I had completely forgotten about those plants (I don't even water them as it is raining quite often), and today, while weeding(Neglect your garden a couple of weeks, and they'll come harrassing you) that part of my garden, I got gobsmacked: Two of the turmeric plants have flowers. They were awesome!! Have a look:

Two flowers of Turmeric plant

This one seems older

Looks like a newer flower

The flower stalk emerges from a leaf stalk

The Rewards Of Vegetable Gardening

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:57:00 +0000

Many people love vegetable gardening. Besides creating something beatiful in your yard, you also making fresh food for your family.

Think about the juicy red tomatoes, crisply lettuce, the fragrance of your herbs... This is just a handful of examples of your garden's output. That's what I call fast food. Pick, rinse, and serve. It's not like choosing vegetables from the market or grocery store. You don't get into the hassle of hunting through the under-ripe and over-ripe tomatoes to choose which to take. In your garden, you're sure that you are getting healthy stuff. No harmful chemicals or additives... Your veggies have been grown with only water and love(and some compost too).

Working in your garden is good for your health. You're out in fresh air, getting some physical exercise to kick the stress of modern life out of your mind. You can get your family members in the task too. Let them go and pick some vegetables in the garden. Children can be initiated too. Let them sow some seeds and watch the plant grow. For lunch, everyone will be proud to eat something they have grown and cared. Maybe your family bonds will get stronger too. That's something you will never get from your grocer.

Even now, I'm still delighted whenever I see some seeds sprout and grow. It's more than a hobby. Gardening is a way of living. After all, you reap what you sow.

DIY Inexpensive Trellis

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 06:53:00 +0000

Do you have a small gardening space? Or do you still want to plant more? Do you happen to have some fences too? Here's a cool trick from digginfood: The inexpensive DIY vegetable trellis. They use it to plant squash, cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, and peas.

We install a lot of freestanding trellises made out of bamboo and cedar, but last summer we decided to convert our west-facing, 6-foot tall fence into a growing space by installing panels of welded wire mesh on it. The mesh is sold at hardware stores for concrete reinforcing. We bought mesh with four-inch square holes and each 4-foot by 6-foot piece cost less than five dollars. The grand total for this super functional trellis? Fifteen bucks.

The installation is quick, they stapled the mesh into the fence's wooden frame.
You'll quickly enjoy the benefits of getting more planting space while growing your vine vertically.

Reader's corner #1

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 05:05:00 +0000

Some days ago, a reader called mmillikan commented on The panda plant post and asked a question:

My mom gave me a panda plant that was about 8" tall. I've had it about a year now and it's over 2 feet tall, just kept in a med. pot in my sunroom. So tall now it's having a hard time standing up even though the stem/trunk is strong. Any suggestions?

The way I do it is to have a stick near the plant and attach a string to the plant. That's what I do to my plants when they can't stand up on their own. Anyone got other methods?

How to graft a cactus

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:05:00 +0000

Grafting a cactus is quite simple. I don't know the name of the cactus but i've grafted a zygocactus(christmas cactus) to it. There are two main type of grfting for cactii:
First one is on the top: Cut the top of the cactus(with a sterile knife), make a small cut in the cactus' flesh and insert the christmas cactus in it. Wait some days for the cactus to callus.

The second method can be used if you don't want to chop the head off your beloved cactus. You need to take your sterile knife and cut a sideway 'V' in the cactus. tHe cut would look like a '>' in the cactus. Next step is to take your zygocactus and gently slide it in the '>'. Wait some days for the cactus to callus.

In a couple of months you should get lots of christmas cactus flowers.
Or is it an April's Fool post? :-)

I cut the Pussy ears.

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:08:00 +0000

The three leaves used to attempt propagation

I did it. I don't like to mess with small plants but since I got it, I was eager to propagate my Pussy Ear(or Panda) plant. I took away three leaf cuttings from the lower leaves of the plant, leaving only some little leaves on the top. I hope the plant won't be affected too much by this operation. Oh, by the way, the "hairy" leaves are so good to touch. I really appreciated touching it, maybe that's how the plant got its name of Pussy Ear.

My plant now looks like this

Strawberry Guava

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:47:00 +0000

Scientific Name	Psidium cattleianum
Common Name	Strawberry guava
	Purple guava
	Cherry guava

Strawberry Guava is a small tree, native to Brazil, that grows to about seven meters(23 feet) in height but is generally much smaller. The strawberry Guava is a very hardy plant that needs full sun for optimal growth and plenty of water when bearing fruits. They are generally located in geographically high regions where the average temperature is much cooler.

Bunch of strawberry guava

You get lots of fruits

Even low branches get fruits

Most of them are not ripe yet

However, there is a dark side to this plant:: It is an invasive plant. It is now considered as a weed in the tropics(even here in Mauritius).By the way, here it is called goyave de chine, literally translated to Guava of China.
According to the Invasive Species Specialist Group(ISSG) Database:

Psidium cattleianum is native to Brazil, but has been naturalised in Florida, Hawaii, tropical Polynesia, Norfolk Island and Mauritius for its edible fruit. It forms thickets and shades out native vegetation in tropical forests and woodlands. It has had a devastating effect on native habitats in Mauritius and is considered the worst plant pest in Hawi, where it has invaded a variety of natural areas. It benefits from feral pigs (Sus scrofa) which, by feeding on its fruit, serve as a dispersal agent for its seeds. In turn, the guava provides favourable conditions for feral pigs, facilitating further habitat degradation.

It is not obvious that it is an invasive plant here. Each year, thousands of Mauritians go on a strawberry guava hunt, when its the season(February-April), in the large fields of strawberry guava. The lucky ones(generally the first ones) return back home with bags full of fruits. Excess of strawberry guava is turned into a delicious jam. Unfortunately, the population takes the strawberry guava "forests" for granted and are not aware that it is some kind of invasion.

Their yummy flesh are similar to guavas

Propagation is very easy. Done by seeds, cuttings, layering or whatever method you like.

Panda Plant

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 06:09:00 +0000

Panda plant, also known as pussy ears, is a succulent having botanical name Kalanchoe tomentosa. It is from the family of Crassulacae and it is originated from Madagascar.

I got mine a couple of months ago and it has grown some new leaves since then. The guy from whom I got it has his Panda plants in direct sunlight. I have been told that the Panda plant grows to about 40cm in height but I've still to check it. I've placed mine where it got direct indirect light, and the Panda plant is doing great. Today, i moved it to my balcony where it will get direct sunlight, i'll monitor it to see how better it will grow.

Caring is quite easy. The Kalanchoe tomentosa does not need any special care, the most important aspect is avoid overwatering(The Panda plant needs little water) and allow the soil to completely dry out between watering. I water all my plants with water coming from my aquaria, so fertilisation isn't a problem for me.

I guess propagation should be easy. Leaf or stem cuttings will yield a new plant. I haven't tried propagating mine yet. Anyone got this plant???

Update on Ledebouria Socialis

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:23:00 +0000

They are back... And they are really tough plants.
I've been watering them since the last time. The Ledebouria socialis, also known as Silver squill or violet squill, are growing like mad. They have grown leaves and their flowers are still here. I wonder how much time they'll take before releasing the seeds.

Make A Terrarium Out Of A Bottle Of Wine

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

This is awesome. I've never been bothered by ships in bottles but this one really got me excited:
A low tech and low maintenance terrarium that you can place anywhere you want.
You'll need some dexterity, patience and imagination but you'll appreciate the results.

Wondeful creation by Dr Vino

Inspired by Paula Hayes, creator of amazing terrarium designs, Dr Vino suggests using clear wine bottles for this project. He also stated:

I first added dirt to the bottle. Then I ripped off chunks of moss, compressed them and shoved them through the wine bottle’s neck with a chop stick leftover from a previous takeout. A few pokes and prods later, I had them all lined up

If well cared for, the moss will grow in a rich carpet that you can proudly show off on your desk. Be sure not to let the bottle roll though..

Moss-age In A Bottle [via SlashFood]

Save your egg shells.

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 18:28:00 +0000

Keep them for your plants

No, you can't return your egg shells against money at your grocery. At least, let me know if you can...

Once you have used an egg, rinse the shell and let it dry. You'll be able to use it later. If you are a vegetarian or you need more egg shells, just ask your neighbors or try to get some from a nearby restaurant. You may need to wash the shells yourself though, in the latter cases. It doesn't matter much if the egg shells were broken into half or if they are quite crushed. I'll show you how to use them.

Are your egg shells ready? There are three ways to use your egg shells.
1. In your composting pile.
I'll be brief on that one. Crushed shells can be added to the pile to increase calcium content.
2. As a gastropod deterrent.
Snails and slugs won't "walk" onto coarsely crushed egg shells. Its a simple organic way to protect a couple of plants from being devastated by those snails and slugs. With time, the egg shells will decompose adding some calcium into your soil. I doubt that some egg shells will drastically change your soil composition and pH though. One drawback is that you got to have lots of egg shells handy if you have a big garden.
3. As starting pot
Do you start your seeds indoors in peat pots? Save peat(and your money too). Living in a tropical climate, I don't really need to start seeds inside... With some exceptions, especially during the rainy reasons. Else all seeds are sown directly in the garden. But for you, you can use the bigger egg shells(approx half an egg) as a substitute of peat pots. You'll just have to crack the shell a bit before planting.

Let's do a quick recap:
small crumbles of egg shells are for composting and snails
bigger shells are used for starting seeds.

This ends the second article on tips to reduce your gardening cost series. Did you miss the first one?

Drought Scheme for Bulbs?

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:18:00 +0000

Today, while walking around in the garden and thinking about the second part of the reduce your gardening costs article, I noticed something very strange. I had some bulbs(Anyone can ID them for me?) in a dry place and they were flowering. They hadn't been watered since at least six months. The bulbs had only flowers but no leaves. The weather is quite hot now.

flowering bulbs

Is it some kind of drought emergency scheme that the bulbs have? In case of severe lack of water, do they just make seeds and spread themselves?

Another specimen of same plant that has been correctly watered

close view of the leaf

Reducing your gardening costs - Part One

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 04:21:00 +0000

Despite being a hobby, gardening usually take away some of your budget - you have to buy the plants, seeds, materials, fertilisers, and perhaps some of you will need herbicides, pesticides, etc...
Do you really have to buy all these?? No. You can decrease your gardening budget. Here are some tips for having many plants for almost nothing:
Your plants
Build your plant network with friends, relatives and neighbors. Get in contact with people and swap plants with them. You'll easily get extra plants for free!! Tip: propagate your plants through cuttings when it's trimming time.
Seeds Harvest your seeds. Seeds let you expand your plant quantity quickly, but some patience is required sometimes(eg. for cactii). If you are inexperienced, try harvesting seeds from flowers like marigolds. Another trick is to swap seeds. When you buy a packet of seeds, you generally get more than you need. Swap the remaining ones with friends!!

Be sure to come back to check other tricks. You can also share your tricks.

Peace Lily: Your Free Air Purifier

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 09:18:00 +0000

source

I n addition to its beautiful foliage and flowers, the Peace Lily is an excellent air purifier. According to NASA's study on sick building syndrome, the Peace Lily is very keen at removing harmful gases(eg. formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene) from your room. Its wonderful ability to release oxygen made the Peace Lily to be awarded as the best desk plant in 2007. For optimum results, it is recommended to place your peace lily near your desk or even near your computer.

Related articles:
Spathiphyllum - Peace Lily

Why do the leaves on my lucky bamboo plant have brown tips?

noreply@blogger.com (Rikesh) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 04:39:00 +0000

Recently one reader contacted me and asked me why the tips of his lucky bamboo was turning brown.
So here we go!

I've noticed two types of color change in the leaves of the lucky bamboo - dracaena sanderiana. Your bamboo leaf may turn brown or yellow.

Cause of Brown Leaf

The leaves turn brown because of the presence of fluoride (and sometimes chloride too) in water in the bamboo's pot. These minerals are often present in your tap water; you may want to check your local water suppliers for details on the concentration of the minerals. If you have chorine added to your water, let the water sit overnight before watering your dracaena. In extreme conditions, use mineral water when doing your weekly water change. It is believed that fluoride gets accumulated at the plant tips and kill the plant cells there. Excess of any salt will also have the same adverse effects. use diluted fertilisers to be on the safe side. Low atmospheric humidity also promotes brown leaves.

Cause of Yellow Leaf

Don't panic, yellow leaves shows that its time to fertilise your bamboo. Direct bright light and too little water(when planted in soil) also cause yellowing of leaves. Bright indirect light is better. Its not a big deal. I repeat, don't panic.

Related Articles
Lucky Bamboo