Flower – Green Gardens

Bougainvillea: The Beauty of Your Garden

This tropical plant is one of the common and best easy growing bonsai plants which looks tantalizing when it has a full tree bloom. It will just give your garden royal touch. Here underneath you could know everything about your bougainvillea. if you are a beginner this is a jewel and if an expert, there is for you too.

Climate: This plant could thrive well in temperate as well as tropical regions. It blooms at a low temperature so in the temperate region it blooms throughout the year but in the tropical regions it flowers around the winter season.

Temperature: Though this plant is cold loving plant it could grow in a long range of temperatures. About 5 to 45 ⁰C.

Soil: This plant loves an acidic type of soli. But it could not tolerate staged water so the soil must be well drained.

Species: More than 80 species of different colours are there of bougainvillea.

Sunlight: This plant could be grown over a long range of temperature regions so the sunlight requirements are different according to regions. In low temperature regions providing of full sunlight is better but in the high temperature regions providing a partial sunlight prevents wilting. In blooming season, it requires at least 5-8 hours of direct sunlight.

Watering: Water should be provided regularly but overwatering should not be done. During the flowering the watering should be lowered or it flower less and grow more. (except in high temperature region where there is a risk of wilting)

Terrain: Always loosen the soil around the trunk to make the soil airy, whether it is in ground or in a container pot. This also helps preventing water lodging problem in soil.

Pruning: bougainvillea is a hard wood type variety. So, it can be grown as a long tree structure as well as in bonsai form. For long structures pruning is only necessary for keeping the plant in a desired shape. But for bonsai both shoot and root pruning are necessary to control the shape and size of the plant.

This plant mostly requires a hard pruning after every flowering and a little once a month. Moreover, it should be taken care that the main root of the tap root system be pruned before planting in a pot and should be repoted once in 2-3 years according to the size of the pot.

Fertilizer: each and every plant require Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium to grow and flower and this is also same. Other than this some micronutrients are required from time to time according to the plant conditions. For knowing the basic fertilizer click here.

Other than this sometimes there arises a problem of Growth Retardation for which the best is gibberellic acid which could be found inorganic in market or in water in which cow dung cakes are drowned for at least 7 days.

During repotting a mixture of vermicompost 40%, used tea/coffee leaf 20%, neem cake 20%, bone meal10%, horn meal 5%, egg shell5% could also provide a good result for long time. Here I will recommend to reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers as in the long run it will harm your plants and the unused remaining, by the plant in the soil, will harm the nature.

Pesticides: there is a benefit that this plant seldom attacked by pests and if attacked then it can be easily get rid of by spraying neem oil or providing neem cake in the soil. For Fungus attack you can use any antifungal spray or powder available in the market.

For any further query about your bougainvillea plant comment here.

Mineral Elements Required in Plant Nutrition

The plant require a proportional combination of macronutrients and micronutrients. The utility of these nutrients are discussed below with the sign of deficiency syndromes in a plant. To know how to use click here.

Macronutrients:

Nitrogen (N):

Used in larger quantities than any other mineral nutrient. Most frequently deficient for normal growth of non-legumes

Forms taken up by plants: NO₃^–NH₄⁺

Function in plants:

It is part of the amino acids which make up proteins
It is part of the chlorophyll molecule

Deficiency symptoms:

Plants become stunted and/or become yellow on the older leaves
N is mobile in the plant so new leaves may remain green
Excess N may delay maturity
Cause excess growth and little fruiting on melons and tomatoes. Excessive succulence may make a plant more susceptible to disease or insect attack.

Phosphorus (P):

Forms taken up by plants: H₂PO₄^–primary orthophosphate, H₂PO₄^— secondary orthophosphate

Function in plants:

a part of the protein molecule
Necessary for transfer of energy during metabolic processes (ATP)
Hastens maturity, promotes good root development, improves growth and cold tolerance, and improves seedling vigour, important in seed and fruit formation.

Deficiency symptoms:

Dark green colour
Purple cast in corn, lower leaves first because p is mobile.
Delay in maturity
Failure of seed to form

Potassium (K):

It is used in larger amounts than any other element except N. May have “luxury consumption” plants take up more than is needed. K is not a part of any structural component of the plant. Located in the cell sap as an inorganic salt.

Forms taken up by plants: K+

Function in plants:

It is a catalyst in many reactions; carbohydrate, starch and N metabolism
Activation of enzymes involved in photosynthesis, and protein and carbohydrate metabolism
Adjustment of stomatal movement and water relations
Helps disease resistance
Increases quality of fruits and vegetables
Tips and margins of leaves turn brown. K is mobile so this occurs first on lower leaves.

Deficiency symptoms:

Weakening of straw in grain crops (lodging)
K is important in preventing non-protein N from accumulating in plants. When this occurs in forages it may be injurious to animals

Micronutrients:

Calcium (Ca):

Forms taken up by plants: Ca++

Function in plants:

Calcium gives strength to cell walls
Needed for peg development in peanuts
Plant root and tip elongation

Deficiency symptoms:

Ca is immobile so new growth is affected
Failure of terminal buds to develop
Symptoms are not usually seen under field conditions because other problems caused by acidity of soil will generally become limiting factors before Ca. That is, liming prevents Ca deficiency from occurring.
Blossom end rot of tomatoes is an exception to this generalization

Magnesium (Mg):

Forms taken up by plants: Mg++

Function in plants:

A part of the chlorophyll molecule, essential in photosynthesis
Related to phosphorus metabolism
Large quantities found in seed

Deficiency symptoms:

Mg is mobile so symptoms occur first in old leaves.
Interveinal chlorosis. A whitish or yellowish striping effect on grasses.
Tobacco – referred to as sand drowning.

Sulphur(S):

Forms taken up by plants: sulphate some SO4-2 (Sulphur dioxide through leaves).

Function in plants:

A constituent of 3 of the 21 amino acids which form protein cystine, cysteine, and methionine
Present in the organic compounds that give the characteristic odours of onion, garlic, and mustard.

Deficiency symptoms:

Uniformly chlorate plants which are stunted and spindly. Similar to N deficiency symptoms. It is less mobile than N so deficiency may be more apparent on younger leaves.

Manganese (Mn):

Forms taken up by plants: Mn++, Mn+++

Function in plants:

Can be absorbed through the leaves. Required in small quantities – large amounts are toxic (acid soils)
Activation of enzyme systems
Chlorophyll synthesis

Deficiency symptoms:

Mn is immobile – The upper leaves develop yellow streaks.

Iron (Fe):

Forms taken up by plants: Fe++ (ferrous form) Fe+++ (ferric form), Can be taken up by the leaves

Function in plants:

A catalyst in the production of chlorophyll
Enzyme systems
Occur on high ph soils or certain plants
Centipede, azaleas.

Deficiency symptoms:

Immobile so deficiency symptoms occur on young leaves. Interveinal chlorosis. Leaves may turn completely white

Copper (Cu):

Forms taken up by plants: Cu+2 can be absorbed through leaves. Very toxic if too much applied.

Function in plants:

Copper is a catalyst in chlorophyll formation

Deficiency symptoms:

Immobile so upper leaves affected
Corn youngest leaves are yellow and stunted
Vegetables – plants wilt and develop a bluish green cast.

Zinc (Zn):

Forms taken up by plants: Zn+++ can be taken up through leaves. Toxic except in small quantities

Function in plants:

Activator of enzyme systems
Deficiency symptoms:
Occurs on younger leaves (immobile)
Interveinal chlorosis followed by reduction in rate of shoot growth and shortening of internodes (rosetting)

Boron (B):

Forms taken up by plants: H3BO3 can be taken up through leaves

Function in plants:

Can be very toxic if applied to some crops at rates not harmful to others. Deficiency occurs frequently on alfalfa.
Germination of pollen grains and growth of pollen tubes

Deficiency symptoms:

Immobile upper leaves affected. Growth of terminal bud stops

Molybdenum (Mo):

Forms taken up by plants: Mo required in smallest amounts of any mineral nutrient. Excess may be toxic to grazing animals. Moo4

Function in plants:

It is needed for conversion of NO3- to NH4+ in the plant
Required by rhizobia for N fixation in the nodules of legumes

Deficiency symptoms:

Interveinal chlorosis
With legumes it appears as N deficiency (that’s what it is

Chloride (Cl):

Forms taken up by plants: Cl-

Function in plants:

Photosynthetic reactions
Reduced root growth in nutrient cultures.

Deficiency symptoms:

Excessive quantities has a detrimental effect on quality of potatoes and tobacco storage quality of potatoes reduced. Smoking quality of tobacco lowered.

Silicon:

Needed in small quantities by rhizobia for fixation of N in association with legumes. 8 oz/acre on clover gave response essential in formation of vitamin B-12.

Shown to be essential for a green algae

Not shown to be essential for higher plants but growth increases were shown with asparagus, rice, lettuce, barley, corn.

Functions: may be essential for carbohydrate metabolism in some plants. May substitute for potassium

Increased growth of rice in nutrient cultures. Function unknown.

In short we see:

N – Synthesis of proteins and part of chlorophyll molecule

P – Energy transfer

K – Carbohydrate metabolism, water relations

Mg – Chlorophyll molecule

S – Proteins

Ca – Strength of cell wall

Micronutrients – Enzyme activation

Hope you will benefit from this for any query comment here. And Follow to stay updated about new tips for your garden.

Tips To Grow Roses Easily

From western culture it has been believed that Roses were created by the goddesses of love Aphrodite. According to the legends, her tears and her lover, Adonis’, blood watered the ground from where roses grew.

Apart from the legend now we have started growing roses for the beauty of our heart in the garden. It needs more care and softness than its petals are.

There are more than 150 varieties of rose across the globe. Though this plant thrives best in temperate climate conditions but in torrid temperatures also it blooms in winter.

Ideas:

Roses not only represents romanticism but it also shows the true form of art. Some ideas to grow roses are:

Gate: Most people like to form gates with rose plants, and it looks gorgeous when it blooms.
Container: Now it has been an overcoming trend for all gardeners to have roses in pots.
Indoor: Some peoples are even growing roses in their homes, with a plentiful of sunlight. This gives a delightful fragrance which will make a relaxing feel.
Bushes: Rose bushes are very common if it been cultivated in a large scale. But many grow it in their gardens too.

How to take care of your rose plants?

Choosing a plant: Choosing a plant is the most important step to grow any plant. Roses could be broadly categorized into two types Indian Variety and English Variety. Indian variety are small in size but it grows throughout the year even in equatorial regions and has it’s max bloom during winter. Whereas English Variety are larger but only grow in winter in equatorial regions. And both of them blooms well throughout the year in cold climate regions.
Collection of a plant: Roses are mainly propagated through cutting and grafting. Grafted ones are easier to grow.
Soil: Though Roses are hungry plants, during the plantation its no need to provide a high quantity of fertilizer. It could be grown best in laterite or alluvial soil. But it could also be grown in mixture of compost 40%, sand 20%, garden soil 20%, bone meal 5% and horn meal 5%.
Sunlight: It requires at least 6 hours of daily sunlight. But in high temperature regions it should be only provided in winters, during summer it should be kept in shades. Better to keep it under green nets.
Watering: Soil should be well drained, and deep watering should be done as roses are water loving. As it loves moisture, water spray is also necessary. But all types of watering should be done in the earliest morning or the plant may get shock.

Advanced care:

Fertilizer:

To fertilize your plants you need an expert knowledge of what each component, you are using, have its effect on the plant. And obviously the amount to be used. Roses mainly requires NPK, Magnesium, Sulphur, Calcium and copper, zinc, iron, manganese, boron are also required in very small quantities.

Organic: It’s better to use organic fertilizer to each and every plant. It will not give an instant effect but is a good choice for long run. Organic fertilizer could be used once a month. And surely to be given just before winter. Now there are two recipes
1. Solid: vermicompost 40%, used tea/coffee leaf 20%, neem cake 20%, bone meal10%, fish meal 5%, egg shell5%. Precaution: This is not to be provided for newly planted plants. This is to be given in adequate amount. 50gms for small plants 100gms for large plants and 500gms for large plants (only in soil). No undecomposed fertilizer to be added as there will be a chance of fungus.
2. Liquid: In 5 litres of water mustard cake 100gm, neem cake 200gm, banana peel 200gm, orange peel 200gm to be decomposed for 10 days and then the water could be provided to the plant after dilution.
Inorganic: If you are not satisfied with the organic fertilizer and want to have a quick effect on plants then you may use PGP (Plant Growth Proteins), Seaweed Fertilizer, Micronutrients, Vitamins etc. But remember in case of inorganics a plant uses only a little amount and the rest are stored in soil which makes the fertilizers unusable for future and that’s acidify the soil. So if you use inorganic fertilizers then apply less than the amount mentioned to apply on the soil.

Pruning:

Roses are most prone to bacteria and fungi. And rotten flowers, half yellow or brown leaves will boost up the fungi attacks. For this it need to be pruned (2-3 inches) whenever you see an old flower or yellow leaves before it starts to rot. This will also increase flowering rate by raising branches. This is known as soft pruning.

Removing Suckers:

In cases of grafted rose plants suckers grow from the stock i.e. the mother plant. These suckers take up much nutrients and let the plant to reduce its growth and flowering. So how can it be identified? Simple, you will see that Suckers are the stems that will grow from below the place of grafting, near the ground. And normally roses have 5 leaved compound leaves but suckers have 7 leaved compound leaves. So you just need to cut it off.

Diseases and Cure

Here I have already mentioned many times that rose plants needs special care and are very prone to diseases like bacterial and fungal attack. And many insects attack roses.

Here also you can use organic medicines. To make it use baking soda 10ml, neem oil 10ml and a small amount of mild soap in 1 litre water. This should be sprayed at the earliest morning or before the sunrise and not only the upper portion of leaves to be sprayed but the underneath too. And as an inorganic medicine there are different types of fungicides available in the market. Use it but in less amount.

So get a Rose plant and have a plentifully of roses this winter. As it is now easier for you to grow plenty of gorgeous roses. For the beginners I will suggest that have a regular look over those plants.

To know more about your rose plants comment here and follow the site.

7 Important Tips To Grow Indoor Plants Easily

In today’s world we are running with an ultra-high speed of technological development. And some where we are forgetting about the nature. So it’s high time now that we think about it and start planting trees. But most of us have a very restricted place to do so. For them indoor plants will be an ideal one.

Benefits

Now a days planting small plants indoor have become a trend. This not only give you a feeling of in-between the nature but also keep the indoors fresh and full of oxygen. For those who lives in regions with high pollution level, must have plants indoor.

What types of plants do you choose?

In case of choosing plants for indoors, you must have some criteria.

Shade Lovers: Collect plants that could be grown under shades easily. But for almost every indoor plants you need to provide them partial sunlight once a week.
Oxygen level: Some plants like Aloe Vera or types of snake plants provide a little amount of oxygen even during night time. So choosing that type of plants are good choices.
Toxicity: If you have pets or have your children at home then you must have special care as some plants maybe toxic if swollen or eaten. Like money plant or spider plant or some types of succulents.

Best Indoor Plants to grow

According to NASA Report this plants ranks best as indoor plants;

Bamboo palm
Chinese evergreen
English ivy
Ficus
Gerbera daisy
Janet Craig
Marginata
Mass cane/Corn cane
Mother-in-law’s tongue
Peace lily
Pot mum
Warneckei

For more indoor plants to know about see my other article 38 Indoor Plants To Grow.

How to grow them easily.

1. Soil: For indoor plants it is been referred to use mixture of coco peat and compost.

2. Watering: Watering plants doesn’t only mean to pour water in the soil. For indoors watering is proposed to be done by spray.

3. Sunlight: Keep the plants where they could get at least 1 hour of partial sunlight. If not possible keep it outdoors in partial sunlight once a week.

4. Pots: Use plastic pots to avoid messing the room. And should look over the water level in it.

Medicines

Normally indoor plants are less affected by insects. In case insects’ attacks it can be removed by any insecticide neem oil is mostly preferred.

But the most infected diseases are root rot or fungal attack. For that anti-fungal should be used and kept in sunlight (partial or direct as per requirements).

For further information on indoor plants comment here.