Kakrol Or Spine Gourd ,Cultivation ,Care, Use and its Surprising Health Benefits.

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Description:

Spiny Gourd or Kantola is a vegetable, also popular as Teasle Gourd. It is mostly cultivated in the mountain regions of India. Spiny Gourd is comes from “Cucurbitaceous”.  It has tiny spines all over its body. These are dark green in color and change color when get ripe from light green to yellow. Size of Spiny Gourd is normally 2-3 cm diameter. One cannot deny the health benefits of this vegetable.

Seed Sowing and Germination

Kantola does not need much effort, in a 20 liter pot you can grow 3-4 plants. The distance between plants needs to be approximately 4-5 inch, so that roots of all plants can spread well in all directions. For sowing the seeds it is a good idea to soak the seeds over night with warm water . Soaking seeds helps in faster germination, but is is not a compulsory step. Mark your spots where you’ll be sowing your seeds in the pot. Now make 3/4 inch to 1 inch holes in the soil using one of your fingers. Place the seeds on their side in the holes and them cover them loosely with the potting soil. Water the pot gently. Be careful not to disturb the soil. Check the moisture in the soil everyday. Don’t let the soil dry out any time. In about 3-5 days you should see happy seedlings looking out from the pots.
An optimum temp. of 27 to 33 ‘C is considered as the best temp for better development of Kantola plant.

Sowing Season

In India, Spine gourd or Kantola farming can be done in summer and also in monsoon. It is sown in the month of July to Aug.

Sowing and spacing

Sow seed 2 cm deep inside the prepared bed, 2-3 seeds per bed for better farming.
However, keep proper spacing to obtain a good result in any commercial crop. Row to Row distance about 2 m and Planting plant 60 to 70 cm apart from each other is supposed to be the best spacing for commercial spine gourd farming.

Irrigation for Spine Gourd Cultivation

Timely and proper irrigation in Kantola farming helps you to raise your production. After sowing of seed, give water immediately with  any diluted fungicide water.
But, give water as they need and is also vary from region to region and climate condition. In summer, frequent water is necessary and there is no need of water in monsoon. However, give water if required.

Organic fertilizers

Cow dung manure is  very  ideal. Apply it at land preparation time or at last plow.

Inorganic fertilizers

To achieve maximum yield, your soil should have sufficient nutrition and also have a good fertile power. However, in Kantola farming, application of N, P, K with a ratio of 120:80:80 kg per hectare before sowing seed or planting with the help of tubers on the field is considered as the best soil treatment.
But take care while application of it. Phosphorous and Potassium should be applied at the single time and apply nitrogen in two equal doses; half at a flowering time and the remaining at vining.

Weed Control in Spine Gourd Cultivation

Removal of weed in Spine gourd farming is should be done on the regular basis like at an interval of seven days.

Pest in Spine gourd Cultivation

Nematodes & fruit flies are the common pest that is found in the Kantola farming.

Health  Benefits:-

1. Spiny Gourd is great source of phytonutrients and low in calories. Spiny Gourd contains only 17 cal per 100g. It also contains other nutrients like dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins & anti-oxidant.

2.  One of the causes of cancer is presence of excess toxic free radicals in our body. Fresh dark green pods of spiny gourd are source of vitamin-C, which is itself known as the excellent natural antioxidant. Vitamin-C hunts down excess toxic free radicals from our body to reduce the chances of cancer.

3.  As we know this vegetable is high in phytonutrients, polypeptide-P, plant insulin and charantin that boost the glycogen synthesis in the cells of liver, muscle and adipose tissue.

4. If a pregnant mother include fresh green pods of Kantola in her meals during the pregnancy period, then it reduces the chance of neural tube defects as Kantola has about 72 mcg/100g of folates.

5. Spiny gourd also has different benefiting flavonoids such as beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthins that are known as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species. All these compounds will help you to look younger by working as the anti-aging compound. It helps you to keep your skin healthy.

6. Coughing is the common problem that seen in the children and adults due to instant change in climate or due to virus and bacteria. If you are suffering due to coughing, then you can take 3 grams of powdered kantola thrice in a day with water to control the non-stop coughing.

7. It contains high amount of Vitamin A that is very necessary for better eyesight. You can also eat spiny gourd in their season to improve your eyesight.

8. Daily drinking of 10 g of spiny gourd power and 1 glass of milk or water can also decreases kidney stone of kidney and bladder.

Banana Plants Growing ,Care and its Health Benefits

Description:


Banana is an edible fruit, variable in size, color, and firmness, but is usually elongated and curved, with soft flesh rich in starch covered with a rind, which may be green, yellow, red, purple, or brown when ripe. The fruits grow in clusters hanging from the top of the plant. Almost all modern edible parthenocarpic(seedless) bananas come from two wild species – Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana. Bananas which are Creamy, rich, and sweet, a favorite food for everyone from infants to elders. Banana contains Nutrition like Energy, Carbohydrates, Sugars, Dietary fiber Protein and

Vitamins -Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic acid (B5), Vitamin B6, Folate (B9), Choline, Vitamin C

Minerals - Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc

Other constituents - Water 74.91 g



Health Benefits:


1. Banana is the best sources of potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure, heart health and bone strength. One banana contains 450 mg of potassium and contributes to the prevention of hypertension, atherosclerosis and building our bones. Bananas also reduce the risk of stroke.

2. Bananas are low in sodium, and contain one mg per unit. Reduction in sodium consumption is important in preventing high blood pressure, heart disease and blood vessels and loss of calcium from the bones.

3. Bananas contain pre-biotic fiber that contributes to the digestive system. This helps to prevent diarrhea resulting from infection in the intestine, strengthen the immune system, protect against colon cancer etc. Pre-biotic fibers also contribute to increased mineral absorption from the intestine, reducing cholesterol absorption and balance sugar levels.

4. Bananas help protect against kidney cancer.

5. Bananas contain substances that help operate the cells that make up the lining of the stomach, and thus they form the protective mucous barrier against acidity. Other compounds in bananas called protease inhibitors, help destroy bacteria that causes stomach ulcers.

6. The high potassium content of bananas helps improve the health condition after consuming much alcohol, and helps prevent the feeling of a hangover.

7. Banana contains tryptophan, an amino acid that makes serotonin, an active ingredient in the nervous system. Among other functions, it regulates sleep and appetite and aids in creating a sense of relaxation.

Grapefruit (Malta) Growing , Care Use and its Health Benefits

Grapefruit is a large orange-like fruit that belongs to the Rutaceae family, in the genus, Citrus. Other members of the genus include oranges, lemon, limes, pomelos, and mandarins (tangerines). The tart, bitter tang of grapefruit is a taste of sunshine in the mouth.

Grapefruit is full of rich vitamins and nutrients; a super-food. Grapefruit juice ranks as one of the highest ranking juices in antioxidants, molecules which are known for their cancer-fighting properties. Antioxidants combat free radicals, harmful substances that cause damage to cells in the body and are ultimately responsible for disease.

Cancer Prevention

Grapefruits are packed with Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that acts as a scavenger of cancer-causing free radicals. An antioxidant compound, called naringenin, is also found in grapefruit. Naringenin stimulates DNA repair in prostate cancer cells and protects the body from developing cancer.

Lower Cholesterol Levels

Grapefruit contains a lot of soluble fiber pectin which has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels.

Prevent Stroke

Eating citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit may lower ischemic stroke risk for women.

Strengthens Immune System

Grapefruit is packed with flavonoids, a natural chemical compounds that have been found to strengthen immune system. They also have a good amount of vitamin C, which provides protection against immune system deficiencies.

Helps in Losing Weight

Grapefruit can boost the metabolism and thus help in losing weight.

Reduces Kidney Stones Risk

Grapefruit juice can reduce the risk of calcium oxalate kidney stones.

Prevents Arthritis

Grapefruit can prevent arthritis as it contains salicylic acid that helps break down the body’s inorganic calcium, which may lead to arthritis.

Fights Gum Disease

Eating grapefruit could also help fight gum disease.

Aid Digestion

As grapefruit contains a dietary fiber called pectin, it can also help to prevent constipation and promotes better digestion.

Bottle Gourd Essential Vegetables Care , Growing Use and its Health Benefits

The bottle gourd is yellowish-green in colour and has a vine grown for its fruit.. The vegetable has a white pulp, with white seeds embedded in the spongy flesh.

 Health Benefits:-

1. Skin Care:
The high intake of Vitamin C reduces the wrinkles and dryness of skin. Vitamin C is an antioxidant which can lower the oxidative damage associated with stress, pollution and poor diet. Free radicals speeds up the process of aging whereas the adequate consumption of Vitamin C slows down the appearance.

2. Healthy Heart:
Calabash or Lauki (Bottle Gourd) is known to be healthy enough for your heart. It aids in reducing high blood pressure and thus keeps your heart healthy. Presence of minerals like sodium, potassium and other essential minerals and trace elements helps in regulating blood pressure and prevent the risk of heart problems.

3. Hair Health:
 It is also known to be beneficial for hair health. It is believed that drinking one glass of lauki juice in the morning aids in treating greying of hair.

4. Control blood pressure:
High Blood Pressure is common for many people. This can be reduced by often drinking gourd juice. Normal blood pressure is a good sign of health and high blood pressure can be managed well with proper diet and timely consumption of bottle gourd juice.

5. Treats Cancer:
The high intakes of Vitamin C increase the cancer counteract effects of drugs that are used in chemotherapy. Vitamin C targets the cells that need the nutriments whereas the drugs harm the normal cells as well. Researchers view that Vitamin C is an effective cancer treatment for the lung and ovarian cancer.

6. Hormonal Balance:
Zinc plays a vital role in the production of hormones such as increase in testosterone. Zinc affects the female sex hormones and also involves in the creation as well as release of eggs from the ovaries. Zinc is essential for the estrogen and progesterone production in women that assist the reproductive health. The level of estrogen either too high or too low leads to the problems with menstruation, early menopause, mood swings, infertility and increase chances of cancers.

7. Helps treat Hypertension:
Bottle Gourd has rich amount of sodium, and potassium and is thus known to be a wonderful fleshy vegetable for patients suffering from hypertension.

8. Treating diarrhea:
Taking Calabash or Lauki (Bottle Gourd) with a pinch of salt, helps in maintaining the electrolyte balance in the body. This is also an excellent home remedy for people suffering from diarrhea.

Kohlrabi Seeds Germination ,Growing ,Care Use and its Health Benefits

 

SOWING KOHLRABI SEED INSIDE:

This is the easiest method for a spring sowing although for an autumn crop the seed should be sown directly.

Instructions:

• Over fill the seed module tray with good quality multi-purpose compost with the lumps removed.

• Firmly tap the tray on a solid surface to settle the compost. Scrape away the excess compost from the surface so that the compost is level with the top of the modules.

• Use a pencil or your finger to make a hole in the compost of each module about 2cm deep.

• Drop one seed into each hole and sprinkle in a little compost over the seed so that the compost is again level with the top of the module.Water the compost.

• Place the seeds on a windowsill or any light and airy position where the temperature is in the range 50°F / 10°C to 80°F / 27°C, room temperature is ideal. Kohlrabi seeds will germinate in temperatures as low as 40°F / 4.5°C.

• The seeds will germinate in about 10 days and be ready for planting outside in four weeks.

HARDEN OFF KOHLRABI SEEDLINGS:

The plants will be ready for hardening off about four weeks after sowing seed. Hardening off is simply the process of gradually acclimatizing the plants to outside conditions and should take a week or so. The plants will be about 8cm high when they are ready for planting out.

PLANTING OUT KOHLRABI:

Tip the plant out of the module and plant it in the ground (in the soil media) gently firming the soil around it. Each plant should be 30cm / 1ft apart and if planting more than one row, the rows should be 25cm / 10in apart. This is particularly important because the edible part of kohlrabi is the stem just above soil level which swells into a small ball shape. If the stem where the ball forms is partially or fully below soil level it will rot.

SOWING KOHLRABI SEED OUTSIDE:

Kohlrabi can be sown outside either for an early summer or an autumn crop. Kohlrabi has an excellent germination rate even in cold conditions so there is no need to sow the seeds densely. Before sowing prepare the soil media. Make a groove in the soil about 1 to 2cm deep and sow one seed every 5cm / 2in. Cover with soil with compost and sprinkle water.

TAKING CARE OF KOHLRABI:

Do water the plants in dry weather conditions because lack of water will lead to woody stems. They need more water compared to most other plants.

To help with water retention a mulch around them will do wonders. Grass cuttings are an ideal and cheap solution which will slowly rot down and provide a small amount of nitrogen feed.

Apple the most Powerful Fruits Plantation Germination ,Growing ,Care, Use and its Surprising Health Benefits.

  

 

Apples are packed with a storehouse of vitamins and nutrients, which can enhance your immune system and ward off diseases. Apples come in different varieties and have a distinct rosy scent because they belong to the rose family of plants, ‘Rosaceae.’

Health Benefits of Eating Apples:

• Apple is a good source of flavonoids and polyphenols. Both are effective antioxidants.
• Consuming 100g of apple can provide an antioxidant benefit which is equivalent to consuming about 500mg of vitamin C.
• Apple features a significant amount of vitamins and minerals that can strengthen the body.
• Apple consists of malic acid along with tartaric acid that can prevent disorder of liver and the digestive system.
• Apple cider vinegar when used as a drink can help to protect against the development of kidney stone. It is also a drink that helps reduce belly fat. Eating an apple a day can help boost kidney function.
• The skin of the fruit has pectin that may help eliminate harmful substances from the body by providing galacturonic acid. Pectin helps avoid protein within the intestine from going bad.
• Consuming an apple every day can reduce cholesterol and lessen skin conditions.
• Apple peel contains ursolic acid, which accelerate calorie burn and help in weight loss.
• Apples help to promote lung function. 
• Apples are believed to raise the production of acetylcholine -a natural chemical, so they may sharp memory and lower your risk of Alzheimer’s.
• Apples contain chemical substances called triterpenoids, which may fight against certain cancers like colon, liver, and breast.
• Apples are an excellent source of simple carbohydrate, which can be transformed into energy quickly. The fruit’s high fibers content allows one to feel replete without sense slowed down.
• Apples are great in potassium, a mineral that helps control high blood pressure, they can help prevent stroke.
• The stinging and chewing of this fruits increases the release of saliva in the mouth that slowdowns tooth decay. It also whitens teeth.