Potato Cultivation , Growing ,Care Use and its Health Benefits

Description:

The potato is a starchy, tuberous crop, come from the perennial nightshade Solanum tuberosum family. Potatoes are edible tubers, available worldwide and all year long. The crop typically grows ugly and shapeless in almost all of its varieties. But the approximate appearance of a potato is round,oval to long and the size small to medium. Out side of a potato is delicate thin white or tan skin and white flesh inside.

Health Benefits:

1. Potato contains huge quantity of iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, and zinc, all help the body to build and maintain bone structure and strength.
2. Potatoes are the good source carbohydrates which is very helpful to gaining weight.
3. The presence of a good amount of carbohydrates in potatoes predominantly helps digest the food.
4. The essential quantity of minerals like potassium, magnesium and calcium,are all present in the potato. And these have been found to decrease blood pressure naturally.
5. Potatoes contain good amounts of fiber. Fiber helps lower the total amount of cholesterol in the blood, thereby decreasing the risk of heart disease.
6. Potatoes are a great source of vitamin B6. This plays a vital role in energy metabolism, by breaking down carbohydrates and proteins into glucose and amino acids.
7. Potatoes are good for maintain healthy skin as the minerals like magnesium,phosphorous, zinc and potassium function like beauty agents and use to prevent aging signs.
8. Potatoes are extremely beneficial for reducing external and internal inflammation.

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

 Description:

Pumpkin is a very common vegetable. It is a seasonal plant. And it is a fast-growing vine that creeps along the surface in a similar fashion as that of other Cucurbitaceae family vegetables and fruits such as cucumber, squash and so on. Pumpkin is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, energy and other nutrients like water, carbohydrate, fat, protein and such other.


Health Benefits:

1. Pumpkin contains  potassium, antioxidant, beta carotene properties which is very helpful to our health grow.
2. As pumpkin contains huge quantity of water that makes you feel full for hours and keeps you hydrated. And thus it is low in calories and helps to loss weight for a perfect diet.
3. Pumpkin is very useful to remove optical problems  and therefore maintains the eye health.
4. Pumpkin pulp and seeds both are high in vitamin C and beta-carotene. These offer a boost to the immune system using a powerful combination of nutrients.
5. It helps to protect the heart from ailments. Also, a good intake of potassium is proven to reduce the risk of stroke. And the magnesium and fiber in it is essential to our heart health.
6. Pumpkin may helps to control the diabetes.
7. It reduces the risk of cancer.
8. The pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc, and it raises testosterone levels. So it has the power to boost the male sexual health.
9. Pumpkin will also help reduce one of the more common symptoms of pregnancy which known as dreaded constipation.
10. Pumpkins are rich in tryptophan, they could also act as a sleep stimulants.
11. Pumpkin, mainly the seeds helps to reduce the inflammation.
12. Pumpkins are very helpful to women's health. It reduces the risk of bladder stones. And it is also helpful to the women who have menopause. 

Orchid seeds sowing and potting guide

Sowing Orchid Seed:
Growing orchid from seed is the most rewarding, but it will be another five years or so before you see the results of a new flowering orchid, so you will need to be patient.
Step by step guide;
1. pour a small quantity of the seeds into the sterilizing solution.
2. a screw-top jar containing sterilized jelly should be ready to receive the sterilized seed from the test tube.
3. using a platinum wire loop, carefully spread the seed across the surface of the jelly. Reseal the jar.
4. Put the jar there where the temperature can be carefully controlled, under special fluorescent tubes or such other.
5. Within a few days the first signs of life appear as the seed, lying on the surface of the jar turns green.
6. After a few week the seed masses swell into mounds of bright green protocorms. Each one is a individual plant.
7. Within several months, each protocorm will have produced a tiny leaf from the top and a root from the base.
8. The young plants with distinguishable leaves, will grow vigorously on a different medium.


Potting up orchid seedlings:
1. Using a wire hook, remove the seedlings and the agar into the bowl of water. Wear gloves as the water contains a fungicide.
2. Remove the plants, one at a time making sure that they are clean and free from jelly.
3. Grade the seedlings into sizes and discard the smallest and any large misshapen ones.The large ones can be coarse and may produce ugly flowers.
4. Use a compost perhaps of fine bark and perlite, and pot up each seedling into a segregated tray. Hold a plant  by the tip of the leaf and pour the compost in with the other hand. It is not necessary to firm the plant down.
5. The segregation method ensures that if one plant damps off it is not likely to affect its neighbours.
6. When the tray is full label with a stock number or name and the date of potting. Yong seedlings placed in warm place and kept evenly moist will grow quickly.
7. Six to nine months later the tray will be full of vigorous young plants which are now ready for potting now.
8. The advantage of segregated trays is that when the plant is ready for potting into a large pot there is less disturbance of the rootball when it is removed.
9. Damping off often takes place. The aftercare of orchids certainly through the first 12 months as well as through winter can be a trying time for a grower.

Orchid's caring - daily feeding and watering

In order to grow orchids successfully, you need to create an environment that imitates their native habits, which mean taking humidity, temperature and light into consideration, as well as their feeding and resting needs.

Feeding: 

There was a time when the feeding of orchids was frowned upon. But now as the nutritional needs of orchids have better understood and modern inorganic compost materials have increased, feeding orchids has become scientifically based. Orchids can be fed at all ages, from young seedlings and propagation to adult plants. Feed only healthy plants, as they have the ability to absorb and convert the chemicals. Do not feed plants that are sick or have lost their roots.

How to feed:

As a general guide apply feed added to the water at every second or third watering. By using plain water in between the feeds, any leftover chemicals in the compost will be washed through, avoiding the build-up of any residue. Feed very sparingly during the winter and more liberally in summer, when there is better light and higher temperatures to balance the extra nutrients being supplied.
 Fertilizers: Fertilizers consisted of horn and bone-meal powder mixed with the compost(at early stage) and another products like cow-tea and ammonia were also used at later stage.

Watering: 

Watering is the greatest cause of uncertainty among orchid growers, and whether a plant is ready for water or not is always under debate. As a general rule, water a typical orchid once or twice a week in the growing season and once every two or three weeks while it is resting. commence watering when new growth shows in the spring.
Keep plants evenly moist while they are growing. Always remember, limp foliage may indicate under-watering or even over-watering.

Methods of watering: 

1. Water orchids indoor regularly from the rim of the pot, using a spouted watering can. Thoroughly soak the compost right through.
2. Orchid such as Asconopsis, has been allowed to become dry for a considerable time, dip it in a bucket of water and allow it to soak for 10 minutes to wet the compost thoroughly.
3. Orchid that grow on bark in a greenhouse should be dipped in a bucket of water at least once a week and sprayed daily.

Grow Your Orchid Indoor and Outdoor

Orchids are grown for the astonishing beauty and variety of their flowers. The most beautiful are the gorgeous South American cattleyas, rosy-purple and mauve blooms; these are the aristocrats of the orchid world. Others have an altogether different appeal; these are the strangely weird, sometimes evil-smelling species, which are found among the bulbophyllums in particular.

Orchids can charm and tantalize, fascinate and frustrate. They provide endless satisfaction and they are lifelong plants. Daily spraying, weekly watering and feeding, and constant attention to growing requirements, such as light, warmth and your orchid's general comfort, is a rewarding process.

Types of Orchid

There are a number of different types of orchid which are classified according to the way they live and survive ,whether they are supported by trees or rocks or grow in the ground. 
1. EPIPHYTES: Those orchids that have evolved to live upon trees are called epiphytes.

2. TERRESTRIALS: These orchids grow in the ground, and there is hardly any area where terrestrial orchids have not adapted to grow. 

3. LITHOPHYTES: Performing a balancing act somewhere between the epiphytes inhabiting the trees and the terrestrial in the soil are lithophytes. 



Some Orchids suitable for growing indoor:

Brassia verrucosa, Coelogyne cristata, Cymbidiums(small growing), Dendrobium infundibulum, Laelia anceps, Lycaste aromatica, Miltoniopsis, Odontoglossum, Oncidium ornithorhynchum, Paphiopedilums, Phalaenopsis, Pleiones, Prosthechea radiata.

Some Orchids suitable for growing in a conservatory: 

Anguloa clowesii, Angulocaste hybrids, Brassia verrucosa, Cattleyas plus allied genera, Coelogyne cristata, Cymbidiums(small growing & larger growing), Dendrobium infundibulum, Laelia anceps, Lycaste aromatica, Miltoniopsis, Odontoglossum, Oncidium ornithorhynchum, Paphiopedilums, Phalaenopsis, Pleiones, Prosthechea radiata.

Rose - "Sky line" and its characteristic features

Sky Line

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Breeder: Tanatau, 1991.
Blossom: Repeat flowering.
Flower diameter: 6 cm.
Fragrance: Moderate.
Adult dimensions: Height up to 2.50 m.
Foliage: Deciduous.
Type of soil: Rich and free draining, avoid chalky soils.
Climate: Very hardy.
Site: Full sun.
Planting spacing: Approximately every 2 m.


Properties and uses:
The Rose 'Sky Line' is a plant of long stem. It has fresh yellow colour flowers, with long lasting quality. The flowers are high centered. This Rose is good for cutting.

Availability or time of plantation :

When growing in the garden, roses should be planted between November and February. Roses are available all year round and are sold either as seeds or as cuttings. If you are growing in a pot, they can be planted at any time.

 Care Tips:

Roses need to be fed regularly and the amount of feeding will depend on the kind of soil they are planted in. Pruning is also important and should be done after between mid-February and mid-March during a sustained frost-free period.

Cactus care

Light and air:

1. Succulents and Cacti should be kept in airy and lighting position around the year. A south-facing window is ideal for most types.
2. Few other succulents like Aloe, Gasteria, Haworthia etc. will be quite happy in under the shadow.
To keep them healthy, succulents should get sunlight falling on it for at least a part of the day. That means they need low light, either in morning or at afternoon sun. Only for 4 to 5 hours sunlight is enough.
3. If you have the north-facing window, which never gets any sunlight, try to install a plant light, or create an artificial light, using the mirror or put your plants outdoors in the sunlight.
4. Some Epiphytic cacti such as Christmas & Easter, Rhipsalis etc. are suitable for North-facing window. These plants give you better flowers under these conditions.
5. Never bring the cactus home and place it in the bright sun, cactus burns under the sun just like people.

Water for Cacti and Succulents:

1. Succulents need water when they are dry in the summer. Allow the plants to become dry before watering again as they don't like wet feet all the time.
2. Sprinkle can help keep the plants free from dust and look healthier. Exceptions are the rosette types where water gets trapped and cause rotting e.g. Echeveria.
3. The jungle cacti or epiphytes such as Orchid cacti or Christmas cacti need water every time.
4. In the winter, from November to February, most plants need no water at all, unless kept at a high temperature when a little water is needed to prevent undue shrivelling.

Food:

When you bring the plant home, most of the time it is in a small pot and it probably has grown there for a long time, which means it has used probably all the nutrients in the soil. So think about re-potting and setting up feeding program. Most cactus-like several small feedings than one large feeding. The other way is to give the plants food three times a year (spring, summer, fall) with a dilute solution of plant food like (5-10-5). This should do them well for the year.

Flowers:

1. It is a myth that the cactus flowers only every seven years. Once the size of the bloom is reached, they bloom every year and some even bloom twice a year. Many cacti reach flowering size in two years, while some take ten years to mature. The latest plants are usually grown for their attractive thorns and flowers.
2. To produce flowers, cacti need a period of rest and fresh dry winter. A cold room is ideal for this. Given this rest, every season, and lots of sunshine, many varieties bloom on a window ledge, but there are some that produce better results in the greenhouse or conservatory. To facilitate successful growth, we give you the following - Echinopsis, orchid cactus (Epiphyllum), Gymnocalycium, Mammillaria, Rebutia (Aylostera) Notocactus, and also Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera).
3. Bloom has been greatly helped by regular feeding with a fertilizer high in potash during growing season. Each tomato fertilizer is ideal. Feed them every third watering.

Re-potting time:

1. When you cannot see any soil from the pot or if the cactus covers the pot, you need to re-pot.
2. The best way in this matter is a vessel two times bigger than the earlier post after 12 months.
3. In the larger plate, a good, gritty, porous compost is required as a mixture.
4. To make your own mix, we recommend 50% horticultural sand, 30% clogging or barren land, 15% perlite or pumice, 5% peat moss or potting soil. A slow-release fertilizer such as Osmocote (NPK 18-16-12) can be added, which provides nutritional needs.
5. Move the plant away from the high ground of compost (peat/compost of leaves) content that tends to decompose in a year or two. Coir (coconut fibre) holds better the structure and serves as the renewable resource.

Ashwagandha use and its health benefits

                      Ashwagandha 


Description:

The Sanskrit term "Ashwagandha" means "smell of the horse," which refers to both its unique smell and ability to increase strength.
Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng, has a wide range of health benefits, which include its ability to fight cancer and diabetes, reduce inflammation, and prevent arthritis, asthma, hypertension, stress, and rheumatism. Furthermore, it boosts the supply of antioxidants and regulates the immune system. It also has antibacterial and anticonvulsant properties. Ashwagandha is also useful for men as a remedy for infertility and erectile dysfunction.


Ashwagandha belongs to nightshade family as the tomato, erect branching growing shrub, with a height up to 1.5 meters. Ashwagandha is a hardy and drought tolerant plant. It's leaves are dull green colour, an elliptic shape, usually up to 10 to 12 cm in length. Usually, the flowers are small, greenish yellow and bell-shaped. The ripe fruit is berry usually an orange-red colour.

Health Benefits:

Ashwagandha is an incredibly healthy medicinal herb.
Ashwagandha also provides all sorts of other benefits for your body and brain.
It can lower blood sugar levels, reduce cortisol, boost brain function and help fight symptoms of anxiety and depression.

1. Ashwagandha has an emerging qualities and is novel alternative in the field of oncology, in association with radiation therapy and chemotherapy, because of its cancer-killing properties.

2. It's an ancient medicinal herb, and has become a popular supplement due to its health benefits.

3. Ashwagandha, with its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, is good for cardiovascular problems. It strengthens the heart muscles.

4. It reduces the the level of cholesterol.

5. Ashwagandha plays an important role as an aphrodisiac as well as a way to improve semen quality by increasing the sperm count and sperm mobility.

6. It increased insulin secretion and improved insulin sensitivity in muscle cells and thus it helps in reducing blood sugar levels.

7. It increases the activity of natural killer cells, which are immune cells that fight infection and help you stay healthy.

8. It promotes antioxidant activity that protects nerve cells from harmful free radicals. Its essential properties improve our Brain Function,and also Memory.

9. Ashwagandha can be used to stimulate the thyroid gland.

10. Ashwagandha helps increase testosterone levels and significantly boosts sperm quality and fertility in men.

11. Ashwagandha is applied to the skin for treating wounds, backache, and one-sided paralysis.

The side effects of taking ashwagandha:


Ashwagandha is generally considered well-tolerated in small to medium doses. But there haven’t been enough long-term studies to examine possible side effects.

Pregnant women should avoid using ashwagandha because it can cause early delivery.

Ashwagandha may defect the kidney and eyesight.
It’s important to remember that ashwagandha shouldn’t replace any medical treatments recommended by your doctor. If you do choose to use the herb as part of your treatment plan, make sure to first discuss it with your doctor.

Garlic - Herb Plantation ,Growing ,Care Use and its Health Benefits

Description:


Garlic is a pungently odoriferous member of the allium family. Garlic is a delicious aromatic herb that is not only used in cooking, but it also boosts your health. It has been used as a medicine to prevent or treat various diseases and conditions for thousand of years. The whole garlic is called a 'head' or 'knob'. Each small, individual segment of a garlic head is a clove.

Health Benefits:-

1. Garlic contains numerous vital nutrients – flavonoids, oligosaccharides, alliin and allicin and also high levels of sulfur.

2. It is a good source of vitamins B1, B5, B6 and C, as well as calcium,iron, manganese,phosphorous and zinc.

3. Aged garlic extract stimulates white blood cells (lymphocytes, macrophages, monocytes, and neutrophils) by increasing glutathione. White blood cells help fight infections by attacking bacteria, viruses, and germs that invade the body.

4. Have a clove of raw garlic in the morning before your morning walk or morning run to keep cardiovascular diseases miles away.

5. Garlic is most well-known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties. They help control bacterial, viral, fungal, yeast and worm infections.

6. Aged garlic extract reduced the severity of colds and the flu by increasing the number of immune cells and by boosting the immune system.

7. Consume raw garlic instead of the cooked bulb, therefore help to lower the blood sugar levels.

8. Garlic is used in the prevention and treatment of breast, colon, rectal and prostate cancer.

9. Garlic reduces breast pain, menstrual pain, premenstrual syndrome and lumpy breast tissue in cases of fibrocystic breast disease.

10. Simply putting some crushed garlic clove directly on the affected tooth can help relieve toothaches due to its antibacterial and analgesic properties (Be aware - that it can be irritating to the gum).

11. Garlic inhibited cell growth and selectively killed HIV-infected immune cells.

12. Garlic protects the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation by stimulating immune cells in human body.

Eat a small bowl of plain yogurt, or drink a glass of milk. Both cause a discernible reduction in garlic breath. Or if you dip the garlic clove in curd for overnight, and it will produce smell-free garlic at morning.
Taking too much garlic can lead to stomach upset, vomiting and diarrhea. Also, since the garlic is released on your sweat, you might end up smelling like garlic whenever you perspire.

Cinnamon - Herb , Care Use and its Health Benefits

Cinnamon

Description:

Cinnamon is a spice that is made from the inner bark of trees called Cinnamomum. The term "cinnamon" also is used to describe its mid-brown colour. Cinnamon is the name for several species of trees and the commercial spice products that some of them produce. Ground cinnamon is a rich source of vitamin K, calcium, and iron, while providing moderate amounts of vitamin B6, vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc.

Health Benefits:

1. Cinnamon has anti-biotic and anti-microbial effects that protect skin from irritations, rashes, allergic reactions, and infections.

2. Cinnamon has powerful anti-fungal properties may be effective in stopping or curing Candida overgrowth in the digestive tract.

3. It reduces levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while HDL cholesterol remains stable.

4. It reduces the level of high blood pressure and therefore helps to maintain a healthy blood pressure.

5. Cinnamon helps to reduce the risk of heart disease(heart disease is the world's most common cause of premature death).

6. Cinnamon contains lots of powerful antioxidants, such as polyphenols and thus protect the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.

7. Cinnamon may be useful in this regard, because the antioxidants in it have potent anti-inflammatory activity which helps the body fight infections and repair tissue damage.

8. It helps defend against cognitive decline and protects brain function.

9. It eases PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) Symptoms, Menstrual Cramps, And Heavy Menstrual Bleeding.

10. Cinnamon may helpful to fight against the HIV, a virus that slowly breaks down your immune system.

Ginseng - Herb , Use and its Health Benefits

Ginseng

Description:

Ginseng is actually a broad term that incorporates nearly a dozen different species of plants belonging to the Panax genus.The light-colored, fleshy root is the most medicinally valuable element of the plant and can be purchased in dried, whole, or sliced form. The green, oval leaves of ginseng are used on a far more limited basis, but they do have some uses.

Health Benefits:

1. Ginseng help to lower oxidative stress, fight fatigue, enhance physical activity, and boost energy, especially in cancer patients.

2. Ginseng stimulates cognitive abilities and neural activity that can be difficult to achieve in older ages.

3. Ginseng is often used to reduce inflammation.

4. Ginseng may help lower blood sugar and help treat diabetes. Ginsenosides may affect insulin production in the pancreas and improve insulin resistance using other mechanisms.

5. ginseng affects the body’s nervous system in various ways, including boosting mood and energy levels. Besides, the adaptogens found within ginseng have been shown to alter the hormonal levels of the body, which can treat chronic stress.

Saffron - Herb Care Use and its Health Benefits

Saffron 

Description:

Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the "saffron crocus". The vivid crimson stigmas and styles, called threads, are collected and dried to be used mainly as a seasoning and colouring agent in food. But none can deny its huge benefits to our health. Saffron contains huge quantity of manganese and other essentials like vitamin C, magnesium, and iron, potassium and vitamin B6.


Health Benefits:

1. Mental stimulation is among the health benefits of saffron.Safranal and crocin, two compounds present in saffron, regulate neurochemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine which help reduce symptoms in mild to moderate depression even without conventional psychiatric medications.

2. Antioxidants present in it has anti-aging properties; thus, keeping the skin supple and radiant.

3. Saffron can also whiten the skin, prevent acne, and fade scars, dark spots, and other skin blemishes. It also has vitamin B2 which helps to heal chapped lips.

4. This spice is a well known sexual enhancer. A glass of milk with a pinch of saffron every night is all you need to increase your libido.

5. Saffron contains a dark orange, water soluble carotene called crocin, which is responsible for much of saffron's golden color. Crocin has been found to trigger apoptosis [ programmed cell death] in a number of different types of human cancer cells, leukemia, ovarian carcinoma, colon adenocarcinoma, and soft tissue sarcoma.

6. Saffron is a stimulant tonic and very effective to treat cold and fever. A pinch of saffron mixed in milk and applied over the forehead quickly relieves cold.

7. In under developed girls, saffron has an overall stimulant effect. And it is very useful to stimulate hormones and bring about desired effect.