Amla & Amla Berry Germination ,Growing ,Care, Use and its Surprising Health Benefits.

Embelica Officinalis, known as Amla or Indian Gooseberry or Nelli is an important fruit with high medicinal value. The fruits have the richest source of vitamin-C and are considered to be a good liver tonic.


POSITION:

Plant Amla tree in a location that is less windy and sunny. The well-draining and sloppy position are good for its growth.
SOIL:

Well-drained, loamy to light heavy soil that is deep and rich in organic matter is required for growing amla tree. A pH level can be between slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. The waterlogged and clay-rich soil is detrimental and must be avoided, same is the case with too sandy soils.

CLIMATE:
It is a tropical plant. The annual rainfall of 630-800 mm is ideal for its growth. The young plant up to the age of 3 years should be protected from hot wind during May-June and from frost during winter months. The mature plants can tolerate freezing temperature as well as a high temperature up to 46OC.
WATERING:

Regular and abundant watering is essential at the young age. Once the tree gets established it doesn’t require regular and frequent watering. However, you can water the plant during the period of active growth or in a drought like conditions in summer. Watering 2-3 times in a month in summer is sufficient for a mature tree. In any case, water stagnation must be avoided.
TEMPERATURE:

Amla tree is tough and resistant to exploits of climate. It bears mild snowfall during winter months in the forest of Western Himalayas and tolerates extreme heat and dry atmosphere in tropical India. It is sensitive to prolonged freezing temperatures and grows best when it is not exposed to frost.




GROWING

1. Spread amla berries in sunlight to dry until they are shrivelled if you don't begin with amla seeds. Peel off the pulp to uncover the berries' hexagonal stones. Locate the small seeds inside the stones, and pry them out, cutting the stones if necessary.

2. Drop the amla seeds into a container of water. Discard all seeds that don't sink into the water. Let the seeds soak in the water for 12 hours.

3. Fill seedling pots with a potting soil containing equal portions of sand, compost, and garden loam. Plant one amla seed in each pot, placing each seed at a depth three times its diameter in the potting soil. Moisten the potting soil, and cover the pots with plastic wrap. Remove the plastic wrap as needed to moisten the soil, ensuring it stays damp. Germination should occur in two weeks to one month. Continue to grow the seedlings in pots for eight to 10 months, until they reach 10 to 12 inches in height.

4. Choose a planting location with deep, rich, well-drained loam and full sun exposure. Although amla does best in deep, rich soil, it grows in almost any ground that isn't extremely alkaline or soggy. Dig planting holes 30 feet apart, and mix a few shovelfuls of composted manure into the soil of each hole. Plant the seedlings at the same soil depth in the holes that they were in their pots. Place composted manure on top of the soil around the seedlings, keeping it several inches from their trunks. Water the planting sites.

5. Snip back the tips of your saplings when the trees reach 3 feet tall. Doing so forces them to branch out. Allow a few of the strongest branches evenly spaced around the trunk to remain, but remove all weak growth.

6. Give each tree about 5 ounces of granular, fruit tree fertilizer twice during the first year, scratching the fertilizer into the ground around each tree's trunk and watering that ground afterwards. Double the amount of fertilizer the second year, and gradually increase it so each tree receives about 3 pounds of the fertilizer per application when it is 10 years old. After the trees begin to produce fruits, schedule the feedings so that one feeding occurs just after the blossoms fall and the other feeding occurs four months afterwards.

7. Water the trees at least once every two weeks during summer. Expect the trees to flower during summer and to produce fruits during winter to early spring.


8. Pick the fruits after they turn from green to greenish yellow or greenish white, but check the seeds inside one berry before picking all of the berries. Seeds that turned from white to black indicate the fruit is ripe.

Coriander Germination ,Growing ,Care, Use and its Health Benefits.

Coriander is a fast growing annual or biennial herb of the Parsley Family.It comes with large umbrella leaves.The name cilantro refers to the fresh leaf, also known as Chinese parsley. Coriander is the name for the seeds.It is very fast growing and automatic herb grow especially in the cooler weather of spring and fall.
 SPECIFICATION OF CORIANDER

Common name: Coriander

Height: 18 to 24 inches (45-60cm)
Difficulty level: Easy

Sunlight: Coriander likes a sunny position but it needs shade due to hot summer days.

Soil: Plant the seeds in light, well-drained soil and space them 1 to 2 inches apart direct in outdoors after the last frost. Sow the seeds at 3-week intervals for continued harvest or Start seeds in propagation starter cubes or plugs indoors six weeks before planting outdoors.Space rows about 12 inches apart. Coriander prefers a deep, fertile soil which can be either light or heavy, as long as it is well draining.


 





The plants, which grow about 2 feet high, are cultivated in rows about 18 inches apart, generally from seed sown in early spring. The seed heads which ripen about midsummer are gathered and dried, then beaten with light rods or flails to separate the seeds.


Water requirements :

 Use watering as it is needed. By moving the water stream constantly waves the can. Do not let the water to flood area. Or use a sprayer to spray the water like mist.Do not over water.

Use and benefit of coriander :

Coriander has following benefits

1.Coriander helps to lower bad cholesterol and increases the levels of good cholesterol.

2.This herb also helps to control heart rate and blood pressure. It is a good source f potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese and iron as well as low in sodium.Iron is vital for red blood cell production and manganese is used as a cofactor for the antioxidant enzyme.

3. Vitamin K in it is good for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

4.Some of the components of essential oils found in coriander such as Borneol and Linalool, aid in digestion, proper functioning of the liver and bonding of bowels, while also helping to reduce diarrhoea.

True English Lavender Vera

Lavender Vera is thought to be the true English Lavender. Also called True Lavender or Fine Lavender, it is thought to be the best Lavender for medicinal and aromatherapy purposes. This evergreen is a staple plant for the herb garden, the fragrant flowers have been used in perfumes, poultices and potpourris for centuries.

It is an excellent plant for low informal hedging and as a specimen evergreen for borders and formal gardens. For best effect plant it by doors and paths, where it's delightful scent can be fully appreciated.




SPECIFICATION OF LAVENDER

Family Lamiaceae
Genus Lavandula
Species angustifolia
Synonym Lavender Vera
Common Name- True English Lavender, Fine Lavender
Hardiness- Hardy Perennial
Flowers -Mid to late Spring
Foliage- Evergreen, narrow grey-green leaves
Height -30 to 45cm (12 to 18in)
Spread- 45 to 60cm (18 to 24in)
Position- Prefers Full Sun, Sheltered
Soil Well-drained/light, Chalky/alkaline, Dry, Sandy

Germination- 21 to 90 Days
Notes Herb, Evergreen Shrub. (Hardy)


BENEFITS OF LAVENDER VERA

1.Reduces anxiety and emotional stress
2.Heals burns and wounds
3.Improves sleep
4.Restores skin complexion and reduces acne
5.Slows aging with powerful antioxidants
6.Improves eczema and psoriasis

GERMINATION

Late winter to late spring (February to April) or sow in late summer to autumn (August to Oct)
Lavender can be sown at anytime of year but prefers the ground temperature to be around 13 to 18°C (55 to 65°F). Sow seed on the surface of a well drained, seed compost in pots or trays. Cover seed with a light sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Keep at a temperature of between 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F). Germination in 21 to 90 days.

When large enough to handle, transplant seedlings into 7.5cm (3in) pots. Acclimatize to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15 days before planting out after all risk of frost, 45cm (18in) apart. For best results, provide any ordinary, well-drained soil in full sun.

COLD GERMINATION
Put seeds into 40° C water for 24 hours.
Put seeds into very wet sands or coco pit then it must be able to retain the moisture and to circulate the oxygen for germination. ( Generally it take more than 40 days. )
Move it into soil after it sprouts.
Germination temperature: 20-25℃
Germination time: 40 days
Growth optimum temperature: 10-25 ℃
Spacing: 20 * 20cm
Rose on soil not ask for much, just with some humus soil aggregate

As prepare a planting mix with the sand, soil and vermicompost=>Sprinkle diluted fungicide water (2gm in 1 liter water) after sowing the seeds. Make a hole in the potting mix with your finger=>Insert each seed in a hole as 1/3=>Place the planted pots or flats in a warm, above 60ºF (15.5ºC), sunny place=>too wet is quite dangerous for the seeds so keep the potting soil moist but not too wet until the seeds emerge, which should be in about 21 days=>cover the mixture with poly bag=> after 21 days you can remove the plastic.

CULTIVATION

Lavenders do best in moderately fertile, well-drained, alkaline soils in full sun. Once established they thrive on poor, dry, stony soils, but do not tolerate water logging. In poorly-drained soils plant on a mound or, in the case of hedging, on a ridge which will keep the base of the plants out of saturated soil. On heavier soils consider adding large quantities of gravel to improve drainage. It will grow in slightly acid soils.

Adequate spacing is essential to provide good air circulation. For informal plantings allow up to 90cm (36in). Where grown as a hedge, plant about 30cm (12in) apart or 45cm (18in) apart for taller cultivars. Prune back to encourage bushy growth. Although lavenders are drought-tolerant, they need watering until established. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.

Lavenders grow well in containers but are deep rooted and need large pots with a diameter of 30 to 45cm (12 to 18in). Use a loam-based compost such as John Ines No. 3 with added coarse grit for drainage and a controlled-release fertilizer. Plants will need regular watering in summer, but should be kept on the dry side over winter.


PRUNING

Lavenders should be pruned every year to keep them in a tidy shrub form. Pruning or trimming should be done each year in late summer, as soon as the blooms have faded, so that the bushes have time to make a little new growth before winter. On established plants use secateurs to remove flower stalks and about 2.5cm (1in) of the current year’s growth, making sure that some green growth remains. Hard pruning is sometimes done in April, but this means the loss of a season’s flowers.


HARVESTING

Harvesting Lavender is one of the most enjoyable pleasures any gardener can have. Lavender flower heads look grey before the flowers open. Cut lavender stems when the lowest blossom opens. Make the cut slightly above the first set of leaves leaving a stem length suitable for a vase or whatever flower arrangement you choose. The color will be more vivid when dried.

Cut the flower stems during the cool of the morning after the dew has dried. The fragrance is the strongest then, and the blossoms will keep most of the perfume oils present, even when dried. Keep cutting blooming stems to encourage more growth. Plants can flower up to three times during a summer.

Tie the stems in small bunches and hang upside down in a warm dark place for the deepest colour and to prevent them from bending. More essential oils will be retained, too. Use a dark, dry, airy room for fast drying. It will take about a week for the flowers to completely dry.

PLANT USES
Banks and Slopes, City/Courtyard Gardens, Coastal, Cottage/Informal Garden, Drought Resistant, Flowers Borders and Beds, Garden Edging, Gravel Garden, Mediterranean, Patio/Container Plants, Rock Garden or Wildlife Gardens.
Aromatherapy, Culinary uses, Companion Plant and Insect repellent.


COMPANION PLANT

The scent of lavender repels fleas and moths can protect nearby plants from insects such as white-fly. While flowering it nourishes many nectar feeding and beneficial insects. Lavender planted under and near to fruit trees can deter coddling moth.

AS AN INSECTICIDE

Simply planting lavender within your garden works as a natural insecticide, simply because of its fragrance, which insects despise. Planting lavender around plants that are prone to insect infestation helps keep bugs at bay.

Dried lavender flowers are traditionally used for filling sachets and for placing amongst linen. The dried flower can be simply placed inside drawers or closets repels moths and it makes your clothes small great.

OTHER USES

Lavender is a popular herb for the garden it is prized for both its fragrance and its color. Lavender is popular among-st beekeepers and produces a delicately scented honey. The flowers are rich in essential oil which is obtained by distillation. Lavender oil is used extensively in perfumery,

Roses and Lavender, with a little mint and some lemon juice to activate the alkaloids can make both a brilliant pink dye and very tasty pink lemonade. Lavender is a wonderfully fragrant herb whose dried leaves and flowers are often used in floral arrangements, sachets, & potpourri. Lavender is used in baked goods & other deserts and the flowers are even used as decorations on cakes. The flowers are also popularly used in teas to give a relaxing scent & flavor. Lavender also boasts countless medicinal properties. The birds, bees, and butterflies also recognize this as a nectar rich favorite!

NOMENCLATURE

Lavender gets its name from the Latin word lavage, which means to wash. In ancient times, Romans used the aromatic herb to scent their bathwater.

Neem Seed Germination Tips

Neem is commonly called divine tree commonly found throughout greater parts of India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. These fast-growing shade trees can survive drought and grow well in poor soil. And, the leaves, fruit and seeds are edible. The trees commonly grow 50 to 75 feet tall and can live for 200 years. The simplest way to propagate neem trees is by seed.
 
SPECIFICATION OF NEEM:

Height :12 to 18
Flower : white or pale yellow, small, scented.
Bark : Grey or dark reddish brown with numerous and scattered tubercles.

BENEFITS OF NEEM:

• Neem contains Vitamin C, which helps in getting rid of skin problems like blackheads, pigmentation, dullness and aging, thus leaving the skin with a youthful glow.

• Neem leaf has anti fungal and antibacterial properties, making it effective in treating dandruff.

• Traditionally, neem paste is used to condition the hair and scalp.

• Neem is mentioned in most Ayurveda formulations for the treatment of skin disorders because of its detoxifying properties.

GERMINATION:

Use a flat tray like container of 2 inches depth. Make sure you have plenty of holes in it for good water drainage. Put the seedling mix leaving about 0.5 inches space. Evenly spread the seeds over it and cover the seeds with seedling mix. Sprinkle water thoroughly and place the container in a semi shaded place. 

Cover tightly  plastic polythene wrap over the pot to promote soil moisture retention and place it in a dimly lit area of the house. Lift the plastic daily to check that the soil is moist. If not, lightly moisten it with water before replacing the plastic. Expect germination within three to five days.

Remove the plastic as soon as the seedlings emerge, and gradually move the pot to a brighter area over a two-week period so that at the end of that time they're acclimated to being in full sunlight. 

TIPS:

• For the seedling mix take equal quantity of sand, soil and vermicompost and mix all the three ingredients into one container.

• Sprinkle diluted fungicide water (2gm in 1 liter water) after sowing the seeds.We have to careful about putting the seed because seeds will not to go deep inside the mixture.

•  The water used to sprinkle must be mixed with diluted fungicide powder.