Showing posts with label Seeds and Bulbs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seeds and Bulbs. Show all posts

Thursday, 2 February 2017

Nigella plant Germination ,Growing ,Care, and Uses.


 

Nigella is a colourful annual flower. It has many different colours like 
 pale blue, white, pink etc.

SPECIFICATION OF NIGELLA


Difficulty Easy
Exposure: Full sun
Season: Half hardy annual.
USDA Zones: 3 - 10
Height: 8 to 20 inches (20 to 50 cm).
Bloom Season: Summer through fall
Environment: Full sun
Soil Type: Loamy, well-drained, pH 6.1 - 7.8
Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days
Sowing Temperature: 20--25C
Growing Temperature: 18--35C
Grow up / Flower days : 80days
Spacing:15×15cm
Colour of Flower: Light blue
Depth: 1/4 inch
Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
Plant Spacing: 20-30cm (8-12″).
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil.
Optimal soil temperature for germination: 18-21°C (65-70°F). Seeds should sprout in 8-15 days.


 GERMINATION GUIDE :

Step 1

Use a flat seedling tray and its deep will be 10 centimetres, and fill seedling mediator within 3/4  of the rim with a sterile potting soil or sieved vermicompost. Fill the tray with diluted fungicide water (2gm in 1-litre water). Make sure you have plenty of holes in it for good water drainage. And  Allow the soil in the flat to absorb the water through the bottom drainage holes until the soil surface becomes moist.

 Step 2

Sow the seeds in prepared beds and gently press them into the surface. Keep moist until the seeds germinate. Because of their lacy foliage, nigella seedlings are easy to recognize among weeds. Nigella usually grows better from direct-sown seeds than from transplanted seedlings.Keep the distance 11" with the other plants.Try to sow seeds two or three times from late spring to early summer, because they stay  only few weeks. Flower colours include white, blue, pink and purple.

Step 3
Moist again with diluted fungicide water ensure the soil surface it's evenly moist. Cover tightly plastic polythene wrap over the pot to promote soil moisture retention and place it in a 60 to 70 degree Fahrenheit location or in an artificial area of the house that receives indirect light to germinate if it planted in a seedling pot. Lift the plastic after two days  to check that the soil is moist or not. If not, lightly moisten it with a water-filled spray bottle before replacing the plastic.


Step 4
 
The Nigella usually sprout within14 to 21 days.Remove the plastic as soon as the seedlings emerge, and gradually move the pot to a brighter area with six to eight hours of daily sunlight for a two-week period so that at the end of that time they're acclimated to being in full sunlight. Water the seedlings when the soil surface feels dry.

 Step 5

Transplant the Nigella outdoors or in a new pot when they are about 4 weeks old and about 4 to 6 inches tall. Plant at them 6 to 8 inches apart on the ready ground with same depth were they growing at previously.




GERMINATION CARE
After the seedlings germinate, they can relocate to a sunny south- or west-facing window. The soil is kept moist at all times, but not allowed to get soggy. Once the seedlings have three true leaves, they are fed every two weeks with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. Pinching out the growth tips isn't necessary.




IMPORTANT WATERING USE: Use watering can for watering. By moving the water stream constantly waves the can. Do not let the water to flood area. Or use sprayer to spray the water like mist



















Bells verbena Germination ,Growing ,Care, Use .


Bells Verbena is very hardy plant and it must be soft to germinate.It takes full sunlight and temperature minimum 75 -78 degree F.



SPECIFICATION OF BELLS VERBENA


USDA Zones: 6 - 10
Height: 24 in - 3 ft
Bloom Season: Summer through fall
Bloom Color: green
Environment: Full sun
Soil Type: Loamy, well-drained, pH 6.1 - 7.8
Temperature: 75 - 80F
Lower temperature - 65 – 68°F (18 – 20°C)
Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days

Depth: 1/4 inch

Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
Plant Spacing: 8 - 12 inches


GERMINATION GUIDE



Use a flat seedling tray and its deep will be 5 centimetres. Make sure you have plenty of holes in it for good water drainage.



  Take equal quantity of sand, soil and vermicompost. Then mix all the three ingredients into one container.


As the seeds are perfect in size then you can put the seeds over it by 1/3 after that cover the seeds with seedling mix only about 1 cm (one centimetre).




  
Sprinkle diluted fungicide water (2gm in 1-litre water) after sowing the seeds.We have to care about putting the seed because seeds will not go deep into the mixture.




It is recommended that sow the seeds directly in early spring when the soil is 50-60°F (10-16°C). Do not cover seed as light is required for germination. Or 6-8 weeks before the last frost in individual 3" pots or cell packs, as plants have taproots and do not transplant well. Make sure that the water must be mixed with diluted fungicide powder.It is very important to notice to follow that the seeds will not to go very deep inside the mixture by speeding water on the seed if it happens then the fertilization of the seeds are becoming difficult.




 Expect germination within 12-21 days at 65-68°F (18-20°C). For the best germination, chill seeds for 1-2 weeks at 35-40°F (18-20°C) before sowing.


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.


Minimum warm, above 60ºF (15.5ºC), is needed inside the container and it should be placed in the sunny area.After that, the whole thing should be covered with a poly bag and after 21 days later the plastic can be removed.

CLIMATE:

Verbena can be grown in hardiness zone 6-10, although in zone 6 they’re likely to die back to the ground in winter.

LIGHT:

Verbena flower best in full sun (at least six hours per day). Do not cover on that point where you can not see the plastic on the flat or the soil.

SOIL:

Verbena does well in most any kind of soil, as long as it’s well-drained. The ideal soil pH is neutral to slightly acidic.



Tuesday, 31 January 2017

Nicotiana flower seed germination


Nicotina is an annual plant. It produces delicious fragrant that attracts birds and bees.Mostly it is bloomed in summer. The flower can be bloomed all season. It has many colours- red, white, pink, yellow and lavender colours.

SPECIFICATION OF
Scientific name: Nicotiana Alata
Season: Annual and perennial both
USDA Zones: N/A( But reseeds itself, it will act like a perennial)
Height: 36 - 48 inches
Bloom Season: Summer through fall
Bloom Color: Light Pink-White
Soil and Water: Average
Temperature: 75 - 80F
Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days
Light Required: Sun - part shad
Depth: 1/4 inch

Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
Plant Spacing: 15 - 18 inches
Sandy Soil, Loamy Soil, Clay Soil

GERMINATION



Use a flat seedling tray and its deep will be 5 centimeter. Make sure you have plenty of holes in it for good water drainage.

As the seeds are perfect in size then you can put the seeds over it by 1/3 after that cover the seeds with seedling mix only about 1 cm (one centimeter)

Take equal quantity of sand, soil and vermicompost. Then  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.


Thereafter  spreed the Nicotiana seeds on the mixture. If your seeds are so tiny then you can spreed water very lightly and carefully on the seed.Make sure that the water must be mixed with diluted fungicide powder.It is very important to notice to follow that the seeds will not to go very deep inside the mixture by speeding water on the seed, if it happen then the fertilization of the seeds are become difficult.


 Cover tightly  plastic polythene wrap over the pot to promote soil moisture retention and place it in a dimly light area of the house. Lift the plastic daily to check that the soil is moist. If not, lightly moisten it with a water-filled spray bottle 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.


Minimum  warm, above 60ºF (15.5ºC), is needed inside the container and it should be placed in sunny area.After that the whole thing should be covered with a poly bag and after 21 days later the plastic can be removed.

IMPORTANT WATERING USE : Use watering can for watering. By moving the water stream constantly waves the can. Do not let the water to flood area. Or use sprayer to spray the water like mist.



Capsicum Seed Germination ,Growing ,Care, Use and its Health Benefits.


 Capsicum is a vegetable which usually used as an ornamental fruit. It is an annual plant, however, be grown as perennials in tropical regions where temperatures remain between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit year round.


SPECIFICATION OF CAPSICUM

Plant Features:

    Common name: Capsicum
    Botanical Name: Capsicum annum
    Other names: Sweet Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Paprika
    Indian names: Shimla Mirch (Hindi)
    Vegetable type: Fruit Vegetable
    Varieties: Green, Red, Yellow, Purple, Orange, WhiteSeason: Annual
    USDA Zones: 3 - 10
    Height: 60 - 84 inches
    Flower colour: white
    Bloom Season: Summer through fall
    Bloom Color: Yellow, red, green etc
    Environment: Full sun
    Foliage: densely branched
    Soil Type: Loamy, well-drained, pH 6.1 - 7.8
    Temperature: 75 - 80F
    Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days
    Width/Spacing: 20 to 30 cm
    Depth: 1/4 inch

    Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination



    GERMINATION GUIDE

    Make sure you have a good place to grow your capsicums. They need a sunny place to grow with some air flow so they don’t succumb to fungal diseases. If you don’t have a lot of room you can plant them in large pots or along a wall as long as there is a breeze.

    Use a flat seedling tray and its deep will be 5 centimetres. Make sure you have plenty of holes in it for good water drainage.

    Start with a pot or tray of good seedling mix from your garden centre (not ordinary garden soil from your backyard). 

     or

    Take equal quantity of sand, soil and vermiculite. Then mix all the three ingredients into one container. 
    Sprinkle diluted fungicide water (2gm in 1-litre water) after sowing the seeds.Plant your seeds in pots so it is easy to transplant them into their final place.

    Tickle the top of the soil with your fingers, then sprinkle your seeds over the top and add a little more soil to cover. Give them a little water, just enough to keep the soil damp, but not too wet. When they are around 10-15cm tall.

    Your capsicum seeds will not germinate until the temperature of the soil is right. They prefer a temperature of around 20 to 25°C before they will break dormancy, and they must not be planted outside until all chance of frost is over.

    Make sure that the water must be mixed with diluted fungicide powder.It is very important to notice to follow that the seeds will not to go very deep inside the mixture by speeding water on the seed if it happens then the fertilization of the seeds become difficult.

    Need to routine  check about the soil moist or not. If not, lightly moisten it with a water-filled spray. Expect germination within three to five days.


    If you want to start them a few weeks before the expected date of your last frost you can plant the seeds in pots and place them inside on a warm, sunny windowsill, or you can buy an electric seed starting tray at any garden or hardware store.



    Pests
    The main pests that attack capsicums are aphids and whitefly. Aphids are little bugs that suck sap from the tips of the plant shoots and whitefly are tiny white bugs that fly around when you disturb your plants. Aphids can be controlled with pyrethrum spray or soapy water and whitefly can be caught on pieces of bright yellow card coated with a thin layer of petroleum jelly. They are both pests that can damage your capsicums and spread diseases.Or treat them using organic pesticides like Neem Oil. In areas with higher humidity levels, good plant spacing is essential to ensure air flow and help minimise the number of potential mould problems.

    Harvest season:

    Capsicum will be ready for harvest about 2 months from planting. Capsicum of hybrid varieties start green and then mature to their original colour. The great thing about capsicums is that they bear right through the season until they are killed by frosts. You can harvest the capsicums and chillis at any stage when they are green, or wait till they turn their ripe colour, which is usually red or yellow, at which time they will have a stronger flavour. Most varieties can be picked a little unripe and will still fully ripen on a windowsill.


    Propagation:
    Capsicum can be propagated by seeds from a healthy harvest. However, seeds for next season will not develop in hybrid varieties.Capsicum loves the sunny and warm exposure. It is a tropical plant but very much adaptable to temperate climates with moderate winter, when grown on the ground
    GERMINATION CARE
    After the seedlings germinate, they can relocate to a sunny south- or west-facing window. The soil is kept moist at all times, but not allowed to get soggy. Once the seedlings have three true leaves, they are fed every two weeks with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. Pinching out the growth tips isn't necessary.



    Friday, 13 May 2016

    How to grow Allium



    Growing Allium giganteum indoors




    Use a seedling tray, sow Allium seeds from January to mid-March at 15-20C (60-68F), on the surface of a good quality seed, then gently firm down.

    Keep the soil damp but not wet, and place the seedling tray either in a propagator or seal the seed tray inside a polythene bag until after germination - which usually takes about 3 months.

    Make sure that the tray is placed in a bright position but out of direct sunlight.

    Giant ornamental onion seed needs a cold period in order to help break any seed dormancy before they can germinate and so if germination does not occur by the end of 3 months, transfer the container to a fridge (not freezer) at 5C (40F) for a further 3 months.


    Check regularly while in the fridge and remove once when seeds start to germinate.



    You may need to repeat this cycle if germination does not occur as germination, can often be erratic taking from 30-365 days to emerge!

    However, in my experience - and you can only truly know that you are using fresh seed when you collect it yourself - Alliums have always germinated without incidence.

    When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow them on, into cooler conditions until they are large enough to move outdoors.

    Move to a cold frame and plant out the during following spring, at a distance of 30cm (12") apart, in light sandy, well-drained soil in full sun. When Alliums are growing, plant them where the leaves of other plants will cover the base of their stems. This will hide the old foliage which rather irritably dies back before flowering begins.


    Growing Allium Giganteum from seed outside


    When growing enormous Allium giganteum from seed, the secret is in the preparation. To begin with, you need a sunny site with good drainage.


    If you are planning on growing them outside then you can start by preparing a seedbed in the autumn by digging in plenty of well-rotted farm manure. This will give the ground a chance to settle over the winter period and allow frosts to break down the soil clods. If the soil is too acidic – below pH 5.5 – you will need to add lime to it according to manufactures recommendations. In general, giant ornamental onions prefer a pH of between 6 and 7.5.



    It's possible to grow giant ornamental onions on heavy soil, but you have to improve the drainage first before planting. Add plenty of horticultural grit and bulky organic matter to the soil and then create a ridge of soil 4 inches high to further reduce soil moisture.


    You can sow Allium giganteum seeds as soon as your soil will allow which can be anytime from late February until the end of July.

    Giant ornamental onions like a firm bed so tread over the area you have just raked. Try adding a general fertilizer like grow more for extra fertility.


    Choose a dry day to sow Allium giganteum seed when the soil is moist but not too wet, then plant the seed very thinly into drills ½ inch deep. If you are planting more than one row then each row should be at least 4 inches apart. Carefully cover the Allium giganteum seed with soil and gently water in.


    Then germination should take 21 days(approximately)to occur.


    You will need to keep a particular eye on the newly sprouting shoots as these can attract the attention of inquisitive birds – particularly pigeons and blackbirds - who will lift them straight out of the seedbeds for nothing more than a little mischievous fun. If you don't have some kind of protection in place you can end up losing almost an entire batch!


    Giant ornamental onions are not very good at suppressing weed growth, and if regular weeding is neglected they will easily out-compete for nutrients resulting in your juvenile Allium gigantem plants becoming stunted. Try to leave enough space between the rows to get your hoe in for weeding, but always hand-weed any weeds close to your Allium gigantem as they can be easily damaged by garden tools.

    Tuesday, 25 August 2015

    Tuberose (Rajni Gandha) Plantation and Care


    Tuberose knew as Rajni gandha. It produces waxy,  white and fragrant flowers on long spikes, which are mostly used as cut flowers; for making garlands and extracting essential oil.
    Tuberose cultivation is getting popular in North India where it blooms during July-Oct.  This period is devoid of cut flowers.

    1. Climate

    Tuberose grows well in sunny situations. In India, commercial tuberose cultivation is just confined to warm, humid areas with average temperature range from 20-350C.

    2. Soil and its Preparation

    Loam and sandy loam soil having pH range from 6.5-7.5 with good aeration and well-drained soils are considered suitable for its cultivation.
    The field should be well prepared by giving 2-3 ploughings and incorporating 25-30 tones/ha of well rotten FYM before planting time.

    3.Care the bulbs

    Water thoroughly after planting the bulbs when caring for your growing tuberoses, and then at regular intervals if natural rainfall doesn’t occur weekly. Also, they need plenty of 8-8-8 fertilizer during the growing season to do well. 


    Tuberose flowers will bloom in mid to late summer. Tuberose plants make lovely scented, cut flowers for use in bouquets and vases. Cutting the flowers will not damage your plants.But use a sharp pair of shears during their cutting. 

    After the bloom is gone from your tuberose plants, leave the foliage intact until it dies back naturally and continues watering as usual. The foliage provides nutrition for the bulbs and if cut back, your bulb will not flower next year. 

    Once the leaves of your tuberose plant have turned yellow, it is safe to cut them back. After the first light frost of the season, carefully dig up your tuberose bulbs to remove them. Let them air dry for about a week before packing them away in a cool, dry place for winter storage. A paper bag filled with peat moss makes an appropriate bed for overwintering your bulbs.