The cultivation of the Four Leaf Clover - (Marsilea quadrifolia)

The Four Leaf Clover (Marsilea quadrifolia) is a water fern of which the leaves look like clovers. Do you think that the terms water fern and clover has nothing to do with each other? On the contrary – both of these terms describes the characteristics of these unusual very decorative and practical unknown plants in the gardening world.

Saturday 12th June 2010 21:09 | print | Water and aquatic plants

How to descend of the bean weevil?

I presume that the bean weevil needs not to be introduced to you. This is small little beetle of 3–4 mm big, that can be found on the seeds in the kitchen for example.

These detrimental small beetles develop in the seed of all kinds of pods. In fact, every pod type has some of these creatures – the broad bean – broad bean weevil (beetle), pea – pea beetle, lentils – lentils beetle, and garden broad bean – garden broad bean beetle etc.…

On the damaged seeds you can find bruises at the places where little holes were drilled by the larvaes. When the adult beetles hatch, drill holes become visible in the seeds. Beetles often cause most of the damage during the storing period (because the living conditions are ideal) irrespective of the fact that the plant was already contaminated when it was still in the garden.

The fight against the beetle is fortunately completely simple and efficient (100% chance of success!).

Friday 11th June 2010 20:07 | print | Pests

Kiwano – Cucumis metuliferus

The Kiwano’s 10–15 cm long fruits look like oranges. It belongs to the cucumber family. The fruit has little horns on the peel and makes one think of a medieval weapon. The flesh of the fruit is green and usually contains many 5–10 mm long white seeds. When not ripe yet, the colour of the fruit is green.

Tuesday 8th June 2010 19:26 | print | Exotic plants

Welwitschia mirabilis – the cultivation of a living fossil

Welwitschia (Welwitschia mirabilis) is a primeval plant growing in a small area along the coastal region of the Atlantic Ocean in Namibia and Southern Angola. Welwitschia is actually a tree, although it does not seem like it at first glance. The whole plant consists of one short trunk out of which 2 leaves grow – these look like two huge curled ribbons with frayed, barren ends. Welwitschia sometimes looks like a heap of rubbish!

Saturday 22nd May 2010 22:40 | print | Exotic plants

How to make you own leaf mould soil

Leaf mould is a wonderful soil for your plants. It contains very little nutrients, but it is rich in minerals and minor nutrients. Plants can be planted in leaf mould directly or other substrates (for example peat, sand…) can be added to create soils specific to certain uses. Leaf mould is great for growing your own vegetable seedlings. Due to a balanced minor nutrient content it is also useful in treating sick or damaged plants. And the best thing is that with a little patience you can make your own leaf mould soil.

Sunday 6th December 2009 20:13 | print | Growing substrate

Mangoes of Indonesia

Fragrant Mango (Mangifera odorata)

On the Borneo Island in Indonesia there are 34 Mango species (Mangifera) occurring naturally on the island. Many of these species are seriously in danger of extinction due to the rainforests’ deforestation. Some of Mango species, e.g. Kalimantan Mango (Mangifera casturi) is already extinct in the wild.

Some other perspective Mango trees from Borneo are for instance the Mangifera griffithi (known under the following local names: asem raba, and romian), Mangifera pajang (asem payang), Mangifera quadrifida (asem kipang) and Mangifera torquenda (asem putaran).

Thursday 20th August 2009 23:48 | print | Exotic plants, Tropical fruits

Growing Mango from seeds

You should sow freshly harvested seeds to get the best germination results. Soak the seeds in water with a temperature of around 20–25 °C for about 2–6 hours.

Thursday 20th August 2009 23:36 | print | Exotic plants, Tropical fruits

Kalimantan Mango, Kasturi (Mangifera casturi)

Kalimantan Mango (Mangifera casturi) or locally known as Kasturi is a tropical fruit tree about 10–30 m tall which is endemic to very small area around Banjarmasin in Southern Borneo (Indonesia). Nowadays it is extinct in the wild due to illegal logging. However, it is still often cultivated in this area due to its delicious fruits.

Thursday 20th August 2009 22:48 | print | Exotic plants, Tropical fruits

The Indian Beech Tree Pongamia pinnata

Pongamia pinnata flowers

Indian Beech Tree Pongamia pinnata (other vernacular names: Honge Tree, Pongam Tree, Panigrahi) is a deciduous tree, about 15–25 meters tall, belonging to the family Fabaceae. It has a big top with many small flowers in white, pink or violet. Its origin is India, but is widely grown in South-East Asia.

Sunday 31st May 2009 12:48 | print | Exotic plants

Breadfruit Artocarpus odoratissimus, Marang

Genus Breadfruit (Artocarpus) consists of around 60 species of evergreen tropical trees from the family Moraceae (mulberry family or fig family). They occur in South East Asia and the islands of the Pacific Ocean. Breadfruit are closely related to the Ficus (fig trees). The most cultivated breadfruit is Artocarpus altilis (Kolo, Rimas). Several other species like Artocarpus communis, Artocarpus integer (Cempedak), Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit, Nangka, Langka) and Artocarpus odoratissimus (Marang) are part of the breadfruit family as well.

Saturday 30th May 2009 19:52 | print | Exotic plants, Tropical fruits