Wednesday 31 December 2014

Water leaf (Ceylon spinach)




Water leaf (Talinum fruticosum) is also known as Ceylon spinach which is a perennial, green, bushy plant grows up to 1m height. Water leaf is a native of Brazil and cultivated it in various parts of the tropics as a leafy vegetable. African countries, Indonesia, Malaysia, West Indies, and Arab countries are dominating in the large scale cultivation of water leaf. Sambar cheera, Cariru, Surinam purslane, Philippine spinach, Potherb fame flower, Lagos bologi and sweetheart are other common names of Water leaf. In Kerala it is known as sambar cheera and the leaves and stems are uses in so many tasty recipes. Water leaf is rich in vitamins like A & C, and minerals like iron & calcium.

Natural distribution

We could see water leaf as a weed naturally on road sides, waste places and forest edges of the entire tropical region.

Uses


  • Leaves, tender stems and flowers of this leafy vegetable are used in a number of recipes for cooking and in salads.
  • Used for the treatment measles and diabetics.
  • Being a best ornamental plant, water leaf is used as a potted plant or as an edging plant in gardens.

Propagation

Water leaf could easily propagate from seeds or stem cuttings. It prefers a well drained but moist humus rich and fertile soil. We could start harvesting it after completing 35-45 days from sowing the seed and continue it every two weeks up to one year.




Visit Keralaponics or contact us on 09387735697 for learning more about affordable gardening techniques including Aquaponics, Bottle gardening, Self watering planters, Terrariums and for purchasing plants and accessories for gardening.
 

Saturday 27 December 2014

Media bed Aquaponics





Keralaponics introduces media bed aquaponics system today. Media bed is the simplest aquaponics system and suitable for almost all the aquaponics crops. Two types of media bed aquaponics systems are in use; one of them is continuous flow system and the other is flood and drain system. In continuous flow system, the fish tank water flows through the grow bed continuously. While in flood and drain or ebb and flow system, water fills and drains in the grow bed continuously with the help of an auto siphon or a timer.

Aquaponics an overview


Aquaponics is an agricultural practice which combines hydroponics and aquaculture. Fishes and vegetables are growing together in an aquaponics system. We could harvest fresh vegetables on the account of fish culture is the major benefit from aquaponics. Aquaponics enable us to enhance the organic food production considerably with less investment. There are mainly three methods of aquaponics systems are in use; they are Media bed, Raft bed or Deep water culture and Nutrient film technique based.

Simple Media based Aquaponics system

 

A simple media bed aquaponics system contains a raised grow bed, a fish tank and a pump. A tray of suitable size filled with medium like ¾” crushed rubbles, crushed tiles, gravel or coir could be used as a grow bed. A container of glass, metal or food safe plastic with a minimum 50 liters capacity could be used as the fish tank.15w aquarium pump or power head is sufficient for pumping the fish tank water to the grow bed. 

System setting and functions


In the system describes here, used a plastic tray of size 24” length; 15” width and 10” height for grow bed and a 70 liters plastic tub as the fish tank. An Indian plum fruit plant and Madura spinaches are planted in the grow bed. Fitted an auto siphon in the middle of tray for making the grow bed function as flood and drain system. Tilapia fishes are filled in the fish tank.
On starting the pump, the water from the fish tank flows to the grow bed. When filling the grow bed, the water drained to the fish tank through the auto siphon system and repeat the process continuously. The nitrate and other nutrients in the fish tank water are absorbed by the plants and the water gets filtered. Fishes and plants are growing happily with this system.

Start aquaponics gardening today; it is the real way to progress.


Visit Keralaponics or contact us on 09387735697 for more information on gardening, Aquaponics, Hydropnics, Bottle gardening, Self watering planters and for purchasing plants and accessories.

Friday 19 December 2014

Pandan plant or Rambha: A Medicinal and Aromatic plant



Pandan plant (Pandanus amaryllifolius) is a medicinal as well as aromatic plant. This upright green plant has narrow blade shaped leaves and woody aerial roots. Pandan plant is a native of Asia and the pandan leaves are widely used in Southeast Asia as a flavoring agent in cooking. In Kerala pandan plant is known as Rambha. When cooking rambha leaves produce a smell like basmathi rice. In addition to the culinary uses, pandan leaves have so many cosmetic and medicinal uses. It is also a natural repellent to cockroaches.

Propagation and cultivation of Pandan plants

 


Small suckers growing around the bottom of panda plants could be used for the propagation. It likes well drained soil and direct sunlight but it is also shade tolerant.

Nutrients minerals in Pandan leaves

Pandan leaves contains essential oils, traces of tannin, glycosides and alkaloids.

Pandan leaves (Pandanus amaryllifolius) in Indian languages

Hindi: Rampe
Marathi: Ambemohor pat
Malayalam: Rambha
Tamil: Rambha, Biriyani kaitha

Uses and benefits of Pandan leaves

1. The pandan leaves are used as a natural food flavour and colour like rice, biriyani, chicken, disserts, salads, herbal teas and sweet beverages.

Rambha leaves are used in biriyani as a favorite flavor due to its basmathi smell.
2. Pandan leaves extract is a valuable antioxidant natural sources and applicable in both healthcare products and food industry.
3. Useful for healing various wounds, leprosy and smallpox.
4. Cure chest pain and headache.
5. Reduce fever, earache, arthritis, stomach spasms and more.
6. Chewing pandan leaves helps to get rid of gum pain and bad breath.
7. Effective in the recovery of women from the weakness after childbirth.
8. Useful for the treatment of several skin disorders.
9. Used for the preparation of various herbal teas.
10. Pandan roots extracts are used to cure thyroid problems.
11. A preparation of pandan leaves soaked with coconut oil is used as an embrocation for rheumatic troubles.
12. Infusions of pandan leaves are used internally and externally as a sedative against restlessness.

Including a pandan plant to our garden would be beneficial in several ways.

Visit Keralaponics or contact us on 09387735697 for learning more about affordable gardening techniques including Aquaponics, Bottle gardening, Self watering planters, Terrariums and for purchasing plants and accessories for gardening.