| Week 39 | September 22, 2014 | September 28, 2014 |
1. Preamble:
In view of the fact that weather affects agriculture as it does all other sectors of our lives, we usually start our weekly blog by looking at what the weather was like in the preceding week and never as to what it would be like the following week, as we are never sure about our Met Department forecasting! On Wednesday morning our Maali (gardener) asked whether or not it would rain in a day or two, for he was perplexed and doubtful if he should or should not water the freshly sown garlic plots. I told him to go ahead and proceed with watering the field, which he of course did even though his own gut feeling was against it. The same day in the evening, a hail and rain storm struck Taxila late in the evening without any advance warning. That resulted in over watering and quite undesirable pools of water standing in the squares of garlic plots. This occurred in spite of the fact that forecast for sever weather is steadily improving the world over. The UK's Met Office says its four-day forecast is now as accurate as its one-day forecast was 30 years ago and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of USA says, it can now predict extreme weather events five to seven days in advance.
In view of the fact that weather affects agriculture as it does all other sectors of our lives, we usually start our weekly blog by looking at what the weather was like in the preceding week and never as to what it would be like the following week, as we are never sure about our Met Department forecasting! On Wednesday morning our Maali (gardener) asked whether or not it would rain in a day or two, for he was perplexed and doubtful if he should or should not water the freshly sown garlic plots. I told him to go ahead and proceed with watering the field, which he of course did even though his own gut feeling was against it. The same day in the evening, a hail and rain storm struck Taxila late in the evening without any advance warning. That resulted in over watering and quite undesirable pools of water standing in the squares of garlic plots. This occurred in spite of the fact that forecast for sever weather is steadily improving the world over. The UK's Met Office says its four-day forecast is now as accurate as its one-day forecast was 30 years ago and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of USA says, it can now predict extreme weather events five to seven days in advance.
The improvement in short-range forecasting has been achieved thanks to a huge increase in the number of global observations, better numerical models, and the rise of supercomputers. Scores of geo-stationary and polar orbiting satellites bristling with a variety of sensors - along with hundreds of land, sea and air weather stations - contribute about two billion observations a day. I'm sure in the present day of interdependency all such information is shared with the metrological departments the world over. Our Met Department has however consistently failed to take advantage of all such information made available to it. I guess there is something to wonder and ponder about!
2. Trumpet Shape Flowering Creepers
This week we will look at the in-bloom Thumbergia, Allamanda and the Hummingbird creepers. On account of their typical trumpet shape of blooms, they respectively are often also called, the Blue, the Golden and the Orange Trumpet Vines. The commonality of shape and the fact that they all are creepers and in bloom in this season of late summer, has become the reason for them to be included in this blog together even though they are altogether different species of plants. It may be pointed out though that the Thunbergia is more of a bush than a creeper, the Allamanda is found in all forms, a tree, a bush and also as a creeper but the Hummingbird is a creeper and creeper only. Maintaining the commonality factor, we will only think of their creeping habit.
2. Trumpet Shape Flowering Creepers
This week we will look at the in-bloom Thumbergia, Allamanda and the Hummingbird creepers. On account of their typical trumpet shape of blooms, they respectively are often also called, the Blue, the Golden and the Orange Trumpet Vines. The commonality of shape and the fact that they all are creepers and in bloom in this season of late summer, has become the reason for them to be included in this blog together even though they are altogether different species of plants. It may be pointed out though that the Thunbergia is more of a bush than a creeper, the Allamanda is found in all forms, a tree, a bush and also as a creeper but the Hummingbird is a creeper and creeper only. Maintaining the commonality factor, we will only think of their creeping habit.
2.1. Thunbergia battiscombei/Blue Trumpet Vine/Clock Vine:
Thunbergia battiscombei is currently in bloom at our farmhouse. It belongs to the genus Thumbergia. It is named after a Swedish botanist Karl Pehr Thunberg. Based on the habits and colour of its tubular flowers, there are several varieties, among them: Thunbergia Alata/Black Eyed Susan Vine, Thumbergia Erecta, Thumbergia Grandiflora and Thunbergia Mysorensis besides Thumbergia Battiscombei. They all are recognised by their popular name 'Clock Vines'. The Thumbergia Battiscombei is a herbaceous weak stemmed perennial vine. Even though it's not as popular as its cousin the Thunbergia Grandiflora, similarly and identically called the Blue Trumpet Vine, yet it is attractive, but smaller and a less rampant relative.
The T. Battiscombei also is similar to T. Erecta. Its blue flowers resemble Morning Glory too. Several of the best-known Thunbergia species are climbers, but T. Battiscombei can also be classified as a shrub. It is very useful in mixed beds or as a low hedge. It has attractive, small, dark green leaves and tubular flowers which in the most common form are rich purple with a yellow throat. T. Battiscombei responds well to regular pruning and can be shaped into a very bushy shrub, though this inhibits blooming. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil but will bloom in partial shade. Propagtion is by means of cuttings.
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2.2. Allamanda Cathartica/Golden Trumpet Vine:
Depending on the cultivar, the Allamanda plants grow as bushes or vines. The twining vine Allamanda cathartica can be shrub-like with pruning, while Allamanda neriifolia is a shrub. Plants have dark to light green foliage and produce masses of yellow, trumpet-like blooms. They brighten dull landscape locations, patios or pool areas.
The Allamanda or the Golden Trumpet Vine planted in a pot, has for years been our show piece plant at the entrance of our farmhouse. The golden trumpet flowers of the vine provide a spectacular look at that location. This tropical evergreen has vining stems densely covered with glossy, dark-green oval leaves. Scrolled flower buds emerge in summer at the tips of stems and open up to yellow trumpet flowers that can grow to 4 in (10 cm) wide. We have trained It by providing a trellis to support its vigorous, climbing stems and to show off those glorious golden flowers.
The stems are more flexible than they seem and are easy to weave through the trellis. We use the soft plant ties to hold each vine in place. We tie them loosely so that their growth is not restricted and re-tie vines as they grow. Although our Allamanda occupies a corner under the porch, we allow the sun shine on it most of the day. This provides it more blooming power. Allamanda is tropical, not hardy. Although it's evergreen, growth slows down over the winter. We then stop fertilizing and water it only sparingly in winter, without allowing the soil to dry out completely. Although we don't move the pot inside during winter months, the ideal temperature range for keeping it happy is above 60°F/16°C. We prune by half in early spring, allowing golden trumpet flowers at the tips of new branches and we get more blooms this way. The milky sap of this plant contains a strong toxin, which may cause severe skin irritation.
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2.3. Hummingbird Creeper/Orange Trumpet Vine:
The Orange Hummingbird Trumpet Creeper (Campsis Radicans Vine) has already been described in this blog (Refer: Blog of Week : 24, dated June 15). It is a hardy vine capable of growing in almost every where. It is characterized by its colorful trumpet-shaped flowers that can attract swarms of hummingbirds to the garden in summer and early fall. This deciduous climbing vine has dense, dark green leaves which are ideal for adding privacy along a fence or trellis. The trumpet vine is quite a survivor. It can withstand the brutal winters of Taxila as well as the harsh summers of its harsh summer.
The orange trumpet creeper actually plays an important role in the garden. When its flowers are in bloom they attract bees who return the favor by helping to pollinate the entire yard. The bright colour also attracts butterflies besides and hummingbirds. The trumpet shape of the blooms is perfect for the hummingbird’s beak. We have a couple of this vine on the inside of our front boundary wall. It's blooms hanging over the wall, presents a very attractive sight to the passerby.
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3.1. The Wakefield Orange Valley Farms:
Even though the orange season starts late in the year and continues till mid February, we may already start following their maturing, which currently is in progress. It might not as such be inappropriate to introduce the readers of this blog to the area and it's environment before we talk about the status of various citrus at this early stage in the main body if the blog.
Our farm is situated in the Khanpur area of Phakhtun Khawa, which is famous for its citrus, particularly the Khanpur Red Blood and the Shakry (Shugary/Sweet) Oranges. According to official data, this area produces around 2,200 to 2,400 tons of fruit per annum which is unique in its juice content and taste. People from Surrounding areas frequently visit the area to buy oranges from the kiosks, which are set up all along the Khanpur Road during the season.
It might not be out of place to include here an image of a rustic memorial plaque erected in honour of Mr Wakefield (Born: 16th April 1873; Died: 19th March 1944). The plaque was originally placed at the entrance of the Wakefield Gardens Orange Valley Farms, most likely soon after the demise of Mr Wakefield some 70 years ago. It had since been removed from its original location and affixed at its new location, which was the residence of Mr Wakefield. His original residence was a wooden structure, which on account of having become dilapidated with time was replaced by a masonry structure by the new owner, the Nawab of Amb from whom it was acquired by M/s Minawa, the developer of the scheme.
Our farm is situated in the Khanpur area of Phakhtun Khawa, which is famous for its citrus, particularly the Khanpur Red Blood and the Shakry (Shugary/Sweet) Oranges. According to official data, this area produces around 2,200 to 2,400 tons of fruit per annum which is unique in its juice content and taste. People from Surrounding areas frequently visit the area to buy oranges from the kiosks, which are set up all along the Khanpur Road during the season.
It might not be out of place to include here an image of a rustic memorial plaque erected in honour of Mr Wakefield (Born: 16th April 1873; Died: 19th March 1944). The plaque was originally placed at the entrance of the Wakefield Gardens Orange Valley Farms, most likely soon after the demise of Mr Wakefield some 70 years ago. It had since been removed from its original location and affixed at its new location, which was the residence of Mr Wakefield. His original residence was a wooden structure, which on account of having become dilapidated with time was replaced by a masonry structure by the new owner, the Nawab of Amb from whom it was acquired by M/s Minawa, the developer of the scheme.
I have every reason to believe that the development of multitude of orange farms around our own are the direct result of the efforts of Mr Wakefield some eighty or so years earlier. The people of this area could not otherwise recognise the potential of growing citrus in this region. The citrus, we grow include: Grape Fruit, Mussamy (stale tasting orange) Red Blood and Sackry (sweet/sugary) Oranges, Fruiters, Mandarins and Kumquats. Before harvesting if these citruses in the period extending from mid November to mid February, we will describe them one by one every week and start by first looking at the current state of maturity of grapefruit as under:
Read more:
http://minawa.com.pk/orange-valley.htm
http://minawa.com.pk/orange-valley.htm
3.1. The Citrus: Grape Fruit
There are conflicting citations about the origin of Grapefruit. It is reported that it was discovered in Barbados in the 18th century. Many botanists think the grapefruit was actually the result of a natural cross breeding which occurred between the orange and the pomelo, a citrus fruit that was brought from Indonesia to Barbados in the 17th century. The resulting fruit was given the name "grapefruit" in 1814 in Jamaica, a name which reflects the way it's arranged when it grows—hanging in clusters just like grapes. Others claim that this citrus fruit was cultivated more than 4,000 years ago in India and Malaysia, but it was not until the sixteenth century that it was introduced to Americas by the Spaniards. The USA produces 95% of grapefruits in the world and 90% of that is produced in the Stateof Florida.
There are conflicting citations about the origin of Grapefruit. It is reported that it was discovered in Barbados in the 18th century. Many botanists think the grapefruit was actually the result of a natural cross breeding which occurred between the orange and the pomelo, a citrus fruit that was brought from Indonesia to Barbados in the 17th century. The resulting fruit was given the name "grapefruit" in 1814 in Jamaica, a name which reflects the way it's arranged when it grows—hanging in clusters just like grapes. Others claim that this citrus fruit was cultivated more than 4,000 years ago in India and Malaysia, but it was not until the sixteenth century that it was introduced to Americas by the Spaniards. The USA produces 95% of grapefruits in the world and 90% of that is produced in the Stateof Florida.
We have couple of grapefruit trees at our farm. They bear yellow colour fruits, four to six inches in diameter. As unripe as they are presently they are green, even though they are large enough. The change in colour to yellow will signify their having matured, ready to be picked. This will happen in about two months from now at the end of November.
There can also be a discussion whether the grapefruits are more beneficial or harmful? Regarding its benefits grapefruit is rich in vitamins C and B1 and is a good source of vitamin B2. It is low in calories, which makes it a good drink on a reducing diet. There is less sugar in grapefruit than in oranges. Grapefruit is very rich in citric acids and their salts, and in potassium and calcium. However, overuse of grapefruits can be harmful as they are a powerful dissolver of the catarrhal accumulations in the body and the elimination of too much toxic material all at once may cause boils, irritated nerves, diarrhea, and other problems. Grapefruit also interacts in a harmful way with certain medications, as it hinders in their absorption. A detailed insight into the mechanism of the interaction of grapefruit juice is available in the following reference:
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