TERRARIUM: AN IDEA FOR BEAUTIFYING YOUR HOME

The purpose of filling vases with flowers is to bring the beauty of nature to our living rooms, offices bedrooms or play areas.

Other people put hanging baskets in their patios or corridors among other places thus creating a hospitable environment for themselves and their visitors.

Acquiring suitable plants for example cut flowers for our homes is expensive as they have to be imported or transported from far away if they are locally produced.

Despite the huge expense incurred, the beauty especially of cut flowers lasts for a maximum of two weeks, thereafter the blooms wilt.

God in his wisdom created different plants suited for different niches and whose foliage is of different colors.

It is possible to find aesthetic beauty in plants, each unique in its own way without incurring a recurring expense for cut flowers.

There are numerous ways of filling our homes with plants and for this instance I will discuss about terrariums.

Thank you and I hope you will enjoy. As you read this article, be free to contribute your opinions

Terrarium/ bottle gardens

A terrarium is a transparent glass or container retaining high humidity used in displaying growing plants in the indoors.

When properly planted with a suitable plant species, these miniature gardens may remain healthy and beautiful for several years.

Terrarium means growing plants in bottles. It is also known as indoor plants growth unit.

Terrarium is derived from two Greek words; ‘Terra’, which means the earth, while arium means, of the home.

Principles of growing plants in a terrarium

1. When plants are given proper light, moisture, humidity and temperature, they can be maintained in a sealed container for many years without additional water or air from the outside environment.

2. Terrarium is just like a mini jungle floor where plants receive fitted light and air and the soils are saturated with moisture.

Moisture in the jungle evaporates and then produces clouds which then produce rain.

Similarly in a Terrarium, the moisture evaporates then condenses on the glass and runs back to the soil. This cycle is repeated indefinitely.

3. A Terrarium can be likened to a sealed glasshouse where light enters and provides heat energy to the plants.

4. Carbon dioxide produced during respiration by plants is used for photosynthesis.

5. In a Terrarium, carbon dioxide and oxygen are constantly recycled within its confines.

Containers for terrariums

For a container to be suitable for use in a Terrarium, it must possess the following qualities;

1. It should admit light through it (transparent glass or plastic)

2. It should hold a suitable amount of soil to sustain plant growth.

3. It should be large enough to allow some growth of the plants.

4. It should be able to provide adequate air volume when planted.

5. It should be covered easily to hold moisture within it.

A true Terrarium is a sealed container, which is only opened for maintenance purposes.

However, open Terrarium have been developed and are placed in lighted areas, on the other hand, sealed Terrariums do not tolerate sunlight; they are placed in areas with diffused light.

Characteristics of plants suitable for a terrarium

They should be able to tolerate high humidity, moist soil, constant temperature, low light intensity and are shade tolerant.

They should be slow growing plants

A variety of sizes, colors of foliage will be desirable to make a terrarium unique.

A typical planting will consist of some plants that will be tall, low growing and some that will provide ground cover.

The best plants to choose from are those which like moisture and warmth and grow fairly slowly. Flowering plants are vulnerable to mould in the humid atmosphere thus encourage disease.

Placement of the Terrarium

Avoid placing next to windows; terrariums do not tolerate too much light.

Maintenance of Terrarium

Once they are established, they will go for months without watering. One may need to water only if the container feels light in weight or if the compost starts to turn grayish in color.

If, there are soil particles or mud splashes on the inside of the jar, clean them with a piece of sponge or dump cloth attached to the wire.

Condensation can be a problem when the bottle is first closed but this clears within a day or two; if the mistiness persists, remove the lead for a few hours to let the compost to dry.

Once a week, look at your bottle garden to check if it needs any attention which may be;

Trim the plants with a razor blade if they are growing vigorously.

Prune carefully any dead leaves, remove decaying matter or discolored leaves.

Spray a little insecticide into the terrarium if any diseases or pests have gained entry.

Fertilize the soil with liquid fertilizers or preferably slow release fertilizers.

List of plants suitable for terrariums

1. Aglaenema commutatum

2. Adiantum sp

3. Fittonia sp

4. Calathea sp

5. Peperomia sp

6. Begonia sp

7. Saxifraga sp

8. Zebrina pendula

9. Pilea cadieri sp

10. Dracaena sp

11. Marantha sp

AGAPANTHUS

All of us get excited when we visit a well maintained flower garden. Some people have made creation and maintenance of gardens a favorable past time activity.

This is a tough job considering the hundreds of thousands that a gardener is to choose from. He has to consider the characteristics of every plant to be grown in the garden.

Some of the characteristics to consider are; the form of the plant: is it upright, trailing, what the maximum height it can attain?

Secondly he has to consider if the plant is a flowering plant. If so, what is the color of the flowers?

Thirdly he has to establish whether the plant is an evergreen or deciduous.

Finally he has to consider the impact of these plants to the environment. For example are the plants invasive in nature, what is the effect of the plants to buildings, the soil and to animals

In this article I will discuss about Agapanthus. There are thousands of flowering plants that can be used to give color to a flower garden- agapanthus is one of them.

For those growers who may wish to put a touch of blue in their gardens, consider planting Agapanthus at your home.

This plant produces elegant blue or white umbellate flowers on tall flower stalks, thus providing a burst blue color throughout the year.

For those in temperate regions, you can still enjoy the blue color during warm summer days.

I recommend this flowering plant as it is fast growing, disease resistant, easy to maintaining and propagating and is drought tolerant.

The plant is also tolerant to sandy soil and clay soils. The most popular and widely grown are the evergreen Agapanthus praecox species and its numerous cultivars.

During flowering, capsules are produced and when mature, they explode and release black flat seeds that are wind dispersed.

This plant can be propagated from seed or division of the rhizomes. New plants generated from seeds take longer to flower compared to those raised from the rhizomes.

The height of agapanthus ranges from 10 cm tall miniatures to 2 meters tall giants and their colors vary from shades of blue to pure white.

RECOMMENDED SPECIES

1. Cape Agapanthus (Agapanthus africanus subs africanas) has spreading, deep blue open flowers on rounded umbels reaching 30 cm across. This species is endemic to the Fynbos region of the Western Cape.

This is the most widespread variety in Kenya.

2. Fynbos Agapanthus (Agapanthus africanus subs. walshii) has longer drooping flowers and shorter leaves. It occurs naturally in the Granbouw district in south Africa.

3. Eastern cape Agapanthus (Agapanthus praecox) most popular and widespread species ranging from the western cape to Kwazulu natal with many local forms and cultivars.

Its leaves reach 60 cm and its umbels are borne on flower stalks 80-100 cm tall the blue (or rarely white) flowers and more than 5 cm long. Agapanthus praecox subspecies orientalis is the most popular-Mt Thomas has deep blue flowers.

4. Knysa Agapanthus– Agapanthus praecox subs minimus syn. Agapanthus comptonii) is smaller and lacking in growth of the former. Its inflorescence may grow up to 60 cm tall and the pale flowers reach 4.5 cm long.

It is confined to the eastern margin of the Western Cape and southern coastal region of the Eastern Cape. Recommended cultivars are Alelaide and Storms River.

5. Highveld Agapanthus (Agapanthus campunulatus) has 50 cm tall, slightly grey green leaves. The umbels reach 20 cm in diameter on stalks 70 cm tall with pale to blue spreading flowers.

It naturally occurs in grassland in the Drankensberg (Kwa zulu natal) and eastern free state to near Johannesburg (Gauteng) in the north. Recommended cultivars have white stripped leaves.

6. Drankensberg Agapanthus (Agapanthus caulescens syn Agapanthus nutans has 60 cm tall, glossy bright-green leaves in clusters. The umbels reach 20 cm in diameter, on stalks 60-130 cm tall with deep blue to violet (rarely white) spreading flowers.

It occurs among grassland along the northern Drankensberg of Mpumalanga and Northern Province.

7. Graskop Agapanthus (Agapanthus inapertus subsp pendulus) differs by its smaller heads of drooping flowers. This beautiful and popular plant occurs in the Sabie/Graskop district of Mpumalanga.

Other subspecies include Agapanthus inapertus subsp hollandii and Agapanthus inapertus subsp intermedius.

SUNFLOWERS AS CUT FLOWERS

Sunflowers are meant for oil production; however because of their large showy flowers, some florists have used them in floral arrangements with a great level of success.

Landscapists have used them in gardens by accurately planning their display in the landscape; tall varieties are planted at the back of a bed for a striking effect, those of medium height in the middle while short growing sunflower hybrids, at the front.

Different varieties of sunflowers often grow to different heights. This makes the planning of a floral display quite difficult, however plant breeders have been able to develop varieties that are; either tall, medium or dwarf.

Most Sunflowers varieties are single stemmed; but some are multi-stemmed, meaning that, they produce many flowers off the main stem. Combining these two varieties ensures an interesting balance is struck.

Balance is an attribute in floral or landscape design indicating a feeling of rest, security or stability. For example, a floral arrangement should not fall over or appear as if it will fall over; the same applies in a landscape where different plants are placed differently to achieve visual balance.

Not all sunflowers are of the same color; some are yellow, others are yellow containing a mixture an exciting terracotta lemon color, , others have an interesting yellow, with a red tinge on the inside of the petal.

Sunflowers are simple to grow, never plant the seeds deeper than twice their width, firm the soil down after planting. Some plants will flower within 50 days while others take longer; about 120 days.

STATUS OF WEED CONTROL AND HERBICIDE USE BY SMALL COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE GROWERS IN KENYA

Reports from the government and other development partners on the status of agricultural production indicate that small scale farmers are major actors in agricultural productivity.

It has been established that over seventy percent of the country’s agricultural production occurs in small farms; from tea, coffee, vegetables and fruits among others.

At the moment, farmer’s fortunes are being changed by the increased demand for vegetables for the local and export market caused by a ballooning population in urban areas and shortages due to extreme environmental changes.

Unfortunately small vegetable farmers lack technical information on the use of herbicides and other technological innovations that are available to large scale farmers.

Many small farmers rely on manual methods of weeding like; the use of hoes or ox-driven ploughs, therefore they can’t effectively control weeds when they increase the area dedicated to vegetables.

This backbreaking custom of using Iron Age implements, limits the productivity of small vegetable farmers. Farmers are unable to control weeds during the critical first 3-4 weeks [when there is rapid weed growth] during the rainy season.

As vegetable production areas have continued to increase, labor supply has decreased due to urban migration of the educated youth. The youth move to urban centers for better paying jobs or to do small trading rather than work in the fields where the pay is meager.

This has led to inadequate supply of labor for weed control and increased labor costs during the peak labor requirement period when some farmers are still sowing and weeding their first crop.

Small commercial vegetable farmers have realized, vegetables are a high value crops; they are considering other methods of weed control rather than limit the area planted to vegetables.

Some are now using herbicides to control weeds in vegetables with varying levels of success. A study was conducted in three divisions in central province; known for vegetable production.

The survey was conducted in; Kabete, Lari and Kinangop divisions because intensive commercial vegetable growing is practiced. All farmers in the areas owned 1.5 to 2.5 hectares.

During the study, the following herbicides were used by farmers

1. Afalon –used to control weeds in coriander, onions, carrots

2. Sencor-used to control weeds in tomato

3. Stomp-used to control weeds in cabbages

4. Gramoxone-used in fallow land

Farmers said that herbicides helped them expand the area planted to under vegetables. Farmers said they often weeded 3-4 times before each crop matured and was ready for harvest thus they would not be able to afford labor for hand weeding.

When asked how they came to know how the herbicides are used, most of them said they were taught by other farmers. Some of them said they were taught on herbicide usage by the vendors of the product.

This finding indicates that there is a need for extension officers to educate farmers in the areas. Unfortunately this may not be realized because the government rarely employs extension officers.

There is a need for farmers to organize themselves in community based organizations to take advantage of the few extension officers available. The NGOs involved in rural role need also to take a proactive role in assisting farmers.

Physiology, fruit initiation, environmental conditions and yield of strawberry.

It has been noted; the physiology of strawberry plant,the environmental conditions where strawberry is grown, how strawberry is established in the field, the use of plastic mulch on strawberry, thinning of strawberry runners determine the yield per acre of strawberry plants.

My focus is to give a brief explanation on how the aforesaid conditions interact to determine the yield of strawberry and the practices a farmer can follow to maximize the yields of strawberry plants.

Physiology of strawberry plant

Strawberry is a compressed woody herbaceous perennial plant that produces stolons from auxiliary buds on the second node.

This means that the plant can survive for more than one season and the plant is propagated vegetatively.

Branches may form at auxiliary buds; at times, the bud produces an inflorescence or remains dormant depending on environmental conditions.

It has been observed that the roots produced by the plant don’t go deep in the soil; 50-90% of them are found in the top 15 cm of the soil.

New roots grow above old roots, this makes it necessary to cover the plant roots with more soil after harvesting otherwise they will  dry and the consequence will be poor subsequent harvests.

The fruit  produced heart shaped and appears to be tri-lobbed symbolizing trinity. The shape of fruits varies; some are oblate or globular, but the common fruits are heart shaped.

conditions favoring FRUIT INITIATION OF STRAWBERRY

Short days and temperatures of 20-24⁰ C are some of the conditions that induce flower initiation.

If weather is warm throughout the year, blooming is continuous. Too cold or too hot temperatures inhibit flowering.

It has been discovered that growing conditions experienced by the plant during flower initiation and pollination determine the size and quality of the berries.

Any thinning or frost damage after flower initiation does not change ultimate size of berries. This is because the cells in the fruit have divided and their number fixed.

Fruit development starts when  fruit-lets develop on the surface of the receptacle after the terminal buds produce an inflorescence.

Achenes are present in the receptacle; their purpose is to produce auxins [a hormone]  responsible for fruit expansion; some auxins e.g. 2-4-D over-stimulate fruit expansion.

First flowers to be produced by the plant give larger fruits; such flowers are known as king flowers.

 

STRAWBERRY ESTABLISHMENT

Each plant produces 15 stolons that survive up to 3 weeks before they die. Stolon production is very important for crop multiplication.

Once the stolons are produced, they are cut off and used to produce new plants.

Spacing between plants and rows varies but one that is used is 60 cm between rows and 40 cm between plants.

The beds are raised above the ground to reduce the splashing of rain or irrigation water on the plants that encourages foliar diseases.

 

PLANTING of strawberries

The land should be prepared thoroughly to a fine tilth.

Mix compost or well decomposed farmyard manure with the top soil in the planting bed.

Mix 200 kg of Double Super Phosphate (DSP) fertilizer per hectare if the beds have the dimensions of 1 Meter by 40 Meters.

The beds should be raised so as to improve soil drainage and control root rot diseases.

Plants should be soaked in water for at least 10 minutes before planting and should be planted as soon as possible.

The roots should be spaced out so that they establish easily in the soil and ensure the soil is at the crown level to avoid rotting.

If you plant the crop shallowly; roots will be exposed and dry easily. The plants should be firmed well daily, until they are well established.

 

USING PLASTIC MULCH ON STRAWBERRY

Runners can also be planted through plastic mulch however, this increases production cost. Make holes on mulch and let the runners touch the mulch.

If watering is done under mulch, black mulch warms the soil resulting in early flowering and suppression of weeds.

Clear plastic mulch allows light to reach the beds, thus weeds continue growing but it has the advantage of preventing frost. If you are using plant covers, they should be removed when flowering starts.

Straw mulch protects the plants against cold injury. They should be placed on top of the plant late in the season as the plants go dormant. Straw mulch is removed early in the next growing season. Strawberry can be grown hydroponically.

 

THINNING OF RUNNERS IN STRAWBERRY

After planting, runners should be trimmed off so that they channel energy into vegetative growth first. The flowers should be removed for the first 4-6 months to allow adequate runners to develop first.

Once flowering starts, you need one to two rooted plants for the next planting.

Strawberries produce few runners so spacing is close. The beds should be replanted every 2-3 years using disease free runners. The lifespan of strawberries is 3 years.

Weeding should be done by cultivating shallowly in between the rows. Other types of mulch e.g. straw that will smoother the weeds, other alternatives are using of herbicides.

 

HARVESTING AND YIELDS

Harvesting is done regularly three to four weeks after flowering; start targeting green to light brown/red fruits. Handle the fruits carefully to avoid bruising them.

You can harvest 12-15 tones of strawberry per hectare if the crop is managed well. After harvesting, old leaves are cut off after duration of 3 months.

Cutting off old leaves helps in controlling diseases and results in new clean growth. Irrigate and apply a nitrogenous fertilizer at a rate of 200 kg of DSP after harvesting.

HANGING BASKETS

Hanging baskets or flower pots are movable gardens floating in the air above the eye level, showing off the best plants by spilling the trailing branches in all directions.

The most effective display technique of hanging baskets is that of drooping, trailing and spreading plants and using the upright plants to show off the plants at their best.

Hanging baskets should appear pleasing to the eye from a short distance, from all angles.

You can add a new dimension in indoors or outdoors living decorations by arranging flowerpots containing beautiful plants at the ground level to enhance the visual appeal of the hanging baskets.

Plants supported from the ceilings, patio, trees or shrubs create a means of adding interest in undecorated areas. The hanging baskets should be viewed from all sides above at the level.

Hanging baskets on patios add a cheerful note to outdoor entertaining, while a burst of color at the front door provides a warm welcome.

The secret to great looking containers is to keep them well stocked, overflowing and abundant with flowers.

CHARACTERISTICS OF PLANTS SUITABLE FOR HANGING BASKETS

They should be trailing, creeping and have excess branching.

For example:

A. Maiden hair fern- epipremnum aureum

B. Money plant- Adianthum sp

C. Nerve plant- Fittonia sp.

D. English ivy- Hedera helix

E. Vine philodendrons- Philodendron sp

F. Pilea muscosa

G. Wax plant hoya cannosa

H. Mother of thousands-saxifrasa sp.

I. Sedum morgarianum

J. Swedish ivy-Plectanthus australis

PLANTING

It is advisable to use a thin layer of moss plants on the inside the flower pots. This layer of moss plants and plastic sheeting should be pierced so as to allow water to percolate to the soil.

Small tray or saucers should be kept at base of baskets as this prevents water from dripping from the pot to the surrounding walls or ground thus mud streak marks don’t appear on the walls.

There is no special purpose soil or compost for use in hanging baskets; any potted soil mixture is suitable with the exception of heavy clays.

METHOD OF PLANTING

Select plants to be grown in the baskets bearing in mind, the location of the basket; whether, in the shade or in the sun

Always use strong and healthy plants, free of pests and diseases. Aphids can spread very fast in the baskets.

Besides trailing ivies and perennial vines, some annuals and flowering plants can be grown effectively in baskets for example;

A. Verberna hybridus

B. Petunia hybridus

C. Phylox drammendi

D. Allysum maritinum

Plant large plants at the centre of the hanging baskets and place the smaller ones and trailing ones around the basket.

After putting the plants in position; firm the soil around the plants, adding more soil if necessary.

Level the surface to slope slightly inwards towards the centre of the pot to prevent water from overflowing.

After potting, soak the basket in a large bowl of water for about half an hour after which the basket is ready for hanging out.

LOCATING A HANGING BASKET

The location of a hanging basket is determined by the plants tolerance to shade or full sunlight.

For example, flowering plants and non shade tolerant plants will need to be placed near bright window in outdoor living areas e.g. verandas and patio.

Foliage plants which are shade tolerant may be placed in cooler areas of the house e.g. staircase or near the corners of house to soften the architectural lines.

Locate hanging baskets in areas where, they will not restrict traffic movement in the house or where the pots may be viewed to the greatest advantage i.e. at eye level and should be grouped according to light and temperature in a room.

Many house plants grow rapidly in a trailing manner. This means they don’t grow inwards or fill the centre of the pot.

It is therefore important, to have a mixture of climbing plants and upright flowering plants in the same hanging basket; upright plants placed at the centre create interest to the hanging baskets.

Soil media should be light in weight so that can be supported by hanging basket.

MAINTENANCE

Hanging baskets need frequent watering and even daily airing. They should be never put in a drought free area, they need lots of air!

Do not put hanging baskets in dark corners of a room; the plants will sulk, become dark and grow slowly.

To keep the plants in a good shape always, cut the dead ends and remove dead leaves. If they grow too long, trim and pinch the growing tips.

Fertilize the soil once in three weeks with bio liquid fertilizer to enable the plants grow better and healthy. Check regularly for any disease or pest attack; if any symptoms are observed, spray in timely manner.

Rotate the position of the basket every month to enable a uniform growth on all sides of the basket.

RECIPE FOR RED HOT HUES

These plants require morning sun to full sun

1. New Guinea fanfare, impatiens orange

2. Asparagus fern

3. Petunia million bells terracotta

4. Snapdragon Luninae

5. Yellow verberna

RECIPE FOR PASTEL SHADES

These plants require Semi-shade conditions or the morning sun

1. Plectranthus ‘muna lavender’

2. Alternathera ‘purple knight’

3. Verbarna ‘aztec white’

4. Pink nemesia

RECIPE FOR A TOUCH OF CLASS

These plants grow best in full shade

1. Impatiens fiesta ‘ole peppermint’

2. Impatiens super elfin ‘lipstick’

MORE PLANT IDEAS

Most plants prefer the morning sun and afternoon shade, but some will tolerate hot sunny conditions.

A fair number will grow in partial or filtered shade while only a few [select] will thrive in shady conditions.

Once you choose location for containers make sure you choose the right plant.

Plants that thrive in full sun: alussum, celosia, cosmos, dianthus, marigold, narsturtium, petunia, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, zinnia, rudbeckia, verberna, arctotis, coreopsis, Felicia, Gaura, Gazania, lavender, Pelargonium.

Those that thrive in the morning sun: abutilon, aquilegia, fuschcia, lobelia, nicotiana, schizanthus, torenia.

Those that thrive in Shade conditions: Begonia, Coleus, Impatiens.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

1. Line hanging baskets with coir mats to conserve moisture.

2. Fill or top-up your pots with good quality potting soil. In hanging baskets, use indoor planting soil as it retains moisture well.

3. Add water retaining gel to the soil.

4. Take into account whether the container will be in sunny or shady positions and choose your plants accordingly.

5. Hanging baskets perform better when placed in partially shaded to shady positions.

6. For best effects limit the number of colours used to a maximum of three.

7. Choose shades that harmonise or contrast with each other.

8. Choose plants that suit the container. A low container will focus on the plants, while a decorative pot can be as much part of the display as the plants it holds.

9. While a decorative pot can be as much as much part of the display as the plants it holds. Trailing plants suit a large container and hanging baskets.

10. Plant taller plants in the centre of the container and lower growing ones around the edges.

11. Remove flowers that have finished blooming regularly in order to prolong the flowering season.

12. If you buy an already made up basket, it is best keep it in semi-shade because full sun will be too harsh.

13. Groom your baskets and containers regularly if the baskets starts to look a little ragged don’t be afraid to cut the plants or replace them.

Cumin

Cultivation of this crop in Kenya limited because of lack of information on planting, cultural practices and control of the diseases like alternaria blight that appears in an epidemic form.

India is the leading country in the world in terms of production, consumption and export of cumin.

Though  is an important spice crop with high economic returns, its cultivation has not taken place in areas where it can grow well.

USES AND IMPORTANCE of cumin

It is used in the preparation of a number of medicines; it is a good carminative  for controlling diarrhea and astringent digestive disorders.

It is also used in veterinary medicine, in the manufacture of cosmetics, curry powder, culinary preparations, and spice blends and  beverages.

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The plant grows well in cool and dry weather; heavy rains during the growth period damage the plant.

On the other hand warm weather increases the incidence of the disease attaining an epidemic form at flowering and seed formation.

Frost or cool air also affect the flowers negatively-all these factors combined, result to shriveled seeds.

FIELD PREPARATION

A very fine seed bed should be prepared; to achieve a fine seed bed in loamy soil, 3-4 deep plowings should be done followed by harrowing and leveling.

The field should be kept free from water logging by providing suitable draining channels.

VARIETIES OF CUMIN

1. MC 43,

2. RS 1,

3. RZ 19,

4. Gujarat cumin 1.

SEED AND SOWING

The selection of seed, seed treatment, sowing time and method of sowing are the important practices that influence the production of cumin.

About 10-12 kg of healthy treated seed is required for 1 hectare.  The seed is treated with any suitable fungicide like agrosan or cerasan at the rate of 2 grams for every kilogram of seed as a precaution against the seed borne diseases.

The best time to sow cumin seeds in Kenya is from the mid October to the mid November. It has been noticed that early sowing prolongs the vegetative period and increases incidence of cumin blight.

Late sowing in December is preferred to produce high quality seed. The seeds are very small in size, so very careful sowing is required for constant distribution of seed on the farm.

Seed can be broadcasted or dropped in lines by specially designed mechanically operated seed drills.

The recommended spacing between the furrows is 30 cm while between the plants is 10 cm. Space, between the plants is adjusted through thinning operations 15-20 days after sowing.

MANURES AND FERTILIZERS

The addition of 10-15 tones of well decomposed farmyard manure month before sowing the seed improves the tilth of the soil making it desirable for a cumin.

Under rain fed conditions, 20 kg of Nitrogen and 20 kg of phosphorous should be applied as a basal dose. The remaining 20 kg of nitrogen is applied in form of a foliar spray. after  rains commences.

Under irrigated conditions, 30 kg of Phosphorus and 20 kg of potash are applied in the split doses; one after irrigation, the other during the early stage of vegetative growth or as a foliar spray with 2% urea.

WEED CONTROL

Weeding should be done in the early stages of the crop growth to reduce competition of weeds with the crop for the soil moisture, nutrients and sunlight.

Weed control can be achieved by hand hoeing after 15-20 days of sowing or spraying of herbicides like isoprotun at the rate of 1 Kg of active ingredient in 800 liters of water as pre-emergence application.

IRRIGATION

Adequate field moisture is necessary for the germination of the seeds. Cumin seeds germinate within 9-10 days after sowing depending on the soil moisture levels.

Irrigate frequently at an interval of 10-15 days taking care no water logging occurs in the field. After flowering, one, light irrigation is given and the crop is left to mature.

HARVESTING AND THRESHING

The crop is ready for harvesting in 90-130 days. Harvesting is generally done early in the morning to avoid shedding of the seeds.

Harvesting done by uprooting the whole plant; the harvested crop is spread out on the threshing floor to dry in the sun for 2 days, after which threshing is done by beating lightly with a stick.

YIELD

5-12 quintals per hectare (500-1200 kg) are produced under good climatic conditions if the crop was without any epidemic diseases and pest damage.

The yield of volatile oil from the mature seed ranges from 2-3% by weight and a strong aromatic greenish oil to an extent of about 10%.

diseases of cumin

Cumin is attacked mainly by fungi which cause two serious diseases;

1. Cumin blight disease
2. Powdery mildew

cumin blight 

The disease is caused by alternaia species and  appears during warm humid weather taking an epidemic form at flowering stage.

The seed is affected to the extent that they can’t mature to the full size where seeds mature,they become shriveled and are easily blown during winnowing.

It has been observed that early sown crop makes is highly susceptible to the disease; producing unmarketable seed.

To control the disease,  a foliar spray of difolan or dithane M45 effectively reduces the disease incidence.

Spray the crop repeatedly with cuman at the rate of 100 ml in 100 liters of water or spray the crop with Bordeaux mixture 1%.

The first spray should be 3 weeks after sowing and subsequent 3 sprays at intervals of a fortnight.

Powdery mildew

This disease is also caused by a fungus in warm humid climate, a white growth of fungus mycelia is visible on the ventral and dorsal surface of the leaves and the stems.

flowers are malformed and covered with white powder and no seeds are formed.

To control the disease, the crop is sprayed with fine sulfur at the rate of 20kg/ha in two doses; the 1st with the onset of flowering and the second after 10 days.

After 2 or 3 days spray cosan at the rate of 100g in 100 liters of water at fortnightly intervals from onset of flowering.

 

POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGIES PRACTISED BY INFORMAL FLOWER VENDORS AND FLORISTS WITHIN NAIROBI AND OTHER TOWNS OF KENYA

The local flower market is characterized by informal flower vendors who practice their trade by the roadsides, in municipal markets and on verandas in front of shops within the city centre- read how they minimize post harvest losses. 

Without doubt, cut flowers are beautiful, but delicate commodities needing careful handling; unfortunately, informal traders do not have proper structures from where to sell their flowers nor government support, hence suffer huge post harvest losses ranging from 20-65%; at worst, 100%.

Informal flower vendors are aware of the nature of the products they sell; they have developed post harvest practices aimed at minimizing loses.

The simplest of this practice is storage of the flowers in a bucket containing water.

WATER: IT’S ROLE IN THE POST HARVEST MANAGEMENT OF FLOWERS.

Water rehydrates, cools, maintains the freshness and extends a flower’s vase life. It has been established that a flower will lose up 5-10% of its water; if not rehydrated soon after harvesting or in storage.

Water loss has the effect of inducing flower wilting; seriously reducing its quality. Thus it is important that this water loss is prevented. Sometimes a flower will wilt despite being placed in water.

This is because the ends have been plugged by bacteria or fungi or air bubbles. Translocation of water by xylem vessels fails; no water flows to the foliage and flower.

Cutting of the stem ends, up to 2.5 to 5 cm long, before storage in water done under clean water removes air bubbles that may have formed in the xylem vessels.

To prevent bacterial and fungal plugging, the water is treated with a few drops of household beach; and changed the water daily. Water uptake can be enhanced by adding a few spoons of sugar to the water.

At times, despite doing the aforementioned, the flowers still wilt. It is likely that such flowers were harvested when immature.

As you buy flowers, develop an eye of identifying immature flowers; nothing can be done to prevent them from wilting sooner than mature flowers.

HOW INFORMAL FLOWER VENDORS COOL THEIR FLOWERS.

Informal vendors ply their trade in the most arduous conditions; they have to chase after their customers as they drive in traffic jams in the evenings, contend with ruthless city ‘askaris’ [policemen employed by the city council], high taxation and operating from the street.

They are aware of the effect of blistering heat on cut flowers and have realized that cooling is essential; not only does it slow senescence, but also enhance the bloom of flowers.

They sell flowers late in the evening when the atmospheric temperatures are low. They use the most rudimentary cooling method-water!

Flowers are stored in buckets containing water treated with ‘Jik’- popular cloth bleach that has antiseptic properties. Very few flower vendors refrigerate their flowers; only those florists who own shops in the city centre or in towns do so.

THE QUALITY: OF FLOWERS TRADED BY INFORMAL FLOWER TRADERS.

Most of these traders buy second grade flowers that cannot be sold in the export market due to insect pests, diseases or too mature heads or immature flowers.

However some of the flower vendors argue that they use the second grade flowers in wreath arrangements and wedding floral arrangements that do not necessarily need flowers that last long.

Those who are contracted to supply offices and households prefer to buy better quality flowers for resale.

In conclusion, vendors need training on proper harvest handling on proper harvest handling and value addition procedures. The government should also provide technical support to these traders.

How to earn millions from 1 acre of passion fruit- Yes it can be done!

Passionfruits Growing Tips In Kenya 

Updated on 25-June 2018

If there is any crop that can unlock your farm's fortunes, and make you scream alleluia, then it is passion fruit. I am saying this because passion fruits have proven to have, a low cost of production, produce high yields per unit area, a ready market, and reasonable prices.

As I write this to you, Kenyan farmers who've taken the cultivation of passion fruits seriously are smiling all the way to the bank. The only complaint they have is, ‘not knowing the secret of growing passion fruit soon enough.'

Passion fruit can bring you immense profits!

If that statement has made you even slightly interested in passion fruit farming, I know you may have many questions:

• How much land do I need to start a passion fruit farm?
• Benefits of growing passion fruit.
• Profit margins possible from passion fruit farming
• What inputs do I require to start a passion orchard?
• Where do I sell harvested mature passion fruits?
• Where do I get passion fruit seeds/ seedlings for my farm?
• How do I carry out routine management of my passion fruit orchard?
• Climatic requirements for passion fruit growing
• And many more questions.

This issues are many and will need a lot of space to handle. Since I intend to write a comprehensive discussion, this article will be rather long. Find a comfortable chair sit back and relax.

Amount of land you need for Profitable production of passion fruit

Since land is quite an emotive issue in Kenya, let us start addressing the amount of land you need for successful growing of passion fruit.

Here is good news—especially for small landowners:  You don't need to grow passion fruit on tens, hundreds or even thousands of acres of land to earn handsome revenues.

One acre of passion fruit trees--if managed well is sufficient for good returns. But there is a rider to that statement. Depending on the location of the land and target market, your production costs could influence your profitability.

Let me explain what I mean.

Suppose you have one acre of land in Busia (which is approximately 400km from Nairobi), and if your target market in Nairobi, your passion fruit farm may not be as profitable. These low profits are because your production costs will be high, and would eat into your profit.

However, if your target market is the hotels within Busia county, then you are likely to make a kill—even from that one acre of land. All in all, to maximize profit, the further you are from the target market, the larger the area you need.

Before we continue with this discussion on the financial benefits of passion fruit tree farming, here is what other horticultural experts are saying:

HDC continues promoting private sector production of purple passion fruit grafted plants, but demand is still exceeding the ability of nurseries to produce. The good news for growers is that local, Ugandan and export demand is so high that we expect prices to hit Ksh. 90/Kg for quality passion fruit in December.Source: Horticulture development center monthly update November 2004Passion is a prevalent fruit in the domestic market used either as fresh fruit or for processing into juices.Source: Horticulture data 2005-2007 validated reportApril 2008

There is a considerable demand for passion fruit both in the local and export markets, but farmers have been unable to exploit this opportunity.Source: The organic farmer, a magazine for sustainable agriculture in KenyaIssue # 49 June 2009

Significant importers of passion fruit are Uganda (76%) Netherlands (8%), United Arab Emirates (4%), Belgium (3%), United Kingdom (2%) France (2%), and other countries (5%) like Rwanda, Qatar, Norway, Lebanon, Ireland, and Georgia among others...Source: Horticulture validated report 2010

Average yields amount to 10-15 t/ha per year for the purple and 20-25 t/ha per year for the yellow passion fruit. Much higher yields are possible; farmers have reported returns as high as 50 t/ha per year for purple passion fruit in Kenya.Source: www.infornet-biovision.org

Reports indicate that the demand for Kenyan passion fruit in Dubai is high because it is considered natural and high quality.
Source: Grow Kenya monthly issue #5 Feb 2011. (A publication of Kenya competitive project KHCP)

Let us consider the next important factor for passion fruit production.

The benefits of growing passion fruit.

• You won't be worried of the market for your product. You have a ready market.
• A passion fruit farm is easy to manage; the only backbreaking job is during transplanting. Once that is over, the maintenance job is easy like drinking water.
• Low input cost, high returns. Passionfruit farming is the only type of agriculture where you'll have the opportunity to earn 400% or more profit.
• You have the opportunity to intercrop the plant with other crops, to maximize your farm's revenue.
• Three year-long harvest period. You are sure of earning a steady income throughout the period.
• Even small farms can produce huge profits.

Climatic Requirements For Passion Fruit Growing

The passion planting zone depends on the variety of the passion fruit. The yellow passion can grow at an altitude of 0-1500 m above sea level and is tolerant to drought and fusarium wilt. On the other hand, purple passion fruit prefers cool areas; therefore an altitude of 1200 m-1500m above sea level is best.

   Both varieties prefer well-drained soils and can't withstand water logging.

Feasibility of growing passion fruit in Kenya.

Anyone would be mad—including you and me—if they I ventured into without considering the financial benefits of passion fruit production. For passion farming to be of interest, its production cost MUST be lower than the expected revenue. To arrive at that conclusion, you have to consider three things: the passion fruit's market demand, expected yield per acre, and its cost of production.

The market demand for passion fruit

Let me assure you the selling price of passion fruit is extremely good.

When it comes to demand, the local market and export market are begging passion fruit farmers to supply more fruits to them. They can't find sufficient passion fruits to satisfy their appetite. If you are an entrepreneurial farmer—like me, that is sweet news. When other farmers growing other crops lament, "We have no market for our products, you will be smiling all the way to the bank."

To be satisfied that the demand is HIGH, I did a ‘little' experiment. I walked to city market in Nairobi to find out the price of a kilogram of passion fruits in Kenya. The amount the greengrocer gave me was a shocker. One passion fruit sold for KSH 15! I visited more vendors to be sure of the average selling price. Each passion fruit seller was trading at the cost of 15 shillings per fruit— imagine such astronomical prices. At that price, one kilo of passion in Kenya goes for over 200 shillings!

Why such high prices?

The current prices of passion fruits as so good because the current demand for passion fruits exceeds supply. There are too many buyers chasing after too little passion fruits. Why not take advantage of the high prices and start production immediately?

Another reason I suppose for the passion fruit high prices is the rise in the demand for fresh juices. More and more people are now more aware of the health benefits of fresh passion fruit juice, passion fruit leaves, and the negative impact of synthetic extracts. 

This change of consumer preferences has made manufacturers like Coca-Cola, Delmonte, Kevian juices venture into processing passion fruit juices, mango juice, apple juice, grape juice and other fruit juices.

The math behind passion fruit millions

The passion fruit is a vining plant. What this means is one single plant can grow to a length of over 20 meters. One single plant can yield up to 23 kilos of fruit. With that understanding, we are now ready for the math.

• I acre is approximately 4000m2
• The recommended spacing of passion fruit is 2 meters X 3 meters.
• That means, one plant will need 6  square meters to grow well.
• To find the number of plants per acre, you divide 4,000 by 6=666 plants.
• At the spacing of 2 meters by 3 meters, one plant can yield up to 23 kg of fruit per season.
• At such high production levels per plant, you'll get up to 15 tons per acre of fruit.
• If one kg sells at a conservative price of KSH 80, you will make sales of KSH1,200,000/=
• If you factor in ALL the costs of production at KSH 480,000/=, you will make a net profit of KSH 720,000/=

The above mathematics is not a result of guesswork. Peter Mwirigi and others did research titled; Agronomic Management of Yellow Passion Fruit Among Farmers in Mbeere Sub-county, Kenya—they found out that passion fruit has higher returns than maize beans, tomatoes, and cabbage. You can read that research here for yourself.

Another way, to maximize on the returns of your passion farmland, is to intercrop the passion fruit with the various crops. Suitable crops for intercropping are; potatoes, beetroots, Swiss chard, carrots, spinach, strawberries, eggplants, pepper, onions, leek and head lettuce. Intercropping will make you get returns from multiple crops, something that is very good!

That's not all.

Passionfruit profits become sweeter in the subsequent seasons because the plant can live up to 3 years without planting the orchard afresh. In following seasons, production costs reduce, thus increasing the possibilities of higher returns.

What you need to start a passion fruit farm.

• Grafted Purple passion seedlings.
• Farmyard manure
• Conduct a soil test
• Depending on the results of the trial, you will need inorganic fertilizers like DAP, CAN, Multi K prills, MAP, NPK, etc.
• Plant hormones to initiate flowering and to regulate growth
• Foliar feeds to spur the different cycles of plant growth to maximize returns.
• Fungicides to manage diseases.

Where can I sell mature passion fruits profitably?

To get maximum returns for your passion fruit produce, you'll need a little marketing creativity. This creativity will involve avoiding selling the fruits in the local county government markets. Instead, you'll need to sell them to premium customers like supermarkets, high-end hotels, and exporters. Since these will be your target market, you need to have clean fruits, free of bugs and deformities.

There are many exporting companies that you can approach before starting your farm.

For example, Lagran group contracts farmers to grow passion fruit, Hass avocado, rosemary and other vegetables. 

Where to buy passion fruit seeds/ seedlings

I am sorry to break your heart. As we speak, in Kenya no seed companies are selling certified passion fruit seeds. The reason for this could be that the demand of the seeds is too low to persuade seed companies to start producing accredited passion fruit seeds.

So how do you get the seeds to establish your passion fruit orchard despite this limitation?

Check out our website in future for more details on this.

Although no seed companies are selling passion seeds, some nurseries have passion seedlings for sale. However, you can be too sure of the quality of those seedlings as the incubators are not certified. Unfortunately, you have to rely on their word—you can't be too sure that they've raised the seedlings correctly. That's why in the next one week I will finish writing on how to grow your seedlings. Keep checking this blog for details.

How do carry out routine management of my passion fruit orchard?

Passionfruit vines and fruits are susceptible to various diseases and pests that may prevent your success. Therefore, to avoid spending much money and time on managing diseases and pests, you have to start your orchard right. If you intend to grow purple passion fruit, establish your orchard with grafted purple passion seedlings whose rootstock is on yellow passion fruit.

Manage diseases and pests promptly. Since management of a passion fruit orchard is an extensive topic, keep checking this blog for a detailed blog post.

In conclusion:

Why continue getting coins out of your farm when you can earn millions from passion fruit? To get a comprehensive technical guide on passion fruit farming to contact me today on 0715-609 418 or haronmogeni@gmail.com.

Useful links on Passion farming
1. Passion fruit varieties in the World
2. Passion fruit growing stages
3. Grafting passion fruit like a pro
4. Where do passion fruits grow?

FIND YOUR PERFECT PHONE HERE

FUNCTIONAL USES OF INDOORS PLANTS.

Plants aid in creating a mood when used as a focal point in a room. To create different moods, lighting may be used on such a plant emphasizing it as a centre of interest.

Indoor plants are used as room dividers; when they are placed strategically, they help in creating a feeling of a distinct space, they also reduce the of noise levels in the room.

As you choose plants for use as room dividers; make a good selection. This can only be achieved if you know the characteristics various plants and their forms.

Characteristics of plants are their biological attributes that make them suitable for a particular setting i.e. shades loving plants are suitable for indoors and conversely for light loving plants.

When we consider form; it has to do with their shape, height and other attributes that make the plant suited either for indoors or outdoors.

Large indoor plants, hanging baskets, small potted plants on the shelves are combined in the plant arrangement as you define space in a room.

To achieve attractive plants arrangements; pots chosen should suit the room decoration, be of the correct size, colour and should be in harmony with the form of plant contained in them.

Plants effectively conceal architectural eyesores for example; waste water pipes, cracks in walls, old buildings- they almost go un-noticed when beautiful plants are arranged on or around them.

HOUSE PLANTS: MAKING A CHOICE BASED ON THEIR CHARACTERISTICS.

• House plants should have a capacity to tolerate shade of diverse levels of intensity.
• They should have evergreen foliage so as to retain a permanent decorative texture.
• Leaves should have a beautiful form or shape and colour. Green leaves can be attractive especially, if the shape is unusual or interesting e.g. Monstera deliciosa. Leaves of a different colour other than green are very attractive e.g. Coleus blumei, Caladonium spp, Begonia rex
• Indoor plants should not have a fast growth rate; such a rate would require regular change of the size of the pot.
• They should also have a compact growth habit as space becomes a limiting factor in any house e.g. coleus blumei.

HOUSE PLANTS: THEIR VARIOUS SHAPES.

1. Broad leaved grassy plants

They are the most widely grown of all foliage house plants e.g. chrophytum comosum.

Several growing plants also have grassy leaves of these types e.g. narcissus sp, billbergia nutans.

2. Bushy plants are a vast collection of varieties that do not fit in other groups. The standard pattern is an evergreen plant of several stems, arising from the corm or base with a growth habit that is neither vertical nor horizontal.

They may be small and compact like peperomias or tall and shrubby like aucuba. Some plants are bushy, producing side bushes. Others must be pinched out regularly to induce bushiness e.g. coleus blumei, begonia rex

3. Upright plants bear stems with distinctive vertical growth habit. They vary in height from an inch to the tallest house available.

Medium sized upright plants are essential components in a mixed group of plants since they provide a feeling of height, thus help in offsetting the horizontal effect created by rosette plants, trailing plants and low bushes.

The upright plants are often displayed as solitary specimens serving as effective focal points. e.g. ficus elastica, diffenbachia picta, dracaena sanderana, yucca.

4. Trailing & climbing plants

Trailing plants bear stems that grow parallel to the ground. For them to grow upright they need support; they are left to hang downwards if grown in a hanging basket.

They are used as; climbers trained on canes, strings, vertical poles, trellis walls or grown in wall mounted pots to frame windows and trimmed on stout supports to serve as room dividers.

Trailers spread horizontally thus are ground covers in the indoor garden or the can be left to trail the side of pots of hanging baskets. e.g. philiodenron scadens, hedera helix, scindapsus aureus, sedum marsanianum, hoya carnosa.

5. Rosette plants bear leaves that form a circular cluster around the central growing point.

Most of them are low growing, they combine well with bushy and upright plants in pots and groups in the indoor gardens e.g. sanseveria hahnii, African violet saintpaulia ionatha, aloe humilis.

6. Ball plants are leafless and have a distinct globular shape.

All cacti belong to this group; their stem surface may be smooth or curved with air and spines e.g. echinocactus grusonis and most mammilaria.

HOW MPESA, INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND A GOOD POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT ARE CEMENTING KENYA’S POSITION AS TOP HORTICULTURAL PRODUCER.

 
Many policy analysts were worried of the future of the horticultural industry. The only people seemed making money were those in big business-but some of them were suffering.
For the small scale farmers their only hope was to persevere because everything seemed against them; the economy, weather and cost of production...just to mention a few.
But, Kenyan farmers proved their ability to overcome tough economic crises in Kenya and around the world and retain the country’s position of the as a top agro-commodity producer.
Currently small farmers still generate over 70% of Kenya’s agricultural export earnings and there is no letting down of this arrangement.
This situation will remain for a long time and probably they will contribute more if they are empowered and they organize themselves in credible farmer groups and cooperatives.
TOUGH TIMES MAKE KENYAN FARMERS TOUGH.
Hard economic times of the 1990’s to 2002, difficult EUROGAP regulations and poor infrastructure threatened the position of Kenya as a leading Horticultural nation.
Furthermore; horticultural investors around Lake Naivasha region, were threatening to relocate their businesses to Ethiopia and bordering countries because of loses they caused by the aforementioned reasons.
Incentives for investors in adjacent countries seemed better; the tax rebates, huge discounts on land, economic growth....among others; conversely! Kenya’s economy was shrinking.
Conferences were organized by stakeholders; reasons identified slugging growth were, growing competition from other countries, infrastructural challenges, expensive requirements for certification and a lack of knowledge on good agricultural practice.
An improved economic environment ushered in by mpesa and unexpected economic, political and social reforms changed farmers’ fortunes and ability to be resilient.

THE ROLE OF MPESA: IN IMPROVING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY.
Kenyans who owned a mobile phone were only a handful, in comparison with the general population making communication difficult.
This was soon to change, thanks to the reversal of year’s economic decline - a result of improved governance.
The increase of mobile phone penetration made it possible for small marginalized farmers previously written off; share market information on prices- an impossibility in the past.
A hard nut that beforehand disturbed policymakers was now partially cracked... thus; a glimmer of light could be seen.
Innovative thinking among GSM companies lead by Safaricom gave birth to mobile money transfer that was to revolutionize farming and the economy in general.
Farmers; most of them women... in far flung rural areas, could now receive money instantly from their husbands, other relatives and trading partners in cities and major market centers.
By 2007, over 10 million Kenyans owned a mobile phone and currently over 1 billion dollars is transacted in the mobile money platform; a great portion of the money is used in farming.
REGIME CHANGE: IT’S EFFECT ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION.
The propulsion of the NARC government to power in 2002 beckoned economic prosperity and opening of political and social space in Kenya.
People became bolder in criticizing government; and a robust parliament put the executive, judiciary in check and instituted police reforms-minimizing the excesses of corruption.
This led to an increase in government revenue, thus of roads to various production regions could be rehabilitated; dilapidated roads were responsible for post harvest losses of farmers.
Also significant investment in airport infrastructure commenced, for example expansion of Jomo Kenyatta international airport to allow larger cargo aircraft to land and the upgrading of Kisumu airport to international status.
The road network in the country is currently being transformed; it’s said it will be the best and most extensive in sub Saharan Africa.
The completion of Thika super highway, transport corridors and bypasses will make it possible to get to Jomo Kenyatta international airport and the city centre faster than before.
The access to credit has improved with the setting up of the youth enterprise fund, women enterprise fund and the current flexibility of commercial banks in availing credit to farmers.
The current major challenge is finding ways of reducing production costs. This role can only be played effectively by the farmers with assistance from other stakeholders.
This will happen when farmers make an in-depth analysis on the suitability of various enterprises in his/her farm and forming cooperative societies that cater for their interests.

HOW: TO PRODUCE ONION SEEDS.

Have you ever wondered how onion[allium cepa] seeds are produced? two approaches are used. My discussion will consist of production, harvesting, threshing, conditioning, storing, available varieties in Kenya and the yield per acre and the price of onion seed.

There are two ways of producing  onion seeds, namely;

• Bulb to seed
• Seed to seed

Onions can be open pollinated or hybrid seed. Hybrid seeds have greater uniformity, increased yield and disease resistance and also give greater seeding.  

BULB TO BULB METHOD

Bulb to seed method, is where onions seeds are produced  from previously harvested bulbs. Bulbs are harvested and stored and replanted the following season. Seeds are produced in the second season.

This method is said to expensive than seed to seed method, but it allows the grower to easily discard the off types, diseased or undesirable bulbs.

Bulb to bulb method is done for the preservation of onion seed stock.

 

SEED TO SEED METHOD

In this case, seed is used as the initial planting material and has the following advantages;

• It results in a higher seed yield than bulb to seed method, because of the closer spacing achieved when seeds are sowed meaning that more bulbs will be produce and latter flower to produce seeds.
• Less time is invested in bulb establishment.
• Overall cost is less than bulb too seed method.

The above reasons,  make this method the most preferred  for seed production. The major disadvantage of this method is the production of off-types thus rouging is required.

 

IMPORTANT CULTURAL PRACTICES IN ONION SEED PRODUCTION

Some of the very important cultural practices have a role in ensuring the seeds produced are viable It’s to pay close attention to pest and disease management when using seed to seed method.   .

1. Tillage

Leave the field fallow for at least 4 years and ensure it’s free of perennial weeds and soil borne diseases.

The soil should be ploughed to a depth of 10-15 cm, worked until a firm seedbed is achieved ensure it’s friable, fertile and well supplied with humus.

2. Planting

Plant seeds at a depth of 1-3 cm in rows of a width of 50-70 cm at a rate of 4.5-6.7 kg per hectare. Higher seed rates and close spacing yield more plants, thus more seed production.

In some varieties, more than one stalk is produced. Where soil fertility allows, adequate and reliable irrigation or rain is present, the inter row spacing can be reduced to 30 cm.

3. Fertilizer application

Onions respond well to fertilizer application because rooting structure is shallow and limited to a depth of 5 cm.

It is important to add organic matter to improve soil moisture retention ability and soil structure. An equivalent of 56 kg/Ha of Nitrogen should be applied as farmyard manure.

Application of nitrogen and potassium is not recommended at flowering because flowers become unattractive to bees; that are so important in pollination.

When the onions experience a copper deficiency, they become thin, poorly colored and have a poor bulb storage life. This can be improved by application of 22 kg /ha of Cuso₄.

Manganese deficiency common in onions; it is seen as leaf chlorosis. This is often observed in alkaline soils thus adding an acid based fertilizer e.g. ammonium sulfate will solve the problem.

Maintain the soil PH at 6.0-6.5 which is slightly acidic to prevent the incidences of manganese deficiency through regular soil testing. Ameliorate the soil PH when it becomes unfavorable.

4. Irrigation

You need a permanent source of water to keep soil moisture above 65% field capacity because the crop is shallow rooted. When the bulbs initiate flowering; stop irrigation.

5. Weeding

Onions are poor competitors against weeds as they are shallow rooted. They have a poor canopy structure thus can be easily shaded by weeds.

Weeds also interfere with harvesting and become contaminants of crop seed. Effective weed control is achieved through proper cultivation, crop rotation or using selective herbicides.

6. Pest and disease control

Onions are subjected to many insect pests and fungal diseases.

a) Diseases

Umbel blight is caused by Botrytis alli that infects the onion seed stalk consequently reducing seed yield and quality.

Onion downy mildew is caused by Peronospara destructor that is common during cool season’s causes chlorotic lesions on leaves and root stalk.

Pink root disease caused by Pyrenocheata tertris is a soil borne pathogen that infects onions at any stage of development and causes the root to turn pink then brown then black then die.

Fusarium basal rot- caused by fusarium oxysporum showing yellowing, die back from the top of the leaves.

b) Pests

Onion thrips feed on leaf surfaces causing them to turn white or silvery. They also feed on flowers, thus affecting seed formation. Scales are also a major problem of onions.

HARVESTING AND THRESHING

Harvesting commences, when onion heads contain some capsules that have turned black and are opening; the black color indicates that the seeds have ripened.

Although all onion seeds heads do not mature simultaneously, most farmers do a once all harvesting when seed heads are about 30% mature.

The harvesting is done by hand, cutting the plant 10-15 cm below the umbel head. The cut umbel head is put in sacks and stored for 1-2 days.

After the 2 days, the seeds will be dry enough for threshing as the capsules become brittle and readily break releasing small onion seed.

Seeds are dried at a temperature of 32⁰ C until they achieve a moisture content of 10% then at a temperature of 43⁰ C until a storage moisture content of 6% is achieved.

CONDITIONING THE SEEDS

After threshing, the onion seeds are conditioned to eliminate weed seed and chaff; onion seed that is light is unviable thus it’s also eliminated.

Initial cleaning is done by an air screen cleaner and gravity table.  The cleaner and gravity table allows the  offloading of on account of weight differences, heavy seeds sink on the other hand light seeds float and are unviable.

Wash and treat them for not more than 3 minutes;  they dried and stored as long as seed moisture content is less than 10%.

STORAGE of onion seeds

Onions seed deteriorate so fast when stored under hot, humid conditions. They become unviable in less than a year; proper storage will result to higher viability.

It has been established that when onions seed is stored at a moisture content of 6%; the seed will have a viability of 3 years and when stored at a moisture content of 3%, the viability will be more than 3 years.

returns per acre of onion

In most cases seed yield range will be 550-800 kg per hectare for open pollinated lines and 300-1200 kg per hectare for hybrid lines.  

When one is aiming to produce bulbs, one hectare can produce about 12-20 tons of onion bulbs.

Most farmers prefer growing red creole variety because can grow over a wide range of altitude and is suitable for open field planting and planting in the greenhouse.

Other varieties available in Kenya are

1. Red tropicana produces red bulbs.
2. Red tropicana F1 hybrid produces large red thick flat onions with a firm pungent flesh. it is highly productive and therefore demands high levels oif managment. it keeps well in a dry aerated store.
3. Bombay red this variety is for dry warmer areas. It is small to medium sized, globe shaped, purplish red and pungent.
4. Yellow granex F1 hybrid is an early maturing and high yielding variety, that is thick, flat with thin yellow scales. The flesh is medium firm, crisp and mild in flavor.
5. Texas early grano is an early maturing variety that takes 100-120 days. However, it has a short shelf life. Its a heavy yielder for high altitudes and ideal for fish salads.
6. Green bunching is a spring onion that does not produce bulbs. It has dark green attractive leaves. Its an early and highly productive onion grown for stems rather than bulbs and tolerant to sun scotch.