Design Your Home Garden With Flowers

Tithonia rotundifolia

COMMON NAME---------------------Mexican Sunflower

                     Family-----------------------------------Compositae

Raising of Seedling------------------April-May; August-September

Transplanting Month----------------July-August; October-November

                      Planting Distance----------------------60 cm x 60 cm

                     Height of Plant-------------------------Tall: 120-180 cm

                     Flowering Month---------------------- August-September; February-March

                    Colours-------------------------------  Yellow and orange-red

                    Soil------------------------------------Light

                    Sunlight--------------------------------Full

                    Irrigation------------------------------Normal

                   Suitable For---------------------------Beddings, borders, hedges, screening, shrubs

and as cut flowers

Tithonia rotundifolia is a tall, hardy, brittle stalked, free-flowering showy annual. The leaves are large, rough and heart-shaped. The single large orange-red flower with tufted yellow centre resembles the single Dahlia. Flowers are borne on the long stalk, 8-10 cm in size where the single petals are grouped around the yellow centres. Tithonia rotundifolia has its origin in Mexico and is therefore known as Mexican Sunflower. A well manured light soil with little care brings the flowers in profusion within 90 days.

The flowers are widely used as cut flowers and are most suitable for screening. Mexican Sunflower is popular for its mass effect.

Senecio cruentus

COMMON NAME------------------Cineraria

Family-------------------------------Compositae

Raising of Seedling--------------- September-October Transplanting Month-------------- October-November

                    Planting Distance -----------------------30 cm x 30 cm

                    Height of Plant--------------------------Medium: 45 cm

                    Flowering Month------------------------February-March

                   Colours-----------------------------------White, blue, purple, pink, lavender and scarlet

                   Soil--------------------------------------Medium

                   Sunlight--------------------------------- Full/Partial

                  Irrigation-------------------------------- Normal

                  Suitable For-----------------------------Beddings, pots and as cut flowers

Senecio cruentus is a medium size bushy annual having large heart-shaped velvety leaves. The flowers are compact, daisy-like or star-shaped. They are of brilliant colours and appear in clusters at the top of the branches. They may be marked with a matching or contrasting white centre lending them an attractive look.

The minute seeds are mixed with equal quantity of sand and then broadcast in the nursery beds. Propagation multiplication is also done by stem cutting and division of old plant and roots. While preparing the nursery medium, add a small quantity of sand, leaf mould and little wood ash in the soil. Seedlings are picked when the first leaf appears and later transferred into flower beds at four leaf stages. Shade from strong sunlight and wind is essential for the plant. Cineraria thrives on long winters but also needs care from frost. It grows well in shade but three to four hours of sunshine is essential for this slow growing plant. When the buds start appearing, a mild dose of liquid manure improves the quality of the flowers. It is grown in March-April in the northern hills where a second bloom can be achieved by cutting down the stem to 3-4 cm from the surface followed by a top dressing.

Cineraria should be preffered to be sown direct. It grows best in shady locations and is most suited for pot cultivation.

Design Your Garden With Flowers

Gerbera jamesonii

COMMON NAME                                   Gerbera

Family                                    Composita

 Propagation                    September-October (February-March) Transplanting Month                             October-November

Planting Distance                                          40 cm x 30 cm

Height of Plant                                              Medium: 30-45 cm

Flowering Month                                          Almost round the year

Colours                                                            Pink, red, orange, yellow, white, lilac

Soil                                                              Medium

Sunlight                                                        Partial shade

Irrigation                                                      Normal

Suitable For                                                 Raised beds and as cut flowers

Gerbera jamesonii has a small stem with broad leaves which are narrow towards the base and broad at the tip with deeply cut edges. The flower head consists of a long ray and disc florets. The petals are long, narrow, compactly arranged and surround the inner dark circle. The flower can be single or double.

The plant is a herbaceous perennial which grows in clumps. The roots of Gerbera go very deep into the soil, therefore raised soil beds about 12-15 cm are prepared by deep digging up to 30 cm. In September, the large clumps are divided into small clumps and planted. In February, the clump from the mother plant gives rise to 5-6 plants. Keeping the main shoot intact, trim the roots and leaves of the suckers and bury the main shoot in such a way that the main shoot does not get covered by the soil. The hot summer is harmful to Gerbera so it needs to be protected from direct sunlight using nets or the plant can be grown under the partial shade of trees in the vicinity.

Freshly harvested seeds should be sown in beds and planted in 4 inch size pots till they reach 1-2 inch in size. The pots are maintained under shade till their final transplanting in beds during September-October. Transplantation is done when the seedlings attain a height of 4-5 inch.

It is a popular, attractive and ideal cut flower having a cut life of 6-8 days.