The Jamun Sapling -grows ...

PLANT  A SAPLING

thoughts at Janmashtami 2012-

Jambul in Tamilnadu is called --Navala palam tree (Jamun) and is seen a spl Prasad to offer to  both Lord Krishna & Lord Muruga –Karthikeya in South.

A tiny Sapling from Smt Savitri & Shri Ganapathy our neighbours (Sr Citizens) a loving  family-she  actually planted seeds in a pot and gave us a sapling last year-

It was planted on my near my house in the corner with some protection with a Gul Mohar also (Ours is a Blind Road  on 27th Feb 2011).

Planted-Grows slowly ..may take a few years ; but a Sapling planted and nurtured gives much joy--

This will one day grow into a huge tree–needs space but as this is a blind road corner ;

-hopefully it will do well.

Dear God Protect it-

TR

Naval pazham,Neredupandu, Jamblang, Jambolan, Jambula, Black Plum, ... "

Malabar plum" may also refer to other species of Syzygium. ... A bunch of jaam with unripe(green), semi ripe and ripe(black) fruits from Jessore, Bangladesh ... Lord Murugan (regarded as one of the guardian deities of Tamil language), ...

The Butterfly Tree--

Butterfly Tree-- flowers after Rains
-A sapling of a Butterfly Tree from Anandashram was given to my sister Nalini in 2011- brought by Sulabha Pachi-thro my sis in law  ;
In 2011 Feb It was planted in a pot ; then transferred to earth in the soil this year only.
Watered and changed soil etc. but not much change seen -
Then we had some Rains in July and in Aug . 5 days of good rain showers  in Janmashtami week....and lo behold-the Tree at about ht 5 ft has blooms and buds.
Purple and whitish -..Marvel of Nature and effect of Rain water is unbelievable. Rgds 
TR

Data -plant /flower names taken from source --
My observations in brown colour --as noted on 15th Aug 2012
Rgds 
TR

Species :- Bauhinia purpurea

Family:- FABACEAE

Local names:- Butterfly Tree, Orchid Tree, Kachnar [India]

Common name: Butterfly tree, Pink butterfly , Purple bauhinia, Purple butterfly tree, Purple orchid tree • Hindi: Kaniar कनियार • Tamil: நீலத்திருவத்தி Nilattiruvatti • Bengali: Koiral • Assamese: Og-yok • Marathi: Rakta chandan • Kannada: Devakanchan
Botanical name: Bauhinia purpurea      Family: Caesalpiniaceae (Gulmohar family)

The Purple Orchid Tree is tropical tree that blooms over a long period of time. 

The beautiful & fragrant, classic, Orchid-like flowers are purple whitish /cream lavender petals arranged to closely resemble an orchid. 

These flowers appeared in August --after Rains  

The Portia Tree-Openair Cafe for Birds

I have been writing on nature watch and trees in this Blog-and also other docs. inc FB,  but I have never used such an unusual title and readers may be wondering what is behind it. 

Here are the facts:

"Thespesia"  in botany and -Poovarasu in Tamil and Malayalam has an interesting name in English – the Portia tree.  I was amazed at the name and the idea came from a recent tree watch experience. Last week I had posted a note on my morning walk covering the delightful scene of watching squirrels, mynas, babblers, crows; I forgot to mention two mongooses too. Obviously, a mother and a tiny one all coming from the vast Adyar estaury - sanctuary and feeding at the base of 3 trees in the neighbouring vacant plot. It was  a nice sight to behold and I was wondering what actually the 3 trees offered viz., Thespesia, Neem and the third one is still yet to be identified as it is difficult to connect some local trees. 

The study took me across to the horticulture dept of Chennai with the assistance of my Lab Staff. In fact the PORTIA -aka Thespesia tree was identified when I had taken leaf samples with a few berries for study by an officer of the State Govt. Dept of Horticutural who was very kind enough to also provide a handout sheet. Learnt so much today

It is a matter of interest that some of these trees of India are seen in far and distant lands viz. Pacific Islands and in particular Hawaii - Tahiti and PitCairn Island where it was in fact planted in sacred groves. In these Pacific islands it is called the Milo tree and valued for the wood but sadly over-logged and now depleted.The wood was used for boat building by islanders and even more surprisingly for making drums earlier.

Essentially the tree is grown and  used for shade in earlier times and regrettably much of the pacific island trees were lost in over logging. On the Pit Cairn Island, the wood was used for making curios also.  

Surprises:

In Chennai it is used to make a Thavil – Carnatic music drum and really left me wondering.

Again another interesting point is in Sri Lanka, the flowers of the Portia tree is sold on Remembrance Day to aid ex-servicemen.

Coming back to the open air café for Birds , it was a joy to watch from the 5^th floor terrace of Shanthi Apts. Adjacent to my house, behind a corner flat and partly hidden. The photos are taken are at a very close range from the 5th Floor (Terrace). The tree is actually in the corner of a group of flats and the fruit and flower are only seen at the higher levels. Unless one goes very close it is not likely to be seen as the height of the tree has crossed 4 floors.  

The fruit of the tree resemble tiny figs but are not suited for human consumption and is considered to be toxic to mammals and humans but obviously birds are able to digest this. (I am still studying this as the 3^rd tree in the vicinity with black dry berries) are all strewn on the ground and along with neem fruits and tender shoots and flowers provide food for birds both on the ground and on the tree top.

A wonderful experience  in tree watch and I never thought a simple study in the morning would take me across to several parts of the globe up to the Pacific islands ....by just observing  a tree.

Marvels of Nature continued-

rgds,

TR

Tree Watch -musing

Tree Watch -musing

dt 20th May, 2012
My routine daily in the morning walk includes Tree Watch-care -and starts with Watering the Garden and the Jambu & Gul Mohar saplings planted last January -which now are abt 5 ft high-(Jambu grows slowly) Gul is 8ft . 

 

Stopped to observe :
The Old Tamarind , wild berry and neem tree in next vacant plot is a veritable playground and morning Open air Cafe for sweet ripe tamarind for Squirrels- Mynahs- Babblers-Crows and the lone Cuckoo on a branch was at peace (was not chased ) and his Cuckoo cry was oft repeated---
The adjacent trees had wild berries and many tender morsels for all as they pecked off the ground and fed.
No one was quarrelling -silently feeding -in thankful appreciation for what they received
Watched silently with appreciation--Peace reigned.
Dear God, what all we have to learn from the morning and Nature.
Rgds
TR
pic -adjacent vacant plot-

22nd April 2012.

 

EARTH DAY REPORT

 

Was able to keep my resolutions for Earth Day...( over the last week  )

Tree Watch & care- with and Garden maintenence was taken up with greater purpose and care.

Got some advice also from  from the Horticulture Dept. Then finally got some manual labour to help, but---with some difficulty  The last 2 years  have been a series of eye openers in Plant &Tree Care.

Many valuable lessons learnt.

 

PROGRESS

1. Worked in the Garden-cleared, weeded out  and renewed the soil /nutrition with fresh red earth with micronutrients and Organo. Creeper plants &Climbers esp Malli were properly arranged to have support.

Pests -Insects Rodents and Monsoon effect leaves a lot of damge that as to be rectified.  

2. Sprayed neem oil pesticides where ever possible -Neemsutra and Neem Guard & Neem Oil

3.Transferred the  Butterfly Tree sapling from Anandashram Kanhangad (to the earth --on easter side Trees,

4. Banana Trees cleared and good ones retained- to ensure sunlight, warmth, and well-drained soil. The cut banana stems -inner core as the vegetable -Tender banana stems (Vaal thandu-Tamil / Gabbo in konkani) Pieces distributed all  around--a good vegetable used in south and is recommended  for UT & kidney cleaning .

5. Carefully inspected my Neem Tree and took Bark Sample samples -Arranged for  analysis-(sent) -as excess brown powdering seen at lower 4 feet -(may be Soil nutrition is lost with time -added Micronutrients). Will decide soon on further treatment as this is a new experience for me (6. Consult the Horticulture dept. again on Tree care ref my observations (Tree Watch -Ref ). Termites also suspected  but not seen -only powder?

6.Neem Tree was Sprayed with  termite protection, by  professional support using a backpack tank -and sprayer.

7.Organised a Compost Drum with Organic only (leaves etc) -will have  to see how this works out.

8 Reassessed the Garbage Management on my Road--spoke to the Dept. staff and a few neighbours-- but frankly this is a sad ...pathetic story--of indifference. Whats wrong with us ? Civic Sense whither--??,Anyway must go on..will strive.

9. FInally re-aranged all plants in the pots to get   a balance in Sunlight, Air , Space and Drainage--in some cases  changed the soil  -re -potting as soil nutrition and drainage some times gets choked and earth hardens in the pot .

10. SUMMING UP

Gardening can be great fun for grandparents, family and young children - and and an opportunity to commune with nature and it relaxes us. Watering a garden, digging and helping is a part of SUPW in some schools and  is a delight  for a child of  any age.

Watching a plant grow and a flower bloom is sheer joy- Sitting out on a a porch or on a verandah after 6 pm is so restful- esp watching the trees & plants. I was happy to see today my dear sister' s prized plant stalk  the  April Lily blooming-2 on a stalk after a long time -

Also, Malli on a bush tranferred to a another pot with fresh earth- and the bottom cut  opento allow roots to go into the soil , -Today 3 buds have come on the plant -- despite Chennai's  temperatures  of 38 deg C..

Truly as the poet said " A thing of Beauty is a Joy for ever "

 

Finally:

Gardening is a nice hobby and a pastime of value to all- has therapeutiv value, soothes nerves and the Mind is  really at peace.Here in India, generally it is too often forgotten in the hustle and bustle of life -India Today?

Space limitation is ackd--but 5 plants in pots kept on a porch or verandah is a good gardening  start -and brings in much beauty and joy.

The ambience is also much improved.

 

Ficus  Ephiphytes on a wall nearby -appears !! Even one in a Pot with Tilasi-

Who grows and why it grows is a Mystery & Marvel of Nature, to be Appreciated-The final Baghban in Creation is the Divine alone.
no other explanation---OM Prakriti Namaha

Rgds all-

TR

EARTH Prayer from a Red Indian--

All Tribes and ancients respected Mother Earth as Sacred -
this is a prayer from the Ute Indian Tribe.
Rgds 

TR

Earth Teach Me to Remember...

Earth teach me stillness, as the grasses are stilled with light.

Earth teach me suffering, as old stones suffer with memory.

Earth teach me humility, as blossoms are humble with beginning.

Earth Teach me caring, as the mother who secures her young.

Earth teach me courage, as the tree which stands alone.

Earth teach me limitation, as the ant which crawls on the ground.

Earth teach me freedom, as the eagle which soars in the sky.

Earth teach me resignation, as the leaves which die in the fall.

Earth teach me regeneration, as the seed which rises in the spring.

Earth teach me to forget myself, as melted snow forgets its life.

Earth teach me to remember kindness, as dry fields weep in the rain.

UTE ~ North American Prayer

Prithvi पृथ्वी our Earth Mother

Prithvi पृथ्वी our Earth Mother

4rd April 2012.

Starting a series on 5 Elements " Pancha Mahabhutas" 001


Salutations to Earth Mother
Prithvi  पृथ्वी our Earth Mother --is the personification of -where we stand on, grow on and live In Pancha Mahabhutas is  the basic essence of the element earth.


Thus when we start our prayers we touch the earth in thanksgiving and also forgiveness .


Prithvi is best known by the name Dharti-Ma -and so many beautiful songs on her.
She  is also called Dhra,  Dhrithri, meaning that which holds everything. In Vaishnava temple esp in South Prithvi Devi, known Bhumi Devi & along with Sri Devi Lakshmi are worshipped.  


Refer Bhu Suktam and Sri Suktam chanted in most temples -
I also learnt that Prithvi Sukta of 63 verses is in the Atharva Veda


As Prithvi Mata "Mother Earth" is linked to the Aakash tattva -also called as Dyaus -Father Sky


Interestingly the Red Indian Chingachgook (the lone survivor) in classic and film "Last of Mohicans" by James F Cooper  says a prayer to Earth & Sky in the last scene -and earlier the hero Daniel refers to stars in "Father Sky"  too.


In the Rig Veda the Earth & Sky are referred to and  is  possibly the most Ancient worship of two sides of creation -as they compliment & supplement and were also known as "Dayaprithvi" .


Puranic lore has a lot on this in stories and legends and Bhu Devi is also associated with Go Mata -as the Giver.


As Mother of Sita devi in Treta Yuga-Ramayan, and in Satyabhama in Dwapara yuga Mahabharat period. Alamelu Mangamma or Sri Padmavathi Devi of Tiruchanur at Tirupati--All  had a similar beginning, being found in a ploughed field by Akasa Raja. In latter days as Andal in South,
Interesting fact is,  Bhu Devi  is seen in Indonesia "Ibu Pertwi" & in Eastern countries too.


 Bhumi Devi Gayatri Mantra
Om Vasundharaya vidmahe
Bhutadhatraya dhimahi
Tanno Bhumih prachodayat  
Meaning of Mantra “Om. Let us meditate on Bhumi Devi, the One who provides all , bless us with abundance."


21 aspects of Mother Nature in "nurture" are seen in the following.
Some are explained in Gita also.


As Provider
Bhumi ("Soil")

• Dhatri ("Nursing Mother")
• Dharitri ("Nurturer")
• Janitra ("Birthplace")
• Medini ("Nurturer")
• Prshni ("Mother of Plants")
• Vanaspatinam Grbhir Osadhinam ("Womb of Forest Trees and Herbs")
• Vishvadhaya ("All-Nourishing")
• Vishvagabha ("World's Womb")
• Vishvamshu ("Producer of Everything")
• Vishvasvam ("Source of Everything")

As Sustainer

• Dhara ("Upholder")
• Drdha ("Steady One")
• Kshama ("Patient One")
• Sthavara ("Stable One")
• Vishdava ("All-Preserving")
• Vishvadharini ("All-Supporting")
• Vishvamhara ("All-Bearing")

 

As Enricher

•  Ratnagarbha ("Repository of Gems"")
• Ratnavati ("Abounding in Jewels")
• Vasundhara ("Bearer of Treasure")--

 Namaskar to Mother Earth


COMPILED from many sources


Rgds
TR