16th Issue Vol. 3 No.

01 ISSN 2094-1765 January 2010

Growing Gerbera or African Daisy

by Norberto Bautista

One popular flowering plant

being sold nowadays in pots
or as a cut-flower is the
African Daisy. Scientifically
called Gerbera jamesonii
Bolus, it originated from
Transvaal Africa. It is also
known as Transvaal daisy in
the World Market. Other
countries which produce
African Daisy includes
Canada, Italy, the
Netherlands, Switzerland,
United Kingdom, and the
German Federal Republic.
In the Philippines, Gerbera
are usually produced in
Cavite and Tanay Rizal.
The genus was named in
honor of Traug Gerber, a
German naturalist who
traveled in Russia. There are
about 70 species of Gerbera
but only a few are grown
around the world. These
species are distinguished
from each other by the color
of their flowers and the shape
and texture of their leaves.

African daisies are low

growing perennials. Their
flowers come in red, orange,
yellow, cream and pink, from
leafless stems which can
grow 18 inches long. Their
petioled leaves, which can be
entire or lobed, arise from or
near the roots. It has
pinnately-lobed leaves, which
has a very wooly underside.
Flower heads are solitary and
contain many flowers.

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What is nice with these plants is that they flower all-year round, and they can be induced to flower
under controlled greenhouse conditions. Most of the cultivated hybrids nowadays are hybrids
between G. jamesonii and G. viridifolia, which makes them ideal for the cut-flower industry.

Cultural Requirements.

Light. African daisies can be grown in full sun, with good flower production. It was observed that
photoperiod influences lateral shoot and flower production, wherein lateral shoot and flower
production increased when Gerbera plants were grown in 8 hours day-length and temperature of
17 degrees Celsius in the day and 13 degrees Celsius at night..

Watering. Watering in Gerbera is similar to that of most ornamental plants. Plants may be
watered frequently to make the potting medium moist at all times to avoid stress. During
summer, it may be necessary to water the beds or soil frequently. These plants are sensitive to
very salty water, thus, irrigation water needs to be checked particularly in areas near the sea.

Potting Mix. The plant requires a fertile and free draining potting mix similar to that of other
houseplants. Use a potting mixture similar composed of equal ratio of garden soil, compost and
coconut coir dust. The plant can be directly planted in the soil and serves as a landscape plant,
mostly placed along borders or beside pathways. They can also be planted in individual pots and
induced to flower, and to be given as gifts especially during Christmas.

Fertilization. For optimum production of flowers and healthy growth, plants maybe supplied with
a balanced controlled release fertilizer once every 3 months. However, do not over fertilize,
especially nitrogenous fertilizers, as it will inhibit flower production.

Controlling Pests and Diseases. Gerbera is often attacked by insects like leaf hoppers,
bagworms, black leaf hoppers, cut worms, Tussock moths and long horned grasshoppers. They
can be controlled by applying insecticides like Azodrin 202. One major disease which affects
Gerbera is the Cercospora leafspot, which attacks the plant during summer months. The disease
is carried by wind, rain and insects, and it starts as small individual circular spots in the leaves,
then becoming larger, purple to
almost black and irregular in
shape. This spots causes
blighting browning and drying of
leaves, and makes plant stunted
and thus produce smaller
flowers. These can be controlled
by fungicide spray, and
controlling insect pests by
insecticide spray.

Propagation. Gerbera can be

propagated by seeds or by
division of clumps. Flowers may
be pollinated during daytime
usually 3-4 days after the flower
has opened as the stigmas
become receptive at that time.
The first signs of success may
be observed 12 days after
pollination when the capitulum
enlarges. The fruits can be
harvested when they are
mature. Seeds can be sown on
a pot with potting medium to

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germinate. Thinly cover the seeds with soil and place the pot in an area with partial shade.
Seedlings can be transplanted when the are large enough. Seed propagated plants exhibits a
one-year long juvenile phase, which will not flower for a year or more.

For asexual reproduction, division of clumps maybe done at the end of the rainy season.
Individual suckers can be planted in pots containing a well-drained media. The single potted
suckers needs to temporarily stay in partial shade for 2-3 months before they can be transplanted
in the bed under full sun. Clumps are usually composed of about 2-4 suckers. Though this is a
slow process, a much faster technique of propagation was developed, wherein a suitable plant is
kept without water for three weeks. Its roots are then pruned and the sucker is planted in peat
and held at 80% relative humidity at a temperature of 25-30 degrees Celsius. This method
produces 30-50 buds per plant. At two- to three- leaf stage, the buds are severed from the
mother plant and treated with a rooting compound before they are planted to a sterile media.
They will be ready for transplanting for about two to three months.

It is also possible to tissue culture these plant in the laboratory.

The Christmas Cactus

by Norberto Bautista

The Christmas cactus , or scientifically known as Schlumbergera are < >. There are two
recognized species of Schlumbergera namely S. truncata, S. russelliana, however, most likely the
plants that are grown as houseplants are hybrids.

The plant is given the name Christmas plant or Christmas cactus as they usually flower in the
cool month of December or in winter as it is exposed to shorter photoperiod or daylength.

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In the wild, these jungle cacti inhabit moist tropical forests, where they grow in pockets of leaf
debris in the clefs of tree branches, and they do best if indoor conditions approximate their natural
habitat.

The plant is composed of a densely branching pendent stems with each stem characteristically
segmented, green, flat, and thin. Each of the jointed segments are about 1.5 inches long and half
an inch wide, and has a prominent midrib. Minuscule areoles, some of which bear tiny bristles,
are situated in notches along the edges of the segments. There is a bigger, elongated areoles at
the tip of the end segment of each stem where flowers arise.

The flower appearance are unusual for a cacti, as they are not symmetrical in shape but
rather have different left and right halves, similar to snapdragons or pea flowers. Each
bloom is about 1 inch in diameter and 1.5 – 3.0 inches long. Individual flowers last for a
few days, and a specimen with many buds may flower for several weeks.

Cultural Requirements.

Light. This cacti should never be exposed to direct sun, instead it is ideal to situate the
plant in an area with medium light or partial shade, usually in eves of houses, receiving
morning or afternoon sunlight. Flowers usually starts appearing during December as the
plant is exposed to short day length. Plants can also be induced to flower by placing
them in a dark room or cover budding plants with black plastic sheets 16 hours per day,
and exposed to light 8 hours only. Once these cacti have begun to bud, do not keep
them in areas where there is artificial light in the evening.

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 Watering. During flowering
season, water the plant everyday
to keep the potting medium
thoroughly moist but do not allow
pots to stand in water. However,
after flowering season, reduce
watering, enough to moisten the
potting mixture at each watering
but allowing the top half inch of
the soil to dry out before watering
again. Resume plentiful watering
as soon as new stem growth
starts after a few months or in
summer. There may also be a
need to mist-spray the plants to
provide humidity. Never let the
potting mixture to dry out
completely. Schlumbergera
dislikes hard water, especially
those containing high calcium.

Fertilization. During flowering period and active growth, apply a potassium rich fertilizer
once a month to encourage flowering. Apply fertilizer throughout the year. A slow
release fertilizer is ideal for this purpose.

Potting Medium. To prevent water logging, use a free-draining or porous potting mix
containing equal proportions of garden soil, coarse sand and leaf compost. Plants
maybe grown in ordinary pots or in hanging baskets. Repot plants every year once they
have finished flowering. Move plants into a container one size larger only if roots have
filled the current one. Otherwise, shake off the spent potting mixture and replace the
plant in its original container, which have been cleaned and added with fresh potting mix.
These plants do not have an extensive root system, thus a pot size of 4 or 5 inches in
diameter is sufficient.

Propagation. Schlumbergeras can easily be propagated through cuttings at any given

time. Remove a section of stem consisting of two or three joined segments and allow
the wound to dry for a few hours and push the bottom segment gently into a 3-inch pot
with the recommended potting mix. Several cuttings can be inserted into a larger pot if
desired. Treat cuttings are mature plants and they should start growing in 4 weeks.

These plants also produces seeds, as their flowers forms into berries with seeds when
pollinated. However, it will take about 3-4 years before the plant flowers.

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 Growing Bangkok Kalachuchi
by Norberto Bautista

Bangkok Kalachuchi or scientifically known as Adenium obesum is a popular flowering plant in

the family Apocynaceae. Adenium obesum is the only species belonging in this plant family and
is also horticultural recognized in names like Sabi Star, Kudu or Desert-Rose. It is native to
tropical and subtropical eastern and southern Africa and Arabia. The plant was introduced and
popularized into the Philippines through Bangkok, Thailand, thus given the common name
Bangkok Kalachuchi.

This plant is now widely cultivated

and hybridized, producing a vast
variety of different colored hybrids,
both single and double flowered.
Bangkok Kalachuchi is an
evergreen succulent shrub,
preferring tropical climates and
usually behaves semi-deciduous to
deciduous (it shed off its leaves) in
colder climates, depending on the
subspecies or cultivar. It grows
about 1–3 meters in height, with a
pachycaul stem and a stout,
swollen basal caudex. Plant
collectors prefer plants with caudex
of particular shape, like that of a fat
bellied man or Buddha. The leaves
are spirally arranged, clustered

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toward the tips of the shoots, and leathery in texture. The flowers are tubular, 2–5 cm long, with
the outer portion 4–6 cm in diameter, with five petals, resembling those of other related genera
such as Plumeria and Nerium. Flower color ranges from white, cream, pink, maroon, red, light
green, and light blue.

Cultivation.

Light. Adenium is a popular houseplant

both in temperate and tropical regions. It
requires a sunny location for the plant to
continuously bear lots of flowers.

Watering. It thrives on a xeric watering

regime like that of a cacti. Thus, it is
recommended to water the plants once
every 3 days, or as often as necessary,
especially during very hot and windy days,
and use well-draining potting mixture. It is
recommended that to protect plants under
clear plastic during monsoon rains to
prevent root rot.

Potting Technique. Heavy clay pots are the containers usually used for this plant, as it is top-
heavy and would prevent the plant from tumbling down by strong winds. Anchor roots in few
pieces of rocks or gravel, before adding soil or potting mix. The potting mix is composed of a
1:1:1 proportion of garden soil, river sand and compost. The potting mix needs to be free
draining as not to water log, as Adenium is susceptible to root rotting when subjected to
prolonged water logged soils.

Fertilization. Adeniums will benefit from a regular supply of controlled release fertilizer, about
half teaspoon every 3 months, applied on the surface of the potting mix. With this, the plant
receives ample amount of nourishment whenever it is watered. Application of sufficient amount
of organic fertilizers like decomposed chicken manure or leaf litter is also recommended.

Controlling Pests and Diseases. Adeniums have no serious insect pests, possibly because its
sap is poisonous. The toxic sap which is used by some people, such as the Akie in Tanzania, to
coat arrow-tips for hunting.
Propagation. Adenium is
typically propagated by seed or
stem cuttings. Flowers are
artificially pollinated using a
toothpick in order to transfer
the pollen into the stigma of
the flower. Once pollinated, a
seed capsule is produce at the
lower part of the flower,
containing numerous okra-like
seeds. Some hybrids are
propagated mainly by grafting
scions into onto seedling
rootstock. While plants grown
from seed are more likely to
have the swollen caudex at a
young age, with time, many
cutting-grown plants cannot be
distinguished from seedlings.

An Adenium seed pod containing seeds. 7

Seeds are then harvested from mature seed pods and are sown in 5-6 inch pots with a potting
mixture composed of equal proportions of garden soil, sand and compost. Seedlings usually
grow in 2-3 months, and needs to be planted individually to single 3 inch pots. Plants needs to be
exposed sufficiently to sunlight to fully grow into mature plants.

Ornamental Pineapples
by Norberto Bautista

Members of the genus Ananas

includes the familiar edible pineapple
as well as some plants grown indoors
for their decorative foliage and
attractive miniature red fruits. Though
the familiar edible pineapple is much
too big to become a houseplant, there
is a miniature variegated form,
Ananas comosus variegates. It has
channeled and spiny leaves 1.5
inches wide and 3 feet long. The
leaves are green with ivory-colored
margins, but may turn deep pink if
given sufficient sunlight. The flowers
are usually followed by a small pink
fruit above it, develops when the plant
is about 6 years old. The plants
usually flower when they are
subjected to optimum ideal light
conditions and temperature outside,
and they would not usually flower
indoors.

All of these plants are slow-growing

and none has a regular rest period.

Light. All pineapple plants require

bright light, including direct sunlight.
The sunnier the location, the stronger
the coloration of these species that
have variegated leaves.

Temperature. These plants require a

warm or tropical growing temperature in order to grow properly and healthy.

Watering. Water plants moderately, enough to make the potting mixture moist throughout, but
allowing the top half inch of the mixture to dry out before watering again. The plants also grows
well when there is high relative humidity. This can be done by standing pots on a tray or saucer
with damp pebbles and also by occasional spraying the foliage.

Fertilization. These plants can be fertilized through its leaves by spraying a dilute balanced
orchid fertilizer once every week throughout the year.

Potting Mixture. Ideal potting mixture for these plants includes an equal proportion of coconut
coir dust, and crushed charcoal.. Use 4, 6 or 8 inch pots for these plants. Do not use very big

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 pots as the plants have
relatively little roots. It is
preferred to use clay pots as
pineapple plants in plastic pots
may become top heavy and
topple over.

Controlling Pests and

Diseases. Pineapple plants
usually does not have serious
pest and diseases problems.

Propagation. Pineapple
plants can be satisfactory
propagated by means of
offshoots, slips or offsets.
Offsets can be detached from
the mother plant using a sharp
knife, especially when the
offset is already 4-6 inches
long, and planted in a 3 inch
pot containing the potting mix
above. The plant is then
watered and the whole potted
plant needs to be placed and
sealed inside a clear plastic
bag to maintain high humidity,
and placed in a slightly cool
and shaded location. The
offset will root in about 8
weeks, and would not need
any further watering during that
period. Once rooted, the offset
can be brought out of the
plastic bag and gradually
trained to adjust in partial to
open lighted condition. At this situation, the plant can be watered moderately, keeping the potting
mixture moist. The crown of the pineapple fruit can also be cut off and planted in a pot similar to
the offset.

The Lotus Flower

Nelumbo nucifera, is known by a
number of names including Indian
lotus, sacred lotus, bean of India,
or simply lotus. It is an aquatic
plant in the Nelumbonaceae
family. Botanically, Nelumbo
nucifera (Gaertn.) may also be
referred to by its former names,
Nelumbium speciosum (Wild.) or
Nymphaea nelumbo. This plant is
an aquatic perennial. Under
favorable circumstances its seeds

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may remain viable for many years, with the oldest recorded lotus germination being from that of
seeds 1300 years old recovered from a dry lakebed in northeastern China.

A common misconception is referring to the lotus

as a water-lily (Nymphaea), an entirely different
plant as can be seen from the centre of the flower,
which clearly lacks the structure that goes on to
form the distinctive circular seed pod in the
Nelumbo nucifera. It should also be noted that
water-lilies come in various colors, whereas the
lotus has flowers only in hues of pink, or white.

Native to Greater India and commonly cultivated in

water gardens, the lotus is the national flower of
India and Vietnam.

In Kolkata, West Bengal, India.The roots of

Nelumbo nucifera are planted in the soil of the
pond or river bottom, while the leaves float on top
of the water surface. The flowers are usually found
on thick stems rising several centimeters above
the water. The plant normally grows up to a height
of about 150 cm and a horizontal spread of up to 3
meters, but some unverified reports place the
height as high as over 5 meters. The leaves may
be as large as 60 cm in diameter, while the showy flowers can be up to 20 cm in diameter.

Researchers report that the lotus has the remarkable ability to regulate the temperature of its
flowers to within a narrow range just as humans and other warmblooded animals do. Dr. Roger S.

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Seymour and Dr. Paul Schultze-Motel, physiologists at the University of Adelaide in Australia,
found that lotus flowers blooming in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens maintained a temperature of
86 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, even when the air temperature dropped to 50 degrees. They
suspect the flowers may be turning up the heat for the benefit of their cold-blooded insect
pollinators. The study, published in the journal Nature, is the latest discovery in the esoteric field
of heat-producing plants. The very few other species known so far to be able to regulate their
temperature include Skunk Cabbage and a Philodendron known as Elephant Ear.

The traditional Sacred Lotus is distantly related to Nymphaea caerulea, and possesses similar
chemistry. Both Nymphaea caerulea and Nelumbo nucifera contain the alkaloids nuciferine and
aporphine.
Uses
The Fruit of Nelumbo
nucifera; the dried
seed cup is commonly
used in flower
arrangements. Boiled,
sliced lotus roots used
in various Asian
cuisine The distinctive
dried seed heads,
which resemble the
spouts of watering
cansphoto, are widely
sold throughout the
world for decorative
purposes and for dried
flower arranging.

Fruit of Nelumbo nucifera; the dried seed cup is commonly used in flower arrangement.
The flowers, seeds, young leaves, and "roots" (rhizomes) are all edible. In Asia, the petals are
used sometimes for garnish, while the large leaves are used as a wrap for food. In Korea, the
leaves and petals are used as a tisane. Yeonkkotcha is made with dried petals of white lotus and
yeonipcha is made with the leaves. The rhizome is used as a vegetable in soups, deep-fried, stir-
fried, and braised dishes. Petals, leaves, and rhizome can also all be eaten raw, but there is a
risk of parasite transmission (e.g., Fasciolopsis buski): it is therefore recommended that they be
cooked before eating.

Lotus rootlets are often pickled with rice vinegar, sugar, chili and/or garlic. It has a crunchy texture
with sweet-tangy flavours. In Asian cuisine, it is popular with salad, prawns, seasame oil and/or
coriander leaves.

Lotus roots have been found to be rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, thiamin, riboflavin,
vitamin B6, phosphorus, copper, and manganese, while very low in saturated fat.

The stamens can be dried and made into a fragrant herbal tea called liánhuā cha in Chinese, or
(particularly in Vietnam) used to impart a scent to tea leaves. The lotus seeds or nuts (called
liánzĭ, or xian liánzĭ, in Chinese) are quite versatile, and can be eaten raw or dried and popped
like popcorn, phool makhana. They can also be boiled until soft and made into a paste, or boiled
with dried longans and rock sugar to make a tong sui (sweet soup). Combined with sugar, lotus
seed paste becomes one of the most common ingredients used in pastries such as mooncakes,
daifuku, and rice flour pudding. Various parts of the lotus are also used in traditional Asian herbal
medicine.

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 Boiled, sliced lotus roots used in
various Asian cuisine

Cultivation.

The Lotus may be grown in a

small container (about 10
gallons capacity plastic basin,
pail or wide mouth cement /
clay jar) or be made to
colonize a pond.

Lotus plants are best exposed

in bright light, in order to have
vigorous growth and flowers.

Use clay soil for healthy growth

of Lotus lilies. Clay from rice
fields, from termite mounds or
from bottom of ponds, is good
for these purpose. As much as
possible, avoid soil with very
high organic matter in order to
prevent water molds from attacking the seeds or young plants.

A grower can use a plastic pale or basin, or better a wide cemented pot. Add about 3 inches of
clay soil and then fill it up with water. Seeds or young plants can be planted on the artificial pond.

The worst pest o the Lotus is the golden snail, which is also a pest in rice. They usually attack
the leaves, and can defoliate your plants in a matter of days. They can be controlled hand
picking if they are only a few, or by snail baits. Thrips are also a problem usually during the end
of summer, and they can be controlled through application of appropriate insecticides.

Lotus plants are easy to propagate since they produce seeds. Flowers become capsules
containing seeds once they are pollinated. Seeds maybe wrapped in a ball of clay and seeded
into the pond. Rice fields with trapped water or small artificial lakes are also good places where
Lotus can be propagated commercially. Another way is to use a plastic pail or basin as a
container. The seed will germinate faster if the tough seed coat is scarified by cutting a hole to
allow water in. The seed is then planted in a shallow container with 4 to 6 inches of water above
the soil. The first leaf normally appears in 7 to 10 days. Position the container in a sunny
location.

Lotus Lilies are real good additions to

The Urban Gardener is an official electronic publication (in
PDF Format) of the Plant Biotechnology Project, Research &
Development Center, Rizal Technological University, Boni
Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. It is published
monthly. For more information, please inquire thru email:
rdc_rtu@yahoo.com or plantbiotech_rtu@yahoo.com and
landline (+632) 534-8267 Local 135 or Fax (+632) 534-9710.
Edited by N.R. Bautista © January 2010
The Plant Biotechnology Project Committee is composed
of: Alexander B. Quilang, Norberto R. Bautista, Jovita A.
Anit & Carnette C. Pulma.
ponds, which provides white or pink
flowers. Ponds provide a natural look in
the garden, wherein fishes like koi,
goldfishes or carps can also be added.
Also, ponds provide added humidity in
your garden for sensitive plants to thrive.
Ponds may also attract other interesting
animals in your garden like frogs,
salamanders, butterflies and birds.

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