35th Issue Vol. 4 No.

ISSN 2094-1765

August 2011

UPCOMING MIDYEAR ORCHID SHOW

Promoting Environmentally Friendly Ways of Growing Orchid
by Norby Bautista

An Orchid Exhibit booth of Cora Purificacion & Anna Ruth Purificacion-Conde. The onset of the monsoon rains marks the staging of the 65th Mid-Year Orchid and Garden Show of the Philippine Orchid Society (POS). To be held at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Diliman, the POS in partnership with the Quezon City Government will stage the said orchid show on August 25 to September 5, 2011. With the advent of environment consciousness, the show will carry the theme Green Living with Orchids and will promote environment friendly ways of gardening and orchid growing. This seasons show is usually in time for the flowering season of our very own Vanda sanderiana or the majestic WalingWaling orchid. Also highlighting this event is be the transformation of a part of the Quezon Memorial Circle park into a tropical paradise showcasing the best of this seasons blooming orchids with a competition for the search of the Best Philippine Orchid Species, the Best Waling-Waling and the Best Orchid in the Show. ``` 1

Botanically speaking, orchids are one of the most advance of all flowering plants and are efficient in transforming carbon dioxide into plant matter. Orchid growing and gardening per se is our own little way of contributing in minimizing the effect of climate change, and at the same time, growing these unique plant treasures helps us conserve these endangered species in our own garden. It also help us transform a monotonous concrete jungle into an interesting tropical paradise, shaded with trees, lined with cool loving ferns, landscaped with colorful flowering plants, and adorned with delightful uniquely scented orchid blooms. It is also the role of the POS to continue, promote and encourage the hobby of orchid growing and gardening in anyway possible as it is an interesting and income-generating leisure. The orchid growing hobby is composed mostly of numerous plant hobbyists, which supports our countrys ornamental plant industry. The Philippine plant industry has gone a long way, being highly respected upon by our Asian neighbors as Filipinos often win in landscape or orchid exhibits, which truly confirms that Filipinos has really excelled also in the art of landscaping and in plant cultivation, especially cutflowers. Participating in this show is our countrys top orchid and plant collectors and producers in tandem with the industrys best landscapers. Free lectures on orchid care will be given daily at 2 p.m. by orchid experts and a plant bazaar will be set up for those who wish to buy orchids direct from the growers.

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Ikebana Flower Arrangement

Ikebana, which means "living flowers" or flowers kept alive, is the Japanese art of flower arrangement, also known as kad (the "way of flowers"). It is a much complex way of flower arrangement, compared to the usual and people who want to do Ikebana have to learn many things. It is not just about putting flowers in a vase. Japanese flower arrangements often have special meanings. There are many ways in which Ikebana can be taught. Schools which teach ikebana includes Ikenobo, Sogetsu, and Ohara.
(Left bottom) Moribana Basic Upright; Mechanics: Kenzan ; Container: Round suiban ; Materials: Acer palmatum 'Senkaki', Chrysanthemums

Ikenobo is very well known. Until the 1930s it was only for upper class people. Ikenobo was started by a Buddhist priest called Ikenobo Senkei in the 15th century. It uses standing flowers (called "rikka"). It is a Buddhist way of showing the beauty of nature. There are 7 branches. Each branch represents something in nature, e.g. a hill, valley, waterfall etc. Later, in the 17th century, it became simpler and was called "shoka". Shoka uses just 3 branches called "ten" (heaven), "chi" (earth) and "jin" (man). Another form of Ikebana is called "nageire". It is used in tea ceremony.

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Today Ikebana is very popular among all classes of people in Japan. 15 million people in Japan practice Ikebana. It has also become popular worldwide and people around the world are doing Ikebana, and even here in the Philippines, there are now some schools teaching this unique art form.

Freestyle Mechanics: Kenzan Heuchera, Cymbidium orchid

Container: Glazed ceramic dish; Materials: Aspidistra,

More than simply putting flowers in a container, ikebana is a disciplined art form in which nature and humanity are brought together. Contrary to the idea of floral arrangement as a collection of particolored or multicolored arrangement of blooms, ikebana often emphasizes other areas of the plant, such as its stems and leaves, and draws emphasis toward shape, line, form. Though ikebana is a creative expression, it has certain rules governing its form. The artist's intention behind each arrangement is shown through a piece's color combinations, natural shapes, graceful lines, and the usually implied meaning of the arrangement. ``` 4

Another aspect present in ikebana is its employment of minimalism. That is, an arrangement may consist of only a minimal number of blooms interspersed among stalks and leaves. The structure of a Japanese flower arrangement is based on a scalene triangle delineated by three main points, usually twigs, considered in some schools to symbolize heaven, earth, and man and in others sun, moon, and earth. The container is a key element of the composition, and various styles of pottery may be used in their construction. The spiritual aspect of ikebana is considered very important to its practitioners. Silence is a must during practices of ikebana. It is a time to appreciate things in nature that people often overlook because of their busy lives. One becomes more patient and tolerant of differences, not only in nature, but also in general. Ikebana can inspire one to identify with beauty in all art forms. This is also the time when one feels closeness to nature which provides relaxation for the mind, body, and soul.
This arrangement was arranged to celebrate Girls' Day (Hina Matsuri). Mechanics: Kenzan. Container: Black plastic tray, black plastic dish Materials: Pink Roses, Prunus blossom, Forsythia, yellow Chysanthemums Accessories: Black decorative stones, Paper Hina Dolls

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Ikebana has many patterns and styles, and it has evolved through the ages. Ikebana in the beginning was very simple, constructed only a very few stems of flowers and evergreen branches. This first form of ikebana is called Kuge. Styles of ikebana changed in the late 15th century and transformed into an art form with fixed instructions. Books were written and Sedensho is the oldest one, covering years 1443 to 1536. Ikebana became a major part of traditional festivals, and exhibitions were held occasionally. The first styles were a tall, upright central stem that had to be accompanied by two shorter stems. During the Momoyama period, 1560 1600, splendid castles were constructed. Noblemen and royal retainers did large decorative Rikka floral arrangements that were the most appropriate decoration for the castles. The Rikka (standing flowers) style was developed as a Buddhist expression of beauty of nature. It includes seven branches representing hills, waterfalls, valleys, and other objects of nature arranged in a specific way. When the tea ceremony emerged, another style was

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introduced. The style used for tea ceremony rooms was called Chabana. The Chabana style is the opposite of Momoyama style which emphasized on rustic simplicity. The simplicity of the Chabana helped create the Nageire or thrown-in style. Nageire is a non-structured design which led to the development of the Seika or Shoka style. The style is characterized by a tight bundle of stems that form a triangular threebranched asymmetrical arrangement which was considered classic. Seika or Shka style consists of only three main branches, known as 'ten' (heaven), 'chi' (earth), and 'jin' (human). It is a simple style that is designed to show the beauty and uniqueness of the plant itself. Jiyka is a free creative design. It is not confined to flowers; every material can be used.

STARRDEC Promoted Agricultural Products of the Southern Tagalog Region Through its Regional Symposium & Techno-Gabay Summit.
The Southern Tagalog Agriculture & Resources Research & Development Consortium (STARRDEC), an organization composed state universities and government agencies conducting research on the regions agricultural products, held its 24th Regional Symposium on Research and Development Highlights and 1st Regional Techno Gabay Summit last August 15-17, 2011 at the Southern Luzon State University in Lucban, Quezon. This year's theme was "Paving the Way for Total Factor Productivity to Meet the Challenges of Regional and Global Economy". It was attended by participants from its 32 consortium member agencies from provinces of Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Rizal, Cavite, Romblon, Marinduque, Palawan, Mindoro and Metro Manila. Rizal Technological University is one of the members of STARRDEC, belonging in the group situated in the National Capital Region. STARRDEC is committed in the advancement of Research and Development in agriculture, forestry and natural resources in the Southern Tagalog Region ``` 7

through provision of a stronger and relevant R & D services for farmer-clients, SMEs and LGUs; improvement of commodities for competitive regional and provincial industries; and by increasing in premiums for member -agencies' value of participation. (Left) The poster used during the promotion of the symposium and techno-gabay summit. The products promoted for the region includes fruits (banana, rambutan, mango, lanzones and dragon fruits), vegetables (pakbet and chopseuy group); coffee, wood and biofuels, lumber and panel products, corn, bamboo, coconut, carabao, rice and offering of environmental services.

Some of the common products in the region are lakatan banana, barako coffee and the uniquely colorful dragon fruit.

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Market places full of harvested pineapples and chico, mostly fruits in season are common sites in Cavite and Batangas area which usually welcomes travelers along the highway roadsides. The Southern Tagalog region is blessed with a warm tropical climate and plenty of rainfall, making it a conducive and productive region for upland agriculture. Aside from plant crops, the region is also known for its livestock swine, cattle, carabao, chicken, ducks, fresh and salt-water fish, and sea foods.

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Vegetables like bell peppers and tomatoes are found in roadside public markets. Rambutans are usually seasonal fruits and is found in abundance in this provinces. Coconuts are common sites in the farms of Quezon and Laguna.

The participants enjoyed the field trips as they are able to see first hand the various products right their in the farms. They are even able to interview the Farmer Scientists for this season.

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The Fruit of the Dragon

The Dragon Fruit is one of the more colorful fruits being sold in the market. It originates from Central and South America, where it is also known as pitaya or pitahaya. It is also called the strawberry pear or nanettikafruit. Its one of the most widely distributed members of the Cactaceae family. There are three species of Dragon Fruit in the genus Hylocereus and one species in the genus Selenicereus. Varieties of Hylocereus guatemalensis, Hylocereus polyrhizus, and Hylocereus undatus, as well as hybrids of these three species, are grown commercially worldwide. The name Dragon Fruit was coined by Asian merchants. The plant, after all, has long vine-like cacti which resembles the body of a dragon. Its fruits are red and they came to symbolize the dragons fire breath. The Dragon Fruits in the Philippines are usually red with white flesh and black seeds. Dragon Fruit flesh can also be come in white, red, or magenta The fruit has several uses. The red fleshed varieties contain lycopene, a natural antioxidant known to fight cancer and heart disease. Red-skinned Dragon Fruits are a good source of Vitamin C and phosphorus, fiber, and minerals. It also contains significant quantities of phytoalbumin antioxidants, which prevents the formation of cancer-causing free radicals. The seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. The plant is also pretty enough to be an ornamental plant. Its also a delicious dessert fruit and can even be processed into a fruit drink. The Dragon Fruit clings to rocks or branches of trees. Its large white fragrant flowers are shaped like cactus flowers. Once pollinated, they turn into reddish, smooth scaled, medium sized fruits with a white creamy pulp, dotted with numerous black seeds and with a delicate aroma. Dragon fruits flower overnight, but the flowers start wilting in the morning. They rely on nocturnal creatures like bats or moths for pollination. The plant thrives under full sunlight and in fertile, well-drained soil. Over-watering or flooding will result into rotten fruits. Also, the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris may also cause the stems to rot. As it continues to grow, the plant will need a pole or trellis to climb on.

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 August 2011
The Plant Biotechnology Project Committee is composed of: Alexander B. Quilang, Norberto R. Bautista, & Jovita A. Anit.

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