The Importance of Flowers in Culture and Industry
IMPORTANCE
Flowers have been considered as the symbol of grace and elegance and a feast for our eyes. They are used on all religious festival occasions. Flowers are given as birthday presents, wedding gifts or while meeting sick people and even at funerals. Most Hindu ladies adhere their hair style with flower Le/Gajara/and/Veni/and it is one of the important floral ornament which will and grace to their beauty. All the people irrespective of their origin, race, sex and cadre love flowers. Generally flowers are offered by devotees at the Temples, Gurudwaras, Churches and Masjids. Flowers are also used for decoration. Even dried flowers are also used in flower craft or arrangement of garlands and bouquets are prepared and offered to welcome the dignitaries. When cut flowers are used for vase decoration it becomes a marvelous piece of indoor decoration. Importance of flowers is not restricted upto the beautification, decoration or preparation of Gajra, Garland, Veni or Bouquets but also have the industrial importance too. Some flowers like Rose, Jasmines, Tuberose, Kevda, Bakul are used for extraction of essential oils which is base for preparation of perfumes, scents or ittar. From rose Gulkand, Rose war etc. products are also prepared.
SCOPE
There is a good scope for commercial floriculture. The important factors which decide the scope for Commercial Floriculture are soil, climate, labour, transport and market. Almost all big cities are developing very speedily to accommodate this fast growing population, cement concrete, jungle is abse developing at the same rate and thus people are now realizing the importance of open space pe garden for relaxation, peace of mind, recreation and unpolluted air. Thus, to meet out all these problems bio-aesthetic planning is essential, which runs hand in hand with town planning. In modem lue floriculture garden in the country yard is an integral part of the modern life and thus ornamental plants have found a place in home gardening. As far as flower trade is concerned i.e. for cut flowers and loose flowers, its growing very well in our state because these cut flowers are used for vase decoration and now-a-days there is a cr for indoor decoration. As far as loose flowers are concomed these are mainly used to preparations VỀ gajara, veni, garland and bouquets and thus demand of flowers for these purposes is unending.
Importance of Landscape Gardening
The landscape gardening is not only aesthetic which is meant to beautify places but also functional and important. Surroundings make a significant contribution to our quality of life. The word ‘landscape’ does not only mean attractive scenery, but represents a rich historical record of natural features, molded by human activity over the centuries. It forms the context for our everyday lives and is reflected in our literature, music and painting with flowers their beauty. Flowers are also used for and bouquets decoration it. The art of landscape gardening will involve considering the total environment of any new development and then shaping it using natural elements such as landform, trees, shrubs, and water to form a pleasing harmony. This can make a constructive contribution to the improvement rather than the destruction of environment. Plants that form an important element in landscape design aid in reducing the pollution of the environment and minimizing some of the effects of heat, sound, wind, air etc. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthetic process and purifying the air. Plants with thick foliage also trap pollutants, which are later on washed away.
LANDSCAPING OF PUBLIC PARKS
Public parks are very necessary in cities. In crowded city, parks are the only place where people of all age can sit and relax and breathe fresh air. It is in the parks that one can feel close to the nature. They serve as the lungs of the city body. People refresh themselves there in the morning, at noon and in the evening. Population is so congested in the lanes and streets of the colonies in the city that people hardly find a place to relax. All sorts of people, children, young and old go there for a walk, recreation as well as relaxation. Yoga classes in the parks are a scene in the mornings. People take exercises there. In the evening, parks are full of shouts and laughter of the children. People go to the park for picnics and recreation. Parks add beauty and greenery to the city. It is in the parks that one can feel close to the nature. One of the most important elements in successful public urban green space is plants. We now know that plants have the power to soften and civilize public urban space, even in places once thought to be dangerous. These green oases give pleasure to millions who crave a connection with nature in their lives.
Herbaceous Perennials
A herbaceous perennial is a type of plant that withers and dies in the winter, but regrows from their own crowns during spring and summer. Because of their herbaceous quality, these plants tend to be green and soft when compared to woody plants and darker than other flora. Herbaceous perennials are commonly used for garden borders or to create separation between various bushes and flowers. There are different types of herbaceous perennials. While the most popular include ornamental grasses such as Caladiums and Canna, some types of perennials include vegetables such as artichokes and rhubarbs. Other popular types of herbaceous perennials include different types of grasses, evergreens, and flowering garden plants. While they regenerate in spring, not all herbaceous perennials live forever. Some only last for two or three years, such as the rose campion. However, this particular plant does self-seed readily and quickly, so amateur gardeners are often under the illusion that it lives longer. Unlike annual plants, perennials do require additional maintenance such as regular feeding and pruning. It is also important to check the plants.
FLOWERING ANNUALS
Annual flowers complete their life cycle in one growing season, during which time they grow flower, and produce seed. Although some varieties will self-sow, or naturally re-seed themselves, parents of each seed are unknown and certain desirable characteristics may be lost. Self-seeders sa as, petunia, and impatiens will scatter seed freely in perhaps undesirable areas. Annuals are easy grow, produce instant color, and most important, they bloom for most of the growing season. The main disadvantage of annuals is the you must sow them from seed or set them out as plants every year Annuals are classified as detailed below: (a) Classification based on usage (i) Bedding purpose: Dahlia, Marigold, Phlox, Verbena, Pansy, Carnation, Petimia, Zinnia. Portulaca, Gomphrena, Gaillardia. Flower beds (ii) Fragrant flowers: Carnation, sweet pea 3) For cut flowers: Carnation, aster, Helichrysum, Antirrhinum (iv) For loose flowers: Marigold, Annual Chrysanthemum, Aster, Zinnia, Gaillardia (y) For hanging baskets: Daisy. Nasturtium, Verbena, Phlox, Alyssum, Portulaca (vi) For shady situations: Salvia, cineraria (vii) For rock garden: Nasturtium, Verbena, phlox (viii) For screening: Holly hock and sweet pea fix For pots: Carnation, Antirrhinum, aster, Petunia
RAINY SEASON ANNUALS These annuals are grown in rainy season and can withstand heavy rains, and high humidity in atmosphere than other annuals. Seeds are sown in June and seedlings are transplanted in July. Eg balsam, Cock’s comb, Amaranthus, Gaillardia. Winter These annuals are able to tolerate comparatively low temperature and, hence, are comfortably grown in winter season and bloom best during this season. These winter annuals are sown in September and transplanted in October in plains whereas in hills, these are planted in February-March and July-August eg. Antirhinum, petuni nasturtium. Hot weather: These plants grow luxuriantly and produce flowers under high temperature and have the ability to survive extremely high temperature. The seeds are sown in end of February or beginning of March and seedlings are transplanted in end of March-April. e.g. Zinnia, Kochia, Portulaca, Tithonia, Gaillardia, Gomphrena, Sunflower, Cosmos POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY Precooling: The harvested flowers are kept at a temperature of 4°C to 7°C soon after harvesting. Rapid precooling of flowers maintains quality as well as increases the longevity of flowers. Grading: The flowers are graded to different classes according to their quality. Before grading the foliage at the bottom half of the stem should be removed (stripping). Standard 50 carnations are graded based on length, strength of stem and flower size. The Society of American Florists suggests the following parameters to ensure quality. 1. Flower and leaves should be bright, clean and firm 2. Flowers should have fairly tight petals at the centre 3. Flowers should be symmetrical in shape and size representative of the cultivar 4. Flowers should be free from calyx splitting 5. Flowers should be free of decay and mechanical damage 6. Flower stems should be free of lateral buds and suckers 7. Flower stems should be straight and have normal growth. Packing: After conditioning, the flowers are wrapped with polythene or polypropylene sleeves to protect them from mechanical damage and to improve the appearance. Normally perforated sleeves are used as wrapping material. The basal ends of the stems can be placed in absorbent cotton saturated with water and enclosed in waxed paper or aluminium foils. Different types of corrugated fibre board boxes are used for packaging of carnation flowers. The boxes must be strong enough to withstand the weight of at least eight full boxes placed on top of one another under conditions of high humidity. For long distance transport, telescopic style boxes made up of corrugated fibre board 53 are recommended Normally a box size of 122 cm, 50 cm and 30 cm length, width and height respectively is used. Standard carnations are packed with 24, 28 or 32 bunches per box according to the grade. Spray carnations are packed with 100 bunches per telescopic corrugated carton. All gaps inside the boxes should be