Engineer by profession , loves gargening

[sameerusmani84]

Dear All ,

I am an Engineer by profession and have started gardening at home in different size pots.
I need help from you people in how to grow , what to grow, and when to grow.

Currenlty i have planted some marigold and rose plants,

I need help on ROSE, how to grow them, and how to get good flowers?

I dont know anythign about PH or soil, i just got normal soil (balu ) and added (gober Khaad) , someone told me its not good for roses.

suggestions needed.

I will be thankfull to anyone who helps me learn more about plants.

Regards

Sameer

[sameerusmani84]

Also can some one guide me on how to save seeds for next season for marigold and other seasonal flowers.

[Izhar]

Welcome to the forum Sameer. You have to use your olfactory senses for this if the mix you used for roses stinks then you have to replace it, otherwise its okay. Remember always to use ojhri ki khaad which smells a bit like fresh grass and is dark brown in color.

Do not confuse yourself with pH and inorganic fertilizer now, you will learn them quickly though.

For seasonal flowers seed saving, cut the floral parts when the bloom is dried on the plant.. put them in airtight container and keep them in lower portion of refrigerator. Although most of the seasonal flowers are hybrids so seed saving is not recommended. The seasonal flower and vegetable seeds are easily available at many gardening shops.

I will advise you to keep reading the postings on forum and you can ask questions by quoting what is written. Keep on asking questions, we all will surely help you in this excellent hobby.

[sameerusmani84]

Dear Izhar,

Can i now add Ojhri khaad on top of the old khad i have laready used??

i asked some malli he told me if you have already added that khad u will need to ad some medecines so that can stop pests.

i had a dhalia flower pink colour , yesterday i saw some small black insects crawling inseide the flower and many ants on the stems too.

tell me waht to do and which chemical to use.

[Izhar]

No pesticides, just wash it thoroughly for three days regularly ...

If your plants are growing okay then no need of adding extra fertilizer..

[sameerusmani84]

So far thehy are good, but one difference i see that they are loosing thier bright colours.

When i bought seasoanl flowers they were so bright , now even new flowers which grow are dull and thier colours are mixed, like white and pink is mixed up .

give me tips for new rose ( qalams ) i have bought for different colours , i see new leaves coming out ,how can i get big flowers and many flowers.

[Izhar]

Dear Sameer,

In my honest opinion, roses are not suited for Karachi. The extra effort you put in your roses will not give you blooms like we get in other parts of our country. However, here are some tips for more blooms and healthy plants:

1) When the flower is finished cut the stalk back from three to four internodes, don't just pluck the flower
2) Tilling is beneficial, keeping a distance from the main stem about 5-6 inches till the top soil after every 20 days or so, keep the plant dry for a day then water it
3) Use chemical fertilizer say a balance NPK general formula in 1/4th of the recommended strength every week
4) Pruning is a must for flower production, the months of pruning roses are March, July and October (based on my own experience)
5) Thin and weak shoots should be cut first, dont allow them to branch out as they will produce low quality blooms
6) Spray with pesticide lightly every 15 days, in the evening

The fading seasonal flowers can be due to following reasons:

1) The nutrients are depleted in the medium they are growing in
2) The faded flowers are still on the plants and the energy is going in the developing seeds
3) The water supply is from boring water with high salt content
4) The plant is on last stage of its life cycle

Feel free to ask any further elaboration on my points..

[sameerusmani84]

Dear Izhar,

I cant understand any of the typical biological terms you used can you guide the same in easy steps,
or just give me your number ill call you .

Regards

[Muhammad Arif Khan]

Soon you will, if you want to.

[Izhar]

Dear Sameer,

If you could be specific about the terms you want explanation over here, as other readers may benefit from it. However, I will PM you my contact number.