Growing Field Marrow/Madras Cumcumber / Sambar Cucumber In A Pot in India.

Field Marrows popularly known as Madras Cucumber or Sambar Cucumber belongs to the Cucurbit Family looks like a cucumber and feels  and tastes just like a gourd when cooked. Its a common and popular vegetable found in almost every home in Southern India.

Madras Cucumber or Sambar Cucumber is locally known by names such as Magge,Dosakaya,Bollari,Mangalore Cucumber,Mogem etc.

My plant grew as a volunteer plant, i make my own compost at home and i had added the peels and seeds into the composter. I had used the compost to fertilize my Curry leaf plant and a few days later a healthy seedling emerged.

I had no clue back then what would the little sapling turn out to be :)) I did not want to pull it out as the tiny little sapling looked so happy and healthy so i thought why not give it a chance to grow so i just let it  stay to see how it  grows from here on.

At First I thought its a cucumber then i thought it might be a gourd when the leaves got bigger....Its only when the first fruit arrived that i realized that its a Madras Cucumber.The seedling emerged during the Monsoon in June this year,it grew well without any pests attack or disease,which made it even more special.

In a 2 foot by 1/2 foot plastic pot,I had used Garden soil (red),Cocopeat,Compost and Neem cake as the potting mix in the container that originally housed the Curry Leaf plant and now it was home to the Madras Cucumber. And once or twice a fortnight i sprinkled in a handful of vermi compost and dry cow manure.I also mulched the top of the soil with some dry mango leaves,to help retain moisture and prevent soil splash.

Within no time the creeper started spreading out in all directions and the first bright yellow colored male flowers began to bloom it made such a pretty sight,the bees could not stay away from them and buzzed from flower to flower the whole day from morning to mid afternoon collecting pollen,which was a good sign for me, it meant better chances of pollination and cucumber formation later.

A week or so after the male flowers appeared,first female flowers started to show on the creeper,and another week after that i spotted the very first tiny little Madras Cucumber on the vine. It grew very fast and was ready to harvest within 2 weeks.

Some people like to harvest Madras Cucumbers while they are still green,some prefer to harvest it when it changes color to yellow and  the seeds get mature from within.I harvested mines mid way and used it to make Sambar.

After harvesting the first Madras Cucumber,two more cucumbers started forming.So in all i harvested 3 good sized Madras Cucumbers,the leaves slowly started to turn brown and wilted after which i removed the complete creeper and discarded it.

I also managed to save a lot of seeds,as i will be trying to grow them in my potted garden again next year.The only thing to remember while growing Madras Cucumber is that it needs a lot of water just like any other cucumber or gourd variety.Inadequate watering might cause the Cucumbers to turn out bitter in taste.

Another thing to watch out for is that the stems are very spiky with loads of tiny prickly hairs on them so be careful when handling the creeper or harvesting the fruits.

As the Madras Cucumber plant grew during the monsoons it received plenty of water, i feared that i might lose my curry leaf plant in the bargain, on the contrary they both did exceptionally well.

I was so happy that i gave the Madras Cucumber a chance to grow, from seed to seed it was a wonderful experience watching it grow and bear fruit.Growing Volunteer plants can be such fun,If any one of you have had a similar experience of growing a volunteer please do share it with me until next time.....

                          Happy Gardening To All My Friends ☺

How To Grow Green Bush Beans/Dwarf French Bean Plants In Pots Or Containers.

Green Bush Beans are also known as French Beans,String Beans,Snap beans,or Green Beans and can be easily grown in India in containers or in pots.Bush beans are ideal for small spaced balcony gardens and terrace gardens alike.Here's a step by step pictorial guide on how to grow Bush Beans from seeds in pots or containers.The best time to grow bush beans in India is from June to February.

You can choose any type of pot or container to grow bush beans,it can be made of plastic,cement,terracotta or even a grow bag.Make sure it is about a foot deep,start by lining the base of the pot with dry leaves,gravels,brick pieces or coconut coir,make sure there is a hole for water drainage.

Next is to prepare the potting mix for the beans.Bush Beans thrive in soils that are rich in organic matter.Start by mixing together good quality garden soil,cocopeat,composted cow manure/compost/vermi-compost in a ratio of 2:1:1.Then mix them together to incorporate,Make sure the potting mix is light and has well draining quality to it.

Fill the potting mix into the pot or container that you have chosen to grow your bush bean in.Never fill the pot or container till the brim, always leave a little bit of space by an inch or two from the top of the potting soil,like shown in the picture above.

There are many varieties of Bush Bean seeds that are easily available in gardening shops/stores,online etc.They can be Hybrids or Heirlooms.Bush Beans also come in various colors like green,yellow,purple,black,burgundy etc.Choose whatever you like and want to grow accordingly.

You can either sow the seeds directly into the potting mix, use the paper towel method or you can also transplant saplings when the first true set of leaves have appeared.If sowing directly into the soil, sow the seeds about an inch deep and about 10 cms apart from each other in rows,cover with soil and  then water well after sowing, till the seeds germinate and begin to sprout.The germination process can take anywhere between 3 to 10 days,depending on the temperatures and climate in your area at the time of growing.

Bush Bean plants are easily attacked by pests like white flies,black aphids and mites and powdery mildew,if you happen to see any ant activity around the bean plants,its a sure tell tale sign that the plants are infested with some pests.Always look under the leaves as many garden pests begin their life cycle there.

Bush Bean plants like all other bean plant varieties are great Nitrogen fixers they take in nitrogen from the air and fix them in the soil,bush bean plants  make great companion plants for Eggplants,Cucumbers,Okra,Tomatoes etc.Bush Beans are light feeders so its always advisable to use low nitrogen organic fertilizer to fertilize them,high nitrogen levels will only encourage lush green growth,delayed fruiting and it will also inhibit the nitrogen fixing ability of rhizobia bacteria.   

Bush Beans are early producers the first flowers begin to show when the plant has about 5 to 6 true leaves or when it reaches to about a foot in height . You can provide the plant with organic fertilizers,like home made compost,vermi compost or manure,you can also mix a tablespoon of epsom salts with a lire of water and water the bean plants.

Bush bean plants have a shallow root system,and they need daily watering or else the flowers will drop if the soil remains dry.

Keep on harvesting the beans so that the plant remains productive and keeps on producing more flowers which will turn into beans,the flowers are edible too.You can start a second batch of beans to that the growing season last longer.

Happy Gardening To All ☺☺☺

How To Grow and care for Yardlong Beans In Pots Or Containers.

Yardlong beans also known as Snake Beans,Sitaw Beans,Butong,Asparagus beans, or Noodle beans belongs to the Cowpea family and is known as Vigna Unguiculata.Yardlong beans dont really grow upto a yard, they just get their name because they are very long in size.Its grown for its striking long pods. Yardlong beans are cultivated and widely used in Asian cuisine. The beans range in colors from pale green.dark green to red and deep burgundy.

                                                       Purple Yardlong Bean Flowers 

                                               Green Yardlong/ Sitaw Bean Flowers 

Yardlong beans plants have pale pink to violet blue flowers,these beans can be grown from seed,Yardlong beans can also be easily grown in pots or containers.Its a reliable crop to have in any garden . They no not require much care and pretty much produce all season long.Yardlong beans can be grown as both a garden ornamental or as a vegetable.

To begin with you can either directly sow the seeds or you can transplant them once the saplings are about 5 to 6 inches tall.Sow the seeds about an inch deep in good potting medium.A mix of garden soil, cocopeat and cow manure, or compost/ worm castings/ vermicompost can be used.The seeds generally germinate within 2 to 10 days depending on the climate and temperature. The best time to grow Yardlong beans in India is from June To January,The plants do well in warm weather,however there are varieties that are suitable for rainy season and winter seasons too.Yardlong bean plants require regular and heavy watering,its important that you don't let the plants dry out,also make sure that you use well draining soil in the potting mix.

Yardlong beans are annual and indeterminate plants with a twining habit,they can reach a height of 8 to 12 feet.hence providing the Yardlong bean plants with a trellis,pole or wire support is  very important.Pinch out the flower buds and side shoots that sprout under one foot this helps the plant focus its nutrients on growing and producing longer beans and higher yields .There is no need to provide the plant with extra fertilization as long as you use  a good potting medium in the start that is full of rich organic matter. 

At about 60 to 90 days of planting, flowers start to appear on the Yardlong bean vines,These flowers attract various pollinators like Bees,Yellow Jackets and Ants.Depending on the variety sometimes if the temperatures get too hot the flowers tend to drop,however once the temperature cools down and gets back to normal the flower drop stops and the plant start producing beans.The flowers bloom  early in the morning and close by mid afternoon. Yardlong bean flowers are self pollinators ,so they do not require any help in pollination.

Once the flowers drop after blooming a tiny bean emerges,Yardlong beans grow very fast they can grow about a 3 to 4 cms each day.The beans reach a suitable picking length within 5 to 6 days.The beans appear in pairs of two at times.

Its important to pick the beans while they are young and tender or else they tend to get hard and chewy in no time at all also the seeds from within mature and swell,early picking ensures that the plant remains productive.

Since the stems are tough always make use of a pair of clean scissors or a knife to cut the pods of the vine to ensure that there is no damage done.

Yardlong Beans are similar to green beans they are crunchy and retain their shape and texture after being cooked they can also be eaten raw or steamed.The purple,red or burgundy beans have an earthy,mushroom type flavor where as the green yardlong beans have an asparagus type flavor to them.They are a great addition to stir fries,curries and salads.

Yardlong Beans are highly susceptible to black aphids,mite,mealy bugs and fungal attacks,ants love this plant they play host to attracting various pests and diseases.These pests can be hard to spot as they generally hide under the young tender leaves,they can infest the entire plant in no time.Hence checking the plants for any pests especially under the leaves and new growth is very important.

If the plant is not severely infested with pests you can try and remove the infected parts of the plant manually,and hose it down with water.For plants that are severely infested you can make an organic herbal spray by boiling together 2 fresh marigolds,1 handful of fresh Neem leaves,1 tsp of turmeric powder,and 1 Piece of charcoal in a liter of water,boil it till it reduces to half the volume,cool,strain through a sieve or muslin cloth to filter and then spray it all over the plant,repeat if necessary. 

When growing Yardlong bean plants make sure you dont add too much of cow manure as excess nitrogen will lead to more foliage growth less bean production.Yardlong bean plants are great natural nitrogen fixers.

To Save seeds for your next growing/replanting season,Leave the pods till they reach full maturity by allowing them to dry on the vine itself,once the outer skin is dry enough you can snip them off the vine,peel the pods and save the dry seeds from within into a clean zip lock pouch,paper envelope or a bottle and then label it with the type and date and then store it in a cool,dark and dry place until use.

                                                      Happy Gardening To All  :) 

How To Grow Tomatoes From Seeds In Pots Or Containers.

Tomatoes can be successfully grown in Pots or Containers , just a few tips and tricks that you need to know about growing tomatoes and  you will be hooked on to growing them in your garden.

Tomatoes are used worldwide and are very common.They  make a great addition to any kitchen garden, as they are easy to grow.Tomatoes can range in colors from the most common reds,to unusual colors like purple,black,white,green ,yellow etc.

There are many varieties of tomato seeds from which you can pick and choose like heirlooms,hybrids,organic or simply save up the seeds from the tomatoes from your very own kitchen to start growing them.

Keep in mind that Heirloom Tomatoes are not heavy producers like Hybrids,however they taste better and the fruits are way superior in terms of color and shapes,also you can grow the same type of tomato every year from saved seeds as heirloom tomatoes are open pollinated and organic unlike hybrids that can be genetically modified (GMO).

Hybrid Tomatoes on the other hand are hardy , disease resistant,and they give higher yields and mature early.Hybrid Tomatoes are a great choice for first time gardeners as they are 100% foolproof, especially for those gardeners who have had 0 % success in growing tomatoes or those tend to kill their tomato plants.Hybrid Tomatoes can give such gardeners guaranteed success in growing them which in turn boosts the confidence and enthusiasm of the gardener making them want to grow tomatoes again and again. 

To begin growing tomatoes start by choosing what type of tomatoes would you like to grow as there are so many types of tomatoes like Cherry,Plum, Roma,Currants etc Then the next step  is to prepare the potting mix in which you will be growing your tomato plants,start off by mixing equal proportions of good garden soil,cocopeat,manure and vermi compost or compost,mix well to incorporate and  then fill it in the pot or container in which you wish to grow the tomato plant.Tomato plants need well draining soils that are rich in organic matter.

Choose a pot which is about 1and 1/2  feet high and 1 feet wide and make sure there is a drainage hole at the bottom so that there is no water logging.Also plant only one seed or one sapling per pot.If tomatoes are started in seed trays you can transplant the young tomato saplings when they are about 5 to 6 inches in height,make sure you bury most of the sapling into the soil leaving only the upper two leaves from the top this way most of the buried stem portion will grow roots giving you a healthy and sturdy tomato plant.

Tomato plants grow and fruit well in full sun and require cool temperatures at night ,so the best time to grow them is from June till August and from November to January in India.In case you do not have a spot that receives full sunlight , 5 to 6 hrs of sunlight can suffice. Inadequate sunlight results in weak and straggly tomato plants. 

Its always a good idea to stake the plants when they are young this way chances of damaging the roots and lessened.Also staking ensures that the plant does not break or bend over due to the weight of the fruits or the winds.It also provides necessary support and grip.You can use Bamboo or Thin wood sticks to serve as stakes or you can also buy Tomato cages from gardening stores/Nursery centers.

If you notice that the tomato plant has started to bear flowers and if they are begining to drop off from the plant this is a common condition known as flower drop ,you can mix a pinch of lime (chunna) in a glass of water and pour this onto the soil,Lime contains calcium so it can help sort out the problem of flower drop.Mix three small pinches of Compounded asafoetida or Hing in a liter of water and pour 1/2 cup of this solution in the plants to help better flower formation.

Dry Out Banana Peels and Egg Shells,Powder them and use this powder for your tomato plants to provide them with a boost of Potassium,Calcium and Magnesium.

Always allow spent tomato flowers to drop off by themselves,never pull them out yourself this way proper tomato bunches are formed or else it effects the fruit formation.Spraying diluted fermented buttermilk on tomato plants improves flower and fruit formation.

The main idea behind pinching away suckers is that the plants produce fewer but larger sized tomatoes.Suckers are easy to identify they are new shoots that grow between the main stems and lateral stem of the tomato plant. If you do not pinch the suckers off the tomato plant it will produce smaller fruits . Keep clipping away the leaves from the bottom as the plant grows this helps the plant retain its energy and it helps the tomato plant in channelizing this energy in producing more fruits rather than grow more leaves.

Companion Plants like Borage,Marigolds,Nasturtiums etc. can be planted along with tomato plants these plants help  to ward off insects and pests that can infect tomato plants.Basil and Parsley when planted along with Tomatoes  helps discourage white flies from attacking your tomato plants,it also enhances the taste and flavor of tomatoes.
Planting garlic along with tomatoes helps keep spider mites away.Borage protects tomato plants from tomato hornworms .Chives and Mint due to their strong scents help in deterring garden pests away.Companion plants are a great organic and natural way to deal with pests and insects and one can certainly avoid using harmful chemicals,pesticides and fertilizers to get rid of them.

Epsom salts can be mixed with water and this water can be poured for tomato plants.Epsom salts contains natural magnesium and sulfur which works wonders for magnesium hungry tomato plants. 

Tomato plants are often affected by problems like leaf curl,brown spots ,wilting and blossom end rot these conditions are caused due to lack of iron, to treat plants that are suffering from any of the above mentioned conditions dissolve one iron capsule in 1 liter of water and pour half a cup of this iron rich water in each plant.

Watering Tomato plants is also important especially when the plant is forming fruits,never skip watering your tomato plants,avoid watering the leaves tomato plants do not like their leaves being watered.If you let the plant dry our and then water it,it will result in flower drop, cracked tomatoes and blossom end rot.Water the tomato plants twice on hot and sunny days.Tomato plants need to be watered deeply and the soil needs to stay moist but not boggy so avoid clay or loamy soils,go for well draining soils that have the ability to retain moisture.

Once the plant has produced enough tomatoes chop off most of the upper leaves,this helps the sunlight reach the tomatoes and fastens the ripening process too.Placing a few Banana peels directly on the soil also helps to ripen tomatoes.

Its advisable to allow the tomatoes to ripen naturally on the vines to get  the ripest and most flavorsome tomatoes.If at all the tomatoes need to be plucked when they are still green you can wrap them in newspaper or put them brown paper bags and leave them in a warm spot to ripen.

Avoid storing freshly plucked tomatoes in the refrigerator, tomatoes contain natural sugars which turn into starch when kept in the refrigerator, making the tomatoes taste mealy and insipid.

                                      Happy Gardening To All My Friends :)