A large garden might be a dream for most of us living in
apartments, but we can always make up for the loss by shrinking it a bit and
squeezing it into our balcony . After all, reading a book on a rainy afternoon
or chatting up friends over tea on a gloomy evening can become extra special if
you are surrounded by colourful flowers. True, plants tend to rot easily during
monsoons, but if you have a gardener's heart, it will find a way . And the best
way is to choose the right flowers. So, here are six flowers that'll surely
beat the monsoon blues away ...
SWAMP WATER SUNFLOWER LILY
The swamp sunflower is a perennial plant that can reach
up to 10 feet in height. But you can grow it in pots too. Swamp sunflowers
bloom during monsoon. You can acquire the seeds from a nursery or even order
them online.
HOW TO GROW
No sunflower can handle shade for most of the day. Since
the sky is overcast with clouds most of the time, place the pot in a place
where it gets as much light as possible.
Swamp sunflowers require well-drained soil that retains
enough moisture. The usual potting soil works well.
Pot-grown sunflowers need regular watering. Water only
when the upper layer of the soil appears dry.
Apply fertiliser just as the flowers begin to bloom.
Adding rotten compost is important as a source of food for the plant.
Water lilies are sea sonal plants and are just right for
your mini-pond garden. These aquatic perennials can be easily grown in a pot
with some expert guidance. You can even read up articles on the internet. Trust
us, once it blooms, it's surely something to be proud of.
HOW TO GROW
To grow water lilies, first take a small (terracotta or
plastic) pot with several holes punched on the sides and bottom. Growing water
lilies in containers helps keep them from spreading and is eas ier to maintain.
Fill the pot with loam or clay and mix with it a small
amount of slow-release fertiliser meant for aquatic soil.
Plant the rhizome close to one side of the pot at a
45-degree angle, with the eye pointing upwards.
Cover the soil with a layer of gravel, keeping a little
space from the rhizome. The gravel keeps the soil from washing out of the pot.
Finally, place the small container inside the bigger pot
and keep it on the terrace or balcony where it gets proper light.
LOTUS
If you have a pond in your garden or even a big pot, it's
enough to become home for your lotus plant. It's the most exotic flower of the
season that you can grow on your terrace. Lotus, which is the national flower
of India, mostly come in pink or white.
It's a perennial plant that shoots in spring, flowers
during summer and autumn before going dormant in winter. So, having one on your
balcony makes for a wonderful sight indeed.
HOW TO GROW
Take the plant out of the nursery pot very carefully,
without disturbing the roots. Then place your plant in the middle of your new
wide pot or bowl.
Put good garden soil around the lotus plant and fill the
container with 13rd soil. Avoid using potting mix.
Add 3 cm of gravel over the soil and fill the pot with
tap water.
Do not submerge the leaves.When you are deciding on a
position for your new plant, make sure it gets at least six hours of daylight.
HIBISCUS
The hibiscus shrub, with its dark green leaves and bright
trumpet-shaped flowers, stands out in any garden.
They are easy to grow and bloom in plenty! The flowers
tend to attract butterflies and other pollinators. It is available in colours
ranging from dark red to yellow, white, orange, pink and peach.
HOW TO GROW
Plant hibiscus in a pot filled with a lightweight,
well-drained potting mix.
Select a pot that is at least 10 inches in diameter.
The plant requires consistent watering because potting
mixture dries quickly. The leaves tend to turn yellow and drop flower buds
without adequate water.
Hibiscus grows best when it receives at least six hours
of light every day.
Apply fertiliser once in 15 days. Container plants
require extra fertilisers due to a small absorption area.
Remove all the yellow leaves and trim back any thin,
unhealthy or sagging branches.
ASTER
Aster encompasses a large group of flowers, but there are
a few varieties that thrive in ex cessive water. The New England, New York,
Golden, and Calico va rieties are excellent choices for your garden, especially
since the roots can handle water. These colourful flowers do require regular
care, but nothing too strenuous.
HOW TO GROW
Use a container with plenty of space for the roots to
grow. Avoid extra-large containers, as a large amount of potting mix holds
excess water that may result in root-rot.
The container should have at least one drainage hole in
the bottom. Cover the hole with a paper coffee filter to prevent loss of
potting mix through the hole.
Mix a small amount of slowrelease fertiliser into the
potting mix while planting the sapling.
Water daily to keep the soil moist.
Cut dry blooms as soon as possible. Or else, the plant
will start seeding and blooming will decrease.
CAPE JASMINE
Popular known as gandharaj or Gardenias, Cape Jasmine is
another monsoon flower that can help beautify your home- not just with its
flowers but also with its sweet fragrance. The white flowers also add beauty to
your garden.
HOW TO GROW
Gandharaj is a beautiful subtropical plant that prefers
both light and partial shade, or else the leaves would wilt and wither.
See to the soil is moist and well-drained. It should be
damp, but not soggy.
Add plenty of organic compost or manure to enhance growth
of the plant
The plant requires high humidity to thrive and
therefore,grows best during monsoon.
Cut of withered flowers just to encourage blooming.
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