UNIT 3 - GROWING OF ANNUALS - NOTES

 

UNIT 3

GROWING OF ANNUALS

   

 Annual flowers or annuals are the group of plants which complete their life cycle in one season or in one year. In such a limited period, they complete the process of life like germination, growth, flowering, seed formation and after this plant wither out.

 

IMPORTANCE OF ANNUALS

Annual flowers,

•      are easily grown plants

•      vary in growth habit, form, Flower colour, size, shape, and season of flowering

•      exhibit profuse flowering

•      bring change in outlook of garden with the changing season

•      provide mass effect

•      are grown for various situations with varied uses

•      bring variety of colour to place within short span of time

 

USES OF ANNUALS

·         Bedding purpose: the temporary planting of fast-growing plants into flower beds to create colourful, temporary, seasonal displays, during spring, summer or winter. Eg:- Marigold, Phlox, Pansy, Dahlia, Verbena, Zinnia, Sweet William, Sweet Sultan, Petunia, Ice plant, Portulaca, Candytuft, Gomphrena, etc.

·         Cut flowers: A cut flower is a flower that has been cut along with a portion of the stem. Eg:- Antirrhinum, Carnation, Aster, Sweet William, Sweet Sultan, Sweet Pea, Lupin, Helichrysum, Corn flower, Larkspur, etc.

·         Fragrant flowers: Phlox, Wallflower, Stock, Sweet William, Sweet Alyssum, Sweet Pea, Sweet Sultan, etc.

·         Loose flowers: A loose flower is one which has been plucked from the plant without the stem.  Eg Marigold, Zinnia, Gomphrena, Gaillardia, Annual chrysanthemum, Aster, Sunflower, etc…

·         Cut greens:  Cut greens or cut foliage (leaves and stems) are attractive in form, colour and freshness. These are used as filler with cut flowers in flower arrangement eg:-  Amaranthus, Kochia, Coleus, Cineraria, Celosia, etc.

·         Dry flower:  Flowers can be easily dried, preserved and processed to retain its beauty, as well as, value for a longer period of time.  Eg: - Helichrysum, Acroclinum, Gomphrena, Marigold, Daisy, etc.

·         For pots:  Ornamental plants are grown and displayed in decorative containers/ pots. eg:- Marigold, Antirrhinum, Petunia, Aster, Salvia, Kochia, etc.

·         Hanging Basket:  A hanging basket is a suspended container used for growing decorative plants. Eg:- Nasturtium, Verbena, Sweet alyssum, Ice plant, Portulaca, Daisy, Phlox, etc.

·         Edging:  Edging creates clean, crisp lines between beds and other areas. It is most visible between a lawn and the adjoining garden eg: - Marigold, Pansy, Phlox, Petunia, Ageratum, Portulaca, Lobelia, Candytuft, etc.

·         Screening:  Screening can be used for sectioning different areas of garden.  Eg: - Hollyhock, Sweet pea, Quamoclit, etc.

·         Rockery:  a garden or an area within a garden that has plants growing between piles of stones.  Eg:-  Nasturtium, Verbena, Phlox, Dimorphotheca, Ice plant, Stock, Nemesia, Venidium, etc.

·         Shady Situation: eg:-  Salvia and Cineraria, etc.

 

CLASSIFICATION OF ANNUALS: -

 

I.  BASED ON GROWING SEASON: -

1. Summer season annuals: -

They exhibit luxuriant growth as well as produce flowers under high temperature. In north Indian plains these are sown in February-March whereas in hills they are sown in March-April. e.g. Cosmos, Zinnia, Kochia, Sunflower, Tithonia, Gaillardia, Portulaca, etc.

2.  Rainy season annuals: -

These annuls can withstand heavy rains and high humidity coupled with high temperature. They are sown during May –June. e.g. Amaranthus, Balsam, Celosia, Gomphrena, Zinnia, etc.

Winter season annuals: -

These annuals are able to tolerate low temperature and hence comfortably grown in winter season and bloom best during the season. Winter annuals are available in wide range of flower form, size and colour. They are sown in September-October in plains whereas in hills these planted in February- March and July-August. e.g.  Acroclinum, Ageratum, Antirrhinum, Candytuft, Carnation, Hollyhock, Petunia, gypsophila, etc.

II.  BASED ON HARDINESS IN TEMPERATE AREAS: -

1.  Hardy annuals: They need no artificial aid for their growth and flower freely in the open e.g. Digitalis, Rudbeckia, Viola, etc.

2.  Half-hardy annuals: These needs sowing under glass but are later planted out in beds e.g. Antirrhinum, stock etc.

3.  Tender annuals: They are cultivated under the glass protected from the vagaries of adverse weather conditions e.g. Pansy

III.  BASED ON EARLINESS: -

1.  Early blooming annuals: Ageratum, Alyssum, Amaranthus, Browallia, Celosia, Coreopsis, Cosmos, Gomphrena, Balsam, Salvia, etc.

2.  Late blooming annuals: Abronia, Hollyhock, Anchusa, Antirrhinum, Arctotis, Centauria, Cheiranthus, Chrysanthemum, Dianthus, Matthiola, Salvia etc.

IV.  BASED ON PHOTOPERIODIC REQUIREMENT:

1.  Short Day: Amaranthus, Salvia, Cosmos.

2.  Long Day: Rudbeckia, Antirrhinum, Petunia.

3.  Day Neutral: Gomphrena, Impatiens.

PRODUCTION OF ANNUALS

Annuals / Seasonals are the plants which complete their life cycle in one season or one year. The annuals or seasonal flowers are propagated through seeds.

RAISING OF NURSERY

·         The surface of the soil is dug out and brought to fine tilth. Then, the soil all around the bed is pulled over to raise the surface.

·         This automatically creates a trench around the bed, which is later used for irrigating the bed. Manure and fertilisers are added at this time. These beds are also enclosed with bunds.

·         The width of the bed is one metre to facilitate intercultural operations.

·         Raised beds are about 10–12 cm above the ground level and the length may vary according to the slope of soil.

·         Spacing of 30–50 cm is kept between two rows of the bed to facilitate intercultural operations. Treated seeds are sown width-wise in rows or sometimes by broadcasting method.

·         Initially, these beds are watered with sprinkling water or using a watering can, so that the seeds sown are not dispersed. Once the seedlings are well-rooted and reach the ground level, the bed can be irrigated through trenches of the bed attached.

Seed sowing:-

1.      Broadcasting

2.      Dibbling

3.      Transplanting

4.      Sowing in protray

Beds are kept moist by sprinkling water as and when required. Seedlings of most flowers become ready for transplanting between 18-21 days of sowing.

APPLICATION OF MANURES & FERTILIZERS

1.   Basal application

Application of fertiliser at the time of nursery bed preparation and/or at sowing of seeds is called ‘basal application’ or ‘basal dressing’.

2.  Top dressing

Broadcasting of fertilisers, particularly nitrogenous fertilisers, in readily available form to growing plants in standing crop is called ‘top dressing’.

3.   Foliar feeding

Applying fertilizers in liquid form on foliage is called foliar feeding

Preparation of the flower beds must start at least 15 to 20 days prior to transplanting. A pH range between 6.5 and 7.5 is ideally suited for growing annuals. Sandy loam & well drained soils rich in organic content are well suited for cultivating annuals. Beds must be dug deep enough to expose the soil for 15 days to sunlight. Well rotten FYM at the rate of 5 kg per square meter along with 30g Calcium Ammonium Nitrate, 45g of super phosphate and 30g MOP should be thoroughly incorporated in the upper 10-15 cm soil of the beds at least 7 days before transplanting.

Potting medium: -

The medium consists of garden soil-2 parts, well rotten farmyard manure-l part, leaf mould or burnt rice husk-l part. Add 30g Calcium Ammonium Nitrate, 45g Super Phosphate and 30g of Muriate of Potash per cubic meter of soil should be used for growing annuals in the pots.

IRRIGATION: -

The artificial supply of water to support plant growth and production in the absence of adequate supply of water through rainfall is known as irrigation.

A. Surface Irrigation methods

1. Flood irrigation

2.Furrow irrigation

3.Basin irrigation

4.Ring irrigation

B. Sprinkler irrigation

C. Drip irrigation

A light irrigation before transplanting the crop should be given for proper setting of the seedlings. Beds are leveled properly for uniform application of water. Carefully removed seedlings are firmly set into beds at particular distance. The tall, medium and dwarf annuals are planted at a distance of 30-40 cm, 15-20 cm & 10-12 cm respectively. After completion of transplanting, which should be done in the late afternoon, a light irrigation is also given afterwards.

A light irrigation is also given next day. Established seedlings start growing in a week’s time and young plants require regular supply of nitrogenous fertilizer.

AFTERCARE OF ANNUALS: -

Cultural operations

1. Pinching: - As soon as the seedlings establish in the beds, pinching should be done for making the plants bushy. Pinching is not practiced in Antirrhinum, larkspur, lupin, stock and hollyhock.

2. Weeding: - The beds are weeded and watered regularly depending upon the season and weather conditions.

3. Irrigation: - If rains are not well distributed, irrigation should be done accordingly. Irrigate during dry spell at an interval of 4-5 days. During winter season due to prevalence of low temperature frequent irrigation is not required but is done at the interval of 10-12 days. In light soil frequent irrigation is required than in heavy soils.

4. Disbudding: - Sometimes some plants produce flower buds in early stage. These buds should be removed as soon as they appear.

5. Staking: - Some annuals like sweet pea and carnation will need support for which split bamboo sticks can be used.

DISEASES & PESTS: - 

Most commonly observed diseases on the flowering annuals are Alternaria blight, Botrytis blight and powdery mildew.

Powdery Mildew in Zinnia: - Alternaria and Botrytis blights can be controlled by spray of 0.1% Captan, whereas, powdery mildew is controlled by spraying of 0.2% kerathane.

Common insects causing damage to the flowering annuals are aphids, thrips, mites, leaf miner and green caterpillar.

         Follow preventive sprays of rogor at the rate of 2ml/l of water which is helpful in keeping plants free of the insects.

Common weeds

Ø  Eupatorium odoratum

Ø  Tridax procumbens

Ø  Phyllanthus niruri

Ø  Cynodon dactylon

Ø  vernonia cinerea

Ø  Emilia sonchifolia

Ø  Mimosa pudica

Ø  Scoparia dulcis

CONTROL OF WEEDS

1.  Mechanical control

v  Hand pulling

v  Hand hoeing

v  Digging

v  Tilling

v  Mowing

v  Burning

v  Flooding

2.  Biological control

v  Predators

v  Parasites

v  Micro organisms

3.  Chemical control

v  Pre-emergent herbicides

v  Post emergent herbicides

 

HARVESTING AND POST-HARVEST OPERATIONS

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TAKEN WHILE APPLYING CHEMICALS

•      Always use clean water.

•      Use protective clothing viz., hand gloves, face masks, cap, apron, full trouser, etc. to cover whole body.

•      Always protect your nose, eyes, ears, hands, etc. from spill of spray solution.

•      Read instructions on pesticide container label carefully before use.

•      Prepare the solution as per requirement.

•      Granular pesticides should be used as such.

•      Apply only recommended dose and dilution.

•      Spray operation should be conducted on cool and calm day.

•      Spray operation should be conducted on sunny day in general.

•      Use recommended sprayer for each spray.

•      Spray operation should be conducted in the wind direction.

•      After spray operation, sprayer and buckets should be washed with clean water using detergent/soap.

•      Avoid the entry of animals/workers in the field immediately after spray.