Urban Gardener No_18

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18th Issue Vol. 3 No. 03 ISSN 2094-1765 March 2010

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 64th POSANNUAL ORCHID SHOW

By Norberto R. Bautista

The Philippine Orchid Society’s 64th Annual Orchid and Garden Show opened last February 25,2010 to March 8, 2010 at the Manila Seedling Bank Foundation Compound, EDSA cornerQuezon Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines. The POS, like a prodigal son, has returned to thisgarden area after more than 20 years! The POS had selected before other places like theQuezon City Hall area or the Quezon Memorial Circle as its regular venue, but now has decidedto come back.

Cutting the ribbon during the opening of the 64th POS Orchid and Garden Show were (from left toright) TV Host Ms. Bernadette Sembrano, Mr. Lucito Bertol of the Manila Seedling BankFoundation, Philippine orchidologist Dra. Helen Valmayor and POS President Kelvin NeilManubay.(Photo by Art Serbio) At the background are POS Officers, members, and guests.

The opening was attended by POS officers, members and invited guests from the other gardenclubs. Guests of Honor during the ribbon cutting includes Mr. Lucito Bertol of the Manila SeedlingBank Foundation, TV Host Ms. Bernadette Sembrano, and well-known Philippine orchidologistDra. Helen Valmayor of the University of the Philippines Los Banos.

With the theme: “Protecting our Philippine Orchid Species from Climate Change”, the societyaims to teach that most orchids, specially those which has pseudobulbs (a modified storagestem) could store water and food for the plant, thus, orchids can survive even watered once onlyevery 3 days. In addition, growing areas can be modified to have plastic roofing during the rainyseasons to prevent rotting. Thus, a modified cultural measure can be applied in orchids in order

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to protecting our treasured plant collections from climatic changes like drought and prolongedmonsoon rains. With this, climate change will not actually be a problem for orchid growers andgardeners alike as long as you know how to protect your plants. The society is also activelyadvocating and promoting orchid growing and gardening among city and rural residents as aleisure activity at the same time as a potential form of livelihood.Some of the orchid winners includes: Best Phalaenopsis -- Phalaenopsis Sogo Twinkle x Dtps.

Ching Ann Bell exhibited by Mr. Kelvin Neil Manubay; Best Cattleya – Brassolaeliacattleya ChiaLin of Malvarosa orchids; and Best Other Genera - Phaius Dan Rosenberg of PurificacionOrchids and Plants.

Along with the show is a plant and landscape booth competition. In this year’s Annual Show,Atty. Nani Perez of Malvarosa Orchids got most of the awards, winning the Best LandscapeBooth, with his orchid Grammatophyllum scriptum winning the Best in Show, Best PhilippineOrchid Species and Best Cultured Plant. His Cattleya orchid – Brassolaeliacattleya Chia Lin –also won the Best Cattleya. Other winners include: Best Dendrobium / Best foreign species --Dendrobium lasianthera and Best Oncidium Alliance – Oncidium Sharry Baby ‘Tricolor’, BestPaphiopedilum – Paphiopedilum roebelenii and Best Other Genera – Phaius Dan Rosenberg --

all exhibited by Cora &Anna Ruth Purificacion;Best Phalaenopsis –Phalaenopsis Sogo Twinklex Dtps. Ching Ann Bellexhibited by Mr. Kelvin NeilManubay; and BestVandaceous Alliance –Kagawara Christie Low byFirst Bloom Orchids

Hundreds of plant loversand gardeners flocked andvisited orchid and gardenshow, either buying plants,taking pictures or attendingthe free orchid and plantlecture series.

Grammatophyllum scriptum ‘multiflorum’ of MalvarosaOrchids won Best in Show.

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Growing Indigenous Vegetables:Answer to Rural Malnutrition and Poverty

Poverty. Malnutrition. Philippine indigenous Vegetables. What is the connection?

Poverty and malnutrition are two big words. We often hear them being cited as two of the mostemerging global issues we face today. For a developing country like the Philippines, these issueshave already become a humdrum to the ears. We witness and feel them mostly in the rural areaswhere livelihood opportunities are scarce and nutrition advocacy programs of the government failto reach those in the far-flung areas of the country. Indigenous vegetables, on the other hand, areaccessible and often ignored.

These three issues don’t seem to rhyme nor make a significant combination to literature, but theyplay a crucial role in the “Promotion of Indigenous Vegetable for Poverty Alleviation and NutritionImprovement of Rural Households in the Philippines,” a project implemented by Asian VegetableResearch and Development Center (AVRDC)The World Vegetable Center. AVRDC is theprincipal international center for vegetable R&D, which is based in Taiwan.

The project aims to reduce poverty and malnutrition in developing countries through improvedproduction and consumption of vegetables. It aims to strengthen food security and to improvenutrition and the income-generating capacity of the rural poor, and at the same time conserve thebiodiversity of Philippine vegetables.

The project is coordinated by the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) of the Department ofAgriculture (DA) in collaboration with DA-Regional Field Units (RFUs), the National NutritionCouncil (NNC) and the local government units (LGUs).

INDIGENOUS VEGETABLESAccording to the World Indigenous Vegetables (2006), indigenous vegetables (IVs) refer tovegetable species native to or originating from a particular region or environment. It includesspecies that are naturalized or varieties that have evolved from materials introduced to the regionfrom another geographical area over a long period of time. High-yielding vegetables as productsof scientific breeding are not indigenous.

Examples of Philippine indigenous vegetables are: alugbati, ampalaya, bavok-bayok, himbabao,kulitis, labong, upo, malunggay, pako, saluyot, talinum, talong, amaranths, cucurbits, radish, luffa,wax gourd, snake gourd, squash, jute, basella, kangkong, ivy gourd, basil, lablab, rosella, okra,yardlong bean, winged bean, cucumber, tomato, and vegetable soybean.

These vegetables are easier to grow, more resistant to pests, and acceptable to local tastes. Dueto these reasons, IVs are suitable as cash crops in periurban systems, source of vegetables fordaily sustenance in home gardens, source of new crops, and source of variation for diversificationof production systems and diet.

Unfortunately, these vegetables are at risk in many countries. This is because traditional varietiesare being replaced by high-yielding commercial varieties, which arc more proficient and arepreferred by most producers.

WHY INDIGENOUS VEGETABLES?Vegetables are cheap sources of food and are also the most sustainable. IVs are rich in vitaminsand minerals and other health promoting factors such as high antioxidant activity.

IVs can play a major role in the diversification of Filipino diet leading to a more balanced sourceof micronutrients. AVRDC studies showed that the diversification of diets increases nutritionalcontent. Although the production of IVs is challenged by the extensive cultivation of high-value

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commercial vegetables, the value and desirable traits of IVs are comparable and sometimesbetter than the commercial varieties. They are resistant to pests and diseases, easier to cultivate,and acceptable to local taste.

Moreover, integrating IVs in the backyard garden and in other production systems andintercropping to it major crops could provide livelihood opportunities and increase the income ofthe resource-poor households thus, addressing the issue of poverty.

Despite the recognized importance of IVs in supplementing food and nutritional need of thepeople, they are underutilized The possible reasons are lack of available germplasm forwidespread use, lack of seeds, inadequate information on use and importance, lack ofinformation about their performance and input requirements, and insufficient information on howIVs can fit into production systems.

Through this AVRDC project, introduction and selection of indigenous vegetables is promotedthrough technology demonstrations on proper cultivation and utilization in selected rural areas inthe Philippines. The priority areas include those with high prevalence of malnutrition and poverty,specifically the poorest provinces in Regions V, VI, and X. Likewise, the project promotes the useand benefits of cultivating IVs in home gardens and in the production of seeds.

Among the 10 priority IVs for promotion are: alugbati (Basella alba), ampalaya for leaves or hayok-bayok (Momordica charantia), himbabao (Allaeanthus luzonicus), kulitis (Amaranthus spp.),labong (bamboo shoot), upo or bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceria), malunggay (Moringa spp.), pako(fern), saluyot (Corchorus spp.), and talinum (Talinum triangulare).

These IVs were chosen based on nutrient content, medicinal, and health benefits, non-food uses,and volume of production and food preparation.

These vegetables are considered “indigenous” to the Philippines because they grow abundantlyin the rural areas, although not everybody is aware of their value as food and as an affordableand alternative sources of essential nutrients.

GROWING GINGERGinger is one of the most popular and widely use spice in Filipino dishes.. It is used in makingchicken tinola, Pinakbet, Escabeche, Bachoy, Fish Paksiw, and Fish Sinigang. These are only afew of the many Filipino dishes which generously use "luya" as a Major food spice.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscae), locally known as "luya", is one of the most important spicesand flavoring, not to mention its medicinal properties. Traditional medicine use crushed gingerroots roasted in charcoal is often used to cure arthritis and muscle ache in old people. Boiledginger tea or salabat is also a popular beverage among Filipinos, including singers to relieve soarthroat.

There are 6 types of giner in the Philippines. They include the (1) Native, which has very smallrhizomes and the most hottest flavored; (2) Red Native ginger is similar in appearance to theNative, but red in color; (3) Imugan ginger is an improved native variety, medium in size, andvery resistant or immune against the attack of soil borne diseases; (4) Hawaiian, a foreignvariety; has a bulky and rounded appearnace, pale yellow in color with a little tint of red, and isoften exported abroad; (5) Jamaica "Oya" is another foreign variety; moderate in size, oftenpowdered and processed to be mixed in softdrinks; and (6) Chinese Ginger, another foreignvariety; the biggest rhizome, often weighing 121grams or more per segment, yellow in color, juicyand not too hot. The Chinese ginger is the one often used for atchara (pickled papaya).

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It is common to harvest about 10,000 kg to 20,000 kg of ginger per hactare every 8 – 10 months.Ginger thrives well almost anywhere in the country. The Philippines is a ginger exporting countrybecause of the country’s ideal climate and land for ginger cultivation.. Ginger is exported inCanada, Hongkong, Japan, Singapore, USA, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Kingdomof Saudi Arabia at Brunei Darrusalam.

Cultural Requirements

Light. Ginger plants are usually grown in full sun, but may tolerate partial shade conditions.

Watering. The plants require sufficient amount of water during its growing stages, but cantolerate less rainfall during its maturity.

Pest and Diseases. Follow proper soil sterilization or application of fungicide to controloccurrence of fungal diseases.

Soil and Fertilization. Ginger grows well in a fertile, well-drained sandy soil. The crop willrequire about 400 kilograms of complete fertilizers (12-24-12) per hectare if the soil is sandy, and300 kilograms if the soil is clay type. The fertilizer is applied as a side dress after planting.. Claysoils will need more fertilization, thus, there is a need to add an additional 400 kilograms offertilizers on the third and forth month after planting per hectare..

Propagation. Ginger is propagated by rhizomes, or underground stem segments. Choose goodtypes of ginger rhizomes, usually, those without diseases or bruises. Cut into segments, whereineach segment should weigh 20-50 grams, with 2-3 eyes on its nodes. Do not expose the rhizometo direct sun. A one hectare farm would require 3,000 kilograms of planting materials.

Place ginger propagules or rhizome segments in fungicide solution for 15-30 minutes, using aplastic tray in order to prevent rotting. The fungicide solution is about 3-5 tablespoonful ofBenlate W.P.. Always follow the instructions in the label of the pesticide. S

After soaking the planting materials in fungicide, place it in a shaded area for the wound to dry,before planting them in the field. Plow and cultivate the soil, and remove any large stones, weedsand garbage. Make beds or plots about 6 inches high and 1 meter in width. Sterilize soil byburning ricestraws over it at least three times, to remove any soil-borne diseases.

Burrow seed pieces or rhizomes at about 5 centimeters deep in the soil, following the triangularpatter of planting, with each rhizome or seed piece is about 30 centimeters apart in the bed.

Once planted, irrigate the beds thoroughly. Cover the beds with dried rice straws or coconut leaffronds to prevent the growth of weeds and to keep the soil moist. Apply leaf mulch when thesprouts comes out of the soil.

Harvesting and Post Harvest. One maturity index in ginger is that the leaf usually turns yellowon the eighth month, and by this time, it is ready to harvest. Harvest ginger by making the soilloose using a spading fork. Pull the plants including the underground rhizome and cut the leavesfrom the base, including the shoots and roots. Wash rhizomes several times in water to removedirt. Gather and air dry the ginger roots in a cool shaded place to prevent rotting and fungaldiseases. Afterwards, they can be placed on sacks, stored or sold in the market,

In Batangas, ginger is usually stored under the soil, at a depth of 2 meters, where they store2,000 kilograms of ginger and this storage will last for 1 year.

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The Highly Fragrant Ylang YlangA sampaguita necklace, usually soldin churches during Sundays will notbe complete without the Ylang Ylangflowers. Ylang-ylang is a commonname for the Cananga tree, orscientifically known as Canangaodorata. The three is valued for itshighly fragrant flowers, wherein anaromatic essential oil is derived.Ylang Ylang oil is widely used inaromatherapy, and is a majorcomponent of most perfumes andfragrances.

The name ylang-ylang is derived fromTagalog, either from the word ilang,meaning "wilderness", descriptive to

its natural habitat, or the word ilang-ilan, meaning "rare", suggestive of its exceptionally delicatescent. A more widely accepted translation is "flower or flowers". The plant is native to thePhilippines and Indonesia and is commonly grown in Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia.

Ylang Ylang is a fast-growing tree of the custard-apple family, or Annonaceae, wherein our atisand guyabano fruits also belong. The tree’s fast growth exceeds 5 m per year and can attain anaverage height of 12 m. It can grow in full or partial sun, and prefers the acidic soils of its nativerainforest habitat. The evergreen leaves are smooth and glossy, oval, pointed, with wavymargins, and about 13–20 cm long. The flowers are drooping, long-stalked, with six narrowgreenish yellow petals, rather like a sea star in appearance, and yields a highly fragrant essentialoil.

One variety, Cananga odorata var. fruticosa, is dwarf ylang-ylang, which grows as a small tree ora compact shrub with highly scented flowers.

Ylang-ylang has now been cultivated in temperate climates under conservatory conditionsbecause of the high demand for its essential oil. Its clusters of black fruit are an important fooditem for birds.

Ylang Ylang fragrance is rich and deep, with notes of rubber and custard, and bright with hints ofjasmine and neroli. The essential oil of the flower can be obtained through steam distillation of theflowers and separated into different grades according to when the distillates are obtained. Themain aromatic components of ylang-ylang oil are benzyl acetate, linalool, p-cresyl methyl ether,and methyl benzoate, responsible for its characteristic odor.

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The main use of Ylang-Ylang’sessential oil is inaromatherapy. The oil isbelieved to relieve high bloodpressure, normalize sebumsecretion for skin problems,and is considered to be anaphrodisiac. According toMargaret Mead, it was used assuch by South Pacific nativessuch as those in the Solomonswhere she did much of herresearch. The oil from Ylang-Ylang is widely used inperfumery for oriental or floralthemed perfumes, like ChanelNo. 5. Ylang-ylang blends wellwith most floral, fruit and woodsmells.

In Indonesia, Ylang-Ylangflowers are spread on the bedof newlywed couples. In thePhilippines, its flowers,together with the flowers of thesampaguita, are strung into anecklace or lei, and worn bywomen, graduating teenagers,and most commonly used toadorn religious images. Thetrees have also its value inlandscaping, wherein they areplanted in esteros to mask foulsmells.

Cultural Requirements.

Light. This fast-growing tree thrives in full sun or partial shade conditions, usually along withother forest trees.

Watering. The tree can tolerate flooding, and are usually found in areas where seasonal floodsoccur. Ylang Ylang requires sufficient irrigation for it to properly grow and bloom, though it cantolerate occasional drought conditions.

Pest and Diseases. The tree does not have major insect or diseases problems.

Soil. Ylang Ylang thrive in deep, fertile alluvial soils, usually found in lowland forests. It favorsacidic, humus rich soils, which is typical of most lowland forests. In cultivation, it may producemore flowers if the soil is supplemented with commercial or organic fertilizers once a year.

Propagation. Ylang Ylang can be successfully propagated through seeds. Its black berry fruit isa favorite of birds, which help in seed dispersal. Propagation of this species is encouraged as itis a major dollar earner, and is valued abroad.

A botanical drawing of Ylang Ylang

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Flower Harvesting. Harvesting of flowers can be done through hand-picking by climbing the treeor the use of ladders to reach flowers. It is important to maintain a good branching system in thetrunk for flower pickers to effectively climb the tree.

Growing the Red Passion VineThe Red Passion Flower or scientifically calledPassiflora coccinea, is an evergreen, fastgrowing, flowering vine from South Americathat climbs by tendrils. It belongs to thePassifloraceae plant family, and all of itsmember species are climbing vines. It hasspectacular scarlet to deep orange flowers,each with a width of 3 - 5 inches. Each uniqueflower lasts about one day appearing duringsummer till the rainy season.

Since it is a fast grower, it easily spreads easilyon the structure where it climbs on. The planthas an invasive and aggressive tendency tospread across. However, the plant can betrained and pruned. Thus height and spread ofthe vine can be controlled, and its size willdepend on what structure it climbs on. For thepotted ornamental plant business, the vine canbe trained small with a bamboo trellis mountedon a 10-12 inch pot.

The plant also have evergreen leaves, whichare obovate in shape and have doubly serratedmargins. The attractive fruits of the Red

Passion Flower are ovoid, orange or yellow in color, and are mottled green. They are about 2.5 -3.0 inches in diameter

These plants are surely attractive and can be used as accents along walls or in trellis.

Cultural Requirements.

Light. The plant grows in full sun, and it needs light for it to flower profusely.

Watering. The plant prefers its potting medium to be occasionally wet, however it canmoderately tolerate draught. It cannot tolerate soils with high salt content. If planted along rows,it is recommended that they be spaced 36 - 60 inches apart.

Potting Medium. The plant prefers fertile, humus-rich, acidic to slightly alkaline soil. It maythrive either in sandy, loamy or clay soils.

Fertilization. Though the plant will grown on any soil type, it is recommended to use soil rich inorganic matter, iand to fertilize the plants for vigorous growth at two to three times each year.Fertilization maybe applied before and after the rainy season, using complete 14-14-14 fertilizers.

Pest and Diseases. Its long term health is usually not affected by pests. However, nematodescan be a serious problem, however they can be controlled by Furadan insecticide sprays if severe

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infestation occurs. Caterpillars on the otherhand, can slow down growth by eating foliage. Theycan be controlled by insecticide sprays.

Special Cultural Requirements. Since the plant is a vine, it should be supported on a fence,trellis or arbor. Regular pruning is required, especially when the plant grows out of the ideal area,and may escape cultivation, spreading to surrounding landscapes.

Propagation. The Red Passion Flower can be propagated by seeds or by cuttings. Seeds canbe collected from its edible fruit and can be sown in seedling boxes with sterile fertile soilcomposed of equal amounts of soil, coconut coir dust and compost. Once the seeds germinate,seedlings can be directly transplanted on areas where the plant will be grown to maturity orplanted in 10-12 inch pots. For stem cuttings, six to eight - inch stem segments, usually withthree nodes, can be cut and planted on moist soil. Stem cutting technique can be done in a semi-shaded nursery, and when the plant becomes rooted established, the seedlings can be placed inbrighter light for the vine to grow vigorously. Usually, three bamboo stakes 3 feet high with 3circular wire is fitted on the pot for the plant to climb on.

Uses: The plant is used as an accent, usually trained to cascade down a wall or climb a trellis. Itis also used to attract butterflies and hummingbirds in botanical gardens.

The Elusive Jade Vine

The jade vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys) is a native of the tropical forests of the Philippines witha local name "tayabak". It belongs to the I Leguminosae family. Its flowers are the color of a jaderanging from blue green to mint green, depending on the variety of the vine. hybrid jade vines arelonger measuring up to 0.90 meters to 1.5 meters. The vine blooms in grape like structureamounting to 75 or more. The blooms come out from pruned and mature vines only. Each bloomresembles the form of a stout bodied butterfly with folded wings or the head of an angle withcrown if not the head of an Indian chief with a long beard and a longer ornate head dress. It isnative to the Philippines. The jade vine's flowers are pollinated by a fruit bats, wasps and somebutterflies.

S. macrobotrys is prized in tropical and subtropical gardens for its showy flowers which are ahighly unusual blue-green. It is usually grown over an 8 foot tall pergola so that the flowers maygrow longer as they hang down below to be immediately seen. Once vine maturity is reach after aperiod of two years or depending on the habitual pruning, the vine becomes generous in produceits blooms.. Though exquisite, the elusive blooms can camouflage itself in the sunlight and couldbe undetectable if not for the fallen blooms on the floor from where it hangs. On the floor the

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blooms still change color as it dries up, turning mint green to bluegreen to purple. In South Africathe jade vine is mainly restricted to the warm humid strip of coastal Natal but grows in a few frost-free spots inland.

The Jade Vine also has a fruit, which can be a source of seeds for propagation

Cultural Requirements.

Light. The plant grows in full sun, and it needs light for it to flower profusely.

Watering. The plant prefers its potting medium to be occasionally wet, however it canmoderately tolerate draught.

Potting Medium. The plant prefers fertile, humus-rich, acidic to slightly alkaline soil. It maythrive either in sandy, loamy or clay soils.

Fertilization. Though the plant will grown on any soil type, it is recommended to use soil rich inorganic matter, and to fertilize the plants for vigorous growth at two to three times each year.Fertilization maybe applied before and after the rainy season, using complete 14-14-14 fertilizers.

Pest and Diseases. Its long term health is usually not affected by pests. If there will be insectinfestation problems, they can be controlled by insecticide sprays.

Special Cultural Requirements. Since the plant is a vine, it needs to be planted near a treewhere the vine will cling. It is also recommended to be planted beside a pergola where it willclimb, and produce flowers within it. Regular pruning is required, especially when the plantgrows out of the ideal area, and may escape cultivation, spreading to surrounding landscapes.

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Propagation. The Jade Vine can be propagated by seeds. Seeds can be collected from maturefruits and can be sown in seedling boxes with sterile fertile soil composed of equal amounts ofsoil, coconut coir dust and compost. Once the seeds germinate, seedlings can be directlytransplanted on areas where the plant will be grown to maturity or planted in 10-12 inch pots.

Uses: The plant is used as an accent, usually trained to climb pergolas, or tall trellishes or climbtrees. It is also used to attract butterflies, bats and bees in botanical gardens.

10 Best Plants For The HomeNorberto R. Bautista

Plants are nice to have inside the house. They provide a sense of life and distinct character inthe home and office, instead of the clean, cold, and barren corners, table tops and shelves.Aside from the fact that plants clean the air inside the home, sequestering carbon dioxide andthen replacing it with vital oxygen, plants also provide a wholesome background and aestheticbeauty in the home, Plants provide an organic presence to an environment that is packed full oflifeless objects.

Plants are like pets. Although plants do not require as much love, care, and attention as housepets, like dogs and cats, however, they are still living creatures sharing our space and should betreated as such. Most house plants would probably thrive more if they were thought of in theseterms – by providing them regular watering, sufficient light, occasional fertilizing, and showercleaning..

Providing them the Right Location. Figuring out where to position your house plants so thatthey best fit in with your decor is an important task.However, your first concern should be finding the bestspot in your home that gives them the proper amount ofexposure to sunlight. You may also want to be sure thatyour plant is not exposed to too much heat from gasrange or too cold and drying exhaust from an air-conditioner. A healthy plant will be strong and green. Itis easy to tell if a particular spot is not working for yourplant if it begins to wilt or its leaves begin to yellow. Ifthe architectural design of your home simply does notallow for a plant to get enough sunlight, you mayconsider adding an artificial light to help supplement itsgrowth. Plants should not also block pathways or in theway along activity areas, so that their leaves does notget bruised, or the plants do not accidentally getknocked down.

A Blooming Phalaenopsis Orchid Plant

Plant Feng Shui. Incorporating the belief of Feng Shui into house plant decorating can beextremely beneficial. Plants are said to energize the room and clear the air both mentally andphysically. Plants such as Candle tops (Spathiphyllum), cacti, and peperomias are believed toabsorb EMF emissions from computers, televisions and other electronic devices. This is whythese types of plants are often found in office spaces. One of the basic principles of using plantsin Feng Shui is to soften the effects of corners in rooms. Trailing and hanging plants are oftenused for this specific purpose.

Bedrooms and other rooms that are commonly used as resting or relaxation rooms, including thebathroom should not be outfitted with spiky or spiny plants. Avoid plants such as cacti, bromeliad,and dragon trees (Dracaena) in these rooms. Instead, soft and rounded-leafed plants like Ficus,

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Philodendrons, and Aglaonema in your bedroom, and for the bathroom, consider plants such asBoston Ferns or Baby's Breath.

On the other hand, rooms that are used for mental stimulation, such as the living room, familyroom, office, or kitchen, should contain the more spiky or spiny plants. Consider house plantssuch as snake plants, palms, aloe, and yuccas for these rooms.

As much as possible, replace dying and sickly plants.

Here are some selected plants ideally used as a decoration inside the home and office.

A Phalaenopsis orchid (left) usually placed atop tables in living rooms and offices. Boston fernsare usually used as backgrounds in living rooms or as accessories in comfort rooms.

Accents can be in the form of Red Aglaonema (left), bright colored Cattleya orchids (center) oranthuriums (right).

1. Orchids – Potted orchids like Cattleya, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Oncidium and Vanda areoften placed in the living room as an accent plant due to their large colorful and sometimesfragrant flowers. They are placed as a centerpiece atop the living room table, dinning table,on the piano or in shelves. After a week or two, replace with plants with fresh bloomingflowers

2. Ferns – Ferns have delicate foliage and require a humid environment. These includes theBoston fern, Bird’s Nest Fern, Maiden Hair Fern and other forms. They are often placedinside a terrarium in the living room, in the kitchen near the sink or in the bathroom. Fernsneed to be watered regularly or misted with water everyday to prevent drying of foliage.

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3. Philodendrons – These are trailing or creeping vine plants with nicely shaped green oryellow-green leaves. There are many cultivars with different shapes of foliage. They areoften grown 3-5 plants in a pot with a 2 feet moss-coated pole for them to cling on as theygrow taller. Stems which exceed the length of the pole are cut off. These are often placed inwall corners, in bedrooms and living rooms.\

.4. Aglaonema and Dieffenbachia – These are nicely colored or spotted foliage plants, size

ranging from 1 foot to 2.5 feet. They have large, oval-shaped leaves and quite live well insidethe home..They are often used as a background or corner plants in the living room, familyroom, library or bedroom.

Palms (left) are nice backgrounds in corners of rooms, while the red Poinsettia (right) is used asaccents usually during Christmas season.

5. Rubber Tree – These are the Ficus or the“Balete”, which are grown in a pot like a smallwoody shrub or small tree inside the house.These plant can tolerate semi-shaded conditions,with its shinny leathery leaves. The plant is idealas a corner plant in the living room, bedroom andlibrary.

6. Bromeliads – These are pineapple like plantswith rosette foliage and with a flower pike in themiddle. This group includes the Guzmania,Crypthantus, They have attractive reddish orpinkish centers in the leaf rosette and their uniquelong-lasting flowers.. They are often used asaccent in living rooms only, and are NOT placedinside the bedroom or in the bathroom as theirfoliage has spines.

7. Palms – Palms have graceful coconut-likeshaped foliage, and they are favorite house andoffice plants, like the Ficus. They can tolerate

Candle-top and fern plant

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shade and are easy to grow. There are many available species and cultivars, like the Rattan,Manila palm, Red palm, and Raphis, . They are often used as a corner plant in the livingroom.

8. Anthuriums –These areherbaceous plantswith heart shapedleaves with redheart-shaped flowerswith a yellow spathe,though there are alsofoliage typesnowadays. Thereare also those thatare large 2.5 tallones and theminiatures (less thana foot in size) withlots of flowers.These are oftenplaced in the livingroom.

9. Poinsettia – This is the Christmas plant, which is often used during the Christmas season uptill Valentines Day. They have bright red modified leaves as flowers, while there are also thewhite and yellow ones. They are also used as an accent in the living room.

Raphis palm and a Sanseviera snake plant

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The Urban Gardener is an official electronic publication (inPDF Format) of the Plant Biotechnology Project, Research &Development Center, Rizal Technological University, BoniAvenue, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. It is publishedmonthly. For more information, please inquire thru email:[email protected] or [email protected] andlandline (+632) 534-8267 Local 135 or Fax (+632) 534-9710.

Edited by N.R. Bautista © March 2010

The Plant Biotechnology Project Committee is composedof: Alexander B. Quilang, Norberto R. Bautista, Jovita A.Anit & Carnette C. Pulma.

10. Flowering Annuals -- these are short lived, colorful flowering plants that are first grownoutdoors from seeds, usually group planted in a pot, and later on placed indoors when theybloom. These includes Chrysanthemums, Begonias, Coleus, Cosmos, Dianthus, Impatiens,Lantana and Marigold, among others. They are used as accent plants in the living room,either on the table, in corners of other plants and in book shelves,

House plants can be planted singly in a pot or in a group as in a dish garden or terrarium. .Theycan be group together to provide a much surprising effect, choosing a variety of color, shape andsizes. When grouping plants together for appearance, be certain that they share the same lightand watering requirements. Plants are dynamic and they create better effects when they are incontrast with one another.. Use plants with colorful foliage or flowers for centerpieces. With thistips, why not try this in your home.

An oriental Japanese pocket garden(above) with bonsai, rocks and sculpturedstone garden ornaments exhibited duringthe 64th POS Orchid and Garden Show atManila Seedling Bank, Quezon City. Thisgarden design is ideal in the home. Eachpart of the design is easily replaceable ormovable where ever the home-owner wishto put it. Garden design or landscapedepends on the creativity andinnovativeness of the gardener.