Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Growing Long Bean (Valli Payar) on terrace

A typical and very common south Indian Beans, it usually grow up-to 50 cm. in length. This verity is seen in retail markets in Kerala and Tamilnad.  In Malayalam it is called 'Valli payar'. Seeds usually thick black in color and germinated in compost soil.  Seeds can be germinated in a seedling tray or a smaller container, so that it can be transplanted to bigger container once the seedling grows and transplantation can be done after 5 days of it growing.


Placed the plant close to the vertical supporters with net like structure. so that it can climb along the vertical supporters.
Seed germination and transplantation 


Leaves are longer and light green in color. This image is taken after 20 days from the day of germination.








Pest Control Tips:
http://sevenandhalfsaturn.blogspot.in/2011/04/pest-control.html


Related Post from this Blog


Long bean flower
Long Bean Flowers




After 4o days plant started producing flowers.
Slightly violet in color and looks almost like an Orchid flower.








I could initially find that the flowers were falling , then noticed that there were  small worms which started eating the pollen of the flower. Also another threat to the buds are the very common red ants.


This image shows the long beans which is yet to grow in length and size.


Long Beans Valli payar on Terrace
Long bean



From one single plant, we can harvest minimum 1kg. of beans.

Growing vegetable on terrace

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Pests and Insects on Organic vegetable terrace garden - II

Bugs, Worms and other flys, they are called pest when they attack farm or a crop. In-fact they are beautiful creatures. Even-though  they are spoiling the plant they have every right to live in this world. Let us study on these creatures and there vicinity for preferring my Organic Roof.

let them enjoy.........

CATERPILLAR ..., looks so attractive but will not let the flower of pumpkin to survive.














Related Links:
Organic natural pest control




Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Roof Plantation - II

After the second harvest and studying on roots of different plants, I learned that few plants require bigger containers as the roots are more of fibrous in nature, few among those plants are Beans and bitter guard. So my plans is to prepare a better support for the vines for the bean and bitter guard plant.



This is the new structure that I created, this would be another experiment. There is no investment at all, so may not look attractive.












I could find that the structure was leaning towards
one side, so tied it with ropes from all ends like a tent
structure









Also arranged plants surrounded along the four corners of the structure.

Four sacks are planted with Long beans and bitter guard











Most appropriate structure for any vines to climb is
being constructed here. let us see how this will work.











Four plants in sack in four corners, with bitter guard
and long beans.

Another variety of Tomato

I could collect few different variety of Tomato seeds. This plant grows in length as it needs more support and the fruit is also bigger in size compared to my previous tomato plantation. In this post I will share different stages of its growth.






Since I found this is growing in length, I felt it needs better support. Tied the plant almost along with a PVC pipe and also rested it to the wall of one side of the roof.







This variety of tomato is bigger in size compared to previous batch of plantation.

In this image the plant is supported with a PVC pipe.