Forest mangoes!!!!.....

On the outskirts of the phansad wildlife santuary in a little backward village of wehoor iv got 2 beautiful pieces of land these farms have been with us for well over 2 decades ....as i child we used to run through the streams ,grasses etc plucking wild karondas,jhamuns,mulberries,ber etc ....but there was 1 fruit we waited all year for...the mango...at the farm we roughly have about 108 mango trees and anyone who has been associated to the nursery over the years has always shared the produce over 200 boxes go out every year to our much adored patrons.

But during our childhood just walking through the santuary on our endless hunts for "treasure" (blame it on cartoons) we accidentally stumbled upon vast amount of trees ladened with mangoes...we used the stone method of harvesting(haplessly chuck stones in the hope of it accidentally fetching you the fruit) and they fell by the dozens what i tasted was something ill never forget....pure ,clean not powdered juicy yet firm(ok hahhahahahha....hahahha...) just once sweet ill shaped perfect mango.
As i grew up we ventured fewer times in the forest...and much less in the summer i kept talking about this fruit kept telling this story in each conversation about mangoes...long after the innocent days of childhood barely an adult i was standing at the gates of S.P college of horticulture.....for a city boy this place was a rude awakening in a small village off ratnagiri called sawarde electricity was sparse,heat was unbearable ,dint at that time know marathi...was tough...but those were the years I'm glad i went through ....living in a 2 floor hostel in the middle of nowhere!!sleeping under the stars learning a new language, eating the weirdest food but this was fun...in its own way it was one of the best decisions i had taken more on this later!
So ya i had this friend a year senior who's village was close by one a random summer day he called me to the hostel terace he has something to eat...trust me if u opened food in the hostel ud have a 100 hungry hands tearing whatever it was into shreds....so ya we went up and he opes this bag of big mangoes ...i start the same story of how this mango is nowhere close to the.....blah blah blah....and then i taste these HOLY COW!!!! the taste was mindblowing the mangoes were huge and this mango was perfect....i revved up by eliminator drove off to his village what i found was unbelievable 900 trees in the forest ladened with mangoes ...adivasi ladies plucking them for their small frail families .chit chatting in konkani we realized that these were the alphonso varieties left to the wild no fertilizers,insecticide ,organic manure ....just nature at its very best...
over the years i made several trip to this little village for these mangoes i left my trees alone dint bother with organic fertilizers and though the crop failed 4 years in a row last year we had what can only be called a bumper crop!!!

There are 500 dozens of forest mangoes up for grabs....we are selling them at a price that ill post here soon(trust me ul be surprised on how cheap and delicious they are)....let me know if you guys are interested we can either send them over to you or you can hand pick your box at the nursery....the 1st week of april is when the mangoes come in ...trust me u don't want to miss out on these!!

FREE Tree Campaign !!!!

Driving round the city iv come across a large number of dead barks of trees paying homage to its once glorious self..iv highlighted the impotence of the BMC in several of my previous article...the tree authority is a sham ...a body that was made to protect trees has committed itself to destroying the last few green lungs that the city has left.Tree Authority of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation gave the green signal to cut 2,000 trees for several infrastructure projects in the city, and transplantation of 2,000 of which i might add 28 survived!
Set up to protect and preserve the city's green cover, the Authority-comprising politicians, bureaucrats and tree experts-has according to environmentalists become more of a mute spectator in its depletion, granting chopping orders without checking whether replanting or transplanting is being followed. Reasons given for the green slaughter range from road-widening to private projects most of them malls,showrooms etc....The BMC Tree Census Says Mumbai’s Green Population Has Doubled From 9.5 Lakh In 1998 To 19 Lakh Now. But What Else Can You Expect, Ask Environmentalists, When Even Weeds And Dead Trees Are Counted And Parameters Are Changed To Inflate Figures

How happy were you when you got to know some fancy clothing brand opened a huge outlet in your vicinity?...did you think it was awesome that an electronic mega store put 1000 plasma tvs on its wall beside your house? but spare a thought for the once majestic green being who held its ground for decades before money hungry cooperates mercilessly poisoned it...! it's a rather sickening feel to look at trees that have turned black shorn of the green. The colour of the wood is weather beaten and there are several of them standing dead scattered all around the city.

Im not one to plant a tree and fee iv done a favor to the world i also aint one who is pro this so called "development" of our country but i find it rather hard to make a difference in this city which seems to have embraced concrete and the color grey with a vengeance trees have been reduced to decorative fluff pieces to decorate this mass of grey we call our city.iv come up with a simple yet effective idea my blog get roughly 350 views a day ....which means 10,000 a month the idea is to give out "FREE TREES" to everyone no holds barred.

Young ,old,student,worker,ruler, et al drop by please each one of you could make a difference think about this...10,000 trees every month 1,20,000 a year! just from this one blog. Iv got a whole bunch of natives to give away share this guys on your Facebook pages ,on your blogs on twitter the more you share the more trees we give ...1 tree for 1 person get your friends get everyone ....as jack black would say lets "stick it to the man" lets show the so called developers that we don't need them to develop out green spaces your free saplings awaits you!

In the news again!! Ideal home and garden magazine feb 2012

The Secret code of flowers: a "Valentine DAY" special

The world wide web is riddled with articles about the meanings of flowers what they symbolize or stand for But did you know that associating certain flowers with different meanings is an age-old art form?The Japanese call it Hanakotoba, and King Charles II brought it to Sweden from Persia in the 17th century.Floriography – a fancy name for the language of flowers – was coined in the Victorian era, and while its original translations may have shifted over time..the notion that through flower symbolism we can express what we want to say.
The Dardar market(Mumbai's whole sale flower market) is massive when it comes to size but there is a limited amount of flower varieties that arrive everyday of which the city gets its color.in one of my earlier articles iv mentioned how filthy yet stunning this market can be and among this vast mass of people on a Monday morning some how i always find myself brainstorming for something or the other.
My Mondays begin at 5 30 am...n no iv never put up a Monday moaning status on Facebook cause i love my work...and what adds to the beauty of Monday is getting flowers not just for my customers but for my lady love...my little girlfriend who is my inspiration,reason and everything iv ever wanted.On a sleepy afternoon back in the day sitting my the Tele and discussing our plans i promised her that if she came back to India id get her flowers every Monday.She stuck to her side of the deal and i love to sick to mine...so after i pick up the work flowers a bunch of special flowers are picked and the smile in the evening not just on her face but even her moms is just worth all of it!
Now she she knows shes dating a horticulturist and the flowers she gets on valentines day has to be better than a bunch of roses and golden rods wrapped in cellophane...and since i have some knowledge of what each flower means i decided to tell her exactly what i felt by way of flowers.....im listing the some of the flowers freely available in the markets of the city what they stand for ::

1)Alstromeria:Resembling a miniature lily, alstroemeria, this flower though a tad bit expensive in India is one of the most beautiful flowers around usually dosent have much of a following but in colors its second to none .Symbolizing friendship and devotion, the alstroemeria’s leaves grow upside down, with the leaf twisting as it grows out from the stem, so that the bottom is facing upwards – much like the twists, turns and growth of love.

2)ACACIA : the mangiums are one of the most popular trees grown along the highways roads etc the easy/fast growing plant has beautiful yellow flowers that signify secret love!

3)Aster: one of the most easily available flowers the purple/pink aster stands for afterthought.stands for memory and remembrance.beautiful garlands of aster are freequenty seen at the markets here in the city.

4)Amaryllis: is a small genus of flowering bulbs grown in abundance in the colder parts of the county .it comes in various colors and quite rightly the flowers stand for pride and beauty .

5)Balsam- or Impatiens is a genus of about 850–1,000 species of flowering plants, widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere and tropics the
a)Red flowers stand for Touch me not
b)yellow flowers true to its name stands for impatiens.

6)Basil : is one of the best insect replant plants and the plants and going by the feeling of the insects towards this flower it stands firmly for the emotion of hatred~!!!

7)Cactus : in the dry of the deserts one plant not just survives it thrives wonderfully...hence its only apt the cactus flower stands for endurance...and the ability to survive.

8)Calla lilly :this has to be one of my fav flowers...its so ...perfect ...the flower stands for Magnificent beauty...and the breath taking colors in their enduring smell stands testimont to this derivation.

9)citrus flowers:these tiny waxy white little numbers are an absolute delight to smell and eat are wonderful to attract butterfly's to your garden but as a gift the flower stands for an Ill-natured beauty, sadness.

10)Carnation : this one of the most poppular flower and are available in a riot of colors.each carnation each color stands for something diffrent:
a)carnationPink: I will never forget you
b)Carnation Purple:Antipathy and Capriciousness
c)Carnation Red:Admiration, my heart aches for you
d)Carnation Striped:No, Sorry, I cannot be with you
e)Carnation White:Pure Love, Sweet Love, Innocence
f)Carnation Yellow:Disdain and Rejection

11)Chrysanthemum:another flower that comes in countless shapes sizes colors...each flower has its own meaning..its own signifance
a)Chrysanthemum, Red:I love you
b)Chrysanthemum, White:Truth
c)Chrysanthemum, Yellow:Slighted Love

12)Clover:the leaves of the plant are in shapes of hearts and nestled beterrn all these hearts a tiny white/purple flower which stands for a proposal...be mine it says!

13)Dahlia:Dahlia’s are spicy flowers, and their meanings range from a sign of warning, to change, to travel, to even a portent of betrayal. The varied symbolic meanings of the dahlia make this flower a wild card. Give to that unique, eclectic person whom you wish to compliment his/her wild side.

14)Dandelion:aah the dandilion one of the first flowers i packed for sarita...the happieness on her face when she blew off the petals sing...the flower stands for Time and Love, Faithfulness, Happiness and sitting here writing this article i couldnt agree with this more

15)Gladiolus:these colorful sticks are every florists best friend ...they add a basic structure to most of the "arrangements" sold by the curb. inexpensive and dramatic these flowers stand for Strength Of Character,sincerity...

16)Hydrangea :a sweet tasting leaf and a huge flower Vanity is just what hyrdangia stands for...its stunning to say the least and these flowers are perfect for people who think are self indulgant or vain!

17)Lotus:Anybody who has ever observed a lotus flower emerging from a murky pond cannot fail to see the beauty of this exquisite plant.The flower always looks so clean and pure against the background of the dirty pond.The flower stands for Mystery and would be given ideally to some1 who is lurking in the murky water

18)Marigold:The symbolic meaning of marigolds is indicated in the name: Mary's Gold. Marigold flowers were "golden gifts" offered to the Virgin Mary by the poor who could not afford to give actual gold. Marigolds were also used in Mary Gardens. Marigolds are symbolic of happiness, passion and creativity. Marigolds are also known as the "Herb of the Sun.

19)Oleander: All parts of the plants are poisonous. So is the smoke from burning oleander wood and honey from oleander nectar. One leaf of oleander can kill the cow or horse that eats it. oleander again has a very dark meaning though the flowers are beautiful the flowers are poisonous it basically signifies falseness fakenes and shallowness.

20)Orchid: With an astounding number of varieties, orchids are known for their delicate beauty and exotic character it stand for Magnificence. the meanings of orchids include love, beauty, luxury, and strength.but also has dark undertones to it .as in some cultures orchids signify the passing over and death.

21)Petunia:he flowers are saucer shaped or trumpet like according to the many varieties of petunia. The colours are bright and vivacious full of life and vigour in shades of pink, ruby, purple, white and yellow sometimes striped or veined.the deep bright colourss also suggestive of a negitative emotions like Anger and Resentment.

22)Rose:
a)Red Roses: A red rose is an unmistakable expression of love. Red roses convey deep emotions
b)White Roses: White is the color of purity, chastity and innocence.
c)Yellow Roses: Yellow roses are an expression of exuberance. Yellow roses evoke sunny feelings of joy, warmth and welcome. They are symbols of friendship and caring
d)Pink Roses: There are a lot of variations of the pink rose. Over all, pink roses are used to convey gentle emotions such as admiration, joy and gratitude.
e)Orange Roses: While a yellow rose reminds us of the sun, an orange rose reminds us of a fiery blaze. These fiery blooms signify passion and energy
f)Mixed Roses: By mixing rose blooms of different colors purposefully, you can create a bouquet of emotions I don't know what my feelings are yet but I sure do like you enough to send you roses.

23)Tiger Lily: bears large, fiery orange flowers covered by spots. Tiger Lily flower essence helps in suppressing aggressive tendencies in individuals and helps in holistic healing. The name ‘tiger’ probably refers to the spots on the petals.The Tiger Lily stands for wealth and prosperity.

24)Tulip: Although different tulip colors carry distinct meanings - a)yellow tulips symbolizing cheerful thoughts,b) white conveying forgiveness and c)purple representing royalty the d)orange flower is also a symbol of The Perfect Lover d)Red tulips: Declaration of love e)variegated tulips:Beautiful eyes

25)Zinnia: The large, showy flowers of various colours symbolise different human emotions, generally fond (a)remembrance of absent friends.b) A magenta zinnia shows lasting affection for one’s beloved, c)while a bright scarlet zinnia is a sign of devotion. d)The white flower suggests goodness of heart and mind and a yellow zinnia personifies daily remembrance of a loved one. A bouquet of mixed zinnia shows concern and thoughts of absent friends, remembering fond moments and bygone days of happiness. It is a small token of nature with varied meaning underlying its bright colour surfaces.

So if you noticed every flower has been neatly arranged alphabetically each sub group has been lettered neatly...for good reason....what i need you to do is make your self a little code an online bouquet of sorts ...think of the 1 you like/dislike/hate/loathe/miss.....any thing for any1,,,,make your code min 3 flowers max 10 and if my valentine likes it...i send them that exact bunch of flowers..... my code is : 1,7,8,10a,10e,11a,14,22a,24d,25d

10 Aphrodisiac plants: a valentines day special!!

Its that time of the year again when a bunch of roses sell for as high as rs500...while the orange brigade is out to burn card shops and pull down everything that's red here a green way to look at this special day of love.

What is an aphrodisiac?
Aphrodisiacs increase sexual desire and stamina in men and women many plants have been used as aphrodisiacs for centuries and are generally safe when used in moderation .Aphrodisiacs have been used to improvement sexual performance and desire for thousands of years now, but which of them are really effective or simple old waives’ tales?

The myth: Aphrodite(The Greek goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation fertility)emerged from the waters carrying some herbs with her. The plants
she brought have powers to excite sexual desire and are called Aphrodisiacs. Plants contain chemically bound solar energy, as a result of union of Mother Earth and Father Sun; aphrodisiac plants have been used for ages to improve potency, helping infertility and sterility, or just to spice up your sex life and for the purpose of seduction.

India is the land of the kama sutra and our beautiful land has been blessed with plants of aphrodisiacal properties iv try to come up with a little list (most plants are up for sale at the nursery):

1)Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabralicorice or liquorice is a perennial herb belonging to the family of legumes. It is native to southern Europe, Middle East, and parts of Asia where its root has long been used in herbal preparations.The roots and rhizomes of the licorice are believed to contain most of the therapeutic and flavorful properties of the plant.Licorice root is also a popular ingredient in various types of herbal teas. A tea can be made by adding approximately 4g of chopped or freshly grated licorice roots to a cup of hot water. After steeping for 10 to 15 minutes and straining it, the infusion is ready to be consumed. In many parts of the world, the root is consumed in its natural form

2)Blue Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera):
is a natural aphrodisiac for both men and women as well Represented in ancient Egyptian art. The Sacred Narcotic Lily of the Nile was found scattered over Tutankhamen's body when the Pharaoh's tomb was opened in 1922. Many historians thought it was a purely symbolic flower, but there may be some reason to believe that ancient Egyptians used it to induce an ecstatic state, stimulation, and/or hallucinations. there are various massage oils and aromatherepy oils freely available in the market .Many people buy blue lotus To relieve pain To enhance memory To increasing circulation As a sexual aphrodisiac To experience feelings of euphoria and ecstasy Method of Use: Typically users use Blue Lotus in three ways: Soak around 10 grams of petals in wine for a couple of hours. Then simply eat the leaves.

3)Garlic chives (Liliaseae) -
tonic, reguvenator, used as spice, magic element to banish bad influence or vampires. Essential oils have antibiotic and cell-activating effect. Used as aphrodisiac since Egiptians, the Romans consecrated it to Ceres, the goddess of fertility and made love dring from pressed garlic juice and coriander. Can heal impotency brought by witchcraft spells.

4)Mint:
The mint plant has a central position in traditional aphrodisiac practice. Ancient mythology tells the story of Pluto (Hades in Greek mythology), who was seduced by the sweet aroma of the nymph Mente, much to the dismay of his wife Persephone. According to Botanical-Online, a mint tea concoction made with a teaspoon of dried flowering mint leaves and a cup of water can be an effective aphrodisiac. There are a wide variety of mints for garden use, and most of them are very easy to grow. Mint can be invasive if not restrained, so plant it in well-drained containers for best results

5)Cloves
Cloves are one of the most well-known aphrodisiac herbs. According to Global Gourmet, the shape of the seeds contributed to their use as a male aphrodisiac in many parts of Asia, and in Indonesia parents plant a clove tree when they give birth to a son. Cloves are commonly combined with other ingredients, such as ginger and cinnamon, to increase libido. The clove tree is native to tropical climates, and requires moist, humid conditions with partial shade and cool temperatures.

6)Morning glory (Ipomoea violacea)
- strong psychodelic, plant of prophecy, seeds ingested. Seeds were were considered the home of God and used in pre Columbian times for gynecological problems, divinatory and religious purposes. 2-4 seeds have direct affect on sexual drive, 5-6 heeded to achive psychodelic state and unlish psychic powers. Seeds contain lysergic acid derivatives that cause uterine contractions

7)Lakshmana (Calonyction muricatum)
Vine, is also called Shiva tendril, considered a yoga plant and symbolizes Kundalini serpent, the active female energy, shakti, that links human with the divine. She is the lover of Shiva and when it awakens it has the desire to unite with him, sitting at the crown shacra. This desire is sexual, like any desire. The brew from lakshmana plant awakes the kundalini and is regarded the best vajikarana (aphrodisiacs). All parts of the plant contain benehic acid, which has central stimulating, psychoactive and aphrodosiac qualities.

8)Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) -
There is little doubt that Vanilla is a natural aphrodisiac. Whether Vanilla's power of seduction is due to some sexy, stimulating ingredients or simply because of it's sensual, calming scent and exotic taste, is a matter of debate. Either way - who cares as long as it works!What we do know is that taste and smell are important components when it comes to love and romance. Historically, there has long been a connection between the sweet, alluring aroma of Vanilla and sexual arousal. It's intoxicating, warm, sensual smell has captivated everyone over the ages from the Mayan and Aztec Idians, the Spaniards, the French and the Orient right through to modern times. Vanilla can be applied to the skin, consumed in food or taken in liquid form. If consumed, it acts on the central nervous system to combat sexual debilitation. However, it is the Heliotropin (a sweet fragrance) in Vanilla that seems to be largely responsible for Vanilla's abiltity to soothe emotional tension and reduce anxiety and stress.

9)Whild rose shrub-
What can be more romantic than a rose, especially if it is red? The essential oil from red roses is a strong aphrodisiac. It is said that Cleopatra used to take bath with milk and rose petals. the rose over the years has become a symbol of sorts for the vast mogul rose gardens stand testament to this beautiful plant Rose has been used since ancient times as a favorite ingredient in love potions, and as an aphrodisiac. It reduces anxiety connected with sex, helping calms emotions that block arousal.

10)Sage: In Egypt, lazy husbands were dosed up with sage. Originating in the eastern Mediterranean, sage is very rich in certain hormones and strongly stimulates the glands, especially the suprarenal glands. Its oestrogenic action is equally good for women with low libido. The key to pleasure: In infusion. Plunge 20g of sage flowers and leaves into 1 litre of boiled water and leave it to infuse for 10 minutes. Have three cups a day.

Here at the nursery we love valentines day...and this year we are committed to making this day of love a little more eco friendly and fun. id love to hear your story of how you met your loved ones and the best stories will get you your very own aphoristical plant tray(3-4 plants arranged in a flat hand made ceramic tray...so write down people there are 10 trays up for grabs!