In The Garden

Over the last few weeks I have been writing about fungus and pests. 

(Continued from last week) Mealy bugs can be devastating There are two types of nealy bugs: they are either white or pink.

Pest attacks are common in both indoor and outdoor plants.  If you allow them to get out of hand, serious damage can result. 

With the heavy rainfall we are experiencing lawns and plants are showing signs of distress.

Araucaria excels, commonly called Norfolk Island pine or just Christmas tree originated from Norfolk Island, an Australian territory off the east coast of Australia in the South Pacific. 

Hibiscus sabdariffa commonly called sorrel or rosella comes from the Malvaceae family and originated from India and Malaysia, later spreading to Africa and the Caribbean.

Poinsettias evoke the holiday spirit and have become the symbol of Christmas. Euphorbia pulcherrima (‘pulcherrima’ means ‘very beautiful’) is commonly called the Poinsettia or Flower of the Holy Night.

Poinsettias evoke the holiday spirit and have become the symbol of Christmas. Euphorbia pulcherrima (‘pulcherrima’ means ‘very beautiful’) is commonly called the Poinsettia or Flower of the Holy Night.

Zingiber officinale commonly called Culinary ginger comes from the Zingiberaceae family and originates from South-east Asia. 

Euphorbia mille commonly called Crown of Thorns or Christ of Thorns originates from Madagascar and comes from the Euphorbiaceae family.

Catharanthus rosens commonly called Periwinkle, Never Done or Vinca originates from Madagascar.  Over the years, botanists have been working to breed periwinkle in many colours and with large flowers.

Caesalpinia pulcherrima commonly called Pride of Barbados or Peacock flower originates from the West Indies.

Nerium oleander commonly called Oleander or Rose bay originates from the Mediterranean region and the Middle East and comes from the Apocynaceae family.

Platycerium bifurcatum commonly called Staghorn fern originates in the tropical areas of Australia, Asia and Africa, but has adapted well to Guyana.

Adiantum commonly called the Maidenhair fern originates from tropical Brazil. There are approxi-mately 200 species.

The Breadfruit fern commonly called the Toyo fern originates in the tropical Americas and the Caribbean, and belongs to the Polypodiaceae family. 

The Davallia fern is commonly called the Rabbit foot fern, and it originates from the tropical Island of Fiji.

Nephrolepis exaltata bostoniensis commonly called Boston fern originated from the tropical and sub-tropical regions. 

Ferns makes excellent houseplants. They are a decorative focal point of a room. 

Are you planting a hedge and don’t know what to choose? Most people when deciding to plant a hedge, do so for the simple reason of privacy, but if you want to add greenery and colour at the same time you can have both.

Arundina graminifolia commonly called the Bamboo orchid is native to Asia and the Pacific Islands. 

Spathoglottis are terrestrial orchids commonly referred to as Ground orchids because they grow in soil.

Renanthera orchids are native to eastern Asia, south China and the Pacific Islands. 

Oncidium orchids are native to the Caribbean, South and Central America and Florida. 

Dendrobium orchids originate from South-east Asia and the South Pacific including India, Australia and Fiji. 

Vanda orchids are native to tropical South Asia and grow well in warm climates.

Phalaenopsis orchids are native to South East Asia; they are beautiful and exotic and are commonly known as phal.

Cattleya are natives of South and Central America and the Caribbean.  There are approximately 60 natural species of this genus. 

From Chinese and Japanese manuscripts we learn that they were growing Orchids, ie, Dendrobiums, Cymbidiums and other native species approximately 3,000 years ago. 

Orchids belong to the Orchidaceae family and the name orchid derives from the Greek word ‘orchis’ which means ‘testicle’ ‒ a term that describes the roots of the orchids.

Zingiberaceae Purpurata commonly called Ginger Lily or Hawaiian Ginger originated in Malaysia and South East Asia  and was brought to Hawaii in the mid-1930s.

We are well into the rainy season and with the heavy rainfall we are getting at the moment, the grass on the lawn may well be showing signs of distress. 

Gladiolus (plural Gladioli) commonly called Sword Lily comes from the Latin word gladius which means sword, referring to the shape of the leaves. 

Canna commonly called Canna Lily comes from the Cannaceae family originating in South America.

Turk’s Cap commonly called Sleeping Hibiscus or Pepper Hisbiscus originated from Central America and Texas and is a member of the Malvaceae family.

Russelia equisetiformis commonly called Firecracker or Coral Plant comes from the Scrophulariaceae family.

Corallita commonly called Mexican creeper originates from Mexico and belongs to the Polygonaceae family – ie, the buckwheat family.

Bauhinia purpurea is commonly called the Orchid tree or Butterfly tree.  Here in Guyana and the Caribbean it is also known as Poor man orchid.

Petrea, commonly called Purple wreath or Sandpaper vine comes from the Verbenaceae family and originated from Mexico and Central America.

Hymenocallis littoralis commonly called Beach Spider Lilies are popular decorative plants with long curved leaves and spider-like lilies which are very fragrant.

Easter is all around, just look at the lovely flowers in bloom and you can tell it is that time of the year!

Citrus limon, or lemon, as it is better known, originated from South-east Asia, like all the other members of the citrus family −  oranges, tangerines, grapefruits and limes.

The Annual Flower Show will be held on Saturday March 23 and Sunday March 24 at the Umana Yana, Kingston from 10 am to 6 pm on each day.

The lime, citrus aurantifolia originated from South-east Asia and was quickly spread throughout Africa, the Mediterranean and Europe by the early traders and explorers. 

Rhoeo spathacea commonly called Moses-in-the-cradle originated from the tropical areas of Central America. 

Codiaeum commonly called crotons belong to the  Euphorbiaceae family and originated in Asia, mainly Malaysia, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka.

I am happy to know that many of you grow bougainvilleas and were interested in the last article.

African violets whose botanical name is Saintpaulia came originally from the hills of Tanzania in East Africa.

Eggplant or aubergine, commonly called boulanger or baigan in this part of the world, originated in India and eastern Asia thousands of years ago, and is now widely grown in the tropics.

With the holiday season over, we are left with some extra pounds and lots of fat to burn.