The last month of the Malayalam calendar (July-August), when it rains in Kerala, has been rebranded as the season of wellness and rejuvenation. It is promoted as the most suitable term for hygienic Or rejuvenation therapy as per Ayurveda tradition to develop immunity and stay healthy. Not only humans, Jumbo also pass hygienic during this time.
But do you know it’s the right time to give hygienic Plants too? “It only means that they should be harvested and nourished with nutrients during this period. Pruning is essential for plants and most fruit-bearing trees for their healthy growth and better yields. After the monsoon gets stronger. We have to do it,” says T Pradeep Kumar, professor and head, department of botany, and planning director, Kerala Agricultural University. His department has been doing this every year for the plants grown on the campus, especially curry leaves and drumsticks .
Harvested curry leaves in the premises of Department of Vegetable Sciences, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur. photo credit: special arrangement
Curry leaves are grown along the road leading to the department and in the middle of the campus. “Earlier, there used to be bougainvillea. But in 2015, we replaced them with curry leaves,” says Pradeep. The current batch of plants was cut a few weeks ago.
“Pruning involves cutting branches so that the plant is one meter high above ground level. Further, the area around the root (basin) of the plant is dug up and fresh cow dung is applied. This results in bushy growth with lots of leaves,” he says.
The cuttings are usually thrown into a compost pit on the premises. But this year they were collected by Vaidyaratnam Ayurvedic medicine group. “This is a first for us. The cuttings and leaves are used in the manufacture of various Ayurvedic medicines. The moisture content from the cuttings was removed using a dehumidifier before being handed over to us,” he says.
Pradeep observed that pruning of curry leaves is rarely done in homes. “We don’t bother to do this and thus the plants grow into trees and then it becomes difficult to pluck the leaves,” he says.
T Pradeep Kumar with a pruned drumstick plant from which new shoots are emerging. photo credit: special arrangement
In the case of drumsticks, they are cut to table-top height and organic manure is added. “It conserves moisture which helps with the initiation of new roots, and in turn, the germination of new shoots. We replant the cuttings for propagation,” he says. , then the plants grow tall with many branches and few leaves. Since the flowers are near the branches, harvesting becomes difficult.
for better yield
Pruning is recommended for most fruit trees, except for papayas. According to Sharada S, Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Botany, College of Agriculture at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, pruning is beneficial for perennial varieties, especially fruit bearing trees like mango, guava and pomegranate. “Pruning stimulates the formation of stems, leaves and roots before the plant develops flowers, fruits and seeds. In the case of mangoes, especially grafted varieties, pruning helps with vigorous growth,” she says She explains that pruning ensures better yields for farmers who are growing drumstick plants to harvest the leaves. Also, since the plants are not allowed to grow tall, they cultivate more plants in the available area. can do.