Bottle Gourd Cultivation in Pits, Summer Technique

Bottle Gourd Cultivation in Pits, Summer Technique by MetalFarmer Pritham D'Souza

From Bottle Gourd Cultivation in Pits, Summer Technique

Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) is one of the most widely consumed vegetable crops grown in Dakshina kannada district. its also called Thure (Tulu), Bobley (Konkani) and Soorae kai (Kannada). It has several uses from preparing different kinds of sweets, hail oil (from seeds), hard shells used as floats in fishing nets and also in making some musical instruments.

Intercropping Under Trellis with Amaranthus

Intercropping Under Trellis with Amaranthus by Pritham 'MetalFarmer' D'Souza

here i would like to discuss how one can successfully grow amaranthus leafy vegetable under a trellis (dompa) . Here the main crop is coccinia (Manoli , Tendli) which requires a large trellis to grow on. and since the crop requires a lot of vine trimming and pruning to facilitate more vine growth, the space under the trellis is exposed to a lot of sunlight and if not properly maintained encourages the growth of unwanted weeds.

From Intercropping Under Trellis with Amaranthus

Interculture Operations in Chilli

Interculture Operations in Chilli by Pritham 'MetalFarmer' D'Souza

I have covered Chilli (Capsicum annuum) in my previous posts and here i would like to show you how to perform simple inter culture operations like manuring and weeding in the Chilli plot.

From Interculture Operations in Chilli

Technique of Growing Indian Spinach on the ground

Technique of Growing Indian Spinach on the ground by Pritham Denzil D'Souza aka MetalFarmer

Traditionally Indian Spinach also known as Basale soppu in tulu and Valchhi bajji in konkani is grown on a trellis. While respecting our traditional farming practices, we also must learn to innovate and improvise, and if works out, share data for free that will benefit farmers all over. Growing Spinach on the ground was done merely as a challenge to growing them using support or a trellis.

From Growing Indian Spinach on the ground at Padval Farms, Mangalore, India

Growing Cowpea Beans in Pit Method Summer Cultivation

Growing Cowpea Beans in Pit Method Summer Cultivation by Pritham 'Metal Farmer' D'Souza

From Growing Cowpea Lentils using Pit Method at Padval Farms, India

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a very popular vegetable grown in Mangalore and other parts of th country. It has been grown in India since the Vedic period. The entire plant is of economic importance, the pods harvested are rich in proteins, while the foliage is used as green manure and fodder for animals. Its called Alasandae in kannada, alasundae sango in konkani and Lattanae in Tulu

Flight T bait trap Container

Flight T bait trap Container by Pritham D'Souza Metal Farmer

From Flight T bait trap by PCI

The flight T bait trap container introduced by PCI is a strong and durable container

Mosaic Virus Disease in Okra Bhendi Ladies Finger

Mosaic Virus Disease in Okra Bhendi Ladies Finger by Pritham D'Souza 'Metal Farmer'

From Mosaic Virus Disease in Okra Bhendi

Yellow mosaic disease in Okra is one of the most devastating diseases, resulting in 80 percent of crop loss.
and the sad part is , since its a virus, there is no cure. Prevention is the only cure.

Pitting method of Cultivating Bitter Gourd

Pitting method of Cultivating Bitter Gourd by Pritham Denzil Dsouza aka 'Metal Farmer'
i have already discussed how to cultivate Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia) in my previous post in continuous pits . here i would like to show you how one can grow Bitter Gourds in individual pits.

Bitter Gourd Cultivation in Continuous Pits

Bitter Gourd Cultivation in Continuous Pits by Pritham D'Souza Metal Farmer

Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia) also known as bitter gourd or Karela (hindi), karathe (konkani) and kanchala (tulu) is cultivated in mainly tropical and sub tropical places throughout the world.

From Bitter gourd cultivation in continuous pits By Pritham D'Souza Metal Farmer

The bitter taste is due to the presence of Momorcidin.

Growing Mint Leaves, Mentha without soil, using Simplified Hydroponics

Growing Mint Leaves, Mentha without soil, using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore by Pritham 'Metal Farmer' D'Souza

• Mint leaves or menthe soppu in kannada is a popular aromatic herb which is extensively used for culinary purposes in various dishes.
• Mint leaves extract is used as an insecticide and its most effective against mosquitoes and ants
• mint leaves consumed in the form of tea reduces stomach pain and some believe it is a strong diuretic
• menthol is added in cigarettes as it blocks the bitter taste of tobacco
• common antipruritic used against insect bites
• commonly used in aroma therapy

Since mint leaves love cooler climate and is pretty much a shade loving plant, the challenge of growing such a plant in Mangalore's unforgiving heat conditions was something i was looking forward to

From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

Dec 3, 2009 mint leaves stem picked from market and placed in coco peat grow container

Growing Vegetable Cucumber or Sambar Cucumber without Soil Using Simplified Hydroponics

Growing Vegetable Cucumber or Sambar Cucumber without Soil Using Simplified Hydroponics by Pritham 'Metal Farmer' D'Souza

Vegetable Cucumber also known as Sambar Cucumber is an all time favorite vegetable crop grown in coastal Karnataka esp Mangalore. It was a challenge to grow SC in hydroponics as the crop requires a lot of care and patience in the field as it is gets easily damaged by excess irrigation, high soil temperatures and attack from fruit boring insect Dacus dorsalis fly.


Seedlings germinated within 2 days

• Sow the seeds in seed trays and later transplant when 3 leaf stage is seen

Growing Amaranthus leafy Vegetable using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

Growing Amaranthus leafy Vegetable using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India by Pritham 'Metal Farmer' D'Souza

From Growing Amaranthus leafy Vegetable using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

• Please check to my earlier posts where i have shown how to make the grow tubs and the techniques and practices involved before starting.

Growing Okra Bhendi without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

Growing Okra Bhendi without soil using Simplified Hydroponics by Pritham 'Metal Farmer' D'Souza

From Growing Okra Bhendi without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

Okra seeds germination seen on dec 17, 2009

Growing Cowpea using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

Growing Cowpea beans (Vigna Unguiculata) using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India by Pritham 'Metal Farmer' D'Souza

From Growing Lentils without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique by Pritham 'Metal Farmer' D'Souza

Bhindi or bende kai or okra Ladies finger(Abelmoschus esculentus) is a popular summer vegetable grown extensively along the coast of Mangalore.
The tender fruits have rich iodine content which is used in the treatment of goitre , while the leaves are used for treatment of dysentery and inflammation.
The dry seeds have rich edible oil content of up to 20 % and protein up to 25%

From Growing Ladies Finger Bhindi in pit system summer cultivation technique

Growing Radish without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore

Growing Radish without Soil using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore by Pritham D'Souza

From Hydroponic Radish grown in Mangalore

Radish being a root crop requires adequate spacing for root development. pic taken 13 nov 2009

Growing Pumpkins using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India

Growing Pumpkins using Simplified Hydroponics in Mangalore, India by Pritham D'Souza

From Hydroponic Pumpkins grown in Mangalore

germinated seeds of palak, amaranthus and pumpkins in a germinating tub