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

From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

Dec 9, 2009 grow nutrients added

From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

jan 4, 2010 luxuriant growth and green color

From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

feb 14, 2010 the mint leaves were then again re transplanted in different containers and the results were still amazing

From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

No pesticides used, no chemicals sprayed

From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

march 5, 2010 shows no sign of slowing down. even more growth

From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

From Growing Mint leaves without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

Note

• the grow containers were kept in my car shed and i didnt use shade net
• even though mint leaves extract is an insecticide the plant is still susceptible to aphids and white flies, hence regular neem spray is a must
• pluck the leaves along with the stalk to encourage more growth and lateral shoots
  

All pics and data by Pritham Denzil D'Souza

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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

21 days later, growth affected by red pumpkin beetle attack, immediate control using neem sprays

• In the field, integrated pest management using organic neem sprays and Dimethoate Rogar is used to reduces pest attack of red pumpkin beetle which feed on the young and tender leaves of the plant
• here since i do not use any chemical pesticides, i let the plant take the insect assault for a few days till i applied organic neem spray
  

3 days later, after using Neem Sprays, lush green growth seen and pest attack neutralized.

• Neem spray applied when there is pest incidence proved excellent and the results speak for themselves.
  
• no blanket sprays required. hence no wasting
  

21 days later formation of fruit buds

• tiny fruit buds appear and its best to switch from grow nutrients to bloom nutrients
  

15 days later size of fruit increased considerably

• the young and growing fruit buds need to be protected from extreme heat which was bouncing off the hard concrete flooring. hence i had placed old gunny bags on the ground and the vines were growing over it. so no direct contact with the hot floor
  

to prevent attack of fruit boring Dacus dorsalis, i used a plastic bowl as cover

• this was not a good idea as the growing fruit needs light and breeze. but fortunately for me, the idea of covering the growing fruit with whatever i could find (here a plastic tray) worked.
• The next time, i will use a net cover
  

the protected fruit without any attack

• not a scratch on the fruit
  

Fruit ready for harvest after it changes color from green to orange

• depending on individual tastes, generally fruits are harvested when they change their color from dark green to light green or brown and in some cases orange.
• for long distance transporting green fruits are harvested.
  

another fruit protected

• if you look closely, the fruit has an abnormal twisted appearance.
  
• its probably because the growing fruit didnt rest on the gunny bag which i had kept but was growing on the concrete flooring which gets hot when the temperatures are high. hence the fruit could have gotten disfigured, but its still tasty
  

Ripe Vegetable Cucumber excellent to extract seeds

• The orange color indicates the fruit is over ripe and is excellent for extracting the seeds.
  

All pics and data by Pritham 'Metal Farmer' D'Souza

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.
  
• Amaranthus seeds are very small and so have to be gently sprinkled. A pinch or two of seeds is sufficient
• Germination is observed in 2 days
  

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

• lush growth seen in 10 days
• Watering with nutrients should be done once a day, if temperatures are extremely hot, one can move the tub under a shade net or irrigate twice daily.

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

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

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

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

• Lush green growth seen after 21 days. In field conditions Amaranthus is harvested between 20 to 30 days after sowing.

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

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

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

• Harvesting is done by uprooting the entire plant as the whole plant is edible.
  
• Here we encourage stem cuttings keeping the stem 3 to 6 inches above the surface
• This allows lateral shoots to grow so harvesting can be done more number of times

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

• Harvesting young plants is preferred since the stem and leaves are very succulent and juicy, however its more of a personal preference. Here the Amaranth variety used is 'Bangladesh' and even the older taller plants are as succulent as the young tender ones.

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

• One plant kept for seed production. Here u can see the formation of the Inflorescence.
  

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

• Appearance of more flower buds

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

• Seed Buds seen. The inflorescence is cut off from the plant, sun dried and threshed to get the seeds which are black, smooth and round.
  

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

• Photo of plant kept for seed production to be re used in Simplified Hydroponics

View the Slide Show here


All Images and Data by Pritham 'Metal farmer' D'Souza

HeadBangalore newspaper clipping

Phallusy HeadBangalore CD featured in Times Of India Newspaper

From My Metal Projects

Phallusy along with Kryptos, Myndsnare and Threinody in Times Of India, 1999 - 2001

From My Metal Projects

Phallusy, Battle of the Bands, Strawberry Fields, NLS, November 2000, Bangalore

From My Metal Projects

Phallusy, front page, Sunday Times Nov 2000

Annihilator - Alice In Hell (1989)

Annihilator - Alice In Hell (1989) album review by Pritham 'Metal Farmer' D'Souza




Line Up

• Randy Rampage
• Jeff Waters
• Anthony Greenham
• Wayne Darley
• Ray Hartmann

Track Listing

1. Crystal Ann
2. Alison Hell
3. W.T.Y.D.
4. Wicked Mystic
5. Burns Like A Buzzsaw Blade
6. Word Salad
7. Schizos (are never alone) parts 1&2
8. Ligeia
9. Human Insecticide

Thrash Metal by definition means music that's played very fast and very aggressive. Some older bands that easily fit in the Thrash Metal sub genre are METALLICA, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX, EXODUS and the most notorious SLAYER. However, any Thrash Metal list or compilation is definitely incomplete without a mention to Canadian Thrashers ANNIHILATOR. Jeff waters is one of the most talented musicians out there and his jaw dropping metal solos and riffs have to be heard to be believed.

The album i chose to review as a 'must have metal masterpiece' also happens to be their debut. Released at a time (1989) when thrash metal seemed to be on a slow decline and death metal was getting all the attention it deserved, the band stood tall and proud over all the other local thrash acts that were getting media coverage for all reasons other than music.

Musically, Annihilator is exactly what Thrash Metal is supposed to be. It makes you wanna Thrash about the place without a care for anyone or self. Some might call them a hybrid between the other 2 heavy weights Metallica and Megadeth, but Annihilator doesnt sound anything like them. it probably is inspired by the technical prog guitar works of Megadeth and the fist thumping monster riffs of Metallica, but Annihilator adds its very own special ingredient that makes for an appetizing metal treat.

The album opens with the awesome and intricate classical guitar intro 'Crystal Ann' which under 2 minutes is something not to expect from a thrash metal band. 'Alison Hell' has an eerie build up before it explodes into a typical thrash number. the only difference here , is the song has a lot of tempo changes which makes it border line progressive. 'W.T.Y.D' stands for Welcome To Your Death' , starts on a fast note and has a surprising proggy guitar solo interlude that will make RUSH fans grin in delight.

'Ligeia' is without a doubt the heaviest and most brutal track on the album and its basically a retelling of Edgar Allen Poe's supernatural story of love lost and found. Tracks like 'World Salad', 'Schizos (are never alone)' see Jeff , take his writing skills on matters related to altered states of mind. He can really set the guitar fretboard on fire with his immaculate picking style and flowing legato action.

Everything track on this album is awesome. This album is the musical equivalent of a bulldozer operated by a deranged psychopath who gets his high on running over anything that walks. Brutal and relentless.

This album definitely 'burns like a buzzsaw blade'...just a word of advice. DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING YOUR CAR. You will wanna run over someone. If death by over speeding doesnt kill you, getting your ass raped in prison just might. Then u can blame Annihilator's Alice In Hell for for current state.

My rating
10/10

listen to sample track here Legeia from Alice In Hell

Dio - Holy Diver (1983)

Dio - Holy Diver (1983) album Review by Pritham 'Metal Farmer' D'Souza

From metal pics

Lineup:

• Ronnie James Dio
• Vivian Campbell
• Jimmy Bain
• Vinny Appice

Track Listing:

1. Stand Up and Shout
2. Holy Diver
3. Gypsy
4. Caught in the Middle
5. Don't Talk to Strangers
6. Straight Through the Heart
7. Invisible
8. Rainbow in the Dark
9. Shame on the Night.

Some facts about Ronnie James Dio. His real name is Ronald James Padavona. He is an American and not Satan's Little Helper. The oldest man alive in Metal today, Dio as he is popularly known as turns 68 on July 10 this year.

His musical career started in the late 1950's and he is still active even to this day as a musician, singer and song writer, a career spanning over 5 decades, a musical accomplishment of sorts.

After a successful career as frontman with Ritchie Blackmore's RAINBOW, and BLACK SABBATH, Dio decided to form his own band. He and drummer Vinnie Appice, quit The Grandfathers of Heavy Metal , after they had some disagreements with Sabbath members on the mixing of their live album LIVE EVIL. He also managed to rope in a very young, talented and virtuoso guitarist named Vivian Campbell who was making all the right noises with his band SWEET SAVAGE at the age of 15! Jimmy Bain handled the bass duties and in the summer of 1983, one of Heavy Metal's finest Classics was released on May 25th. And what a debut!!

Dio was probably Americas answer to the UK metal scene. Vinnie had all the necessary skills that made his more than a good drummer, while Vivian had the guitar skills that could put present day guitar shredders to shame. But the strongest force in Dio has to be the vocals of the Ronnie. He could easily take on Bruce Dickinson or even the mighty Halford in vocal range and power. But for some reason, he never really got all the credit he so rightfully deserved.

From a musical point of view, this album is just excellent. the melody, the solos, the vocals and even the keyboards parts (played by Ronnie and Jimmy) all fit together like a glove. there are no 'filler' tracks here and one listen to any track, in any order will make u wanna listen to it all over again.

The album starts with an up tempo track Stand Up And Shout and ends with a powerful bluesy, power ballad Shame On The Night. everything in between is like Manna from Heaven... or in this case.. hell. oh! in case i forgot to mention, Dio in Italian means 'God'.

Rainbow In the Dark, Caught in The Middle, Gypsy, Holy Diver and Invisible are some of the best tracks you will ever hear and they are all here in one place, in one album. The melody in this album is just infectious and like earlier mentioned the guitar work is beautiful. Nothing too flashy, definitely not average, just right.

Even the album artwork has a special mention in being one of Metal's most controversial album covers of all time. a Catholic priest, bound in chains thrown in the sea by the devil himself. Or in this case, Dio mascot 'Murray'.

Current status on the band: everyone knows where Vivian Campbell is right now. Playing second guitarist in DEF LEPPARD, while Ronnie is battling Stomach cancer as i write this. But knowing Ronnie and the ups and downs he has been thru as a successful musician, its only a matter of time, he slays the dragon and goes back to the recording studio to give us another slab of pure, true Heavy metal. Till then, Holy Diver will keep playing in my Ipod.

My Rating
10/10

listen to sample here Caught In The Middle

04 - Dio - Caught In The Middle.mp3

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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

From Growing Okra Bhendi without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

germinated okra seeds

From Growing Okra Bhendi without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

Growth observed 15 days later

From Growing Okra Bhendi without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

Transplanted Seedlings

From Growing Okra Bhendi without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

Jan 31, 2010 fruiting and flowering seen 24 days after transplanting

From Growing Okra Bhendi without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

From Growing Okra Bhendi without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

From Growing Okra Bhendi without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

Maximum growth attained

From Growing Okra Bhendi without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

From Growing Okra Bhendi without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

From Growing Okra Bhendi without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

Developing Fruit buds

From Growing Okra Bhendi without soil using Simplified Hydroponics

Harvesting done every 3 days


Watch slide Show here



All images and data by Pritham Denzil D'Souza Padval