Thai Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum Linn.)

Thai Basil is also know as Sweet Basil or Asian Basil and the Thai name is bai horapa Theses tropical varieties of basil are referred to as "Thai Basil" are slightly sweeter in flavor and are more stable when cooked than the Mediterranean basil. The leaves of Thai basil are deep green, smaller than those of Western basil, and arranged on purple-hued stems. The flowers, which are edible as well, are red-purple and licorice flavored. The flowers of Thai basil form in a cluster, not on a spike, unlike those of common basil. The flowers make an attractive plate garnish or colorful addition to green salads.

Growing Tips
Thai basil likes well-drained soil. It is sensitive to frost and should not be planted outside until both day- and nighttime temperatures are fixed above 50 degrees F (10 degrees C). Although it will grow happily in full sun, it requires only 4 to 6 hours of sunlight a day, and will do fine in filtered or indirect light. It forms a leafy little bush, approximately 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) both tall and wide. Keep the flower buds nipped off to keep the plant putting energy into the leaves and not the flowers. Thai Sweet Basil is popular among home gardeners, can be started from seed, and does very well as a container plant. Indoors, place it in or near a sunny window, make sure its soil is moist but not soggy, and provide a pot large enough so that the plant does not become root-bound.

Harvest
When harvesting Thai basil, don’t remove single leaves as you need them. Pinch off the top section of a stem, stopping just at the intersection where two leaves emerge. This will prompt the plant to produce new growth branching off from the place where you removed the stem. Removing leaves individually will not achieve the same result. Rinse the leaves in cool water to remove dirt or grit and pat dry between paper towels before use.

Uses
Thai basil is considerably stronger in flavor than Mediterranean basil, so make adjustments to the amount used if substituting one for the other. Use Thai basil for Thai, Indian, and Italian recipes. Fresh, it can be added to salads, and either the fresh or dried forms can be used to flavor soups, pasta, and vegetable dishes.

White Egg-shaped Eggplant

Asparagus fern

Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri', or Sprenger's Asparagus Fern, a native of South Africa is not really a fern at all. Even though it may appear fern-like to the inexperienced eye, it has flowers and berries, so is clearly an angiosperm. It is highly modified. The needle-like leaves are actually short branches called cladodes. The true leaves are initially green, but remain on the plant as inconspicuous dry scales. The plant will reach from 2 feet (60 cm) to 6 feet (2 m) tall. Taller stems will weep and make the plant a good basket subject. It is hardy in USDA zones 9-11. When it escapes in the right climate, it is hardy enough to be very weedy and invasive. The berries and sap from the stems are considered poisonous.

Blooming Time: Summer: Flowers are pinkish white and very inconspicuous and are followed by clusters of red berries.

Culture: Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri' need full sun to partial shade. The color of the plant seems to be best under 25% shade. The plant tends to yellow if grown in dense shade. A suitable soil mix consists of 2 parts peat moss to 2 parts loam to 1 part sand or perlite. Even though they have very fleshy roots and can withstand a fair amount of drought, they grow better if kept on the moist side during the growing season. During the winter months, it is best to grow them on the dry side, but being careful not to let them dry completely or they tend to have a lot of leaf drop. Fertilize in the spring with a balanced fertilizer and trim out old growth to make way for new lush growth. Repotting should be done in the spring before new growth begins.

Propagation: Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri' are propagated by division and by seed. Seeds usually germinate in 21-30 days at 60-70° F (16-21°C).

Custard Apple (Annona reticulata)

Plant Description
Custard apple is the fruit of the tree Annona reticulata. This tree is a small deciduous or semi-evergreen tree sometimes reaching 10 metres (33 ft) tall and a native of the tropical New World that prefers low elevations, and a warm, humid climate. It also occurs as feral populations in many parts of the world including Southeast Asia, Taiwan, India, Australia, and Africa. It is a shrub or small tree that can reach 6 to 8 meters tall.

How to grow
The custard apple does best in low-lying, deep, rich soil with ample moisture and good drainage. It grows to full size on oolitic limestone in southern Florida and runs wild in light sand and various other types of soil in the New and Old World tropics but is doubtless less productive in the less desirable sites. It requires a tropical or sub-tropical climate. Below 10°C it will shed leaves. cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. The tree requires sufficient water (rainall over 700mm); during drought it hardly produces fruits. Regular watering is essentail. The custard apple can be propagated readily from seeds; the seedlings begin producing fruit when 4 to 5 years of age. USDA: 10-11

Nutrition Info
It taste sweet and good to eat. It is widely used to make drink and smoothie. It is an excellent source of vitamin C . It also contains potassium, Vitamin B6, dietary fiber and folic acid.

Health Benefit
Custard apple serves as an expectorant, stimulant, coolant and haematinic and is even useful in treating anemia.
The unripe fruit has been used to assist against diarrhea and dysentery. The tree bark is used for skin and mucosae medicines and the seed bark contains useful tannins and astringents. The leaves are believed to have healing properties and have been used against tumors and cancers. The bark has been used on gums to relieve toothaches.

Yellow Wood Sorrel

Yellow wood sorrel is a native North American plant (also found in Eurasia) which may grow either as an annual or as a perennial. This delicate seeming plant forms colonies which arise from slender but tough underground stems (rhizomes). The smooth, palmately compound leaves are divided into three heart-shaped leaflets, each leaflet having a center crease, from which the leaflets fold upward in half. The leaves are most often green, but may also be purplish or brownish red. Wood sorrel folds its leaves up at night and opens them again in the morning. It also folds its leaves when under stress, such as when growing in direct sun, or during storms. The mature plant may reach 6-15" in height.

How to grow
Wood sorrel prefers moist soil, and partial shade, but is also commonly found growing through the cracks in sidewalks.


Uses
Wood sorrel also contains rather high amounts of potassium oxalate and oxalic acid and should therefore be used in moderation, and avoided by people with kidney disease, kidney stones, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout. Medicinally, in moderate dosages, wood sorrel is cooling (refrigerant, febrifuge), diuretic, stomachic (soothing to the stomach, relieves indigestion), astringent, and catalytic. It's also attributed with blood cleansing properties and is sometimes taken by cancer patie

Wishbone flower (Torenia fournieri)

Wishbone flower is a bushy annual that typically grows 6-12” tall and is noted for its ability to bloom well in shady conditions. Species plants feature two-lipped, tubular, trumpet-shaped, bicolor flowers with broadly 5-winged calyxes. Species flowers are pale violet with dark blue-purple lower lips and a yellow throat blotch. Cultivars expand the range of flower colors to include shades of burgundy, pink, rose, lavender and white. A pair of stamens unites at the anthers in a shape resembling the wishbone of a chicken, hence the common name. Toothed, oval, light green leaves (to 3” long). Genus honors Olof Toren, an 18th century Sweedish chaplain.

How to grow
Annual best grown in consistently moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Although sometimes classified as a warm weather annual, this species of Torenia is not terribly fond of hot and humid summer weather. Given this they will bloom constantly from early summer until frost if deadheaded. Young plants may be pinched to promote compact, bushier growth. Container plants may be brought indoors for winter bloom. Hardiness is USDA Zones 6 - 9. Wishbone flower thrives in warm, humid climates. It is a tender annual that needs temperatures above 40°F (5°C). It does not tolerate frost. For the best effect, plant them close together, about 6 in (15 cm) apart. Sow the seed the soil, do not cover them. Germination in 7-10 days with temperature above 70°F.

When to grow
Start seed indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date or sow seed directly in the garden just before last frost date. It is annual plant in tropic weather.

Uses
They make great plants in masses in borders and flower beds. It is also for window boxes, pots and hanging baskets as long as you don't allow them to dry out between waterings.

White Flesh Dragon Fruit