“Green Thumb No More”

(Reflection Paper)

As for my introduction that I always gave in every reflection that I submit , I would like
to extend my deepest gratitude to every staffs, students, professors, and guest that made
this one of a kind webinar once again and I will not get tired thanking all of these people for
always giving their all just to make a meaningful learning for every nstp students despite this
pandemic that we are all going through.

Ever think of becoming a Plantito or Plantita but this “only people with green thumb are
able to grow healthy plants.” statement is hindering you to do so? Well let me tell you it has
nothing to do with having a green, blue, red or any other color of the thumb to grow
healthy, plenty, beautiful and relaxing plants. An individual must also take note that planting
plants does not only involves with fields just like what the farmers do under then sun.
Growing plants does not only beautify our environment but it also give us some sort of relief
whenever we see it in front of our house. As I can remember in one of our TLE subject in
junior high, our teacher once told us that whenever we feel stress, pressure, tense, or
paranoid we can look at anything green be it a green wall, green screen and many more to
the point that people are buying green things but we FAILED! We failed to notice that plants
have also green pigment that can help effectively reduce one’s anxiety and stress. Not only
that because it also help our surrounding by giving more oxygen that people need in order
to survive and breathe fresh air.

As Mr. Cruz said a while ago, there is a modern way of gardening, growing, and planting
plants and it is what we called “Container Gardening”. Container gardening is just a simple
way of plating crops because all we need to do is to get some container put a soil then plant
some seeds in it. However, this method of planting may seem and sound so simple, in
reality, it is not. Why did I say so? Because in container gardening one should consider many
things in order for the gardener to not waste any of his or her efforts in growing and
investing with those plants that he or she has bought. Of course first thing’s first, we need to
know and learn under which family a vegetable belongs to. In this case, we are able to
distinguish what are their weaknesses and how to properly take care of them. Just like for
example we need to consider where is the best location for our plants for them to absorb a
proper sunlight. Juts like how non-leafy plants need 8 hrs of exposure to sunlight while leafy
plants only need 3 hours of sunlight exposure. Well, personally this is what I have learned
best in this webinar because back then I thought that any crops can grow as long as I am
watering and locating them where they can absorb sunlight. And all this time I was wrong
because it will still depend on what type of vegetable family a certain plant belongs to.
Because different family, requires certain different kind of care and needs also. And the
thing that caught my attention in this particular part of the webinar is the family
CUCURBITACEAE most especially the bitter gourd, cucumber, bottle gourd, and wax gourd
because they have their female and male version. Isn’t it fascinating right?! Just who
would’ve thought that a crop can have an identification right? And I have learned that males
of this family can only have a flower while female have a flower on top of their fruit. And yes
I did enjoy knowing these facts and adding it on my knowledge.

Next thing is the variety of plants which is divided into two types; F1 or Hybrid type and
OP or the open pollinated. Among these two, the most recommended one is the F1 or the
hybrid because of its strong attribution that came form its both parents. Also, in F1, it will
result into a bountiful harvest in time of harvest, uniform growth of seeds, able to adapt in
one environment easily and early flowering. However, after this is F2 which is not
recommendable to use as seed already because it is now a vulnerable seed that may still
grow as a crop but it is not as strong as F1 due to its prone to parasites, insects, and other
plants ailments. And as for the Open Pollinators, this is the type o variety that once planted
and grown, once the pollinators such as bees or butterflies spread it in other areas, its
variety is still the same unlike the hybrid where a person is the one responsible for its variety
combination.

Now, we have 3 ways or method of gardening. First one is the field, pagpupunla sa
kama, and the plastic seedling trays. Among these two the most recommendable according
to Mr. Cruz is the plastic seedling trays which is more friendly than the other two because
the first two is already a practice of veteran farmers that knows how to deal with any
problems that may arise. And if someone is just an ordinary kind of citizen without any
experience with plants then he or she may not comply and meet the needs of the plants in
the field or in bed resulting to the unwanted ending of the beloved plants. And believe it or
not soil in the filed is not properly balance resulting to an unbalanced growth of crops and a
much more time consuming preparation of soil. The same goes with the beddings. Now, the
only best and convenient way and method of planting is through the plastic seedlings trays.
Why? Because in this method we are able to balance the type of soils that a plant needs.
This is also what we call the actual Container Gardening which is a good way to have
control on our crops growing next to our doorstep. One can move the
container gardens when ever is required. If the herb plant requires sun
light it can be shifted to warmer place and back into the shady area after
getting too hot. Herb container gardens are used to beautify the
surrounding and are very convenient. we can collect fresh herbs and crops
just before cooking from our home container garden. At night also it is
convenient to collect herbs or crops if it is planted in a container.
Container garden is very easy to grow and you can grow any type of herb
with minimum maintenance with an assurance of having uniform growth of
seedlings, few missing hills, lesser seed use because you can control the
number of seeds that you want to plant, and secured seedlings.

The next thing we need to consider and focused our attention more is
on how to properly take care of the seedlings and on how to transfer them
when they had grown big. This are important because just like a human
being, plants also need a tender love and care nevertheless they are also a
living things and they have feelings too. As much as possible we need to
tall and sing for them right? Just like how a baby was sang a lullaby by his
or her mother right? We should avoid hurting them most especially their
roots ans stem when transferring them into another location.

Next thing is to prune the plants. I have pondered that pruning plants
enables them to grow and removes dead and dying branches and stubs,
allowing room for new growth and protecting your property and passerby
from damage. It also deters pest and animal infestation and promotes the
plant’s natural shape and healthy growth.

Next thing is the diseases of plants caused by different parasites,

fungus, and bacteria that we once thought a difficult tasks to do how to
eradicate them right? But as I’ve learned with Mr. Cruz talk and lecture,
removing and totally eradicating them is just as simple as 1..2..3! because
with just a mixture of water and dish washing soap the problems are
gone, with the use of mixture of chili and water, and sand we can also
terminate the pest and parasites of our beloved plants. See? Simple right.
Because we cannot compromise the health of our love ones when we use
harmful pesticides which contains hazardous chemicals that may be
cause harm to human beings. And simple problems requires simple
solution as well so let’s all be natural when dealing with plants that may
also affect our fellow beings and the world as well because using
pesticides only worsen the status of our ozone layer caused by
greenhouse gases.

Last but definitely not the least is the fertilizer, watering, and
harvesting. That came hand in hand to serve the vegetables to the people
in good condition and shape. It is important for a plant to have their
nutrition also. Fertilizers play an important role in providing crops with
the nutrients they need to grow and be harvested for nutritious food.
Fertilizers help deliver enough food to feed the world's population. And
also watering. They gain water not only through the action of drinking
but also from the food they eat. Water is vital for bodily functions such as
regulation of temperature, nutrient uptake, removing wastes and health
for the plants and for all the living things here on earth.