What are fractures....

Fracture is a break or crack in a bone..Considerable force is needed to break a bone,unless it is diseased or old..Bones that are still growing are supple and may split,bend or crack...It is calles greenstick fracture..Both direct and indirect force can cause bones to fracture...A bone may break at the point where a heavy blow is received..Fractures may also occur from a twist or a wrench..

Stable and unstable fractures:

A fracture may be stable or unstable..In a stable injury,the broken ends do not move,either because they are incompletely broken or they are jammed together...Such injuries are common at the wrist,shoulder,ankle and hip..Usually they can be gently handled without causing further damage...

In an unstable unjury,the broken bone ends can easily move out of position..As a result,there is a risk tha they may cause damage to blood vessels,nerves and organs...Unstable injuries ca occur if the bone is completely broken or the ligaments are torn...Such injuries should be handled very carefully to avoid further damage..

Open and Closed fractures:

In an open fracture,one of the broken bone ends may pierce the skin surface or there may be a wound at the fracture site...An open fracture carries a high risk of becoming infected..

In a closed fracture,the skin above the fracture is intact..Bones may however be displaced and cause damage to the internal tissues in the area...If the bone ends pierce organs or major blood vessels,the affected person may have internal bleeding and suffer shock...

How to recognize a fracture:

There may be deformity,swelling and bruising at the fracture site..

There will be pain and difficulty in moving the affected area...

There will be shortening,bending or twisting of a limb...

Coarse grating of the bone ends can be felt or heard..

There may be signs of shock in case of fracture in the thigh bone and pelvis..

There can be a wound also with the bone ends protruding...

How poisons affect the body...

A poison,also called as toxin is a substance which if taken in to the body in sufficient quantity may cause temporary or permanent damage...Poisons can be swallowed,absorbed through the skin,inhaled,splashed in to the eyes or injected...Once in the body they may enter the blood stream and be carried swiftly to all organs and tissues...Signs and symptoms of poisoning vary with the poison..They may develop quickly or over a number of days...Vomiting is common especially when the poison has been ingested...Inhaled poison often cause breathing difficulties...
Effects of poisons on the body:

Poisons can enter the body thrugh the skin,digestive system,lungs or blood stream...Once in the blood stream,poisons can be carried to all parts of the body and have multiple effects..

Poisons reaching the brain may cause confusion,delirium,seizures and unconsciousness...

Swallowed corrosive chemicals can burn the mouth,lips and food passages...

Some poisons disturb the action of the heart by interrupting its normal electrical activity...

Poisons reaching the kidneys from the blood stream can cause serious damage to these organs..

Injected poisons and drugs rapidly enter the blood stream..Some poisons prevent the blood cells from carrying oxygen to body tissues..

Poisonous gases,solvents,vapours or fumes can be inhaled and affect the airways and lungs causing severe breathing problems...

Overload of poisons can seriously damage the liver which acts as a poison filter..

Poisons in the digestive system can cause vomiting,abdominal pain and diarrhoea...

Corrosive chemicals can burn the skin...Pesticides and plant toxins may be absorbed through the skin causing local or general reactions..

First trimester - First 6 weeks development

First trimester - First 6 weeks


Week 1

Getting ready:

Conception typically occurs about two weeks after your period begins..To calculate your due date,your doctor will count 40 weeks from the start of your last period..This means your period is counted as part of your pregnancy,even though you werent pregnant at that time..

Week 2

Fertilizaton:

The sperm and egg unite in one of your fallopian tubes to form a one-celled entity called a zygote...Soon after fertilization,the zygote travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus...At the same time,it will begin dividing rapidly to form a cluster of cells resembling a tiny raspberry...The inner group of cells will become the embryo..The outer group of cells will become the membranes that nourish and protect it...

Week 3

Implantation:

The zygote-by this time made up of about 500 cells-will burrow in to the uterine wall for nourishment...The placenta which will nourish your baby throughout the pregnancy also begins to form...By the end of this week,you may be celebrating a positive pregnancy test...

Week 4

The embryonic period begins:

The fourth week marks the beginning of the embryonic period,when the baby's brain,spinal cord,heart and other oragns begin to form..Your baby is now 1/25 of an inch long...

Week 5

Baby's heart begins to beat:

At week 5,your baby is 1/17th of an inch long-about the size of the tip of a pen...This week,your baby's heart and circulatory system are taking shape...Your baby's blood vessels will complete a circuit and his or her heart will begin to beat...

Week 6

Facial features appear:

Growth is rapid this week...Just four weeks after conception,your baby is about 1/8 of an inch long...Now your baby's heart is beating with a regular rhythm..Basic facial features will begin to appear,including an opening for the mouth and passageways that will make up the inner ear...The digestive and respiratory system begin to form as well..Small buds will soon grow in to arms and legs..

The Joints Seen In The Body

A joint is a place at which one bone meets another...In a few joints (immovable joints),the bone edges fit firmly together or are fused...Immovable joints are found in the skull and pelvis...Most joints are movable..In these joints,the bone ends are joined together by a fibrous tissue called ligaments which form a capsule around the joint..The capsule lining(synovial menbrane) produces fluid to lubricate the joint;the ends of the bones are also protected by smooth cartilage..Muscles that move the joint are attached to the bones by tendons...The degree and type of movement depends on the way the ends of bones fit together,the strength of the ligaments and the arrangement of the muscles...

Let us see some of the joints seen in human body...

Pivot joint:

One bone rotates within a fixed collar formed by another,as at the base of the skull..

Saddle joint:

Bone ends meet at right angles in this joint...The only example is at the base of the thumb..

Hinge joint:

This type allows bending and straigtening in only one plane,as i the knees and elbows..

Plane joint:

Surfaces of this type of joint are almost flat and slide over each other..This joint is found in the wrist and foot...

Ball-and-socket joint:

This allows movement in all directions...Examples are the hip and shoulder joints..

Ellipsoidal joint:

In this type of joint,movement can occur in most directions...The wrist is an example...

Structures of a moveable joint:

Cartilage covers the bone ends and minimises friction...Bands of tissue(ligaments) hold the ends together..The joint is enclosed in a lubricant-filled capsule...
 
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Electrical burns

Electrical burns:


Burns may occur when electricity passes through the body...Much of the visible damage occurs at the points of entry and exit of the current..However there may also be a track of internal damage..The position and direction of entry and exit wounds will alert you to the likely site and extent of hidden injury and to the degree of shock that the affected person may suffer...

Burns may be caused by a lightning strike or by low or high-voltage electri current..An electric shock can also cause cardiac arrest...If the casualty is unconscious,your immediate priority,once you are sure the area is safe,is to open the affected person's airway and check for breathing...

How to recognise a person suffering from an electrical shock-

The person will suffer from unconsciousness..

There will be full thickness burns with swelling,scorching and charring at the points of entry and exit...

There will be signs of shock...

A brown coppery residue on the skin will be seen if the affected person has been a victim of arcing high voltage electricity...

Your aims must be to treat the burns and shock and also to take the person to the hospital....

Here is what you should do-

1.Before touching the affected person,you must make sure that contact with the electrical source is broken...

2.Flood the sites of injury at the entry and exit points of the current with plenty of cold water to cool the burns..

3.Put on disposable gloves if available..Place a sterile dressing,a clean,folded triangular bandage or some other clean,non-fluffy material over the burns to protect them againt airborne infection...

4.Reassure the affected person and treat him for shock...

Do not approach a victim of high voltage electricity until you are officially informed that the current has been switched off and isolated...

If the affected person is unconscious,open the airway and check breathing...Be prepared to give chest compressions and rescue breaths if necessary...
 
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Your Skin

Plant diseases and insects

Plant diseases and insects:

insects found in plants


Aphids:

A group of insects of which greenfly and blackfly are the most common...These can attack a wide range of flowers as well as fruit and vegetables..Fortunately they are easily controlled by a wide range of insecticides..

Aster wilt:

A form of wilt that affects species of aster..The disease caused by a fungus in the roots,results in the plants wilting and collapsing...Destroy affected plants and do not replant asters in that position as the disease is soil-borne...

Botrytis:

Popularly known as grey mould,this fungus disease will not usually be a problem on established plants but it may affect cuttings...The fungus usually starts on dead or drying tissue but if left unchecked can spread to affect healthy tissue..The common name of this disease is apt-the affected part becomes enveloped in a grey mound of fluffy mould..If moved or disturbed,dust- like spores will probably fly up and drift to start new infections..Many modern fungicides will control botrytis if you treat the plant early...It is worth dipping your cuttings in a solution of fungicide as a routine precaution...

Capsid bugs:

There are several types of capsid bugs but they all cause similar damage..Both nymphs and adults feed on the sap of young shoots...The damaged leaves look puckered and distorted..Buds may be killed and flowers often misshapen..Capsid bugs are difficult to control as they tend to move about a lot but frequent spraying with an insecticide may help..

Earwigs:

Earwigs damage the blooms of flowers such as Chrysanthemums and Dahlias and may also make ragged holes in the petals and leaves of other plants..Trapping will do much to control them if the traps are dealt with every day..Otherwise spray or dust affected plants..

Mealy bug:

Easily identified pest...The young bugs are protected with what looks like a piece of cotton-wool..If only a few are present,pick them off..Otherwise use a systemic insecticide or spray with malathion..

Mildew:

A white powdery deposit on the leaves,sometimes spreading to the stem also..Some plants are more susceptible than others..Phlox and michaelmas daisies are among the border plants that are notoriuosly vulnerable..Pick off affected parts as soon as noticed...If the attack is severe it may respond to some of the modern fungicides but the sooner an attack is treated the better the chances of success..

Peony wilt:

Also known as peony blight,this disease can be serious problem of tree and herbaceous peonies-especially in a wet season..The fungus attacks the stem bases of herbaceous peonies,showing itself as a grey mould,spreading to form brown blotches on the leaves..Cut out and burn affected shoots,taking them back below soil level...Dust or spray the crowns with a fungicide and do this the next year once the leaves appear and fortnightly until the flower buds show...

Virus diseases:

These are impossible to control in the garden in any practical way and affected plants are destroyed ..Symptoms are generally mottled,yellowing or distorted leaves but first make sure that the problem is not caused by insects such as greenfly or by a nutritional deficiency...If the plant is also stunted it is best to destroy it without delay,even if it is not due to a virus it could be a problem such as eelworm,which is also difficult to control...

Virus diseases are usually transmitted by aphids and other sucking insects so controlling these will reduce the chances of infection...
 
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Propagation of plants by cutting

Propagation of plants by cutting:


There are some special types of cuttings used for trees and shrubs but herbaceous plants are propagated from simple soft cuttings and most of these are prepared from basal shoots..

Root cuttings are also used for increasing some herbaceous plants and the preparation of these is described below..

Soft stem cuttings are prepared early in the season while the growth is still soft and succulent...Basal cuttings are taken from the new shoots arising from the crown of the plant in spring...

For most herbaceous plants the cuttings should be about 8 cm long...Cut them off just below a node or joint and trim off the lower leaves before inserting them in the compost...

A rooting hormone can be used but just as important is humidity...Do not let the compost dry out and mist the plants frequently if not in a propagator or enclosed enviornment(putting the pot in a polythene bag will help if you do not have a propagator but do not let the bag come in to contact with the cuttings)

Root cuttings are used for several herbaceous plants such as anchusas,oriental poppies,gypsophilas and verbascums...Lift an established plant in late winter and select roots about the thickness of a pencil...So that you know which end is which afterwards,make a straight cut across the top end and a sloping cut across the bottom..

Insert the cuttings so that the top is just below soil or compost level...When growth is evident usually in spring,pot the plants up individually...

The roots of phlox are too thin to treat this way,so just lay them horizontally on the compost and cover lightly with compost or sandy soil...

Composts for cuttings:Use an all purpose compost or a seed compost(vermiculite and perlite)for rooting cuttings;potting compost may contain a harmful level of nutrients..

A propagator will help to root the more difficult kinds and mist propagation will help with the really tricky ones...However,you can provide the necessary humidity with the aid of a polythene bag over the pot but avoid direct sunlight,which could overheat or scorch the plants...Shade cuttings from direct sunlight until they have rooted and are growing strongly...
 
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Propagation of plants

What will you do in heat exhaustion?

Heat exhaustion is a  disorder which is caused by loss of salt and water from the body through excessive sweating...It usually develops gradually...Heat exhaustion usually affects people who are not acclimatised to hot,humid conditions...People who are unwell,especially those with illnesses that cause vomiting and diarrhoea are more suseptible than others to developing heat exhaustion..

A dangerous and common cause of heat exhaustion is the excessively high body temperature and other physical changes that result from certain drugs taken for pleasure such as ecstasy...The user sweats profusely due to prolonged overactivity then dehydration develops,leading to heat exhaustion...These effects coupled with the drug's effect on the temperature-regulating centre in the brain can lead to heat stroke and even cause death...

How will you recognise the symptoms?

The affected person will suffer from headache,dizziness and confusion...There will be loss of appetite and nausea...The person also will suffer from sweating and will have a pale and clammy skin..There will be cramps in the arms,legs or the abdominal wall..There will be rapid,weakening pulse and breathing...

Your aims should be to replace lost body fluids and salt and also to cool the affected person if necessary...

Steps to be followed:

1.Help the affected person to a cool place...Get him to lie down with raised legs to improve blood flow to the brain...

2.Give him plenty of water..Give him also a weak solution(one tsp of salt per 1 litre of water)

3.Even if the casualty recovers quickly,ensure that he is seen by a doctor...

4.Make sure vital signs are recorded...
 
Go to First aid for more articles on first aid...

Beauty tips...

Here are some more beauty tips...


To create a rich and dewy finish using your satin or matt foundation,just mix a little liquid highlighter or cream illuminator with your foundation..


Are you using the right make up brushes?Ideally,makeup brushes should feel soft on the skin and not scratchy and the bristles also shouldnot fall out easily...


Attempting to maintain your perms?Keep away your brush!!Always use a comb and comb gently to keep those perms looking gorgeous for long!


It's not cool to be dehydrated!!Central conditioning can dry out moisture from your skin...When in an air conditioned room increase your water intake and moisturize from within...


When using a hair dryer,hold it away from your hair..Ideally,direct the air downwards,not directly on to the roots of your hair and keep it moving...

Beautiful skin = healthy skin...Good health and vitality leads to great looking skin..A well balanced diet and exercise must be followed as religion!!


How often do you clear your make up bag?Get rid of anything that has changed in smell or texture,has leaked or hasnt been used in the last year...


It's the perfect season to treat your hair to an oil massage...Try warm olive oil but remember not to keep the oil on for too long,so that you dont fall ill...


This winter,it's more emphasis on the eye shadowing than on eye lashes...So you can give the mascara a miss a stock up on the vibrant and cheerful eye colours...


Wooden headgear could cause breakage while wearing or removing...Always wrap a silk scarf on your hair before wearing your woolen cap or hat...


Replenish your skin with moisture by adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil in your bath water...

Keep away from blow dryers this winter...They will strip your hair of its natural moisture...Opt for air drying your hair...Keep those gorgeous locks...

Go to beauty tips for more beauty tips...

Potting And Repotting

Potting and Repotting

Potting:


Before potting,a pot appropriate to the size of the plant may be selected...Potting in very large pots is harmful to plants as it tends to deplete the soil of its nutrients by leaching before new roots develop and occupy the soil...The pot should be thoroughly cleaned and then small rocks put over the drainage hole...The plants should be set in the centre of the pot and the soil filled gently arund the roots of the plants...When the pot is full the soil may be made firm by pressing with fingers leaving about 1 to 2 cms at the top,below to pot rim,to allow for water..The potted plant should then be watered thoroughly and placed in partial shade until it established itself..

For transplanting young seedlings in to pots,the drainage hole may first be covered with rocks and the soil mixture filled...Then a hole with a dibbler or a finger is made in the centre of the pot...This hole should be large enough to receive the seedling and then firm the soil with fingers leaving 1 cm space below the rim of the pot for watering...The seedling should be watered thoroughly and the pot should be kept in partial shade for a few days before shifting to its location...

If there is no drainage hole in the pot a 2.5 or 4 cm thick layer of coarse sand or gravel should be spread at the bottom to ensure good drainage...

Repotting:

When a plant becomes pot bound that is when its roots get matted around the outside of its earth-ball,it needs repotting...Plants require repotting occasinally depending upon its growth..Few plats like cact grow slowly and dont need repottng often but plants such as Geranium and Begonia grow fast and require repotting atleast once a year..The plants are generally repotted during the rainy season,when it is easier for them to get established and form new roots..A day prior to repotting,the pot should be watered lightly to facilitate removal of the earth-ball intact from the pot..This can be done by placing the fingers over the soil near the base of the plant,turning the pot upside down and tapping its rim on a table edge..The whole earth-ball will emerge intact from the pot...The presence of matted roots indicates the need for repotting...The plant should be set in a larger pot in the centre after removing a little of the soil from its earth-ball...The the soil should be put in the pot to set the plant to a right height and the new soil mixture filled around the roots..The same soil mixture used for potting may be utilized in repotting and firmed with fingers..Below the pot rim 1 cm space may be left to allow for water..The plant should be thoroughly watered and placed out of direct sunlight until it is well established...
 

What do you know about your skin?

One of the largest organs,the skin plays key roles in protecting the body from injury and infection and in maintaining a constant body temperature..The skin consists of two layers of tissue-an outer layer(epidermis) and an inner layer(dermis)-which lie on a layer of fatty tissue(subcutaneous fat)...The top part of the epidermis is made up of dead,flattened skin cells which are constantly shed and replaced by new cells made in the lower part of this layer...The epidermis is protected by an oily substance called sebum,secreted from glands called sebaceous glands which keeps the skin supple and waterproof...
The lower layer of the skin,the dermis,contains the blood vessels,nerves,muscles,sebaceous glands and hair follicles..The ends of sensory nerves within the dermis register sensations from the body's surface,such as heat,cld,pain and even the slightest touch...Blood vessels supply the skin with nutrients and help to regulate body temperature by preserving or releasing heat...

Maintaining body temperature:

One of the major functions of the skin is to help maintain the body temperature within its optimum range of 97 to 99 degrees F.Body temperature is constantly monitored by a thermostat that lies deep within the brain..If the temperature of blood passing through this thermostat falls or rises to a level outside the optimum range,various mechanisms are activated to either warm or cool the body as necessary...

How the body keeps warm:

When the body becomes too cold,changes take place to prevent heat from escaping...Blood vessels at the body surface narrow to keep warm blood in the main part of the body..The activity of the sweat glands is reduced and hairs stand on end to trap warm air close to the skin...In addition to the mechanisms that prevent heat loss,other body systems act to produce more warmth...The rate of metabolism is increased...Heat is also generated by muscle activity which may be either voluntary or in cold conditions,involuntary(shivering)..

How the body loses heat:

In hot conditions,the body activates a number of mechanisms to encourage heat loss and thus prevent the body temperature from becoming too high...Blood vessels that lie in or just under the skin widen(dilate)As a result,blood flow to the body surface increases and more heat is lost..The sweat glands also become more active and secrete more sweat...This swaet then cools the skin as it evaporates...
 
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Chemical Burns

Certain chemicals may irritate,burn or penetrate the skin causing widespread and sometimes fatal damage...Unlike burns caused by heat,signs of chemical burns develop slowly but the first aid is similar...

Most strong,corrosive chemicals are found in industry but chemical burns can also occur in the home especially from dishwahser products,oven cleaners and paint stripper...Chemical burns are always serious and the casualty may need urgent hospital treatment...Make sure you not the name of the burning substance..In such cases your am should be to make the area safe and inform the relevant authority in case there are poisonous fumes...Never attempt to neutralise acid or alkali burns unless trained to do so and never delay the treatment searching for an antidote...There can be chemicals found in the vicinity and if so discard immediately..The person will complain of intense stinging pain..There can be discoloration,blistering,peeling and swelling of the affected area...

Follow the following steps...

Make sure that the area around the casualty is safe...Ventilate the area to disperse fumes and if possible seal the chemical container...

Flood the burn with water for atleast 15 to 20 minutes to disperse the chemical and to stop the burning..

Gently remove any contaminated clothing while flooding the injury...

Take the person to the hospital...Make sure the airway is open and vital signs are ok...

Watering Plants - How To Water Plants

Successful growth or failure of a plant depends largely on watering..One of the main causes for the injury or death of plant is improper watering,particularly inadequate or overwatering...The requirement of water varies with differnt plants...Cacti and succulents need less frequent watering than Umbrella plant and Calla which can grow even in wet conditions..Frequency of watering will also depend on the stage of plant growth,size of the plant in relation to its pot,soil,light,temperature and humidity...Small pots which dry out more rapidly require more frequent watering...Plants in bloom need more water than those in young stages of growth or those which are newly potted..On a sunny day or when the humidity is high,plants require more watering...During winter the plant requires less water and growth is also slow..A heavy soil with plenty of clay will require less frequent watering than a sandy-loam soil...

Wilting is often a common indication of insufficient soil moisture but it may be due to constantly saturated soil..A plant removed from a dark corner to a sunny area may show signs of wilting..Wilting therfore is not always due to lack of soil moisture..It is a bad practice to water plants whose leaves are wilting..A few simple and common practices adopted to find out whether the soil is dry are often very useful...If a knock on the side of the pot with a wooden hammer or a sharp rap with knuckles produces a metallic or hollow ringing instead of a dull thud,it would indicate lack of soil moisture..By inserting the fingers in the top soil or by seeing the colour of the soil one can judge fairly accurately whether the pot needs watering..A dry soil will appear greyish white..If you are not able to judge the soil moisture by these methods,turn the plant out of its pot by tapping the rim of the pot to loosen the plant so that the earth-ball emerges intact..Examine this earth-ball and decide whether to water the plant or not..Do this with care...

Pots can be watered both from top and bottom..Watering from the bottom can be done through a wick or by half submerging the pot in a shallow bowl or basin of water or by placing the pot in a saucer full of water...In these the water rises through the bottom hole and as soon as it reaches the top soil,remove the pot from water...Drain off the excess water and place the pot at the same site where it was before...This can be done in house plants...Watering is better from bottom than from top as it avoids overwatering..

For indoor gardeners it is sometimes difficult to water their plants when they are away from home on a holiday...In such cases watering through a wick is useful..The pot is kept in a saucer or dish and a moistened wick is placed in a saucer...One end of which is kept immersed in a bucket or any other large receptacle filled with water..The water slowly passes from the bucket to the dish and rises up in the pot and is replenished through the wick whenever the soil is dry...Another method is to stand the pot on a wooden block in a saucer filled with water,which comes just to the top of the block and thus the roots will absorb the necessary moisture whenever needed...Another method is to insert 2 or 3 thin bamboo stakes slightly higher than the plant in soil along the sides after saturating the pot with water and then an alkaline bag is slipped over the stakes and the plant and fastened to the pot with a big rubber band...This helps conserve the soil mositure and keep the soil wet...The pot shouldnot be kept standing in water as it will constantly saturate the soil which is harmful to the plants...

Propagation Of Plants

These are some of the various ways by which plant propagation is done...Love gardening...That's why i keep writing about gardening and tips on gardening....


Seeds:

For sowing seeds,wooden flats or earthernware pans are used..The soil mixture contains 2 parts soil and 1 part each of sand and leaf mould or peat..Vermiculite can also be used for sowing seeds..Before sowing,the soil should be made fine,free of lumps and weeds...Very small seeds may be scattered over the surface while others should be sown in rows..Small wodden stakes or labels may be used to identify each variety or species..After sowing,the seed pans or flats must be watered with a watering can having a fine hose..The flat or seed pan must be covered with glass or plastic paper to provide darkness...As soon as the seedlings appear,the glass cover may be removed and the pans put in partial shade..The seedlings must be transplanted to another bigger pan once they develop their first leaf...Once they develop about 3 to 4 leaves they can be transplanted to individual pots...

Stem cuttings:

The rooting medium for stem cuttings consists of coarse sand,vermuculite or a combination of sand and peat..The cutttings are taken just below a node or leaf axil...Before inserting the cuttings dip their ends in seradix or any other rooting hormone that will facilitate rooting...The cuttings may be kept moist until they have rooted..This can be done either by spraying with a fine atomizer or by covering the pot containing the cuttings in a polythene bag or placing it underneath a glass case...The rooted cuttings can be transferred to a light soil mixture containing equal parts of fine sand,soil and leaf-mould or peat...

Leaf cuttings:

Leaf cuttings may be inserted in water,sand or vermiculite..Make sure that the leaf portion that is used for propagation contains a part of the main vein...The leaf may be spread on the rooting medium and fixed with toothpicks and each main vein cut with a sharp knife without disturbing the leaf..New plants will develop from these cut ends...

Division:

When the plant has made luxuriant growth and appears overgrown it can be divided for multiplication...The plant may be tossed out with its earth-ball intact,the soil shaken off and the clump divided in to two or more portions...These sections may be potted and kept away from direct sunlight for a few days until they are established...

Runners:

A few plants like Chlrophytum throw out aerial runners forming new plants at their ends...In a small pot filled with moist soil mixture containing sand and peat or leaf-mould the runner may be pinned to it and watered frequently..After it has formed new roots the runner may be cut and the new plant established...

Air-layering(marcottage):

When the plant becomes lanky as in the case of Dracena,croton or rubber plant,air layering can be done to replace the old ones..A length-wise half cut or notch may be made in the stem at the point where new roots are desired or a ring of bark be removed and the cut wrapped in moist moss and enclosed in a plastic cover with the ends tied with a twine...Sometimes saw dust or good garden soil is used in place of moss...If the ties are firmly made no water should evaporate and no watering will ne necessary...After about 4 to 6 weeks,when the roots have developed in the moss ball,they may be cut below the roots and the newly rooted plant is transplanted in a pot...Waering the old plant regularly will later produce a new top...

Tissue culture:

This technique is used for mass multiplication of disease free and uniform plants rapidly on agar-based nutrient medium or liquid nutirnt medium in test tubes,jars or bottles under aseptic conditions in the laboratory..The tissue cultured plants are later transferred to pots and kept in climate controlled green houses for hardening before they are planted in fields or pots..
 
Go to gardening tips for tips on gardening....
 

Bottle Garden

Plants,chiefly ferns,can also be grown in a large bottle as in a terrarium..A carboy is ideal for this purpose...A bottle may be thoroughly cleaned with soap and water and made to sparkle by rubbing it with a clean cloth...A mixture of coarse sand and crushed charcoal may be poured in to it to form a 3 cm thick layer at the bottom and later a mixture of equal parts of soil,sand and leaf mould is put in through a paper funnel...While introducing the soil, care should be taken that it doesnot cling to the sides of the bottle...Small plants can be introduced with a fork or dessert spoon tied to a thin bamboo canes with wire or tape..With these small tolls it is not difficult to manipulate the soil sround the roots of the plant...The plants should be watered lightly with a tube after planting...The bottle is then corked tightly...When planting great care should be taken to avid sprinkling soil over the leves of the plants..Any soil resting on the foliage can be washed off with a fine sprayer..If desired one can get the cork fitted with a lamp holder to use the bottle garden as an attractive and novel table lamp...The bottle garden like a terrarium needs very little gardening...Watering is normally done once in 2 months..Bottle garden shouldnot be exposed to direct sunlight for a long duration as the plants will get heated up...It is usually displayed in semi-shade...

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Home tips on dining room

Window Garden

The most common place to keep house plants is the window sill,window ledge or window box..The windows are the best show cases for indoor gardens...A window garden is the most satisfactory place as the plants are usually set in the showcase of the windows where the light makes their colours glow and helps in the growth of the plants...The plants can be placed on the window sill and shelves or on plant stands,tiered tables or plant trolley and planters...The window garden may be a part of the architecture having built in planters for keeping plants...The permanent planters must have a good drainage system..The plants can also be kept in water tight trays placed in the window ledge...While placing plants in a window,due care must be taken to choose the right type of plants...The plants requiring plenty of sunshine should be placed on the south side as well as on east and west sides..The shade loving plants can be placed on windows facing north and those needing medium light may be grown successfully on east and west sides...The climbing plants can be used effectively for framing the window when grown on the sides or for drooping effects in the front edge of the planter,trough or window box...

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Understanding Blood Pressure Measurements

Blood doesnot flow through the body in a steady stream..Instead it courses in spurts..Blood pressure is expressed in two numbers such as 120/80..The higher number indicates the systolic pressure,the peak force when the heart contracts and pumps a small amount of blood in to the circulation...The lower number,the diastolic reading,measures pressure exerted when the heart is resting momentarily between beats..The units of blood pressure measurement are millimeters of mercury...Basically this measures how high the pressure of the blood can push a column of mercury in an evacuated tube...
A doctor usually uses a stethoscope and a sphygmomanometer to measure blood pressure...The cuff is tightened to stop blood flow and as pressure is released,the doctor listens for the sounds that indicate systolic and diastolic pressures...If your resting pressure is consistently 140/90 or higher,you have a high blood pressure...Normal adult blood pressure is classified as follows:

Normal:

Systolic-Less than 120

Diastolic-Less than 80

Prehypertension:

Systolic-120-139

Diastolic-80-89

Stage 1 hypertension:

Systolic-140-159

Diastolic-90-99

Stage 2 hypertension:

Systolic-greater than 160

Diastolic-greater than 100

Some people have a normal systolic reading but a high diastolic pressure,they are classified as hypertensive...Other people have isolated hypertension...
 
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What would your baby say!!

Baby's speech


If i could speak this is what i would say....

Dear mummy,

For nie months,i heard you and felt your emotions...You loved and cared for me so much...Now i want you to know my feelings and my emotions...

Your baby

Iam your gift and you are mine too..Let love bond together both me and you...

Snuggle me tenderly so close to your chest..It is here next to you,Iam,at my best...

Hold me,hug me and please show me your day..You will be sharing your love,in a marvellous way...

Please hold me up high,so i might see all the many wonders surrounding me..

When we are in touch,it reduces your stress..We are happiest then and worry much less...

Safe in your arms dispels all my fears,my beaming smiles,replace anxious tears...

My learning is best when perched at your side with arms as my classroom and you as my guide...

I dont need many things,expensive or new...What i need is your time,your love and you...

Never let go of me mom...Love you...