Gardening in Arabia Fruiting Plants in Qatar and the Arabian Gulf , livre ebook

Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press - Shuaa Al-Sada

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185 pages

English

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Gardening in Arabia: Fruiting Plants in Qatar and the Arabian Gulf features 35 types of fruit trees and plants that are grown in our beloved country, Qatar, and in other Arabian Gulf countries. These are trees and plants that have shown their ability to thrivein this unique and challenging climate, producing luscious fruits of exceptional flavor. Trees and plants detailed in this book range from bananas to strawberries. There is a special section on date palms, an essential part of Middle Eastern culture and diet for millennia. Here you will find the scientific name of every tree and plant, along with their English names, and a full description of each. There is useful advice on where, when and how to cultivate these trees and plants in your own garden, and how to treat their most common pests and diseases. The uses of each plant is also featured. Stunning photographs throughout will allow you to recognize the trees and plants and to enjoy their remarkable beauty.

Sujets

Gardening

Qatar

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Publié par	Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press
Date de parution	17 janvier 2019
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9789927151422
Langue	English
Poids de l'ouvrage	5 Mo

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,1200€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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Citrus japonica Kumquats

In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful
I would like to thank everyone who has helped and encouraged me during the writing of this book, especially my husband for his moral and financial support, and my children, who have been extremely patient and understanding during my many hours of work. I would also like to thank Baba Mohammad, my gardener for over 15 years, for sharing his knowledge and experience of gardening in the Arabian Gulf region; my neighbor Sarah Al-Naimi, for welcoming me into her garden and allowing me to photograph her plants; and Asma Al-Kabi, for her invaluable contacts and knowledge of where to find things in Qatar. A special thanks to Natalie Gueris, my friend, photographer, and fellow adventurer, as well as Linxian Wang, Moudhi Alhajiri, and Herbert Villadelrey, for the stunning photographs they have taken for this book. Thanks to Margie Rae Jackson, for her help with editing the English text; to Larry Issa, for his work on the book’s layout and also for driving this project forward; and to the many others who contributed in one way or another. Particular thanks to those who allowed us to take photographs at their venues, especially, Plaza Hollandi.
Shuaa Abdullah Al-Sada

Citrus × aurantiifolia
Limes

Introduction
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “There is no Muslim who plants a tree or sows seeds and then a bird, or a person, or an animal eats from it except that it is charity for him.”
I thank God who provides us with all that we need in this world, especially the plants and flowers that nourish us both physically and spiritually and bring us such happiness. Plants create islands of peace and serenity amidst the stress and commotion of our daily lives. They require only water, soil, and sun; in return they offer beauty, nourishment, and healing. Planting a garden can instil hope and joy, even provide meaning to life where there was none. Cultivating a garden generates a thousand and one things to look forward to: the day a flower will open, a tree will grow, or a fruit will ripen.
When I started writing this series of books I did it with the intention of helping to guide anyone with a similar passion for plants to identify them easily, understand how they grow and realize the benefits of each plant. However, my main purpose is not limited to promoting knowledge of plants; it is also to inspire and encourage every home to have a garden. Gardening is easy and, with a little effort, anyone can achieve a beautiful and bountiful garden, a private oasis of tranquility and harmony for the family. Aside from being a wonderful activity that the whole household can contribute to and benefit from, gardening also helps to protect our environment by increasing the amount of greenery.
For all of these reasons, among others, I wish to invite you, dear readers, to create your own garden, whether indoors or outdoors. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the wide variety of plants that can be grown in your garden, despite our country’s semi-desert conditions of high temperatures, little rain, and poor soil. During the growing season, from October to April, all types of plants can thrive. By nourishing the soil with vitamins and fertilizer, and providing care and attention, we can all make our gardens beautiful.
Shuaa Abdullah Al-Sada

Climate of the Arabian Gulf region
The Arabian Gulf region comprises seven countries, namely: Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. While these countries all border the Arabian Gulf, they span a vast and varied geographical area and display a large range of climate types, from hot and dry desert regions to high mountainous areas that have cold spells. Temperatures across the Gulf exhibit significant regional and seasonal fluctuations, ranging from extreme winter lows of -5 ° C to 0 ° C in the higher elevations of Saudi Arabia and Oman, to scorching summer highs of 42 ° C to 52 ° C in the deserts of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Humidity fluctuates regionally and seasonally, ranging from between 35% to 70% in winter, and from 15% to as much as 90% in summer. Average rainfall for the Arabian Gulf is about 152mm a year, occurring almost exclusively during the winter months. Precipitation also varies widely across the region, however, with some areas averaging as little as 30mm a year, and others as much as 435mm. Countries with little average rainfall often depend on desalinated water for irrigation.

Cocos nucifera
Coconuts

Gardening by the Arabian stars
January
Important dates—2nd: Two small stars, one larger than the other, rise together in a configuration that farmers call al-Marbaaneah . They are present in the night sky for 13 days, and during this time the weather is seasonably cold.
—15th : The constellation of al-Naaim , which farmers call al-Shabat al-Awaal , ascends. This is the fourth of the winter constellations, appearing between Scorpius and Sagittarius, and will remain in the sky for 13 days. While this cluster of stars, also known as Enkood al-Farasha , rises during a period of severe cold, by the time the cluster begins its descent new leaves will start to emerge on trees. These stars are sometimes called bil Naaim , because at this time if it is cold enough the plants in the desert become very green; however, if temperatures fall too low small plants in the desert will burn from the cold. Planting during this time is not recommended, as the groundwater may be frozen and will not be available to nurture plant roots.
—21st: This is the first day of the zodiac sign Aquarius, the second sign of the winter season. Aquarius lasts for 30 days, and during this time temperatures rise and groundwater melts, once again nourishing the roots of plants. This is a good time to relocate or replant small date palms and other saplings. It is also a good time to propagate pomegranate trees, to prune figs and grapevines, and to sow watermelon seeds.
—28th: This date ushers in the cluster al-Balda , considered to be the fifth constellation of winter. It consists of six small, dim stars that are seen with difficulty by the naked eye. This is a good time to transfer date palm offshoots. Mature date palms will begin to flower.
Gardening: During the month of January, gardeners should begin fertilizing date palms with NPK fertilizer (composed of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus). One to 2kg of fertilizer should be used for each tree, varying the amount based on the size and age of the tree, as well as the tree’s date production during previous seasons; the more prolific the tree, the more fertilizer is required. Water date palms twice during this month. Additionally, a pre-emptive application of insecticide at this time will help to avoid later insect infestations. Ficus carica (fig) trees begin to pollinate, and Fragaria ananassa (strawberry) and Zizyphus spina-christi (jujube) are ready for harvest. Many fruiting plants, including Fragaria × ananassa (strawberry), Psidium guajava (guava), Ficus carica (fig), Vitis vinifera (grape), and all forms of Citrus , can be found in the nursery.
February
Important dates—10th: This date marks the appearance of taleh Saad al-Dabeh (Beta Capricorni, Dabih), which consists of two stars, one very bright and the other comparatively dim. The first can be found high in the northern side of the sky while the other is low in the south. These stars become visible by the end of winter. At this time, date palm flowers are mature enough for pollination, and it is possible to tell if a date tree is male or female. Pollen can now be collected from male trees; trees that are around five years old produce the most potent pollen. This is the earliest time of the year when it is possible to pollinate female trees, and one of three opportunities for pollination during the season.
—20th: This date marks the beginning of the time of Pisces, the last constellation in the Arabian calendar. This phase consists of 29–30 days.
—23rd: Two stars ascend at this time, together called Saad Albali . They are said to herald rain, which helps plants to flourish and last longer come spring.
Gardening: This is the time to start planting for spring. Most types of fruiting plants, such as Fragaria × ananassa , (strawberry), Psidium guajava (guava), Ficus carica (fig), Mangifera indica (mango), Carica papaya (papaya), Zizyphus spina-christi (jujube), and most varieties of Citrus are available in nurseries. Date palms require an additional fertilizer, called urea, to be applied during this month. Use approximately 1kg of urea for each established tree, in two applications of 0.5kg each. Reduce the amount of urea if the tree is younger or smaller in size. Water date palms twice during this month, and remove old, spent fronds from the trunk. Additionally, a pre-emptive application of insecticide at this time will help to avoid later insect infestations. At this time, papaya and mango trees come into bloom, and Indian tamarind can be harvested.
March
Important dates—8th: This marks the appearance of taleh Salsuud (Beta Aquarii, Sadalsuud), consisting of three stars, one of which shines very brightly and two of which are very dim. They bring with them the change to more clement weather and, with this shift, plants begin to flourish. All date palms are ready for pollination.
—21st: This marks the beginning Aries, whose length is 31 days, and the first stars of spring. The constellation Saad al-Akhbeeya ascends and is visible for 13 days. This cluster consists of four stars, all very close together. As the month comes to an end, days and nights start to become equal in length.
Gardening: Spring is in the air; trees are flowering and star