Plant Knowledge & Selection Systems

Master comprehensive plant knowledge from basic care through systematic classification to expert site matching, developing the foundational skills needed for informed plant selection and creative garden design.

Plant Fundamentals & Care

Plant Identification & Biology

• Master plant anatomy and identification
  • Root systems (taproot, fibrous, adventitious) and their functions
  • Leaf structure, arrangement, and identification features
  • Growth patterns, branching habits, and seasonal cycles
  • Bark, flower, and growth form characteristics
• Identify 20+ common Guwahati species by key features
• Practice plant health diagnosis and care
  • Disease, pest, and nutrient deficiency recognition
  • Environmental stress indicators and responses

Systematic Plant Health Diagnosis & Management

• Disease identification and management protocols
  • Fungal diseases common in monsoon climate: powdery mildew, black spot, root rot
  • Bacterial infections: fire blight, bacterial leaf spot, soft rot symptoms
  • Viral diseases: mosaic patterns, stunted growth, deformities
  • Documentation systems: photo records, symptom progression tracking
• Pest identification and integrated management
  • Common monsoon pests: aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, scale insects
  • Beneficial predator identification: ladybugs, lacewings, predatory mites
  • Monitoring protocols: regular inspection schedules, trap systems, population tracking
  • Action thresholds: when to intervene vs. allowing natural balance
  • Traditional pest deterrents: neem, marigold, basil, garlic/chili extracts
  • Natural repellent preparation and application timing
• Nutrient deficiency diagnosis
  • Visual symptoms: chlorosis patterns, leaf discoloration, growth abnormalities
  • Soil testing protocols: pH, NPK, micronutrients, organic matter assessment
  • Corrective protocols: organic amendments, foliar feeding, timing applications
• Environmental stress recognition
  • Water stress: overwatering vs. underwatering symptoms, drainage issues
  • Light stress: etiolation, leaf burn, inadequate flowering indicators
  • Temperature stress: cold damage, heat stress, monsoon adaptation needs
  • Cultural stress: transplant shock, root bound conditions, pH imbalances
• Preventive care systems
  • Early warning detection: regular monitoring schedules, seasonal protocols
  • Cultural prevention: proper spacing, soil health, companion planting
  • Quarantine protocols: new plant integration, disease containment
  • Treatment documentation: effectiveness tracking, seasonal timing, method refinement
• Problem diagnosis and troubleshooting
  • Systematic assessment: symptoms, timing, environmental factors, recent changes
  • Differential diagnosis: pest vs. disease vs. cultural vs. environmental issues
  • Treatment selection: organic options, timing, application methods, follow-up care
  • Recovery techniques: stress rehabilitation, transplant shock management, weather damage recovery

Comprehensive Soil & Water Management

• Soil assessment and improvement
  • Testing: pH, NPK, drainage, organic matter
  • Amendment techniques: compost, traditional materials, fertilizers
  • Nutrient management and deficiency correction
• Watering and seasonal care protocols
  • Watering techniques for different conditions
  • Monsoon preparation, protection, and recovery
  • Seasonal maintenance schedules
• Living soil ecosystem building
  • Composting systems: hot, cold, vermi, leaf mold
  • Beneficial microorganism cultivation and mycorrhizal networks
  • Continuous mulching and minimal disturbance practices
• Traditional soil building methods
  • Local materials: rice hulls, agricultural waste, traditional manure timing
  • Traditional composting adapted to monsoon climate
  • Seasonal workflows: pre-monsoon → protection → rehabilitation → maintenance
• Soil rehabilitation and climate resilience
  • Organic matter addition, drainage improvement, pH correction, gradual improvement
  • Climate adaptation strategies for heat mitigation and flood resilience
  • Climate-adaptable species selection and adaptive management

Plant Classification & Selection

• Structural framework plants
  • Trees: canopy (>30’), understory (15-30’), ornamental (<15’)
  • Shrubs: large (6-12’), medium (3-6’), small (1-3’), dwarf (<1’)
  • Root system considerations: taproot, fibrous, shallow, invasive
• Functional categories
  • Structural (backbone), specimen (focal), filler (mass), screening (privacy)
  • Seasonal interest: perennials, annuals, bulbs
  • Vines and climbers: woody/herbaceous, climbing methods
  • Grasses and groundcovers: ornamental, bamboo, low-maintenance options

Functional Applications

Multi-Purpose Garden Planning

• Integrate multiple functions (food, medicine, ecology, beauty)
• Balance maintenance requirements and space efficiency
• Plan seasonal function distribution

Edible Gardens

• Food production systems
  • Annual vegetables, perennial food plants, microgreens
  • Fruit trees: spacing, pollination, harvest access
  • Herb spirals: site selection, plant placement by needs
• Year-round harvest planning and wild edible integration

Cacti & Succulent Systems

• Tropical climate adaptation for desert plants
  • Monsoon season protection: covered growing areas, enhanced drainage
  • Specialized soil mixes: coarse sand, perlite, gravel for rapid drainage
  • Air circulation systems: fans, spacing, ventilation for humidity control
• Indoor growing protocols
  • Protected windowsill systems during rainy season
  • Container selection: terracotta, drainage holes, elevated positioning
  • Watering schedules: reduced frequency during monsoons, deep but infrequent
• Species selection for humid climates
  • Tropical cacti: Christmas cactus, dragon fruit, night-blooming cereus
  • Humidity-tolerant succulents: jade plants, aloe varieties, haworthia
  • Epiphytic cacti adapted to monsoon conditions
• Pest and disease management
  • Fungal prevention: air circulation, fungicide treatments, proper spacing
  • Common pests: scale insects, root mealybugs, spider mites
  • Natural treatments: neem oil, beneficial insects, quarantine protocols

Microgreens & Quick-Growing Systems

• Indoor microgreen production
  • Growing medium selection: coconut coir, perlite, soilless mixes
  • Container systems: trays, mesh lids, drainage management
  • Seed selection: radish, pea shoots, sunflower, broccoli, wheatgrass
• Succession planting systems
  • Weekly planting schedules for continuous harvest
  • Space optimization: vertical growing, stacked tray systems
  • Timing charts: 7-14 day harvest cycles for different species
• Sprouting techniques
  • Jar sprouting: mung beans, alfalfa, lentils, chickpeas
  • Traditional fermentation sprouting methods
  • Optimal soaking, rinsing, and growing conditions for monsoon climate
• High-density growing methods
  • Cut-and-come-again harvesting for maximum yield
  • Intensive spacing and companion planting in small areas
  • Quick-turnaround crops: lettuce, spinach, Asian greens, herbs

Orchard Management & Tree Systems

• Fruit tree establishment and care
  • Species selection for Northeast India: mango, jackfruit, citrus, guava
  • Planting timing and spacing for monsoon conditions
  • Root protection and drainage for young trees
• Pruning and training systems
  • Seasonal pruning timing: dormant season, post-harvest, monsoon prep
  • Training techniques: central leader, open center, espalier for small spaces
  • Tool selection and wound treatment in high humidity
• Pollination optimization
  • Hand pollination techniques for fruit set improvement
  • Beneficial insect habitat creation for natural pollination
  • Timing awareness: flowering periods, weather patterns
• Harvest and post-harvest management
  • Ripeness indicators and optimal harvest timing
  • Storage techniques: traditional methods, controlled atmosphere
  • Processing and preservation: drying, fermentation, traditional methods
• Disease and pest management for fruit trees
  • Common issues: fungal diseases, fruit flies, scale insects
  • Preventive care: sanitation, pruning, beneficial predators
  • Organic treatments: neem, beneficial microorganisms, companion plants

Medicinal & Specialty Plants

• Traditional Northeast Indian healing plants
  • Species identification, growing requirements, safe preparation
  • Garden health applications: pest deterrents, soil improvement
• Specialty cultivation: algae systems, moss/fern gardens, fiber plants
• Multi-functional selections (nitrogen-fixing food plants, medicine-food crossovers)