36
odendron
The Rhod
fully, flowers are plucked from branches careHardwicke (1755-1835). In Asia, it is found in fully. The collection is done in the basket from Kashmir to southeast Tibet and even Sri Lanka the forest. and all over Nepal. It’s pure forests are located nearly between 2700 and 3000m altitude and mainly in the eastern part of the country. It Grading - The anthers and stigma are removed has a preference for slopes and hills ridges. and only petals are sorted out. These are then Its trunk can be gnarled cleaned with water. Afon its smallest trees. Its ter grading 2 kg of the Table 1: strong root generally flowers petals can be runs on the ground. The Nutrient content taken. R. arboreum is the only in Rhododendron Flower rhododendron on which Blending - In the blend Nutrient Unit orchids grow (in northing process, 3 liters of 1 Fat 7.6 % east Nepal). Blooming water can be taken in begins in February at 2 Protein 16.3% a large pan and then low altitudes (1500cleaned flower petals 3 Carbohydrate 68.5% 1800m) and extends should be added to boil4 Minerals (mg/100gm) to end of May around ing. One tablespoon of 3500-3600m, pure a Sodium 4.8 sodium benzoate should forests bloom generally be added in the pan afb Potassium 17.15 in April. R. arboreum has terward stirring should c Calcium 2.5 its unique characteristic be done to mix the flowof three different colors er petals into the water. of the flower. In the After 20-30 minutes the lower altitude, the pure red colored flower is flower shall release most of the juice, color, bloomed, pink color and white flower can be and aroma in the water. seen as the altitude ascends. This uniqueness in not generally found in other species and for Sieving - after cooling the juice should be this a number of tourists came in hills in the sieved. About 2-2.5 kg sugar can be added flowering season. Other than all the uniqueboiled on fire for another 20 minutes with conness the tree is famous for squash made up of stant stirring. the rhododendron flower. The flower is full of nutrition. The nutrient content is depicted in Preservation and packaging - For the purpose Table 1. of preservation citric acid (10-20gm/ liter) is added before bottling. The bottles are cleaned Rhododendron squash Preparation and sterilized first then Rhododendron arthe juice is poured and boretum flowers are the bottle is capped. To mainly used in juice or serve, mix the juice with squash preparation. The water in the ratio of 1:3. process is started from Preservation of collection of the flower Rhododendron to preservation. For making 4 liters of juice flowers the process is described The harvested flowers here. must be free from all visible evidence of disFlow chart eases. The fully bloomed for preparing flowers must be collect4 liters of Juice ed and Corolla should be Plucking - At the time separated from anthers, of flowering, when the calyx, and stamen. flowers are matured Preservatives (Sodium AGRICULTURE
WORLD
JANUARY 2017
www.krishijagran.com