Unusual pe(s)ts

An exotic or unusual pet is like a small part of untamed Nature. For some people, exotics remind them that the world contains millions of species that have evolved free from human intervention.

Take the Madagascar hissing cockroach, for instance. The very name sends chills up the spines of some people. Others, however, will be fascinated at the elaborate rituals these creatures have developed to defend territory, produce offspring, or simply to identify themselves.

The following are unusual and exotic pets that a few number of people keep as their companions throughout the world.

Piranhas live up to their Hollywood reputation as vicious fish that will not hesitate to chew off the hand that feeds it. This isn't a pet for the faint of heart - only experienced aquarists should take on the piranha.

Tarantulas, contrary to popular belief, are not usually dangerous or even aggressive.

These large, hairy, and frequently beautiful animals are gaining popularity as interesting, low-maintenance pets.

The wallaby is a miniature version of the kangaroo. The Latin name for the wallaby is macropod, which means "Big Foot." They are affectionate, playful and mischievous pets.

The Madagascar hissing cockroach is no ordinary roach. For one thing, it can grow to up to 3 inches long and over an inch wide - not something you would swat with a rolled-up magazine! They are hardy creatures that do not bite, and in fact make great exotic pets for children.

The skunk was once the Rodney Dangerfield of the animal world. But the perception of the skunk is improving as more people adopt these native-born animals as pets.

Sugar gliders are marsupials native to Australia, New Guinea and Indonesia that have been blessed with the ability to glide through the trees in their natural habitats. From a good height, they can take "flights" of more than 150 feet.

The "Pac Man" frog is an apt nickname for the ornery ornate horned frog. Legend says that once it bites, it won't let go until sundown. Just like the computer icon, this frog is ready to gobble everything in its path, and will bite cage mates, siblings, even its human handler.

The hermit crab is, curiously, neither a hermit nor a crab. As a pet, he's quite sociable and does well in groups of his own species. There are about 800 species of hermit crabs and can be found all over the world. However, there are only two species usually found in the pet trade: the purple claw crab and the Ecuadorian crab.

Potbellied pigs were first introduced to the United States from Asia 15 years ago. They are easily trained and have an alert curiosity and affectionate nature. They're smarter than the smartest dogs, and just as appreciative of a good belly-scratch. But prospective owners should be aware that cute piglets can grow to be quite large pigs.

Stick insects are one of the most popular insects to keep as pets. They can hide in plain sight with camouflage that is so perfect they are nearly indistinguishable from the branches of the plants on which they feed.

Courtesy Petplace.com

Flowers of Sri Lanka:

The medium for plants

Manoj Dissanayeke

The medium in which you grow your plants has a huge impact on the growth of the plant. Using the correct medium leads to healthy growth of the plant while the wrong medium results in plants that have less bloom and are easily prone to diseases.

Therefore the medium acts as a transporter in fulfilling the needs of the plant. It keeps food, air and water stored within and provides the plants with the support to stand up on its own.

Other than fulfilling the needs of the plants, the medium is also a path for the bacteria, fungus and viruses to enter the plant's system. This is an easy method for the crop to catch infections.

The essential qualities of a medium

Different people use different types of mediums for their crops. Leaf mould, compost, cow dung, outer layer soil, charcoal, pieces of tile and choir are some of those popularly used. These should be used according to the type of plant and required amount.

A medium has a number of duties to fulfil. These duties can be categorised into three sections:

1. Physical duties

2. Chemical duties

3. Global duties

Physical duties

Water holding capacity is the most important feature in this category. The capacity to absorb a lot of water while other plants prefer otherwise.

Therefore it is essential to include the exact amount of ingredients such as leaf mould, soil and pebbles according to the need of the crop.

Chemical duties

The PH level, and nutrient exchange go along with this group. Some plants prefer acidic mediums while others prefer alcaline mediums. If you use chemical fertilisers for a long period the PH level of the soil changes automatically. To change it back to the previous level, use dolomite.

Global duties

A lot of microscopic beings live on soil. Their activities enhance the quality of the medium. Some destroy the unwanted particles in the soil while others add nitrogen to the medium.

This is known as nitrogen fixation. These microscopic beings also help in decay but over use of chemical products destroy them. Therefore it is always best to use natural compost fertilisers for your crop.

(The writer is the Agriculture Instructor of Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya)