The lush green plants in the midst of high-rise residential houses in Githurai, Nairobi makes the farm stand out.

Bananas, paw paws and indigenous vegetables that include spider plant compete for space on the about half-acre farm.

Robert Ngugi, the owner of the farm, has grown a wild plant known as tithonia (Asteraceae) on one side of the garden.

However, while he grew tithonia to protect his crops from dust since the farm is near a road, the plants have turned out to be one of his biggest saving grace as he uses them as fertilizer.

He was found pruning the tithonia plants. One would be forgiven for thinking that he was just trying to keep the hedge clean.
However, after the pruning, the farmer chops the leaves into smaller pieces and soaks them in a metal tank.

“This is something I do every fortnight,” says Ngugi. “It saves me plenty of money that I would have used to buy artificial fertilizer for my crops. I soak the leaves in water for two weeks before spraying on my various crops, together with the decomposed plant materials.”

BUY FERTILIZERS

When he started farming in 2010 after failing to sell the parcel that is a wetland, Ngugi would buy fertilizer to boost production. Each year, he says, he would spend not less than Sh20,000 (N40,000)

“I adopted tithonia after learning its value from an agricultural officer. It was by chance that I got the knowledge. That day the officer in-charge of Kahawa Wendani had brought farmers to my farm for lessons when he stumbled upon tithonia.”

The officer, Miriam Mugwe, saw the plant and asked Ngugi why he had grown it.

“That day I did not only talk to farmers about the other crops but also tithonia as an alternative to artificial fertilizer,” says Miriam as she recalled of the incident in 2012.

Having learned of the importance of the plant, Ngugi started using it as fertiliser.

“I normally harvest the plant’s small branches and leaves, then shred into small pieces and soak in a 180-litre water container. I ensure the plants cover half of the container and then add 135 liters of water.”

IMPORTANCE OF TITHONIA

He sprays two drums of the mixture on his farm, which last up to six months. “Since I started using tithonia, I now harvest eight to 10kg of sukuma wiki (collard green) from the same portion that I used to get 5kg a week. The organic fertilizer has also enabled me to pick night shade (managu) twice a week unlike before when leaves took long to sprout.”

Miriam, who works for the Ministry of Agriculture, says many people do not know the importance of tithonia as an alternative to fertilizer.

“I learned about the value of the crop several years ago from an institution that trains people on use of organic fertiliser.”

Prof Richard Mulwa, a horticultural scientist at Egerton University, says tithonia is rich in nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

“Organic matter in tithonia helps soil to hold much more water and for a longer period,” says Prof Mulwa. “The nutrients in tithonia are vital in improving the size of leaves and fruits as well as making leaves dark-green.”

Tithonia, he adds, is good for crops such as melon, maize and a variety of vegetables like spider plant, sukuma wiki, spinach and cabbages.

“The nutrients in tithonia also add sweetness to watermelons. “Farmers should use tithonia to optimize yields.” Though the plant is widely used by organic farmers, the expert notes it is highly recommended to those who have used synthetic fertiliser for long as it does not only add nutrients but also the organic matter.

Is it the same thing as sunflower?

Pavore9:
The lush green plants in the midst of high-rise residential houses in Githurai, Nairobi makes the farm stand out.

Bananas, paw paws and indigenous vegetables that include spider plant compete for space on the about half-acre farm.

Robert Ngugi, the owner of the farm, has grown a wild plant known as tithonia (Asteraceae) on one side of the garden.

However, while he grew tithonia to protect his crops from dust since the farm is near a road, the plants have turned out to be one of his biggest saving grace as he uses them as fertilizer.

He was found pruning the tithonia plants. One would be forgiven for thinking that he was just trying to keep the hedge clean.
However, after the pruning, the farmer chops the leaves into smaller pieces and soaks them in a metal tank.

“This is something I do every fortnight,” says Ngugi. “It saves me plenty of money that I would have used to buy artificial fertilizer for my crops. I soak the leaves in water for two weeks before spraying on my various crops, together with the decomposed plant materials.”

BUY FERTILIZERS

When he started farming in 2010 after failing to sell the parcel that is a wetland, Ngugi would buy fertilizer to boost production. Each year, he says, he would spend not less than Sh20,000 (N40,000)

“I adopted tithonia after learning its value from an agricultural officer. It was by chance that I got the knowledge. That day the officer in-charge of Kahawa Wendani had brought farmers to my farm for lessons when he stumbled upon tithonia.”

The officer, Miriam Mugwe, saw the plant and asked Ngugi why he had grown it.

“That day I did not only talk to farmers about the other crops but also tithonia as an alternative to artificial fertilizer,” says Miriam as she recalled of the incident in 2012.

Having learned of the importance of the plant, Ngugi started using it as fertiliser.

“I normally harvest the plant’s small branches and leaves, then shred into small pieces and soak in a 180-litre water container. I ensure the plants cover half of the container and then add 135 liters of water.”

IMPORTANCE OF TITHONIA

He sprays two drums of the mixture on his farm, which last up to six months. “Since I started using tithonia, I now harvest eight to 10kg of sukuma wiki (collard green) from the same portion that I used to get 5kg a week. The organic fertilizer has also enabled me to pick night shade (managu) twice a week unlike before when leaves took long to sprout.”

Miriam, who works for the Ministry of Agriculture, says many people do not know the importance of tithonia as an alternative to fertilizer.

“I learned about the value of the crop several years ago from an institution that trains people on use of organic fertiliser.”

Prof Richard Mulwa, a horticultural scientist at Egerton University, says tithonia is rich in nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

“Organic matter in tithonia helps soil to hold much more water and for a longer period,” says Prof Mulwa. “The nutrients in tithonia are vital in improving the size of leaves and fruits as well as making leaves dark-green.”

Tithonia, he adds, is good for crops such as melon, maize and a variety of vegetables like spider plant, sukuma wiki, spinach and cabbages.

“The nutrients in tithonia also add sweetness to watermelons. “Farmers should use tithonia to optimize yields.” Though the plant is widely used by organic farmers, the expert notes it is highly recommended to those who have used synthetic fertiliser for long as it does not only add nutrients but also the organic matter.

jethro2:
Is it the same thing as sunflower?

yes it is, It used to treat Nematode, a specialist in NIOHT said so..... But I have not try it. The plant is very common here.

jethro2:
Is it the same thing as sunflower?

Yes, it is of the sunflower family.

pavore, always inspiring.

will show this to a friend of mine. he will know d ibo name and know if its found around here in our bushes or gardens.

an idea just flashed in my mind. dont u think moringa leaves could serve d same purpose?

mercylicious:
an idea just flashed in my mind. dont u think moringa leaves could serve d same purpose?

lt would because l recall being told by an organic farmer that he utilizes it alongside rabbit urine & dogonyaro.

mercylicious:
pavore, always inspiring.

will show this to a friend of mine. he will know d ibo name and know if its found around here in our bushes or gardens.

lt is around, u only just need to identify it.

@pavore,Bros u re just too much,in ibadan we call it june12 it is use to treat tough malaria.

Pavore9:
Yes, it is of the sunflower family.

Soloxam:
yes it is, It used to treat Nematode, a specialist in NIOHT said so..... But I have not try it. The plant is very common here.

Wow. That's good news. We have it in abundance in my area. Now i better start working on my own organic fertilizer. Information is power

Pavore9:
lt would because l recall being told by an organic farmer that he utilizes it alongside rabbit urine & dogonyaro.

I have read about dongoyaro(neem) being use for pesticide and insecticide. This are wonderful information

mercylicious:
pavore, always inspiring.

will show this to a friend of mine. he will know d ibo name and know if its found around here in our bushes or gardens.

..
I'll also like to see the plant oo. There is a lot of info to explore. Pavore tnks for the tip.

jethro2:

I have read about dongoyaro(neem) being use for pesticide and insecticide. This are wonderful information

it is used by organic farmers as pesticide.

Wow! Awesome info

FarmTech:

..
I'll also like to see the plant oo. There is a lot of info to explore. Pavore tnks for the tip.

You are welcome.

Pavore9:
You are welcome.

@pavore9, I sent u a email using the one on your blog but you are yet to reply for weeks now. Pls look into it. Thanks.

Dokitadotun:

@pavore9, I sent u a email using the one on your blog but you are yet to reply for weeks now. Pls look into it. Thanks.

Do re-send it.

Pavore9:
lt would because l recall being told by an organic farmer that he utilizes it alongside rabbit urine & dogonyaro.

Dogonyaro leaves cannot act as organic fertilizer as it actually retard plant growth. However, the seed is very rich and can be used as fertilizer.

Nice info, a friend once told me to use it for nematode but it scarce here in Abeokuta

@ pavore9 pls could this be the same tithonia as the one you attached to the original post?

please, send it to lardo4u@gmail.com

pavore9 hope you good. Would love to hear what you have to say about my earlier post above.

gaussy:
pavore9 hope you good. Would love to hear what you have to say about my earlier post above.

I guess it is but can you upload the picture of a fresh one showing the green and yellow parts as the one you uploaded has withered..

Pavore9:


I guess it is but can you upload the picture of a fresh one showing the green and yellow parts as the one you uploaded has withered..

Hi Pavore9 sent you a mail. Please confirm you received it.

salsera:


Hi Pavore9 sent you a mail. Please confirm you received it.

When did you send it?

Pavore9:


When did you send it?

2days ago.
Should I resend?

salsera:


2days ago.
Should I resend?

l guess you did not check your mail because l did reply.

Pavore9:
The lush green plants in the midst of high-rise residential houses in Githurai, Nairobi makes the farm stand out.

Bananas, paw paws and indigenous vegetables that include spider plant compete for space on the about half-acre farm.

Robert Ngugi, the owner of the farm, has grown a wild plant known as tithonia (Asteraceae) on one side of the garden.

However, while he grew tithonia to protect his crops from dust since the farm is near a road, the plants have turned out to be one of his biggest saving grace as he uses them as fertilizer.

He was found pruning the tithonia plants. One would be forgiven for thinking that he was just trying to keep the hedge clean.
However, after the pruning, the farmer chops the leaves into smaller pieces and soaks them in a metal tank.

“This is something I do every fortnight,” says Ngugi. “It saves me plenty of money that I would have used to buy artificial fertilizer for my crops. I soak the leaves in water for two weeks before spraying on my various crops, together with the decomposed plant materials.”

BUY FERTILIZERS

When he started farming in 2010 after failing to sell the parcel that is a wetland, Ngugi would buy fertilizer to boost production. Each year, he says, he would spend not less than Sh20,000 (N40,000)

“I adopted tithonia after learning its value from an agricultural officer. It was by chance that I got the knowledge. That day the officer in-charge of Kahawa Wendani had brought farmers to my farm for lessons when he stumbled upon tithonia.”

The officer, Miriam Mugwe, saw the plant and asked Ngugi why he had grown it.

“That day I did not only talk to farmers about the other crops but also tithonia as an alternative to artificial fertilizer,” says Miriam as she recalled of the incident in 2012.

Having learned of the importance of the plant, Ngugi started using it as fertiliser.

“I normally harvest the plant’s small branches and leaves, then shred into small pieces and soak in a 180-litre water container. I ensure the plants cover half of the container and then add 135 liters of water.”

IMPORTANCE OF TITHONIA

He sprays two drums of the mixture on his farm, which last up to six months. “Since I started using tithonia, I now harvest eight to 10kg of sukuma wiki (collard green) from the same portion that I used to get 5kg a week. The organic fertilizer has also enabled me to pick night shade (managu) twice a week unlike before when leaves took long to sprout.”

Miriam, who works for the Ministry of Agriculture, says many people do not know the importance of tithonia as an alternative to fertilizer.

“I learned about the value of the crop several years ago from an institution that trains people on use of organic fertiliser.”

Prof Richard Mulwa, a horticultural scientist at Egerton University, says tithonia is rich in nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

“Organic matter in tithonia helps soil to hold much more water and for a longer period,” says Prof Mulwa. “The nutrients in tithonia are vital in improving the size of leaves and fruits as well as making leaves dark-green.”

Tithonia, he adds, is good for crops such as melon, maize and a variety of vegetables like spider plant, sukuma wiki, spinach and cabbages.

“The nutrients in tithonia also add sweetness to watermelons. “Farmers should use tithonia to optimize yields.” Though the plant is widely used by organic farmers, the expert notes it is highly recommended to those who have used synthetic fertiliser for long as it does not only add nutrients but also the organic matter.

I realise the leaves of this plant am is different but the flowers are identical...could this work too?

remmyjay007:

I realise the leaves of this plant am is different but the flowers are identical...could this work too?

This is 20 times smaller than the original pic.

Is this d purpolar Akintola plant found almost every where in d west

Thanks Pavore9. We call it Agunmaniye here. (tall without sense)

hotmas911:
Thanks Pavore9. We call it Agunmaniye here. (tall without sense)

But with its value, it makes real sense!