Spring Arrival

a New Beginning for the Career

We could say that for some of the workers within Bucharest Rail Region the spring 2002 brought them as present…a "golden bracelet". Namely, a new professional beginning. Yet, we do not use just a figure of speech when we say that, but we really mean it.

The handcraft,
"the golden bracelet"

Once with spring arrival, for the unqualified workers that develop their activity in the sector meant for the Plantations - Area Arrangements (PAZ) within the L2 sections in Bucharest, L5 in Campina and L6 in Ploiesti, the time has come to make the first step in order to get a new professional status. They are going to attend a qualification course. This is a decision that, naturally, will have very useful outcomes for the respective sections, as well as for the workers that are included in the training program. We mean that because the personnel that operates presently in PAZ sector has not only an advanced age, but they are also insufficient as number - therefore, in a rail region as the one in Bucharest there work only 40 qualified employees as Floriculturist -Landscape artists. That's why, an "infusion" of new fresh forces is as welcomed as possible. Moreover, this course has not been organized for more than 10 years now, and a great deal of the current employees is going to retire in the next few years. Or, in this handcraft too - as everywhere, in fact - there is necessary to have at least a nucleus of specialists with years of experience, who have the appropriate knowledge of the job, and especially with practical experience necessary for a well development of the activity. We can say, a highly artful activity, which within CFR is developed in various units (green houses, plant nursery and railway stations), that are spread on a quite extended area.
The above-mentioned qualification course, developed during March 11- April 12, includes, in a first stage, five weeks of theoretical training for the following subjects: Floriculture, Dendrology, Fighting against Diseases and Pests, and PAZ activities organization. In point of the Fighting against Diseases and Pests, the items that have to be learnt (for example, the herbicides use, dosages for herbicides, methods and optimal moments for administration) are studied per assembly, as well as enforced in the railway sector, where the course attendants work. Still, within the theoretical session are also stipulated classes for Railway Instructions and Work Protection.
Pursuant to the conclusion of the first stage of training, for nine months, there will also be developed practical training, the whole course being finalized with an exam. At the graduation, the attendants will receive diplomas for Floriculturist - Landscape artist issued by the Railway Training and Qualification Center.
These courses are aiming the appraisal of the basic theoretical knowledge that the future Floriculturist - Landscape artist will need while enforcing the notions they are learning presently. Within the theoretical courses, there will be presented to the attendants all plane and green house flower species, as well as all the dendrology species (trees and shrubs) that are important for the decoration of the railway stations. Also, in the green house they "meet" the diseases and the pests of the plants and the main pesticide products. There was mainly stressed, naturally, the use of the herbicides with regard to the railway.
Since the beginning of January and up to the end of December, in this sector there is full-time activity. During the whole year, a Floriculturist - Landscape artist that works within Chitila Plants Nursery performs all types of works: maintenance, origination, plantation, fighting against diseases and pests, herbicide use etc. Also, starting with the green house works and in the plants nursery, up to the works on regions, plantations, herbicide use, vegetation cleanings are performed in order to provide the visibility etc.
In order to provide to the course attendants theoretical and practical knowledge for their future profession, the management of Bucharest Rail Region has found the "right person" in his own …plant nursery. We refer to Mrs. Adina Poput, the chief of PAZ Workshops, who, according to the findings of our documentation, is not only a simple graduate of the Faculty of Horticulture, but also the title owner of engineer doctor in horticulture. She has presented her doctor degree work, in year 2000, with a thesis named Cultures in protected areas on the culture substratum with irrigation-dripping fertilization.

Taking care of the plants
in our offices

The beginning of the spring is the best time for plants taking care: plantations, transplantation, earth changing, season flowers transplantation, (which, naturally, will be replaced during summer with other varieties). The housekeepers are very enthusiastic and pleased to deal with such preoccupations, trying to find the most original ideas for garden arrangements, for decorations of their homes or, at least, of the windows or balconies…
As within various units of the Railways a great number of women are developing their activity, and they are by all means great housekeepers, and flower lovers, we have thought that we can help them offering a few pieces of advice revealed by a real specialist. That's why, we have asked Mrs. Adina Podut to reveal us a few of the main rules that we have to keep in mind in order to have in our homes, and our working places beautiful plants. We have seen such well-cared plants in all CFR offices (most of them being provided, quite often, by the personnel within PAZ Workshops).
Thus, we have found that the main condition in order to have a quality and lovely flower it is necessary to change the earth every year. Also, during this period of the year it is recommendable to plant daisies, pancies, miozotis ("don't forget me"), early spring species, that will survive an eventual freezing, because up to half April it is possible to still have very low temperature nights. During the summer season, starting with May, in fact, there can be planted pelargonium and petunia, garden sage (Salvia officinalis) and marigold (Tatetes erecta). With regard to the apartment plants, that need to have the earth changed at least every two years, this is the appropriate time in order to replace the earth, and also the pot (with a bigger one), if there is necessary.
Also, we have to keep in mind the fact that the best earth for the optimal development of the apartment plants is the one that contains: 30% moor coal, 30% manure, 30% forester compost (found in the forests, under the ledge of leaves) and 10 % sand. All these, well combined, are put in the flowerpot, on its bottom laying a ledge of drainage (which contains a kind of gravel and sand) of 1.5 cm thickness. Then, we add the respective ledge of earth of about 3-4 cm, and then is set on the plant, which you can cut a little bit the roots. After that, the pot is filled with earth and it is rammed a bit. We have to take into consideration the fact that up to the edge of the pot there has to remain almost 1-1.5 cm of empty space, in order to avoid spreading around the exceeding earth while watering.
It would be also necessary to know the fact that after the transplantation, the plants do not need fertilization, for two-three weeks, because the earth is rich enough in nutritional substances that are necessary for their normal development. In almost a month, there is recommended to be performed fertilization at every two weeks. This process has to be done in the soil, but also on the leaves (where you can very well use Nutrileaf fertilizer). Generally, there are several such products for the plants (for example, Polifeed) and several other types of manure - for those who are flower decorative it is better to use, usually, a fertilizer that is the richest in potassium.
As sometimes taking care of the plants also gives us hard times, we did not forget to ask Mrs. Adina Podut about the inconveniences that flower lovers has to face in the case of the plants "my own creation". We know now, and we also share it with you, dear readers, that among the most frequent pests there are the red spiders. They are certain creatures, so small that we can hardly see them. They live under the leaves, that they attack, their undesired presence being pointed out by the apparition of small yellow points, and finally the leaves become entirely yellow, and ultimately, fall down. The substances that destroy these spiders are called acaracides, among the most recommendable being: Anirum, Michigan and Lannate (which - remember!- is a total insecticide). Our plants could also be attacked by green shelled louses (aphids), for their removal being necessary Lannate and Sumithion products, which are very efficient.
Our readers are interested for sure to learn if the plants that make their places of work so pleasant have the appropriate conditions. Unfortunately, Mrs. Adina Podut stated that the heat and the low degree of humidity of the rooms often overwhelm the offices of CFR Palace. A recommendation for the improvement of this situation would be to water them, through pulverization, excepting those that have enchnter's nightshade on the leaves (for example, Parma violets). Also, another very useful measure proves to be the dusting of the leaves, (with a wet cloth). Do not forget: the watering of the plants do not have to be excessively performed, and only when the surface ledge of earth has dried.

These were, therefore, the advice of our know-how (and benevolent!) interlocutor, that you are going to appreciate and follow. You will certainly have great satisfactions! As the plants around us are not only simple ornamental objects, but also beings alive, full of tenderness and warmth, that most times prove to be better friends than our own fellow human beings. Even…completely unselfish colleagues!

Silvia Mirea