On most days, Thakur Saheb, the amiable host of Banjara’s Orchard Retreat (Thanedar), takes his guests on a nature walk through the Saroga Forest.

On the way to Saroga Forest
Background: Vaibhav, Mahima, and Thakur Saheb

This walk is highly recommended since he helps you identify the local flora and when things get too “botany”, Thakur Saheb keeps the cheer up with anecdotes from his hospitality career.

Apple Tree

Bordeaux mixture (blue in color) is a mix of copper sulphate and hydrated lime used as a fungicide in vineyards and apple orchards. It is used to control fungi infestations.

Retro Apple Tree – Tree wounds are covered with the Bordeaux Mix

Pollinating varieties in Apples are sour in taste and as a result not popular in India (We like it sweet!). Hence to reduce the need for pollinating varieties, local farmers hang bottles of pollinating variety twigs immersed in water amongst the sweet (non-pollinating) varieties.

Himachali Jugad to reduce the number of pollinating varieties on the farm

Wild roses

Free range sheep grazing away in the morning sun

Ireland’s National Flower

Cherries

During hail storms, apple trees are covered with nets to prevent excessive damage to the fruits.

View of Harmony Hall with the apple orchards covered with nets

Spruce Trees are large trees, distinguished by their whorled branches and conical forms.

Pines are coniferous trees. Regular Pines have needles (leaves) in bundles of three. Blue Pines have theirs in bundles of five.

View of the Sutlej River

Strawberries

Raspberries

Holly leaves are used for making Xmas wreaths. The berries are highly toxic and a dose of 20 could be fatal.

Holly Plant

Texas Himalaya – apparently these can cure certain forms of cancer.

Horse Chestnut

After effects of last year’s fire

Apricot Tree

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