The fruit is eaten regularly in Japan as a side dish, part of a Japanese cucumber salad, and as a pickle. Japanese pickles may be salted down to preserve them in a pickling process called Shiozuke, where they’re allowed to ferment. They are also pickled with vinegar. Japanese cucumbers are a cooling fruit, often served along with hot and spicy dishes. Kyuri Japanese Cucumber in the U.S. The Japanese cucumber is found in farmers’ markets and restaurants throughout the U....

Native Orchid Plant Info What are native orchids? Native orchids are those that grow and have evolved naturally in a particular area or habitat without any help from human beings, either directly or indirectly. Of more than 30,000 orchid species identified thus far, at least 250 are native to North America. These wild orchid plants were present long before the arrival of European settlers. Considering the vast number and diversity of wild orchid plants in North America and around the world, it’s nearly impossible to present a list of common types of native orchids....

Planting a palm tree seed is more complicated than you might think. Since it’s important to get mature seeds, plant them promptly, and have patience. Palm tree seed germination is not a matter of weeks but months or even years. Read on for more information. What are Palm Tree Seed Pods? When you want to start growing palms from seeds, you definitely need to obtain seeds. While you can buy them in commerce, you can also get them from the seed pods of flowering palms....

Before Growing Saffron Crocus Saffron comes from the saffron crocus bulb (Crocus sativus), which is an autumn blooming crocus. The spice is actually the red stigmas of this crocus flower. Each flower will only produce three stigmas and each saffron crocus bulb will only produce one flower. When growing saffron, first find a place to purchase the saffron crocus bulbs. Most people turn to a reputable online nursery to purchase them, though you may find them for sale at a small local nursery or catalog....

About Harvesting Cloves The clove tree is a tropical evergreen of the family Myrtaceae that reaches heights of between 25 and 33 feet (8-10 m.). Native to Indonesia, the tree produces clusters of flower buds, which when dried become brown, hard, and nail shaped. In fact, their English name is derived from the Latin word “clavus,” meaning nail. When to Pick Cloves The cloves you use to flavor your dishes are the result of at least six years of growth on the part of the tree....

How to Grow Alfalfa Sprouts Learning how to grow alfalfa sprouts isn’t too difficult. The simplest equipment for sprouting seeds is a canning jar fitted with a sprouting lid. Sprouting lids are available where you buy your seeds or in the canning section of the grocery store. You can make your own by covering the jar with a double layer of cheesecloth and securing it in place with a large rubber band....

Fortunately, there are several gifts for homesteaders that prove to be both thoughtful and practical. Gifts for Backyard Farmers and Homesteaders In exploring homesteader gift ideas, consider the individual. Gifts for backyard farmers will vary depending upon need and size of one’s own homestead. Consider setting a budget for the gift. While many much needed items for the farm can be quite expensive, this doesn’t mean more budget friendly options are without merit....

Research by a team of NASA scientists indicates that these helpful houseplant air purifiers clean the air during the natural process of photosynthesis. The pollutants, absorbed by the leaves, are eventually broken down by microbes in the soil. Although all plants are believed to be beneficial, researchers discovered that some plants are especially effective at removing dangerous pollutants. Best Houseplants to Purify Air Air purifying houseplants include several familiar, inexpensive, easy-to-grow houseplants....

Learning how to clean houseplants isn’t difficult. There are several methods of keeping houseplants clean. You may wonder what to use for cleaning houseplant leaves. Keep reading to learn more and find out. What to Use for Cleaning Houseplant Leaves You don’t need to purchase an expensive houseplant cleaner; you likely already have the ingredients to make your own. Commercial houseplant cleaner that promises to polish plant leaves can actually clog the plant’s stomata (pores) and decrease the transpiration that allows houseplants to clean indoor air....

Picking papaya may not seem like a daunting task, but you’ll need to know when the fruit is ripe. Read on for tips on how to know when it is time to start harvesting papaya fruit as well as information on papaya harvesting methods. Picking Papaya A papaya plant grows tall like a tree but isn’t actually a tree. It is called a “tree-like” plant and grows a little taller than the average gardener....

When Do You Repot Lemon Trees? If you have been vigilant about watering and fertilizing your container grown lemon tree but the leaves are dropping or browning and there is evidence of twig dieback, you might want to think about repotting the lemon tree. Another sure sign that you need to repot is if you see the roots growing out of the drainage holes. A lemon tree will generally need to be repotted every three to four years....

What is Italian Purple Garlic? A quick glance at Italian Purple garlic info and we find it is a vigorous variety with a skin decorated with pastel purple vertical blotches. It is famously associated with the Gilroy, CA annual garlic festival. The bulbs are quick maturing and have that attractive purple hue. Early Italian Purple garlic will mature 5 to 10 days earlier than most other garlic varieties. This softneck is excellent for mild climates....

How to Grow Jalapeno Peppers Peppers, including jalapenos, do best in loamy, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Full sun and warm temperatures are also important when growing jalapeno peppers. Jalapenos thrive in warm conditions and need temperatures between 65 and 80 F. (18-27 C.) to germinate. Temperature is critical, and unless it’s warm enough, pepper seeds won’t sprout and transplants won’t survive. It’s best to wait until at least two weeks after planting tomatoes to plant jalapeno peppers in the garden....

What are Bee Hazard Warnings? The western honeybee is the top pollinator in this country. This bee is credited with most of the pollination activity required to produce up to one-third of the nation’s food supply. Over 50 major crops in America are dependent on honeybees for pollination. The need is so acute that agricultural companies rent honeybee colonies for pollination. Other types of bees also help with pollination, like bumblebees, mining bees, sweat bees, leafcutter bees, and carpenter bees....

About Rhipsalis Plants Rhipsalis mistletoe cactus is also called chain cactus and grows epiphytically in its tropical forest home. The cactus has pencil thin succulent stems that may reach 6 feet (2 m.) in length. The thick skin of the stems do not produce thorns, but it does have almost imperceptible bumps on the surface of the plant. These plants are found clinging to tree crotches, in branch nooks, and nestled in rock crevasses....

Treating Christmas Cactus Insects Here are some common pests of Christmas cactus and how to deal with them: Spider Mites – These Christmas cactus pests are so tiny; they are difficult to see with the naked eye. However, is you see fine webbing or fine speckles on the leaves, you can bet your Christmas cactus is infested with spider mites. Spider mites are usually easy to resolve with regular application of insecticidal soap spray....

Orange Fruit and Flowers Deciduous fruit trees bear one crop a year. Take apple trees, for example. They produce white blossoms in spring that develop into tiny fruit. Over the season those apples grow and mature until at last autumn comes and they are ready for harvest. In autumn, the leaves fall, and the tree goes dormant until the following spring. Orange trees also produce blossoms that grow into developing fruit....

Why Plant Ornamental Grass in Northwest Gardens? Pacific Northwest ornamental grasses add movement to the landscape. They can soften the hard edges of large rocks or boulders and contrast with perennials. There are so many types of suitable northwestern ornamental grasses, from those that thrive in shade to sun or dry conditions to wet. Ornamental grass for northwest gardens has year-round interest. Plus, grasses in general are often drought tolerant, pest free, and low maintenance....

What are Stomata? Plants need to intake carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is an essential part of photosynthesis. It is converted by solar energy into sugar which fuels the plant’s growth. Stomata aid in this process by harvesting the carbon dioxide. Stoma plant pores also provide a plant’s version of an exhale where they release water molecules. This process is called transpiration and enhances nutrient uptake, cools the plant, and ultimately allows carbon dioxide entry....

Cereal Rye Information Many gardeners work hard to produce vegetables and fruits in the backyard, but never think of planting grains. Don’t be fooled by the rumors that grains are hard to grow. In fact, grains like rye, wheat, and oats are much easier to grow than most veggies. Rye, for example, is one of the easiest crops you might choose to grow. It grows well even in very poor soils, requiring little work....