Posts

How to Propagate a Swiss Cheese Plant by Seed Monstera deliciosa propagation can be done by seeds, germinating within a few weeks. However, the seedlings are extremely slow to develop. In addition, the seeds may be difficult to come by, as it can take anywhere from a year or more before mature fruit is produced by flowers. The small, pale green seeds also have a very short shelf life, unable to dry well or handle cool temperatures....

Mountain Laurel Trimming Aside from being a beautiful flowering evergreen, mountain laurel is also very popular for being low maintenance. Generally, mountain laurel plants require little pruning. However, as with any plant, it is sometimes necessary to prune dead, damaged, crossing branches or water sprouts from mountain laurel plants. While mountain laurel plants tend to have an open, airy growth habit, it may also be necessary to prune out some inner branches to promote good air circulation throughout the plant, and also allow more sunlight in to the center of the plant....

Transplanting Mock Orange Shrubs If you buy mock orange shrubs in containers, you’ll need to transplant them into the flower beds. Alternatively, you may be moving a mock orange bush from one location in the garden to another. In either case, you’ll want to prepare the new planting site, removing weeds and working the soil well. Mix generous amounts of peat moss, compost, or composted manure into the existing soil. After that, add transplanting fertilizer to the soil to assist in new root development....

Finding Spines on Kale Leaves The simplest explanation for finding prickly kale leaves is the case of mistaken identity. Kale is a member of the Brassicaceae family. It’s closely related to cabbage, broccoli, and turnips. Turnip leaves are sometimes covered with prickly thorns. From seed collection to labeling seedlings, mix-ups can and do occur. So, if you’re finding spines on kale leaves in your garden, it’s possible you might have inadvertently purchased turnip plants....

Leaf Curl on Oleander When it comes to troubleshooting reasons for leaf curl on oleander, it’s important to start with the basics. For example, improper watering may be the culprit. During warm weather, oleander should be watered any time rainfall is less than an inch (2.5 cm.) per week. As a general rule of thumb, the shrub benefits from a deep watering once every three or four days. Avoid frequent, shallow watering, which encourages weak, shallow roots....

Can You Grow Rubber Plants Outside? Gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 and 11 can grow the plant outdoors, according to most rubber plant information. Outdoor rubber tree plants (Ficus elastica) may grow in zone 9 if winter protection is offered. In this area, outdoor rubber tree plants should be planted on the north or east side of a building for protection from the wind. When the plant is young, prune it to a single trunk, as these plants tend to split when caught in the wind....

Can Sagos Grow in the Garden? If you are looking for a touch of the exotic, with tropical flair and ancient sophistication, you can’t go wrong with a Sago palm. Outdoor Sago palm plants are easy to grow and have a slow growth rate that makes them perfect container plants. You can also grow the cycad as an indoor houseplant in cooler climates. In summer you can bring your Sago outside until cold temperatures arrive....

I just love their showy petunia-like flowers and don’t want to see the final curtain fall. I had to ask myself, “Can you overwinter Calibrachoa? Is there a way of overwintering million bells and, if so, how?” Let’s see what we can find out about Calibrachoa winter care. Can You Overwinter Calibrachoa? Given that I live in zone 5, which experiences full-blown winter, maybe it’s just wishful thinking that I could keep a zone 9 to 11 plant, such as Calibrachoa million bells, ringing throughout the winter....

Using Oyster Shells in the Garden Mulching with oyster shells adds calcium to the soil and makes it more alkaline. Oyster shells in the garden eventually break down, but if you want to use them as groundcover under plants that need acidic soil, apply them on plastic. Plastic works as an extra layer of protection to stop weeds from sprouting and to conserve moisture. Mulching with oyster shells also improves soil health while adding a professional, well-manicured appearance....

While some plants take up a lot of room in the garden, lettuce takes very little space and can be grown in the cool temperatures of spring, fall, and even winter in some regions when very few other garden veggies are growing. You can also plant different varieties of lettuce in succession for a longer season of harvesting fresh leaves and heads. One excellent lettuce to try in the garden for a long harvest is Parris Island cos lettuce....

How Much to Water Peonies The large, brightly toned flowers of peonies are unmistakable. Peonies grow in a variety of soils, but the one thing that can cause root rot is boggy, ill draining soil. This doesn’t mean peonies don’t need water. On the contrary, these perennial beauties need to be kept moist the first year, and mature plants need supplemental water frequently. Peony water needs depend upon your region but some commonsense info on how to tell when it’s time will keep your plants happy....

Reasons a Plum Tree Has Sap Oozing from Trunk Diagnosing plum tree problems shouldn’t be taken lightly because a proper diagnosis may save your tree. It’s best to contact an arborist for an accurate diagnosis, or you can call the Cooperative Extension Service in your area. There are a number of factors that may be to blame when a plum tree has sap oozing from its trunk. Environmental Problems Hot, dry conditions in summer or sunscald in winter can stress the tree and may be the cause for a plum tree oozing sap....

These versatile plants produce unique blooms that provide an exotic touch to tropical centerpieces, and are also ideal for colorful tropical flower arrangements. Here are a few suggestions to pique your interest. Tropicals for Summer Centerpieces and Flower Arrangements Whether on a table or grown in containers around the patio or porch, here are some great choices for potted tropical plants that will add an exotic touch to your summertime spaces....

About Pink Rhododendron The rhododendron genus includes more than 1,000 species of plants native to many parts of the world. There is a lot of variety in the wild types. Those commonly used in North America are medium-sized evergreen shrubs with glossy, dark leaves and clusters of trumpet-shaped spring flowers. Enthusiasts have created all kinds of pink rhododendron bush varieties, from the palest buff to gorgeously dark pink rhododendron. Whichever variety you choose, your rhododendron will need some shade to grow well....

When to Take Cuttings from Kiwis As mentioned, while kiwi may be propagated by seed, the resulting plants are not guaranteed to have the desirable traits of the parent such as cane growth, fruit shape, or flavor. Root cuttings are, thus, the propagation method of choice unless breeders are trying to produce new cultivars or rootstocks. Also, seedlings started from seed take up to seven years of growth before their sexual orientation can be determined....

A soothing cup of rose petal tea sounds pretty good to break up a stress-filled day to me; and to help you enjoy the same, simple pleasure, here is a recipe for making rose petal tea. (Note: It is extremely important to be sure the rose petals collected and used for the tea or ice cubes be pesticide free!) Grandma’s Rose Petal Tea Recipe Collect two cups (480 mL.) of well packed, fragrant rose petals....

Whenever you have potted plants in your home, you end up with the issue of rootbound plants. This is when the pot is full of mostly roots and very little dirt is left. This happens as the plant matures. Eventually, the roots grow to the shape of the pot and you end up with a pot shaped clump of roots. How to Prune Roots on Rootbound Plants Most plants will tolerate simple root pruning....

These can be bought in the store, but if you want to stay away from chemicals or simply save some money, there are plenty of organic ways of making your own rooting hormone at home, often from materials you probably already have. Natural Rooting Methods One of the main ingredients in synthetic rooting hormones is Indole-3-butyric acid, a material that stimulates root growth, protects it from disease, and is found naturally in willow trees....

Why a Round Flower Bed? We tend to create flower beds in obvious spaces, around a tree, up against the house, or in a space between walkways. We tuck them away into these spaces where they serve as beautiful backdrops for garden structures or grassy lawns. What if you want to make a flower bed the focus of your garden, though? Or do you have a big open space you want to fill?...

Does Rubber Plant Flower? Yes, rubber plant is capable of producing flowers and, subsequently, small fruits. It is a species of fig, after all, related to the figs that are grown commercially to produce the filling in your Newtons. But popular houseplant species such as rubber trees and their cousins, the weeping figs (Ficus benjamina), rarely bloom or yield fruits. Actual rubber plant blooms are small, greenish, and insignificant; they also are unlikely to occur on a rubber plant growing indoors in a container or even one growing outdoors in warm temperate to semi-tropical conditions....