Astrophytum Star Cactus Characteristics The common names for plants are often the most descriptive and a fun way to learn about the plant. Star cactus plants (Astrophytum asteria) are also known as sea urchin cactus, sand dollar cactus or star peyote — which refers to the flower. They are also very similar in nature to Peyote cactus plants. The round body may grow 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm....
What is a Bird Blind? A bird blind is a structure that lets you watch birds without being seen. When you use a bird blind, you’ll be able to get better photos because you can get closer to the birds, and they will behave naturally. A simple bird blind that requires no construction skills is a length of canvas draped over shrubs or a low-hanging tree branch. An A-frame bird blind is the most flexible because you can set it up anywhere....
About Planting Bay Seeds Sweet laurel or bay (Laurus nobilis) is hardy to USDA zones 8 to 10, so those of us growing the plant outside these parameters will need to move the bay indoors when temperatures dip. The good news is that bay makes an excellent container plant. It can grow to 23 feet (7 m.) in height, but its size can be retarded by frequent pruning. It is also quite tolerant of pruning and training into topiary shapes which look gorgeous with the tree’s glossy green foliage....
How to Start Flower Seeds Indoors Planting flower seeds is very similar to planting vegetables. Starting flower seeds indoors will first require that growers consider the growth requirements of plants. This includes whether each flower type is cold hardy or tender to frost. This information will help growers to better determine the best time to start seeds. Depending upon how quickly the plant grows, those planting flower seeds indoors generally do so about four to eight weeks before the projected outdoor transplant date....
Bluebird Hydrangea Info ‘Bluebird’ hydrangea plant is a lacecap type of hydrangea. Lacecap hydrangea shrubs get their name from their unique flower bloom shape, which appears to open only slightly and forms a circle around a tightly closed center. Though quite different in appearance than more commonly known hydrangea forms, lacecap types are still quite beautiful. The Bluebird hydrangea plant is prized for its moderate size and lovely light blue flower clusters, which may vary in color, depending upon soil pH levels....
Feeding Angel’s Trumpet Brugmansia is also known as angel’s trumpet because of the large drooping blooms. The plant can grow to a massive shrub in good lighting and, with good care, up to 8 to 10 feet (2-3 m.) tall. The blooms release an intoxicating scent in the night air, adding to their angelic mien. Brugmansia is a voracious feeder and thrives when fed frequently. Plant food enhances most plant’s growth by providing extra macro-nutrients not found in soil– nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium— which are commonly found NPK ratios on fertilizer products....
Can You Grow Your Own Rice? While I say “sort of,” growing rice at home is definitely possible, but unless you have a large rice paddy outside your back door, it is unlikely you will be harvesting much. It is still a fun project. Growing rice at home takes place in a container, so only a small space is needed, unless you decide to flood the backyard. Read on to find out how to grow rice at home....
What to Do When Cilantro Bolts Many gardeners wonder what to do when cilantro bolts. When they see the white cilantro flowers, they wonder if they can simply cut them off. Unfortunately, once cilantro bolts, the leaves rapidly lose their flavor. Cutting the cilantro flowers off won’t bring the flavor back to the leaves. Instead, go ahead and let the cilantro flowers go to seed. The seeds of the cilantro plant are the spice coriander and can be used in Asian, Indian, Mexican, and many other ethnic recipes....
Pests Of Caraway There are both annual and biennial varieties of caraway plant. These Eurasian natives are primarily grown for their edible and aromatic seeds. They are fairly easy to grow in the right climate, but occasional pest and disease issues may arise. The primary pests of caraway are weeds, but some insects may become problematic. Caraway insect problems are generally easy to resolve once you know which culprit to target....
Jasmine Plant Types Below are some of the most common jasmine vines grown in the landscape or in the home: Common jasmine (Jasminum officinale), sometimes called poet’s jasmine, is one of the most fragrant types of jasmine. The intensely fragrant flowers bloom throughout the summer and into the fall. Expect the plant to grow 12 to 24 inches (30.5-61 cm.) each year, eventually reaching a height of 10 to 15 feet (3-4....
It is important to detect and treat a beet armyworm infestation early because these older caterpillars are resistant to most insecticides. Keep reading to learn more on identifying a beet armyworm infestation and preventing armyworms in the garden. What are Beet Armyworms? Beet armyworms (Spodoptera exigua) are caterpillars that feed on tender vegetable crops and a few ornamentals. They are normally found only in southern states and warm, coastal climates where the host plants survive through the winter....
Using Crabgrass Prevention to Control Crabgrass The most effective way to get rid of crabgrass is to make sure that you don’t get it in the first place. A healthy and thick lawn is essential to be able to accomplish this. A healthy, crabgrass free lawn will start with proper watering practices. Water your lawn deeply for long periods about once a week. Do not water frequently and shallowly, as this will encourage crabgrass to grow....
Cyclamen Seed Info As houseplants, cyclamen are either deadheaded too frequently to produce seed or they just don’t survive long enough. By not deadheading all the cyclamen blooms on florist cyclamen, you can allow viable seed to grow for propagation of new plants. After blooms fade, the flower stems will elongate and curl, spiral, or arch down toward the soil. Some describe these curled stems as looking like snakes. At the end of each stem, a round seed capsule will form....
How to Dry Flowers Drying flowers and foliage is most often done by a method called air drying. This is a simple process that involves using a rubber band to secure small bunches of flowers together and hanging them to dry. When learning how to dry flowers, you’ll find it’s best to hang these bunches upside down. Preserving plants by drying removes moisture so that dried flower arrangements last for longer periods of time....
How to Create a Cutting Flower Garden The first step in planning a cutting garden is to find a sunny spot that has well-drained soil. If your soil has a high percentage of clay, it is best to amend it with some peat moss before planting. Although there are some cutting flowers that are happy in the shade, most enjoy full to part sun. If you want to get creative, you can even include some cutting flowers in your vegetable garden....
Reasons for a Dogwood Tree Not Blooming Too Much Nitrogen Many dogwood trees are planted in the middle of lawns and most lawn fertilizers are very high in nitrogen. Nitrogen is good for growth of leaves, which is why it makes a good lawn fertilizer, but too much nitrogen can stop a plant from flowering. To correct this, stop using lawn fertilizer near your dogwood tree. Instead, use a balanced fertilizer or a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus....
Garden Folly History Although follies are found around the world, they are most common in Great Britain. The first follies were expensive structures built on the estates of wealthy English landowners in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The elaborate follies were often named after the owner, builder, or designer. Follies reached a peak of popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries, when they became an important component of elegant French and English gardens....
Garden Halloween Decorations Halloween decor abounds in stores, but much is made from plastic, an item known to cause long term pollution. If you want natural Halloween decorations, grow them yourself! Halloween plants may produce unusual fruits, lend the orange and black colors that define the holiday, or simply have eerie properties. There are many things you can do to a pumpkin to promote Halloween, but a harvest wreath, colorful display of gourds, corn stalks, mums, and even ornamental kale will help give a nod to the holiday....
The tricky part is knowing which herbs need pruning and exactly when to prune herbs. There are many types of herb plants and all aren’t created equal. However, this information on general herb pruning should make things a little more clear. When to Prune Herbs: Which Herbs Need Pruning? Leafy (herbaceous) herbs, including cilantro, oregano, chives, sweet basil, mint, tarragon, and basil, are grown for their aromatic, flavorful foliage. Without regular pruning, the plants will begin to die back after flowering....
Why are There No Grapes? Vine is too young: In general, your vine will not produce grapes until it is at least three years old. Clusters form on stem growth from the previous year, two-year wood, every year. Too much fertilizer: If you’ve given your grapevine too much nitrogen fertilizer, this can result in lush growth of the foliage and no fruit. This also happens if there is too much nitrogen in the soil....
