Information about Crocus Bulbs or Corms An early spring bloomer, crocus “bulbs” are technically corms. Like corms, they have a definite up end and down end. They are solid inside like a potato if you cut them open and they have a papery outer covering which is called a tunic. The crocus corm that you plant in autumn gets completely used in the process of growing and flowering the following spring; it will simply dissolve and fade away....
The showy lisianthus flowers, similar to a rose, not only come in shades of blue and lilac but pink, pale green, and white as well. Blooms may be single or double. Some plants have ruffled edges and darker coloration on the edge and in the center. While some information about lisianthus plants says it is not recommended to mix colors together when growing them in containers, most resources say the opposite provided that you choose similar types, as there are varieties that may grow too tall for containers....
Controlling mistletoe plants is extremely important in areas like northern California where the plant is a pest and colonizes production orchards. Mistletoe in Trees Mistletoe in trees steals nutrients and water from the host tree. The little shrub-like plant sends out root type organs, called haustoria, into the cambium of the tree and pirates the tree’s carbohydrate and moisture sources. Overall, this doesn’t harm the tree a great deal unless there are many mistletoe plants on it....
Moving Guava Fruit Trees Guava trees (Psidium guajava) come from the American tropics and the fruit is grown commercially in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Florida. They are small trees and rarely get above 20 feet (6 m.) tall. If you are transplanting a guava tree, your first step is to find a suitable new site for it. Be sure the new site is in full sun. Guava trees accept a wide range of soil types and grow well in sand, loam, and muck, but prefer a pH of 4....
So then how do you go about recovering peony plants once they have been damaged? Keep reading to find out how to fix peony damage. Fixing Damaged Peonies Peony plants are notoriously finicky, so it is not like you can just plant another one. It may be years before a newly planted peony plant will bloom. So you are at best trying to save a peony plant after it has succumbed to peony damage....
Growing Horse Chestnut from Seed Conkers emerge from a prickly fruit covering that starts out green and turns shades of yellow as it ages. Growing a horse chestnut tree from seed begins with chilling the conker. If seeds remain outside during cold winter days, this is sufficient chilling, but they’re unlikely to still be there in spring. If you wish to attempt propagation, gather the horse chestnuts when they fall from the tree in early autumn....
How to Plant Salsify The best time to plant salsify is in early spring in areas that get snow, and early autumn in areas where snow does not fall. It takes about 100 to 120 days for salsify plants to reach harvesting size and they prefer cool weather. When you grow salsify, you’ll be starting with seeds. Plant salsify seeds about 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5 cm.) apart and ½ inch (1 cm....
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow Planting Instructions Yesterday, today, and tomorrow plant care is easy when the shrub is grown in warm, nearly frost-free climates of USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 12. In cooler climates, grow the shrub in a container and bring it indoors once frost threatens. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow shrubs sustain leaf and twig damage when exposed to freezing temperatures. Yesterday, today, tomorrow shrubs will grow in any light exposure from sun to shade, but they do best when they receive morning sun and afternoon shade or dappled sunlight all day....
Halloween Pumpkin Growing Tip #1 – Plant at the right time Many gardeners will tell you that growing pumpkins is easy, it’s keeping the pumpkins from rotting before Halloween that is hard. Mature pumpkins will rot quickly, so it’s important that your pumpkin is ripe right at Halloween. The best time for planting pumpkins depends on the variety and your climate. Normally, in the north, you should be planting pumpkins in mid to late May....
What is a Salmonberry Bush? Salmonberry plants are native to the Pacific Coast, from Alaska to Northern California. Although they grow primarily in the rainy climate west of the Cascade Mountains, salmonberry bushes are sometimes found as far east as Idaho. Salmonberry plants are members of the Rubus family, along with blackberries, dewberries, and raspberries. Although salmonberries resemble raspberries, they are orange, yellow, or red. The flavor is mildly sweet-tart, which makes them perfect for jams and jellies....
The tiny, deep pink flowers appear in late summer and last well into fall. The dry flowers are nice to look throughout the winter, especially when coated with a layer of frost. Meteor sedum plants look great in containers, beds, borders, mass plantings, or rock gardens. Interested in learning how to grow Meteor stonecrop? Read on for helpful tips! Growing Meteor Sedums Like other sedum plants, Meteor sedums are easy to propagate by taking stem cuttings in early summer....
What is Shinrin-Yoku? Shinrin-Yoku first started in Japan in the 1980s as a form of nature therapy. Though the term “forest bathing” may sound somewhat peculiar, the process encourages participants to immerse themselves into their woodland surroundings by using their five senses. Key Aspects of Shinrin-Yoku Anyone can take a brisk hike through the forest, but Shinrin-Yoku is not about physical exertion. Though forest bathing experiences often last several hours, the actual distance traveled is usually less than a mile....
Clematis Vines for Spring Spring blooming clematis usually blooms in midspring in most climates, but if you live in a mild climate, you’ll probably see blooms in late winter. As an added benefit, even the spent blooms of spring-blooming clematis add beauty to the garden with attractive, silvery, fluffy seed heads that last throughout autumn. If you’re in the market for clematis, it’s helpful to know that spring-blooming varieties fall into two main species: Clematis alpina, also known as Austrian clematis, and Clematis macropetala, sometimes referred to as Downy clematis....
Tips for Starting a Gardening Blog So, you want to start your own blog about gardening but aren’t quite sure where to begin? The following tips should help: Start with your passion Does your mouth water at the thought of picking tomatoes still warm from the sun? Does a bright orange pumpkin peeking out from lush rows of squash make you catch your breath? Does your heart beat faster for flowers planted in a certain color scheme, like that of a rainbow pattern?...
Propagate a Rubber Tree Plant with Cuttings Rubber tree plants can grow very tall and this means an indoor rubber tree occasionally needs to be pruned. After pruning, don’t throw out those cuttings; instead, use them to propagate a rubber tree plant. Propagating a rubber tree plant from cuttings starts with getting a good cutting. The cutting should be about 6 inches (15 cm.) long and have at least two sets of leaves....
Organizing Tools for Growing Succulents Keep a bin of premixed soil ready to use when you need to add a new plant to an arrangement or fill a new container. Have a special spot where you can store this out of sight. Leave a spade or small scoop in the bin so you don’t have to go searching for them each time. Keep other tools that you use regularly together in a handy spot....
Telegraph Plant Info What is a telegraph plant? Also known as the dancing plant, the telegraph plant (Codariocalyx motorius – formerly Desmodium gyrans) is a fascinating tropical plant that dances as the leaves move up and down in bright light. Telegraph plant also responds to warmth, high frequency sound waves or touch. During the night, the leaves droop downwards. Telegraph plant is native to Asia. This low-maintenance, problem-free member of the pea family is usually grown indoors, surviving outdoors only in the warmest climates....
What Causes Blueberry Leaf Spot? Spots on blueberry leaves are usually caused by a fungus and some can ruin an entire crop. If you have blueberry shrubs, you’ll need to learn about what causes blueberry leaf spot diseases and ways to treat them early. The two most common leaf spot diseases are anthracnose and septoria. The fungi causing these problems live in the soil or fallen leaves beneath the shrubs, overwintering there....
Barley Spot Blotch Symptoms Barley spot blotch disease is found in many wild and cultivated grasses. Spot blotch of barley is caused by the fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana. The fungus is known to reduce yields by one to three percent. When barley kernels are produced, they often have black point, a discoloring on the tips of the kernels. In seedlings, look at the soil line for chocolate brown streaks. The infection progresses to turn shoots yellow, and they may die....
About Pecans with Root Knot Nematodes In addition to those described above, other symptoms that indicate nematodes on pecans are wilting and spots on the leaves. This infestation is often mistaken for a nutrient deficiency. If the health of the tree fails to improve after feedings of supplemental zinc or nickel, inspect further for nematodes. Nematodes are microscopic roundworms found in soil, and in and on plant tissues. Pecan root knot nematodes puncture plant tissue and remove cell contents with a spear-like mouthpart, called a stylet....
