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Can I Grow Vanilla Orchid? The home grower can certainly cultivate a vanilla orchid. The easiest way to raise an orchid is to use a greenhouse or room with carefully controlled heat and light. Unfortunately, even the best care often does not result in the pods, which are the source of the vanilla flavor. The glossy green vine will still add an attractive accent to your home. Planting Vanilla Orchid Good orchid growers know that planting vanilla orchid properly is the first step to a healthy plant....

Planning a Backyard Halloween Celebration A Halloween party outside is super fun, but the weather is chilly in many parts of the country, even during the day. Remind guests to bring jackets (and masks). If you don’t have a covered patio, you can purchase or rent a tent or canopy from a party supply store. You can also rent propane heaters. Decorating for Halloween in the Garden Have fun creating a backyard Halloween celebration and remember that decorations don’t have to be perfect to create a spooky Halloween vibe....

Why Make a Ball of Succulents? DIY crafters are consistently challenging the rest of us with distinctive projects both in and outside the home. A succulent sphere is just one of the new endeavors involving this group of plants. We’ve seen succulents as part of roof and wall gardens, growing in old shoes, included in floral arrangements, and more. The plant’s amazing adaptability makes them perfect for many interesting endeavors. Who came up with the idea of a DIY succulent ball?...

This adjustment period allows plants to adapt to their surroundings slowly, which reduces the amount of stress most often associated with shock. Although leaf drop is a common occurrence during this transition, once the plant stabilizes (usually within two weeks to two months), it will eventually regrow its foliage and begin to flourish in its new location. Acclimating a Houseplant Outside & Outdoor Plant Care Most houseplants benefit from and enjoy spending summers outdoors....

Hardwood and Softwood Trees The first thing to learn about hardwood and softwood trees is that the trees’ wood is not necessarily hard or soft. But “softwood vs. hardwood trees” became a thing in the 18th and 19th centuries and, at that time, it did refer to the heft and weight of the trees. Farmers clearing their land on the east coast in those early days used saws and axes and muscles when they logged....

Why Harvest Echinacea? This native plant has long been used in herbal remedies. Native Americans used it to treat bites, stings, and burns. Modern research has determined that echinacea is useful in many medical preparations because it boosts the immune system, reduces inflammation, and shows antibacterial properties. Every part of the plant is edible. You can dry the flowers, leaves, and roots to create teas, tinctures using alcohol to extract the healing compounds, and decoctions to extract substances from the roots using boiling water....

Help, My Seed Packets Got Wet! First of all, don’t panic. Take a “glass is half full” approach and stay positive. You may, indeed, be able to save wet seed packets. Perhaps, only the seed packet is wet. Open it and check the seeds. If they are still dry, repackage them in a dry bag or jar, seal and re-label them. What to do with wet seed packets depends on WHEN the seed packets get wet....

Learning what causes sticky honeydew sap and how to remove honeydew can get your plants back to normal and allow you to repair the damage. Ignoring the issues of honeydew secretion and its partner, sooty mold, can result in leaf drop and insect spread. What Causes Sticky Honeydew Sap? Honeydew secretion begins when plants are attacked by forms of aphids, mealybugs, soft scale and other insects that feed on the plant....

What are Potager Gardens? Potager gardens combine the utilitarian nature of the English kitchen garden with the style and grace of French fashion. It is basically an ornamental vegetable garden. Plants are chosen for both their edible and ornamental natures and are put together in such a way that it looks pretty while still providing food for the household. What is a Potager Design? There is no one potager design. There are many different potager designs....

How to Grow Serbian Bellflower Serbian bellflower information indicates the 1 inch (2.5 cm.) flowers grow in shades of blues and purples. Flowers of Serbian bellflower plants are thick on each bunch and star-shaped, making an attractive groundcover option. The Serbian bellflower plant is easy to get started in spring. Plant seeds or take basal cuttings from existing plants. You may find already growing Serbian bellflowers at your local nursery in small six-packs....

What Does Tree Sap Contain? Many people are startled by the sight of sap on their tree. They may wonder what is tree sap and what does tree sap contain? Xylem sap consists primarily of water, along with hormones, minerals, and nutrients. Phloem sap consists primarily of water, in addition to sugar, hormones, and mineral elements dissolved within it. Tree sap flows through sapwood, which produces carbon dioxide. Sometimes this carbon dioxide causes pressure to build up within the tree....

What are Green Lacewings? Green lacewings are insect predators that measure ½ to ¾ of an inch (1-2 cm.) long and bear very distinctive, delicate-looking wings that give them their names. These green insects have long antennae and gold or copper eyes. Many different species of green lacewings exist, but they closely resemble one another. Their larvae are flattened, with an alligator-like appearance and reach up to ½ inch (1 cm....

Overwintering Lantana Plants Lantana (Lantana camara) is native to Central and South America. However, it has naturalized in the southeast part of the country. Lantana grows to 6 feet (2 m.) tall and 8 feet (2.5 m.) wide, with dark green stems and leaves and the familiar clusters of flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow and pink. These blossoms cover the plant all summer long. When you worry about caring for lantana plants over winter, remember that lantana can grow outdoors all winter long in U....

The Lawn in Heat Waves In most of the U.S., lawns are made up of cool weather grasses. These include Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, and perennial rye grass. They grow best in temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees F. (16-24 C.). When the hot days of July arrive, these grasses naturally go dormant. This means the lawn turns brown, which may be natural but is less than ideal for homeowners. You have two choices: let it brown and go dormant (it will green up again as the days cool) or try to keep it going....

What is Blue Holly? So exactly what is blue holly? According to Meserve holly information, blue or Meserve holly (Ilex x meserveae) is a holly hybrid developed by Mrs. F. Leighton Meserve. Her intent was to develop a cold hardy holly with attractive leaves. Mrs. Meserve crossed a type of holly with excellent cold hardiness with a holly species that was less cold hardy but has beautiful, shiny foliage. The resulting hybrids are termed blue holly and include a variety of cultivars with gorgeous blue-green leaves....

What is a Malay Apple Tree? A mountain apple tree (Syzygium malaccense), also called a Malay apple, is an evergreen tree with shiny leaves. According to mountain apple information, the tree can shoot up rapidly to some 40 to 60 feet (12-18 m.) tall. Its trunk can grow to 15 feet (4.5 m.) around. Shoots grow in a bright burgundy color, maturing to pinkish beige. The showy flowers are bright and abundant....

What is Naturalizing? Naturalizing is creating an area in the landscape where flowers are planted randomly. Over the years the bulbs in an undisturbed area increase in numbers to form masses of spectacular spring flowers. In the right location, naturalizing flowers is a great way to create an interesting landscape with less time and at a lower cost than building flower borders. Best of all, bulb naturalizing in landscapes is easy....

No Rose of Sharon Flowers Rose of sharon is a beautiful shrub that gives you pink, white, or purple flowers in abundance, after other plants have finished blooming, except for those years when something goes wrong. There are several reasons you may either see no buds forming or your buds fail to open and simply fall off prematurely: Excessive shade and too little sun. Drought during an exceptionally dry summer. Rot caused by an exceptionally rainy summer or spring or because of soil that isn’t draining....

Pollinator Garden Pacific Northwest Many homeowners love their pristine lawns, but to get a lawn that is unblemished by weeds and disease, many rely on chemicals — chemicals that kill off pollinators including bees. Remember, those dandelions in your lawn are one of the first foods for bees. Instead of damaging pollinators in Oregon and Washington, many gardeners are turning to native plants which are naturally adapted to the PNW thus nullifying the need for chemical controls....

Oullins Gage Information This tree was first documented in Oullins, for which it is named, near Lyon, France. Oullins gage information indicates that the European trees grow readily in the U.S. if you can find them. This specimen was first marketed in 1860. The fruit is described as exquisite and ambrosial. It is ready for harvest in mid-August and is exceptional for eating fresh, culinary endeavors, and desserts. If you’re interested in growing Oullins gage plums, you’ll have your own exquisite gage fruit....