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What Causes Seed Germination? The process of germination is when a seed comes out of dormancy, the time during which its metabolic activity is very slow. Germination begins with imbibition, a big word for taking in water. This is the major trigger to start the period of waking up from dormancy. As the seed takes in water, it gets bigger and produces enzymes. The enzymes are proteins that ramp up metabolic activity in the seed....

What is Artillery Fungus? Those annoying black spots that creep up your siding or splash along the side of your car may not be mud spatters but artillery fungus. What is artillery fungus? It is Sphaerobolus, a common fungus that sticks firmly to light or white colored surfaces and resembles spots of tar. Its adhesion properties are legendary and the spots can be difficult or even impossible to remove without damaging the surface....

What is Nectria Canker? What causes nectria canker disease is one of the several nectria fungal species. These fungi are opportunistic and attack trees at their weak spots from injury, pruning, root damage, freezing, pest infestations, and other diseases. Any damaged wood is susceptible to this pathogen and the resulting disease. Signs of Nectria Canker The characteristic sign of nectria canker is the formation of the cankers, wounds on twigs, stems, and trunks that look like sunken areas that may be discolored....

What is Nemesia? Nemesia is a small bedding plant with many uses in the garden. Use them as edging plants, ground covers, in mixed borders, woodland plantings and as container or hanging basket plants. Most varieties grow to about a foot (30 cm.) in height, but there are some that get as tall as two feet (60 cm.). These versatile little plants offer a wide range of flower colors, and some come in bicolors....

What is Sugarcane Used for? Sugarcane is cultivated for its sweet sap or juice. Today, it is primarily used as an additive to foods but has was cultivated for use in China and India 2,500 years ago. Prior to the processing of sugarcane into the sugar we know today, uses for sugarcane were a bit more utilitarian; canes were cut and easily carried or eaten in the field for a quick burst of energy....

Wild Millet Plant Info Wild proso millet is a reseeding annual grass that can reach heights of 6 feet (2 m.) tall. It has a hollow stem with long, thin leaves and looks very similar to young corn plants. Wild millet grass produces a 16-inch (40.5 cm.) seed head and it readily self-seeds. Here are a few reasons why farmers consider wild millet grass to be a weed: Causes reduced crop yields which results in the loss of income for farmersResistant to many herbicidesAdaptive seed-producing strategy, which produces seeds even in poor growing conditionsSpreads rapidly due to prolific seed production...

Mayhaw Harvest Time Mayhaws are small trees with rounded canopies that grow wild in the East and Southeast parts of the United States. The mayhaw fruit typically appears on the trees in May. Fruits are the size of cherries and the shape of crabapples, usually colored pink or red. The fruit is edible but not very good eaten right from the tree. However, it makes delicious jellies, jams, desserts and even wine....

Winter greenhouse gardening is similar to summer gardening when the right plants are chosen. Read on to find out what to grow in a winter greenhouse. Winter in a Greenhouse You can grow many winter greenhouse plants by simply utilizing the natural sunlight or by broadening your repertoire with a heated greenhouse. Either way, how do you choose plants for a winter greenhouse? Winter greenhouse gardening can provide you with most of the produce you need throughout winter months....

About Japanese Maple Winter Damage Heavy snow is often the culprit when your slender maple tree suffers broken branches, but winter damage of Japanese maple can be caused by various aspects of the cold season. Often, when the sun is warm in winter, cells in the maple tree thaw during the day, only to refreeze again at night. As they refreeze, they can burst and ultimately die. Japanese maple winter dieback can also be caused by drying winds, scalding sun, or frozen soil....

Nature Decor Ideas So how to bring nature indoors, you ask? One of the most common methods for bringing nature indoors is through the use of houseplants. Whether they take the form of lush foliage plantings, colorful flower arrangements, or even beautiful hanging baskets, houseplants in the home always bring you closer to the outdoors. With some imaginative planning, you can also turn nearly any window of your home into a lush green garden, be it with herbs, flowers, and foliage plants, or even cuttings....

What is Vinca? Vinca vine, or periwinkle, is a flowering groundcover. It came to the U.S. from Europe in the 18th century and quickly took off, becoming popular for its fast growth, pretty flowers, and hands-off maintenance. It even thrives in shady areas, which makes it a popular choice for areas where grass doesn’t grow well. The problem with using periwinkle in your garden is that it can grow too fast and too easily....

If you worry about the planting date on your seed packet, you may not need to be too concerned. Scientists have unearthed seeds that are thousands of years old, and in their curiosity, managed to germinate and plant some of them. Of special intrigue are ancient date seeds that are around 2,000 years old. There are also several other examples of ancient seeds germinating and being studied. Ancient Heirloom Seeds The first successful planting of an unearthed seed was in 2005....

Are Aphids Farmed by Ants? Aphids are sucking insects that are common on both outdoor and indoor plants. They feed on the sap of plants and secrete a substance called honeydew. This sticky resin is a favorite food of ants, who actually “milk” the aphids for it by stroking their abdomen. The relationship between aphids and ants is symbiotic in that both receive some benefit from the arrangement. The unique relationship between these two organisms provides protection for the aphids and food for the ants....

Why Does Basil Wilt? Healthy basil plants require at least eight hours of sunlight every day, well-drained soil, and enough space to allow for plenty of air circulation. If you are meeting the plant’s basic needs and your basil plant keeps falling over anyway, there may be a more serious problem. Fusarium Wilt Basil plant droop that appears suddenly on young plants is often caused by fusarium wilt, a fungal disease that causes stunted growth and droopy, wilted, or yellow leaves....

What is Black Heart Disease? The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a deciduous, bushy shrub which will grow to between 10-12 feet (3-4 m.) tall and bears brightly colored fruit with a plethora of seeds inside of it. The bush can be trained or pruned into more of a tree shape as well. The limbs are thorny and punctuated with dark green, glossy leaves. Spring brings forth the brilliant orange-red blooms, which are either bell-shaped (female) or vase like (hermaphrodite) in appearance....

What is Mayhaw Brown Rot? As mentioned, brown rot of mayhaw is a fungal disease cause by two fungi in the genus Monilinia, usually M. fructicola but less often, M. laxa. A healthy mayhaw with brown rot will undoubtedly survive, but it is still best to control the disease as soon as possible since if left unchecked, losses of up to 50% may occur. The fungi responsible for this disease are spread by the wind or on nearby plants that are also susceptible and infected....

Can You Grow Bleeding Heart from Seeds? There are several ways to propagate bleeding heart, including division, cuttings, separation, and seeds. Bleeding heart is not considered invasive because, although it is not native to North America, it does not self-seed very vigorously. Propagating or starting by seed can be done successfully, though, and may be the best choice because bleeding heart does not transplant well. It takes time for the seeds to germinate, but once they do, they will grow well in the right conditions....

Lavenders need very warm, sunny weather to thrive outdoors though. If your weather just won’t do, you may wonder about growing lavender indoors. Can you grow lavender indoors? You can if you pick the best indoor lavender varieties and give them the exposure they need. Can You Grow Lavender Indoors? As outside plants, most lavender likes a climate that is quite similar to the hot Mediterranean regions where they grow wild....

About Caraway Herb Plants Caraway (Carum carvi) is a hardy, biennial herb native to Europe and western Asia. It is primarily grown for its fruit, or seeds, but both the roots and leaves are edible. Caraway is a member of the umbelliferous, aromatic plants along with anise, cumin, dill, and fennel. Like these spices, caraway is naturally sweet with a licorice flavor. The first season of growth, caraway plants form a rosette of leaves that look rather like carrots with a long taproot....

How to Grow Mums in Pots When growing mums in containers, half the battle takes place before you even get the plant home. Since mums are so popular in the fall, you can buy them at all kinds of stores that may not necessarily know about or even practice good plant care. Even at garden centers and nurseries, plants can be severely underwatered, and mums, in particular, can dry out very easily....