Posted on Feb 19, 2010 under dried foliage |
How to keep your garden disease free
Learn to control factors that cause common plant diseases
No matter where your garden is located, you will have to deal with plant diseases. Even if you have had good luck in the past, there will come a day when disease strikes your plants.
Plant diseases can be caused by many factors including plants that have disease when purchased, bugs or weather. Weather conditions many change in your area, becoming hotter, colder, or wetter than is normal for your area. All of these factors can make your plants more susceptible to disease. You cannot control Mother Nature, but you can pick plants that are more disease resistant for your area.
Have you ever heard the old saying, “Talk to your plants and they will be happier and healthier?” Maybe that is because when you are talking to them, you are really looking closer at the plant and paying attention to what is going on. By talking to your plant, you notice if the leaves are getting droopy, turning yellow, have bugs, or are showing signs of disease such as black matter, water spots, or powdery mildew.
Here are a few tips to help you keep your garden disease free:
Try the quarantine program. When purchasing new plants, keep them separated from existing plants (2-3 days) to see if the new plants have bugs or droopy or discolored leaves. Just check out the basic overall health of the plants.
Improve your soil. Bottom line-healthy soil produces good microorganisms and helps keep the bad microorganisms under control.
Rotate plantings. Plant something different in each area every year to keep soil borne diseases from infecting your plants.
Space plants properly. Space plants far enough apart, so that the air can circulate between plants.
Mulch. Mulching helps to keep water and rain from splashing back up on your plants.
Control fungus. If you detect air borne fungus, use Physan 20 immediately.
Control insects. Keep insect population down to help control viruses. Spray-N-Grow offers a variety of products to control insects including Bon-Neem Insecticidal Soap Concentrate and Bonide Rotenone-Pyrethrins.
Keep a good sanitation program going. Pinch off diseased leaves and rake up all leaves, fruits and vegetables that have fallen. Be sure to keep branches and limbs pruned, so they do not touch the ground.
Keep foliage as dry as possible. Water early in the morning, which gives plants a chance to dry out quickly. Allow soil to dry slightly in between watering. Provide good drainage and make sure there is no low spot where all the water stands.
Sanitize. Always be sure after working with infected plants, to wash your hands, and sterilize tools in bleach or Physan 20.
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Posted on Feb 14, 2010 under dried foliage |
A garden or flower bed can begin with beautiful plants, but their continuing growth and beauty will depend on whether they are receiving the proper amount of water. This is especially important since over 90% of a plant consists of water. Your plants’ water requirements are dependant on the type of plant, the plant environment, the type of soil and the amount of time and energy that you have to spend in watering. The results of a proper watering schedule can produce a healthy plant with a good root system, the ability to resist disease and the capability to grow, flower and multiply.
Choose plants for your landscape and your lifestyle. It is beneficial to choose plants that are adapted to the location that you plant them in. Determine if they prefer sun versus partial shade or shade. A sunny area will require more water because of evaporation. You also need to consider whether the plant is drought tolerant or requires more water, whether it prefers a well drained soil or will do well in a clay soil, and whether the plant will be a large plant with a great amount of foliage or remain small. Your climate may be a large influence on the types of plants you choose. Plants that are naturally adapted to your area will thrive better. If you buy plants from a nursery, ask questions about the amount of fertilizer and type of watering they have received. If a plant is pampered with frequent fertilizing and/or shallow watering, they will initially require that same attention and it may take time to adapt them to a water schedule better suited to your flower garden
Water deeply and less frequently. It is best to adapt the plant to a schedule that provides deep watering on a more infrequent time schedule than to water shallow and everyday. This will influence the plant to grow deeper roots which is healthier for the plant. When plants are small and first transplanted, they will require water often during the first week or two. Gradually retrain them by watering deeper and less often during the next several weeks. It is especially beneficial to do this in the early part of the season before the heat of summer will be working against you. Eventually, you should be able to do a deep watering a few times a week, unless extreme heat or a dry wind create circumstances that prevent this schedule. For plants that do not require well drained soil or very dry conditions, place a mulch on top of the soil will help preserve the soil moisture and aid in preventing evaporation. On sloping landscapes, mulch will also help hold the soil in place and slow run-off. Depending on the soil type, do not over water your plants. Plants require a healthy relationship of soil, water and air. If the soil is kept too damp, it will not allow for enough air around the roots and the plant will suffer suffocation. This will be evident if you notice wilting, yellowing, dry foliage and leaf drop. The soil should be damp and not “muddy”. Likewise, under watering can also damage the plant because the roots will not have enough moisture to send up the plant to the foliage. Generally the roots of an under watered plant will dry up.
Test your soil to determine its water holding capacity, infiltration rate and drainage. Before you plant, test your soil for its watering properties. Water will penetrate sandy soil faster and deeper but will also evaporate faster. Loam soil will accept water at a slower rate but not as slow as clay soil. Clay soil has a tendancy to retain water longer. Water a small spot and using a trowel, make an opening that allows you to reach down between 3-5″. When watering the spot, use a small container or can to measure how much water was applied. When well watered, the soil at the bottom of the hole should feel cool and damp. If the soil holds too much water and does not drain well, it will create of problem of root rotting. Test the soil, with a new hole each time, for several days to determine how fast the soil dries to the point of needing re-watering. Keep in mind that weather conditions can quickly change the watering schedule and adjust accordingly. Conditions that will affect the soil infiltration rate and drainage are the soil properties, the slope of the land and compaction. The soil properties of sand or clay can be changed with the addition of organic matter. Adding organic matter can make clay soils accept water quicker and will help sandy soils hold water longer. Plant beds that are on a slope will have greater run-off and can be aided by mulch or by building up raised areas on the downward side of the slope to slow run-off and allow for a better infiltration rate. Soils that are compacted will have a poor infiltration rate and will not provide enough air to the soil, water ratio for the plant roots to grow properly. Aerating, mulching, adding organic matter or wetting agents can be used to loosen the compacted soil. Organic matter should be added to a depth of 6-8″ deep for the best results.
Watering container plants.Since a container planter has a limited volume of soil and water capacity, the watering schedule will be more frequent. A good rule of thumb is to water when the surface feels dry to the touch. Plastic or solid containers will retain the water better than porous or clay pots. Too much water or poor drainage in a container planter will not allow enough air to the roots and drown the plants. The bigger the pot, the more drainage holes it will require. Even though container planters require a more frequent watering schedule, it is not advisable to water too excessively during hot weather to avoid the sauna effect resulting in cooking the roots of your plants. It is worthwhile to consider the watering requirements of your plants, the environment, and your soil quality when planning a watering schedule for your plants. Grouping plants that have similar watering requirements and knowing your soils properties will allow for the best use of your water and your time. Training your plants to accept deep watering, less often will adapt the plant to grow a good, deep root system. Being informed before you plant and using that knowledge can help you have a beautiful and productive flower garden.
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Posted on Feb 08, 2010 under dried foliage |
The croton plant often makes a great indoor plant or beautiful addition to any landscape. The plant species is from the Codieaum family. Its brightly colored tropical foliage is well known, and loved by landscapers and gardeners especially in the South.The multicolored leaves are stiff. A distinctive trait of this plant is that its leaves point upwards, and feels like wax when handled. To have success growing the croton it is important to properly take care of it or its beautiful, bright colors will begin to fade.The plant needs a plenty of sunlight. So it is best to keep it in a location where it gets bright light daily. The plant will also need the proper temperature settings. This includes enough humidity, because dry temperatures will make the leaves shrivel. The croton needs to be watered only when the soil is dry. The amount for a plant grown indoors should be enough so the excess runs out the bottom of the pot. When planted in the ground outdoors, water it so the soil below ground level is moist. Water again once the topsoil has dried out.A good sign your plants are in need of watering is when the leaves begin drooping. You may also notice that some begin fall off. If the croton is in direct sunlight and you are still having leave loss, it is possible the plant is not getting enough water.On the other hand, it is possible to over water the lovely croton. On hint of excess watering is the wilting of its leaves. The Croton plant needs moist, well-drained soil for optimal growth. Feed the plant water and fertilizer during the active growing season. Crotons do best in USDA Zones 10-11. The ideal temperature should stay within 60-85 degrees F. So it’s a good idea to keep the plant where it remains warm. In addition, the heat and sun gives the plant more colorful foliage and keeps it healthy. Anything below 45 degrees F for an extended time will damage or kill the plant.If it sounds like the croton plant is difficult to manage, that is not the case. The croton needs little pruning. However, if you see that some leaves are sickly, remove them to allow healthy ones to take their place.The croton will work well as an attractive hedge or beautiful potted plant on a patio outside. The plants value comes from its multicolored leaves and foliage. Remember, the more light that is given to the plant, the brighter its colors become.The plants sap can cause an allergic reaction in some adults, children and pets.
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Posted on Feb 06, 2010 under dried pods |
Many people are rediscovering the joys of staying home and taking ‘staycations’. Your garden can become the perfect place to provide a peaceful sanctuary to escape from the world and unwind. Screen plants can provide privacy in your garden, hide an unsightly area and provide shade. Hopseed Bush, Brush Cherry and Italian Cypress are three shrubs or small trees that are useful for screens, grow fast or are drought tolerant. Some plants have all three qualities!When creating your backyard paradise these screening shrubs can also help create ‘walls’ to establish separate sections in a garden, so you can create different ‘garden rooms’ in your yard. Two of these are also good for planting in narrow spaces between houses to help block out the world. Try these versatile plants in your Patch of Heaven:HOPSEED BUSH (Dodonaea viscosa)USDA Zone: 9-11Sunset Zone: 7-24Sun: Full sun to part shadeWater: Moderate to low, drought tolerantHop Seed bushes come with leaves in either bright, lime green or dark purple. Both versions have leaves about 4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide and are very shiny on multiple shrubby branches. These drought tolerant shrubs are fast growers to about 10 feet tall and almost as wide. They take full sun to part shade. Once established in the garden (1-2 years) they can survive on rainfall alone.Hopseed bushes have a growth habit that is a bit airy, with lots of small branches and the long leaves add to the lacy feel. They can be trimmed as hedges or espaliers for a slightly denser effect. These are good for layering to create a full, lush feel in the border. They are perfect for the back of the bed (where the sprinkler won’t reach), along fences or as border screens. In late spring they develop large, papery seed pods, usually light brown, which hang on for weeks and provide a dramatic effect. Although the seed pods break down quickly in the soil, I do not recommend planting these bushes near pools.BRUSH CHERRY, CAROLINA LAUREL CHERRY (Prunus caroliniana)USDA Zone: 7 – 9Sunset Zone: 5 – 24Sun: Full sun to part shadeWater: Moderate to lowBrush Cherry is another dependable, versatile garden shrub for quick screens and hedges. These shrubs can grow up to 30 feet tall and 10 – 12 feet wide. Although I have seen mature stands of Carolina Laurel grow even taller. They can grow in full sun to part shade. Once established they can survive drought conditions. However, in desert areas they prefer less sun and will appreciate more water during the hottest summer weather.Brush Cherries have a dense growth habit with lots of branches so they take well to heaving shearing as a hedge and can even be used for topiaries. Left untrimmed, they will still maintain their neat, shrubby shape, but the interior growth will not have leaves. They can also be trained as small multi-trunk trees. New growth is a pretty reddish rusty color in the spring. They get sprays of white flowers followed by clusters of small, bright red cherries. The cherries can stain concrete and make a mess. If you don’t have enough birds in your area to take care of the cherries for you, just trim off the flowers before they set. This will also relieve the plant of the stress of producing seeds.ITALIAN CYPRESS (Cupressus sempervirens)USDA Zone: 7 – 9Sunset Zone: 4 – 24Sun: Full sun to part shadeWater: Moderate to low, drought tolerantItalian Cypress trees are a familiar staple in the city, growing along border lines as tall screens. They grow up to 60 feet high on single trunks and are generally 1-2 feet wide but mature plants can be much wider. All cypresses prefer full sun, but will tolerate part shade and can survive on little water once they are established in a year or two. Italian cypress are perfect shrubs for problem areas. They grow tall but they’re thin, so you can tuck them into narrow spaces. Their trunks will eventually reach about 12 inches around, so your narrow bed should at least be that wide. Their growth habit is sleek and cylindrical, with most of their leaves pointing up. They lose a small amount of needles during they year, but litter is not a big problem with these trees. They do not grow very fast the first year, but they will make up for their lack of growth in the second year. Continually trimming the tops will result in a slightly fatter shrub, but they are fairly care free, needing no trimming. When you are planning on having your shrubs survive on rainfall, it is best to encourage deep root development early on by soaking your plants every few days instead of sprinkling the topsoil every night. Even established plants appreciate a deep soak during a heat wave, when the weather has been over 100 degrees, or when it has been especially dry and windy.All three of these plants are growing happily in my heavy clay, alkaline soil in hot and sunny Southern California. Drop by http://www.theGardenPages.com for more drought tolerant plants and photos. Good luck and happy gardening!
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Posted on Feb 04, 2010 under dried foliage |
As a focal point, the large leaved varieties such as monstera deliciosa, rubber plants (Ficus elastica), saddle leaf philodendron (P. bipinnatifidum),umbrella tree (Schefflera), become “living decor” pieces and can give years of pleasure.
The size of the plants you choose for your living decor, of course depends on the available space you have. However, there are numerous small or dwarf varieties of most species.
How to Buy House Plants
Indoor plants that are raised in glass greenhouses in which the atmosphere is controlled and feeding and watering is regular, when brought into the average home, all of a sudden are faced with an entirely new environment, and can go into shock and sit there, sulking for weeks. Certainly there is less light, inadequate ventilation with doors generally closed, warmer temperatures, drafts, and dry air, all add to conditions for these plants that could be considered adverse. Then, of course, there is YOU. For some people the feeding, watering, and general care of their house plants is decidedly “hit and miss”.
If you have purchased your plants from a supermarket, they are probably already suffering greatly. From fairly rough treatment by hordes of customers, passing traffic, desultory care by pimply teenagers, and the weakening effects of flourescent lights. I would always recommend visiting a reputable indoor plant nursery, for quality plants.
Here are a few pointers to take into consideration when purchasing your indoor plants.
1.Health.
Run your hands through the leaves, depending on the variety – in any case, “feel” the plant. A plant that\’s unsteady in its pot may not be well-rooted. This may be an indication of root-rot, or similar disease problems. Do the leaves and stems have resistance – do they spring back into position? Or are they limp, or “tired” looking? This can be an indication of a greater problem with the plant, or poor care – either way do not pick these plants. Being tactile with the plants, also gives you the opportunity to observe anything which may fall, or fly off, like caterpillars, or whitefly – this again is due to poor care. Change nurseries.
2.Attractive Ability.
Since it will be seen everyday of the year, plants need to be perennial, or evergreen. Nothing less attractive indoors than a pot full of twigs – waiting for spring.
3.Burden of Maintenance.
It is preferable to have varieties that are relatively slow-growing, as this reduces the amount of time necessary for pruning and training. Also, insects are attracted to new sappy growth as found with fast growers. Generally speaking, you really want to be fiddling with your house-plants as little as possible.
4.Crowded roots.
Check the bottom of the plant for roots coming out of the drainage holes. Roots emerging from holes in the pot don\’t necessarily mean that the plant needs re-potted, but is often an indication. Root bound plants will require re-potting when you get the plant home, similarly, if the soil is loose in the pot, this is an indication that it has recently been re-potted and is being sold too soon, you can tell this, if the soil pours out of the pot when you tip it on an angle. You are looking for plants that are established in their pots and therefore, stable soil.
5.Leggy plants or burnt leaf tips.
These are signs of a plant that has not received adequate care over a period of time. Spindly plants indicate a lack of adequate light, either due to the nursery itself, or over-crowding from too long on the benches.
6.Compare.
Don\’t just grab the first one you see. Separate a few pots out of the bunch and compare them all, for overall size, colour and general vitality. There will be runts in large groups of potted plants – nothing wrong with this, except that runts, will always be runts. Don\’t feel sorry for the runts, like you may do for a puppy – runt plants will only disappoint.
I hope these pointers have helped you choosing suitable foliage plants for indoors.
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Posted on Jan 30, 2010 under silk flowers |
Flowers and plants are wonderful ways to add ambience throughout your home or office. Live flowers and plants can be a burden for a busy homeowner or office manager however, as they must receive the proper care in order to make the surroundings beautiful. A plant can die for any number of reasons, and a wilting plant or set of flowers will look tacky to visitors. Additionally, plants that are cared for will grow, and you will find yourself pruning and repotting your decorations a couple of times a year. Add to that the potential mess of fallen leaves and scattered dirt, and you will see why houseplants can be quite a chore even if you are gifted with a green thumb.
Fortunately, there are alternatives to real plants if you want to add that extra splash of color to your home. Artificial plants and silk flowers are a perfect low maintenance addition to the home or office in terms of decor.
Artificial plants can be purchased almost anywhere, as they do not require special care or storage from the retailer. Artificial plants can sit on shelves for long periods of time in stores, just as they can in your home. Artificial plants and artificial trees are manufactured in all the varieties found in real plants, and can be tailored to fit your space needs. You choose the artificial plant variety, the pot, and then walk your new décor item out the door. The only maintenance you will need to do is dusting!
Silk flowers are an even more abundant option than artificial plants. Silk flowers can be bought in arrangements or separately, in a variety of species replicas and sizes. There is no need to keep silk flowers in a vase- if you want to have tiny individual daisies along the edges of your bathroom, you can accomplish the task with silk flowers!
In addition to their low maintenance appeal, artificial plants and silk flowers do not produce any pollen or sap, so they are not a risk for any person who might be afflicted with allergies. Artificial plants and silk flowers are a perfect housewarming or office decoration.
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Posted on Aug 08, 2009 under how to dry flowers |
The Transvaal daisy, also known as gerbera jamesonii, or gerber daisy, grows natively in South Africa and comes in yellows, oranges, reds and pinks. Plant Transvaal daisies in temperate climates, as they are not very hearty, with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.
Duration : 0:1:20
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Posted on Aug 08, 2009 under silk flowers |
Learn how to arrange artificial flowers in this free arts and crafts video.
Expert: Neha Ahuja
Bio: Neha Ahuja is an Applied Artist who specializes in drawing, painting and graphic design.
Filmmaker: Jitin Tuli
Duration : 0:1:16
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Posted on Jul 03, 2009 under dried flowers |
A Precious Petals Florist has only the finest floral arrangements and gifts. Call today to place your order at
(651)451-2394.
Duration : 0:0:36
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Posted on Jun 17, 2009 under dried pods |
The poblano is a very mild chile pepper originating in the State of Puebla, Mexico. Dried, it is called ancho chile. One of the most popular peppers grown in Mexico, the plant (of the species Capsicum annuum) is multi-stemmed, and can reach over 25 inches in height. The pod itself is about three to six inches long, and about two to three inches wide. An immature poblano is dark purplish green in color, but eventually turns a red so dark as to be nearly black. It can be prepared a number of ways, commonly including: dried, coated in whipped egg (capeado) and fried, stuffed, or in mole sauces. It is particularly popular during the Mexican independence festivities as part of a sophisticated dish called Chiles en Nogada which incorporates green, white and red ingredients corresponding to the colors of the Mexican flag. This very well may be considered as one of Mexico’s most symbolic dishes by its nationals. Poblanos are also popular in the United States and can be found in many grocery stores in the states bordering Mexico and in urban areas.
After being roasted and peeled (which improves the texture by removing the waxy skin), it can be preserved by either canning or freezing. Storing Poblanos in airtight containers will also suffice for several months.
When dried, this pepper becomes a broad, flat, heart-shaped pod called an ancho chile (meaning “wide” in Spanish), often ground into a powder used for flavoring recipes.
A closely related variety is the Mulato, which is darker in color, sweeter in flavor, and softer in texture.
“Poblano” is also the word for an inhabitant of Puebla, Mexico. . The plant stands 59″ tall on JULY 15th.This is a new patent pending method of growing all types of plants in a ebb & flow system in perlite.We have no little grow cups or determined place to grow your plants and larger than aerogarden units.No roots need to be trimmed and you can plant from seeds,also with a built in plant support system,plants can be supported with conventional ground supports. ,can be configured to most sizes and shapes,order yours today from HYDROPOND@GMAIL.COM
Duration : 0:5:50
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