Posts Tagged ‘growing’
Growing Orchids
Posted on: September 28, 2011
Orchid plants are very fastidious, bearing the most attractive flowers having a wide range of colors. They can easily be grown both indoors and outdoors with minimum amount of care. Some of the Orchid species require to be kept in greenhouses, whereas some varieties of Orchids can grow among other house plants.
Growing Orchids indoor and outdoor could be a great fun. You just need to know some important general guidelines.
Natural light is very vital for the Orchid plants. Normally, an east or west facing window is more suitable for the growth of these plants. Direct sunlight can be harmful for them; therefore, you need to make sure that they are placed in the shaded area, having indirect sunlight. They need to have 10 to 15 hours of light everyday. Artificial lights can also be used in winter season.
Proper temperature is also necessary throughout the year for the good growth of Orchids because Orchid plants do not bear hot and unventilated conditions. They need to have daytime temperatures about 70 F in summer season and 60 F in winter season. In cold and frosty nights, keep your Orchid plants away from windows.
Watering is also very significant for the proper growth of these plants. Overwatering is fatal for them; therefore, let surplus water to seep away. You should water them when you feel that the growing medium is about to dry. Usually, watering the Orchid plants once a week would be enough.
Orchid plants flourish well in a humid atmosphere. Placing the plant on a tray of small wet pebbles would be quite helpful in increasing the humidity level. Be sure to place the Orchid pot on the top of the pebble layer, not in the water. The water around the pebbles will fade away and moisturize the air around the plant.
When growing Orchids, regular fertilization will lead the plant to grow soon and bloom well. But it should be kept in mind that over fertilization will harm or destroy the plant completely. Giving fertilizer twice a month is highly recommended. Avoid feeding the plant during winter season.
It is also important to know that you should reduce watering and fertilizing the Orchid plants once they stop blooming. Start giving water and fertilizer regularly when new leaves begin to appear.
The yellowish or brownish spots on the leaves are the indication that plant has red spider insects on it. In this situation the leaves wither away prematurely.
Re-pot the plant in new medium when you see small yellowish leaves with few or no flowers because this condition shows that the plant needs fertilizer or the medium is too damp. After repotting, water it carefully.
If your Orchid plant is unable to grow flower buds properly, it means that temperature is too cold or too hot for the plant. In this condition, you need to keep it in proper place.
Orchid plants can grow well in the places like cellars, terraces, or living rooms only if they are provided with appropriate light, temperature and moisture.
Quick Facts for Garden Fountains
Posted on: November 1, 2010
- In: Decoration | Decoration Plants | FACTS | Flower | Flowers | Garden | Garden Decoration | GARDENS | GROWING PLANTS | Non porous material | Seeds
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Garden decoration accents and garden ornaments such as water fountains can be a very positive experience to any garden by requiring minimal space. Garden fountains can provide an oasis and best retreats from stress of daily life. Garden decorations and garden accessories like water fountains can be a centerpiece of a garden. Running water in a fountain can add a soothing element to any garden. Garden fountains and other ornaments personalize the garden with unassuming charm and good taste. Well arranged and settled garden fountains can become a focal point and enhance natural beauty of garden.
Rules for garden decoration are vague. Nothing is pre-defined and all depends on tastes rather than set of rules. Here are some quick facts for installation of garden fountains that will give you cool environment at home:
- The first thing you need to know when you start choosing plants and other ornaments for your entry garden is to think of the places you want to decorate and consider light and other conditions of that place.
- Remember that fences can add authentic appeal and can create sense of privacy in your garden.
- Right selection of water fountain can make your garden best place for enjoyment.
- Garden fountains come in different sizes, styles and shapes. Some are designed to be placed right in the center of garden to make an attractive focal point. Some fountains can be incorporated into an ornamental landscape or can be mounted on exterior wall of home or can be placed on a deck.
- Indoor fountains can be used to place in various locations with various models designed for indoor wall mounting, usable in upright floor standing, to be used as room divider or table top versions that can be adjusted any where.
After installing the garden fountains, you need to take proper care for maintenance of its beauty. Follow the instructions of manufacturer about cleaning and care of installed fountain. Follow these tips for care of your fountain:
- Clean the foundation on regular basis as debris can collect in and on the fountain easily. Make sure to remove leaves, twigs and other debris.
- Check fountain’s water level on daily basis and add fresh water when needed. If you let the water level below the pump’s intake level, it can cause burnout or other damages to the pump.
- Remember that combination of water and sunlight is best for growth of algae therefore add vinegar or hydrogen peroxide or sea salt to the water for prevention of algae growth. You can also add bleach as an alternative.
- Drain out all the water before thorough cleaning of fountain. Use a brush to clean inside of the water reservoir with soap water.
- Thoroughly rinse water in the fountain to remove soap residue.
- Special care is needed in winter season as water can freeze in cold weather. Frozen water will expand that can crack the fountain. It is recommended to drain out all water from fountain in winter season. Keep the fountain dry completely and cover it with non-porous material.
Remember that taking the proper steps can extend life of your garden fountain.
Daylily is usually referred to the species, hybrids and cultivars of the genus Hemerocallis. Gardening experts hybridize these plants, resulting in a wide range of colors and forms of its flowers. To identify its bloom in a garden, one should know about the different parts of plant and also flower characteristics of Hemerocallis.
Here are the main points that will help you in identifying a daylily bloom in a garden.
Hemerocallis Bloom Structure:
Daylily is the common name of Hemerocallis. Its flower is a tubular shaped bloom and is often scented. The petals of the bloom mostly consist of six perianth segments arranged in two rows. If looking at it from above, you will see three inner petals covering with three outer sepals. A daylily with double flowers is known as Polymerous because there are more than six perianth segments in it.
The center vein of a petal or sepal is called midrib that runs along the length. The term midrib is used to describe the color or pattern in a daylily bloom.
The centermost inner part of the flower is called throat, and the place above the throat is called eye zone which creates a visual circle around the flower.
Daylily plants bloom from summer through winter and its blooms last for only one day. Flowers of some species of Hemerocallis open in the morning and shrivel in the evening, whereas some of its species bloom at night.
Perennial Daylily Plant Form:
A daylily plant is the perennial, and grows in a large bunch with long strap-like leaves, mostly 1 ft – 2 ft long. The plant has vertical leafless flower stems known as scapes.
Excluding the bracts, scapes are leafless that appear from the crown of the daylily. Bracts are modified leaves affixed to the scape. These bracts indicate whether more branches will develop in future or not.
The white core between the leaves and the roots is called the crown of a daylily plant. It is planted underground. A part of the crown should be included when dividing the plant. The roots of a plant are quite fibrous, but the whole root system is very thick.
Hemerocallis in Flower Gardens
Generally, daylily plants grow in direct sunlight but they can also easily tolerate partially shady areas. They prefer humid and well-draining soil modified with organic matter. Daylilies also have enough ability to tolerate hard soil conditions, e.g. heavy clay, competition with tree roots for getting water and minerals etc. Also, strong and fully grown daylily plants can tolerate dearth conditions.
Daylily plants need minimum fertilizer for blooming and stay in good health when dug, separated, and replanted almost every three years. They can grow fast, and can easily fill the garden spaces.
Butterflies and Your Gardens
Posted on: September 23, 2010
- In: Butterflies | Flowers | Garden | Growing Flowers
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Butterflies not only add beauty to your garden but also serve many other purposes in local ecosystem. Adult butterflies help in pollination, while both adults and caterpillars are the main food sources for birds and other animals.
Butterflies, like all wildlife, want to live in the place where there is enough food, water, and shelter. However, they need two types of food, one for the caterpillars (larval stage) and the other for the adult butterflies.
To attract butterflies, your garden will need the following:
- Nectar plants for butterflies. Plants that provide food for butterflies are called nectar plants. If you want to attract butterflies to your garden then grow plants that bear nectar-producing flowers because nectar is the major source of butterfly’s food.
When selecting nectar plants for your garden, it is important to select different kinds of flowering plants with blooming time spaced out across summer, spring, and early autumn.
Some of the well-known nectar plants include:
Asters, Milkweeds, Azalea, black-eyed Susan, Phlox, Coneflowers, Oregano, Clover, Sunflowers, Mint, Marigolds, Zinnias, Bush Cinquefolia, Butterfly bush, Privet, Lilac, and Redbud Sweet pea, Lilac, Cosmos, Thistles, and various fruit trees.
- Host plants for caterpillars. Plants that provide food for caterpillars are called host plants. Growing hose plants in your garden provides butterflies a place to lay their eggs. Therefore, if you want to attract unusual and uncommon butterflies in your garden then grow plants that caterpillars love to eat.
Some of the most common host plants include:
Milkweeds, Hollyhocks, Fennel, Parsley, Dill, Wild Senna, Passion Vine, Pipe Vine, Carrot, Wild Lilacs, Buckthorns, Hop-tree, Passion Vine, Wild Plums and Cherries, Sage, Citrus, Ashes, Poplar, and Wild Lime.
- Enough sunlight. Butterflies love sunlight. You need to ensure that all the butterfly-attracting plants receive direct sunlight for much of the day, so that butterflies do not leave your garden in search of plants that are exposed to direct sunlight.
- Shallow watering container. Butterflies need water frequently especially in hot days. There are number of choices to provide water to the butterflies. Some of them are as follows:
1.Fill a terracotta pot or small plastic container with pebbles and add water in it.
2.Add marbles in an old Frisbee and fill it with water.
3.Place an old cup into the ground near the plants and keep it filled with water.
4.Use an old pizza or jelly roll pan to provide water to butterflies.
5.Fill a shallow ceramic bowl, an old baking dish, or a large plate with sand and sink it into the ground. Ensure that the sand in it always stays moist.
- Shelter from bad weather conditions. Butterflies need shelter during heavy rainstorms, strong winds, and other bad weathers. They usually look for shelter in trees, shrubs, and other densely planted places. You need to provide both sunny open areas and dense shadier ones for the butterflies to encourage them to stay in your garden.
- Insecticides free environment. If you want to attract butterflies, never use insecticides and pesticides in your garden. These chemicals not only harm the insects, but also keep the butterflies at bay.
By following the above mentioned points, you will be able to turn your ordinary garden into a butterfly garden where you can not only enjoy the beautiful flowers but also the colorful butterflies.
Orchid Flowers 