December 2008

December 27, 2008

An Aromatic Flower Arrangement for your Resting Time

Author: Aura Angheliu

Make an arrangement from some aromatic flowering plants, which is a decoration as well as a therapeutic remedy for your mind and spirit. It’s a scent mixture that is increasing your good humor. The floral arrangement is made by Myrtle, scented geranium, Marjoram, Rosemary and Dianthus.

Buy from a flower shop a plastic flower pot and a pendent wrought iron flower pot support with lateral holes or perforated model. The flower container has to be smaller than the iron support, so that the pendent plants will outspread their stems through the holes and also overhang the support.

Neither of the aromatic plants hasn’t a favorite type of soil, just well drained soil.

The Common Myrtle (Myrtus communis) has a pleasant scent. The plant is widespread in Mediterranean region, not a splendid decoration, a modest one but with aromatic effects. Plant myrtle in the centre of the pot, because it’s not pendent like the other plants and it’s the one that is representing the highest level of the arrangement.

There come the scented geranium of which flowers and leaves are perfumed too and red Dianthus caryophyllus, pendent flowers with cinnamon and vanilla flavor. Plant these two plants around the myrtle, as a second circular flowerbed.

Finally, alternately plant on the margin the pendent Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis Repandus), a pendent flowering plant with small violet flowers and a sweet citrus and pine flavors and Marjoram (Marjorana hortensis), very appreciated by the cultivars for its aromatic leaves and the pretty pink flowers.

After you’ve planted the flowers in the container put it in the iron support and take the pendent floral stems through the holes of the iron support.

Suspend this pot flower arrangement in your garden tower or terrace or balcony or in any of your relaxing corner.

This aromatic arrangement is for the stress relief.

About the Author:

Whether you are looking for a guide on flower arrangements or gardening, or want to write educational articles, or want to download flower related stuff, or simply are looking to learn about the floral industry, the website flowersgrowing will provide you with information you can rely on. With a wide ranging array of topics exclusively devoted to flowers.

Read all about flowers and plants here http://www.flowersgrowing.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/an-aromatic-flower-arrangement-for-your-resting-time-155281.html

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Everything You Need to Know About Orchid Fertilizer

Author: D Swain

Orchid fertilizer is essential for keeping your plant thriving. It delivers a blend of nutrients that the plant converts into energy for development and growth. If you’re unfamiliar with the basics of using fertilizer, this article will tell you everything you need to know.

Macronutrients

Every good fertilizer contains three important macronutrients. They include nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. This is commonly abbreviated NPK. Nitrogen mainly helps the plant’s stem and leaves grow. While growth will likely be restricted if the plant doesn’t get enough nitrogen, too much can reduce flowering.

Phosphorous is essential for production of protein, which is necessary for the production of flowers. If the orchid doesn’t receive enough, growth may slow dramatically. It can also cause the plant to lose flowers early. The element potassium plays a role in loss and absorption of water. It also helps synthesize proteins.

Micronutrients

Orchid fertilizer should also contain micronutrients. They are needed to support flowers and new growth. Micronutrients are especially important if the plant is grown in a soil-less potting mix. Some of the most common micronutrients include copper, zinc, sodium, silicon, and cobalt.

Disease

There are inorganic and organic varieties of fertilizer. Organic varieties can harbor various diseases that may infect your plant. It’s usually best to use an inorganic mix. A special treatment process is used to destroy these diseases so that your plant will stay healthy.

Application

The main entry point of fertilizer is through the roots, so you should definitely spray them. However, the plant can also absorb some of the food that makes contact with its leaves. Most types of orchid fertilizer require that you dilute them with water. You should be careful not to get any water trapped between the leaves. This allows fungus or bacteria to buildup, especially when temperatures get cooler. This can easily be fatal to your plant.

Type

There are two different types of fertilizer, namely coated and water-soluble. The water-soluble type is liquid that has to be diluted with water and given to the plant. Coated fertilizer usually comes in the form of pellets. These pellets release the nutrients gradually over time. One problem you may have with these pellets is that they may be washed away during watering before the nutrients have been released.

About the Author:

Giving your plant fertilizer is just one necessary part of caring for it. Come to care4orchids.com to learn how to take proper care of orchids So, stop by today so that you can become an expert at growing orchids.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-orchid-fertilizer-644935.html

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Daffodils And Tulips

If you’re seriously interested in knowing about daffodils and tulips, you need to think beyond the basics. This informative article takes a closer look at things you need to know about daffodils and tulips.

Bulbs are among the most popular of all flowering plants for the garden. Bulbs have long been renowned for their beauty, their hardiness and their variety. This article provides a small sampling of the many types of bulb plants available to the average gardener.

Muscari Armeniacum
The muscari, or grape hyacinth, is one of the most popular of all bulb varieties, and it has been for many years. The grape hyacinth features narrow, grassy leaves that appear in the fall and can survive through the cold and snow of winter. The leaves of the grape hyacinth are small, urn shaped and blue in color, and they grow on attractive eight inch tall spikes.

The flowers on the grape hyacinth bloom in the spring of the year, and these bulbs should be planted in the fall in order to bloom the spring. The bulbs of the grape hyacinth should be planted two inches deep and three inches apart for best results. The grape hyacinth prefers full sun or light shade, and it benefits from regular watering during its growth and bloom cycles.

You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about daffodils and tulips. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered so far?

Daffodil
The daffodil may be the most easily recognizable of all bulb plants, and it rewards its gardener with a generous display of beautiful blooms. Besides the traditional white and yellow varieties, daffodils also come in shades of orange, apricot, pink and cream. Daffodil bulbs should be planted twice as deep as they are tall, and they should be spaced between six and eight inches apart. Daffodils benefit from full sun and regular watering during their growth and bloom periods.

Tulip
Tulips may just be the most well known and easily recognized of all bulb plants. Indeed, in the minds of many tulips are synonymous with bulb plants. The tulip has long been prized for its beauty, and tulips continue to be one of the most popular types of flowers among casual gardeners and professional growers alike.

In addition, tulips are among the most hybridized of all flowers, with hybrids available in a staggering array of shapes, sizes, colors and textures. Some of the most popular tulip hybrids include pastels, spotted tulips, bicolor tulips and tricolor tulips. There are also hybrids in the brightest hues, and even a variety that is almost black in color. The tulip comes in a variety of shapes as well. In addition to the classic egg shaped bloom, there are varieties with blossoms resembling the shapes of peonies and lilies.

The blooming season for most varieties of tulips runs from mid to late spring. Most tulips need a period of extended cold in order to look and bloom their best. Feeding with a high quality, nitrogen rich fertilizer will encourage multiple blooming. The fertilizer should be applied before the first bloom for best results.

In mild climates, it is best to refrigerate tulip bulbs for six weeks before they are planted. While it is possible for tulip bulbs to remain in the ground, most gardeners treat them as annuals and replant them each year. Doing so is often the best way to get the best blooms year after year.

Tulips like full sun, and they benefit from a regular watering schedule during their growing and blooming periods. It is best to plant tulip bulbs in the fall, and tulip bulbs should be planted three times as deep as the bulb is wide. Therefore, a 2″ wide bulb would be planted 6″ deep. It is important to leave sufficient space between the planted bulbs as well, from four to eight inches depending on the size of the bulb.

You can’t predict when knowing something extra about daffodils and tulips will come in handy. If you learned anything new about daffodils and tulips in this article, you should file the article where you can find it again.

B. Keith Johnson is a contributing author for
Flower Gardens
. Visit his other sites for
Product Reviews
, Free Website Content and
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Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_66425_27.html

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December 26, 2008

Window Boxes or Window Flower Boxes: an Aid to Growing Plants

Author: Vikram kuamr

 

It is truly awesome to see lush vegetation in our yards. With all the plants growing around our house, what a better sight to see than the plants that we have labored have grown and in full bloom with beautiful flowers that fills up our homes with its fragrance. It is a good sight to see plants and flowers growing around our house. You may be wondering how to start with everything? From planting to watering to trimming, how is everything done?

 

First and foremost, you must have a mind-set of a planter. Plants are to be planted on pots, window boxes, and even on the ground. Plants need to be delicately planted on pots. The plants need tender loving care when being planted. The plant should not be left behind. It should be managed after planting it. 

 

Pots play a big role in the life of a plant. How big the size of the pot is how big the plant would grow often times. Mostly, plants grown in the ground and not in the pot have the tendency to grow bigger and taller than the one’s grown on pot. Choosing the best pot or window boxes for your plants is really a vital role in taking care of plants.

 

All plants need tender loving care. Yet it’s true that there are some plants that need more delicate care than others do. This is because plants also came from different families that may trigger some of the possible consequences when not taken cared of. Possible consequences can all be eliminated with the aid of window flower boxes.

 

Window flower boxes can aid in the development of your plants. Plants can actually help beautify the course of your homes such as flower window boxes. It can also boost the femininity of one woman, thus it also boost the responsible insights of a man. These are all positive outlooks in doing some plants at home.

 

Plants need fertile soil. We cannot erase the fact that some soils are fertile while others are not. Choosing a fertile soil can actually help your planting endeavor by letting it grow in the way that it should be – healthy and of a prime quality.

 

Another factor to be considered is the sun. Heat is always needed by the sun. Same is true with this one that was common with others. There are other plants who needs more sun’s heat than others do. An example to site is the cactus. A cactus is a plant that really needs a bad amount of heat. Because of its nature, being susceptible to the desert heat, it can actually stand high amount of heat that the sun is sending, unlike other plants that could not.

 

Water is what plants also need. Water can help the plant grow in its growth physically. Just like humans, we tend to faint if we lack water in our body. This is also true with the plants, especially those in window boxes. Plants tend to grow and feel faint when drought comes. Same is again true with watering the plants. Some plants need a lot of water while some don’t. An example of such plants is the euphorbia. The euphorbia cannot stand too much water in them. Their roots get damaged and so the whole plant is destroyed.

About the Author:

Get your custom window flower boxes online at Flower Window Boxes. They can also help you install the window boxes .

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/remodeling-articles/window-boxes-or-window-flower-boxes-an-aid-to-growing-plants-450794.html

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Houseplants and Indoor Air Quality

Author: Tom Ogren

Houseplants and Indoor Air Quality

Houseplants can be the source of cleaner air, but they can
also be the exact opposite.

There are two main concerns with indoor plants, insects, and
VOC’s.

Insects? Yes. Any houseplant that does not thrive will
eventually get infested with insects, especially mealy bugs,
aphids, whiteflies, scale, or spider mites. All of these insects
can quickly explode in numbers and can present a serious allergy
problem. Insects shed old skin and other parts and this insect
dander is very allergenic.

Insects also produce large amounts of feces, called “honeydew,”
and on this rich organic material mold quickly grows. The mold
then produces reproductive mold spores, and these spores become
airborne inside the house. Mold spores are of course quite
allergenic.

The answer to insects is to keep them healthy. First we should
only use houseplants that are well adapted to actually growing
inside the house. These plants should get the kind of light they
need. Plants that do not get the light they need will get buggy.
We must also see to it that our houseplants are well fertilized.
Lack of fertilizer will eventually result in a plant that is
weak and that will then be attacked by insect pests. I like
time-release fertilizers for all houseplants. In addition to
time-release fertilizers I also like to use some water-soluble
fertilizers too, at least once a month.

Houseplants should be kept clean too. Often dust will land and
stick on the leaves and unless they are washed clean on a
regular basis, houseplants can be regular dust piles. It is
always a good idea to wipe down the leaves of houseplants with
some clean water and a sponge. It is a good idea to add a tiny
bit of dish soap to the water when you wipe them down, a
teaspoon to a gallon. Use lukewarm water. The soap will help
make the leaves cleaner, and it discourages insects.

If you find insects on a houseplant, take it outside, put it in
the shade, and spray it thoroughly with a mix of dish soap and
vegetable oil. Use several tablespoons of each to a gallon of
warm water. Spray the plants, soak them every day for a week and
if this doesn’t get rid of the bugs, then consider dumping them.
If the plants are valuable or you just can’t bear to part with
them, add some neem oil to the above insecticide mix and spray
them with this several times.

Sometimes to kill scale on a plant I will pour some vegetable
oil in a cup and then just brush it on the scale with a small
paintbrush. In very few cases does the oil damage the leaves of
the plants, and it will smother the scale. This also will work
with mealy bugs.

Do not bring buggy plants back into the house!

Even after you get rid of the pests on the plant, before you
return it to your house you need to ask why was it that it got
buggy in the first place? Is the light too weak? Is the air in
the house too dry for it? Have you been neglecting to feed it
enough? Has it been kept too dry? Too wet? Is it too cold
inside? Too hot? Whatever the answer, you’ll need to change
something in order to get it to thrive.

Make a habit of looking over the leaves and stems of all your
houseplants on a regular basis. Look on the stems for scale.
Look under the leaves for other insect or mite pests. Spider
mites thrive in hot weather. Whiteflies thrive in cool weather.
One of the best ways to control spider mites is to frequently
wash down the plants.

Dander from spider mites is especially allergenic and any plant
that continues to get infested with mites ought to be tossed.

VOC’s and houseplants?

All plants release volatile organic compounds into the air.
Often these are described as “biogenic emissions.” Some plants
release only a small amount and consume much more than they
release. The ones to worry about are the plants that release
more than they consume. Chiefs among the plant-produced VOC
pollutants are carbon monoxide and ozone. Both of these are
primary elements of smog. They’re not something you would want
in your house. Other VOC gases often of allergy concern inside
houses (but not necessarily produced by plants) are
formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, toluene, ammonia, acetone, methyl
alcohol, ethyl acetate, and trichlorethylene.

Ficus trees. Ficus enjoy a good rating in the OPALS scale
because they release so little airborne pollen. Unfortunately,
Ficus, and especially the common houseplant tree, Ficus
benjamina, they are high emitters of VOC’s. Does this mean we
should not use Ficus benjamina as a houseplant?

Yes, that’s exactly what it means. At any rate, these often
fail to thrive in houses since most household light is too weak
for them and most household air is too dry. They will often be
infested with spider mites or other insects and these will just
add to the VOC problem. VOC’s are not good for people with
allergies and will aggravate existing allergies. Actually, VOC’s
are not good for anyone.

Which plants are VOC consumers?

Some years ago NASA scientists discovered that certain plants
can remove volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) from the air. The
gases studied included formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, toluene,
ammonia, acetone, methyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, and
trichlorethylene. The plants listed below are said to be quite
effective at removing indoor pollutants. Please keep in mind
though that they must be growing healthy and they must be kept
bug free in order to work. : Dracaena, Golden Pothos, Red
Emerald Philodendron, Dumb Cane, Schefflera, Wax Begonia, Snake
Plant, Norfolk Island Pine, Dracaena, Dendrobium and
Phalaenopsis orchids, Spider Plant, Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium),
Dwarf Banana (Musa), and Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) Also
recommended for cleaning indoor air were Rhapis, Chamaedorea and
Phoenix Palms, but it is important to note here that only female
palms should be used. You don’t need extra palm pollen in the
house. In addition, also recommended for cleaning indoor air
were potted chrysanthemums and Gerbera Daisy, but I do NOT
recommend these as houseplants. They have high light
requirements and will not thrive in most houses, and they can
cause contact skin rash. Their pollen (they’re ragweed
relatives) is highly allergenic. Better to keep the mums and
Gerbera daisies outside.

Also NASA recommended as an effective air cleaner plants was
Peace Lily, or Spathe Flower, but I do NOT recommend these as
houseplants either. They also can cause skin rash and when in
bloom they too shed pollen that is allergenic.

It is always a good idea to let houseplants dry out a little bit
between watering. This gives the roots a chance to get more air
and it also discourages the growth of molds in the soil. When
you do water houseplants it is wise to soak them thoroughly
rather than give them just a little bit of water each time.
Always use water that is luke- warm, at least at room
temperature.

About the Author:
The author, Thomas Leo Ogren, is an internationally recognized
expert on plant sexuality as it relates to human health. He is
author of Allergy-Free Gardening, and also of Safe Sex in the
Garden. His work has been reviewed in many publications
including Alternative Medicine, Garden Design, Women’s Day,
Earth Island Journal, Wild One’s Journal, New Scientist,
Landscape Design, Pacific Horticulture, the London Times, and
Garden Gate. He has made nu

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/houseplants-and-indoor-air-quality-3176.html

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Enhance Your Garden With Flowering Trees

Author: Lee Dobbins

Flowering trees can add beauty to your landscape and enhance your garden but when choosing trees you have a few things to consider.

First of all, you want to be sure to select a tree whose height will be a good match for the spot you are putting it in. If you want a rather short tree to compliment a corner garden, then you won’t want to choose one that grows to 50 feet tall. On the other hand, if you want a large tree to spruce up your front yard, a dwarf tree will be … well … dwarfed by the rest of the landscape.

You’ll also want to choose trees that thrive in your area and be aware of any pests or special maintenance. Your local garden center can help steer you in the right direction for maintenance and planting instructions. Here’s some flowering trees you might want to consider:

Flowering Cherry Trees

There are several varieties of flowering cherry trees that grow from 12 feet to 50 feet tall. The Snow Fountain Flowering Cherry is great for smaller gardens and grows to only 12 feet in height. This tree has branches that droop to the ground with white flowers that bloom early in the season. A perfect tree to highlight a corner garden. The Pendula Weeping Japanese Flowering Cherry gets to about 20 feet in height and about 15 feet in width. It has pale pink flowers that bloom early in the season. The Kwanzan has in inverted cone shape and will get to about 30 feet tall X 20 feet wide. It has large pink flowers that bloom in mid season. The Kwanzan has orange foliage in fall. The Sargentii Flowering Cherry Tree is the tallest reaching 50 feet in height. It has pink flowers that bloom in clumps during the mid season.

Flowering Dogwood Tree

This is one of the most popular trees and has white flowers that bloom in spring. This tree, however is a bit picky about where you plant it and should be planted in a sheltered area, either on the side of the house or where it will be shaded by another tree.

Flowering Peach Tree

If you live in a Southern climate, then you are probably familier with this tree. This vase shaped tree grows to 25 feet and produces a lot of fruit. You must, however, plant it in the correct climate and soil. Avoid soil that is too wet or you will be disappointed with the outcome.

Flowering Pear Tree

The flowering pear tree can perk up any landscape and grows to about 45 feet producing lush yummy fruit as well as flowers. There are actually different types of pear trees that will grow to different sizes. They produce white buds in spring with either red or purple foliage in fall.

The Magnolia

This tree is another long time favorite and produces beautiful flowers that bloom in spring. If you live in the south you will want to consider the Southern Magnolia with it’s fragrant white flowers. This variety can reach heights of 80 feet and shows red fruit in fall. In the north, you’ll want to plant the saucer magnolia that has pinkish white flowers in early spring and grows to 30 feet.

About the Author:
Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.backyard-garden-and-patio.com where you can learn more about gardening, garden flowers and garden design.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/enhance-your-garden-with-flowering-trees-71547.html

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Growing Flowering Cherry Trees

Author: Lee Dobbins

The flowering cherry tree is a very popular landscape tree. When they are in full bloom, they will surely provide the best aesthetics in any garden.

They can make any yard bloom with the wonderful colors of spring. Cherry trees can have red, black or gray bars.

This can go well with the flowers in white and various shades of pink. The Flowering Almond cherry tree can even have mixed colors on its own.

Cherry Trees

This is classified in the family of Rosaceae, in genus Prunus. The subgenus Cerasus has a distinguishing characteristic with its flowers clumped together.

The word cherry traces its roots from the Latin terms cerasum and Cerasus. This is the old name of the city of Giresun in Turkey.

Aside from the fruit, cherries are also popular for their flowering trees. Flowering cherry trees are small but hardy trees. They are very popular to people who love flowers.

They are even more popular because they signify the onset of the spring season. Before the leaves are able to bloom, these cherry trees will be able to produce considerable amount of flowers in white or pink. These events mark that spring is about to come.

These flowers are very attractive. In most Asian countries, flowering cherry trees are planted for main or actually the sole purpose of display. There are even cultivators in Japan who would have the cherries sterile to not bear fruit.

Aside from the aesthetic value of the cherry trees, they also have health benefits. The cherries contain anthocyanins that can help in the reduction of pain and inflammation.

There is also a high amount of melatonin in cherries that make cherries good anti-oxidant.

Species of Cherry Trees

Considering that flowering cherry trees seem to be a wonderful addition to the garden then it will be very helpful to know the various species of cherry trees that will suit your needs.

There are the more popular types like the Flowering Almond and Flowering Apricot. These types of cherry trees will be able to produce plenty of flowers.

Chanticleer, Cleveland Select Flowering Pears and Bradford are your choice of cherry trees if you are aiming for a good landscape in your garden or yard.

The Thundercloud Flowering Plum is a perfect choice for those who want to plant cherry trees but do not have the luxury of choice when it comes to land area. You can enjoy the pink flowers during spring in your patio.

Some cherry trees can also be planted for their edible characteristic like the Black Cherry. The white flowers of this cherry tree turn to red tart and they grow fast.

How to Grow Flowering Cherry Trees

Growing a cherry tree will entail certain considerations. Some of these will require responsibilities on the part of the owner. Here are some ideas to keep in mind.

1. To plant a flowering cherry tree in your garden, it is necessary to keep each young seedling at least 10 feet apart from each other. Thus, this also means that your yard must be large enough to give way for the growth of the cherry trees.

2. Generally, cherry trees are found in areas with good moisture. They can also grow in the drier areas, but they have to get as much water as needed to proliferate.

3. Make sure that good soil is provided. It is best to grow the flowering cherry trees in fertile soil that is well-drained but retaining sufficient moisture.

Generally, ordinary soils are fine, but providing lots of water and adding fertilizer will help advance the growth of the cherry trees.

Some soils may be rocky or sandy. If this cannot be helped, make sure that there are enough compost materials to supplement the soil nutrients needed.

4. The cherry tree needs a good balance of exposure to the sunlight and enough shade to maintain a degree of moisture.

5. Cherry tree seedlings are small but they grow fast relatively. In a year or two, these seedlings are sure to bloom.

Conclusion

Growing a flowering cherry tree will surely bring out the best in your yard. It can give the best factor that you are looking for. Furthermore, you get to enjoy a more beautiful spring with the flowering cherry tree in your garden.

About the Author:

Lee Dobbins writes for http://floweringtrees.garden-g8way.com where you can learn more about flowering trees like the flowering cherry tree.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/growing-flowering-cherry-trees-87193.html

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