Growing Foxglove Varieties
By [https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jo_Poultney/1203126]Jo Poultney
The common foxglove or Digitalis purpurea, is an herbaceous biennial native to most of Europe. A stately looking plant, the foxglove has been grown in gardens for centuries and is a particularly common sight in cottage style gardens. It has also been grown for cut flowers and used as an herb for medicinal purposes. Like many plant species, the foxglove has slipped in and out of fashion with garden designers, but seems to have become popular once again, featuring in many of this year's gardens at the Chelsea flower show. Here are a few of the most popular and also more unusual varieties.
Wild foxgloves are biennial, which means they take two years to develop from seed to flower. The first year of growth produces a rosette of long basal leaves and the flowers appear in the second year. Foxgloves thrive in partial sunlight to deep shade and are found naturally in open woods, moorland and hedge banks. The flowers are typically purple but some plants, especially hybrids, may be pink, rose, yellow, or white.
A very new and stunning variety is 'Illumination', winner of the Chelsea Flower Show plant of the year 2012. Unlike most foxgloves which are generally biennial, this hardy semi-evergreen is a true perennial with stunning tropical colouring of pinks and orange. It grows to a height of 90cm. The Chinese Foxglove or Rehmannia, is also a periennial hybrid and makes a makes a great choice for tricky dry, shady areas, thriving in difficult sites where many other plants fail. Also grows to a height of 90cm.
Foxglove 'Polka Dot Pandora' has architectural, apricot flower spikes. Being sterile, it won't self-seed but the flowers are very long lasting. 'Dalmatian Peach' has upright stems of peach coloured trumpet flowers and is particularly stunning in cottage garden borders or woodland settings. It grows to a height of 100cm. Foxglove 'Polka Dot Princess' is one of the longest flowering foxgloves with bright pink flowers on upright stems. It grows up to 60cm tall. Foxglove 'Summer King'is commonly known as the strawberry foxglove because of its eye-catching strawberry-rose flowers. Digitalis Summer King is a naturally occurring cross between the yellow-flowered Digitalis grandiflora and lavender-rose-flowered Digitalis purpurea. Foxglove 'Ianata' is one foxglove species that can thrive in hotter/drier spots. Its flowers have a protruding lower lip netted in brown, elsewhere the flowers are cream. 'Alba' as its name suggest, has pure white flowers on upright stems.
Foxgloves can be grown in [http://www.gardenplantersshop.co.uk/]garden planters, particularly the compact varieties such as Digitalis dubia, a small species from the Balearic Islands. Those grown in pots can be used to create a focal point.
Jo Poultney is one of two people behind Garden Planters. I have an RHS general certificate in horticulture. Garden Planters source unusual outdoor and indoor planters, and other garden related gifts - whatever your taste, be it traditional, modern or just a bit quirky, we will have something for you. I believe garden planters are an integral part of any garden - they enhance the overall design and say a little something about the person to whom the garden belongs. If you would like to know more about Garden Planters, visit our website at http://www.gardenplantersshop.co.uk
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Growing-Foxglove-Varieties&id=7114183] Growing Foxglove Varieties
Showing posts with label Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tips. Show all posts
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Friday, November 22, 2019
How to Keep Cats Out of Your Garden
How to Keep Cats Out of Your Garden
By [https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kathy_Robinson/107293]Kathy Robinson
If you are having a problem with stray cats in your garden, there are a few tricks you can use to keep them out. First off, try to make sure there are no gaps in your fence where a cat can squeeze through. However, as cats can jump or climb fences or trees next to a fence, just plugging the gaps won't necessarily stop them. You could also invest in string or taut wire across the top. Someone in Australia has developed a roller bar to place on top of fences. As the cat jumps onto it, it rolls and the cat loses its balance. Doing this a few times will discourage all but the most determined cat from trying again.
It is a well-known fact that cats don't like water. There are a few ways you can put this to good use. You could try using a water pistol or spray bottle if you are close by, or you could try turning the hose on them. Most local hardware stores sell motion activated sprinklers. This is a little more expensive, but it doesn't require you to actually be in your yard with the cats. These sprinklers will detect the cat's movement and automatically turn on. It shouldn't take long before the strays get the message. An added advantage of using motion activated sprinklers is that your garden is automatically watered for you. However, this could end up costing you in excess water bills and use up a precious resource.
There are also many devices available that send out high frequency sounds undetectable by human ears. These are designed to deter animals (cats, dogs, mice, rats etc) from coming within range. It's a bit like you hearing a screeching noise. You'd want to move away from that I'm sure. Just make sure that whatever type you buy is strong enough to cover your garden area. Again, you can find models that only work when they detect motion so you are not always sending out that high pitched noise.
Many people choose to keep a dogs as a deterrent, simply because cats are known to to be frightened of dogs. This is fine if you want to have a dog as a pet but possibly overkill if you are only trying to keep the neighborhood cats out!
Protecting your plants is a different story though there are some tricks that you can use.
Try sprinkling mothballs around your plants or borders. You can even sprinkle some along the fence or on your lawn. Cats don't like that smell. Just make sure than no young children could pick them up and eat them. There are many other repellents that you can use as well such as cayenne pepper, tabasco sauce, lavender oil, citronella oil, mustard oil, and even lemon grass oil. Why not try sprinkling some curry or mustard powder around the plants. Of course you need to replace this after watering or rain. Experiment and see what works best for you.
You can also use commercial repellents as well though these will be more expensive than what you can find in your pantry. Commercial repellents also use scents to keep cats away, and shouldn't be used near any food crops because of their high chemical content. You can probably find several varieties at your local department store. Many of these will fend off other animals from your garden as well. Please, if you are using chemical repellants, make sure young children won't be exposed to them or possibly eat them. All chemical products can be lethal for young children. Try to find natural repellants in your hardware store.
If you have a garden, it can be very frustrating if the neighborhood cats and other animals decide to make your garden their home and fight with your own cat. Remember it will take some time to train these intruders to stay away. But if you stick with it, you can prevent them from hassling your cat or messing in your garden or crops.
Kathy Robinson has been writing articles on cat problems and the care of cats on her website [http://www.CatProblemsResolved.com] for a number of years. Why not download your free copy of The Joy of Owning and Caring for a Cat when you sign up for her free Cat Care Newsletter at [http://www.catproblemsresolved.com/660]
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Keep-Cats-Out-of-Your-Garden&id=4240152] How to Keep Cats Out of Your Garden
By [https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kathy_Robinson/107293]Kathy Robinson
If you are having a problem with stray cats in your garden, there are a few tricks you can use to keep them out. First off, try to make sure there are no gaps in your fence where a cat can squeeze through. However, as cats can jump or climb fences or trees next to a fence, just plugging the gaps won't necessarily stop them. You could also invest in string or taut wire across the top. Someone in Australia has developed a roller bar to place on top of fences. As the cat jumps onto it, it rolls and the cat loses its balance. Doing this a few times will discourage all but the most determined cat from trying again.
It is a well-known fact that cats don't like water. There are a few ways you can put this to good use. You could try using a water pistol or spray bottle if you are close by, or you could try turning the hose on them. Most local hardware stores sell motion activated sprinklers. This is a little more expensive, but it doesn't require you to actually be in your yard with the cats. These sprinklers will detect the cat's movement and automatically turn on. It shouldn't take long before the strays get the message. An added advantage of using motion activated sprinklers is that your garden is automatically watered for you. However, this could end up costing you in excess water bills and use up a precious resource.
There are also many devices available that send out high frequency sounds undetectable by human ears. These are designed to deter animals (cats, dogs, mice, rats etc) from coming within range. It's a bit like you hearing a screeching noise. You'd want to move away from that I'm sure. Just make sure that whatever type you buy is strong enough to cover your garden area. Again, you can find models that only work when they detect motion so you are not always sending out that high pitched noise.
Many people choose to keep a dogs as a deterrent, simply because cats are known to to be frightened of dogs. This is fine if you want to have a dog as a pet but possibly overkill if you are only trying to keep the neighborhood cats out!
Protecting your plants is a different story though there are some tricks that you can use.
Try sprinkling mothballs around your plants or borders. You can even sprinkle some along the fence or on your lawn. Cats don't like that smell. Just make sure than no young children could pick them up and eat them. There are many other repellents that you can use as well such as cayenne pepper, tabasco sauce, lavender oil, citronella oil, mustard oil, and even lemon grass oil. Why not try sprinkling some curry or mustard powder around the plants. Of course you need to replace this after watering or rain. Experiment and see what works best for you.
You can also use commercial repellents as well though these will be more expensive than what you can find in your pantry. Commercial repellents also use scents to keep cats away, and shouldn't be used near any food crops because of their high chemical content. You can probably find several varieties at your local department store. Many of these will fend off other animals from your garden as well. Please, if you are using chemical repellants, make sure young children won't be exposed to them or possibly eat them. All chemical products can be lethal for young children. Try to find natural repellants in your hardware store.
If you have a garden, it can be very frustrating if the neighborhood cats and other animals decide to make your garden their home and fight with your own cat. Remember it will take some time to train these intruders to stay away. But if you stick with it, you can prevent them from hassling your cat or messing in your garden or crops.
Kathy Robinson has been writing articles on cat problems and the care of cats on her website [http://www.CatProblemsResolved.com] for a number of years. Why not download your free copy of The Joy of Owning and Caring for a Cat when you sign up for her free Cat Care Newsletter at [http://www.catproblemsresolved.com/660]
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Keep-Cats-Out-of-Your-Garden&id=4240152] How to Keep Cats Out of Your Garden
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Poppy Seeds - How To Grow Poppies From Seed
Poppy Seeds - How To Grow Poppies From Seed
By [https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Julie_Calhoun/760066]Julie Calhoun
How to Grow Poppies
Poppies are one of the most colorful flowers to grow in the garden. Knowing how to grow poppy seeds will make sure that they survive in your garden for many years.
Most poppies are grown from seed. Poppies also self seed so that each year you will have more and more to enjoy.
Growing Poppies from Seed
Start your poppy seeds by spreading the seed outside in fall or very early in spring. Scatter them sparingly or you will need to thin them later. The seed needs light to germinate, so be sure not to bury the seed. The seed also likes a cold spell, so sow in late Fall before the cold weather arrives, or you can sow the seed in very early spring.
In early spring, the cold weather will give way to warm spring sunshine and the seeds will receive sufficient moisture to germinate. In warmer areas where winters are mild, it is better to sow the seed in fall or in your coolest months. The seed will stay dormant until the weather starts to warm up. From germination to bloom is just a few weeks and the late spring show will be spectacular.
Grow the poppies in full sun and in well drained soil or the plants will become waterlogged and keel over. Make sure that you amend the area well with compost to give lots of nutrients to the plants as well as help with poor drainage. Use a slug and snail bait as those critters have a tendency to gobble up the tiny shoots as they emerge.
The middle of a perennial border is an ideal place for poppies as they will be taller than many edging plants, and with the oriental varieties dying down after bloom time, the vacant space they leave in the garden will not be noticed. If planted at the middle of the garden you could fill the gaps with other summer perennials such as phlox or salvias. If planted in the front of a garden bed you could fill the gaps with summer annuals.
After the poppies flower they produce an equally attractive flower head that contains heavy black, brown, grey, blue or white seeds. These will drop around the mother plant to give you more poppies for next year.
Alternatively you can harvest the seed head for fall crafts because they dry beautifully and hold their shape. Of course some of the seeds such as the annual breadseed poppy 'Papaver somniferum seeds' are edible and can be used in cakes, breads and other recipes.
Types of Poppy Seeds - Varieties
There are several basic types of poppy seeds and they are all grown the same way.
Oriental Poppy Seeds - The most common poppy and comes in reds, oranges, purples and whites. Perennial.
Peony Poppies - Spectacular fully double flower in reds, oranges, purples and white. Annual.
Meconopsis Poppies - Sometimes called the blue poppies but come in reds, yellows, purples and white also. Perennial.
Taffeta Poppies - Pastel colors and a feathery flower head that is very attractive. Annual.
Papaver Somniferum seeds - The bread seed poppy and a stunningly beautiful flower in a wide range of colors and shapes. Annual.
California Poppies - These are a totally different botanical family to the other poppies and are characterized by the name Eschscholzia. Shorter than the species poppies and self sow to cover an area in just a few years.
Whether you are planting a new garden space, or adding to an existing garden, grow poppies in your garden for early Spring colorful blooms. Poppies are carefree plants that will continue to grace your garden year after year. Soon you will wonder how you ever got along without those Poppy Seeds.
So now that you know more about adding [http://www.onestoppoppyshoppe.com/servlet/the-View-All-Poppy-Seeds/Categories]Poppy Seeds to...
...your home flower garden, stop by and visit the experts at One Stop Poppy Shoppe. [http://www.onestoppoppyshoppe.com]http://www.onestoppoppyshoppe.com. We carry a full line of both the Annual Poppy Seeds and the Perennial Poppy Seeds and are eager to show you our catalog and share our knowledge about poppies.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Poppy-Seeds---How-To-Grow-Poppies-From-Seed&id=5394962] Poppy Seeds - How To Grow Poppies From Seed
By [https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Julie_Calhoun/760066]Julie Calhoun
How to Grow Poppies
Poppies are one of the most colorful flowers to grow in the garden. Knowing how to grow poppy seeds will make sure that they survive in your garden for many years.
Most poppies are grown from seed. Poppies also self seed so that each year you will have more and more to enjoy.
Growing Poppies from Seed
Start your poppy seeds by spreading the seed outside in fall or very early in spring. Scatter them sparingly or you will need to thin them later. The seed needs light to germinate, so be sure not to bury the seed. The seed also likes a cold spell, so sow in late Fall before the cold weather arrives, or you can sow the seed in very early spring.
In early spring, the cold weather will give way to warm spring sunshine and the seeds will receive sufficient moisture to germinate. In warmer areas where winters are mild, it is better to sow the seed in fall or in your coolest months. The seed will stay dormant until the weather starts to warm up. From germination to bloom is just a few weeks and the late spring show will be spectacular.
Grow the poppies in full sun and in well drained soil or the plants will become waterlogged and keel over. Make sure that you amend the area well with compost to give lots of nutrients to the plants as well as help with poor drainage. Use a slug and snail bait as those critters have a tendency to gobble up the tiny shoots as they emerge.
The middle of a perennial border is an ideal place for poppies as they will be taller than many edging plants, and with the oriental varieties dying down after bloom time, the vacant space they leave in the garden will not be noticed. If planted at the middle of the garden you could fill the gaps with other summer perennials such as phlox or salvias. If planted in the front of a garden bed you could fill the gaps with summer annuals.
After the poppies flower they produce an equally attractive flower head that contains heavy black, brown, grey, blue or white seeds. These will drop around the mother plant to give you more poppies for next year.
Alternatively you can harvest the seed head for fall crafts because they dry beautifully and hold their shape. Of course some of the seeds such as the annual breadseed poppy 'Papaver somniferum seeds' are edible and can be used in cakes, breads and other recipes.
Types of Poppy Seeds - Varieties
There are several basic types of poppy seeds and they are all grown the same way.
Oriental Poppy Seeds - The most common poppy and comes in reds, oranges, purples and whites. Perennial.
Peony Poppies - Spectacular fully double flower in reds, oranges, purples and white. Annual.
Meconopsis Poppies - Sometimes called the blue poppies but come in reds, yellows, purples and white also. Perennial.
Taffeta Poppies - Pastel colors and a feathery flower head that is very attractive. Annual.
Papaver Somniferum seeds - The bread seed poppy and a stunningly beautiful flower in a wide range of colors and shapes. Annual.
California Poppies - These are a totally different botanical family to the other poppies and are characterized by the name Eschscholzia. Shorter than the species poppies and self sow to cover an area in just a few years.
Whether you are planting a new garden space, or adding to an existing garden, grow poppies in your garden for early Spring colorful blooms. Poppies are carefree plants that will continue to grace your garden year after year. Soon you will wonder how you ever got along without those Poppy Seeds.
So now that you know more about adding [http://www.onestoppoppyshoppe.com/servlet/the-View-All-Poppy-Seeds/Categories]Poppy Seeds to...
...your home flower garden, stop by and visit the experts at One Stop Poppy Shoppe. [http://www.onestoppoppyshoppe.com]http://www.onestoppoppyshoppe.com. We carry a full line of both the Annual Poppy Seeds and the Perennial Poppy Seeds and are eager to show you our catalog and share our knowledge about poppies.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Poppy-Seeds---How-To-Grow-Poppies-From-Seed&id=5394962] Poppy Seeds - How To Grow Poppies From Seed
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
How To Find Orchid Plants For Sale
How To Find Orchid Plants For Sale
By [https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jason_Hobbs/48773]Jason Hobbs
The orchid plants for sale needs to purchased by an individual as soon as possible, as it will be fresh and fine deal with flowers that will survive for several weeks. The orchids up for sale needs to be thoroughly evaluated by the buyer, as the plant may appear vigorous and fine at the time of purchasing it, but if circumstances are not proper afterwards, then the buds are likely to shrink with yellow coloration. An individual needs to avert such species up for sale. The flora of the orchid plants for sale needs to be hygienic with profound green shades and not droopy and desiccated. Further, the leaves of the plants that are up for sale, needs to be individually examined for the presence of any pests or insects infection concealed in it. The spikes of the blooms need to be ensured for their accurate pledge and the closeness of certain buds. An individual is also advised to check the mucks layer for ensuring the presence of any expired roots, depicting the weakness of the roots of those plants.
Other Helpful Tips:
An individual is firmly suggested to inquire the sales representative for certain nurturing techniques of the orchid plants for sale. A small booklet based on the caring methods for the plants may also greatly assist an individual to successively nurture them The presence of a professional related to the sorting of the plants can offer several additional guidelines and details regarding the light supply, water feeding, and fertilization process and that really will make a big difference in the proper selection for the orchid plants for sale. The dealers of the mail array on the internet platform and certain organizations may assist with hoard of consultants from several successful past orchid nurturer. The individual also needs to be acknowledged with the conveyance of the plants are up for sale in a store or nursery. Previously, the owner of a nursery would himself nurture them with the proper conduction of the entire phases of the growth and selling it straightly to the customers. But now-a-days, the orchid plants for sale in certain nurseries or stores are managed and handled quite differently.
Accomplishment:
The process of huge circulation known as Mericloning has escorted the specifications of incomparable digit of plants up for sale in the nurseries and stores. The finest types are randomly selected during the eradication of the key stem inclinations or core of the nurturing cells from the plants in laboratories annually. The immature orchid plants for sale are vended to the nurturer, who is bound to convey them a close blooming size.
If you would like to learn more about Growing Orchid [http://www.growingorchidhelp.com] and receive a FREE Newsletter on the subject visit the authors site [http://www.growingorchidhelp.com]
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Find-Orchid-Plants-For-Sale&id=798402] How To Find Orchid Plants For Sale
By [https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jason_Hobbs/48773]Jason Hobbs
The orchid plants for sale needs to purchased by an individual as soon as possible, as it will be fresh and fine deal with flowers that will survive for several weeks. The orchids up for sale needs to be thoroughly evaluated by the buyer, as the plant may appear vigorous and fine at the time of purchasing it, but if circumstances are not proper afterwards, then the buds are likely to shrink with yellow coloration. An individual needs to avert such species up for sale. The flora of the orchid plants for sale needs to be hygienic with profound green shades and not droopy and desiccated. Further, the leaves of the plants that are up for sale, needs to be individually examined for the presence of any pests or insects infection concealed in it. The spikes of the blooms need to be ensured for their accurate pledge and the closeness of certain buds. An individual is also advised to check the mucks layer for ensuring the presence of any expired roots, depicting the weakness of the roots of those plants.
Other Helpful Tips:
An individual is firmly suggested to inquire the sales representative for certain nurturing techniques of the orchid plants for sale. A small booklet based on the caring methods for the plants may also greatly assist an individual to successively nurture them The presence of a professional related to the sorting of the plants can offer several additional guidelines and details regarding the light supply, water feeding, and fertilization process and that really will make a big difference in the proper selection for the orchid plants for sale. The dealers of the mail array on the internet platform and certain organizations may assist with hoard of consultants from several successful past orchid nurturer. The individual also needs to be acknowledged with the conveyance of the plants are up for sale in a store or nursery. Previously, the owner of a nursery would himself nurture them with the proper conduction of the entire phases of the growth and selling it straightly to the customers. But now-a-days, the orchid plants for sale in certain nurseries or stores are managed and handled quite differently.
Accomplishment:
The process of huge circulation known as Mericloning has escorted the specifications of incomparable digit of plants up for sale in the nurseries and stores. The finest types are randomly selected during the eradication of the key stem inclinations or core of the nurturing cells from the plants in laboratories annually. The immature orchid plants for sale are vended to the nurturer, who is bound to convey them a close blooming size.
If you would like to learn more about Growing Orchid [http://www.growingorchidhelp.com] and receive a FREE Newsletter on the subject visit the authors site [http://www.growingorchidhelp.com]
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Find-Orchid-Plants-For-Sale&id=798402] How To Find Orchid Plants For Sale
Friday, November 1, 2019
Trimming Aquatic Plants
Trimming Aquatic Plants
By [https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jon_T_Cole/1479049]Jon T Cole
One of the appeals of aquatic plants is that they become more attractive as they grow. This is a characteristic that is only true for living plants and not for artificial ones. On the other hand, the very characteristic of growing can be problematic for enjoying an aquatic plant layout.
First of all, overgrown aquatic plants can destroy the balance of a layout, especially because stem plants and the undergrowth can fill up the open space and spoil a layout. Secondly, since aquatic plants grow at different speeds depending on their type, slow-growing plants can lose out to fast growing plants. Several types of aquatitic plants are often combined to produce an aquatic plant layout. Therefore, certain techniques are required for growing all of the plants attractively.
The Effect of Light
The light intensity changes in an aquarium depending on the water depth. Stem plants, which are heliophytic (light loving), tend to grow vertically to capture more light in a deep, dimly lit environment. In a bright environment near the water surface, they tend to spread more horizontally. If the fast growing stem plants are left unchecked, they can cover up slower-growing stem plants, causing them to deteriorate.
Since sciophytic (low-light) plants that are slow growing to start with can withstand the shade well, they are practically unaffected in such a condition. If anything, their leaves may grow larger.
Heliophytic plants will eventually die if they are kept in such a dimly lit condition. Thereiore, as a general rule, slower-growing stem plants are kept relatively longer and faster-growing stem plants are cut shorter during initial planting.
Trimming Different Plants
In this article, Alternanthera reineckii was left long since it is slow growing, while fast-growing Myriophyllum mattogrossense was cut short at the initial planting time. By changing the length of plants at the initial planting time like this, slow-growing aquatic plants can be grown just as well as fast-growing aquatic plants in the same layout.
Likewise, during trimming, fast-growing aquatic plants should be cut short at an earlier time while slow-growing aquatic plants should be cut to a somewhat longer length after waiting until they grow sufficiently tall. Although it would be easier to cut all the bushes of aquatic plants to a uniform length, extra care is required if there is a difference in the growing speed in the mix of aquatic plants, since slow-growing plants will be covered up by fast-growing plants and decline in the end.
Trimming aquatic plants in groups and staggering the timing for trimming, taking their growing speed into consideration instead of trimming all plants at once, is an important technique that enables you to enjoy an attractive layout for a longer period. In a layout, it is important to not only make an adjustment for the growth of stem plants depending on their type, but also to control the growth of the foreground and background plants so their peak periods match and viewing is optimal.
Many of the plants that are used as undergrowth in a foreground, such as Glossostigma and Riccia, grow fast and require frequent trimming. It is difficult to match the timing for trimming the foreground and the background with stem plants, and, therefore, doing so requires careful planning.
The recovery time after trimming Glossostigma and Riccia varies depending on how much they are trimmed. While they grow back very quickly if trimmed lightly on the surface, it takes some time for them to grow back to a uniform, attractive condition if they are trimmed close to the surface of the substrate.
Taking advantage of this characteristic, I vary the trimming procedure depending on the situation. For example, if the background is close to looking uniformly attractive, I trim the foreground lightly to match their peak viewing periods. On the other hand, if it is going to take some time for stem plants to grow back after rejuvenating them by replanting their tops, I trim the foreground short as well.
In addition, I plant relatively slow-growing sciophytic plants in the midground so a layout still looks attractive enough right after the drastic trimming of foreground and background.
Although a layout is not going to be as attractive as before right after the plants have been trimmed drastically, leaving untrimmed aquatic plants in the midground keeps it attractive enough for viewing.
The aquatic plant layouts in the ADA Nature Aquarium Gallery and those installed in other public facilities in particular must be created with the understanding that they will be viewed by the general public. Since sciophytic plants such as ferns, Cryptocoryne, and Anubias grow slowly compared to stem plants and other heliophytic plants, they don't require a lot of trimming.
Even when they are grown for a long period of time, they are maintained by cutting off overgrown leaves one by one as a general rule. It is practical to plant epiphytic plants such as ferns and Anubias in the midground, since composition materials such as rocks and driftwood are placed there. The slow growing speed of sciophytic plants is an advantage from the standpoint of the ease of maintenance. To find out more, you can check out [http://UltimateAquariumGuide.blogspot.com]Trimming Aquatic Plants.
Hi, I'm a traveler, fishes fanatic, reader and teacher. I hope to share [http://UltimateAquariumGuide.blogspot.com]my fishes experiences with you through my articles. If you like my articles, do share with your friends. I thank you for that first.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Trimming-Aquatic-Plants&id=7461291] Trimming Aquatic Plants
By [https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jon_T_Cole/1479049]Jon T Cole
One of the appeals of aquatic plants is that they become more attractive as they grow. This is a characteristic that is only true for living plants and not for artificial ones. On the other hand, the very characteristic of growing can be problematic for enjoying an aquatic plant layout.
First of all, overgrown aquatic plants can destroy the balance of a layout, especially because stem plants and the undergrowth can fill up the open space and spoil a layout. Secondly, since aquatic plants grow at different speeds depending on their type, slow-growing plants can lose out to fast growing plants. Several types of aquatitic plants are often combined to produce an aquatic plant layout. Therefore, certain techniques are required for growing all of the plants attractively.
The Effect of Light
The light intensity changes in an aquarium depending on the water depth. Stem plants, which are heliophytic (light loving), tend to grow vertically to capture more light in a deep, dimly lit environment. In a bright environment near the water surface, they tend to spread more horizontally. If the fast growing stem plants are left unchecked, they can cover up slower-growing stem plants, causing them to deteriorate.
Since sciophytic (low-light) plants that are slow growing to start with can withstand the shade well, they are practically unaffected in such a condition. If anything, their leaves may grow larger.
Heliophytic plants will eventually die if they are kept in such a dimly lit condition. Thereiore, as a general rule, slower-growing stem plants are kept relatively longer and faster-growing stem plants are cut shorter during initial planting.
Trimming Different Plants
In this article, Alternanthera reineckii was left long since it is slow growing, while fast-growing Myriophyllum mattogrossense was cut short at the initial planting time. By changing the length of plants at the initial planting time like this, slow-growing aquatic plants can be grown just as well as fast-growing aquatic plants in the same layout.
Likewise, during trimming, fast-growing aquatic plants should be cut short at an earlier time while slow-growing aquatic plants should be cut to a somewhat longer length after waiting until they grow sufficiently tall. Although it would be easier to cut all the bushes of aquatic plants to a uniform length, extra care is required if there is a difference in the growing speed in the mix of aquatic plants, since slow-growing plants will be covered up by fast-growing plants and decline in the end.
Trimming aquatic plants in groups and staggering the timing for trimming, taking their growing speed into consideration instead of trimming all plants at once, is an important technique that enables you to enjoy an attractive layout for a longer period. In a layout, it is important to not only make an adjustment for the growth of stem plants depending on their type, but also to control the growth of the foreground and background plants so their peak periods match and viewing is optimal.
Many of the plants that are used as undergrowth in a foreground, such as Glossostigma and Riccia, grow fast and require frequent trimming. It is difficult to match the timing for trimming the foreground and the background with stem plants, and, therefore, doing so requires careful planning.
The recovery time after trimming Glossostigma and Riccia varies depending on how much they are trimmed. While they grow back very quickly if trimmed lightly on the surface, it takes some time for them to grow back to a uniform, attractive condition if they are trimmed close to the surface of the substrate.
Taking advantage of this characteristic, I vary the trimming procedure depending on the situation. For example, if the background is close to looking uniformly attractive, I trim the foreground lightly to match their peak viewing periods. On the other hand, if it is going to take some time for stem plants to grow back after rejuvenating them by replanting their tops, I trim the foreground short as well.
In addition, I plant relatively slow-growing sciophytic plants in the midground so a layout still looks attractive enough right after the drastic trimming of foreground and background.
Although a layout is not going to be as attractive as before right after the plants have been trimmed drastically, leaving untrimmed aquatic plants in the midground keeps it attractive enough for viewing.
The aquatic plant layouts in the ADA Nature Aquarium Gallery and those installed in other public facilities in particular must be created with the understanding that they will be viewed by the general public. Since sciophytic plants such as ferns, Cryptocoryne, and Anubias grow slowly compared to stem plants and other heliophytic plants, they don't require a lot of trimming.
Even when they are grown for a long period of time, they are maintained by cutting off overgrown leaves one by one as a general rule. It is practical to plant epiphytic plants such as ferns and Anubias in the midground, since composition materials such as rocks and driftwood are placed there. The slow growing speed of sciophytic plants is an advantage from the standpoint of the ease of maintenance. To find out more, you can check out [http://UltimateAquariumGuide.blogspot.com]Trimming Aquatic Plants.
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Monday, September 30, 2019
Garden Interview
Here is an interview with my friend Briley who is a plant fiend
and is majoring in Agriculture Business.
What is your experience with plants?
I have taken care of gardens at my grandpas. Plants included
strawberries, rhubarb, and peppers. I worked at the Green View Nursery back at
home over the summer which has variety of plants.
What are some easy beginner plants?
Geraniums, marigold, petunias is what I recommend for beginners.
These are easy potted plants to use as home décor. Also, roses bushes are great
because they are hardy plants.
Where do you get your plants?
Local nurseries because you can have a more personal interaction
and it’s more informative. Also, it helps give back to local businesses. And if
you want organic seeds I would look online because it’s the easiest.
How often should you water the plant?
If it’s a hot season, water every single day. If it’s
raining be careful to not over water the plants since that could kill them too.
Overall, if the soil is dry water the plant.
What are some tips that could help take care of your plants?
Promix soil mixed with the original soil is a good start. If
you notice the plant still isn’t doing well, then you can use a synthetic or organic
fertilizer, but only in a small amount.
Benefits of having a garden?
At home gardening is very therapeutic to the mind, body, and
sole. If it’s a vegetable garden then you can produce your own produce. It
helps give back to the environment and it helps make your back yard look
pretty.
Hopefully this interview gave you a better understanding
about gardening.
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Watering Plants
One of the big problems people face when taking care of
their plants is how much they should be watering them. I found a blog post by
Darryl, a plant lover who posts tips and tricks about how to take care of your
house plants. Here is link to the exact
post that I am reading from.
Even though I don’t know too much about house plants because
I worked with mostly shrubs, the tips he provided carry over to shrubs too. There
are five main things that he talks about that you have to take into consideration
when watering your plants. They are light, temperature, humidity, soil and
container, and the plant itself.
He states that plants use light for photosynthesis and water
is also used in photosynthesis too. The more sun/light a plant gets the more
water they are going to need. I noticed this a lot with the shrubs that I worked
with. Plants that were in direct sunlight all day needed way more water than
those that got shade for some of the day.
The next determent to how much to water your plant is going
to need is the temperature. I’m going to tie temperature and humidity together.
The hotter it is the faster the soil will dry up. And the dryer it is the
faster the soil will dry up too. Working with plants outside during the month
of July was brutal because temperatures got up to 95 degrees and dried out the
soil so fast.
Soil and the container also play a big role in how much you
should water your plants. There is a lot of different types of soil and each
has different properties. Some soil will absorb the water and hold it for a certain
amount of time but there is some soil that water goes right through it. Same can
be said about the containers too. Plastic containers hold moisture more than
clay pots. What I noticed too is the color of the pot can absorb more sunlight.
Black pots are the worst for outside because they absorb the sun and heat light
no other.
Lastly, it all comes down to the plant too. If you are
working with cactuses, then you won’t have to water them as much. Canna on the
other hand need a lot of water. Knowing how much you should water your plant
comes down to how much light it gets, temperature, humidity, soil and container,
and what type of plant it is. Hopefully these tips from Darryl and I are helpful.
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