Posted on: 07 March, 2005
Author: Ken Austin
Are you a rose lover? If so, or even if your not, Blue Roses are a variety anyone can appreciate. The Blue Rose is very rare, hard to find, and difficult to cultivate. Why is this? Are they available at all? To find out more information about Blue roses, keep reading. Blue Roses are rare because they are difficult to cultivate. What does this mean? Well, in simple terms, the rose does not have blue pigment in its DNA therefore, does not allow itself to become blue even with scientists trying to make it happen, there is no true blue...
Posted on: 06 March, 2005
Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Deer are the most difficult of all pests to deter from agarden. They love many different plants. Flowers,vegetables, trees and shrubs are all on their menu. The best way to keep deer out of a garden is by using afence that is at least 6 feet high. If it's a small gardenthat may be feasible but for large gardens or yards, thecost is prohibitive, or possibly not practical. So the only other choice is deterrents. Deer don't like the smell of raw eggs, fish products, kelp,or ammonia. Any spray made from these products can be used. Just mix the product...
Posted on: 05 March, 2005
Author: Ken Austin
Yellow roses are beauties, arent they? Dont they look beautiful on a sunny morning? Yellow roses say spring just their look and color. The yellow rose, while somewhat rare in its natural habitat, is becoming a popular item in the floral shop. Yellow roses might be what you are looking for, and if so, there are several ways to find the perfect yellow rose for your home or garden. Yellow roses are one of a number of different colored roses that are available in garden centers and even discount department stores. But, there are so many varieties to choose from...
Posted on: 05 March, 2005
Author: Ken Austin
Perhaps you were browsing the pages of a catalog and found a beautiful picture of the Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus Sriacus)? Or maybe you were lucky enough to see a Rose of Sharon in person at a local garden center? Are you wondering whether these will make a beautiful addition to your home? Getting a little knowledge of these beautiful plants will allow you to make a decision. Although once somewhat uncommon, the Rose of Sharon has become a widely loved plant. Not your typical rose bush, these are more like shrubs. Other names for Rose of Sharon include althea...
Posted on: 04 March, 2005
Author: Jane Lake
Butterfly gardening is not only a joy, it is one way that you can help restore declining butterfly populations. Simply adding a few new plants to your backyard may attract dozens of different butterflies, according to landscape designers at the University of Guelph. Butterflies, like honeybees, are excellent pollinators and will help increase your flower, fruit and vegetable production if you provide them with a variety of flowers and shrubs. They are also beautiful to watch, and are sometimes called "flowers on the wing." - Begin by seeding part of your yard with a wildflower or butterfly seed mix, available...
Posted on: 02 March, 2005
Author: Robert Roy
This month we are going to go into some detail about the care of cattleya orchids. These orchids are probably the easiest to care for and like all plants need water, light and fertilizer. Playing some nice music or talking to them doesn't hurt either. Most of the wild cattleyas grow in rain forests of South America, namely in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Mexico. They flourish in the Andes from altitudes near sea level to high altitudes of 9 - 10,000 feet. These orchids are truly epiphytes or air plants. So, they are used to being partly covered by the...
Posted on: 02 March, 2005
Author: Robert Roy
This month I am focusing our ... to the care of ... These are one of the most popular of retail orchid plants. They are a true epiphyte or air plant. There ... can gather and hol This month I am focusing our attention to the care of Dendrobiums. These are one of the most popular of retail orchid plants. They are a true epiphyte or air plant. There pseudopods can gather and hold water very efficiently. Generally there will be a hybrid phalaenopsis and dendrobium, commonly known as Dtps.PottingThis needs only to be done every two to three years...
Posted on: 01 March, 2005
Author: Marilyn Pokorney
The black walnut tree manufactures a substance that is anatural insecticide according to experts at the Texas StateUniversity in Austin. American black walnut tress contain a tannic acid chemistscall juglone. The reddish yellow substance leaches fromleaves, and some believe exudes from roots, or transfersfrom branches and foliage to the roots. Tree physiologistsagree that roots of other plants that come in contact withthose black walnut tree roots die--even other black walnutseedlings.Juglone is sometimes washed out of the still green walnutsduring late summer or even autumn rains. The growth ofplants 60 to 80 feet away are inhibited by the juglone. Thesubstance affects...
Posted on: 01 March, 2005
Author: Barbara Baker
Welcome to Northern Michigan, the home of the beautiful Grand Traverse Bay. We have an abundance of natural beauty in our area. Traverse City is known for its cherry and apple farming, locally produced vintage wines, clean white sandy beaches, and a culturally active community. The summer is the reason why I live here. The water is clean and pure, you can see sandy bottom as far as you can walk. To me the beach is my safe place in my heart and in my soul. When I need to escape the pressures of everyday life I go to the...
Posted on: 01 March, 2005
Author: Linda Paquette
The geranium that brightens your landscape with its brightly colored flowers may be one of two different species. If you successfully over-wintered your geranium, chances are it is an herbaceous perennial from the genus Geranium. However, most often the geraniums that delight us with their profuse blooms are from the genus Pelargonium. The geranium, which originated in South Africa, made its entrance to the European continent in the 1600s and has been propagated and hybridized ever since. Today the geranium is still among the most popular of the flowering plants. The geranium is a very adaptable flower that is suitable...