Posts

How to Overwinter a Mesquite Tree Mesquite tree hardiness varies from species to species, but they are mostly hardy from zones 6 through 9. This means that they can tolerate well below freezing temperatures in the winter. If mesquite can survive outdoors in your climate, then you should grow it in the landscape. If you live in zone 5 or below, you will have something of a hard time. Since they have such a long taproot and large root system, mesquite trees are extremely difficult to grow in containers....

Fertilizers for Palms Palm trees are a famous icon for many tropical locations. However, nutrients are quickly leached out of sandy soils, especially in regions with heavy seasonal rains. In regions like this, palm trees can become seriously deficient in certain nutrients. Nutrient deficiencies can cause numerous problems, affecting the overall health and appeal of palm trees. Like all plants, palm trees require a combination of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients for optimal growth....

Thomas Laxton Pea Plant Info Thomas Laxton is a shelling pea, also known as an English pea. As compared to sugar snap peas, with these varieties you do not eat the pod. You shell them, dispose of the pod, and eat only the peas. Some English varieties are starchy and are best for canning. But Thomas Laxton produces sweet-tasting peas that you can eat fresh and raw or use immediately for cooking....

Pear Trees and Cold Exposure Chilling hours tell you how long cold temperatures last on average. This is much different from the USDA hardiness zone, which indicates the average annual minimum winter temperature of a region. Why are chilling hours important? Without enough chill hours for pear trees, plants won’t break dormancy, resulting in no flowers, few flowers, or incomplete flowers. All this means a no to low fruit harvest. Your hardiness zone will simply tell you the average temperature in winter....

Gardeners often think of peppers as annual plants which need to be started from seeds each spring. In truth, peppers are perennials that form woody bush-like plants in frost-free climates where they can survive the winter. There is a way to regrow that wonderful mislabeled pepper for next year. All you need is a pepper plant cutting. Propagation is easy! How to Clone a Pepper Plant Select a stem that is approximately 3 to 5 inches (7....

Why are My Pepper Plants Wilting? Sometimes, peppers wilt because they’re baking in the hot, hot sun, but if you’re watering your plants adequately or even amply, the cause is likely fungal wilt. Pepper wilt on plants is caused by either fusarium or verticillium wilt, but the two cause such similar symptoms that distinguishing between them often requires a laboratory evaluation. While you’re wondering what causes wilting peppers, take a careful look at the environment....

Popular Crabapple Varieties There are both fruiting crabapple trees and non-fruiting crabapples. While most flowering crabapples develop fruit, there are a few varieties that are virtually fruitless. Below are some common types of crabapples to choose from: Fruiting Crabapples Golden Hornet – This is an upright variety that produces white to pale pink blooms followed by greenish-yellow fruit. The foliage turns from medium green to yellow in fall. Snowdrift – This rounded form produces pink buds that bloom white....

About Pilea Houseplants Pilea houseplants are a member of the family Urticaceae and are found in tropical regions of the world, predominantly in Southeast Asia. Most varieties of Pilea have striking variegated foliage of raised silver on deep green leaves. Since growing aluminum plants thrive in a tropical climate, they are generally cultivated as houseplants in North America, although there are a couple of USDA zones where the Pilea houseplants may be utilized in an outdoor landscape....

Flower Garden Bulbs Flower garden bulbs are available in so many types that it’s not hard to find one that fits your region and gardening style, which is especially important when growing them in the south. The health, vigor, and flowering of bulbs depend greatly on where, when, and how you plant them. Both winter garden bulbs and spring bulbs require a dormant period in cool temperatures to stimulate their growth and development....

Cereal Rye Information Many gardeners work hard to produce vegetables and fruits in the backyard, but never think of planting grains. Don’t be fooled by the rumors that grains are hard to grow. In fact, grains like rye, wheat, and oats are much easier to grow than most veggies. Rye, for example, is one of the easiest crops you might choose to grow. It grows well even in very poor soils, requiring little work....

A vertical garden in an apartment may be the just the thing for plant lovers who are short on space. Vertical gardening indoors isn’t difficult, and hundreds of plants are suitable for growing vertically indoors. Take time to plan carefully and make the best use of available space. Vertical Gardening Inside Indoor vertical gardens must be attached to sturdy supports. Pots filled with plants and damp potting mix are heavy....

The Challenge of Finding Plants for Sunny Wet Sites The difficulty, of course, is not the sun. Most plants thrive in full sun or a little bit of shade. What’s challenging is finding plants that tolerate or even relish wet, soggy soil. Many plants will rot and decay if you put them in a location with soil that stays moist or even pools water. The kinds of plants that will grow in these wet conditions are those that do so naturally....

What is Phytotoxicity? Phytotoxicity in plants usually occurs in those that are overly sensitive to chemicals. It can also occur when tank mixed chemicals are applied in hot weather or when an adjuvant or solvent is added to the tank mixture. Stressed plants are also more prone to sensitivity than those that are well watered and healthy. Phytotoxicity can exist as a response to an external condition or as a defense to an external condition....

Poisonous Plants for Cats There are numerous plants that are poisonous to cats. Since there are so many plants toxic to cats, I’ve chosen to split them into groups of the most common poisonous plants having mild, moderate, or severe effects. Mildly Toxic Plants to Cats Although there are many types of plants that can be toxic to cats, most may actually be found in or around the home. Here are some of the most common plants poisonous to cats with mild symptoms:...

Pomegranate Tree Types Some types of pomegranate fruit trees bear fruit with a rind of yellowish pink all the way up through the color spectrum to a deep burgundy. Varieties of pomegranate come in not only different exterior hues, but they may have soft to hard arils. Depending upon what you plan to use them for, this may be a consideration when choosing a plant. For example, if you plan to juice the fruit, hard or soft doesn’t matter, but if you want to eat it fresh, softer is the more likely choice....

A number of resources (and people) note several benefits of using plants that attract good energy. People who spend time around plants are less likely to be stressed or depressed. They have a positive outlook on life, and they tend to be happier and more productive. Read on and learn how to generate positive plant vibes in your own home. What are the Best Plants for Positive Energy? Peace lily: This low-maintenance plant is said to purify the air, improve flow of energy, and promote a feeling of peace and tranquility....

What is Potato Wilt? Verticillium wilt, also known as potato wilt, is a fungal disease that can be caused by either Verticillium dahliae or Verticillium alboratrum. Both of these fungi can survive in the soil, in infected plant parts, and seed pieces for a long time. In fact, Verticillium dahliae has been found to remain in soil for up to seven years. Wilt can result in a reduction in tuber size and stem-end discoloration....

Information About Potted Cattails Cattails will spread rapidly in the correct situation, which is why you see them spread out in a sea of leaves and cone-like catkins. Growing cattails in pots will prevent them from invading other areas of the pond or garden. Potted cattails keep the rampant rhizomes from extending to unwanted areas. Since native varieties can get up to 6 feet (1.8 m.) in height, dwarf varieties are available which work better in container water gardens....

About Powdery Mildew on Oats The severity of powdery mildew outbreaks is dependent on climate, as the disease is favored by mild, humid weather. It often shows up when temperatures are between 59 and 72 F. (15-22 C.), but may disappear when the weather is dry and temperatures exceed 77 F. (25 C.). Powdery mildew spores can overwinter on stubble and voluntary oats, as well as on volunteer barley and wheat....

Prima Apple Information Prima is an apple variety that was developed by a collaborative program between Purdue University, Rutgers University, and the University of Illinois. The PRI in the name Prima comes from these three schools that worked together to develop and plant the first Prima apple trees in 1958. The name also represents the fact that this was the first variety to be made by the cooperative group. Some of the apples in Prima’s pedigree include Rome Beauty, Golden Delicious, and Red Rome....