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Trimming Schefflera Houseplants The tropical Schefflera plant, also known as umbrella plant or tree, can grow quite large outdoors in the right climate. Indoors, this popular houseplant can be trimmed and maintained at a manageable size. Pruning Schefflera plants is easy and nothing that should prevent you from enjoying this beautiful plant in your home. If you have ever seen a native Schefflera outdoors, you may be surprised to find how large they grow....

Can All Bees Sting? Did you know that only half of the species of bees in the world can sting? Those that can sting will generally leave you alone unless you get too close to their hives, or they get tangled in your clothing. An example of a bee that cannot sting is the male carpenter bee. Often mistaken for bumblebees, the real issue with this species is that they can damage wood....

Growing Ginger Plants that Flower Ornamental, or flowering, gingers are different from the edible variety. These are just for show, and they can certainly be beautiful, with a range of sizes, flower shapes, and colors. These are also tropical and sub-tropical plants that will not tolerate winters that are much colder than 50 degrees F. (10 C.). If you do have a south Florida garden, or one in a similar climate, you can grow these ginger plants that flower and enjoy the blooms without much effort....

Hops Plant Types How many hops varieties are there? That’s a tough question to answer, because there are so many. There are about 80 different hops plant types commercially available today, but that number is not hard and fast. Beer brewing is a complex business, and new varieties are constantly being bred and developed. Even 80 is an awfully high number if you’re looking to choose a single variety to grow....

Growing Juniper Bushes in Zone 7 Junipers are hardy plants that do well in drought conditions. They’ll grow in dry soil that ranges from sand to clay, and they can take a wide range of pH levels. Some are even especially well-suited to salt exposure. They are also, as a rule, hardy from zone 5 to zone 9. This puts zone 7 right in the middle of the range and zone 7 gardeners in a great position....

What are Organic Pesticides? Organic pesticides for plants are considered to be those made from natural ingredients. That doesn’t mean they are free from chemicals, just that the chemicals are derived from botanical and mineral sources. They must still be used carefully, but the chemicals break down more quickly than commercial sources and are deemed less threatening. Chemicals assault the body at almost every hour of the day. They may come in the air, the food we eat, the products we use on our bodies, and even in our drinking water....

Common Lychee Problems The most common issues with these trees include lychee pests and diseases. Here are the most likely ones to affect your plant: Lychee tree pests Mites (leaf curl mites, red spider mites, etc.): You can normally spray mites with Neem oil or insecticidal soap to eradicate them. Citrus aphid: Spray citrus and other aphids with Neem oil or insecticidal soap if they become a problem. A blast of water on the tree can help knock them off too....

There are several advantages to upside-down houseplant growing, not the least of which is what a space saver an inverted houseplant becomes. How to Grow Houseplants Upside Down Whether you live in a cramped studio apartment or a palatial manor, houseplants have their place. They are the most sustainable way to clean the air and beautify your surroundings. For the aforementioned apartment dweller, upside-down houseplant growing has another benefit – space-saving....

What are Chemical Fertilizers? Chemical, or conventional fertilizers, are synthetic (manmade) products that appear in many forms, such as granular or liquid. Although conventional fertilizers are still widely used, they do have their downsides. For instance, conventional fertilizers can be harmful to the environment and, if overused, can burn the plants. Nonetheless, millions of gardeners prefer using conventional fertilizers over other methods, as they are less expensive and fast acting....

Is hairy bittercress edible? What you may not realize as you’re hoeing or pulling weeds, is that although it may look like just another stubborn invader, hairy bittercress actually has a pungent, peppery flavor and many uses in the kitchen. The entire plant is edible, including the blooms. Let’s learn how to use hairy bittercress. Identifying Hairy Bittercress as Herbs Hairy bittercress isn’t difficult to spot. It grows in a basal rosette, which means the bright green leaves radiate from the base of the plant....

Using Vegetables as a Vitamin B Source Vitamin B is known to help store energy and utilize carbohydrates, produce red blood cells, aid in digestion, promote a healthy nervous system and more. These health benefits translate to less heart disease, lower risk of birth defect, clearer brain function, and healthy skin. B12 is the only compound that is found in animal products and must come from supplements in a vegetarian diet....

About Weedy Vines in a Hedge In almost every region there exists pesky, invasive weedy vines that strangle hedges. Not only do hedges covered with vines look unsightly, but the vines compete with the hedge for light, water, and nutrients, often with the hedge plants losing the battle. Some killing vines in hedges can pose a risk to the gardener. Greenbrier is an invasive, nasty creeper covered with stickers as is blackberry....

What are Garden Kneelers? If it is hard to get down on the ground to weed, harvest strawberries, or perform other gardening tasks, a garden kneeler might be the perfect solution. What is a garden kneeler for? It helps lower the body to the ground and provides a cushioned site for your knees. This makes any low task more comfortable and also keeps your pants out of the dirt. There are many types of garden kneelers to choose from, but the main purpose is the same....

Citrus Psorosis Symptoms Citrus psorosis symptoms, which affect primarily citrus trees at least eight to 10 years old, include patches of bark with small bubbles or pustules. The affected areas eventually turn into scaly patches that may callus or slough away in strips. Gummy lesions form on and under the bark. Young leaves may display mottling and yellow flecks, which often fade as the season progresses. The fruit of infected citrus trees is inedible and may, in severe cases, develop a mottled appearance and depressed, gray or yellowish rings....

About Crown Gall on Peaches What causes peach crown gall? Crown gall is a bacterial disease caused by the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Typically, the bacteria enter the tree through wounds in the bark, which can be caused by insects, pruning, improper handling, or other environmental factors. Once inside the peach tree, the bacteria transforms healthy cells into tumor cells, and galls begin to form. The galls appear as small, wart-like masses on the tree’s roots and crown, though they can also develop higher on up the trunk and branches....

What is a Bunya Tree? Forests of trees in the Araucariaceae family used to grow all over the planet during the days of the dinosaurs. They died out in the Northern Hemisphere, and the remaining species are found only in the Southern Hemisphere. Bunya pine information makes clear how extraordinary these trees are. Mature bunya pine trees grow to 150 feet (45 m.) tall with straight, thick trunks and distinctive, symmetrical, dome-shaped crowns....

Firebush Information Firebush, also known as Hamelia patens, is a native to the southern U.S. and is a large, woody shrub. It can grow as tall as 15 feet (5 m.), but firebush can also be kept smaller. It grows quickly, shooting up several feet (1 m.) in its first growing season. Hamelia is a favorite plant in many southern states, like Florida, because it is native and easy to grow, but especially because it produces gorgeous flowers from spring all the way through the fall....

What is a Garden Mentor? A garden mentor, or coach, is a basic term for someone that helps educate another gardener, young or old, on how to become better gardeners. They are there to point you in the right direction, show you how to get started, what to plant, and how to care for the garden. You may wonder how this differs from landscape designers, and if becoming a garden mentor is the same thing....

What is a Jungalow? The term “jungalow” was conceived by Justina Blakeney, an award-winning author, designer, artist, and mother. Her jungalow blog offers inspirational ideas and wares for creating that special home interior look. Jungalow design includes bright colors and bold botanical prints, layered textiles, worldly accent pieces as well as unique, thrifty finds and lots of plants. Lots and lots of plants! The key to creating the jungalow style is by incorporating aspects of your own personality and travels....

Leucadendron Information Leucadendron plants are relatives of Protea plants. While more commonly known as a conebush, the plant’s Greek name is actually something of a misnomer. “Leukos” means white and “dendron” means tree, but while white Leucadendrons can be found, the plants are most popular for their vividly vibrant colors. Each stalk of the plant is topped with a large inflorescence – the flower itself is relatively small, while the brightly colored “petals” are actually bracts or modified leaves....