Monday, October 11, 2010

How to Grow Orchids - A Few Simple Tips for Beginners

Many of us want to be experts at growing orchids at home. By knowing how to grow orchids with a few simple tips, you can grow orchids like a professional. Orchids are gorgeous exotic flowers that are relatively simple to grow as long as you know how.

Stabilizing the Stem - The stems of an orchid can grow rather tall. If you have ever purchased an orchid, you have probably noticed that it was held up by a stick and clip. You can purchase clips and these sticks at any flower or hardware store. By using a clip you can stabilize the stem so that its natural weight does not make it collapse.

Keeping Temperature - Knowing how to grow orchids relies on essentials, such as temperature. You should always ensure that your orchid stays in an environment maintaining a temperature of 75 to 85 degrees during day light and 60 to 70 degrees during the night time. As long as you maintain consistent temperatures for your orchid, you will notice that it blossoms successfully.

Understanding Roots - Often you will find that your plant begins to sprout its roots out of its pot. Though it may be tempting to simply shove them back into place, this can actually harm your plant. Instead, move your orchid to a larger pot where the roots will have ample room to grow.

Use of Hanging Baskets - Orchids such as the Dendrobiums, will grow very tall and heavy. If you purchase a wooden orchid basket and hang them from the ceiling this can assist them in growing with that weight. Not to mention this is a gorgeous way to display your blossoming orchids.

How to Treat a Sick Orchid - Just like any other plant, orchids can get sick. If you notice that your plant is showing signs of sickness, quickly move it away from your healthy plants. Plant diseases move very quickly and isolating it is the only way to treat it effectively without contaminating the entire bunch.

Insecticides - When it comes to using any insecticide, it is best to go all-natural. There are numerous recipes online where you can create your own natural insecticide. Spray this homemade mixture onto your orchids using a spray bottle. This will rid your plant of any harmful insects that may try to poach its nutrients.

A few simple steps will help you understand how to grow orchids successfully just like the professionals. Always purchase books about the species of orchid you are growing to ensure you are giving it the proper watering, temperature, and light.


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Ladybugs for Sale and Other Things That Garden Centers Should Keep

There are many garden centers; some people have them as a hobby while some others take it as a good business. There are few things that every good garden center should have. In this article we will discuss all these things and the importance of their presence in your garden. Here is my list of all the essential things that garden centers should have:

Organic

The center should either be completely organic or if that does not sound possible to you then you should at least have an organic corner. This corner shall comprise of all the organic products.

Pots

You can have many different types of plants in your garden. The ones with the long roots or the large trees are always there but the potted plants should never be missed out. They make the garden center more attractive and beautiful.

Seeds

It is obvious and well understood to have seeds in your nursery otherwise it would be incomplete.

Compost and Mulch

Either you can have them made yourself or buy them from somewhere, keeping them in your nursery is important.

Orange Oil and liquid seaweed

These can be used to clean and kill the weeds.

Beneficial Insects

You can buy beneficial insects from the market as it is very important for your garden. You can easily purchase ladybugs for sale and nematodes at reasonable prices from online and onsite stores. However, be careful not to buy preying mantises as they will prey on the beneficial insects and almost everything.


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Sunday, October 10, 2010

A Guide To Planting And Growing A Grape Vine

Wine industry worldwide and growing grapes go hand in hand. If you do not grow grapes you will not have grape wines. Grapes wines are the finest in the world to taste. More than 70% of wines come from grapes. Some of the grapes are used for the fresh fruit grapes. I like to eat grapes just like that. A few of grapes grown go into dried grapes.

Wines are made from other fruits too. Primarily the best wines are from grapes. The reason is the character of grapes best fit the wine making process. Wine needs certain mix of properties like sugar for fermentation, strong flavorful grapes are preferred and of course wines are selected according to colors too. So flavor, sugar content and color are basic deciding factors of wines selections.

There are grapes like Vitis labrusca grapes very specifically grown in the American continent. Wine industry likes loose skins because they need to take the skin off before they process it for wines making. Grapes grown in Europe, the East and Asia are called Vitis vinifera grapes. This is now almost all over the world beginning to be cultivated, the downside is it grows well and very profitable but has a tight skin.

The nutritional value of any fruit is very important to people who consume it. So the grape has many good scores on this account. It has rich carbohydrates, fats and the fat is free of cholesterol. What more do you want?

Most of the vineyards around the world are large owned by multimillion corporations for their own wine industries. But we cannot ignore the fact that there million of very small farmers and hobbyists who cultivate vineyards in their backyards too.

You see unlike many other cultivation, grape growing is not a very difficult process or occupation. There are a few important factors that govern a successful vine yard. You follow those simple rules you will be a success.

Find a location first. A flat is not recommended a slope much better because vines do not like stagnation. They need to be drained well for the roots to spread and go deeper. The root system is the backbone of the industry. The stronger the ground root system is the fuller and grater your crops of grapes will be. Very hot temperature is not recommended. Cooler the region they like it.

There are other considerations like air and plenty sunshine. Air and sunshine do come from open spaces. Crowded yard is bad. See that there no tall building surrounding which will clock the light and air. You should Take care of the plant from diseases. A successful vineyard keeper will take daily care and inspection of the grapes and make sure they are doing well.


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Choosing the Best Pots for Orchids

Factors including the pots for orchids, the potting soil, the watering, fertilizing, and the growing area definitely have a huge impact on the growth of your orchids. If you are a first timer in this field, then you may find this to be a little confusing. However, you can use the most common pots that are easy to use for planting and growing orchids. These are the pots that are made from either plastic or clay or in basket form.

There are a variety of pots for orchids out there. Some of these are made of metal, wood, ceramic, hard plastic and coal. Some also have fabric coatings and are even made in transparent materials. Also, there are pots that are colorful, well-designed and full of decorations. But as an orchid planter, your goal is to provide your orchids with the best pots where they can thrive and grow. So be careful if you are considering buying a decorative pot for it may harm your orchid. Furthermore, if you're thinking about a wood-made pot be aware that worms and maggots may feed on your orchids.

But the best pots are those that are made of plastic or clay, particularly the terracotta clay. Plastic pots can be used at home and in greenhouses but they do not have a good water drainage system. On the other hand, terracotta clay pots are excellent for outdoor planting and growing areas, as these are heavy and stable.

Factors including the pots for orchids, the potting soil, the watering, fertilizing, and the growing area definitely have a huge impact on the growth of your orchids. If you are a first timer in this field, then you may find this to be a little confusing. However, you can use the most common pots that are easy to use for planting and growing orchids. These are the pots that are made from either plastic or clay or in basket form.

There are a variety of pots for orchids out there. Some of these are made of metal, wood, ceramic, hard plastic and coal. Some also have fabric coatings and are even made in transparent materials. Also, there are pots that are colorful, well-designed and full of decorations. But as an orchid planter, your goal is to provide your orchids with the best pots where they can thrive and grow. So be careful if you are considering buying a decorative pot for it may harm your orchid. Furthermore, if you're thinking about a wood-made pot be aware that worms and maggots may feed on your orchids.

But the best pots are those that are made of plastic or clay, particularly the terracotta clay. The plastic variety can be used at home and in greenhouses but they do not have a good water drainage system. On the other hand, terracotta clay pots are excellent for outdoor planting and growing areas, as these are heavy and stable.

There are also basket pots which enable air circulation around the roots, however, the potting soil dries up quickly. Remember: that in choosing the right pots for orchids, it is not just about the planting and growing of your orchid but it's also about propagating them. Since the three pots for orchids mentioned are the most common, we'll elaborate a little further.

Pots for orchids made of plastic are light in weight and may have several holes in it. These are more suitable indoors where it is less likely to be blown away by the wind. The one aspect of plastic pots is to slow down the drying of the potting soil. When it comes to features, the best plastic pots are thick, light in color, and do not heat up rapidly or maintain a high temperature. Nowadays, the popular plastic pots are the clear polythene pots, because they allow more light to pass to the roots of the orchid.

Terracotta pots, which are made of clay, are heavier and more stable than the plastic and basket pots. But unlike plastic pots, these pots have only one hole in the bottom, making it more likely that the plant may become waterlogged. But the moist, drought-tolerant epiphytic type of orchids is able to thrive and grow in this kind of pot.

Basket pots are made from plastic, mesh, wire, wood or pottery. These pots are suitable for orchids that blooms flowers or orchids with heavy and sprawling root system. The main advantage of these pots is that it allows air to circulate around the root system of the orchid. When orchids are placed in basket pots, water them frequently, as basket pots allow fast drying of water in the potting soil.

These are the three most common types. You can choose to use them or not. But whatever type you want, there is always a wide variety of pots that are available for your selection.


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Soil Considerations for Your Vineyard

Growing grapes offers excellent opportunities for the backyard gardener. The hobby requires a lot of time and effort but yields many rewards. In order to ensure the best and most productive plants, a primary consideration is soil.

Grapes can tolerate a wide range of soil including alkaline soils. However, they tend to grow best in well-drained loamy or sandy soils. Heavy clay soils hold water around the roots of the plant. This produces the same effect as over watering. Because grapes have deep root systems, they don't need to be watered as much as other, more shallow-rooted plants. When deciding where to plant the vines, put them where they can be heavily watered but water them infrequently.

Different soils have varying affects on the grapevine. The amount of water in the soil directly affects the water balance in the vine. This is important because water balance affects the heat retention properties of the soil. This is thought to be one of the single most important considerations in selecting soil for planting your vines.

Soils which are particularly sandy will allow water to pass through without enriching the vines. If the clay content is too high the plants will drown because the water will not drain. If the soil is too fertile you will get a high yield but the quality of the grapes will be lower. The best soil needs to be somewhere in-between.

If grapes are overwatered, they often become iron deficient. This condition results in pale, small, yellowed leaves with dark green veins. In the most severe cases, the edges of the leaves dry up and turn brown. The fruit yield is normally very poor in plants suffering from this condition.

Another consideration is the pH value of the soil. Grapes tend to thrive in soil that is slightly acidic. That means that the best soils will have a pH value between5.5 and 7. The pH value of the soil is important because when the pH levels are too low, below 5, the clay particles start to dissolve and aluminum ions are released. These ions prevent magnesium and calcium cations from binding to the soil. This will adversely affect the ability of the plant to produce.

Grapes also grow best in soils that are loose. The ground needs to be loose to a depth of about 3 feet in order to insure that the roots can take hold and nourish the plant.

Once you have selected your site, prepared your soil, and planted the rootstock, you need to devise a soil management plan. Mulching is by far the preferred soil management strategy for backyard growers. You should mulch a depth of 4-6 inches for most vineyards.

Grapes usually lose in any battle with weeds, grass, and other organic matter. You might need to do some basic cultivation work. Just make sure that you dig only deeply enough to remove the surrounding vegetation that is competing with the vines.

Grapes also require nitrogen fertilizer. For most backyard growers, 1 ounce of ammonium nitrate per vine should be applied once the growth begins in the early spring. Spread the fertilizer in a circle around the plant and 10-12 inches away from the trunk. The application should be repeated six weeks later. Just before the growth begins in the spring of the second year, apply 4 ounces in a 4 foot circle around each vine and again, make sure it is 1 foot from the trunk. Apply 4 ounces again in the third year. If the soil also requires phosphorous and potassium, you may find that a mixed fertilizer such as 10-10-10 will be sufficient.

Once established, if you care for your vines it is unlikely that you will need to do any additional fertilization. If you see that the average cane growth is 3 feet or less, you may need to think about adding additional nitrogen.

Following these guidelines should give you a good foundation and set you on your way to a successful vineyard. Enjoy!


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The Best Growing Conditions That You Will Need for Your New Rose Garden To Bloom

If you are aiming for a good looking and healthy rose garden, preparation is as important as cultivating the roses into their full bloom potential.

Before you purchase any rose bushes, some vitally important decisions must be made about where they are going to be planted. The quality of site selection will save the gardener much stress and heartache later on.

The rose bush will come with recommendations of the type of environment in your garden where it will thrive. Rose bushes usually have two main requirements to get the best quality of blooms from your roses: drainage and sun.

Watch your garden as it rains, or as you water it, to get an idea of which section drains the best. If the rose bush is planted in a waterlogged or soggy part of the garden, you will most likely get poor results. The worst that can happen is that you will kill the bush. This is one of the best ways to achieve natural drainage.

If there isn't such a good spot available, the next best is an area which remains fairly dry. This spot can be tested by digging a hole, 18 inches deep, and filling it with water. If the hole drains after 6 - 8 hours, then the natural drainage is sufficient for the roses needs. If it doesn't drain properly, you will need to consider the installation of a drainage system that will dispel water away from the roots of the bush.

On the other hand, too much drainage could also be a problem. For instance, if you have sandy soil, the water will drain too quickly to allow the roots sufficient time to absorb enough for their needs.

You will need to prepare the soil if the water drains under six hours during your drainage test. The addition of organic material such as peat moss and compost manure will improve the drainage to retain some of the water.

When you water a rose bush, you actually water the base of the plant only as a way of reducing the chance for disease by getting the leaves wet. Adding organic material such as peat moss and compost manure will help hold some of that water in place.

If your site has a major problem with drainage, then raised beds can be built to grow roses. However, care must be taken in the construction of the raised bed as some timber products can be toxic to roses.

Potential areas for the planting of rose bushes need to be checked for the quality of light that is available in both the morning and afternoon. Several species of rose bushes will tolerate full exposure to the sun, but unfortunately, they may fail if there is too much shade.

Generally, rose bushes need to be exposed to full sun for a minimum of 6 - 8 hours per day. The more sun your rose bushes is exposed to the more blooms it will yield.

The light from the morning sun is preferred for rose bushes as its leaves are given a good opportunity to dry off the morning dew. This will help prevent the formation of mildew and other diseases on the leaves and petals.

Roses need to be planted in such a way as to provide a good air circulation around the bushes. This means that they are not to be planted close together or in the vicinity of other plants or buildings. If they are crowded, clear air movement is restricted which increases the probability of a disease infection.

It is of high importance that bushes should not be planted in areas where large trees and shrubs will compete for naturally available organic food. At the same time, make sure that new bushes are not planted near neighbour's plants as your expensive feed may be diverted to his plants that may have larger and deeper roots!


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How to Make a Garden Beautiful

So many people ask themselves this question when they look out at their baron and desolate patch at the back of their home. It isn't just a case of planting a few flowers and mowing the lawn, it takes a lot more creativity and planning than that. If you look at some of the most exquisite gardens you will see that everything blends together so seamlessly. There is a kind of fluidity throughout the whole garden and the colors and choice of plants are perfectly suited next to each other.

To make a garden beautiful you need to consider so many elements. Starting with the lawn. Can it be made into something that is neat or does your current lawn need to be dug up and re laid? If it does need relaying then you want to check deeper than just the grass itself and look at the type of soil that is underneath, and then the ground underneath that. If the lawn is in fairly good condition, or it can be worked on and made into a decent lawn without any major surgery required then you should look at killing off any weeds off and getting the lawn into the best condition possible.

Also required if you want to make a garden beautiful is a choice of plants and colors that you want running through the garden. Work out what plants flower at particular times of the year and what colors will go best together. You should also consider how big the different types of plants will grow as you don't want one area of you garden to be overcrowded while another area has just a couple of smaller plants. To make a garden beautiful is to find the perfect mix of everything contained within it. Research the different types of plant that you think you would like and then narrow the list down until you have found the right mix and blend between them all. There are plenty of resources online that you can look at to determine what you feel is right for your garden.

Another element you need to consider if you want to make a garden look beautiful is any man made features such as a rockery or a waterfall, or a raised garden bed. Features such as these can really transform a garden and bring it to life. It can really enhance the whole area so it is well worth putting in the extra work to create one or two prominent features.

So to make a garden beautiful is possible for anyone with careful planning and research and a pre conceived plan. Don't forget the different elements that make a garden beautiful, then piece them all together until have a solid plan to work too.

Paul is a keen gardener and has learned from his own experiences from the few properties he has owned and gardens he has worked on. He also has a few websites that help people with information on gardening and products that will help. His latest is a website about lawn mowers and he has written a review on the Bosch Rotak 320 lawn mower

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_T_Hooper

Paul T Hooper - EzineArticles Expert Author

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Be More Organic and Save Money

It is possible to be more organic and save money, plus not have to give up your favorite plants.

Consider capturing the rain - in barrels or even better a rainwater tank. In addition store grey water and recycle it into the garden.

You can collect approximately 675 gallons of rain off your roof from a single rain storm. Stored rain water supplies much needed moisture to your gardens during extreme dry spells where rationing is necessary.

Sure, it is more work and cost to set it up - but in the longer term you will be purchasing less water. If you are handy at DIY, then costs will be considerably less as labor is always the higher part of costs.

The obvious pathway to take is, of course, getting rid of all the chemicals and synthetic sprays etc from the garden shed.

Using naturally occurring pest controls such as neem oil and pyrethrum based controls are not only just as effective, but safer for the environment.

Using good compost and mulching is also basic good organic practice. Encouraging the 'good' bugs such as ladybugs is also handy, but difficult if you kill them off with sprays.

Nature has provided most plants, at least those that are appropriate for your region (natives), with strong immune systems so the less they are dependent on external aids the better those systems will work.

Being organic is not just about the plants and veggie patches of course. It is the whole environment of your yard.

Consider creating a habitat that encourages birds and frogs. Get a worm farm - good for the soil and you also get great fertilizer!


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Saturday, October 9, 2010

Choose Wedding Orchids To Beautify Your Special Day

A wedding has many factions that must be fulfilled to ensure that the entire event is a complete success. One such faction is wedding flowers, which is there for three reasons. First, it gives the guests some visual stimulation. Second, it provides elegance to the wedding. Third, wedding flowers make a statement about who the couple is. It is, for these very reasons, that the right flower is chosen to make that special day all that more special.

Couples have many floral options to pick from. Yet, the most common flower chosen is the orchid. There are several reasons for it including the many colors and varieties it has, which lets a couple choose the species and design they want for that special day.

Two Options For Using Wedding Orchids On That Special Day

There are several ways you can use wedding orchids such as bouquets and table centerpieces but why should you use them?

Why Use Wedding Orchids In Bouquets

What makes these flowers such a great option for wedding bouquets? You need to remember that a bouquet is held close to the face. When you have flower that is overpowering to the nose, the bride is likely to suffer with allergies and look awful on her wedding day. However, many species do not have an overpowering, strong scent, which makes them ideal. Not only is scent taking into account for wedding flowers but so are the colors. Although they come in an array of colors, most bouquets use white or off-white orchids.

Why Use Wedding Orchids For Table Centerpieces

If you want your reception tables to look their best, embellish them with table centerpieces. Again, many wedding planners along with the bride and groom will choose these plants to decorate the tables with because they're not so overpowering to the nose. This helps cut down on the allergy problem that could occur with other flowers. Due to the size of these plants, they won't keep guests from being able to see each other when sitting down to eat.

There are two other reasons you should use wedding orchids for your table centerpieces:

1 - These are tough flowers. They are intolerant to the cold and can bruise and/or lose blooms when they're handled too roughly. However, they can withstand the heat and any loss of moisture. (This is great news for couples who decided to have a summer wedding.)

2 - These are found any time of the year. Of course, the species you want for your wedding may or may not be in season.

The Meanings Behind Flowers: What Do They Stand For

Most people know that flower colors have meanings but they don't know that flowers themselves have meanings too. Orchids stand for one big thing: beauty. Should it be of any surprise that these plants are used in weddings? A bride and groom want to convey beauty... not only in the wedding but in their love.

Purchase Wedding Orchids In Large Numbers

If you plan on using them in other areas of the wedding, be sure to get the most out of your money. Buy wedding orchids in bulk. Instead of making deals with a middleman, find the source yourself.


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Try Liquid Aeration This Fall

Fall has traditionally been a time for homeowners to have their lawns aerated with a "coring" or "plugging" machine. It sounds like a good idea, and looks impressive when done, but does this practice alone actually provide any real long-term benefit to your soil or lawn? Does the soil actually become better aerated or more porous? According to Tamson Yeh, Ph.D, speaking in the Cornell Turfgrass ShortCutt (5/24/10), coring 2 times a year on a poor soil, over a 3 year period, showed no soil improvement benefit. So perhaps it is time to rethink the subject.

Improving soil aeration is extremely beneficial to lawns and gardens growing in clay or compacted soil. It will help water move down into the root zone easily. In well-aerated soils, beneficial soil microbes (that need air to survive) can thrive and create humus and improve soil structure. Roots get deeper and nutrients are exchanged more easily. Good topsoils are naturally aerated. Unfortunately, most suburban lots have had the topsoil stripped off and homeowners are left with a denser clay or subsoil in which to grow their lawns and gardens. If you were planting a new lawn in this clay you could till in tons of compost and other amendments to improve aeration. But on established lawns this is not an option.

We suggest trying a new approach to improving your soil quality, and we call this "liquid aeration". We've been doing liquid aerations, instead of coring, for 15 plus years, and have witnessed real soil improvement. Liquid Aeration is simply a solution of amendments that get into the root zone quickly and create microscopic pores and channels that help with water and air movement. It also adds organic ingredients that generate and feed microbes, leading to humus and a restructuring of the clay.

A good liquid aeration solution would contain, at minimum a good soil surfactant or wetting agent. This is a soap-like product that helps thin out water and reduce surface tension, breaking up dirt (clay) and creates microscopic channels for air and water to move through. Surfactants have been a staple in the agriculture and golf course industries for decades. There is a broad range in the quality and harshness of surfactants. We suggest using one that is completely biodegradable with no anti-bacterial components.

Temporary pores and channels in the clay will allow soil-building microbes to generate, especially if you put in a readily available organic food source. It is these microbes, along with earthworms, that do the work of creating humus and restructuring the clay into aggregates of soil with airspace between them. Carbon is the basic food for soil microbes. Compost contains a lot of available carbon, and can be made into a tea to mix with the surfactant. But what may be the best and most concentrated source of carbon is a substance called Humic Acid. The benefits of humic acid on normal soils are many, but when you combine humic acids with a good soil surfactant, clay soils will achieve these benefits much more rapidly.

You can add trace elements, hormones, plant growth stimulators (all found in kelp), molasses, enzymes and even beneficial root fungi to a liquid aeration solution. You can add fish emulsion if you want to fertilize a bit at the same time and don't mind the odor. When the soil is treated with a surfactant all of these things will work much better.

The worse the clay, the more often you will initially need to apply your liquid aeration. Due to the magnetic-like nature of microscopic clay particles, they will always want to re-bond. You need to keep them separated long enough for the microbes to generate and begin forming humus and soil granulation. For bad clays we suggest monthly applications, with perhaps 2 the first month. Keep this up and eventually you'll start to see obvious changes occurring in such things as drainage, root depth, soil structure and color too. Continued applications should work deeper and deeper into the ground. You can gradually decrease applications down to once or twice a year (clay always wants to re-bond) once the soil has improved to your satisfaction.


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Lawn Tractors - A Sum-Up

Lawn tractors are basically smaller versions of the big machines that we usually get to see. They're meant to be used for operations on small parts of land. They may or may not be used for gardens or lawns alone. Lawn tractors, being machines which provide the highest horsepower, can be used for a variety of loads, hence making them excessively useful in one's yard.

Apart from the regular mowing exercise, a lawn tractor may be used for purposes such as digging, tilling, harvesting, snow removal, and lifting a number of loads. The operation changes with the kind of attachment used with the tractor, which combined with a lawn tractor's powerful engine, make it an easier task for one to manage a piece of land. Some attachments that are commonly used with these tractors are backhoes, which are meant to help with digging, rear mounting rotary mowers, which assist one in clearing a piece of land, loaders, which are attached to tractors when there are weights to be lifted, and tillers, which help with both tilling and harvesting. Baggers are attachments that are used for picking up leaves, lawn clippings and other junk that makes the yard dirty. Then there are rollers that help smooth out bumps to turn the garden into a leveled surface. This effect is further enhanced with the help of a rotary broom that brushes the surface clean.

When it comes to purchasing a tractor, one tends to shuttle between two choices - whether to buy a new one or to buy a tractor that is already in use. Both these choices have their own advantages and disadvantages, though the second choice is the one that most people prefer, as is explained in the part that follows.

Buying a new tractor is not very difficult, and the trick lies only in approaching a good dealer. Tractor manufacturers suggest that when buying a new tractor, it is very important to take a look at the attachments that can be affixed to it, to make it a more profitable deal. These tractors also have a warranty period, within which the machine is serviced free of cost. Though the servicing is free, hauling the tractor all the way will cost one in both transportation and time. This is what makes this a less preferred deal.

When buying a used tractor from someone else, one always has the advantage of trying the machine there and then. The seller also informs one about all the upgradation and repairs that he would put the machine through had he still kept it. The only disadvantage here is that the seller may have already upgraded his tractor with attachments one may or may not require.

Lawn Tractor Maintenance
http://www.ehow.com/how_5193094_perform-lawn-tractor-maintenance.html

Buying Lawn Tractors
Lawn tractors

Owning a tractor has different meanings for different people. For one, it may be useful for performing a tough job in the garden. For another, it may be a hobby. There are people who have collected lawn tractors and have started entire associations altogether. There are also tractor pulling competitions that are held regularly in America, Europe and Australia, where a modified tractor needs to pull a weight along a well-defined track. The winner is the machine that is successful in pulling the weight the farthest.


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7 Segments Of Orchid Information That Will Have You Sounding Like An Orchidologist

1. Orchidaceae is the general name of the orchid family. The orchid is a morphologically varied and extensive family of monocots. It is understood to be the second leading group of flowering plants only surpassed by the Asteraceae group. There is only half as many bird species and about one fourth as many mammal species as compared to the number or orchid species. This means that the orchid family account s for approximately 5.75 to 11% of all seed plants.

2. The orchid family also includes Vanilla (vanilla plant) and Orchis (genus type) and cultivated plants like phalaenopsis or cattleyas. This tropical species was introduced in the 19th century and horticulturists have produced 100,000 hybrids and cultivars. Charles Darwin described the complex means to achieve cross-pollination in his book Fertilisation of Orchids in 1862.

3. The etymology or the name orchid comes from the Greek "orkhis". This term when translated is testicle. The use of this word comes from the fact that the root has a similar shape to a testicle. John Lindley used or introduced the term in 1845. It was used in a book called School Botany.

4. The occurrence or distribution of the orchid around the world is in almost every habitat. While the largest portion is in the tropics, orchids are also found in the Arctic Circle, southern Patagonia and close to Antarctica.

5. Leaf structure corresponds to the habitat of the species itself. Orchids that love sun or grow in places that can get dry have leaves that are thick and leathery. And the lamina is enclosed in a waxy cuticle to help keep hold of the internal moisture of the plant. Shade loving plants have long thin leaves. Most of the orchid's leaves are perennial and they live for many seasons. However, there are some with plicate leaves and do lose them on an annual basis.

6. According to one scientific study the age of orchids is possible to 100 million years ago. Now I understand this is based on a fossil of a stingless bee found encased in amber. They found pollen on its wings that places this bee in the late cretaceous period. That means Mr. Dinosaur might have given Mrs. Dinosaur orchids for their anniversary.

7. Tulip growers were one of the first worldwide flower market players but orchids are now on the same scale. The fact is that orchids are easily hybridized; they have become one of the most popular cut flowers in the worldwide marketplace. The Taiwanese and the government in Singapore have large botanical gardens to showcase their orchids. The international orchid trade show in Taiwan will bring more than 200,000 visitors.

While these seven segments of orchid information will not turn you into an orchid scholar, they just might be enough to start a great conversation at the next orchid society meeting.

Marty Lewis

Marty Lewis has been an avid horticulturist for over 30 years. Working in greenhouses allowed Marty to witness firsthand the needs of growers. Marty has been nationally recognized in horticulture competition. They have a web site http://www.orchidcareplus.com/ which gives insight to orchid owners regarding many subjects on care for their orchids. Marty would like to share an additional article about Types of Orchids with you.

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My Top 10 Gardening Tips

I was asked for a couple of gardening tips by one of my readers. Here are my top 10:

1. Use raised beds. You get to control your soil a lot easier. I built mine straight onto the lawn, putting down old newspapers and cardboard before then covering with lots of good horse manure. You will need to top the manure every year, but that's a lot easier than digging. I cover with old sacks when not in use to keep down the weeds.

2. Good organic soil is vital. I fill my beds with the aforementioned horse poop (and my well rotted kitchen compost) but plant my veggies in little islands of shop bought potting compost. This way the plants get the best start ever and it also keeps the soil bill down.

3. Be organic and think holistic. Let the caterpillars win some. If you keep your soil happy and give your plants lots of sun and water, then they will naturally win most battles. I know cabbages are a problem because the cabbage white butterfly is very efficient. Still, I don't mind holy cabbage if it means more butterflies fluttering around.

4. If your summers are short, then a polytunnel will extend your growing season by months.

5. Companion planting is very useful. Marigolds and tomatoes to name but one very happy marriage. Carrots and onions are another.

6. Rotate your crops. Beans will also put nitrogen in your soil.

7. Mulch.

8. Sow and grow from seed. It's far cheaper and more rewarding.

9. Do not add chemicals to your veggie plot, either as a fertiliser or pesticide.

10. Dig. Get your hands dirty. Smell the earth. Be at one with mother nature. Appreciate the passing of time. The beauty of now.


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How To Start A Garden In Your Yard The Easy Way

If you want to put in a vegetable garden in the Spring, it's a good idea to get the area ready to go now. Spring is a great time to plant because of all the rain, but it's a miserable time to dig a new garden because it's usually too wet. Here are some tips for an easy garden installation you can do now to be ready to plant in the Spring. You can actually do this technique any time of the year, but it's best to have a period of time before you plant.

First, mark out where you want your garden to be located. Choose a place that gets direct sunlight for most of the day and is close enough to run a hose to in the growing season. Somewhere you can get a garden cart into and out of easily. Next to a driveway is ideal for offloading garden additives.

Now get some old newspapers. Lay down at least four sheets, maybe a few more than that, over the whole area. Make sure no light can get to your grass below the newspaper. To keep it from blowing away, weight it down with mulched up leaves and grass clippings. Make sure the grass clippings don't have weed killer on them. These should be easy to find but there are other things you can use too. Think of anything that breaks down and feeds the soil. Straw, mulch, hay, even mulched up weeds will work nicely.

Don't worry about weed seeds because whether you put them into your garden area or not, they'll get there anyway. The key with weed seeds is to avoid letting them germinate.

Once you have a layer of newspaper and nice organic stuff, you wait. In the Spring the area will be grass free and ready to plant. Just open a slice of your mulch only large enough for your seeds or plants. Once they sprout, start to snug some straw or other mulch material up close to them.

This mulch will do several things:

1. Mulch will keep moisture in the ground. You will still need to water your plants, but you will water less often.

2. Mulch will keep weed seeds from germinating. If you see a weed sneaking up through your mulch layer, you can either pull it up and leave it on top to add to the mulch, or simply cover it with enough straw to block any light from reaching it. If it doesn't get light it will die.

3. Mulch will add fertility to your soil. As these additives break down, and they will sooner than you can believe, your plants will take what they need and leave the rest. It's good to use a variety of materials to provide a variety of nutrients.

Here are some suggestions: Go to your local coffee shop and collect the coffee grounds they throw away. See if local farmers have spoiled hay or straw you can have. Go to the pet stores and collect the rabbit poo. Sawdust and wood chips are good to use also, but in small quantities. All this goes onto your garden and builds fertility, keeps weeds out and holds moisture in the soil.

You do not have to dig this into your garden. Your plants roots stay in the top layers of the soil and the nutrients will trickle down to where they are every time you water or it rains. Think of how nature feeds trees and plants. Try to emulate nature in your gardening and you'll find success the "easy-on-your-back" way.

One last thing you must do. Find a few smaller flower pots and put them in your garden for toad-houses. Put them upside down and tilt them with a small stone so the toad can get in and out. These guys will keep the slugs and other menaces to a minimum. Provide a saucer of water as well.

That's it - while your friends are double digging, you'll be grilling with a beverage knowing nature is doing all your hard work.


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Friday, October 8, 2010

The English Garden Rose Is Perfect For Any Garden

The English garden rose is famous for its beauty and elegance. It is renowned throughout the world and is thought of as the classic flower of the English garden. There are around sixty varieties of this rose. In fact, there are probably very few gardens in England that do not have some variety of these plants.

David Austin, a Shropshire rose breeder in England, developed this class of rose. He started experimenting with the "Old Garden Roses", the classic roses and the newer hybrid shrubs. He came up with different varieties that grow well in different climates; in fact, each different type is good for a certain climate. These roses do require more maintenance than the hybrid ones but have a beautiful strong perfume that cannot be achieved from modern breeds.

The blooms on these roses are quite large, which makes them excellent for cut flower arrangements. They will also add beauty and color to your garden. You can line pathways with them or just place them in strategic positions to add color to any corner of the garden. They are good to plant near your deck or patio as their scent will add to your visitors' enjoyment or help you to relax.

The original pure breeds will usually bloom just once a year. In order to prolong the growing season they have been crossed with Asian hybrids, and the newer types will bloom all season until the first frost. Deadheading will encourage them to bloom more profusely.

There are also miniature versions of English garden roses. They have been crossed with Asian hybrid roses so that instead of blooming just once they will continue to bloom throughout the season. These small plants range from six inches to three feet. Because of their smaller size, they are ideal as houseplants but will also look good on your patio or deck. This variety is also good for container gardens.

Pruning is minimal for the English garden rose. They flower from two-year old canes, so when you prune them, you need only get rid of weak and spindly canes. Of course, you will also need to take out dead or damaged wood. Make sure you sterilize your pruning shears with rubbing alcohol before and after pruning and when you move to another plant. This will cut down the risk of disease.

Roses like the early morning sunlight but do require at least six hours of sunshine, so an east facing part of your garden will be best for optimum growth. This will give them the light they need but will protect them from the afternoon sun. Too much hot sun can damage most varieties of the English garden rose.


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Getting Your Yard Ready for Winter

A well maintained yard is a thing of beauty but that beauty takes work. Even as the winter months approach, you need to take steps to make sure you will have a healthy yard next spring. If you follow these tips you will be rewarded with a beautiful yard when the days are warm again.

Clean Up
Probably the most important thing you can do to have a healthy yard in the spring is to clean it up in the fall. Just like you would spring clean your home, you should fall clean your yard. So exactly what should you do when you are fall cleaning? To put it simply, you are getting your yard ready for bed. Many of your trees and shrubs will go dormant during the cold months, but some plants need a little extra tucking in if they are to come back strong in the spring.

First of all you need to do a general clean up. Rake leaves and grass clippings. Pull weeds and remove the dead and dying annuals. Not only will this make your yard look nice and neat during the winter months, but it will help to prevent disease from growing and spreading.

This is not the time to prune - even if you may be tempted! Pruning actually encourages the plant to grow so there is the possibility of causing winter kill if you prune before cold months hit. In addition to possibly causing damage to the plant, many flowering shrubs flower on old wood. This means next spring they will flower on the growth that occurred last year. If you prune that off, you will also prune off your potential flowers.

Just a note here - if you want to harvest the seeds from your annuals now is the time to do it. Take the dead flower heads and put them on a tray or in a shallow bowl. Put them in a dry location and allow them to dry completely. Then gently massage the flower head until the seeds drop out. Don't worry if you have flower petals mixed in. Store the dry seeds in a zipper storage bag in a dry, dark location like a storage room. Next spring sprinkle the seeds in the ground like you would seeds purchased from a store.

Plant Bulbs
How many times have you noticed beautiful tulips and daffodils blooming in the spring and wish you would have remembered to plant them in the fall? Well remember this year! Make sure you purchase high quality bulbs that are firm and healthy looking. As you plant the bulbs, put a little bone meal in the planting hole to feed the bulb. Bulbs will be growing during the winter so you want them well nourished!

Protect
Some plants need a little extra protection from harsh winter winds and cold. Make sure you check with your local nursery to find out what plants in your area need extra care. It is always best to follow the local guidelines for protecting your plants, but you can use clean straw to protect some tender plants from the harmful effects of the cold.

These few simple steps may take you a little time, but the work will be well worth it when you enjoy your beautiful yard next spring!


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Raised Vegetable Bed

Raised Vegetable Beds are needed for area's with poor water drainage. If your current planting goals involve plants that require good drainage, I am sure you know how frustrating it is to have ground that just won't work with you.

Some plants thrive on the excess water that comes about from being in ground that lacks decent drainage. In fact with some plants it brings forth magnificent blooms.

However other plants just don't do well. It can cause them to drowned, you should always check the water required for your chosen type of plants. Make sure that the plants you have chosen to grow, agree with the ground you are planting them in.

Choosing a border is actually a useful step in getting your garden started. It might not actually affect the garden but having a raised garden is a fairly necessary approach for many people

Finding something decent looking to hold your plants can be a little bit more challenging.Sometimes lines running off a couple short metal poles works well, for plants such as tomatoes you will need some kind of lines for climbing trellis. You can find these at most any store though it is much cheaper to make your own,

The usual method for improving drainage for your garden is to create a raised bed. This involves creating a border for small area, and adding enough soil to it to raise it above the rest of the yard by at least 4 inches.

If you're planning to build a raised bed,if your chosen area is either on grass or on dirt the surface doesn't really matter the important thing is the need for drainage

If you want to start a raised garden in a non grassy area, you won't have much trouble. 2X4's work well for a border to retain the dirt you will be adding. After this has been created, you must add in the proper amount of soil and cow manure.

Depending on how long you plan to wait before planting, you will want to adjust the planting cycle to allow for any thing like composting that may occur.

Planting your plants in your new area won't be much of a problem. It is the same process as your usual planting method. The whole point of creating the raised bed is to improve water drainage.

If you live in an area where the ground is rough, dry, and with out a lot of nutrients, you might possibly want to test the soil and from those findings add necessary minerals along with your fertilizer.

Gerald Moran


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Orchids for Weddings - The 5 Most Popular Species

Though orchids are an exotic flower, they are still the epitome of elegance and sophistication.  It is no surprise with the thoughts surrounding orchids that they would be one of the most picked flowers for weddings.  Orchids for weddings are a symbol of beauty that can give your wedding day a symbolic feel.

If you are going to use orchids in your wedding, it is important that you know how to choose orchids for weddings.  The type of orchid you choose can change the entire wedding's tone.  Even with the large variety of species for these gorgeous flowers, they are all elegant enough for use at any wedding.  Any orchid will create a new and exotic feel to your wedding, no matter how it's used in the wedding.

The Cymbidium Orchid

This is the most common orchid for weddings.  It has large blossoms and is available in colors ranging from yellow, pink, green, to white.  These flowers are rather resistant to drying out or fading.  This makes them very suitable for placement in bridal bouquets or as a cake topper.  Whether you place this orchid in a centerpiece, small arrangement, or bouquets, it will stand out elegantly and hold that appearance for the entire day.

The Dendrobium Orchid

This orchid comes in colors of white, purple, brown, and yellow.  It is a very delicate orchid that is also known as the "Singapore Orchid".  Typically when a bride selects this orchid for weddings, you will see it mixed with other tropical flowers.  This is a great flower for centerpieces or draping garlands.

The Phalaenopsis Orchid

This typically is a pricier orchid for weddings and is typically used less than other species.  The use of this flower in centerpieces or bouquets will give way to a very exotic and unique feel.  You may also find this flower referred to as the "Moth Orchid".

The Vanda Orchid

Once a non-popular wedding orchid, the Vanda is gaining popularity.  This flower sports a marbled and extrinsic pattern on its delicate petals.

The Cattleya Orchid

This is a bright and colorful blossom that has yellow, pink, purple, white and even striped petals.  This is the perfect flower for bridal bouquets and pins.  With a fragrant tropical smell, this flower is the epitome of tropical.

By knowing which orchid will suit your wedding, you can use this exotic flower in an elegant and refined way.  Have your wedding planner or florist help you select the most proper orchid and pair it with great filler flowers.  Any orchid you choose will greatly transform your wedding arrangements from ordinary to extraordinary.  


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10 Best Tomatoes To Grow In All Climates

The variety of tomatoes available to grow in Melbourne is multiplying by leaps and bounds year after year. While it will take pages and pages to list and describe each and every one, I will use this article to describe 10 of the best tomatoes available to grow in Melbourne. Other tomato types I will give a quick mention.

As mentioned, the types of tomatoes now available around Melbourne has grown to enormous proportions. Names like, Bragger Tomato, Money Maker Tomato, Cherry Ripe, Humpty, Top Dog, Mellow Yellow, Moonshot and Tickled Pink are fast making a name for themselves in the world of tomatoes.

Following is a list of ten fantastic tomato varieties in order of their current popularity:

Grosse Lisse Tomato: An old fashioned tomato and favourite of die-hard tomato growers. The tomato is large, globe shaped and very fleshy. It fruits mid to late in the season and does require staking. The variety has recently been imp[roved to a hybrid which resists Verticillium, Fusarium and Bacterial wilt.

Beefsteak Tomato: Large round, very meaty variety with a sweet and juicy flavour. It is a tall plant that will require staking. Fruits appear early to mid season. Is resistant to some fungal diseases but can require preventative measures.

Bragger Tomato: As the name suggests, a tomato that makes tongues wag. Extra large, very tasty and great to use in soups, sandwiches, salads, barbeques and other hot dishes and for preserving. Is resistant to tomato mosaic virus, nematodes and fusarium and verticillium wilt. Tall plant requires staking. Can fruit early to late season.

Roma & San Marzano: I have placed these two tomato varieties together because of their similarities. They are basically the same tomato named after two different regions of Italy. While these medium, oval shaped tomatoes have great many uses, they are favoured more for their ability to produce tomato sauces and pastes. They may be only a small to medium sized tomato, but they are packed with juice and that wonderful true tomato flavour. Usually resistant to many fungal diseases, they give growers an easy run for their money. Fruits early in the season.

Apollo Tomato: Like the Gosse Lisse tomato, Apollo is a tried and true all time favourite. It's a large fleshy tomato and is ideal for sandwiches, salads soups and sauces. Its popularity is due to its ability to set fruit in cooler climates and earlier than most other tomato types. It fruits from veru early in the season to late, making it one of the most prolific producers of all. Staking required.

Rouge de Marmande: Along with Allans Early, this tomato is one of the earliest fruiting varieties around. Also known as, Adelaide Tomato, Burkes Backyard Tomato and Italian Tomato, this variety can endure cooler temperatures and is absolutely ideal for Melbourne Spring. It can be planted as early as September. Tomato is rose coloured, large and somewhat ugly, but with a great for taste. Flesh is firm, nearly crisp. Fruits very early in the season. Staking required.

Cherry Tomato: Only tiny but full of taste. Perhaps the sweetest of all tomatoes and a definite favourite with kids of all ages. Melbourne loves this tomato and backyards nearly everywhere have at least one of these sprawling, rather unsightly plants growing. Can fruit up until mid winter and only extreme cold knocks them out. Resistant to most diseases. Fruits early and late in season. Does require staking.

First Prize/Patio Prize: These two tomato varieties are also known as bush tomatoes because they require no staking. They grow to about half a metre on strong stalks and produce great tasting, medium sized tomatoes in several crops. Plant mid to late in the season. No staking needed.

Black Russian Tomato: Purple to black in colour, medium firm tomato. This heirloom variety has a taste all of its own and that taste is fantastic. Fruits mid to late in season and requires staking.

Mellow Yellow: This tomato is a favourite for those with tummy problems caused by acid in every day tomatoes. While rich in taste it is mild on acid. A large, bright yellow tomato, it can be used as any other tomato. Can be planted early in the season and will need staking.

While there are perhaps thousands of more tomato types out there, these are just a popular few. The rest is up to you with a little experimentation, you may even come up with your very own variety!

One of the greatest and healthiest pastimes of all is gardening. A home is not complete unless it boasts a garden. It doesn't have to be a big dollar landscaped architecture, because at The Plant Whiz, the whole idea is to help you create a budget garden that's worth a million bucks! Whether you want an Alpine setting, espaliered fruit trees, a Japanese garden, a Tropical paradise or a plain old and functional vegetable patch, you will find plenty of good material on my gardening blog at: http://theplantwhiz.com/.

James Koutlis, Freelance Journalist, Photographer & Horticulturist.

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James Koutlis - EzineArticles Expert Author

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Unusual Containers

Containers also give you the opportunity to grow plants that would otherwise struggle in your soil conditions as well as invasive perennials that would swamp your borders or even your whole garden. The giant ornamental rhubarb, for example, can reach six feet in a moist spot, but in a large container, such as a half barrel, it can be kept to a more manageable size.

Alpines grow well in containers, too, thriving on the good drainage and airy conditions. The container also brings their dainty form and intricate markings closer to the eye where they are more easily appreciated. When they are grown in a trough, they can be combined with other dwarf plants and rocks to create an attractive miniature landscape or alpine bed. Plant the flowers to the same depths as they were in their pots or trays. For instant impact, position plants closer together that you would in open ground.

Regular feeding is important; the nutrients in the compost will quickly get used up. Add a liquid feed to the water every week or push special slow release fertilizer tablets into the compost at planting time. Water thoroughly. The plants will soon spread out to fill the window box. If the box has been planted away from its final position, it can be left for a while until the plants are all in full flower before being put on display.

Assemble the items you will need, a terracotta pot, your choice of plant, some stones to cover the drainage holes, compost soil mix, slow release fertilizer, either loose or in pellets, and water retaining granules. Cover the bottom of the container with small stones or some pieces of broken tile or pottery, to prevent the compost washing out of the drainage holes. Partly fill the pot with a good quality potting compost, loam based compost is best for permanent displays.

If you wish, mix some slow release fertilizer and water retaining granules into the compost before you fill the pot. Scoop a hole in the compost and insert the plant, positioning it so that the top of the root ball is level with the surface of the compost. Place any extra plants that you wish to include around the edge of the main plant. Add more compost to fill any gaps and firm down. Insert a fertilizer pellet at this stage if fertilizer granules were not added to the compost mixture. Water thoroughly. The plants will soon grow and fill out the container.


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Thursday, October 7, 2010

Man's Best Friend - Potatoes

Potatoes have long since, been man's best friend. Right from age 5 till age 70 everyone likes this single gorgeous vegetable. Nowadays you can't find any food without traces of this vegetable. However growing potatoes requires a lot of care. Depending upon the method of growth, these potatoes get their flavor and taste. Growing potato in winter is the best choice one can make as compared to summer months. It is best to grow potatoes in late winter because late winter provides the best climatic condition combined with good soil conditions. During summer months, the temperature is too high for the plant growth and during monsoon the soil is too wet to even crop the plant, so the best time interval for the growth of this plant will be during winter.

Planting these potatoes is just not enough to maintain the quality of the crop. It may get destroyed due to pests and other insects. So we must use proper manures, insecticides and pesticides. The soil must be loosely packed for free movement of air and water molecules. This enables the potatoes plant to grow well. Another important thing while growing potato in winter is that you must take great care in regulating the temperature. Growth of potatoes in India is wide spread. They are grown widely in almost all the states of the country especially those having lower temperatures. Apart from India, there are many countries known for the quality growth of these plants especially North America. America, from time immemorial is known for its outstanding quality potatoes. They have set themselves a place in the international markets. Apart from America, Europe also plays a vital role in the growth of this vegetable.

Potatoes, a treasure of life time

Potatoes generally grow in areas where the temperature varies from 25-30 degree Celsius. Beetle eggs can be combined along with these potato plants. The advantage of using beetle eggs is that it adds quality to these crops thereby improving its quality. Even small pots can be used to plant these potato crops. You can keep these small pots in windows for decorative purpose. It adds beauty to your house. Make sure you plant these crops in late winter for the best quality. Thus growing potato in winter has its own list of advantages and disadvantages. Make sure you hold on to the proper procedure and techniques for the growth of the plant.

Potatoes are famous in the international markets. There has been growing demands for these potatoes. Hence planting these crops will increase the economy of our country. Proper maintenance of these crops enables high quality vegetables. India has got all kinds of facilities for the growth of potatoes including temperature, soil and climatic conditions but lags behind in proper maintenance. Hence, with a little bit more of an effort, we can place ourselves in the international markets. Further details regarding the growth of this plant are given in different sites across internet along with few gardening book available in the market. Hence potatoes are a treasure of life time.


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The Four Basic Requirements for Orchid Gardening

There are many myths surrounding orchids and how to grow them. One of the most common is that orchids are extremely difficult to grow. This is a big misconception I feel, it's true that there are some species of orchids that can be be very difficult to cultivate. Even highly experienced growers have problems keeping them alive. However, there are well over twenty thousand species of orchid and ten times as many hybrids, many of these are no more difficult to grow than your other garden and house plants.

It may seem difficult at first, you will need to properly research how to successfully care for your orchid first and just like anything worthwhile it'll take you a little bit of effort but in the end I know you'll find it rewarding. So stick at it and before long you'll have mastered the basics of caring for your orchids.

To help you start I've put together some basic information about gardening orchids that I hope you'll find both interesting and useful.

Basic Requirements

The requirements for orchid gardening are really not much different to gardening any other house or garden plant, water, light, fertilizer and air. If you can provide these in the right amounts then you're almost there.

There are of course a few other little extras that you can use to really get the most from your orchids including, humidity trays and grow light set-ups and many different potting mediums which I'll touch on, but for now we'll stick to the basics.

Myth number two surrounding orchids is that they must be kept in a greenhouse. I believe this stems from the common belief that orchids are tropical plants only and so you must provide these conditions for them to thrive. There are species of orchids found growing on every continent except the Antarctica and in almost every environment. Epiphytic orchids grow on trees, Lithophytes survive on rocks and terrestrial orchids are perfectly happy grown in the ground one species, Rhizanthella gardneri grows completely underground only appearing briefly for pollination to occur.

My point is that with so much variety in the world of orchids you shouldn't have too much trouble finding one that will suit your growing conditions.

1) Water

With such a huge variety of orchid species around it makes it tough to give specific requirements suitable for all orchids so you should do your best to find out as much as you can about the species of your orchid too.

In general orchids require watering well but only once every other week, they have highly adapted root systems which take in water very quickly and release it slowly over a long period of time making it easy to over water them if you're not careful. To be on the safe side let the roots of your orchids dry out almost completely before you water them again. Avoid letting the roots come into contact with standing water for any length of time or they will die off and damage the health of your orchid. For this reason it's important that potted orchids should have adequate drainage.

How much water your orchid expects and how often should give you a good idea of what potting media will be best.

2) Light

When it comes to light orchids love lots of it, long periods of sunlight, 10 to 12 hours per day will help to see your orchids thrive. However, direct sunlight should be avoided, even a small amount can burn and damage leaves leaving unhealthy looking marks or blackened leaves.

If you're growing your orchids indoors try placing it near but not too close to an eastern facing window to maximise the daylight exposure, if you're worried that the sun is too strong make use of frosted glass, net curtains or blinds to diffuse the light.

If you're orchids are out doors in your garden you can make use of objects and structures to provide it with shading, you'll know where the best spots in your garden are for this.

3) Fertilizer

You're orchid will want fertilizing periodically as potting mediums provide little in the way of nutrients. Use a solution diluted more than you would for ordinary plants.

You can purchase specialist orchid fertilizer for this which should provide more of the nutrients and trace minerals that your orchid needs to thrive.

You should stick to periods of active growth when fertilizing so avoid feeding your orchid during winter months and for a short while after re-potting.

4) Air

While terrestrial orchids can be grown in soil or compost in the garden, the majority of species are epiphytic with aerial roots adapted to having plenty of airflow.

If your orchid is mounted then this should not be much of a problem but if you're potting your orchid you need to provide it with a medium that allows plenty of air flow. This should go hand in hand with giving your orchids good drainage.

Most suitable potting media is organic such as, coconut husk, sphagnum moss and cork bark and as such will gradually decay over time. As it decays it will compact reducing air flow and increasing water retention. It may also attract more pests who feed on decaying organic matter mostly non harmful to your orchid but you may not want them around still.

Degraded potting mix should be changed as soon as possible, depending on the mix once every year or two, but be aware that the shock of re-potting may mean your orchid doesn't flower for a year or so afterwards. You can minimise the stress on your plant by avoiding damage to roots and stems when removing it from the pot.

All in all orchid gardening is fun and rewarding and it is absolutely within anyone's grasp to achieve fantastic results. Good luck and have fun!


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Orchid Pots - A General Overview

Transparent plastic or nylon orchid pots are now the chosen receptacle for seasoned and novice growers alike both can give real benefit by being able to see through the pot and observe root structure and development, as well as the moisture content of the potting media. Orchid roots should not be exposed to light, therefore, you will need to place the transparent pot into a colored pot of similar size in order to achieve this.

When you first purchase a new plant they are not always ready to be re-potted and it is best to wait until new root growth is evident, this is where your transparent pot comes into its own. The only way you could assess this situation using a clay pot would be to de-pot it!

Very often the drainage holes in the base of these pots are too small but can be enlarged slightly by using an electric solder iron, an 8mm size hole is ideal, and should be accompanied by four further holes being burned into the sides of the pot near the base.

The centre hole in the base should be covered by curved pieces of broken pot to allow drainage and stop the roots growing through the hole, which will lead to damage when the plant as to be removed. Alternatively you could place a small plastic colander shaped sieve over the hole or a small tea leave strainer would be ideal. You should ideally build up a small layer of broken pot or clinker to just cover the holes you have made in the side of the pot near the base. This will prevent roots from growing through the holes.

These types of orchid pot are really good for the greenhouse but have little appeal when used indoors. This is where your ceramic pot takes centre stage. There are some really beautiful designs available and all you need to do is place your transparent pot into the ceramic one and the job is done. Just remember, the base of your plastic see through pot should not be resting in water, therefore, it would be good idea to place the plastic pot on trestles inside the ceramic one.

Teakwood baskets or even woven twig baskets are very suitable for epiphytic orchids which grow a number of aerial roots, they can look very exotic and spice up the appearance of an orchid room or conservatory. You can take this concept even further by tying a few suitable plants to substantial piece of tree bark and then working in clumps of fiber and moss between the roots and fastened to roof rafters or uprights. Whether you decide to choose baskets or rafts they should be easily removed for watering or you will need to spray them with water several times per day as they will easily dry out.

Taking this concept even further still, you could use ferns and other types of foliage plants to grow in between your orchids. In fact some orchids which have drooping flowers can really only be grown using these hanging methods, this is where growing orchids begins to take over a part of your life and the enthusiastic amateur transforms into a serious hobby pursuit rather than a pastime.


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Hydroponics Gardening - The Advantages of Growing Plants With a Hydroponics System

Hydroponic gardening is the method of growing flowers and vegetables in a nutrient solution instead of traditional gardening methods which use soil. Hydroponics involves growing plants inside the house without the requirement of natural light from the sun. The term hydroponics originates from the Greek and means water working.

If you love gardening but are limited by a small garden, concerns with bugs, or have water constraints, then hydroponics could be the solution you are looking for. For a lot of individuals, the option of growing flourishing crops indoors all year round has only been a wish. However, this can now be done using hydroponics methods.

Growing plants using hydroponics is quite a common hobby today. Setting up a hydroponics garden is more straightforward than the average person would think, and has demonstrated to have several benefits over regular soil gardening. Here are some advantages of growing plants with hydroponics.

1. More plants can be grown in a smaller area, and crops can be closer to each other. Growing flowers and vegetables with hydroponics can be achieved in almost any space.

2. A smaller amount of water is needed as soil isn't used which would normally dry it up quickly before it arrives at your plant's roots. Hydroponics gardening is ideal in areas where there are water restrictions, as not as much water is evaporated. When watering plants grown in soil, around 10% of the water gets to the roots.

3. No bugs or mold issues. You don't need to worry about unwanted pest control, and due to the fact your plants are grown inside your home, you won't have many difficulties with fungi or mold, or any other diseases.

4. Substantially less maintenance time. After your hydroponics garden is created, almost all that's required is to change the nutrients regularly. This only takes a few minutes. You don't have to spend any of your valuable time weeding or watering your plants.

5. Virtually all plants are able to be grown hydroponically. The most common are vegetables and herbs, in addition to flowers.

Although hydroponics systems allow almost any plant to be grown, a limiting aspect is the amount of physical support required to hold up the plants. If you are growing climbing plants, you will have to supply them with additional support.

Hydroponics gardening supplies can be found at most good gardening stores. Before you rush out the door and head down to your nearest gardening store, you should first take a look online, so you have a clearer idea of exactly what is needed to setup your hydroponics system. A lot of supplies can be purchased online.

To setup a hydroponics system you will first need to spend a bit of time and effort, but ultimately it will be more than worth it once you see the results you have achieved.


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Composting in the Kitchen

If you can't do any composting outdoors, then you can always do your composting in the kitchen, let alone under your sink! So whether you're living in an apartment or have no backyard to call your own, then you can always choose to compost your organic wastes inside your home. You can also have the option of using red wiggler worms or go without any. But either way, any type of composting will always deliver the good kind of stuff.

Now, when it comes to indoor compost bins, you should know that these containers come in a variety of makes, shapes, and materials (plastic, ceramic, wooden worm bin makes, etc.). It's best that you find something that you can use within your limited space. So get your self a bin that can look inconspicuous, or with a nice design that can help it blend in. So whether you buy one, or make one on your own, always make sure that it has a lid on it. It will be necessary for you to keep your compost covered throughout the process (one good reason for this is to secure it from unwanted pest visits).

So, if you were to proceed into indoor composting with worms, you should know how to build a vermicompost bin for where to keep your worms. But if this was to pose as a difficult task for you, then you can always buy those commercially available containers from a few local gardening stores today. You may also want to try online gardening shops as well.

Now, should you do some worm composting indoors, you should know that it's easy to maintain this type, as long as you care for it the right way. When you use red worms for composting, you'll know that you're doing mother nature a favor by saving her from further land pollution. It is when you compost with red worms that you get to have your decomposing kitchen scraps recycled; and eventually have these turned into a rich valuable compost (also known as worm castings).

You can always start by having around a worm bin that has a cover (preferably a dark-colored one and a few holes drilled on it to allow for proper aeration), a pound worth of red worms that you can buy at a local bait shop, and some moist bedding. Your bedding can consist of some soil, and some presoaked newspaper shreds. After this set-up, you may now start putting in your kitchen scraps that have been cut into small pieces already (try not to put in any meat, dairy, or any other products that have oil in them, as this may cause odor build-up). You may put in your red worms afterwards.

But if you're just interested in the simple kind of composting in the kitchen, the type that has no need for worms, then you may still do so at home. You may opt to use a compost pail, or a compost bucket that you can just easily position anywhere in your kitchen. But aside from these containers, you may also get counter-top compost bins for a more easier access. With these containers, you'll still be able to produce a fresh batch of organic fertilizer that you can use to supplement house plants, and more.


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Growing Asparagus

Asparagus are delicious.? They are also expensive.? The ones you get in the store have been transported long distances and are not at all like the ones you get from your own garden.? While asparagus have a reputation of being hard to grow, that is not really true.? They just take their sweet time producing edible spears.? Of course, when a crown can last 15 to 25 years, it may not seem long to the asparagus.

Asparagus has separate male and female plants.? The stems, or spears, of asparagus are what most people want.? Male plants produce better stems because they are not wasting resources reproducing.? For the average family of four, 20 crowns, or root knots, planted in a 20 foot row produces all the asparagus they can eat.? Uta, from Crooked Run Orchard, tells how to grow asparagus from seed, but I will be discussing the more usual method of growing it from 1-2 year old crowns.

Because asparagus live so long, it is important to place them in a well prepared bed where they can stay for the next 25 years.? Prepare the area by mixing in 3 inches of compost into the top 10-12 inches of topsoil.? Do this the fall before planting.? Then test the soil around December and lime if necessary to bring the pH up to at least 6.0.? It would be better to have it around 6.5-7.5.? Lime takes a while to work, so do this in December if necessary (Northern Hemisphere, if in Southern Hemisphere, June).

Planting requires some effort.? Dig a furrow in your prepared bed that is 4-12 inches deep and 4 inches wide.? Spread phosphate fertilizer (0-0-46) in a band in the furrow at the rate of.75 ounces per 20 foot row.? Place the crowns 12-14 inches apart in the furrow.? Cover the crowns with one inch of compost and 2-3 inches of soil.? Leave the rest of the furrow open. Water the crowns in.

As shoots grow out of the crown, gradually fill in the furrow around them.? By the end of the year, the furrow should be level with the ground and the stems should be above the ground.? Asparagus does not compete with weeds, so it is very important to keep the weeds eliminated in the area of the asparagus bed.? Once the stems are above ground, mulch three inches of mulch around them to control weeds and keep in the moisture.

Every year in late January or early February, scatter 2 pounds of 10-20-10 fertilizer per 20 feet of row.? After the harvest is over, apply an additional fertilizer of 21-0-0.? Always water in your fertilizer.

Asparagus needs lots of water.? If watered properly, the roots can go down 10 feet.? Water one inch at a time, then let the top inch of soil dry out again before watering again.? That usually takes 3-5 days.

Finally, the good part.? Asparagus beds are established after about two years, and you get to start eating them then.? They are harvested for about 8 weeks in the spring.? Cut spears when they are 4-10 inches long.? Any bigger and they are fibrous and nasty.? It is important to cut the spear at ground level so no stump remains.? That way, diseases and bugs do not invade the plant.? You need to stop harvesting when the spear diameter becomes less than 3/8 inch or the heads open up in the heat.? At this point, let the stems grow and fern out.

After the first hard frost, but off the ferns and mulch the bed with manure or compost.? Burn or compost the ferns to avoid leaving a pest residue around the plants.??? It is important to keep the beds clean, with just compost and mulch on them, throughout the year to avoid disease or pests.

So, asparagus are a lot of trouble to get established, but need normal maintenance and fertilization after that.? They are so good to eat that they are worth it, though.


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Wednesday, October 6, 2010

How To Conserve Water When Watering A Lawn

If you are looking forward to having a perfect lawn, then you need to keep in mind the fact that you have to water your lawn regularly. This is to ensure that your lawn does not suffer whenever they is a dry season or when the rains have delayed for a few days. Despite the fact that it is expected that you will use plenty of water during a lawn, wastage of water should not be accepted. You can do very well if you conserve the water that is around you when you are doing the watering and get even better results compared to that person who is wasting a lot of water. For this reason, this article seeks to explain to you various ways in which you can conserve water when doing this very important exercise.

Know The Right Time To Water

The first thing that you need to do when you are watering the lawn is to understand the time of day that is best for watering the lawn. The best time to do this job is late during the evening. The reason or this is that you will give your lawn enough time to absorb the water, especially at night. Once the sun rises up in the morning, it will find that the water has already been absorbed to the ground and that part of it has already been taken in by the lawn. The effect of this is that evaporation will end up being much slow. On the other hand, if you do your watering during the day when the sun is up, you are likely to find out that plenty of what you have given to your lawn will be absorbed up by the sun and you will therefore be required to re-water your lawn again. This can prove to be a not only wasteful exercise, but also a pretty expensive one.

Mulch Your Lawn

Although this is not the side of mulching that is usually talked about, it is one of the most important roles of the same. When you are watering your lawn, you will conserve plenty of water if you do the simple thing of mulching your lawn. This is because the mulch will cover the ground surface and hence reduce the rate at which the moisture from the ground will evaporate to the air even times of hot sunlight.

Some people do feel that so long as they can afford to pay the water bill, there is really not need to worry about the amount of water that they do spend during the watering process. This is a very dangerous notion because water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource and it is advisable that people strive to conserve water when they have a chance to use it.


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Planting Roses at Home - The Basic Tips

Even if you are an avid gardener or a beginner, everyone needs to know the essential tips on how to grow roses successfully. The first and most important step to starting a rose garden is planting them. Rose planting can determine the amount of blooms and how quickly your rose bushes thrive in your home garden.?

The most important step in rose planting is location. Rose planting locations will go beyond just how deep to dig your hole and whether you use fertilizer or not. The first and more important key to remember is that no matter what care you provide, if your roses are not planted in the correct location they will not grow.

Most roses require at least six hours of natural sunlight per day. There are some roses that can still thrive in shade, but they still require up to four hours of natural and unfiltered sunlight each day in order to bloom. So the first step in rose planting would be to insure you are selecting a location that gets 4-6 hours of natural sunlight each day.

Nutrient rich soil is the key to a healthy growing rose bush. If your soil has too much clay or sand, or is nutrient deficient, your roses will most likely not thrive. Always do the "hand mold" test prior to rose planting. The test involves clumping the soil into your hands and making a mold with it. If the soil does not crumble, you most likely have too much clay. If the mold does not hold its shape, then you most likely have a sand issue. A good soil is one that holds its shape but will still crumble easily. Always test your soil for chalk and limestone as well as the acid content prior to planting. You can purchase kits that will test your soil at your local nursery or garden center.

As you consider where to plant your roses, you should also consider how close your roses will be to other plants in your yard. Plants that have longer roots and are planted close to your roses may actually take water and nutrients from them. The best way to tell if you have other plant roots that could steal from your roses is to dig a hole and insure there are no visible roots from neighboring plants. Try to plant your roses adjacent to non-invasive plants. That way, if their roots do begin to come close to one another, you will know your other plants will not steal from your roses.?

When it comes time to finally dig your hole, be sure that it is only slightly deeper than that of your roots. If you are living in a colder climate, dig a deeper hole to insure your roots do not frost come winter time. You can always ask neighbors and other rose growers in your neighborhood just how deep they dug their holes to insure you are in line with the rest. Always be sure to loosen the soil at the bottom of your hole. This allows for water drainage, but also proper room for your roots to grow.

Rose planting comes with experience, but the more you know from trial and error, the more successful you will be. Always research the species of roses you are attempting to grow and know their specific needs when it comes to water, soil, and sunlight. You can easily grow roses at home with the right rose planting tips.


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Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

By Dee Milligan Dee Milligan
Level: Basic

Hi! Late 40's Kiwi woman living in sunny California with my American man. Since moving from New Zealand 8 years ago, I have adopted California ...

I am neither a hobby gardener or gardening enthusiast. My motto has always been "First to admire, last to participate". On the rare occasions that I have done any gardening, mainly weeding of flowerbeds, it has become a chore that almost drove me crazy. I am too particular, and will not rest until the soil is completely weed free, clump free and stone free. Unfortunately, it is this 'anal' attention to detail that has prevented me from enjoying what I believe to be a great pastime, and for some very therapeutic.

I love flowers and have always been of the mind that they are far more beautiful in a garden than in a vase. It's not that I don't appreciate the gift of flowers, but I prefer seeing those same flowers flourishing in a flowerbed, mainly because they will last longer, but also I have an abhorrence at the thought that the life of the flower is over once it has been cut from its stem and life-giving roots.

One of my favorite childhood memories is of lying on my back beneath a large tree and looking up at the brilliant blue sky through the branches and leaves. Sadly, I haven't done that for many, many years. Yesterday, for some unknown reason, I was reminded of that childhood pastime and it made me realise how busy I had become. The seasons have passed by so quickly, it seems, and I am now considered middle-aged at 48. I am quite content to be middle-aged at 48, because to me it means I am going to live to be 96 and have all the time in the world still to lie beneath a great old tree and enjoy the twinkling sun through its leaves.

Where would we be without the beauty of plants? From magnificent trees that have withstood the seasons for over a hundred years, to a single flower, lasting only a short few days or weeks?

If gardening is something you enjoy, I envy you, and applaud you. Thank you for feeding my appreciative soul. If not a gardener, stop and admire someone's loving handy work and be thankful for it.

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Milligan, Dee "Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer." Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer. 18 Sep. 2010 EzineArticles.com. 29 Sep. 2010 <http://ezinearticles.com/?Fall,-­Winter,-­Spring,-­Summer&id=5057581>. APA Style Citation:
Milligan, D. (2010, September 18). Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer. Retrieved September 29, 2010, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Fall,-­Winter,-­Spring,-­Summer&id=5057581 Chicago Style Citation:
Milligan, Dee "Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer." Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer EzineArticles.com. http://ezinearticles.com/?Fall,-­Winter,-­Spring,-­Summer&id=5057581

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The Benefits of Worm Farming - For Small Animal Farmers

The farming of small animals is increasing in popularity as traditional farmers diversify from typical income streams. Minimal space is required for small animals compared to larger grazing animals or broad acre cropping.

Common small animals include Rabbits, Quail, Chickens, Ducks and other small species grown for meat and by-products.

Worm farming is an ideal sideline when raising these types of animals as there is ample supply of manure, old nesting and food scraps to feed your worms with. Worms are equally as beneficial for eliminating waste in these situations as they are practical and profitable.

Rabbits are perhaps the easiest to establish a joint worm farming operation due to the practical way the rabbit cages are set up. Commercial rabbit cages are around 500mm (or more) from the ground allowing worm bins to be set up under the cages so that manure, food and bedding waste falls through to the worms. This is a seamless operation with the only ongoing maintenance being the emptying of the bins when the worms have finished.

Alternatively, regular cleaning under cages will provide ample food for traditional worm farm set ups.

Poultry such as Chickens, Quail, Ducks and other bird species have high Ammonia manure which may require prior partial decomposition before feeding to worms. Some growers are happy to feed it straight to worms but I have experienced worms spilling over (evacuating) a worm bed when they experience high ammonia feeds.

The size of your worm farming venture should be in line with the size of your small animal production. Too many worms and not enough feed and your worms will suffer. Too much feed and not enough worms and you will have a pile of rubbish with a potent odour waiting to be fed to the worms.

Worms will typically eat their own body weight in food each 24 hours. Translated to a larger scale 10kgs of worms will consume an average of 10kgs of food in the same time frame. This is handy to know when working out how many worms you will need to consume the amount of waste your small animal farm produces on a daily or weekly basis.

As your worms breed and numbers increase you will have to either expand your food source or sell your excess worms to other breeders, farmers or as fish bait.

In addition, to selling excess worms you will also have worm castings you can either use on your own property or bag and sell as a natural fertiliser, soil conditioner or potting mix additive.

The same principle could apply to larger animal farms with the only difference being the collection of manures from paddocks and manually feeding to your worm beds.

? Eric J. Smith

Eric J. Smith writes about his interest in many areas of Environmental concern including the Health impact of Toxic Chemicals in our Community. As an experienced Horticulturist, Eric has a passion for Organic Gardening and Permaculture with an emphasis on the sustainable use of environmental systems. Becoming a representative for ONE Groups Certified Organic Miessence range of Skin, Body, Health, Oral and Home care products was a natural follow on from his interest in Organics and The Environment. Miessence Representative enquiries are welcome by visiting http://www.lifestyle-advantage.com/ or for product enquiries visit http://www.buy-organic-products.com/.

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Eric J Smith - EzineArticles Expert Author

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