How to Propagate Asparagus Asparagus root crowns must be one year old before they’ll produce any stems. Plants started from seed will need an extra year before they reach that point. Established asparagus plots yield even more plants when you dig up the crowns, divide, and replant them. All three methods of propagating asparagus plants are simple ways to introduce asparagus to your home garden. You can start harvesting the spears when the plants are in the ground for two years....

Taking Crown of Thorn Cuttings Crown of thorns is native to Madagascar and was introduced to the United States as a novel houseplant. As long as they get a period of dry and a period of wet, these plants can flower all year around. Their stems and leaves contain a latex sap that some growers might be sensitive to, so it is a good idea to wear gloves when taking crown of thorn cuttings....

Benefits of Growing Red Fruit For years, we’ve heard the benefits of eating foods, which are rich in antioxidants. These naturally occurring compounds eliminate damage caused by free radicals in our bodies. Studies indicate this reduces our risk for developing a myriad of health conditions including cancer, heart disease and strokes. For years, superfoods like kale have been well known for their antioxidant content. But let’s face it, not everyone enjoys chewing on kale leaves....

Tools for Cactus Repotting Cacti are succulents and tend to favor dry, hot conditions. They store moisture in their pads and use their spines as both defense and to provide some protection from burning hot sun rays. Cactus grown in the home can almost be ignored but they do require light, warmth, water and repotting to refresh the soil. Cactus repotting requires a special soil mix, well-draining container and some tactical protection....

What is a Rhizomatous Begonia? There are around 1,000 species of begonia with about 10,000 cultivated cultivars and mutations. Amongst the major classifications are the fibrous rooted, rhizomatous, and tuberous rooted begonias. Rex begonias are herbaceous perennials in USDA zones 10 through 12, so they are more commonly grown as houseplants or annuals. While they do flower, they are grown more for their vibrant, textured leaves. In fact, they are also referred to as ‘fancy-leaf,’ ‘painted leaf,’ or ‘king’ begonias....

Brambles, such as raspberries and blackberries Fig Lilacs Roses Phlox Oriental poppies What are Root Cuttings? Root cuttings are pieces of root cut from plants that you want to propagate. Take cuttings from root growth in late winter or early spring, before the plant breaks dormancy. Roots have high levels of carbohydrates before they begin their spring growth, and the cuttings are more likely to be successful. Examine the roots before you cut them and choose roots that are firm and white....

Common Sago Palm Problems Dealing with common sago palm pests and disease doesn’t have to spell the demise of your plant. If you know about the issues that affect sagos the most and how to handle them, you’ll be well on your way to correcting them. Common problems with sago palm plants include sago palm yellowing, scale, mealybugs and root rot. Yellowing sago plants Sago palm yellowing is common in older leaves as they get ready to drop to the ground and make way for newer leaves....

Harvesting Seaweed Garden Nutrients Seaweed garden nutrients are relatively low in nitrogen and phosphorus but contain about 60 other trace elements, as well as fungal and disease preventatives. Using seaweed for compost improves soil consistency and increases water retention in sandy or grainy soils and may be used as a top or side dressing. That being said, some countries have rules regarding protection of the coastal environment, which may include the harvesting of seaweed....

About Sedum Plants The Sedum family encompasses plants that trail, spread like ground cover, tower 2 or more feet (0.6+ m.), and those that just barely graze your ankles. The variety of the group allows the home gardener an opportunity to bring these relatively hardy succulents into their landscape. The thick leaves are coated with a waxy substance to help conserve water, making these plants tolerant of low moisture conditions. Sedum plants come back in spring and begin as ground hugging rosettes....

Lawn and Garden Holes Not only is size an important clue when identifying holes, but so is location. Holes throughout the lawn are usually sourced to small rodents, like voles or moles, or insects. Mole holes are covered by a hill of earth, while a vole hole is not. Birds make holes in sod as they search for food and earthworms make small little holes the size of pencils to aerate the soil and provide air to their tunnels....

What are Botanical Gardens? Gardeners and students of plant life recognize the diverse appeal of botanical gardens. Botanical gardens are more than display areas and sites of great beauty. The McIntire Botanical Garden gives the definition as, “…a collection of living plants and trees for display, research, education, and conservation.” As such, botanical garden information encompasses learning and teaching, data gathering, study, and preservation of collections from every corner of the globe....

Help, the Stem is Turning Black on My Tomatoes! There are a number of fungal diseases that result in a stem turning black on tomatoes. Amongst these is Alternaria stem canker, which is caused by the fungus Alternaria alternata. This fungus either already lives in the soil or spores have landed on the tomato plant when infected old tomato debris has been disturbed. Brown to black lesions develop at the soil line....

Does Freezing Kill Seeds? Seed banks store rare, exotic and heirloom seeds in refrigeration units or cryogenic chambers to ensure the survival and future of specific plant varieties. As a home gardener, you probably don’t have a cryogenic chamber in your garden shed, and you also probably don’t need to store thousands of seeds for decades. That said, the kitchen refrigerator or freezer are sufficient for storing leftover seeds, as long as they are stored properly....

What is a String of Buttons Plant? Crassula perforata, also known as string of buttons succulent, is a sprawling and shrubby plant that reaches 18 inches (46 cm.), beginning as an upright specimen. Later, this plant becomes prostrate due to height and weight. Short stacks of triangular leaves often turn pinkish red on the edges, making the plant stand out. Small, white,star-shaped flowers blossom on the well-placed and happy string of buttons....

What is Root Rot? Root rot can have two sources — one is prolonged exposure to overwatered conditions that can cause some of the roots to die back due to a lack of oxygen. As they die, they can start to decay or rot away. The rot can then spread to healthier roots and kill them as well, even if the soil conditions are corrected. The other source can be a fungus in the soil....

Moving Magnolia Trees The answer is yes, it’s possible to successfully move young magnolia trees. However, it’s not an easy task as magnolias have an unusual root system. Unlike most trees, which have roots that grown down into the soil, magnolia roots grow horizontally along the ground and remain near the surface. Additionally, the roots of magnolia trees are soft and rope-like, with few fine feeder roots. These qualities lead to a higher risk of magnolia tree transplant shock than with other types of trees....

There are too many tomato plant diseases to list in one article, and the truth is many of them fall under the same types or categories of disease. In tomato plants in the home garden, the type or category and its symptoms are more important than the individual bacteria or virus, which can only be diagnosed through a professional laboratory. The following list of tomato diseases and their descriptions are broken into three categories....

What is Papaya Anthracnose? Papaya anthracnose is a serious fungal disease caused by the pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The spores of this disease are spread in rainy, humid periods, by rain, splash back, plant to plant contact and unsanitized tools. Spore growth and spread is most common when temperatures are between 64-77 F. (18-25 C.). Spores infect the plant tissues then go dormant until around harvest time. Anthracnose of Papaya Trees Gardeners who live in Hawaii or other tropical to subtropical regions often grow tropical fruits, such as papaya....

Is baking soda good for plants? It certainly doesn’t seem to do any harm, but it isn’t the miracle cure for those mildew beleaguered roses either. Baking soda as a fungicide does appear to diminish the effects of fungal diseases on common ornamental and vegetable plants. Recent studies confuse the efficiency of using this common household item. The compound seems to prevent some fungal spore flare ups but doesn’t kill the spores....

When to Water Houseplants There are several ways to determine when your plants truly need water. First, if you rub your thumb on the surface of the compost, you can tell if the plant needs water. Using this method, you only want to water when the compost feels dry and has no sponginess left. You can tap on clay pots with a cotton reel attached to a pencil. A dull note will tell you the compost is moist....