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Growing Conditions for Bird of Paradise Strelitzia reginae, also known as crane flower, is native to South Africa and derives its name from the unusual flowers, which resemble brightly colored birds in flight. The plant needs warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine to produce the characteristic blooms. They are hardy in United States Department of Agriculture zones 9 to 11, but cooler regions can use them in containers outdoors in summer and move them inside as cooler temps arrive....

Effects of Sugar on Plants All plants benefit and grow best in nitrogen rich soils. Nitrogen is the basis for green, leafy growth and promotes the healthy uptake of other necessary nutrients. Nitrogen is yielded by composting or rotting organic matter. Sugar is a carbon nutrient and contains no nitrogen. Sugar on weeds has the ability to limit growth in some plants, especially those that are not adaptive to low nitrogen environments....

By mixing tall succulents, flanked by trailing succulents, you create a wonderful texture and harmony. These thriller, filler, and spiller succulents will blend together, accenting each other for an amazing planting scheme. What are Thriller, Filler, and Spiller Succulents? Succulents are houseplant darlings. They come in a wide range of sizes, growth styles, colors, and shapes. Using a variety of growth styles helps fill in a mixed container, while different sizes will add to the architectural appeal....

Vertical Vegetable Garden Info and Plants Consider growing a vertical vegetable garden. You can easily produce the same amount of fresh vegetables without taking up excess space. A vertical vegetable garden is easy to create. You can create one using shelves, hanging baskets, or trellises. The first step is to determine what the conditions are like in the area you wish to place the vegetable garden, such as on the balcony....

About Money Tree Money tree (Pachira aquaitica) is also known as Guiana chestnut or Malabar chestnut. In its native range it can grow up to 30 feet (9.1 m.) tall. It’s a popular houseplant for its decorative foliage and large size and is often sold with a braided trunk. Some people also grow it small as a bonsai. Like some other tropical houseplants, money tree will be happy as a clam in the right spot but reacts badly to being moved....

Tomato Plant Diseases Perhaps the most common reason for tomato plant failure is disease. Tomato plants are susceptible to a wide variety of diseases. These include: Alternaria Canker – brown depressed spots on the leaves, fruit and stems Bacterial Canker – leaves wilt, turn yellow, then brown and die from the bottom up Bacterial Speck – small brown dots with yellow rings on fruit and leaves Bacterial Spot – wet, black spots on the leaves that eventually decompose and leave a hole Cucumber Mosaic Virus – the tomato plant will be stunted and will have thin leaves Early Blight – large black irregular shaped spots with yellow rings around them on the leaves Fusarium Crown Rot – whole plant turns brown, starting with mature leaves – brown lines can be found on the stems Fusarium Wilt – plants wilt despite proper watering Gray Leaf Spot – small brown spots on leaves that rot out and leave small holes in the leaves Late Blight – leaves turn pale brown and papery and the fruit develop indented spots Leaf Mold – light green or yellow spots on the undersides of the leaves that eventually cause whole leaves to turn yellow Powdery Mildew – leaves will be covered with a white powdery coating Septoria Leaf Spot – brown and grey spots on the leaves, mostly on older leaves Southern Blight – plant wilts and brown spots can be found on the stem near or at the soil line Spotted Wilt – Bulls-eye type spots on the leaves and the plant will be stunted Timber Rot – The tomato plants will have hollow stems and moldy spots on leaves and stems Tomato Tobacco Mosaic – The plant is stunted with patchy yellow and bright green leaves Verticillium Wilt – Plants wilt despite proper watering...

Is My Lantana Dying? Lantana plants are sun-loving plants with colorful flowers that undergo several hue changes as they mature. Many of the plants also produce bluish black fleshy fruits which can be poisonous in large quantities. If your lantana plant is drooping you may wonder, “is my lantana dying?” In most cases, the cause is easy to deduce and getting the plant back on track should just take a little time and TLC....

How Many Orange Varieties are There? The sweet orange (Citrus aurantium var. sinensis) is not to be found in the wild. It is a hybrid, although of which two types there is much conjecture. Most sources seem to settle on the marriage between the pomelo (Citrus maxima) and the mandarin (Citrus reticulata). Confusion surrounds the origin of cultivation as well, but it is assumed to have first been grown in China, northeastern India, and possible southeastern Asia....

Choosing Poppies for the Garden Poppies belong to the Papaveraceae family and are represented by many different species and varieties of poppy. Some species of Papaveraceae grow wild and are weed-like in appearance, and others are shrubs. When trying to choose flowering poppies for the garden, we can narrow the choice by focusing on some of the more popular types of poppies: Corn Poppy Corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas) is an easy-to-grow annual that blooms in spring or early summer....

Layout Options for the Garden Before planning a vegetable garden layout, there are a few things to consider. The garden will thrive in well-draining, nutrient rich soil. It’s probably a good idea to perform a soil test to determine its composition. Once the results are in, you will know if and with what the soil needs to be amended. At this time, you can add compost, sand, humus, fertilizer or other ingredients....

Care and Feeding of Worms Worms love to eat and spend most of their time doing so. Just like you and I, worms have culinary likes and dislikes. So what to feed worms and what should you avoid putting in the worm bin? What to Feed Worms Of the vermicomposting do’s and don’ts, veggies and fruits are a resounding “DO.” Worms will eat any of the following: Pumpkin Leftover corn cobs Melon rinds Banana peels Fruit and veggie detritus...

About Cold Resistant Cactus Cacti are primarily found in the warmer regions of North and South America, but several have made their way up even into Canada. These chilly champions are uniquely adapted to freezing periods and have evolved certain protections to thrive even when buried in snow. Learn which cactus for cold climates might be suitable for your winter landscape. Any cactus, no matter if it is cold hardy or not, needs well-draining soil....

What is a Tree Guild? A useful way to look at landscaping is holistically. Taking the entire concept into consideration and opting for plants that complement each other helps minimize upkeep and builds a strong scaffold for each species to thrive. Fruit tree guild design is one way to optimize a planting space and create a more diverse producing food garden. Knowing how to plant a tree guild provides practical permaculture that withstands stress and enhances each plant’s health....

What is Almond Oil? Most of us are aware of the health benefits of eating sweet almonds. Almond oil has even more health benefits than crunching on the tasty nut. Almond oil is simply the essential oil pressed out from the nut. This pure oil has been found to be rich in Vitamin E, monounsaturated fatty acids, proteins, potassium, and zinc, making it not only heart healthy but good for our skin and hair....

Kalanchoe Bloom Time Usually, the plant is in full bloom at purchase and produces a constant parade of flowers for weeks or even months. Kalanchoes are forced to bloom by nurseries in order to present their flowers for purchasers. When does Kalanchoe bloom naturally? In its native region, Kalanchoe can bloom almost year-round, but as a container houseplant, it is most commonly blooming in late winter to late spring. This cycle will slow down as lighting increases....

About Harvesting Tangerines Tangerines, also called mandarin oranges, are more cold-hardy than oranges and can be grown in USDA zones 8-11. They require full sun, consistent irrigation, and, like any other citrus, well-draining soil. They make excellent container citrus, as there are several dwarf varieties available. Most varieties are self-fertile and are well-suited for those lacking in garden space. So when can you begin harvesting tangerines? It takes about 3 years for a tangerine to begin producing a crop....

Why is My Fountain Grass Browning? If you are unfamiliar with the types of ornamental grass, you may ask: “Why is my fountain grass browning?” Fountain grass is considered a warm season grass and it is natural for the previous season’s growth to turn brown at the end of the growing season. In most regions, fountain grass trimming is necessary to enhance appearance and allow spring growth to shine without a frame of dead blades....

Do Marigolds Repel Bees? Honeybees are beneficial insects that drive pollination to many of our plants. However, there are other insects that we lump into the classification of “bees,” which can be irritating and even down-right dangerous. These might include hornets and yellow jackets, whose swarming behavior and vicious stings can ruin any outdoor picnic. Using natural methods to repel these insects is smart when animals and children are present. Planting marigolds to deter bees may be just the right solution....

Zone 8 Groundcover Info USDA plant hardiness zone 8 is not one of the warmest zones, but it’s not one of the coolest zones either. In zone 8, the average minimum winter temperatures dip into the range of 10 to 20 degrees F. (-12 to -7 C.). Fortunately for homeowners in zone 8, you will find a broad selection of plants for zone 8 groundcover. Keep in mind that good groundcovers for this region will reduce lawn maintenance, help control erosion, keep down weeds, and work as a mulch to control soil temperatures....

Zone 9 Fruit Tree Varieties Below are some examples of fruit trees for zone 9. Citrus Fruit Zone 9 is a marginal climate for citrus, as an unexpected cold snap will put an end to many, including grapefruit and most limes. However, there are a number of cold hardy citrus trees from which to choose, including the following: Owardi satsuma mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata ‘Owari’) Calamondin (Citrus mitis) Meyer lemon (Citrus x meyeri) Marumi kumquat (Citrus japonica ‘Marumi’) Trifoliate orange (Citrus trifoliata) Giant pummelo (Citrus pummel) Sweet Clementine (Citrus reticulata ‘Clementine’)...