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And if not, rotate these plants out on sunny days, perhaps placing them outside early on a sunny morning. Locate them in sunny-morning conditions where they won’t get excessive light. Add lighting to provide indirect light to your plants if they are not accustomed to full sunlight. Consider the Best Succulents for a Bathroom Sansevieria is a great option for the bathroom in many ways. It will absorb toxins that often occur in bathrooms....

Why are My Beans so Small? If you’re dealing with beans too small, you’re not alone. There are a number of things that can lead to plants and bean pods too little for your taste. First of all, beans are a warm-weather crop that requires a short growing season, with most major commercial production occurring in Wisconsin, western New York, and Oregon in the United States. While all growing beans need full sun and fertile, well-draining soil for optimal production, too much sun or rather high temps may have an adverse effect on the bean plot....

Black Radish Info Black radishes (Raphanus sativus niger) are heirloom radishes that are significantly more peppery than the rosy red radish. They also take about two to three times longer to mature than the common red radish. There are two varieties: a round one that looks much like a black turnip and a long one, which is cylindrical and can get to about 8 inches (20.5 cm.) long. The long variety is more pungent than the round but both have flesh that is crisp, white, and peppery....

Bromeliad Plants The unusual appearance of the bromeliad would seem to indicate that the plant is high maintenance and requires special gardening skills. The plant is prized for its thick foliage that grows in a natural rosette. Near the end of its life, a bromeliad plant may produce an inflorescence, or flower. whose form and color vary widely among each variety. The wide leaves are sword shaped or scoop-like and grow around a central “cup....

Brugmansia Information Brugmansias are commonly called Angel Trumpets. Brugmansias are frequently confused with or thought to be the same as daturas, which are also commonly called Angel Trumpets. This is an incorrect assumption though. Brugmansia and daturas are not directly related to one another (they are listed in two separate genus). The brugmansia is a woody tree, while the datura is an herbaceous shrub. The two different angel trumpets can be distinguished by the direction of the flowers....

Bladder Fern Information Bulblet bladder fern (Cystopteris bulbifera) is named for the tiny, green, bladder-like structures on the underside of some leaves. These are potential reproductive structures that eventually fall off and produce new ferns. The fern is a rock-loving species found in limestone or sandstone formations. As part of the home garden, they add lacy-leaved elegance and low maintenance greenery to the shadier spots in the landscape. Bladder fern plants reproduce semi-vegetatively but also develop spores which fuel the development of the bulblets....

About Foraging for Ginseng American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, is a native herb from the Aralia family. It can be found in cool, moist woodland areas throughout the eastern deciduous forests. The most sought after ginseng roots are older roots that are larger. Asian buyers prefer not only older roots, but those that are oddly forked, stubby yet tapering, off white, and firm. While roots can be harvested at five years, the most sought after are eight to ten years old....

Can You Grow Plants in Foam Boxes? Growing plants in foam containers is easy, and the bigger the container, the more you can plant. A small container is ideal for plants like lettuce or radishes. A five-gallon container will work for patio tomatoes, but you’ll need a 10-gallon (38 L) foam plant container for full-size tomatoes. Of course, you can also plant flowers or herbs. If you aren’t crazy about the looks of the container, a couple of trailing plants will camouflage the foam....

What is Chilling? So exactly what is chilling? Flower bulbs and many seeds require a dormancy period before they are ready for growth. It is a chilling period of a certain number of days. This keeps the embryo from emerging during cold weather, which would potentially kill the new growth. Bulbs have dormancy periods which vary by type and some, such as tropical flowers, do not require a chilling period at all....

Common Problems with Eucalyptus Trees Most eucalyptus tree problems occur when the tree is stressed. This can be the result of disease or insects. Diseases of Eucalyptus Fungi, in particular, find an easy foothold in trees already damaged by age or insects. There are several fungi that can cause eucalyptus tree diseases. The most common are presented here. Canker, caused by a type of fungus, begins by infecting the bark and proceeds to the interior of the tree....

Common Succulent and Cactus Pest Problems While other bugs might occasionally snack on these cactus plants and succulents, they’re usually not found in high enough numbers to cause any real damage – like that of cactus beetles. However, the three most common offenders you may come across include the following: Fungus gnats Fungus gnats, similar to those pesky little fliers (fruit flies) that surround bananas and other fruit when it is a tad too ripe, may linger on or near your plants....

Benefits of Compost Tea Whether you have local yard waste recycling or are a DIY composter, compost is useful as a soil amendment. Making compost tea dilutes the nutrients, making them easier for plants to use quickly. It also reduces the possibility of harm from synthetic preparations and ensures an organic feeding. The tea may help ward off some diseases and pest problems as well. Knowing when to apply compost tea and how to mix it will ensure plants get the boost they need....

Will Rhubarb Grow in Containers? Yes indeed, it is possible to grow rhubarb plants in containers. Almost any plant can be container grown; sometimes it just requires a pot large enough to accommodate it. In the case of rhubarb grown in containers, it’s not necessarily the width of the plant (although that is a consideration too), but the depth is of primary importance, as rhubarb has a large root system. If you are going to try container grown rhubarb, use a sturdy container that is at least 20 inches (50....

What are Carrot Weevils? Only about one-sixth of an inch (4 mm.) long, carrot weevils are snout beetles that love to dine on members of the carrot family. They feed during the warm months and then spend the winter hiding in the top layer of soil and in weeds, grass, or debris left in the garden. If you have them one year, you can count on their return the following year....

Reasons for Staking Dahlia Plants Dahlia growers are familiar with the signs. Muddy blooms pasted to the earth and bedraggled flowers with bent, broken stems. Dahlias are prolific producers after a few years. These tuberous plants have slender, erect stems which are not always capable of supporting the larger blooms. Staking dahlia plants is important during the season to keep the leafy stems rising to the sun and prevent damage to the flowers....

Sweet Bell Pepper Varieties The pepper that gets used most often is undoubtedly the green bell pepper. It is a common fixture in many dishes and can be found at every supermarket. Mounded near the green bell peppers are the sunrise-hued red, yellow, and orange bell peppers. And, if you are really lucky, sometimes you will see purple, adding to the cacophony of color in the produce aisle. So is there a difference between these colored beauties?...

What is Hemp Dogbane? In a perfect world, all life would have its place on earth. However, sometimes plants are in the wrong space for human cultivation and they need to be removed. Hemp dogbane is a good example of a plant that is not beneficial when growing in cropland and can do more harm than good. It will crowd out the intended crops and establish itself as a creeping perennial that is difficult to mechanically remove....

Evergreen Magnolia Trees There are about 125 species of magnolia which may be evergreen, deciduous, or even semi-evergreen. The lustrous green leaves are a standout feature with light green, silver, or reddish fuzzy undersides. Evergreen magnolias afford the pleasure of enjoying a leafy tree year-round. Not all species are suited for all zones, but most magnolias are fairly adaptable and will thrive in warm to temperate regions. Few things are more saddening than watching the leaves fall from the trees....

Wait! Back up! What is a forsythe pot? I’d never heard of one, never mind how to use a forsythe pot. I needn’t have worried. Forsythe pot basics are pretty straightforward and learning how to make a forsythe pot is easy. The results are rewarding and it makes a great project for kids. What is a Forsythe Pot? So, what is a forsythe pot? For me, an abysmal failure at rooting anything, these pots are a miracle....

What is Frankincense and Myrrh? Frankincense and myrrh are the aromatic resins, or dried sap, derived from trees. Frankincense trees are of the genus Boswellia, and Myrrh trees from the genus Commiphora, both of which are common to Somalia and Ethiopia. Both today and in the past, frankincense and myrrh are used as incense. Frankincense trees are leafy specimens that grow without any soil along Somalia’s rocky ocean shores. Sap that flows from these trees appears as milky, opaque ooze that hardens into a translucent golden “gum” and is of great value....