All posts in Gardening

Learn Simple Steps To Make A Bonsai

By blogger on

Origin of Bonsai

The process of making the dwarf specimen of a big tree can be considered as bonsai. A bonsai always represents a mature and old tree which bears all the qualities of a plant in the woods. This is the popular advantage of making Bonsai trees. It is believed that the Bonsai first gained popularity around 1000 years back in China. It was then known as pun-sai. From there, the process went to Japan and there it developed more. Poetic dream, craft of an artist and success of a horticulturist are clearly reflected in a bonsai tree. There are five bonsai categories available: Formal Upright, Informal Upright, Slanting Style, Cascade Style and Semi-Cascade Style.

Making Bonsai

Making of bonsai is an art which can be tried in almost any plants. However, most commonly used plants are Ficus, Figs, Cedar, Elm, Mango tree, Cedar and Jade plant. Sources for the plant procurement can be done from any place where you find a dwarfed tree does not get the support of Mother Nature. Other than this, seeds, cuttings, grafted and potted plants are also used to make a bonsai. Buy a clay pot of 4 inches height and 6 inches radius with at least three holes for drainage. Fit your bonsai inside after pruning the roots of the plant in that pot. Cut the roots little angularly for easy growth.

Soil condition

Making bonsai requires an apt method of feeding the plant. Giving less food will not help at all for the process. The restriction of natural growth is the only solution for making bonsai trees. The soil used for making bonsai should not be so soggy. Prepare the soil by mixing 3 parts of a half burnt clay, 3 parts of leaf mould with two parts of coarse sand. Mixing one handful of vermin composter or organic compost will be more effective. A spoonful of fertiliser twice a month would be sufficient for easy growth. Mixture of cow manure can also be used. Bonsai should not be planted in over sized pot.

Training techniques

Training techniques includes the pruning of branches, roots, cutting of leaf or either bending the branches. At first, you may decide which should be the front side of the Bonsai. Avoid allowing any branch to grow in that direction. After pruning process, bend it to your choice by twisting a copper wire over it. Removing of leaves should not be done more than three in a year. Ensure sufficient sunlight while making Bonsai. But, avoid heavy fall of direct sunlight and rain. Remember, making Bonsai needs constant attention and care. Let it grow as an icon of your creativity.

How To Take Care Of Red Roses

By blogger on

It’s just not that easy to cultivate healthy roses. Some roses need to have more attention than different kinds of plants but you can find some species that are easy to grow, even by a beginner. Let’s analyze the easiest way to grow healthy roses.

1) Cut the roses in the early spring, immediately after small red bumps appear on the rose. The bumps will definitely become new branches afterwards.

2) Cut any branch that appears to be dead and leave just the 4-5 of them that look healthy. Generally, they will be dense as a pen.

3) Make tiny slits on the outer surface of the bulb at the bottom. This will definitely affect the appearance of your rose as it will improve the odds that it will grow up straight.

4) Making use of fertilizers is going to ensure your roses grow healthily. Roses demand extra attention and nutrition on a daily basis. Progressive release fertilizer delivers your roses the nourishment they need, when they need it. You can even use liquid fertilizer once per month to help keep your roses healthy. Roses must have ample water if they are to thrive. Should you be residing in an area where there is reduced rain, you can also think about installing a watering system.

5) If you want to make accurate slits, use sharp scissors. If you use a reliable garden shear, this will ensure that you get a clean cut which is important for your roses. Whatever the width or size, never fail to get it done carefully.

6) To protect your rose bushes against the blistering rays of the sun, cover them while still ensuring that they get partial sunlight. This will also make sure that the soil stays wet for longer. Put a 5 centimeter layer of fertilizer for best results. If its freezing, cover your rose bushes with a protective sheet and add an inch of soil at the stems to keep them healthy.

7) Dry roses possess the potential of preventing new buds from sprouting so cut them off when you can. If you would like your roses to flourish throughout every season, it will take effort on your part. Try your best to keep an eye out for insects that will damage your roses. Afflicted portions of the rose bush are easy to remove and then the surviving portion must be washed. Do not forget that it’s possible to consult your local store to find effective poisons to get rid of insects that may be damaging your roses.

8) A lot of bug sprays made for roses are organic. Take the time to read the steps on the effective application of the poison. Some of those solutions are generally toxic if they are not applied according to the instructions. Once Autumn starts, don’t give your roses anymore fertilizer. Should you continue to nourish them, they will sprout too early and will ultimately die in the colder months that follow.

Watch Glee Season 3 Episode 15

Miniature Gardening All About Its Types

By blogger on

Miniature gardens and fairy gardens represent a scenic picture comprised of accessories, furniture, structures, gnomes, etc., making it a beautiful space in your home. If you are a beginner and want to know more about miniature gardening and its types then read the article.

Types of miniature gardens

Indoor miniature gardens: This type of garden has plants that can survive extreme conditions such as low light and indoor conditions.

Terrarium: Terrarium is a miniature plant or garden enclosed in glass container. It can tolerate low light and high humidity.

Pots and containers: For indoor miniature gardens, pots and containers with drainage holes help to drain out excess water from the bottom.

Place saucers or plates underneath the pot to protect surfaces from excess water draining from the container and to keep the surroundings clean.

Outdoor miniature gardens: For outdoor miniature gardens, it is important to consider the weather zones while planting in any climate.

Accessories made of terra cotta, wood, glass, etc., can be used in outdoor miniature gardens. Based on the materials the accessories are made of, remove the accessories from the landscape during adverse weather conditions to protect them and make sure to store them properly so that their life can be prolonged and can be used in the future.

Landscapes: Miniature landscapes are a congregation of soil, plants and imaginative theme that are put together for creating a scene.

For example, in case of miniature pond landscape ensure to keep it in a sunny location outdoors.

Pots and containers: Pots or containers used for outdoor miniature gardens should have proper drainage system. Using containers made of clay which are usually porous helps in leaking out excess water.

Requirements to develop indoor and outdoor miniature gardens

Plants: The one thing that differentiates indoor miniature garden from outdoor miniature garden is the type of plants that survive in varied conditions.

Indoor miniature plants grow well in indoor conditions like low sunlight, etc., whereas outdoor miniature plants require heat and more sunlight.

Plants that can survive in dry conditions can be used in indoor miniature gardens.

Location: Location of the garden determines the life and growth of the plants. Based on the plants you choose for indoor or outdoor miniature gardens choose a location with adequate temperature and light.

Pots and containers: Various containers made of materials like metal, glass, wood and plastic that come up different colors, sizes, shapes and styles can be used for indoor and outdoor gardens.

Accessories: Select the right accessories by keeping the theme of the garden in mind. Ensure that the accessories used in outdoor gardens should be resistant to extreme weather conditions, corrosion and rust.

Maintenance for the survival of miniature gardens: Maintaining the miniature garden is important for its survival. Following are a few maintenance tips for indoor and outdoor miniature gardens:

Check the plants frequently for pest invasions.

Potting soil with a blend of perlite, compost and other essential nutrients is preferred for containers to feed plants.

Under watering, over watering or using too much of a fertilizer is not good for miniature plants.

Use potting soil and drill holes into the bottom of the container for proper draining system and to keep your plants healthy.

Regardless of the type of miniature garden (indoor or outdoor) give them the care they deserve to grow.

Difference in hydroponic gardening

By blogger on

When growing hydroponics, there are a vast variety of growing mediums that may be used. The mediums include materials, including perlite, vermiculite, coconut fiber, gravel, sand, or any number of other materials. Even air may be used as a hydroponic growing medium. The hydroponic growing medium is an inert substance that does not supply any nutrition to the plants.

All of the nutrition comes from the nutrient solution, typically combining water and fertilizer. Hydroponic fertilizer and fertilizer intended for use in soil (regularfertilizer) contain the three main nutrients. These nutrients are nitrogen, Phosphorus, and potassium. The main difference between hydroponic fertilizer and dirt fertilizer is that hydroponic gardening fertilizers contain the proper amounts of all of the essential micro-nutrients that regular fertilizers do not include. The plants are expected to find these elements in the soil.

Problems may arise for the plants if any or all of the micro-nutrients are not present in the soil or have been depleted by successive or excessive plantings. Hydroponic gardening fertilizers are usually in a more pure form than are regular fertilizers so they are more stable and water-soluble.

Organic fertilizers are typically very different than either the hydroponic fertilizers or the dirt fertilizers in how the deliver nutrients to the plants. The organic fertilizers rely on the action of bacteria and microbes to help break down the material into its basic elements so the plant can easily use it. Hydroponic and regular fertilizers then supply the plants with these elements.

Another difference between hydroponic and regular gardening is that growing hydroponics can be extremely complicated. Hydroponics are controlled with computers and sensors which help control everything from watering cycles to nutrient strength, and the amount of light the plants receive. However, hydroponics can also be very simple. The average home hydroponic system usually consists of a few basic parts, including a growing tray, a reservoir, a timer controlled submersible pump to water the plants, and an air pump to oxygenate the nutrient solution. Light is, of course, also required to help the hydroponic garden to grow.

There are also micro-nutrients that are required for healthy plant growth. These micro-nutrients include calcium, sulfur, magnesium, boron, cobalt, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, and molybdenum. These nutrients are the essential elements that plants need in very small amounts. Plants are likely to become sick without these trace elements and will develop all sorts of problems depending on which nutrient is missing.

The lack of micro-nutrients in food crops can mean a lack of nutrients in the food. This will result in the food not being as healthy as it could be and potentially lead people to develop health problems due to the lack of these essential elements. Any hydroponic gardener needs to use a good quality hydroponic fertilizer when they are growing plants using hydroponics.

Gardeners should always monitor their system too much rather than too little to avoid any problems. The ability to quickly and easily test and control pH in hydroponics is a major advantage over regular gardening, where testing and adjusting the pH is much more complicated and time consuming.

Solar How To Roof Gardening

By blogger on

Energy is the latest buzzword to garner media attention. Fuel costs are rising, and finding an alternative and economical fuel source is vital to todays economy. Concern for the environment is also at the forefront of the energy issue. Solar energy is both an economical and eco-friendly alternative fuel source.

One simple step in harnessing solar power is planting. Growing fruit tress or having a vegetable garden is a healthy and natural way to use solar power. Home-growing fruits and vegetables also cuts down on grocery bills. Plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, which helps to clean the air of toxins. This idea can be taken a step further by planting a roof garden. Roof gardens can be planted on the tops of houses, garages or sheds.

Roof gardens help to insulate and retain heat in houses more efficiently than conventional thermal insulation. They also use natural precipitation for water, which reduces run-off and a homeowners sewer costs. Roof gardens also absorb ultra-violet light, which can strip a roof over time.

There are three different types of roof gardens:

o Extensive living roofs

o Semi-extensive living roofs

o Intensive living roofs

Extensive living roofs are the easiest to maintain and require the shallowest soil systems. They are also the lightest and are ideal for sheds or garages. The downside is that extensive living roofs lack the visual appeal of the other two types of roof gardens.

Semi-extensive living roofs are more aesthetically pleasing than the extensive living roof. They require a denser soil and can support different types of vegetation. They are heavier and are more suited to flat domestic buildings.

The third type of roof garden is the intensive living roof. This type of garden requires a strong structure to support it, such as the roof of a commercial building. The soil is denser and can sustain trees and full working gardens.

Roof gardens can be planted on flat or slanted surfaces. When choosing to plant a roof garden on a slanted surface like a shed, be sure to check for adequate structural support. The best types of plants for roof gardens on slanted surfaces are mosses and lichens.

The first step in planting a roof garden is to layer a moisture-retaining protective mat over the area. A root barrier and drainage layer must also be added. The root barrier protects the waterproofing of the rooftop. The drainage layer allows for collection and proper evaporation of water run-off. A filter layer is added to protect the drainage layer from fine particles being washed out of the soil. The vegetation layer contains a zinc-mineral based soil that helps the plants adapt. There are several different types of vegetation to choose from when building a roof garden.

The choice of plant life for a roof garden should be based on the type of garden and the climate. For extensive living roofs, the lightest vegetation is mosses and lichens. These are small plants that do not flower. They can survive in various different climates and are a hearty option. Sedums are the most widely used variety of plant as they are drought resistant. They also change color based on climate change. Wildflower and Calcareous Grassland plants can also be used for living roofs. These types of vegetation need ample space and would not be a viable option for a shed or small garage.

Roof gardens are a natural way to harness solar energy and insulate buildings. They can add style and beauty to a home while also saving a homeowner on heating and cooling bills. Investing in a roof garden or small home garden is an excellent way to save on natural resources and energy costs.