How to Care For Bamboo Plant

 

 

Bamboo plants are relatively low-maintenance, needing little personal care. After purchasing a healthy plant, follow the steps below to maintain it.

Things You'll Need

• Aquarium plant food
• Water

Instructions

• 1
  Water the bamboo plant with filtered water or rain water to avoid the chemicals in tap water. For an even healthier plant, use soiled water from a fish tank or bowl.
• 2
  Keep the water level in the container high. It should never be less than half-filled. The roots of the plants must be completely submerged.
• 3
  Empty the water, and refill about once a week.
• 4
  Allow the bamboo plants indirect light at a moderate level. Bamboo grows in thick, shady forests. Too much light will kill the plant. The plant will turn yellow if it is too dry.
• 5
  Feed the bamboo plant a few drops of aquarium plant food about once a month. Do this by changing the water.
• 6
  If the bamboo plant is kept in a soil pot instead of water, make sure the soil is constantly damp, but not over soaked. If the top inch of soil is dry then it's time to water.

Read More

Basics of Ocean Plants

1. • Seaweed is one of the most common ocean plants, providing food and shelter for marine animals. seaweed image by green308 from Fotolia.com

     Oceans cover three quarters of Earth's surface and are a rich biodiversity of animal and plant life. Oceans are a self-contained ecosystem, with all plant and animal life fulfilling an important role in the food chain. Plants decompose on the bottom of the ocean, providing nutrients for all aquatic organisms, replenishing the oceans food supply. Much like dry-land vegetation, oceans have underwater forests comprising different plants, such as kelp, coral, phytoplankton and algae.

   Conditions of Growth

   • Ocean plants are very particular about the conditions they grow in. Temperate sea temperatures are an important factor contributing to their growth. Increased sea temperatures hinder the growth of the plant life such as phytoplankton, a tiny ocean plant, that is a foundational ocean food source for other plants. Increased ocean temperatures create layers of water, limiting the mixing of deep nutrient-rich cold water and warmer surface water. Without water mixing, the foundational plant phytoplankton does reproduce, limiting the conditions for other plants that use the nutrients from the tiny ocean plant to grow.

   Plant Food Sources

   • Like plants on land, ocean plants use photosynthesis to transfer carbon dioxide from the environment into plant cells, which are then consumed by other plant life. This means that most ocean plants tend to live relatively close to the surface of the water and in range of sunlight. Some examples of these plants are diatoms, coccolithophores, cyanobacteria and dinoflagellates, which all float near the surface of the water and are types of phytoplankton. As they die, they sink to the ocean floor, fertilizing other plants such as kelp, algae and seaweed.

   Ocean Plants as a Food Source

   • Ocean plants are the foundational food source for all animal life. Single-celled phytoplankton are one of the most important food sources for both plant and animal life. Zooplankton, shellfish and larger fish rely on phytoplankton as a primary nourishing food source. They are the stabilizing element within oceans, protecting the delicate biodiversity. Any factors limiting their growth directly affect the feeding patterns of larger marine animals, commercial fisheries and plants that grow on the ocean floor. Larger ocean plants such as kelp, seaweed and coral provide food and habitats for marine life and are a rich feeding ground attracting different types of marine animals. Without them, the ocean food chain cannot function.

Read More

ow to Plant Tomatoes in Your Vegetable Garden

Read More

Basics of Raised Bed Gardening

Read More

Basics of Vertical Gardening

Read More

How to Create a Basic Herb Garden Plant Container

Fresh herbs are a delicious way to add flair to all sorts of meals, including pasta, sandwiches, soups and marinades for meat. You can find fresh herbs at the grocery store, but why not create a basic herb garden plant container and grow your own herbs at home all year round.

Things You'll Need

• Container
• Pea gravel or similar material
• Potting soil
• Herb seeds or plants

Instructions 

1. 1
   Choose a place to keep your herb garden plant container to help you decide what to use for the container itself. The location of your herb garden will dictate the size and shape of the container to be used. For a window sill, you'll to find container (or containers) that will fit the small space. Several small terra cotta pots (with one herb variety in each) work well for narrow ledges. You can also purchase narrow potting containers that are designed with small spaces in mind.
   If you have a large table to hold your herb garden, your container options are much broader. Almost anything capable of holding soil can become a container for your herb garden: a large terra cotta pot, old milking bucket, large ceramic bowl, or even a plastic pot hidden inside a wicker basket.
   Be sure the location you choose for your herb garden gets sunlight.
   2
   Know your herbs. What will you include in your herb garden plant container? Popular choices include basil, oregano, cilantro, sage, and rosemary.
   3
   Find seeds for your favorites at a local nursery or a hardware store. Buy potting soil and pea gravel.
   4
   Line the bottom of the container you plan to use with a layer of pea gravel or other similar material to allow for drainage of the soil.
   5
   Fill the container about 3/4 full of potting soil. Leave space at the top so there is room to water the plants without the soil spilling.
   Refer to the seed packet to determine the depth of soil that will provide optimal growing conditions for the plants you have chosen. The needs of each type of herb will vary.
   6
   Plant the seeds as directed on the seed packets. According to Charlie Nardozzi and the National Gardening Association: "Arrange the plants so that those that grow tall, such as basil and lemongrass, are in the center and cascading varieties of herbs, such as thyme and oregano, are along the edge."
   
   7
   Place your container herb garden in its new home and water as needed. Once the plants have matured, take clippings of the various herbs regularly to encourage new growth.

Read More

How to Select Basic Garden Tools

 

 

You don't need to spend a lot to start a garden, but you do need some basic tools. You can get started for under $100 - less if you can find tools at yard sales or flea markets.

Things You'll Need

• Bow Rake
• Garden Shears
• Hoes
• Shovels
• Spading Forks
• Watering Cans

Instructions

• • 1
    Select a spading fork as your first tool. Before you plant anything, you will need to open and improve the soil. A spading fork looks like a pitchfork but has a shorter handle and wider tines. It is used to dig down into hard soil and break up the ground.
  • 2
    Next, choose a hoe. A hoe is useful for weeding and cultivating the surface of the soil to allow for penetration of nutrients and water.
  • 3
    Choose a watering can. Long nozzles allow the water to come out at a very gentle flow rate and are useful for reaching across long distances. Select a watering can that has a detachable spray head - this type of watering can is perfect for watering young seedlings.
  • 4
    Select a round-ended shovel for larger digging projects, such as planting shrubs and trees.
  • 5
    Buy a good bow rake, which has short tines on one side attached to a metal frame or 'bow.' It's used for leveling the soil after it has been turned and prior to planting, or for removing large clods of earth or rocks from the soil. You can also turn a bow rake over and use the flat side to smooth soil in preparation for planting.
  • 6
    Select a pair of garden shears that fits comfortably in your hand. Shears, sometimes called clippers, are used for pruning, shaping and removing foliage or branches. Don't buy the most expensive shears until you decide you like gardening.

Read More

Chiller Plant Basics

Container gardens and window boxes are small by design, but that does not mean they have to be boring. To create visual interest in a container garden, combine plants of various heights and textures in each pot, stuffing the vessels with a combination of thrillers, spillers, fillers and chillers.

1. Container Plant Types

   • There are four basic types of plants that can be combined in an individual container: Thrillers are tall plants that add height to the arrangement; spillers cascade over the edges of the container; fillers are fine, billowy plants that effectively fill the spaces between specimens; chillers are the mid-level plants that draw the eye and pull the whole thing together. While thrillers, spillers and fillers are fairly easy to identify, chillers can be a bit more challenging; a towering plant will eclipse the thriller, while a sprawling one will envelop the spiller.

   Chiller Plants

   • Plants such as the dusty miller, coleus, polka dot plant, perilla and geranium make excellent chiller plants. Reaching an average of 8 to 24 inches in height, the dense foliage and upright growth habit of these specimens contrasts nicely with a variety of plants, lending an abundant, lush look to any arrangement.

   Container Garden Design

   • To effectively arrange an assortment of plants in a single container, begin by placing towering, thriller-type plants in the center of the pot to keep them from overpowering the other specimens. Surround thrillers with a combination of chillers and fillers to add depth to the collection. Place spillers near the edges of the container; as the foliage grows it will naturally trail over the sides of the container, adding an exciting vertical element to the composition.

   Considerations

   • When designing a container garden, there is only one rule which must be followed: choose plants with similar growing requirements. Using the thriller-spiller-filler-chiller plan, select plants that flourish when given the same amounts of light, heat and water. Should the décor require greater visual variety, group the containers together; for example, to create an exciting blend of colors and textures, place a container of succulents next to a container of tropical plants, then surround them with smaller pots of flowering annuals or fragrant herbs.

Read More

Adding Moss & Lichen to Houseplants

Read More

How to Be a Green Thumb

A "green thumb" is said to be someone born with the power to make any type of plant grow and thrive. Fortunately, you don't really have to be born with special powers to become a plant person. All you need is enough know-how plus a sincere fondness for flowers, houseplants, trees, vegetables and all foliage in between. If you want to be a green thumb for relaxation or for profit, here are some simple steps to take

Instructions 

Things You'll Need 

• Plants and gardening books
• Internet access
• Gardening tools
• Favorite plants
• Love for plants

• 1
   
  

  Research and learn as much as you can about plants. Where do they grow best? When should they be planted, pruned and propagated? How and when should they be fertilized? Read books and magazines. Surf the Internet. Join a garden club.
• 2
  Own a complete set of basic garden tools. The right tool for every gardening task will help you accomplish the job quickly, efficiently and with minimal strain. Choose ergonomic products that promote safety and reduce stress.
• 3
   
  

  Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. You'll have to poke your finger into the soil to determine if a potted houseplant needs to be watered. When you plant, cultivate, repot and propagate, even if you wear gloves, some dirt will always end up on your hands, among other places.
• 4
  Keep an eye on the plants. Growing plants is not very different from raising pets. You must check on them regularly to determine if they have special needs at any particular time. Too bright or too dark? Too dry or too wet? Disease? Pests?
• 5
   
  

  Addressing plants' needs in a timely manner is what makes one a bona fide green thumb. Plants need to be fed, groomed and taken care of in order to thrive. In an artificial environment like indoors or an urban backyard, a green thumb gladly assumes the role of Mother Nature.
• 6
  
  

  A green thumb is also committed to propagating and breeding plants. By giving garden plants the chance to multiply, you help them achieve their growth potential, which only leads to an attractive flower garden, a bountiful vegetable patch or a cozy tropical home.
• 7
  Appreciate your hard work. As a green thumb, you spend time, effort and money growing plants and cultivating a garden. Always find time to enjoy the scenery, the bounty and the beauty.

Read More

Green Thumb Plant Care

  Having a green thumb basically means that a plant owner or gardener is attuned to the needs and requirements of plants. By meeting these needs, the green thumb grows healthy plants. So you can start to be a green thumb by identifying what plants need to thrive.

1. Light

   • All plants require a certain level of light in order to survive. Through the process of photosynthesis, plants use light in combination with energy, chlorophyll, carbon dioxide and water to grow and release oxygen. Different types of plants need different levels of light. The basic rule of thumb dictates that plants with low light requirements grow slowly, while those with high light requirements grow quickly.
     Plants are able to adapt and survive in conditions that are less than ideal. A houseplant can live in a dimly lit room, but move it to a sunny spot and it just might flourish and double in size. Consistent levels of the proper lighting will result in lush, healthy plants.

   Water

   • Water needs vary from plant to plant, ranging from water-loving plants to dry soil plants. Too little water will cause a plant to wither and die in a very short amount of time. However, too much water kills as well. When plants are over-watered, their root systems basically drown in the excess water. For the majority of plants, the soil should remain damp, but not soggy. Plants use different levels of water based on a variety of factors, including humidity, wind speeds, location, temperature and other environmental factors.

   Soil

   • More than simply dirt, the soil provides nutrients and minerals to the plant. Most container plants require regular fertilizations. Plants directly in the ground can also require fertilization based on the recommendations indicated by a soil test. By testing the soil, you can identify what specific nutrients need to be added to the soil. For example, a test may indicate low levels of nitrogen in an area that is set aside for a corn crop. Because corn requires a lot of nitrogen for leaf growth, you will need to supplement the soil with additional nitrogen. Soil tests can be obtained through local extension offices or by purchasing a kit from a home improvement store or garden supply source.

   Cleanliness

   • Green thumb gardeners are tidy gardeners. Disease is often spread through discarded and infected plant matter. Gardens and indoor plants should be cleaned frequently of old or diseased foilage. Indoor plants benefit from a gentle wiping with a wet cloth to remove dust. Outdoor garden areas should be weed free.

   Pests

   • Once a green thumb has healthy plants, he has to fight to keep them that way. Insects affect both indoor and outdoor plants. Aphids, spider mites, scales, mealy bugs and white flies frequently attach houseplants. They can often be removed with soapy water or a light mixture of alcohol in water. Outdoor plants not only have insect issues, but are also in danger of damage caused by dogs, cats, mice, birds, deer and other animals. Many gardens include some type of fencing system to protect the garden from pests.

Read More

Basic Garden Tools

 A few well-chosen basic garden tools will provide you with everything needed to prepare a garden bed and plant seeds or seedlings. You don't need to spend a lot of money assembling your starter kit. Visit local flea markets or yard sales for secondhand bargains. Look for tools with rubber grips, which provide better traction than plastic grip coating or no grips. Review basic cutting and digging techniques in printed or online sources -- then grab your tools and dig in.

Shovel

• Every garden kit needs a shovel. The shovel is a multipurpose tool that allows you to dig up soil and move material around. Shovels have long wooden or fiberglass shafts, and usually have steel blades. Garden shovels generally have a rounded edge with a little point. This helps you break through compacted soil either to move it or create holes. Look for a shovel with a small lip on the edge of the blade. This helps you with leverage when putting your foot on the edge and pushing it further in to the ground. If you need to move material such as rock or fill, purchase a shovel with a flat, square blade.

Garden Fork

• A garden fork is a tool with two or three tines or blades. It looks similar to a pitchfork, except the blades are dull. Garden forks either are straight or curved. Straight forks generally have a long shaft, and you use it standing up. Curved garden forks are hand tools. If you have any type of back problem, purchase the fork with the long handle. The blades on these tools usually are made of steel. Garden forks break up soil and remove grass or weeds. Use this tool to dig up bulbs and tubers without hurting them.

Shears

• Garden shears come in different shapes and sizes. If you need to cut down branches, purchase lopping shears, which have long, thick blades. Operate these shears with two hands in a scissorslike motion. Standard garden shears are multipurpose garden tools for trimming trees, shrubs and plants and have only has a single cutting blade. Operate this small hand tool with one hand. If you plan to grow hedges, invest in a hedge shear. Hedge shears have long handles and long blades, allowing you to stand back from the hedge and avoid getting plant material on you. Hedge shear blades are sharp to break through both leaves and branches.

Hoe

• A hoe is another multipurpose garden tool. Hoes either have wide, flat or triangular heads. Use this tool to create rows between vegetable beds or to remove weeds between plants. Create small holes for planting bulbs or seeds with a hoe. Mix up fertilizer or plant feed in to the soil. Break up hard soil, or pull rocks out of the ground. Remove bulbs or tubers without damaging them.

Read More