House Plants Care and Guides

How to Care for Impatien Plants

2014-05-29T04:55:00.002-07:00

Impatiens are flowering plants that grows well in organic potting soil. Diffrent type of Impatiens require diffrent amount of sunlight and water, please watch the video above to find out more about caring for impatiens plants.

How to care for Croton Plants

2014-05-28T04:59:00.001-07:00

Crotons are plants that are easy to care for, they are usually identify by leaves with shades of yellow, red, and green. The video above provides the necessary tips on how to care for croton plants.

How to Repot House Plants

2014-05-27T12:08:00.001-07:00

Most house plants grow better when re-potted every few years, as it grows it will require more space to grow healthy. The video above demonstrate how to re-pot a plant the proper way.

How to Build a Vegetable Garden at Home

2014-05-27T11:53:00.003-07:00

6 Common Tools Used in Gardening Space

2014-05-14T00:46:00.001-07:00

Impatiens Niamniamensis Care Tips

2013-11-11T06:15:00.000-08:00

Impatiens Niamniamensis is a beautiful plant that is very popular among many homeowners. This plant can be used as decorations in homes because of its beautiful flowers. This article provides some recommended Impatiens Niamniamensis care tips for all homeowners. These tips are very useful to support its growth cycle and help anyone growing this plant the proper way. It is important that the impatiens niamniamensis plant should be taken care of properly, so it can grow beautiful flowers naturally.

Below are some important factors that people have to take a look when growing impatiens niamniamensis plants.

Proper watering
It is important to water this plant regularly. The soil around this plant should be watered frequently and should be kept moist all the time. Do not let the soil dry completely nor should you water this plant excessively. Impatiens Niamniamensis can die with overwatering. It is recommended to water this plant every afternoon.

Fertilizing
Like most plants the impatiens niamniamensis also required some fertilizing to get enough nutrients. This plant has an average fertilizing need with no special fertilizer required, all purpose fertilizer can be a perfect choice.

Pruning
This procedure is done to shape the impatiens niamniamensis plant and to remove all unwanted parts. In most cases pruning is done for decorative purposes.

In conclusion impatiens niamniamensis is a beautiful plant that can grow easily in most places.

How To Get Rid of Scale Insects on Houseplants

2013-11-07T08:06:00.002-08:00

Many homeowners have problems with scale insects. These animals usually attack many plants in many different places, such as houseplants. People always want to learn how to get rid of scale insects on houseplants. This article has some great tips for people who want to remove these insects from their places. These tips are very effective to remove these insects quickly. These insects should be treated well, so they cannot cause any further problems in most plants. These animals usually attack the stems or leaves of the host plants. As the result, plants cannot grow well. They usually become stunted plants. Here are some tips for removing these insects on houseplants.

Remove all infected plants if possible
This is the most important thing that people have to do when they want to get rid of scale insects. All heavily infested plants should be discarded. People should clean up the area around these infected plants. This cleaning procedure is useful to remove honeydew droplets that can be produced from these insects. This procedure can also remove unseen insects that can infect other plants. This solution is usually done when it is possible.

Use home remedies
People also use home remedies to get rid of scale insects from their house. There are many recommended home remedies that they can use to remove these insects easily. People can use the combination of mild dish detergent and water. This mixture can reduce the population of scale insects on houseplants. Most scale insects are killed by these ingredients. People should mix two teaspoons of this detergent with a gallon of water. Do not add more detergents to the mixture. This is very important to keep the plants alive. This is an easy way to remove scale insects with home remedy.

Buy houseplant insecticides
In some cases, those two solutions are not effective. There are some cases where people cannot remove these scale insects with those methods. It is also recommended that people buy the houseplant insecticides. There are some insecticides that are specially created for killing scale insects. People can use these products for eliminating these scale insects easily. Some experts believe that these insecticides are very effective against scale insects that are in crawler stage. There are some recommended insecticides that are registered for scale insects, for example hydrophobic neem oil, insecticidal soap, and horticultural oil. All of these products are effective to reduce the growth of scale insects.

Some people want to have instant result when removing these insects. They can also hire professional pest control service that has a lot of experiences in dealing with these insects. Professional pest control company can help their customers remove these scale insects easily. They know the best way to remove all insects, including these scales. Most of these companies also have the best product that can help them remove these insects easily. You might need to need research some pest control companies before choosing.

Caring for Schefflera plant

2013-09-12T22:10:00.001-07:00

Schefflera plants are plants that are extremely easy to care for. These plants vary in height and can grow anywhere between three to eight feet tall. The most common type of schefflera plant is the umbrella tree; they can grow really tall in the wild; however their growth can be stunted when they are place in pots. Caring for Schefflera plants are uncomplicated and hardly consumes any time; this is why a lot of people use them as decorative houseplants. Schefflera plants need sunlight to thrive so you can start off by placing your plants indoor where sunlight can shine through. These plants only require a medium amount of light so filtered sunlight is advisable; direct exposure will cause the leaves to wilt and burn. If the leaves of a Schefflera plant turn yellow, this means that that plant is not receiving adequate sunlight.

There are also specific watering requirements for Schefflera care. You should avoid letting Schefflera plants sit or soak in water for too long, however never let the soil become dry as well. One simple method of checking the water in the soil is by putting your finger into it so that you can feel if it is moist or dry. The frequency and the amount of water needed by the schefflera plant will depend on the temperature and humidity of its surrounding. Placing schefflera plants in a well-lit and well-ventilated room will enable them to grow faster and most likely they will require more water. Keep in mind that schefflera is a type of tropical plant; hence cold weather can be really harsh and damaging for this type of plant.

As a part of schefflera care, you have to prune the plants, especially for those that are tall. When they mature, they usually lose their lower leaves; pruning is a way of stimulating the growth of new leaves. Nip off the new and growing tips so that it will produce branches. If a plant loses its former shape, do not hesitate to trim it. Lastly, schefflera care requires keeping the plants away from pests like spider mites as well as mealy bugs. You should wash your plants with water and soap mixture when it is attacked by pests. At times when the plants become highly infected, you will need to use an insecticide to eliminate pests. Plant diseases like root rot may also affect your schefflera if you overwater it. Hence, it is important to know the requirements in caring for you schefflera plant, this way they can grow healthy and beautiful.

Pothos plant care instructions

2013-09-03T05:08:00.001-07:00

Pothos originate in Southeast Asia and come in different varieties. The most common ones are Jade, Golden and Marble Queen. Pothos require natural but indirect lighting. Exposing photos to direct sunlight can cause the leaves to dry out. Watering photos depends on various factors such as lighting, temperature, humidity, pot size and soil type. But generally pothos should not be over-watered to prevent the roots from rotting.

Peace Lily Care

2013-08-28T04:32:00.000-07:00

Peace lilies have been one of the most popular choices in beautifying a home or any area .The peace lily is often known for its gleaming greenery that occurs in its stem less crown. With this said, a peace lily’s full beauty would not be seen if one is unaware on how to perform proper peace lily care.
The first thing that one has to know about peace lily care is that they should not be exposed to direct sunlight; doing so would likely burn the leaves of this beautiful plant. It is preferable to place the plant in areas where it would receive a moderate amount of light. If it is not possible to keep it away from direct sunlight, improvisation may be done by using a translucent material to shield the direct light from the sun.

It is also important to be aware of the browning of the leaves of a peace lily. The browning of the leaves of this plant happens when it is not getting enough humidity. If the leaves of the peace lilies seem to begin to change their colors, it would be helpful to moisten them by spraying cold water on the leaves of the plant.

Watering the peace lilies properly is also an effective way to keep it from deteriorating. When watering peace lilies, it is important to let the soil dry before filling it again with water. This would also avoid other things such as insects and molds to grow on the body of the plant. Moreover, taking note of when and how to water the plants is essential for its growth and beauty.

To upkeep it’s health, peace lilies should be repotted every spring. It would be beneficent for the plant if it is transferred into a bigger pot size each season, this way it can continue to grow smoothly.
Another way to take care of peace lilies is to inspect and observe whether it houses tiny spiders. The plant may be treated for these spiders by simply using pesticide or a mixture of mild liquid soap and warm water.

Lastly, it is extremely necessary to know what kind of chemicals can be used on peace lilies. Fertilizers and pesticides that contain mixtures that are over the 20-20-20 ratio are likely to harm the plant. Being cautious when it comes to this matter is the key in maintaining the beauty of this wonderful plant. Learning about peace lily care will ensure you always have healthy and beautiful peace lily plants.

Low Light Aquatic Plants

2013-07-20T07:55:00.000-07:00

While there are certain kinds of plants that will flourish best when they are placed under direct sunlight, there are those that will grow best under low light conditions, for example, low light aquatic plants. If you have an aquarium that you are not using, and would want to use it to decorate your home, then it will be a great idea for you to find plants that belong to low light surroundings. Here are some of the most important things that you have to understand about low light aquatic plants, and about how you can provide them with the best possible surrounding. Go through the following points and keep them in mind as you make your way taking care of plants that fall under this category.

For one, you should know and understand that low light aquatic plants you find in the market may further be divided into types, namely Aponogeton, Anubias, Aquatic Ferns, and Aponogetons. All of these varieties have different requirements in order to flourish and also differ in appearance. If you are choosing the type that will best fit your home, then you should stick to Apnogetons. Not only do they flourish under fairly low light, but they look attractive as well; thus you will be able to use them to give your house an aesthetic boost. Even better, plants that fall under this category are inexpensive as well. You will not have to spend a lot of money just to get the desired plant and look in your home that you want.

Low light aquatic plants are very easy to maintain, for all you have to do is ensure that you do not place them under direct sunlight and that you place them in enough water. Obviously, you will not even have to allocate a certain portion of your day to watering your plants, for they will get the sustenance that they need from their surroundings already. However, you may have to do a certain amount of research in order to find out what kind of water will be best for the species that you bought. For example, some plants flourish best when soaked in tap water, while others require bottled water to grow attractively.

If you are someone who wants to channel the look of the outdoors into your home, then you will be pleased to know that low light aquatic plants also brightens your home. You will not have to go out of your way to take care of them. Just pick out a place for them in your house, situate them in enough water, and you will be good to go. They will look as good as plastic plants, except that they will be real; thus improving the air quality inside your house as well. Just see to it that you take the time to replace the water where you place them in every month or so, as to limit bacterial and fungal growth.

Caring for Philodendron

2013-07-17T23:13:00.002-07:00

For house plants to stay healthy, they require some caring. Among them are philodendrons, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some philodendrons have heart shaped leaves while others have finger shaped leaves. Plants in homes keep rooms fresh and lively as they not only give off oxygen but they also add to the aesthetic beauty of an ordinary room. Philodendron care is not at all difficult. Like any other house plant, it should be watered and given enough sunlight. Most species of Philodendron plants belong to the climbing variety. Hence, they are vines with leaves that can spread inside the room where it is placed. If proper philodendron care is exercised, your houseplant will grow beautifully especially when it is the type that produces flowers.

The first step you need to take for philodendron care is to place the philodendron in a pot with soil comprised of organic matter. When it comes to potting philodendrons, place a wooden stake into the pot so that its foliage can wrap around it. The soil should be moist in texture, however not overly wet. You should also place the philodendron plant in a pot where the roots are intact and a bit cramped together. As the roots grow and become compact, philodendrons plants should be repotted in a larger sized container. There should be holes in the pot so that excess water drains out. Remember that plants which are newly repotted should be watered and monitored carefully so that the roots do not dry out.

Another important step in caring for a philodendron is to maintain the humidity and temperature of its environment. These plants love to stay in humid condition making it easy to maintain inside the home. In fact, a room with high humidity can make the plant grow fully as well as giving it shiny foliage. Misting the plant with water on a regular basis will also help promote growth. You should also place the plant in an area with adequate sunlight. The recommended temperature for philodendrons is about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember that too much sunlight might kill your philodendron plant. Also, if frost damages the top portion of the philodendron plant, it will still re-grow. If your philodendron plant sheds too much leaves, this probably means that it is not getting enough sunlight. Proper care for philodendrons will enable it to grow and propagate. Philodendrons do not require a lot of maintenance, so you need not spend a lot of time caring for them.

Taking care of indoor plants

2013-07-16T01:44:00.001-07:00

Are you one of the many homeowners who have indoor plants at home? If you are, then you may already be aware of how important it is to extend the best possible care for indoor plants, so as to ensure that they add the necessary aesthetic boost to your home. If you are interested in buying a couple of indoor plants for your dwelling, then you should know how to take care of indoor plants. Here are some points that you should keep in mind to ensure that you will be able to take care of your green friends.

One of the first thing that you have to know about taking care of indoor plants is that your plants will have a hard time flourishing if the temperature inside the room is not right. Indoor temperature of your home should be maintained somewhere between 60 and 70 degrees fahrenheit during the day, and between 55 to 65 degrees fahrenheit during the nights. You have to see to it that you maintain these temperatures, not hotter or colder, to avoid damaging your indoor plants. Invest on the necessary tools and devices that will help you ensure that you foster the right temperature for your plant investments.

You also have to see to it that you water your plants regularly, so as to ensure that they will be able to carry out the process of photosynthesis and make food for themselves. As with taking care of outdoor plants, watering is also a part of the process of taking care of indoor plants. Even more importantly, you should use water that has good quality when you water your indoor plant buddies. Use clean tap water and keep the soil where they are planted moist.

Another thing you should take note of when caring for indoor plants is the humidity level inside the home. Plants have a hard time coping with air that is too dry, which means that you have to spray them during the hottest and the warmest weather. Make sure that you place all indoor plants in areas that experience a good level of air circulation as well.

Finally, see to it that you move your indoor plants in areas that regularly receive a good amount of sunlight. Obviously, you will not be able to grow green and healthy plants even if you master all the other steps in caring for indoor plants. One good idea that you should use is to place your plants in pots that have built-in hooks, so that you will be able to transfer and hang them in different places, depending on the time of the day. Always position your plants near the door or your windows, to ensure that they get exposed to the sun regularly.

Growing plants in compost

2013-07-16T01:13:00.001-07:00

Finding the most efficient way to grow plants resides within learning how to grow plants in compost. With the use of this method you will be able to eat some of the most organic vegetables or to even accumulate a variety of beautiful flowers within a limited amount of time. With the ample amount of ways for you to create your own compost area, the options are relatively endless. Also, learning how to compost can prove to be a beneficial activity for the whole family to participate in.

There are a variety of different components that can be added to compost in order to acquire the appropriate solution for growing your plants. Any substance ranging from old asparagus to leaves off of your tree can be implemented into a compost pile. The majority of gardeners who learn how to grow plants in compost generally use leaves, corn stalks, grass clippings, tea, egg shells, fruit peels, and other organic substances to ensure that the soil that is produced is healthy and full of nutrition. If you find that you will be using food from your kitchen in your compost pile, acquiring a closed container will be exponentially beneficial so that it discourages animals from ravaging through your backyard.

Once you have created a sufficient amount of compost you can then sprinkle a few shovelfuls of top soil or already composted materials from your kitchen on top of your new pile. You will also be provided with the opportunity to plant your plants within the soil that is created now. With the implementation of a compost, the plants that you place within the composted materials will undoubtedly receive an abundance of nutrition from the soil that they reside in. Compared to using bagged soil, many gardeners have found that composted materials can prove to be more beneficial when learning how to grow plants in compost properly.

One of the largest benefits of growing your plants in composted materials is that you will essentially be refraining from placing harmful chemicals in the ground water. Considering that the majority of gardeners use pesticides on their plants in order to prevent insects from damaging their goods, these chemicals are then brought into the ground water. With the use of a closed container you will not have to worry about insects invading your plants.

More and more gardeners throughout the world are beginning to reap the benefits from learning how to grow plants in compost. With the more nutritious soil and more healthy advantages, growing plants in compost is quite advantageous.

Caring for Bromeliad plants

2013-07-02T23:20:00.001-07:00

Bromeliad is an exotic liking tropical house plant, which required moderate caring. Bromeliad should not be over-watered; over-watering causes the foliage to drop. Bromeliad plants required lose soil and bright light. This exotic looking plant comes in a variety of species such as: Striped Blushing, Flaming Sword, Tillandsia, Earth Star, Scarlet Star and Urn Plant.

How to build a raised bed garden box with wood

2013-06-10T02:03:00.002-07:00

How to build a raised bed garden box
The video above provides information on how to build a raised bed garden box with wood, but keep in mind that raised garden bed can also be built from stone, bricks, or concrete. Two main advantages of using raised beds for gardening are: Raised beds can save you a lot of space when planting, especially if you live in a crowded city with limited space. Raised bed also makes it easier for soil preparation, it makes it easier to mix lose soil and compost together.

House Plants Care tips

2013-06-09T21:43:00.001-07:00

How is your Spider Plant or Boston Fern? Does your “Peace Lily” look like it’s been in a battle? These common house plants fill our homes with a sense of warmth and comfort. Some of us even have a room devoted entirely to our green “friends”. But, just like our pets, they need to have tender loving care and be given a little maintenance. By having a few simple house plant care tips, our dangling and potted friends will keep on growing and providing continued warmth and comfort.

Let’s look at a few things we can do to keep them “happy”.

House plant care tip #1 – Know your plant. Although, many of the house plant care tips we will look at are common in nature, each type has a few custom points for their up-keep. When you purchase your houseplant, you need to make sure you read any special instructions that are pertinent to that particular species. If you just have a “one care fits all” mentality, you may not have your fern too long. Find out the particulars for that new entry into your home. For example: a Philodendron can get rather bushy looking and may need to have some of its vines trimmed back, or removed. That is something you have to be aware from the beginning…yet may not be what some other plant is required to have completed. Know your plant.

House plant care tip #2 - Where in your house has the best lighting? Most indoor plants will flourish in areas that are not in direct sun, yet still have a well-lit space. You may have to experiment and see what works best. There are lights dedicated to encouraging plants to grow without having to place the plant too close to a window. While some plants may do better with partial sunlight, others may do better with the artificial radiance.

House plant care tip #3 – Keep them moist. As the rule goes, “too much of a good thing can do harm.” Your lily or fern needs to be hydrated just like we do. But don’t turn their container into a swimming pool. A good rule of thumb is to check the soil and compost for moisture. Also, in the early days of having your plant…your green will show you if it needs replenishing if it starts to look a bit sadder or wilting. Simply pour some water slowly into the pot at soil level and not above it with a heavy torrent. Also, a spray bottle of water can do wonders by simply spraying the leaves with gentle mists.

House plant care tip #4 – Watch your plant for hints. Leaves that start to turn brown or yellowing are flags of something happening. It may be as simple as removing (dead0heading) that particular appendage. By simple pruning, you are bringing room for new life in your plant.
These are just a few simple house plant care tips, yet they can make all the difference. By following these, and other simple guidelines, you will enjoy continual pleasure and peace from your host as and hanging spiders for some time.

How to grow houseplants in water

2013-05-09T02:29:00.000-07:00

Houseplants bring considerable comfort to us in our homes. They add so much with their greenery, and soft touch appeal, to spaces that are hard and symmetrical. Houseplants establish a sense of subtle chaos to areas that need to have a warmer perspective. Yet, with what they bring to a home, houseplants still have their individual care needs. One such type of life that has to be given special attention is house plants that grow in water.

Advantages of growing houseplants in water

There is an advantage to houseplants that grow in water. Many actually thrive better in water, hydroponics, type of environment. When dealing with plants in potting soil, there can be a tendency to over or under water, and to not use a proper mixture of ingredients for potting soil rooting. Another plus is that with growing these plants in straight H2O, there is no risk of having to deal with a messy container, especially if the dirt starts to fall out every time you water the houseplant. This makes it simple issue of clean-up of just water drops and not soil or other sediments.

Another plus for houseplants that grow in water, is little to no insect issues. Since the plant is directly thriving in a water environment, there is no dirt for the invading pest to walk on to get to the plant or any dirt born type of insect to create a problem.

The biggest advantage of houseplants that grows in water is that plants tend to thrive better because of better aeration of the root system than in straight soil rooting.

Growing plants in water

Some experts say using darkened glass containers usually provide the best housing for a houseplant in water ecosystem. The glass is easier to clean and does not allow for any chemicals, which can be found in plastic or ceramic containments, to bleed into the water. The darkened glass prevents a direct sunlight focus of establishing algae issues to start-up in the container.

If you are placing a plant with roots into the container, then have a good base of pebbles or gravel at the bottom. This will allow roots to have something to establish themselves to. Add the water and any nutrients to the pot, and gently shuffle the container to allow the pebbles to settle into place. (As a side note, marbles can be introduced into the container in place of pebbles to add color.)

If placing a cutting from another plant into the pot, remove about 4-5 inches of any leaves above the cutting. Then place the leafless portion into the water, have about 2-3 inches of pebbles or marbles in place and DO NOT add nutrients at this time. Allow the plant to become adapted to the environment and begins to sprout roots. Then you can consider adding proper plant food.

This is basic information on houseplants that grow in water. By establishing a proper beginning for the new plant, it can develop and thrive wonderfully for your viewing pleasure.

Tips for growing healthy and beautiful houseplants

2013-05-07T02:02:00.002-07:00

There are four main factors that people have to be aware of in order to make their houseplants healthy and beautiful. These four includes lighting, soil, water and moisture.

Lighting is necessary to be considered since it is the source of energy that houseplants use during photosynthesis, a biological process that allows them to manufacture their own food. Adequate lighting should be provided for the houseplants. Aside from that, it also necessary to be aware that different plants have different needs when it comes to lighting. Plants that need a lesser amount of sunlight can be placed in a window that faces north or south while houseplants that needs a relatively more amount of sunlight should be placed near windows facing west or east. Sunlight can also be filtered appropriately using translucent covers or curtain. This is important because it would prevent the plant from losing too much moisture.

Soil – another important factor for the houseplants. It contains the nutrition that the plant needs.
When choosing the soil, it is very important to choose soil that is firm, and appropriate for drainage and aeration. The soil can be made healthier by adding fertilizers into it. However, we should always be cautious when choosing fertilizers, it is very crucial to choose the right amount of fertilizers because different species of plants require diverse amounts of nutrition and choosing the wrong quantity can harm the plants instead of helping them.

Water is another essential factor; plants use water to manufacture food for it-self. Thus, it is important to water your houseplants regularly or as required. Furthermore, you should remember that under-watering would cause houseplants to dry-up, while over-watering could cause the root to rot and also causes mold and fungus to grow on the plant or on the soil around the plant.
Lastly, moisture and humidity around houseplants allow them to maintain internal equilibrium. It keeps the leaves of the plants from turning brown and wilting. The moisture and humidity should be maintained by occasionally misting of the plant, using a water spray or any similar tool. Potted plants can also be moved or relocate to an area with considerable humidity and moisture.

Dieffenbachia Care (Dumb Cane Care)

2013-05-03T01:01:00.000-07:00

Dieffenbachia Lighting: Moderate to Low
Dieffenbachia Watering: Moderate to Heavy

Dieffenbachia is a plant that can add a dramatic effect to an area. Dieffenbachia is a very common house plant and also one of the simplest to care for. To enjoy their beauty and elegance it is necessary to know proper dieffenbachia care.

It is preferable that dieffenbachias be exposed to direct lights without letting them experience too much heat. This can be done by placing them under direct lighting (sunlight) during winter and using a translucent filter while exposing them to direct sunlight during summer and spring. In addition, the temperature that the plant has to experience should only range between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Humidity should also be considered in dieffenbachia care. Optimum humidity keeps the plant from wilting or turning brown. In order to prevent dieffenbachia plants from losing the suitable humidity, it is important to maintain the proper temperature inside your home. Misting it occasionally and placing it near other plants are also some feasible ways to maintain the humidity that surrounds a dieffenbachia.
Watering dieffenbachias regularly should also be done in order to keep them healthy. In addition, it is necessary to be aware on the proper ways of watering this plant. It is highly suggested to re-water the plant only when the soil has completely dry out.

Always be cautious when it comes to the fertilizers and pesticides. It is necessary to read all instructions and labels of a fertilizer or a pesticide in order to see if it can be used for dieffenbachias.

It is also advisable to cut the stems of dieffenbachias when it reaches the point of growth where its leaves start to drop off. It is okay to do this since it has the capacity to regrow itself.
Beside from knowing how to maintain a dieffenbachia well, it is also necessary to know how to handle this houseplant properly. It would be wise to wear protective gears while grooming dieffenbachias. Protective gears would prevent the poisonous sap of dieffenbachias from touching the skin of the handler or groomer. Hand washing should also be performed after working on the plant to assure safety.

Common house plants that are safe for cats

2013-05-03T00:48:00.001-07:00

Cats are wonderful pets to have inside your home, but to be sure that your cats are safe in your home that have plants, you should know they types of house plants that are safe for cats. People who own cats as pets know that cats are omnivores – cats eat not only meat, but also plants. It is even desirable to include some plant food products in a cat’s dietary regimen. So it is important to look for house plants that are safe for cats. We would want the indoor and outdoor environment of cats to be as lush as possible, but we would not want to expose them to poisonous plant stuff that they can munch unintentionally.

So what examples of house plants that are safe for cats you can easily find? Let us name a few. The spider plant is safe for cats, and moreover, it also cleans the air up so that cats can breathe fresh air. Most kinds of ferns also prove to be safe for cats – examples are carrot fern, Boston fern, button fern, mother fern, and sword fern. There is also the fish pole bamboo, which is often seen on screens, and the bamboo palm.

Cat grass is also well-known in stores that sell house plants that are safe for cats; cat grass takes just some soil and water for cultivation. Cats can nibble cat grass safely; cat grass can do good to cats because chlorophyll can cleanse the cat’s system and the grass also has a chance of reducing cancer in cats. Finally, there is the usual catnip that cats like to nibble – cats usually prefer catnip fresh than dried. Cats like to nibble plants in general, so make sure that they are safe by not putting poisonous plants where the cat moves around.

Of course, we should also take a look at house plants that are unsafe for cats. Cats should not be exposed to all types of ivy, such as poison ivy and English ivy. Other plants that are unsafe for cats includes, pothos a very popular and easy to grow indoor plant, as well as kalanchoe and philodendron. (Again, this list is by no means exhaustive.) Now, what about the always dreaded poinsettia, which is a plant known to be toxic to both cats and human beings? While poinsettia is unsafe, it isn’t deadly to cats. In cats, poinsettia causes irritation of the mouth and the stomach, and sometimes it can cause vomiting, but its toxicity in cats is often exaggerated. (Perhaps it’s because people suddenly put up poinsettias in Christmas – and when their cats start squirming and vomiting, the cat owners become gravely concerned.)

Give cats cat grass and catnip to nibble so that they need not touch the other plants. Place boundaries on plants (even if the plants are safe) so cats won’t be tempted to consume them too much. Also, try to grow edible plants; that included in the list of house plants that are safe for cats. Finally, when in doubt whether a plant is safe for cats or not, consult a website such as ASPCA or ask the store where you are buying the plant.

How to care for tropical plants that are kept indoor

2013-04-30T02:23:00.000-07:00

When you want to keep plants indoor you should unquestionably recreate the environment where they would normally live. For instance tropical plants come from tropical regions meaning they usually grow in warm areas. If you are to keep them inside your home, you would need to recreate the type of temperature that their original environments have. These plants need warmth and humidity and they should not be placed in cold areas or they will not thrive. There are many types of tropical plants; among them are broad leaves, croton plants, bromeliads, and birds of paradise among others. Although each plant may have different ways of caring for it, generally most tropical plant care is the same when it comes to watering and sunlight requirements. In this tropical plant care guide I will only be focusing on watering and lighting requirements.

When it comes to tropical plants care, proper watering should be done. The soil should be soaked with water especially when it has dried out completely. There is really no strict rule when it comes to watering tropical plants since it will depend on the room’s temperature or the type of soil that you used. As a rule of thumb, never over water the plants however do not leave them to completely dry out either. Do not keep the plants soaked in a tray of water because the roots might die. Remember to use pots that have small holes that drain excess water. Once in a while give your plants a mist (using a plant mister) especially when it gets really hot. Adding compost in your plant’s soil will give it nutrition so that it will grow healthy. Fertilizer is not really necessary as long as your plants already have good soil.

Tropical plants care also includes giving the plants proper amount of sunlight. You will want to keep your plants exposed to sunlight, also be careful not to place them in an area where there is intense heat; it can dry up the leaves and completely dry up the soil. If you are going to place a plant beside the window, place a sheer curtain so that the light will be controlled. On the other hand, when you notice that your plants lack luster or they have pale leaves, this might be a signal that your plant lacks sunlight. When this happens, place your plants in an area where there is enough sunlight near the window. If you live in an area that gets really cold especially during winter time, a great way to let your plants receive the heat and sunlight is through artificial lighting. Remember that when plants are growing or blooming they usually need increased amounts of water and light contrary to dormant periods.

How to Stop weeds from growing

2013-04-28T09:53:00.000-07:00

If you are the owner of an outdoor garden, my advised to you is to have a fabric landscape installation; this has to be in the soil directly. It is imperative to then have openings for plants such as flowers and vegetables. One advantage of using the fabric is to prevent adequate sunlight, water, nutrients and air from reaching the covered region. This is detrimental to growth of weeds by all respects; it cuts the growth of weeds by a very significant amount, freeing off the plants from possible enemies!

Even with tech savvy solutions provided in today’s advanced 21^st century, the process to stop weeds from growing are in need by many. Weeds are just unavoidable. From the possible wall cracks in apartments, a seed bed, or outdoor garden, weeds are a menace! What people forget, more often than not, is that mowing weeds is a temporary solution; that is why in the quest to stop weeds from growing it is imperative to think of long lasting solutions.

Another vital technique used to stop weeds from growing is spreading forms of mulch. They come in various arrays including wood chips or gravels. These are carefully spread around the base of the plants .In this case mulch plays a major role in prevention of weeds from thriving. It has the same working mechanism as the landscape fabric. They both block the weed by restricting air supply; they also prevent sunlight from reaching the weeds. Interestingly, mulch would have the added advantage of being used as decorations, to add glamour to your gardens look. The average mulch can be spread over the landscape fiber, making the two simpler and easier to use comfortably. It also ensures an added form of protection for the plant against any form of weed, however resistant.
Another effective method of stopping weeds from growing is to use weed killer sprays and chemical components. It ranges from pre-emergent spray options to post-emergent options. Use of herbicide spray is successful in areas such as side paths and areas unreachable during mowing. It has several detrimental effects and ought to be used when mulching and use of fabric landscape are just impossible to apply. In case one uses them, it is imperative to use recommended levels only. Overpaying has much more effect and could just be a way of watering down your earlier gains.
The use of unorthodox measures to stop weeds from growing such as burning is strongly advised against. These will kill micro organisms in the soil. The quest to prevent this weed menace has to start with overall gardening cleanliness. Ensure that you have the best guide books in hand to help you stop weeds from growing.

Ways to Stop Weeds from Growing

2012-04-29T17:59:00.002-07:00

How to stop weeds from growing

Weeds are able to grow effortlessly in many gardens. If you have a garden with healthy plants it is essential for you to remove the weeds so that the plants may continue to grow. Weeds are a nuisance. They not only destroy the aesthetic beauty of plants and their environment but they also block sunlight. The main problem with weeds is that they absorb nutrients that the plants are supposed to get. When weeds take over your garden, the first thing that you would naturally do is to pull them out. However, this can be a tedious process, not to mention it can be a repetitious one; this is because weeds will eventually grow back. The best solution is to instead completely stop weeds from growing. There are several methods you can start executing in order to prevent weeds from growing.

One way to stop weeds from growing is to place newspaper or cardboard strips on the soil surrounding your growing plants. Newspaper works well since it is a thin material which allows moisture to go down the plants’ roots. This will serve as a blockage for sunlight so that the weeds will not grow. Another alternative for covering the soil are rolls of black plastic otherwise called fiber membrane or landscape fabric which are sold in garden centers. Another way to stop weeds from growing in your garden is to spread out mulch around and on top of your plants’ base. Mulch can be comprised of gravels, wood chips, stones or organic compost. This works to prevent sunlight and lessens the air passage from reaching the soil in the plants’ surrounding area; hence, it halts the growth of weeds. Additionally, when you spread mulch all over your garden soil it can appear as a decoration. In effect, it beautifies your garden.

Spraying herbicides or weed killers is another way to stop weeds from growing. This method is advisable where weeds grow in places other than your garden. For instance, weeds growing in sidewalks or in between bricks. A lot of gardeners however prefer using methods that do not use chemicals because of environmental concerns. An avid gardener would recommend planting other plant varieties on the bare soil in between plants. However, when there is a necessity in using chemicals for killing weeds in your garden, make sure that you only spray small amounts. Use a spray bottle to sprinkle it on the weeds or a paint brush. It can help you control the amount that will go directly onto the weeds. This way, only the surface will be applied with chemicals and it will not affect the plants’ roots. If you follow these techniques to stop weeds from growing in your garden, you are sure to have healthy and beautiful flora.

TROPICAL HOUSE PLANT CARE

2012-04-14T20:50:00.002-07:00

Tropical house plants care

Have you ever wondered how effectively you can execute tropical house plant care? In truth, most house plants are hybrid species that may be growing as wild plants. Understanding the original environment of the plant’s species is vital, as it would be of much help in ensuring you maintain the overall conditions. Every action you take is vital in ensuring the health of your plant.

The basic elements that are required for indoor plant species are air, water, light, fertilization and temperature. Understanding the inactive and active cycles of each plant is a necessity if you aim to maintain a high standard of tropical house plant care.

More often than not, most house plants should be moist in the event that the hosting soils dry up, especially during their active session; there is no text book rule on watering sessions of any plant. The basic necessity of any plant would be the major issue that comes in to play. Different plants do well in diverse temperature conditions, humidity levels and air conditions; therefore it would be wise to ensure you understand the particular species of plant. Most cities should have their water chlorinated; this is very detrimental for most plants. It would be sensible to leave the water in a jar for about a day before watering the plant. This would allow adequate time for the chemicals to dissolve and subsequently evaporate from the water jar and also ensure the water is at room temperature. Another chemical that may come into play in your tropical house plant care is fluorine, common in tap water.

Usually the level and intensity of light received by the plant will determine the plants overall life cycle. Replicating the plant’s original environment is therefore the key to tropical house plant care. General lack of light would be indicated by factors such as lanky plant growth, yellowing of plant leaves and lack of plant luster. Correction measures would involve moving the plant to an area with sufficient light. You could move it closer to a light source or another room with better lighting conditions.

Most tropical plants are bound to tell the short lengths of day light periods. This makes them go dormant, just as the plant would in its natural habitat. They replicate with an undivided precision. At the dormancy stage, you have to ensure you downscale your watering regularity. In the bloom however the plant would need ample supply of water levels. Understanding the tropical species would be a boost in your quest to ensure your tropical house plants care is achieved.