文章
Hande Salcan
2017年05月22日
Learn how to grow prickly pear cactus in this article. Growing prickly pear cactus and its care is not difficult, if you grow it in right growing conditions.
USDA Zones— 9 – 11
Difficulty— Easy
Other Names— Barbary-fig Cactus, Cactus Pear Fruit, Gracemere-Pear, Indian-fig, Indian fig, Nopal Cactus, Oponce, Opuntia, Opuntia cardona, Opuntia ficus, Opuntia ficus-indica, Opuntia fuliginosa, Opuntia hyptiacantha, Opuntia lasciacantha, Opuntia macrocentra, Opuntia megacantha, Opuntia puberula, Opuntia streptacantha, Opuntia velutina, Opuntia violacea, Tuna Cardona, Westwood-Pear.
Also known as Indian fig, prickly pear is a common succulent plant in Mediterranean and subtropical regions. It is grown as an ornamental plant and for its juicy fruits. Prickly pear cactus is undemanding and easy to grow. It grows about 1 – 2.5 m high. The flowers are very showy, colors ranging from white, yellow, to orange, depending more on the variety.How to Grow Prickly Pear CactusPropagation
Prickly pear cactus can be propagated from seeds or pads. Growing prickly pear from the pad is comparatively easy than seeds. To facilitate the rooting, it is preferable to wait until the cuts are perfectly healed (about 1 – 2 week) before planting. Tuck them an inch deep on the ground or in containers. The rooting takes place in a short time, usually in a month. Save the rooting pad from afternoon sun and water it when top one inch of soil seems dry.
Location
Growing prickly pear cactus in a sunny location allows the plant to thrive and fruit. Prickly pear cactus is a tropical or subtropical plant, so it loves the warm exposure. However, it can withstand temperatures down to 14 F (-10 C), but in areas, with harsh winters it is best to plant it in a sheltered spot, near a wall or tall tree to protect it from cold drafts and fluctuation in temperature. If you’re living in a cooler climate, growing prickly pear cactus in a container is the better option for you as it can only be grown on the ground where winter temperature remains above 14 F (- 10 C).
Requirements for Growing Prickly Pear CactusSoil
Grow it in well-drained, sandy and loamy soil, avoid clay-rich soil that is not well draining and remains moist. For growing prickly pear cactus in a container use potting mix or 1/3 part each of compost, soil, and coarse sand or perlite.
Watering
Watering should be done only when the surface looks dry. On average, during the spring and summer, water it once or twice a week and during the fall and winter once or twice a month. If you’re living in tropics more frequent watering will be required.
Repotting
If growing in a pot, the plant must be repotted once it is root bound. Whenever you identify that the plant is growing slowly, repot it. The best repotting time is spring.
Prickly Pear Cactus Care
Prickly pear cactus care involves several steps that are given below.
Fertilizer
From spring to fall, fertilize every month with a liquid 5-10-10 fertilizer to promote flowering and fruiting. For the young plant, fertilize with 10-10-10 fertilizer. Do not feed in winter in cooler zones when plant stops to grow.
Pruning
Pruning is done in spring or late summer by removing the pads that come into contact with each other or those that are damaged or poorly formed.
Overwintering
Prickly pear cactus care in winter is essential. If you’re growing prickly pear cactus in a pot, protect it in winter by keeping it indoors. If growing outside, do mulching to insulate the plant from temperature drop.
Fruit thinning
Fruit thinning is done to get a better harvest. It is necessary to remove extra fruits and flowers to get lower production but of improved quality. It is recommended that thinning must be done two weeks before the formation of the fruits, leaving approximately up to 10 fruits per stalk.
Pests and Diseases
Mealybugs, spider mites, and cochineal might attack it. It is also attacked by fruit flies and moths.
Too much water or cold causes rotting. As soon as you detect the softening of tissues, remove the rotten part and treat the infected part with fungicide.
Harvesting
USDA Zones— 9 – 11
Difficulty— Easy
Other Names— Barbary-fig Cactus, Cactus Pear Fruit, Gracemere-Pear, Indian-fig, Indian fig, Nopal Cactus, Oponce, Opuntia, Opuntia cardona, Opuntia ficus, Opuntia ficus-indica, Opuntia fuliginosa, Opuntia hyptiacantha, Opuntia lasciacantha, Opuntia macrocentra, Opuntia megacantha, Opuntia puberula, Opuntia streptacantha, Opuntia velutina, Opuntia violacea, Tuna Cardona, Westwood-Pear.
Also known as Indian fig, prickly pear is a common succulent plant in Mediterranean and subtropical regions. It is grown as an ornamental plant and for its juicy fruits. Prickly pear cactus is undemanding and easy to grow. It grows about 1 – 2.5 m high. The flowers are very showy, colors ranging from white, yellow, to orange, depending more on the variety.How to Grow Prickly Pear CactusPropagation
Prickly pear cactus can be propagated from seeds or pads. Growing prickly pear from the pad is comparatively easy than seeds. To facilitate the rooting, it is preferable to wait until the cuts are perfectly healed (about 1 – 2 week) before planting. Tuck them an inch deep on the ground or in containers. The rooting takes place in a short time, usually in a month. Save the rooting pad from afternoon sun and water it when top one inch of soil seems dry.
Location
Growing prickly pear cactus in a sunny location allows the plant to thrive and fruit. Prickly pear cactus is a tropical or subtropical plant, so it loves the warm exposure. However, it can withstand temperatures down to 14 F (-10 C), but in areas, with harsh winters it is best to plant it in a sheltered spot, near a wall or tall tree to protect it from cold drafts and fluctuation in temperature. If you’re living in a cooler climate, growing prickly pear cactus in a container is the better option for you as it can only be grown on the ground where winter temperature remains above 14 F (- 10 C).
Requirements for Growing Prickly Pear CactusSoil
Grow it in well-drained, sandy and loamy soil, avoid clay-rich soil that is not well draining and remains moist. For growing prickly pear cactus in a container use potting mix or 1/3 part each of compost, soil, and coarse sand or perlite.
Watering
Watering should be done only when the surface looks dry. On average, during the spring and summer, water it once or twice a week and during the fall and winter once or twice a month. If you’re living in tropics more frequent watering will be required.
Repotting
If growing in a pot, the plant must be repotted once it is root bound. Whenever you identify that the plant is growing slowly, repot it. The best repotting time is spring.
Prickly Pear Cactus Care
Prickly pear cactus care involves several steps that are given below.
Fertilizer
From spring to fall, fertilize every month with a liquid 5-10-10 fertilizer to promote flowering and fruiting. For the young plant, fertilize with 10-10-10 fertilizer. Do not feed in winter in cooler zones when plant stops to grow.
Pruning
Pruning is done in spring or late summer by removing the pads that come into contact with each other or those that are damaged or poorly formed.
Overwintering
Prickly pear cactus care in winter is essential. If you’re growing prickly pear cactus in a pot, protect it in winter by keeping it indoors. If growing outside, do mulching to insulate the plant from temperature drop.
Fruit thinning
Fruit thinning is done to get a better harvest. It is necessary to remove extra fruits and flowers to get lower production but of improved quality. It is recommended that thinning must be done two weeks before the formation of the fruits, leaving approximately up to 10 fruits per stalk.
Pests and Diseases
Mealybugs, spider mites, and cochineal might attack it. It is also attacked by fruit flies and moths.
Too much water or cold causes rotting. As soon as you detect the softening of tissues, remove the rotten part and treat the infected part with fungicide.
Harvesting
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文章
Micky
2017年05月22日
Learn how to grow spelt in this article. Planting and Growing spelt is easier in temperate climates. It is more winter hardy than conventional wheat varieties and also tolerates poor conditions well.
USDA Zones— 5 – 8
Difficulty— Easy
Other Names— Triticum Spelta, Dinkel wheat, Hulled wheat, Spelt, Spelt wheat, Espelta, Blé des Gaulois, Epeautre, Dinkel Spelt, Spelz, Spelta
Spelt (Triticum Spelta) is a plant belongs to the grass family. This rustic looking subspecies of wheat is resistant to diseases. Though it is is not widely grown, but it is of great interest in organic farming.
It adapts well to cold climates and thrives in various soil types: sandy, wet, poor and non-draining. It is less demanding for nutrients and more competitive against weeds than wheat. Making it an interesting cereal crop for mountain areas.
How to Grow SpeltSowing
The seeds are sown in rows, optimum distance between rows is about 18 – 20 cm apart. The seeds are buried 3 cm deep and spaced about 5 to 8 cm. To avoid competition with weeds, it is important not to plant too early in the season.
Seed Sowing Density for Growing Spelt
The best time for sowing is identical to that of wheat. The seeding density is recommended about 200-300 seeds per sqm, corresponding to 150-180 kg of seed per hectare.
Varieties
Spelt exists in two varieties – Winter and Spring.
Requirements for Growing SpeltPosition
Spelt grows similar to wheat but it is more winter hardy. Growing spelt in full sun is required for productivity and healthy growth.
Soil
For optimum growth, spelt must be grown in soil that is good, ie. Humus, rich in nutrients, with a pH close to neutral. Prepare soil similar to wheat. This grain also grows in soil types that are low in nutrients, poorly drained or sandy.
Watering
Keep the soil moist after planting until the germination of seeds. Once sprouted, it doesn’t require too much watering. Water only in hot and dry days. More regularly, if you live in a warmer zone.
Weeding
Weed the soil before planting and remove competitive weeds time to time.
Fertilization
Fertilizer requirements are similar to winter wheat. Excess nitrogen can cause lodging in spelt.
Pests and Diseases
As spelt is a subspecies of wheat, most of the pests and diseases are similar. It is recommended to select the most resistant varieties that are tolerant to pests and diseases.
Harvest
USDA Zones— 5 – 8
Difficulty— Easy
Other Names— Triticum Spelta, Dinkel wheat, Hulled wheat, Spelt, Spelt wheat, Espelta, Blé des Gaulois, Epeautre, Dinkel Spelt, Spelz, Spelta
Spelt (Triticum Spelta) is a plant belongs to the grass family. This rustic looking subspecies of wheat is resistant to diseases. Though it is is not widely grown, but it is of great interest in organic farming.
It adapts well to cold climates and thrives in various soil types: sandy, wet, poor and non-draining. It is less demanding for nutrients and more competitive against weeds than wheat. Making it an interesting cereal crop for mountain areas.
How to Grow SpeltSowing
The seeds are sown in rows, optimum distance between rows is about 18 – 20 cm apart. The seeds are buried 3 cm deep and spaced about 5 to 8 cm. To avoid competition with weeds, it is important not to plant too early in the season.
Seed Sowing Density for Growing Spelt
The best time for sowing is identical to that of wheat. The seeding density is recommended about 200-300 seeds per sqm, corresponding to 150-180 kg of seed per hectare.
Varieties
Spelt exists in two varieties – Winter and Spring.
Requirements for Growing SpeltPosition
Spelt grows similar to wheat but it is more winter hardy. Growing spelt in full sun is required for productivity and healthy growth.
Soil
For optimum growth, spelt must be grown in soil that is good, ie. Humus, rich in nutrients, with a pH close to neutral. Prepare soil similar to wheat. This grain also grows in soil types that are low in nutrients, poorly drained or sandy.
Watering
Keep the soil moist after planting until the germination of seeds. Once sprouted, it doesn’t require too much watering. Water only in hot and dry days. More regularly, if you live in a warmer zone.
Weeding
Weed the soil before planting and remove competitive weeds time to time.
Fertilization
Fertilizer requirements are similar to winter wheat. Excess nitrogen can cause lodging in spelt.
Pests and Diseases
As spelt is a subspecies of wheat, most of the pests and diseases are similar. It is recommended to select the most resistant varieties that are tolerant to pests and diseases.
Harvest
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文章
Micky
2017年05月22日
Learn how to grow timothy hay, growing timothy hay is easy but requires a few basic conditions which you can read below.
USDA Zones — 3-9
Difficulty — Easy
Other names — Herd grass, Herd’s grass, Meadow cat’s-tail, Phleum pratense, Timothy, Timothy grass, Meadow cat’s-tail and common cat’s tail.
Timothy (Phleum pratense) is a perennial grass that grows of itself in some places, especially in the north, in the east and on the mountains. The leaves of timothy grass are quite pale green. Young leaves are rolled into the sleeve and then they grow in spirals. The base of the plant is often bulged and bulbous.
Timothy grass is generally used as hay to feed horses and that’s why is it also called Timothy hay. Apart from being used as hay it also produces a durable and attractive lawn. Growing timothy hay is relatively an easier task.
How to Grow Timothy HayPropagation and Planting Timothy GrassPrepare a place to sow seeds. Remove all weeds from the planting site with a hoe.Sprinkle the seeds on the planting site. The seeds must cover about one half of the total surface area of the soil.Rake to incorporate the planting site of the seeds in the soil. Sow the seeds no more than 1/2 inches deep.Slowly moisten the soil and keep it moist until the seeds germinate.For growing timothy hay, sow seeds in spring or late summer, you can also plant seeds in early fall.Requirements for Growing Timothy HayLocation
Timothy hay growing should be done on a flat area that receives partial shade. This cool season grass is undemanding and doesn’t require any special care.
Soil
Timothy grass grows well in both sandy or clay rich soil. It tolerates the wet conditions and thrives in slightly dry state for a short time too.
Watering
Keep the soil moist all the time. For growing timothy hay, regular watering is required as the plant has shallow roots that are not able to provide water under the surface of the soil, so even a short drought period can be detrimental for plant.
Timothy Hay Care
The timothy hay field should not be trampled on during drought periods because the grass has very shallow and fine roots that are sensitive at these times.
Fertilizer
Feed it with fertilizer rich in nitrogen in spring and again after harvesting. If you’re growing timothy hay with legumes, skip the nitrogen fertilizer. For accuracy in fertilization soil testing is recommended.
Harvesting
USDA Zones — 3-9
Difficulty — Easy
Other names — Herd grass, Herd’s grass, Meadow cat’s-tail, Phleum pratense, Timothy, Timothy grass, Meadow cat’s-tail and common cat’s tail.
Timothy (Phleum pratense) is a perennial grass that grows of itself in some places, especially in the north, in the east and on the mountains. The leaves of timothy grass are quite pale green. Young leaves are rolled into the sleeve and then they grow in spirals. The base of the plant is often bulged and bulbous.
Timothy grass is generally used as hay to feed horses and that’s why is it also called Timothy hay. Apart from being used as hay it also produces a durable and attractive lawn. Growing timothy hay is relatively an easier task.
How to Grow Timothy HayPropagation and Planting Timothy GrassPrepare a place to sow seeds. Remove all weeds from the planting site with a hoe.Sprinkle the seeds on the planting site. The seeds must cover about one half of the total surface area of the soil.Rake to incorporate the planting site of the seeds in the soil. Sow the seeds no more than 1/2 inches deep.Slowly moisten the soil and keep it moist until the seeds germinate.For growing timothy hay, sow seeds in spring or late summer, you can also plant seeds in early fall.Requirements for Growing Timothy HayLocation
Timothy hay growing should be done on a flat area that receives partial shade. This cool season grass is undemanding and doesn’t require any special care.
Soil
Timothy grass grows well in both sandy or clay rich soil. It tolerates the wet conditions and thrives in slightly dry state for a short time too.
Watering
Keep the soil moist all the time. For growing timothy hay, regular watering is required as the plant has shallow roots that are not able to provide water under the surface of the soil, so even a short drought period can be detrimental for plant.
Timothy Hay Care
The timothy hay field should not be trampled on during drought periods because the grass has very shallow and fine roots that are sensitive at these times.
Fertilizer
Feed it with fertilizer rich in nitrogen in spring and again after harvesting. If you’re growing timothy hay with legumes, skip the nitrogen fertilizer. For accuracy in fertilization soil testing is recommended.
Harvesting
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成长记
riverrun
2017年05月01日
Saint is done. Two rainy weeks and he didnt get the sun he needed. This is not a European Climate Plant, I dont recommend it to anyone here. Its also not a indoor plant when you dont have greenhouse conditions inside, which I hope you dont, cause that would not be comfortable to live in. Anyway bye Saint thanks for being so pretty for such a long time 😢
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fyfywong：Oh, poor Saint...🙁You've done your best taking care of him. No regrets.
文章
Hande Salcan
2017年02月21日
Of all the plant pathogens, the ones you will deal with mostly are fungi. All plants are susceptible to attack from fungus. Most #fungi love wet conditions, and overwatering can produce such conditions.
If the soil your plant is rooted in does not drain well, and water stands too long at the base and around the roots, then your #plant is at risk of developing water mold root rot, a condition that is caused by a variety of fungi. The fungi start a rot that invades the roots and then works its way up the plant. This can be a quick or a slow process, depending on conditions. Often, after the rot is established, you will see dark discolorations in the plant’s roots and stems. This is where the infected plant tissue meets the healthy tissue.
The following is a list of potential problems and common symptoms caused by fungal diseases.
Damping-off: This disease can kill seedlings before they even break through the soil, but it also strikes seedlings just an inch or so tall.
Root Rot: This generally attacks older plants, killing the tiny rootlets and appearing above ground as stunting and wilting.
Club Root: This disease commonly infects cabbage family plants, causing large swellings on roots and or dead plants.
Blights: Includes early and late blight, which attack tomatoes and their relatives. The fungi can damage or kill leaves and cause rot in the fruit.
Mildews: This would include downy and powdery mildew. Infection results in spots or white patches on leaves, shoots, and other plant parts. Downy mildew can kill plants rapidly; powdery mildew commonly causes poor growth and lower yield, but seldom kills the plant.
Rusts: This disease will produce orange and white spots, usually on leaves and stems, weakening plants and reducing crop yields.
Leaf Spot: These symptoms are caused by a wide range of fungi.
How to Minimize Fungal Problems
Fungi spread by spore production, giving the disease the ability to travel great distances. The spores can be picked up by animals or water, including gardeners! One of the best ways to prevent fungal problems is to select plants that are resistant to the fungal diseases in your area.
After treating plants with fungal problems, rinse your gardening tools with alcohol or bleach, in case any spores remain, and destroy any diseased leaves rather than leaving them on the ground or placing them in your composting bin.
Organic Fungus-Killing Sprays
Instead of treating areas with chemical powders, you can use organic fungicides made straight from products in your kichen. Here is a list of some safe and easy to make sprays:
Basic Soda Spray
2 Tablespoons baking soda
1 gallon water
Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil (adds stickiness)
Mix all together and spray on problem areas.
Soda Spray for Rust
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 gallon water
6 tablespoons of vegetable oil
2 tablespoons kelp extract
Mix together and spray rust-covered areas.
Garlic is known to fight many types of disease-causing fungi, including mildew, mold, and rust. Garlic has not only shown that it can fight fungi but it also has some repellant qualities for other diseases and insects.
Basic Garlic Spray
1 garlic bulb
1 quart water
Crush the garlic and place in a pan of water, bring to a boil, then turn off heat. Let the mixture cool. Strain out the garlic.
Pour liquid into a spray bottle and spray the infected areas of the plant.
Vinegar Spray
Apple cider vinegar makes a great spray to combat many fungal diseases, including black spot on roses.
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 gallon water.
Mix together. Spray plants, being sure to do so in the morning so that the plant can dry out before evening.
Nothing spoils the look of a plant or shrub more than a fungus disease. Hopefully, by using some of the methods described in this article, you will be able to keep your plants looking healthy!
If the soil your plant is rooted in does not drain well, and water stands too long at the base and around the roots, then your #plant is at risk of developing water mold root rot, a condition that is caused by a variety of fungi. The fungi start a rot that invades the roots and then works its way up the plant. This can be a quick or a slow process, depending on conditions. Often, after the rot is established, you will see dark discolorations in the plant’s roots and stems. This is where the infected plant tissue meets the healthy tissue.
The following is a list of potential problems and common symptoms caused by fungal diseases.
Damping-off: This disease can kill seedlings before they even break through the soil, but it also strikes seedlings just an inch or so tall.
Root Rot: This generally attacks older plants, killing the tiny rootlets and appearing above ground as stunting and wilting.
Club Root: This disease commonly infects cabbage family plants, causing large swellings on roots and or dead plants.
Blights: Includes early and late blight, which attack tomatoes and their relatives. The fungi can damage or kill leaves and cause rot in the fruit.
Mildews: This would include downy and powdery mildew. Infection results in spots or white patches on leaves, shoots, and other plant parts. Downy mildew can kill plants rapidly; powdery mildew commonly causes poor growth and lower yield, but seldom kills the plant.
Rusts: This disease will produce orange and white spots, usually on leaves and stems, weakening plants and reducing crop yields.
Leaf Spot: These symptoms are caused by a wide range of fungi.
How to Minimize Fungal Problems
Fungi spread by spore production, giving the disease the ability to travel great distances. The spores can be picked up by animals or water, including gardeners! One of the best ways to prevent fungal problems is to select plants that are resistant to the fungal diseases in your area.
After treating plants with fungal problems, rinse your gardening tools with alcohol or bleach, in case any spores remain, and destroy any diseased leaves rather than leaving them on the ground or placing them in your composting bin.
Organic Fungus-Killing Sprays
Instead of treating areas with chemical powders, you can use organic fungicides made straight from products in your kichen. Here is a list of some safe and easy to make sprays:
Basic Soda Spray
2 Tablespoons baking soda
1 gallon water
Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil (adds stickiness)
Mix all together and spray on problem areas.
Soda Spray for Rust
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 gallon water
6 tablespoons of vegetable oil
2 tablespoons kelp extract
Mix together and spray rust-covered areas.
Garlic is known to fight many types of disease-causing fungi, including mildew, mold, and rust. Garlic has not only shown that it can fight fungi but it also has some repellant qualities for other diseases and insects.
Basic Garlic Spray
1 garlic bulb
1 quart water
Crush the garlic and place in a pan of water, bring to a boil, then turn off heat. Let the mixture cool. Strain out the garlic.
Pour liquid into a spray bottle and spray the infected areas of the plant.
Vinegar Spray
Apple cider vinegar makes a great spray to combat many fungal diseases, including black spot on roses.
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 gallon water.
Mix together. Spray plants, being sure to do so in the morning so that the plant can dry out before evening.
Nothing spoils the look of a plant or shrub more than a fungus disease. Hopefully, by using some of the methods described in this article, you will be able to keep your plants looking healthy!
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文章
Andy
2017年02月16日
Learn how to grow bay leaf laurel, it is a Mediterranean herb famous for its culinary uses. Growing bay leaf laurel requires a basic knowledge of its requirements and growing conditions.
Among the best known and most used herbs, one is bay. It has diverse uses, from simple ornamental plant in a garden to a culinary herb on a small balcony kitchen garden. Leaves of this small tree are aromatic and emit intense scent that complements most of the Mediterranean cuisines.
Among the best known and most used herbs, one is bay. It has diverse uses, from simple ornamental plant in a garden to a culinary herb on a small balcony kitchen garden. Leaves of this small tree are aromatic and emit intense scent that complements most of the Mediterranean cuisines.
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