How To Care For Lucky Bamboo
In Asian cultures, lucky bamboo has been a symbol of good fortune for over 4,000 years. And, in recent years it’s became a very popular house plant that is widely available. Aside from being a very pretty plant, one of the main reasons for it’s growing popularity is that it’s very easy to grow. Lucky bamboo isn’t actually a bamboo! It actually belongs to the plant family of Dracaenas. Another reason for it’s popularity is that it can be grown in decorative planters or bowls filled with rocks and water, or it can be potted into soil. The best way to grow them is a debatable subject, some people say keep them in water and others say plant them in soil for the best results. The choice is pretty much a personal preference as the plant seems to thrive in either medium. Bamboo is generally sold in clear or decorative containers with rocks for support and water. Bamboo will thrive in almost any area of the home where many other plants could not survive. In nature, bamboo grows in the shade of rainforest trees, so they prefer indirect, but bright sunlight. If the plant receives too much direct sunlight, the leaves will burn and turn brown. But, if it gets too little sun, it will cause hamper the plants growth. Since the plant lives in water, there’s no guess work when it comes to watering lucky bamboo! All you need to do is to make sure that there’s always water in the container. Some people suggest that you change the water on a regular basis, but as long as clean water is used, it’s not necessary to keep changing it. However, if the water begins to look as if it’s stagnating, it should be changed and the container washed thoroughly. The salt and chlorine found in tap water can cause damage to the plants leaves. You should either purchase spring water or place the tap water in an open container overnight to allow the salt and chlorine to evaporate. If you removed your bamboo from the container you purchased it in, you’d most likely find that it’s been bound with a string or wrapped wire. While this will definitely hold the bamboo together, it will eventually damage the plant. As the bamboo grows, the string will cut into the stalks and can result in disease. It’s best to remove the string, or wire so the plant can grow safely. Lucky bamboo is a tropical plant, so it prefers warm temperatures. The temperature should always be at least 60*, but the plant will thrive better in warmer temperatures. Bamboo only needs to be fertilized about every two months with a very weak solution of fertilizer. You can use a good quality plant food and mix it to one tenth of the recommended amount, or use a few drops of food that is made for aquarium plants. When grown in potting soil, it should be kept just slightly moist and never soaking wet. And, you shouldn’t let the soil dry completely between waterings. Even thought the top of the soil may be dry, it can still be moist down in the soil. Always stick your finger into the soil to check it. When the soil is dry a full inch below the surface, it’s time to water it. You may be interested in knowing that the number of stalks in your container has a meaning! Although, lucky bamboo is most associated with luck in love, it’s also lucky for other purposes as well. Two stalks are for love, three stalks are said to bring luck in happiness. If your container has five stalks it’s suppose to bring you wealth and six stalks are meant to keep you healthy! Bamboo is closely associated with the ancient practice of Feng Shui, which means bringing all the natural elements into balance. Bamboo is an ideal representation of water and wood elements. The red string or wire that is wrapped around the plants is thought to fire the flow of energy in your room, red represents fire! Written by Connie Corder for HouseplantsForYou.com, Copyright 2008 All Rights...
How To Grow Healthy Petunias
Petunias are one of the most popular flowers for both landscaping and hanging baskets. They are considered the number one plant as far as ease of care. Petunias produce continuous flowers from spring all the way through to cold weather. The large flowers are shaped like a trumpet and come in a wide variety of colors from white and red, to purple and pinks. There are also a few fancier varieties of Petunias that are a basic color with a contrasting white stripe. And, still others that have fringed edges. These beautiful plants are half hardy annuals that will thrive in the full heat of the sun. Growing to 18 inches or more, Petunias make excellent plants for a hanging basket. While they don’t actually vine, because of their height they will drape over the side of the baskets like a vine. Petunias are available in three different types, large singles and large doubles reach a height from 12 to 18 inches. There is also a bedding variety that can grow from 6 to 18 inches in height. The first two types are more appropriate for container planting, while the bedding variety is best for flower beds and borders. You can purchase Petunias at any home and garden center, or you can start them from seed. Seeds should be sown indoors in a finely sifted potting soil 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost. The seeds need a temperature of between 55 and 60 degrees to germinate. The seeds need light in order to germinate, so just sprinkle them on top of the soil and don’t cover them. If you want a bushier plant, pinch the tips to encourage branching. These thirsty little flowers prefer soil that is kept evenly moist. After the plants are flourishing, they will need a good quality fertilizer once a month. Once the flowers die remove them and any dead leaves or stems from the plant. As summer ends, you can cut the plant back by about half it’s size to try to promote a second blooming stage. Remember that although they thrive with lots of heat, extreme temperatures can prevent them from blooming. They will also need more water in high temperature areas. If you live in an area that has really high summer temperatures, it’s best to plant Petunias in partial shade. Petunias can withstand cool weather, but they are very susceptible to cold temperatures. Written by Connie Corder, Copyright 2010...
How To Grow Impatiens
Impatiens are one of the easiest flowers to grow, only coming in second to Petunias. They are often referred to as “Touch Me Nots” because when you touch the seed pods they explode spreading seeds in every direction. There are approximately 1,000 different species of Impatiens. But, there are only two varieties that are widely available, Impatiens balsamina and Impatiens walleriana. Impatiens can be planted in almost any area in the garden which makes them a very popular flower. Depending on the variety you choose, Impatiens can thrive in either sun or shade. They are an excellent choice for hanging baskets. And, are often used as an edging around porches, decks, sidewalks and trees. While they are easy to care for, they do still need some basic care. There are several different varieties available that grow from 8 inches in height up to two feet tall. They come in a wide selection of colors including pink, red, white, orange and violet. They are also available in a combination of two colors, such as pink and white. Impatiens are classified into three types, solo, partially doubled and doubled. Some varieties have flowers that are flat, while others very closely resemble roses. One of the most important factors in growing beautiful lush Impatiens is water. Too much water and too little water are both deadly to the plant. The key is to keep the soil moist without allowing the plants roots to stand in water. These flowers have soft stems which will wilt very quickly if they don’t get enough water. However, make sure the soil has good drainage to keep the roots from rotting and black fungus from developing. If you plant your Impatiens in the shade, they will require less water than if they are in the sun. Because they do wilt quickly, your plant can literally tell you that it’s not getting enough water. In hot, humid conditions, they may need a moderate amount of water on a daily basis. If the plants are used as an edging for larger plants they will need more water and fertilizer to compensate for what is absorbed by the larger plants. Impatiens can easily be grown in pots or hanging baskets, but they will need a little more attention. The soil in baskets and pots dries out rapidly especially on hot days. You can test the soil by inserting your finger into the dirt about 2 inches. Water only when the soil is dry at that depth. To be safe, you should check your basket or pot every other day until you get a good idea of how quickly the soil is drying out. Standard potting soil isn’t a good choice for Impatiens. It’s generally very dense and won’t allow for good drainage. Choose a potting soil that is classified as a “Pro Mix” or “Nursery Mix”. These types of potting soils are light and airy and will provide better drainage. They are also disease free and can keep your flowers healthier. Like any other plant, Impatiens need fertilizer to grow strong and lush. A high quality general purpose plant food will work fine. If your plants are in the yard, fertilize them about once each month. But, if they are in hanging baskets or pots, they will require a good fertilizer every two weeks. You can also use plant food spikes to supply fertilizer every time you water. Although Impatiens can grow in partial shade, full shade, or in the sun, full sun for 8 hours can quickly kill these tender plants. A few hours of sun each day is much better than all day sun. If you do want to plant them in an area with full sun, they will need to be allowed to adapt gradually. You can easily do this by exposing them to longer periods of direct sun over the period of a week. You can easily grow Impatiens from seed. You can start the seeds a few weeks before the last frost and then transplant the young seedlings outdoors, or into a container. Lightly cover the seeds with a thin layer of dirt, keep them moist and warm. You can also propagate Impatiens from stem cuttings. The cuttings need to be around 3 to 4 inches long and should be potted in moist sand or peat moss until roots form. To prevent diseases and fungus never allow the soil to be soaked for any length of time. Providing proper drainage is the best form of prevention for plant problems. Always remove any dead blooms, leaves or stems which will rot and increase the chances of diseases and fungus. Impatiens are...
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