Click picture to enlarge What you need: Pruning shears Bamboo stake or twisted willow branch Raffia or twist ties After a Phalaenopsis blooms the flowering spike needs to be cut back. If it is a young plant, less than a few years old, cut the flowering spike all the way back to the base of […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Assorted houseplants Terrarium or aquarium Decorative rocks Gravel Potting soil Sphagnum moss The container being used in this tutorial was designed specifically for use as a terrarium. A regular aquarium would work just as well. Regardless of the container you choose for your terrarium you will want to […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Small pot Potting soil Paper clip Simple layering is a technique that’s used to propagate plants that produce runners and trailing shoots. First, fill a clean small pot with moist seedling mix. Click picture to enlarge Select a healthy shoot and position it so a node is in […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Tree wrap Mulch Window screen or 1/4″ mesh hardware cloth Young trees are susceptible to sunscald during winter months, a problem caused by wide fluctuations in temperature. For instance, during the day if the sun is shining, bark temperatures will rise higher than air temperatures. When the sun […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Strawberry pot Large catch basin Ceramic saucer Acrylic sealant (optional) Copper tubing 90-120 gph pump Electric drill 5/8″ ceramic drill bit You can make this rustic outdoor fountain in a few hours. Fill the catch basin with rocks and water plants to create a fountain that delights the […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Fresh herbs White or red vinegar Glass bottle Strainer Use individual herbs, such as basil, or a combination like oregano, basil, and parsley to make flavorful herb vinegars. Click picture to enlarge Use white vinegar, or white or red wine vinegar depending on which herbs you are using […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Regular pruning maximizes the beauty and romance of climbing roses. The process is simple once you know the basics. Prune at the same time you prune other roses. Don’t prune a newly planted climber for the first 2-3 years, other than to remove spent flowers and damaged or […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Plastic pot Medium grade fir bark Charcoal Paphiopedilums should be repotted about once every couple years, whenever a plant has outgrown its pot or the medium has decomposed. Click picture to enlarge If the plant has less than four growths, it is usually best to avoid dividing the […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Hanging basket Knife Plastic bag Water gardening soil Marginal aquatic plants Slow release water plant fertilizer Pea gravel or decorative rocks The first step in planting a hanging basket water garden is selecting the pot. Any pot with a removable drainage tray can be used. The pot will […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Bucket Knife Bone meal Shovel Mulch Soak the pot in a bucket of water until the soil is moist. Click picture to enlarge Cut off the bottom the pot and make a perpendicular cut up the side. Click picture to enlarge Dig a hole about twice as wide […]
Click picture to enlarge Dendrobium is a huge genus of orchids. We will address Dendrobium phalaenopsis, one of the easiest, most popular types to grow. In a greenhouse Dendrobium can be grown in 25 to 50% shade. For home gardeners try a windowsill with a southern exposure. For fluorescent light gardeners, stick with the compact […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Pruning shears Recommended insecticide It is easy to keep your fuchsia over the winter. Stop the use of fertilizer after the early part of September. This will slow the growth of your fuchsia. Trim the longer branches off, leaving the vegetation above the rim of the pot intact. […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Hose repair kit Permanent marker or tape Scissors Screwdriver Hot water The first step in repairing a garden hose is finding the hole. Attach a shut off valve to the end of the hose and turn on the water. Once you find the leak, turn off the water […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Moss Paint brush Buttermilk Blender Ceramic pot or hypertufa container The first step is to harvest some living moss. A cup or so of moss is sufficient. Click picture to enlarge Place the moss and a little buttermilk into a blender and mix them together. The mix should […]
