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Trees & Houseplants : Home & Garden
Periwinkle Bugs
If you are from the northeastern United States, you may refer to caddisfly larvae as periwinkle bugs. Caddisfly larvae are visually appealing because they secrete a sticky substance that allows them to attach pebbles, leaves and other materials to their bodies. This creates a protective shell that a
What Does It Mean to Germinate Seeds for Planting?
Gardeners get a jump on the growing season by starting their own plants indoors from seeds. Sometimes it is the only way to start plants and have them ready in time to for planting outdoors in warm weather or to have a particular plant that is not available in garden stores. Each plant variety's see
Ideas for Outdoor Arrangements
Colorful flowers and plants can add beauty to landscaping and charm to outdoor parties; however, creating exceptional outdoor arrangements are all about expanding beyond the usual arrangements by adding a bit of creativity. Some of the most unique outdoor arrangements can be achieved by including a
How to Start Native Seeds Indoors
In colder climates, starting seeds indoors helps plants get a head start on growth before the weather outside is warm enough for planting. For gardeners who want vegetables to grow in quickly over a short growing season, or just want to control when their plants blossom, making early starts is essen
How to Plant a Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae
The Thuja 'Green Giant' is a large, fast-growing evergreen tree that can add 3 feet a year to its height. The Green Giant arborvitae grows to 50 to 60 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide when mature, with a pyramid shape to its green foliage. Green Giant thrives in full sun, tolerates nearly any soil t
Information on Aloe Vera Plants
Aloe vera has two sides to its plant personality. First, it’s grown by gardeners as an ornamental succulent for its interesting flowers and form. The yellow flowers bloom on long spikes amid the plants' leaves, which are spear-like. Secondly, it’s grown by some for the gel inside the lea
My Lemon Lime Dracaena Is Yellow With Droopy Leaves
Known for its eye-catching foliage, the lemon lime dracaena produces strap-like foliage that measures up to 2 feet in length and 2 inches in width. A hybrid of D. deremensis, the plant can attain a height of 10 feet. The houseplant thrives with only minimal care, but if its needs are not met, it can
How To Grow Vegetables in Talent, Oregon
Growing your own vegetables will save you money, because you will not have to rely on the high-priced vegetables at the grocery store. Homegrown vegetables also lack the chemical additives and pesticides found in store-bought vegetables. If you live in Talent, Oregon, you live within USDA hardiness
How to Stop the Declining Honeybee Population
Honey bees across the world are declining at an alarming rate seemingly caused by a virus and Colonly Collapse Disorder. At present the rapid decline of bees is being researched, and no complete answers have been found as to why the bees are diminishing. As a society there are things that we can do
Sunflower Alternaria Disease
The pathogens Alternaria helianthi and A. zinnia are common causes of stem lesions, leaf spots and head rot in sunflowers of the Northern Plains area. However, these diseases seldom cause severe damage, but can lower crop yield. Although rare, crop losses are possible.
How to Grow Tomatoes in Kansas
Tomatoes are among the most popular vegetables to grow in the home garden. The two most common reasons for tomato failure in Kansas are planting them too early before temperatures are sufficiently warm, and not providing adequate moisture, especially during hot, windy weather. Kansas gardeners with
Facts on Fungus of an Apricot Tree
The apricot tree (Prunus armeniaca) is one of many varieties of stone fruits susceptible to infection from harmful fungus. The seriousness of these diseases is related to the fungus's requisite weather conditions, but good cultural practices reduce the risk of large-scale apricot problems.
Do Lilac Bushes Need a Mate to Bloom?
Lilacs, with their big clusters of light purple flowers, are welcome harbingers of spring. Lilac is a reliable bloomer and there is no need to have more than one plant for it to produce its flowers.
How to Care For a Pie Cherry Tree
Tart cherries like Montmorency, Northstar, Danube or Galaxy are preferred over sweet cherries for use in pies. Their high acid content creates pies, jams and other desserts with a complex sweet-tart flavor that makes it difficult to eat just one piece of pie. Gardeners in USDA plant hardiness zones
Why Do Persimmon Leaves Have Black Spots?
Common persimmon (Diospryos virginiana) trees are native to woodlands across the eastern and midwestern United States. Edible fall fruit makes the trees useful in home landscapes. Fungal infestation, however, often causes black spots and defoliation of common persimmon trees' leaves.
How to Gather Liriope Seeds
The genus Liriope includes a variety of low-growing flowering plants that superficially resemble grass. Species such as Liriope muscari, or lilyturf, appear frequently in ornamental landscaping as a ground cover or edging plant. The slender foliage grows to 18 inches in height with a graceful, archi
Homemade Outdoor Canopy
An outdoor canopy provides extra square footage for entertaining or an area for family activities. A canopy is ideal for those hot summer months that make being in the sun unbearable. While each area a homeowner is trying to cover will be different, the goals are the same -- to create an outdoor spa
How Can I Reduce Glare on My Sliding Doors So the Birds Don't Fly Into Them?
At certain times of the day, sunshine causes a glare on windows and glass doors. The glass reflects trees and clouds and gives the appearance of the continuation of the surrounding landscape. Birds do not realize that the images are reflections, and they can crash into the glass. You can reduce the
How to Grow Wintergreen
Most people associate wintergreen for its minty flavor, used in items such as chewing gum and toothpaste. However, it is not widely known that the wintergreen plant has a multitude of medicinal uses as well. The shrub-like plant, which grows to be about 6 inches tall, stays green year-round making i
Problems With the Leaves of Citrus Trees
Citrus trees suffer susceptibility to a wide range of disorders when commercially grown, but only a few leaf problems can aggravate the homegrown tree. Maintaining a healthy tree through proper cultural practices, adequate irrigation and reliable fertilizing practices can help fight off most disease