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Trees & Houseplants : Home & Garden
What Does Partial Shade Mean for Planting Bulbs?
Most bulbs are sun-loving plants, but some, such as irises, grape hyacinths and some varieties of tulips, tolerate partial shade. A few, including caladiums, need partial shade to reach their full potential.
How to Know When Peppers Are Ripe for Picking
The pepper is a warm-season vegetable that comes in hot varieties and larger, sweet bell pepper varieties. The harvest periods for mild and sweet to hot and steamy peppers vary. Some simple indicators tell you when a pepper is ready to be picked.
Red & Green House Plants
A red-and-green houseplant can add an elegant and lively dimension to any holiday-decorating scheme. Houseplants are not only soothing to the eye, but they also provide oxygen, which improves indoor air quality. Several varieties of red-and-green plants thrive indoors.
Tips for Planting Grapes in Missouri
Wine growing in Missouri dates back to French settlers of 18th century.grapes image by Brett Bouwer from Fotolia.comMissouri may not the first name that outsiders associate with American winemaking, but vineyards are an increasingly important part of the state's agricultural economy and...
Pygmy Date Palm Alternatives
Pygmy Date Palm.palmetto palm tree leaves image by Jorge Moro from Fotolia.comThe pygmy date palm (Phoenix Roebelenii) grows to a height of about 10 feet and lends a tropical feel to gardens. It is hardy to temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The tree produces clusters of small...
How to Propagate Blueberries
It is fun and easy to create more blueberry plants from your original blueberry shrubs. In this article you will learn how to take softwood cuttings from your mature blueberry plants and how to multiply your plants by division. There are a couple of ways to expand your crop of blueberries that are e
How to Extend the Lives of Cut Flowers
For decorations that don't last very long, lots of flower bouquets may seem fairly pricey. If you love having fresh flowers around the house, it can, therefore, turn into an expensive habit. But there is a way to maximize the vase life of every bouquet you bring home. The solution is all in the wate
How to Trim a Lombardy Poplar
Lombardy poplar trees are native to Europe and Asia and were introduced to the U.S. in the 1780s. They were grown widely on East Coast estates well into the 19th century, but later abandoned due to their disease-prone nature and short life span. Lombardy poplars live only 10 to 15 years, but they ma
Is Calcium Required in Garden Soil?
Plants require calcium to be healthy. Without sufficient calcium intake, a plant will exhibit stunted tissues and leaves, and brown spots on the leaf edges. Tomatoes and peppers become more susceptible to blossom end rot. Celery, cabbages and other plants are also negatively affected.
A Homemade Outside Fly Trap
Flies are pests that are attracted to decaying organic material. It is best to first remove any trash or debris from the area to eliminate the cause of the problem. Once the area is cleaned up, you can make a homemade fly trap to finish the job. These traps are very easy and inexpensive to make. The
How to Make a Wisteria Bloom With Potash
Wisterias are loved because they drip clusters of highly scented flowers, in shades of white, pink or purple. They require a lot of work, though, to get to that stage. Pruning and fertilizing are the two most important aspect of growing wisteria. If the soil is deficient in potash, represented by th
What Are Indian Cigars That Grow on Trees?
The Indian cigar tree of the Bignoniaceae plant family originated in the United States and goes by many other names, such as Indian bean, Shawnee wood, catalpa, Catawba, lady cigar and fish bait tree, among others. "Catalpa" means "bean tree" in the Cherokee Indian language. The seed pods growing on
Lilium White Lancer Growing Information
The White Lancer lily is a hybrid of Lilium longiflorum, the white trumpet lily and Lilium formosanum, another trumpet-type lily with white flowers streaked on the outside with purple. It was bred for garden culture and is easy to grow.
How to Measure the Health of Devil's Ivy
Devil's Ivy, also known as golden pothos or marbled queen pothos, thrives under normal household conditions in low light areas. This easy-to-grow plant requires relatively little care, yet produces attractive vines making it suitable for hanging baskets. Waxy, heart-shaped leaves are variegated gree
Can I Apply a Fungicide After My Peach Tree Already Has Leaf Curl?
Waiting all winter for fruit trees to end their dormant period can mean a disappointing end when signs of leaf curl appear on your peach trees. While the fungus can be controlled, action must be taken before the symptoms are evident.
Magnolia Trees With Multiple Trunks
Magnolia trees and shrubs grow cultivated or wild in the Southern landscape. Magnolia trees thrive in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hardness Zones 5 through 8. They also grow in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and in Asia. Showy magnolia flowers add color and fragrance to ya
Dwarf Shade Shrubs
Dwarf shrubs add visual interest and curb appeal to yards.Phillip Spears/Digital Vision/Getty ImagesGardeners must be careful to adhere to the planting recommendations of horticulturists. Although a shrub is a dwarf when purchased at the nursery, it can quickly grow significantly larger...
Natural Grass Killer Ingredients
Sometimes grass is in the way of a outdoor project, but it isn't reasonable to dig it out of the ground. Killing it at the roots is feasible, but using harsh, long-lasting chemicals may leave the ground unsuitable for other uses. Natural plant killers are effective, reasonably safe and economical.
How to Use Funnels
A funnel is used to pour materials into containers that have narrow openings. Funnels are shaped like a modified pipe with one narrow end and one wide end and may be made of plastic, metal, glass or other substances depending on the intended use. You can use funnels to pour liquids or pourable solid