Reblooming Amaryllis Flowers How do I get an amaryllis flower to rebloom? Amaryllis plants in nature live in a habitat that alternates between nine months of moist wet weather, and a three month dry season. The trick to make an amaryllis flower rebloom is to mimic the natural cycles of its habitat. When the last flower fades, take care and cut the stalk near the top of the bulb. Make sure you leave the foliage on the bulb and try not to damage them while cutting the flower stalks....

What is a Survival Seed Vault? Survival seed vault storage is about more than creating future crops. Survival seed storage is done by the United States Department of Agriculture and many other national organizations across the world. What is a survival seed vault? It is a way of preserving seed for not only next season’s crops but also for future needs. Survival seeds are open pollinated, organic, and heirloom. An emergency seed vault should avoid hybrid seeds and GMO seeds, which do not produce seed well and can potentially contain harmful toxins and are generally sterile....

About Poinsettias The poinsettia we know as a holiday plant is actually a shrub or small tree in its native Mexico and Central America. It grows 10 to 15 feet tall (3.0 to 4.6 m.) as a deciduous or semi-evergreen plant on mid-elevation slopes along the Pacific Ocean. Its native habitat is tropical and seasonally wet. What many people describe as the poinsettia flowers, that showy red part, are actually bracts....

Why are Other Birds at My Hummingbird Feeder? Have you ever wondered, “Do other birds use a hummingbird feeder?” The answer is yes. If you’re seeing other birds on hummingbird feeders, it’s because they are also hungry. Compared to mammals, most birds have high metabolic rates. This means they must consume more calories per ounce of body weight each day. The sugar-water solution used in hummingbird feeders is a high energy meal....

What is Blueberry Mummy Berry? Mummified blueberries are caused by the fungus Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi. Primary infections begin in the spring, arising from overwintering mummies. At this time, tiny mushroom-like structures called apothecia begin growing from mummified berries. The apothecia release spores, lots of them, which are then carried by wind to leaf buds. Symptoms of a Blueberry with Mummified Berries The first symptom of a blueberry with mummified berries is browning along the leaf veins on new leaves....

Surprisingly, the leaf eater is not an insect, but probably a bird called the lesser goldfinch. While it enjoys seeds of plants in the daisy family, the lesser goldfinch also dines on sunflower foliage, leaving tattered greens in its wake. Identify Damage from a Goldfinch on Sunflower Leaves The range of the lesser goldfinch extends from the Western U.S. south into Mexico and as far as the Peruvian Andes in oak, cottonwood, and willow habitats....

Mites Aphids Whiteflies Snails Slugs Nematodes Mealybugs Cabbage worms Gnats Roaches Flies Termites Mosquitos Scale It also is used as a fungicide and helps fight off plant viruses and pathogens. So you may be thinking: sounds too good to be true and what about our beneficial insects, like ladybugs in gardens? Is Neem Oil Harmful to Ladybugs in the Garden? On the label of any Neem oil product, it boasts Organic and Nontoxic or safe for humans, birds, and animals....

What is Italian Purple Garlic? A quick glance at Italian Purple garlic info and we find it is a vigorous variety with a skin decorated with pastel purple vertical blotches. It is famously associated with the Gilroy, CA annual garlic festival. The bulbs are quick maturing and have that attractive purple hue. Early Italian Purple garlic will mature 5 to 10 days earlier than most other garlic varieties. This softneck is excellent for mild climates....

Joe-Pye Weed Description There are three species of Joe-pye weed as listed by the United States Department of Agriculture including eastern Joe-pye weed, spotted Joe-pye weed, and sweet-scented Joe-pye weed. At maturity these plants can reach 3 to 12 feet (1-4 m.) tall and bear purple to pink flowers. Joe-pye weed is America’s tallest perennial herb and was named after a Native-American called Joe-pye who used the plant to cure fevers....

Regional Garden Chores for July Gardening in different regions varies according to where you live. Here are short lists of “to-dos” for each region. Northwest July is the time those in the Pacific Northwest are happiest with their climate. The weather is moderate versus sweltering, and humidity is low. What to do in July in the Northwest? Weed, weed, and keep weeding to give your plants space to grow.Deadhead annual and perennial flowers as blossoms fade to support new blossom growth....

What Makes Rose Leaves Turn Yellow? There are a number of things that can lead to Knock Out rose leaves turning yellow. Some of these include the following: Irrigation issues One of the first things to check when noticing yellow Knock Out rose leaves is the soil’s moisture. Perhaps it has been raining for several days or even off and on with misty or foggy conditions for multiple days. The lack of good sunshine and lots of water can indeed spell trouble....

What is an Edger Used for in the Garden? Edgers for the garden are designed to make neat, tidy edges around plant beds or between the lawn and a driveway, walkway, patio, or street. An edger has a blade that cuts a small gap between grass and the area you are trying to neatly separate from the turf. The purpose of an edger is purely aesthetic. Imagine scraggly grass overhanging the driveway as compared to a neat line dividing lawn and concrete....

Preventing Leaf Drop on Plum Trees Control methods such as preventative tactics, cultural practices, and chemical control can be used to combat the issue, sometimes singularly or in conjunction. Most problems of leaf drop on your plum trees are cultural and environmental in nature, so examine these first. Some of these may include: Inadequate water or nutrients Space or sunlight inadequacies Deficient soil Low pH Temperature Root damage from cultivation...

Growing Eggplant Eggplants are cold sensitive and shouldn’t be placed in the garden too early. Wait until the soil has sufficiently warmed and all threat of frost has ceased. These plants require full sun and well-drained soil amended with organic matter. When growing eggplants, space them about a foot or two (30.5-61 cm.) apart, as they can become rather large. Since eggplants are susceptible to many pests and diseases, the use of collars or row covers on young plants may be necessary to reduce common eggplant problems....

What is a Soilless Mix? Gardening with soilless potting mix does not include the use of soil. Instead, plants are grown in a variety of organic and inorganic materials. Using these materials rather than soil allows gardeners to grow healthier plants without the threat of soil-borne diseases. Plants grown in soilless mixes are also less likely to be bothered by pests. Types of Soilless Growing Mediums Some of the most common soilless growing mediums include perlite, vermiculite, and sand....

When to Plant Potatoes When growing potato plants (Solanum tuberosum), it is important to keep in mind that potatoes are cool weather vegetables. The best time when to plant potatoes is in early spring. Planting potatoes two to three weeks before your last frost date will produce the most satisfactory results. How to Grow Potatoes A growing potato is an undemanding plant. They need very little other than mild temperatures and soil, which is why they have been a historic food staple....

Lemon Tree Fertilizer Most of the time, people know the basics of how to grow a lemon tree, but they are uncertain about lemon tree fertilizer. Fertilizer for a lemon tree should be high in nitrogen and should not have any number in the formula higher than 8 (8-8-8). When to Apply Fertilizer for Lemon Trees When growing a lemon tree, you want to make sure that you apply fertilizer at the proper times....

About Little Gem Cremnosedum Growers new to gardening or lazy gardeners will love Little Gem plants. They are in the dwarf class of sedum and have all the ease of care as the full-sized specimens. Technically, Little Gem plants are a cross between Cremnophila and Sedum. They were initially offered for sale under the name by the International Succulent Institute in 1981. Little Gem succulents are hardy to USDA zones 8 through 10 and have little frost tolerance....

Mulching with Lucerne Hay Lucerne hay (Medicago sativa), a clover-like plant belonging to the pea family, is grown as livestock feed in countries around the world. Because the hay is so rich in many essential elements, lucerne hay makes terrific mulch. Here are some lucerne mulch benefits you can expect when using lucerne mulch in your garden: Contains high levels of protein Provides many important minerals, including potassium, calcium, iron, folic acid, and others Increases soil nitrogen Suppresses weeds Decomposes quickly, making it an excellent choice for poor soil Conserves moisture Keeps soil cool in summer and warm in winter Reduces fertilizer requirement, thus reducing expenses Stimulates healthy root growth Contains natural hormones that help prevent root disease Feeds worms that help keep soil healthy...

Is Chocolate Vine Invasive? Only gardeners new to chocolate vine need to ask, “Is chocolate vine invasive?”. Once you’ve grown it, you know the answer. Chocolate vine (Akebia quinata) is a tough, woody plant that presents a serious ecological threat to native plants. This vigorous vine will climb trees or shrubs by twining, but with absent supports, it will grow as a dense groundcover. It quickly becomes a thick, tangled mass that overwhelms and chokes out neighboring plants....