About Strelitzia Fungal Leaf Spot This bird of paradise fungal disease tends to occur when there is too much moisture present. The good news is that it typically does not cause any long-term damage to the plant. Proper cultural conditions and sanitization practices will help prevent this bird of paradise houseplant fungus. The spots on the leaves will be 0.1 to 2 centimeters big. Sometimes the spots are regularly shaped like a circle, and other times the spots have a more irregular shape....

Information on Bonsai Care The basic care of bonsais doesn’t differ much from their larger relatives with regard to temperature, light requirements, humidity, and rest periods. However, they do require a little assistance to keep up their overall health. First, use a special potting mix, a watering can with a fine nozzle, and a fertilizer specific to bonsai trees. Remember that bonsai grow best in little soil that is slightly mounded....

Common Boston Fern Problems If you fail to water your potted fern appropriately, over or under irrigation can lead to unhealthy Boston ferns. Most fern instructions advise you to keep the soil constantly moist. But this is not the same as allowing the soil to be wet or the plant to become water-logged. To avoid issues with Boston ferns, water the plant thoroughly when the top of the soil is dry....

First imported to the U.S. in 1824, Brunswick cabbage history says all cole crops were exported under the Brunswick name at that time. The German heirloom, a large drumhead, is becoming rare as winter cabbage growing decreases. For many years it was a favorite for making sauerkraut. It is a shame for this specimen to face extinction. Let’s learn more about growing this cabbage plant. When to Plant Brunswick Cabbage You may plant Brunswick cabbage in winter or spring, as well as fall....

Can You Eat Radish Seed Pods? Many gardeners didn’t leave their radishes unharvested on purpose but by happy accident. Imagine their surprise when snappy, green pods formed. Are radish seed pods edible? Not only are they edible, but you might also be surprised at how delicious they are. Eating radish seed pods is an uncommon veggie option but it has signs of becoming a farmer’s market staple. There are actually some varieties of edible radish seeds that are grown specifically for their pods....

Moving Mountain Laurels Mountain laurel, also known as calico bush or ivy-bush, makes a beautiful addition to the understory of a woodland garden or other partially shaded location. If you happen to have one in a sunny area, it likely will not survive and it’s time to move the mountain laurel. Mountain laurels are hardy to USDA zones 5-9. Like other evergreens, mountain laurels should be transplanted in the fall, from late August through late October (or late February to May in Southern Hemisphere)....

If you are wondering “how to fix my dying succulent,” you are in the right place. Can You Save a Dying Succulent? Succulents (including cacti) have so many fascinating forms, sizes, and colors that make them a perfect plant for almost any taste. Sudden decline in their health is usually due to water concerns but occasionally can be from pest or disease issues. Saving dying succulents starts with figuring out what started their deterioration so you can remedy the problem....

Tansy Plant Info The herb garden was the center of the home in the Middle Ages and eras prior. Today’s tansy uses in the garden are much more limited due to modern pharmaceuticals and different tastes over the years. However, this forgotten herb provides ornamental appeal and still packs all the medicinal and culinary wallop of the past. It is up to us to rediscover the healthy, natural tricks of our ancestors and decide for ourselves if herbal lore is useful to us today or simply an attractive addition to the perennial garden....

About Cherry Tree Irrigation Cherry trees grow wild throughout much of the United States. In the wild, they easily establish in sandy-loam or even rocky soils but struggle in heavy clay soils. This is true for the home garden and orchards as well. Cherry trees require excellent draining soil to grow, blossom, and fruit properly. If soil is too dry or cherry trees experience drought stress, leaves can curl, wilt, and drop....

Read on for more information about how you can use hot peppers for fruit trees. Hot Peppers for Fruit Trees A chili pepper fruit tree spray can keep hungry bugs and mammals from your orchard. It is considered a deterrent rather than a pesticide because it keeps the critters away from the trees and doesn’t kill them. While many people love hot sauce, few animals do. The naturally occurring substance that makes the peppers taste hot is called capsaicin, and this is an irritant to most pests....

Clamshell Orchid Information Clamshell orchid plants are native to the damp forests, woodlands, and swamps of southern Florida, Mexico, the West Indies, and Central and South America. Like many orchids, they are epiphytic plants that grow on tree trunks and branches where they survive by absorbing moisture and nutrients from rain, air, and water. Unfortunately, the plant population in Florida has been decimated by poachers and destruction of habitat. If you want to try your hand at growing clamshell orchid plants, purchase a plant from a reputable dealer....

About Zone 4 Groundcovers Landscape planning often incorporates groundcovers as part of the plan. These low-growing living carpets project interest to the eye while accenting other plantings. Plants for zone 4 ground coverage abound. There are many useful and hardy cold hardy groundcovers that may bloom, yield evergreen foliage, and even produce fruit. As you design your landscape, it is important to note areas where most plants don’t grow, such as rocky regions, over tree roots, and in sites where maintenance would be difficult....

Growing Yuccas in Zone 5 The slightly dangerous looking Yucca is a large group of sun-loving plants. There are tall specimens, such as Joshua tree, and ground hugging little plants, like Adam’s Needle. Most are found in regions with little rain, plenty of sunshine, and hot days. However, even desert temperatures can dip into freezing at night and these plants have developed remarkable adaptability to temperatures below zero. Yuccas are stately, although spiky, plants that add desert elegance to any landscape or container....

What are Cole Crops? Cole crops, at a basic level, are plants that belong to the mustard (Brassica) family and are all descendants of wild cabbage. As a group, these plants grow better in cool weather. This leads many people to think that the word “cole” is a variation of the word “cold” and they may even refer to these plants as cold crops. Actually, the word “cole” is a variation of a Latin word that means stem....

USDA Colorado Hardiness Zone Map For Trees And Plants Above is the map of the USDA Colorado hardiness zones. The USDA created plant hardiness zones to act as a guide for gardeners and farmers. By understanding your planting zone for Colorado, you will be more successful in your efforts to create a wonderful garden. To find your Colorado hardiness zone, locate the place on the map where you live. The color of that area can be matched to the legend at the right....

About Elderflower Uses Before cooking with or ingesting elderflowers, it’s important to understand a couple things. While most species of elderberries are edible when cooked, the other parts of the plant, including leaves, stems, and roots, are toxic to humans. Sambucus nigra, or black elder, is the most commonly used plant for elderflower harvest. Even though these elderflowers are frequently ingested, they are technically high in certain alkaloids and cyanidin glycosides that, if consumed in excess, can lead to problems such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea....

What is Firebush Good For? Firebush plants are native to the American tropics and subtropics, and are very tolerant of both heat and drought. They flower throughout almost the entire year (provided they’re not exposed to frost) and have bright red foliage in the fall. Because of this, they are very useful in gardens with oppressively hot summers, providing colorful, flashy interest when most other plants would wither. Their red, tubular flowers are also extremely attractive to hummingbirds, making them an obvious choice for hummingbird gardens and easily observable spots near windows and porches....

About Water Rooting Plants We can all agree that free plants are the best and what better way to multiply your collection than starting your own plants. You may have a friend or neighbor with a species you desire or just want more of your favorites. Many types of cuttings produce roots growing in water. This is an easy way to grow some species. The old avocado pit suspended in water, or a glass of roots growing in water from a piece of inch plant are common enough sights in a sunny kitchen window....

Although you can find reusable composting sacks made from sturdy material, you can save a few bucks by making a bag of compost in a sturdy garbage bag. Read on for a basic compost bag DIY. Compost Bag DIY: Can I Make Compost In A Bag? Compost made using a couple of large, sturdy, black plastic garbage bags is great for a small amount of material. But keep in mind, making compost in a bag probably isn’t the best idea if you’re planning on making a lot of compost....

Contorted Filbert Trees The trunks of twisted hazelnut trees/contorted filbert trees grow to 10 or 15 feet (3-4.5 m.) tall and are so twisted that gardeners give the tree the nickname “Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick.” The branches are also uniquely curled and twisted. The other ornamental feature about the trees is the male catkins. They are long and golden and hang from the branches of the tree beginning in winter, providing visual interest long after leaf drop....