Potting Soil Ingredients for Standard Soilless Potting Soil Most standard commercial potting soils contain three primary ingredients: Sphagnum peat moss – Peat moss holds moisture and releases it slowly to keep the roots moist for longer periods. Pine bark – Pine bark is slow to break down and its rough texture improves air circulation and moisture retention. Vermiculite or perlite – Vermiculite and perlite are both volcanic byproducts that lighten the mix and improve aeration....

What are Predatory Wasps? Although there are many different types of predatory wasps, most of them have a few things in common. They are generally 1/4-inch (0.5 cm.) or so in length and capable of delivering a painful sting. They vary in appearance, but most of them have bright yellow or orange bands of color. The flashy colors act as a warning to any animal that may want to eat them....

About Princess Flowers Princess flowers are large purple flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden all season long, blooming in abundance from May through the first frost. Botanically called Tibouchina urvilleana, blooms will appear throughout the year on the princess flower plant, with heaviest flowering from late spring and on into winter in tropical areas. Hardy in USDA Zones 9-11, allow plenty of room when planting princess flower. If you’re already growing princess flower and find it is becoming overcrowded, pruning is appropriate....

Cactus lovers know there are Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas cactus. Their cheery flowers are a treat when hardly anything is in bloom in winter. Schlumbergera cuttings are how to propagate Easter cactus and its cousins. Just a few steps and the gardener is well on their way to producing baby cacti that will bloom in future years. Keep new cacti in a shady location in summer, bringing the plant in before temperatures become cool....

Pruning Tips for Knock Out Roses When it comes to pruning Knock Out rose bushes, I recommend the best time to prune Knock Out roses is in the early spring just as with any other rose bushes. Prune out the broken canes from the winter snows or wind whipping of the bushes. Prune out all dead canes and prune the overall bush back by about one-third of its overall height. While doing this pruning, be sure to keep an eye on the finished shape of the bush desired....

Why is My Passiflora Losing Leaves? Passion flower is an intricate blooming plant whose flowers were used to teach the Stations of the Cross. Several varieties are native to North America and many are hardy to USDA zones 7 to 10. Some varieties are tropical and not frost hardy, causing them to lose leaves during cold snaps and often die. If you find a hardy passion vine dropping leaves, causes may be fungal, insect related, or cultural....

Red Clover Plant Info Red clover has naturalized to North America, although it originated in Europe. It establishes quickly, grows in almost any soil and is hardy in drought and cool temperatures. Red clover has lovely purple flower heads, which are produced in spring. Each head is made up of many small flowers. The plant itself may get up to 20 inches (50 cm.) high but generally has a more rangy creeping habit....

What to Do in The Garden in March Below are the most common regional gardening chores to tackle during March: Northwest You’re still ordering seeds if you live east of the Cascades, but west-side gardeners in the Pacific Northwest region have work to do. Set out slug bait. Look for nontoxic bait if you have children or pets.Buy seedlings and plant cool-weather crops such as cabbage and cauliflower. Add new rhododendrons to beautify empty spots....

Regrow Herbs from Cuttings Root propagation from stem cuttings is a tried and true method for regrowing herb plants. Simply snip off the top 3 to 4 inches (8-10 cm.) from the fresh stems of discarded kitchen scrap herbs. Leave the first two sets of leaves at the top (growing end) of each stem but remove the lower leaves. Next, place the stems in a cylindrical container of fresh water. (Use distilled or spring water if your tap water is treated....

These can be bought in the store, but if you want to stay away from chemicals or simply save some money, there are plenty of organic ways of making your own rooting hormone at home, often from materials you probably already have. Natural Rooting Methods One of the main ingredients in synthetic rooting hormones is Indole-3-butyric acid, a material that stimulates root growth, protects it from disease, and is found naturally in willow trees....

Rosary Vine String of Hearts Ceropegia woodii is the scientific designation for the wiry stemmed plant. Rosary vine houseplants have pairs of heart-shaped leaves about every 3 inches (7.5 cm.) along the slender stem. The sparse foliage adds to the unique look of the plant. The leaves are etched lightly on the top surface with white and on the underside with purple. The stems drape over a pot or container and hang down to 3 feet (1 m....

Why Rotate Cover Crops? Cover crops impart their nutrients when tilled into the soil. Their root systems can loosen the earth and reduce compaction. Some plants, such as clover and legumes, fix nitrogen in the soil which has been leached by heavy crops and irrigation. The rule, “right plant, right place” is very true with cover crops. Their individual attributes can enhance future crops through their soil contributions. Almost any of the suggested cover crops will prove to enrich the soil but knowing how to rotate cover crop plants will create an even more effective biodiversity and tilth in soil....

Manganese Deficiency in Palms Sometimes the soil just doesn’t have enough manganese. Other times manganese deficient sagos are seen in soils with a pH that is too high (too alkaline) or too low (too acidic) and sandy. This makes it too difficult for the soil to retain manganese. It is also more difficult for the sago palm to absorb manganese when the pH is off. Sandy soils also have a hard time retaining nutrients....

Salpiglossis Plant Info Painted tongue plants (Salpiglossis sinuata) are upright annuals with trumpet-shaped, petunia-like blooms. Painted tongue plants, which sometimes display more than one color on a single plant, come in various shades of red, reddish orange, and mahogany. Less common colors include purple, yellow, deep blue, and pink. Salpiglossis flowers, which are perfect for cut flower arrangements, can be even more spectacular when planted in groups. Salpiglossis plants reach a mature height of 2 to 3 feet (61-91 cm....

Harvesting Seaweed Garden Nutrients Seaweed garden nutrients are relatively low in nitrogen and phosphorus but contain about 60 other trace elements, as well as fungal and disease preventatives. Using seaweed for compost improves soil consistency and increases water retention in sandy or grainy soils and may be used as a top or side dressing. That being said, some countries have rules regarding protection of the coastal environment, which may include the harvesting of seaweed....

Plants and Shrubs That Grow in Zone 9 Gardens Here are some of the most common shade-loving zone 9 plants: Ferns – Millions of years old, ferns are the definition of an old standby. Usually native to forest floors, they thrive in shady spots. While ferns come in a huge range of species and varieties, some good ones for zone 9 include: Autumn fern Holly fern Bird’s Nest fern Button fern Sword fern Ghost fern Log fern Lady fern...

Removing Spent Blooms on Hydrangea Since hydrangea blossoms are so big, deadheading a hydrangea makes a real difference in diverting energy to more important parts of the plant’s growth. You should carry out this practice all through the blooming season to encourage new blossoms and keep your plant looking fresh. The method for deadheading hydrangea blooms depends upon the time of year. If it’s before August, you should cut the spent blooms with a long stem attached....

Slash Pine Tree Facts Slash pine tree is suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. It grows at a relatively fast rate, attaining about 14 to 24 inches (35.5 to 61 cm.) of growth per year. This is a good-sized tree that reaches heights of 75 to 100 feet (23 to 30.5 m.) at maturity. Slash pine is an attractive tree with a pyramidal, somewhat oval shape....

Sorrel Plant Division Packed with flavor and easy to grow in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 9, sorrel produces a bountiful harvest of tangy, pungent leaves every spring. This hardy plant is happy in full sun or partial shade, in any relatively fertile, well-drained soil. Ideally, try for sorrel plant division every three to five years. Don’t wait too long; older sorrel can develop a hefty root system and separating sorrel plants can be a chore....

South Central Winter Gardening Tips Here are some tips in preparation for winter in South Central states: After two to three hard frosts, clean up perennial beds by cutting back dead foliage and mulching with leaves or compost. If you prefer, sturdier plants can be left uncut to add winter interest in the garden and give extra protection to the sleeping perennials. In addition, plants such as echinacea, coreopsis, zinnia, cosmos, and rudbeckia provide seeds for goldfinches and other birds in winter....