Creating a dwarf persimmon tree is also an interesting project and lots of fun. How do you keep a persimmon tree small? Read on for the juicy details. Small Persimmon Tree Although we usually recommend planting native trees, when it comes to a bonsai persimmon, we don’t recommend the American native, Diospyros virginiana. American persimmon trees can grow to well over 135 feet (45 m.) tall. If you start with a small persimmon tree, it will require less effort to create a bonsai persimmon....

A bit crunchier than spinach, but more tender than kale, this gorgeous vegetable comes in a surprising array of colors. Technically speaking, chard is a beet, but doesn’t have a bulbous root. It’s referred to as a member of the “goosefoot” family due to the shape of its leaves. What makes it Swiss? It was identified and named by a Swiss botanist. Full of Vitamins A and C, Swiss chard counts toward the dark leafy vegetable component of your diet....

Growing Tomatillos Plant tomatillos from seed in warmer climates or start them indoors six weeks before the last expected frost. Tomatillo harvesting typically begins 75 to 100 days after planting. Choose a full sun location with well drained soil. The plants require even moisture, especially after fruits begin to form. Cultivation of tomatillos is similar to that of tomato plants. The plants need a cage or heavy staking to prevent the laden stems from laying on the ground....

What is Catfacing? Tomato catfacing is a physiological disorder of tomatoes that results in the gross deformity discussed above. So-called since the abnormal cracking and dimpling on tomatoes, peaches, apples, and even grapes, looks somewhat akin to a small cat’s face. Simply put, it is the abnormal development of plant tissue affecting the ovary or female sex organ (pistilate), which results in the flower, followed by the fruit development becoming malformed....

Monitoring and correcting high phosphorus levels in soil will be essential in ensuring optimal plant growth in the garden. About Excessive Phosphorus Having a garden soil sample tested is a great way for gardeners to learn more about the needs of their garden. Becoming more familiar with the nutrients present in the soil can help growers adapt their garden beds for the best results. Unlike other plant nutrients, phosphorus does not leach in the soil....

The perennial bergenia may bloom and grow beautifully for several years, then suddenly stop performing. This could be because it is choking itself out and needs to be divided or because something in its environment changed and it needs to be moved. Continue reading to learn how to transplant bergenia, as well as when to divide bergenia plants. Dividing and Moving Bergenia Plants Bergenia is a perennial for shade to part shade in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9....

Hollyhock Anthracnose Symptoms This particular infection is caused by the fungus, Colletotrichum malvarum. It is a destructive disease that impacts the stems, petioles, and leaves of hollyhock plants. It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of the disease so that you can take immediate steps to get the infection under control before losing all your plants. Hollyhock with anthracnose will develop black spots on the leaves and stems. The spots may also be tan or red....

About Sooty Blotch on Pears Pears with sooty blotch are under attack by a fungus or perhaps several fungi. These can include: Gloeodes pomigena Zygophiala jamaicensis Leptodontium elatius Peltaster fructicola Geastrumia polystigmatis The fungi that cause sooty blotch causes black smudges on the skin of the pear, smudges that are actually fungal strands. Pears with sooty blotch look a little dirty, as if someone handled them with sooty fingers. Sooty blotch fungi overwinter in infected plants....

Possible Causes for Wilting Cauliflower Below are the most likely reasons for wilting in cauliflower plants: Clubroot – Clubroot is a serious fungal disease that affects cauliflower, cabbage and other cruciferous plants. The first sign of clubroot is yellowing or pale leaves and wilting on hot days. If you notice wilting cauliflower, early signs can be difficult to detect. As the disease progresses, the plant will develop distorted, club-shaped masses on the roots....

Zone 6 Bulb Gardening Many types of hardy bulbs require a cold dormant period in winter. While winters are still cold enough in zone 6 to provide this dormancy period, gardeners in warmer climates may have to simulate this cold period for certain bulbs. Below is a list of some of the cold hardy bulbs that perform well in zone 6. These bulbs are usually planted in fall, require at least several weeks of a cold, and oftentimes naturalize in the garden:...

Deciding how to plant shady garden beds can be especially problematic due to the perceived lack of options. Areas beneath trees, near taller structures, or even at the edge of wooded areas can leave those wishing to beautify their landscape feeling helpless. Fortunately, there are several lesser known alternatives which may be the perfect candidates in these locations. Unusual Alternatives for Shade When choosing plants for shaded areas, many feel limited to the more commonly planted specimens....

Using Chamomile for the Lawn One option is to replace your grass with chamomile. Chamomile is an aromatic herb that is quite pretty to look at. Chamomile has feathery leaves and during the summer it has a white and daisy-like flower. For centuries, Chamomile has been used all around the world as a ground cover. It can take a medium amount of wear and when you walk on the chamomile it releases a lovely smell....

Read on for descriptions of sorrel varieties and tips for growing these low-maintenance herbs. Sorrel Plant Types You can’t go wrong by including sorrel in your garden. The different sorrel plants are not only easy to grow but are also cold-hardy perennials. This means they die back in fall but reappear the following year in late winter. The two most popular varieties of sorrel for veggie gardeners are English (garden) sorrel (Rumex acetosa) and French sorrel (Rumex scutatus)....

Types of Fertilizer for Vegetables Gardens Plants are composed primarily of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. These nutrients are absorbed from the air and water, but a fertile garden must have fourteen additional macro- and micro- nutrients for healthiest growth. A soil test will help determine which, if any, additional nutrients need to be supplemented to the plants in the form of vegetable garden fertilizers. Basically, there are two types of fertilizer for veggie gardens: inorganic (synthetic) and organic fertilizer for vegetable gardens....

If you’re intrigued by this concept, read on to learn more about growing downspout vegetables. Of course, fruit, herbs and ornamental crops can be planted and watered like this. Most all crops benefit from rainwater gardening. Starting a Rainwater Vegetable Garden Collecting the runoff from the roof and directing it into your garden uses a one-time set up that distributes the water into areas where it is needed most. Plant to accommodate this managed natural watering system as an important part of the plan....

This exotic-looking plant with its graceful sword-like foliage has white, yellow or blue flowers that resemble a cross between those of an orchid and an iris. Although they are short lived, lasting only a day, numerous blooms continue to follow over an extended period of time throughout spring, summer and fall. Growing walking iris plants is a great way to enjoy these interesting flowers. Walking Iris Plants So what makes this plant so unusual, and how did it acquire its name?...

Can You Root Succulents in Water? The success of succulent water propagation may depend on the type of succulent you’re trying to root. Many jades, sempervivums, and echeverias take well to water rooting. If you decide to give this a try, follow the easy steps listed below to maximize your success: Allow succulent cutting ends to callous. This takes a few days to a week and prevents the cutting from taking up too much water and rotting....

Water Snowflake Information Despite its name and the obvious resemblance, the snowflake water lily isn’t actually related to the water lily. Its growth habits are similar, however, and the snowflake water lily, like the water lily, floats on the surface of the water with its roots connected to the soil below. Snowflake water plants are hardy growers, sending out runners that quickly spread over the water’s surface. The plants can be extremely helpful if you fight recurring algae in your pond, as snowflake water lily provides shade that minimizes algae growth....

How Much Water Do Orchids Need? Perhaps the biggest mistake people make when growing orchids is overwatering them. Despite the fact that they’re tropical and like humidity, orchid water requirements are actually pretty low. In general, orchids like their growing medium to dry out between waterings. To test this, put a finger in the growing medium. If it’s dry about an inch (2.5 cm.) down, it’s time for watering. For indoor plants, this will probably translate to about once a week....

Do Plants Need Water Over Winter? If your location isn’t prone to heavy snow or is prone to drying winds, supplemental winter watering is vital. Although your plants are dormant, they’re not dead during dormancy and still have some basic metabolic functions that must be driven with water collected from the soil. Roots are prone to drying in the winter, causing permanent damage to perennials. Watering plants and near freezing temperatures send many gardeners into fits, worrying that the newly wet soil will freeze and injure roots....