What is Orchid Bud Blast? When orchids drop their buds, it is commonly called bud blast. Likewise, when orchid’s drop their blooms, it is called bloom blast. Both conditions are the orchid’s natural defense to something going wrong in their present growing environment. Orchids are very sensitive to environmental changes. In stressful situations, they drop buds to divert energy to the stems, foliage, and roots. Orchid bud drop can also be a sign of overwatering or underwatering....

How to Get Ixora Flowers on Pruned Plants Ixora is an evergreen bush that is excellent when used as a hedge, in a large container, or as a stand-alone specimen. Many forms produce white or yellow blooms, but the bright pink-orange cultivars are the most common. If you have bushes in nutrient poor or alkaline soil, you may wonder, “Why won’t my Ixora plants bloom.” Fertilizer may be the answer, but it could also be poor siting or soil pH....

Identification of Wild Onion Plants Wild onion weeds grow in clumps and are typically found in flower beds or near difficult to mow areas, though they can also grow in the lawn. Wild onions can be identified by their thin, waxy, spear-like leaves. Wild onion is often confused with its close cousin, wild garlic. Wild onions have flat leaves while wild garlic has round leaves. Wild onions grow from white bulbs....

William’s Pride apples are resistant to a number of diseases that commonly afflict apple trees, including scab, cedar apple rust, and fire blight. The trees are suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. Sound good? Read on and learn how to grow William’s Pride apples trees. Growing William’s Pride Apples William’s Pride apple trees require moderately rich, well-drained soil and six to eight hours of sunlight per day....

Hydrangea Cold Tolerance Hydrangeas are among the easiest shrubs to grow. Easy care and undemanding, hydrangeas decorate your garden with their big, bold flowers for months on end. But when summer ends and winter sneaks in, it’s important to know how to protect hydrangeas from cold, and this involves hydrangea cold tolerance. Some varieties, like smooth hydrangea (“Annabelle”) and panicle, or PG hydrangea, are very cold-hardy and bloom on new wood....

Winterberry Holly Information Winterberry holly is a medium sized bush, growing no taller than 15 feet (4.5 m.). The bark is smooth and attractive, gray to black, while the crown is upright and spreading. The branches are slender and grow quite thick in a zigzag pattern. When you read up on winterberry holly information, you learn that the shrubs are deciduous, with leaves up to 4 inches (10 cm.) long. The leaves are dark green in the summer, turning yellow in autumn, and falling off entirely by October....

What are Woolly Aphids? Much like other types of aphids, these sap-sucking insect pests are small, only 1/4 inch (0.5 cm.). However, woolly aphids, which are green or blue, also appear fuzzy due to the white, waxy material that covers their body. These pests generally use two hosts: one for overwintering and laying eggs in spring, and one for feeding in summer. Woolly Aphid Damage Woolly aphid insects generally feed in groups....

X Disease in Cherry Trees X disease symptoms are the easiest to spot when the tree is fruiting. The fruit will be small, leathery, pale, and flat and pointed, instead of round. It’s likely that only parts of an infected tree will show symptoms – possibly as little as a single branch of fruit. The leaves of some branches may also become mottled, then redden, and fall off before they normally would....

What Causes Basil Leaves to Turn Yellow? There are a number of reasons for a basil plant turning yellow, and determining the reason isn’t always easy. Improper watering – Root rot, a result of too much water, is one of the most common reasons for yellow leaves on basil plants. Water basil only when the top 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5 cm.) of soil is dry, and remember that slightly dry soil is healthier than soggy soil....

Allegra Echeveria Growing Info Learning about Echeveria ‘Allegra’ before growing it can help keep your plant happy and healthy. As with other succulent specimens, grow this plant in a gritty, well-draining soil. Amend your potting soil or make your own. It is simple, there are many instructions online and more information here. Allegra echeveria growing in containers and those planted in the ground need excellent drainage so water does not remain on the roots....

Picking Aloe Vera Juices and smoothies are all the rage with suggestions of supplements and additives to enhance their healthful properties. Aloe has many healthful benefits, but you should be cautious when ingesting it. Even a small dose can cause diarrhea, nausea, dry mouth, and other complications in sensitive individuals. For stouter people, aloe harvesting can provide a ready source of the nutritious and healthful aloe gel. It is best to pick aloe from mature plants, preferably those planted in the ground....

Autumn Revolution Bittersweet Info American bittersweet is a native vine in the U.S. that is known for its bright orange/red berries which attract an array of birds to the garden. It is important to note that while these berries are an important food source in autumn and winter for our feathered friends, they are toxic to humans. Unlike its non-native cousin, oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), American bittersweet is not considered an invasive species....

Are Alliums Invasive? Not all allium varieties are well-behaved. Some become weeds that are nearly impossible to get rid of, especially in mild climates. The bad news is that dormant bulbs can remain in the soil for up to six years. The biggest offenders are wild allium (Allium ursinum), wild garlic (Allium vineale), and three-cornered leek (Allium triquetrum). All three spread like wildfire, quickly choking out gentler plants that you try to establish in your garden....

Are Snapdragons Annuals or Perennials? The most common question about snapdragons is: are snapdragons annual or perennial? The answer is that they can be both. Some varieties of snapdragons are true annuals, meaning they grow, flower, set seed, and die all within one growing season. Other varieties of snapdragons are considered to be short-lived perennials, hardy in zones 7 to 11, which are usually grown as annuals. A few varieties of snapdragons are even known to withstand winter temperatures in zones 5 and 6....

What are Spider Wasps? Spider wasps in gardens can be an intimidating sight. These wasps are actually hornets related to yellow jackets. They are large and mostly black. They have long legs and dark wings that may look oily. You’re most likely to see them on and around your flowers, as they feed on nectar. What gives spider wasps their name is the fact that the females of the species prey on spiders....

Best Garden Tools for Arthritis When it comes to the selection of gardening tools and arthritis, it’s best to begin planning before the growing season actually arrives. During this time, you should make a list of possible adaptations that will make working outdoors a safer and more enjoyable experience. Consulting a qualified physician at this time may also be necessary in order to determine how you can safely be able to continue gardening, and what specific precautions you should take....

Choosing Trees with Showy Bark Here are some common varieties to choose from for ornamental bark on trees. River Birch – A tree that grows very well on the banks of streams, it can also serve as a specimen on a lawn or garden. Its bark peels away in papery sheets to reveal a striking color contrast with the bark underneath. Chilean Myrtle – A relatively small tree at 6 to 15 feet (2 to 4....

An autumn leaf wreath utilizes the colorful bounty of natural fall leaves, but don’t worry if availability of real leaves is a problem. You can also use faux fall leaves in a wreath. Supplies for a DIY Autumn Leaf Wreath Before you make an autumn leaf wreath with the real thing, you’ll first need to gather a bagful of colorful leaves. Make sure the leaves are fresh or they will crumble when you are stringing the fall leaves in a wreath shape....

What is Bacterial Soft Rot? Soft rot bacteria, or Erwinia cartovorum is, unfortunately, found everywhere. It survives in soil and water sources, even oceans, and is found all over the globe. Almost all commercial crops are affected to some degree by soft rot. Bacteria in the home garden can be introduced by insects, windblown rain, or leftovers from the previous year’s crop. One of the most common culprits on potatoes is the seed potato itself....

So, “How do I choose a Christmas tree?” you wonder. Choosing Christmas Trees As you begin your journey to find the best Christmas tree, you need to consider the space where the tree will be in your home. The best Christmas tree for that corner in your family room will not be the same as the tree you need for the spacious and rarely used formal living room. Note whether people will see the tree from all sides to decide how lush the tree needs to be....