Funky, Fun Garden Plants

Written by Valerie Garner


Continued from page 1

In this case you can tell a lot by it's name. You generally purchase it as a bulb, which are usually quite large. It does return year after year without needing to re-plant it.

Inrepparttar spring it shoots up a lot of foliage, this is preparingrepparttar 116360 plant for it's autumn blooms, be sure to just leave this alone. Come about mid June or so, this foliage starts looking like it's dying, again just leave it be.

In late August/early September, when most ofrepparttar 116361 flowers are past their prime andrepparttar 116362 garden is starting to look sparse, out comesrepparttar 116363 Autumn Crocus, with their beautiful lilac colored blooms. They bloom for quite a long time when few things are blooming. A fun plant, give it a try!

This one is an annual (only lives 1 growing season) plant called Love Lies Bleeding. It's as strange as it's name.

It is very easy to grow. You just simply direct seed it inrepparttar 116364 soil (full sun preferably) where it is to grow in repparttar 116365 spring. It's height seems to vary greatly. I've seen it be as small as about 2 feet high, and reach up to 6 or 7 feet high. It's "flowers" are long, burgandy colored ropes that hang. It is simply stunning. Always gets attention! It will usually re-seed itself so you'll get new plantsrepparttar 116366 following year without doing anything.

It's best to try to find this seed in an unusual type seed catalog. It is inrepparttar 116367 amaranth family.

Here'srepparttar 116368 last one. Ever triedrepparttar 116369 hellebore family? There are many varieties. They are perennial which means they come back year after year. These are best planted in shady areas, but where they will get sun inrepparttar 116370 winter, like under leafed trees or something of that nature.

What is so unusual about hellebores is that they bloom somewhere between Dec. and March. There are very few plants that do that! One variety is called a Christmas Rose. It's quite striking to see flowers inrepparttar 116371 midst sometimes of snow.

These plants usually must be puchased at a nursery. Check out your local nursery for this wonderful family of plants.

By Valerie Garner-Get resources to get traffic to your website at no cost to you, plus ideas for earning income too. Mailto: Moredetails@quicktell.com (resource box must be included in article for reprint permission)



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Acquiring & Caring For Bonsai

Written by Sara Chute


Continued from page 1

Fertilizing

Because bonsai trees are cultivated in limited amounts of soil, adequate feed is very important. As a general rule, a small amount of feed is given inrepparttar spring and a larger amount inrepparttar 116359 fall. Feed for bonsai should contain three principle ingredients; nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash. It is also a good idea to use a fertilizer containing "chelated" iron. Water before fertilizing your tree and then apply at halfrepparttar 116360 strength recommended byrepparttar 116361 brand's manufacturer. Rotaterepparttar 116362 use of brands since different manufacturers add different amounts of trace elements and minerals. You could also add Superthrive, which is a vitamin supplement torepparttar 116363 fertilizer mix. You may find it simpler and easier to use slow release fertilizer granules (placed overrepparttar 116364 soil) whose nutrients are released with each watering.

Repotting

All potted plants will eventually outgrow their containers. While houseplants need to be "potted-up", that is, placed in larger and larger containers,repparttar 116365 miniaturization of a bonsai trees is maintained by keepingrepparttar 116366 roots confined torepparttar 116367 small container. On average, repotting will be necessary every 3-5 years, butrepparttar 116368 tree should be removed from its container and its root system inspected once a year. Ifrepparttar 116369 roots form a circular ball aroundrepparttar 116370 perimeter ofrepparttar 116371 pot, it is time to trimrepparttar 116372 roots and repot.

When repotting remember to:  Use only bonsai soil  Remove air pockets by workingrepparttar 116373 soil down throughrepparttar 116374 roots  Do not remove more that 20% ofrepparttar 116375 root system  Repot duringrepparttar 116376 appropriate repotting season  Water well and keep out ofrepparttar 116377 sun for a week or two

Trimming & Pruning

The main objective of trimming and pruning is to shaperepparttar 116378 bonsai intorepparttar 116379 desired form and to reduce growth above ground in order to maintain a balance with root growth.

The process of shaping begins whenrepparttar 116380 tree is very young and is on-going as it continues its growth. Trimming is accomplished by using a sharp scissors or shears. This traditional tool is called butterfly shears or bonsai shears and is used for removing foliage and light branches. When heavier branches are removed, we call it pruning andrepparttar 116381 tool to use isrepparttar 116382 concave cutter, for which there is no substitute. The concave cutter allows you to remove small, medium and even large branches without leaving any visible scars. Some trees such asrepparttar 116383 Juniper should be trimmed by usingrepparttar 116384 thumb and index finger to remove new growth and to prevent browning and a "sheared" appearance.

Pests & Diseases

As living trees, bonsai are susceptible to insect attacks and disease. Preventive and corrective measures include:  Keeping your bonsai in good health, since insects and bacteria tend to attack weak trees  Giving your tree ample light, fresh air and ventilation  Keepingrepparttar 116385 soil free of spent blooms and fallen leaves etc. You may also use an insecticidal soap spray which is not harmful to humans or animals. This soap derivative, however, may require more than one application to controlrepparttar 116386 insect population. It's also a good idea to use this spray weekly to prevent any attacks.

For additional articles, please go to: http://www.growitgold.com/resourceindex.shtml

For bonsai plants & kits: http://www.growitgold.com/resources/bonsaiplants.shtml

Bonsai Books: http://www.growitgold.com/resources/bonsaibooks.shtml

This article has been brought to you by: GROWIT GOLD Garden & Landscape design software Used by beginners & professionals worldwide FREE DEMO DOWNLOAD – http://www.growitgold.com

A national and internation freelance writer since 1985, Sara has myriad articles and special editions to her name. Main interests include science & technology, and organic gardening.


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