Monday, January 30, 2012

How do I make my potted geraniums grow better?

I have a lot of potted geraniums, some in the sun, some in shade, some in between. They all look scraggly %26amp; barely flower. I water them regularly. I live in a hot, dry climate w/mild winters (Mediterranean). Potted geraniums are very popular here and do splendidly here (except mine), especially with the little old ladies who hang them in their windows.



What am I doing wrong? Do they need tons of fertilizer?

How do I make my potted geraniums grow better?
The problem is in the water.



Geraniums like it warm... no doubt. They also like it on the dry side. Not bone dry and don't let them wilt, but do allow the soil to dry between watering's. That's part of the reason they don't do so well in shady sites... the soil holds too much water in the shade.



Do your pots have drainage? if they don't, transplant them into a pot that does. Do you leave the saucers beneath the pots full with water... empty them. Definitely if they need transplanting use a soil with alot of organic material as 'Hairyboi' suggested.



I definitely would use a water-soluble fertilizer once per week. Something high in phosphorus. You'll have to check with your local independent garden center for their recommendation in your area.



You'll need to pinch back your leggy stems, they should recover quickly, with the correction in the watering and the regular fertilization.



I hope that this helps

Good luck-
Reply:I only fertilize my geraniums once a year. Usually a top dressing of compost or for the potted ones I'll use a fish fertilizer mix with the water. The occassional watering and thats about it. They're a nice drought resistant plant.



They don't particularly like heavy soils. Peatmoss, rotted leaves or compost can help to lighten the soil.
Reply:geraniums do get leggy they need to be trimmed periodically and fertilized but i wouldn't say more than every other week. they do need tons of sun most flowering plants do. maybe u need a better soil and maybe they r rootbound. have u taken them out of the pot to see how the roots look maybe they need a bigger pot. also when u trim them, put the cuttings in the soil and u will get new plants. I don't suppose u 'd ever ask the little old ladies what they do, would u. Make a friend and see what info u can get. good luck.


Herb and Flower Drying.....?

I'm reading a book on growing and harvesting your own herbs and flowers for medicial, skin care, hair care and health ingeneral reasons.



They say to bunch long-stem flowers and herbs and to bundle herbs/flowers such as lavender, St. John's wert etc.



In gardening, what is the difference between a bunch and bundle? I thought they were the same lol.

Herb and Flower Drying.....?
They are the same, just tie the stems and hang up side down in a dry place
Reply:lol hard


Hello-Can you Shellac flowers to savore them so that they don't fall apart after the drying process?Thank You.

I am hoping to save some meaningful flowers that I have been saving for years but each time I move, they just keep falling apart.....sooner or later they will no longer be flowers, just stems. Any ideas? I did hear that you can Shellac the flowers pretty much all roses but I am not sure on how to go about this in a professional looking way. Please, if anyone has ever done this, let me know how to go about it with out ruining them...they are flowers that mean the world to me and I am so affraid to try this method with out someone elses opinion/idea/input/directions. Thanks a ton everyone for your time in assisting me!! :)

Hello-Can you Shellac flowers to savore them so that they don't fall apart after the drying process?Thank You.
Using hairspray in a humid environment is asking for trouble..they will get sticky and dust will cling to them,,and you will be disappointed



They make a aerosol can of spray varnish...matt finish or gloss finish..purchase at craft stores or departments...just do it ever so lightly, wait for it to dry and do it again, and again..'till you have the desired effect.



If you have large flowers you can drip candle wax behind them to keep the petals from falling off...



Good luck..
Reply:i have had good luck with hair spray,once they are properly dried.just give them a good spritz, not a soaking.and they will look good for a long time.if you want some professional advice check the web type in( best way to preserve flowers) you will find a lot of good sites to check. one will even freeze dry them for you, others will do wedding flowers ,check them out you will find what your looking for.good luck
Reply:As the person above said, hairspray does work, I have used it many times for roses. But you have to keep doing it on a fairly regular basis.



I use something called Krylon Low Odour Clear Gloss. You can get in mostly anywhere they sell paint products, just look in the spray paint section.



It (as the can says) is a gloss finish that provides a permanent non toxic protective coating for art, crafts and valuables. You can use it on practically anything. I have used it several times on roses that I have saved (the oldest roses being 6 years old) and they are still holding up fine.
Reply:I have to say that I have many many many ( too many, in fact ) dried roses and I have never sprayed them with anything.

I pack them in a box when we move and they hold up fine.

Some of them are twenty years old. I have some with just the flower heads in a potpurri bowl and others with the stems in vases.
Reply:I've used hair spray with good results


What are my rights as a tenant or am i making a big deal of nothing?

the people that live downstairs that are renting with the purposes of buying thehouse in a few years wont let us hang our clothes out to dry. they "believe" it will take away the sunlight from the grass and plants. They also dont want us to help out with the yardwork at all. such as watering the flowers or raking up the leaves which i want to do. which i dont know any other person who wouldnt like that but they sure dont. and i think they purposely ran over our wind mills we had in the grass while we were gone. i cant really talk to the landlord because he's related to these people and will take their side. i feel like a freakin prisoner and i just moved here and really don't want to move again when my lease is up.

What are my rights as a tenant or am i making a big deal of nothing?
if it's a shared yard, you have as much right to use it as they do. sounds like they feel like they "own" it more than you because they've been there longer, but they don't. I'd have a chat with them and consult the lease agreement. Don't let them bully you right off the bat. They don't own the place yet!
Reply:Yikes... Is an address that important that you would share a house with these people? Sound very controlling and "odd". I don't think you are going to be happy there. I would mention your dilemma to the landlord and tell him/her you are unhappy and why. You don't need to make it a slander session. Use non threatening, neutral language, write out what you want to say and practice it. Then, if you don't get a satisfactory answer, look for a new place to live. If they value you as a tenant they will try to oblige and come to some sort of compromise. Keep a journal of your conversations with both your neighbor and the landlord and DON'T throw it away. If you decide to stay I would keep a journal. Red flags all over the situation.



There are 2 sides to your situation. I would confront your neighbors and ask them if there is something wrong with the way you are doing things. Maybe they know something you don't. If they are just being jerks, better to learn now.



I don't know anything about your rights as a tenant but here is a website that may help.





http://www.messengernews.net/rental.asp



Good luck.
Reply:well I see two things. First pick your battles, odviously these people are going to be a thorn if it kills them. so tread softly. second, make them your mission to be their friend. that old adage. catch more flies with honey than vinegar. true enough, you will disarm their prickly side if you become friends. you'll find more of a balance, and the control you seek for your own life

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How to preserve wildflowers for a project?

My son has a project for school where we have to collect 25 wildflowers. I have put them in wax paper and taped the sides together, but they still seem to wilt or dry up. You can't even tell what kind of flower it was. Any suggestions.

How to preserve wildflowers for a project?
place them between two paper towels and then between two microwavable plates. It only takes a few seconds to dry and press them, which is good for impatient people like me, but be careful...you don't want to burn them, practice on a few leaves first. Also, be wary of the plates--they get really hot from the steam!
Reply:Don't use waxpaper, it will hold the moisture and they will rot.



My Grandmother taught me that you can dry flowers by placing them in a book (eg, spy novel, dictionary, cook book, the Bible, any kind of book).

Place the flower between pages of a book and press so it is flattened.Leave the boook on a shelf. It should dry in 3 or 4 days.
Reply:Use a flower press, a small one should be inexpensive. They have layers of blotting paper between two wooden ends with screws through that can be tightened to help press and extract the moisture from the flowers. Alternatively use layers of blotting paper and a heavy pile of books.
Reply:You should press them in a book. I don't know of a way to preserve them and keep their shape, but you'll be able to see a lot from a pressed flower.



He could also go back to his teacher with this question--she must have some idea of how to keep them fresh enough to turn in.
Reply:My gram and I would put them in wax paper, them put them in a hard bound book. Add more weight to the top of the book (dish first and an iron skillet will do)



What about photographing them, or doing drawings of them. don't forget to include a leaf sample, extra points for ingenuity! Teachers like that extra effort. Maybe even include in the report growing conditions each was found in.
Reply:you can try picking them fresh and gently spraying with aerosol starch, it will make them stiff and may help preserve them


Correct way to dead head geraniums?

I know geraniums must be dead headed ( or spent flowers must be removed ) in order to keep new blooms forming. My question is do you just take the flowers off and leave the area where the flowers come out - do you break it at the elbow below the flower once the flower dies? The only thing ive been doing is pulling the dead flowers off and when one of the stems that the flowers grow on dies and becomes dried out i pull it off then - but i basically comb my fingers through the plants and whatever falls off falls off - because i havent wanted to do it wrong - unfortunately they havent had many blooms this year due to this i guess because all of my other flowers rebloom constantly ( moss rose marigolds and sage ( i think thats what it is )

Correct way to dead head geraniums?
I just looked this up to see if I have been doing it correctly. This is what I read:

To properly deadhead, cut the spent stem at the point where it connects with the main stem, or the point at which there is new growth. Simply popping the dead blossoms off stems isn't good enough, and leaves the garden full of headless sticks. Plants with smaller blossoms, such as dianthus, can be cut all over, more aggressively.



The place I read this was here:

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_flowers_plan...


What are some good flowering desert plants. Very hot & dry area. (no cactus please)?

I know what you want? Hot, dry color.



here is a few examples...



leucophyllum, lavender. taxus, yew, achilles, yarrow, ceanothus, salavia (many types), rosemarinus officinalls,



... if I am on the right track (and I usually am) contact me via answers and I'll send you a complete list.

What are some good flowering desert plants. Very hot %26amp; dry area. (no cactus please)?
Below is a link for xeriscaping...drought resistant plants, could this be what you are looking for?



http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=xerisca...
Reply:Stonecrops and Siempravivum.


What's Your Favorite Kind of Salad? What do you like about it?

Well I don't have a Name for mine but in my salad i add,



Baby Spinach Leaves

Sliced Tomato(Not the Small Grape Kind)

Red Onion

Green Bell Pepper

Sliced Baby Carrots

Sliced Cucumber

Dry Roasted Sun Flower Kernels

(And I add just a little bit of fresh squeezed lemon juice. no dressing)



And What I like about the salad is that, it's unique and it's not fattening. And I could add cut up chicken breast to it lol(Well if I want to)



What about you?

What's Your Favorite Kind of Salad? What do you like about it?
what i do is:

Spinach or lettuce leaves

Tomato

Bell pepper

Carrots

Sliced strawberries

Roasted walnuts

Cucumber

and a little bit of homemade dressing with vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper







This is the best salad ever!!!!!

Try it!
Reply:My favorite kind of salad is Chef. I like it because all of the ingredients taste fabulous together.
Reply:Baby Spinach Leaves

Romaine

Watercress

Baby Arugula

Sweet Red Onion, sliced thin

Dried Cranberries

Carrots, sliced extremely thin

White Mushrooms, sliced

Small, thin won ton strips

Raspberry Vinaigrette

*Terriayaki grilled chicken sliced thinly if you wish...



Salt and pepper to taste!
Reply:Just a regular Cesar Sald with Grilled or Fried Shrimp or Chicken.
Reply:thai mango salad.. i don't know the name but it's really nice..
Reply:Caesar.
Reply:I love fruit salad. It has cool whip, pineapple, cottage cheese, and powdered orange jell-o in it. I know it sounds weird... but its healthy (sugar free ingrediets can be used, as well as fat free cottage cheese) and it serves as an awesome dessert. As far as like dinner salads, I love romaine and iceberg lettuce tossed lightly with chunky garlic dressing. It's so great! It's also good if you add a little fresh minced garlic to the dressing... yum! :)
Reply:Spring Mix lettuce

green apples

walnuts

Chevre Goat Cheese

Sweet Vidalia Onion salad dressing

onion (optional)



Sounds strange, but this is the best salad!!!
Reply:Grilled Romaine from the Indigo Grill in San Diego, CA. I like that it is a little warm, unlike most other salads. The fig compote is absolutely irresistable. Below is a link to the recipe. It is actually a bit of work if you include the compote, but well worth it and we get raves from company when we serve it.

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What kind of body wash and lotion will give me the best skin?

I am 20 and my skin is getting a little more sensitive so I want to change over to something with less frangrance and I really want my skin to get alot softer and smoother and more radiant. I've always used the super, super cheap stuff that smells like fruit or flowers, but I would like to switch to something that I can get at Walmart, but is better for my skin...like Dove or Aveeno...what is best? I don't have alot of money to spend, butI want something that will make my skin feel better and will allow my perfume to be my main scent. (if you have any suggestions for shampoo for my dry, curly hair, that would be great too!)

What kind of body wash and lotion will give me the best skin?
I have the same problem you have. At Walmart there is a lotion called Vaseline: Intensice Care Cocoa Butter. It smells natural. It keeps my skin very moist and soft. For extra softness, try putting African oil (also found in Wal-Mart) on after you put on the lotion. For your hair (I also have curly hair) Try Thermasilk Curling Perfection Mousse. and Put that African Oil at the ends of your hair so it wont dry. Believe me black or white, it all helps.
Reply:dove
Reply:I have wavy-curly hair and pantene for curls works wonders. i use the shampoo, conditioner, and scrunching mousse. it actually reduces frizz, and defines curls just like it says!



Also, i like Dove for body wash. Instead of lotion, i usually use babyoil. works really well if you put it on while you're still wet out of the shower...


How much food for a Labrador Retriever?

The family I am working for, bought a one year old Labrador Retriever. We noticed that he chews up things like garden hose sprinklers, flowers, mulch. Basically everything that is plastic or wood. I was wondering if it could be, because he is underfed. They give him about 2 cups of dry food once a day. I don't think that is nearly enough. Can anyone give me some advice.



Thanks in advance.

How much food for a Labrador Retriever?
it depends on the weight of the dog. check his weight and then look on the scale on the dog food bag. there it will tell u how much food he should be getting based on his weight
Reply:We have a 3yr old yellow lab and feed him 1.5 cups of dry low cal food twice a day. Labs have an incredible appetite and have a tendency to put on weight easily (especially if they don't get a lot of exercise). I would consult your Vet on the portions as well as a recommendation on the excessive chewing (again typical for Labs).



Good Luck!
Reply:On the back of a bag of dog food they have a chart that goes according to size and/or weight of the dog. If the dog isn't that old it might still be playful and wanting attention. Sometimes dogs tend to chew up things they notice their new family members like, such as gardens, shoes and grass. My dog is fed plenty and she still nibbles on grass. We talked to the vet and he told us it was nothing to worry about.
Reply:Probably 2 cups of dry food in the morning and two at night. The chewing is because of boredom. The dog needs lots of exercise and needs to be played with. Throw a tennis ball and it will probably retrieve it. They are very active, but wonderful dogs.
Reply:It′s not your damned business,what and how much your employer feeds that dog.

You get paid for working,not for thinking of anything outside your responsibility.

Do your work and mind your own business


How do I save my honeysuckle!?

I was gone for a week and assumed that my flowers would be ok with just the rain. Well, to my horror, when I got home it had not rained in more than a week. The rest of my flowers are ok now, but I can't seem to get the life back into my honeysuckle. When I left it looked beautiful and had a lot of flowers on it. Now it's dried out and looks horrible. It's been a few days and water and plant food have not done anything. Will pruning help? What do I do!?!?

How do I save my honeysuckle!?
That's strange that your honeysuckle died in just one week of not having water. Was it a brand new plant? Established honeysuckle shouldn't even need to be watered except once a week at most. Try trimming it back until you reach green. If, when you cut back the branches, you see green then your plant is still alive. Start at the top and work your way down. If your honeysuckle is dead there may be another reason.
Reply:I concur with sptfyr. I have a honeysuckle that we never water (unless it rains) They have a very deep root system. Pruning will help in two ways, it will give the plant the urge to grow and if you have a fungus or insects that have affected the foliage, this will take care of that. Just make sure and put the trimmings in a removal container or burn them.


How often to feed an overweight cat?

I have a four year old tabby, named Boo. I have had her since she was two months old. She is, shall we say, pleasantly plump. I'm to blame. I'm trying to put her on a diet. How often do you think I should feed her and how much? I have only fed her dry food, because I have heard that canned food can be hard on their digestive system. It can make them go more often to the bathroom and leave a not so pleasant smell. Not that she smells like flowers now. lol She's fairly active. Loves to play with her toys and runs around the house a lot. She's strickly an indoor cat. Any suggestions?

How often to feed an overweight cat?
It is not how often but WHAT you feed your gal that is making her heavy. Actually canned food (meat) is the natural diet for an obligate carnivore like the cat. It is the dry food that is hard on the digestive and urinary systems.



If you feed her food from the grocery store you are giving her a diet of 2/3 corn. Corn is used to fatten slaughter animals. If you will go to higher quality brands such as Eagle Pack, Natural Balance, Solid Gold, Felidae she will take off weight. These foods have higher meat protein in their formulation and use brown rice, oats, pea, millet etc. as fillers. These fillers are not as fattening as corn.



If you use a better quality food and cut the corn out of her diet she will stop GAINING immediately and that's a plus right there. Over a period of six months to a year she will go down to a better weight and be better nourished in the bargain. Use some canned food from these producers too. The meat in the cans has very little fattening fillers in it.
Reply:search walmart.com for a diet cat food, choose one, buy it, then feed it to your cat
Reply:Fuzzy,

There are lots of diet dry cat food varieties in the stores now. They usually have a feeding chart on the box or bag. I learned from my vet that the cat needs to be fed on a regular basis so the electrolytes don't get out of whack. If she doesn't finish all the food in her bowl in a reasonable amount of time, pick the bowl up and put it out of her reach. If she cries for more later just put down what was left in the bowl but don't add any more food to it.

I've been thru this with a couple of my babies and they(the cats) will tell you all about how starved they are and make a big fuss in the beginning. Be strong willed and be the boss. Don't let your cat make you crrazy because she wants more to eat. It may take a while but she will get used to it. When she's back to her beautiful trim self stay in the habit of picking up any leftover food so you don't have to do this all over again. I've made that mistake and felt like kicking myself for being so dumb. Good luck to both of you. LL
Reply:reduce the amount of food slowly, and when she is at a more healthy weight, keep her on that amount of food
Reply:2x a day is enough - a small bowl of food is sufficient.

You should try Iams Weight loss formula. It is dry food %26amp; it helped my cat loss weight.

Is your cat drinking enough water? If not, you should feed her some wet food or mix a little water in the dry food.

Always, double check with your vet if you are unsure about the feeding schedule.
Reply:Rosie (the cat in my avatar) is three years old and also "pleasingly plump" (she's actually lying in my slow cooker in the picture; no, it wasn't turned on). I've put her on a diet of dry food only, given once a day, in gradually decreasing amounts. She's an indoor cat and only active when my little dog chases her, so her calorie requirements are really fairly small. I figure if she still meows after I take the food away, I'm probably giving her enough. She's been on the diet for two weeks now, and seems to have lost a little bit of weight.

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Can anyone identify this wild plant from a description?

My brother found it in the woods (in Middle Georgia). It was a green tennis ball - sized pod on a single stem. The pod was split so when it dried I open it to find over a dozen brown seeds that were about the size of fat butterbean. I thought it looked like something you'd find near a pond but my brother found it under some trees,probably pine trees. I'm really interested in finding out what it is and what the flower looks like. I've never seen anything like it---it's very alien-looking.

Can anyone identify this wild plant from a description?
the 'tennis ball plant'... *smile*....



http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showima...
Reply:Was the pod green and egg shapped? If so it is a faux passion fruit vine.
Reply:It may be a "balloon plant".... Asclepias physocarpa, a type of milkweed. Its not natural to Georgia, though. If you have a photo, please post it...sounds interesting.


Should we water perennials after they finish flowering?

In our first spring and summer in our new house, we discovered dozens of perennial flowers coming up. Before and during flowering, we watered them every other day, or at longer intervals when it rained.



We live at 7400 feet, very dry air, medium hot summer (mid to upper 80s, lows in the 50s), sunny most days, with rare rainfalls.



Question: After the perennials stop flowering and lose their pedals, should we continue to water the plants, or do they need to go dormant or something till the spring?



Bonus question: Two months ago, we planted a young 5-foot high fuji apple tree, also watering every couple of days, several gallons of water each time. It has flourished, growing several inches and sprouting dozens of new leaves.



Given the above climate description, what future watering schedule would you recommend?



Thanks.

Should we water perennials after they finish flowering?
They will still need water - the greenery will be storing up energy in the roots/bulbs for use in sprouting again next year. Keep doing what you're doing - if the cycle is working, keep it up.
Reply:i would hook up a sprinkler system and water the perennials 2x's a week and the figi every other day (keep up the watering schedule for the tree until late fall, the flowers need less water now they aren't flowering, they need to dry out to save their seeds, unless they are bulbs, if they are bulbs just let them be and weed eat the top of them off, they'll be back next year
Reply:Believe me not neccesary and who else can be more experienced except 4 me 4 that.


Why are my petunias looking scraggly?

My petunias are producing beautiful flowers but wilted leaves. They're in a container outside and the soil seems to dry out very quickly. I water them pretty much daily (usually in the evening) and fertilize about once a week. What am I doing wrong??? Please help!

Why are my petunias looking scraggly?
cuz your ugly, jk idk ask a gardener
Reply:Cut back on the fertilizer..petunias are very sensitive to over feeding. Keep them damp at all times, but not soggy. They need full sun to do well. They will let you know when they are happy. But it sounds like you are over feeding them.
Reply:I think you might be over fertilizing. Make sure you deadhead the spent flowers by pinching them off. Just leave off the fertilizer for a month and see what happens.
Reply:Might be an over feed. Do you pinch them back?
Reply:You are most likely fertilizing too often. Sometimes that causes the leaves to burn. Try laying off the fertilizer for a couple of weeks. You might also have them in a spot where they are getting too much hot sun.

Hope this helps


Flowers?? help??

yea umm well i have tulip flower petals and i was wondering how i could either dry them out or preserve them or somthing so that they will be good or like in good condition for like years

Flowers?? help??
some people let them dried up for a while and keep in small plastic bags

other just used them year by year is depend of you the way want to used them

we love the aloes because they are easy to care off
Reply:I don't know about tulips, but when I used to make potpourri, I would just place all of my petals in separate boxes one thin layer at a time and let them dry naturally. Some of them kept their color, others didn't. The only way to find out is to dry the petals. You should know within a week if you can dry them or not.
Reply:I think that tulips are hard to preserve unless you do it at the peak of their blooming, but here is a site that will show you your best try....

http://www.florage.com/flower-preservati...
Reply:with great difficulty .why don't you just plant some bulbs , and because they multiply , you could have tulip flowers forever ( even in a tub ) good luck .

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Why do the leaves of my mother's white calla lily plants turn yellow & wither? I can't get them to grow!

I'm in the Los Angeles area; the calla lilies are planted in the garden %26amp; get a lot of sun, but do have some shade. The snails had eaten them right down to the bulbs, so I cleared everything else out of the garden in hopes they would grow. But the stems just get a few inches high and then the leaves turn yellow and eventually wither. Thinking they were getting too much moisture, I stopped watering. Then when I think the soil is dry, I water again, but I don't seem to be having any success getting them to grow. The bulbs are exposed, but they were always exposed even when my mother tended them. Should I put fertilizer on them (they do get Ortho plant food once weekly). There is one plant in a plastic pot that actually produced a few flowers, but now most of the leaves are turning yellow. What am I doing wrong?! they were my mom's favorite flowers, and since she has passed away, I want them to keep growing (they always grew beautifully for her!)-thanks!

Why do the leaves of my mother's white calla lily plants turn yellow %26amp; wither? I can't get them to grow!
there is no such thing as too much water in los angeles, but i should ask if the soil is draining well. as for food you might be giving them too much or too little. right now stop feeding it for about a 3-4 week and just water well. as for the smaller plant isn't getting enough food and might be also water. and feed with an all purpose food fertilizer lightly.
Reply:I have trouble with those too and I have a green thumb. I have found the following problems. Too much water, not enough water, too much fertilizer and some kind of little bug that affects the roots. Mine seem to grow in cycles. Either they are beautiful or so ugly that I hide them. Try not to over fertilize them. Thats just a guess. Check out some of the flowers on my website.


Is there a way for an automatic watering system to go under the sidewalk.?

I have installed the Mr. Landscape system, but I would like to upgrade to a better system that actually reads the moisture and only turns on when the soil is dry. I would like to be able to water everything, including the flowers in the parkway.

Is there a way for an automatic watering system to go under the sidewalk.?
Buy a iron pipe thread by hose thread pvc adapter (available at big box hardware stores). Connect a water hose to the hose thread side and a pvc male adapter to the pipe thread side. Dig a trench one foot longer than the width of the sidewalk on one side of the sidewalk, and a 2x2 foot hole on the other side of the sidewalk opposite your trench. Using a schedule 40 piece of pipe 6" longer than the sidewalk is wide, cut the end to "wash" under the sidewalk at a 45 degree angle.Connect to the male adapter to the non-45 degree angle end of the pipe(do NOT glue). Turn on hose and "wash" under walkway, twisting the pipe constantly as you push/force it under the walk. Twisting the pipe while you push will help ensure that the pipe does not get stuck. Also try to stay as level as you can so that the pipe does not dive deep.
Reply:Hi,and yes you can run it under the walkway, using a Digging Bar. It's not to hard to dig through, I think the walk is only three inches thick. Bye
Reply:You can try using a length of PVC conduit and gently tapping it under the pavement.
Reply:You'll have to do a little digging, but you can run a PVC pipe under the sidewalk, and run the sprinkler line through that.
Reply:Yes, there are tools you can rent that will run a hole under your sidewalk or even as long as the width of the driveway if need be.


What are some long flowering ground covers - Full Sun?

Looking for something colorful that will flower most of the year in full sun, prefer no taller than about 30cm. In Australia. Can get pretty dry.

What are some long flowering ground covers - Full Sun?
Not sure about whats available where you are, but rule of thumb is that few perenniels bloom for long periods, but many will bloom for a while and have nice foliage for a long time. The periwinkle (creeping myrtle)is one of those. leriope, ajuga.



For extended bloom season you will need to go with trailing or spreading annuals . portulaca might be a good choice, and sometimes continues. Likes full sun, heat, and doesn't mind being dry.

http://www.botany.com/portulaca.html

or vinca as mentioned (the annual type)
Reply:ajuga
Reply:I like myrtle a lot (Botanical Name - Periwinkle or Vinca). Can be found almost anywhere and will work in full sun.


What can I do to keep my prom bouquet lookin' gorgeous, other than refridgerating them?

My prom was about a little over a week ago and my date got me this gorgeous bouquet of red roses and pink and white flowers. I really want to keep them for as long as possible without them getting ruined. I know they'll eventually dry up, but I would really appreciate any advice on how to preserve them for the longest time possible.

What can I do to keep my prom bouquet lookin' gorgeous, other than refridgerating them?
there r places to preserve it

you should google preserving bouquet's

i had my wedding one done here in ct. and 9 yrs later it looks the same as the day i was married
Reply:Trim the base of the flowers and put them in a vase with some water and a little bit of sugar. When you are ready to dry them hang them upside down to dry them out. This will make the color a little brighter then pressing them in a book and it will keep the bouquet full and pretty even when it's dried.
Reply:http://www.homemadesimple.com/en_US/nbrc...



This site has good ideas. You can dry them, use silica gel or get a florist to freeze dry them

mobile

How do you?

dry flowers yourself without them losing their colour? I want to dry daisies, buttercups and fern.....

How do you?
I've seen freeze dry kits you can buy at craft stores that are awesome. They look so perfect. I've heard they aren't to difficult to use. A lot of brides do it with their bridal bouquets.



Hope this helps, good luck!
Reply:if you want them to be flat, put them between two sheets of wax paper in a book and let them sit for ~2 weeks

if you want them to look like flowers for a vase or something, hang them upside down in a dry, cool place (like a garage) and leave them alone until they are dry
Reply:All flowers will lose a little bit when dried. The best way to dry items is to tie them upside down with paper bags over them (you can put them in small bundles). Don't use plastic bags, or you'll end up with mildew. Not all flowers take well to drying, but you'll learn by experimentation.
Reply:Wax paper
Reply:Long after the season for cut flowers has passed, dried versions of summer's bounty let you continue to enjoy color from your garden. Flowers that dry well are typically colorful, compact, strong-stemmed, and relatively low in moisture content.



Harvesting. Harvest stems just as the first flowers reach maturity. Don't wait too long. Flowers at the top of the stem may be partially closed, but that's okay. Midmorning, after the dew has dried but well before any flowers wilt, is the best time to cut flowers for drying. Dampness slows drying and can lead to mold. When cutting, take as much stem as possible.



Air-drying. This is the simplest and most popular way to preserve flowers. Cool, dry air is a requisite, so the first step is to choose a drying room. A spare bedroom or large closet works well; avoid humid rooms like kitchens and bathrooms or attics and cellars. Low light is fine in the drying room, but direct light will drain the color from your flowers.



Hanging Bunches. Most flowers dry best hung upside down in bunches. Make the bunches no thicker than 1-1/2 inches at the stems, and secure them with a tight rubber band. To hang the bunches, suspend a 1/2 inch-diameter horizontal pole or pipe from the ceiling. If fastening hooks into your ceiling or walls is not an option, support the pole on tripods or two high-backed chairs. Bent paper clips make perfect hangers for your bunches. Place newspaper or a dropcloth under the bunches to catch fallen leaves, seeds, and petals. Allow enough space between bunches to provide good circulation.



Using Silica Gel. To preserve fragile and moist blooms such as anemones, daisies, pansies, and zinnias, use silica gel, available from florist and craft suppliers. In a shallow, airtight plastic or glass container, spread the flowers on a 1-inch layer of silica. Carefully spoon more on top until you've covered the flowers with at least another inch of silica. Seal the container and leave it for three to four days. Or microwave the flowers, sealed in a plastic container, for about 3 minutes. Allow at least 15 minutes to cool. With either method, remove the blossoms carefully when they are finished drying and shake or brush off the crystals lightly.



Tools and Materials

Cut flowers

Rubber bands

Pole or pipe 1/2 inch in diameter; chairs or tripods for support

Paper clips

Newspaper or dropcloth

Silica gel

Airtight plastic or glass container

Tips

You don't need a field full of flowers to have enough for drying. Just three or four plants of each type will yield enough stems for several dried arrangements.



Harvest more flowers than you need. Many preserved flowers are fragile, and you will undoubtably lose a few in the drying process.



Air-drying flowers takes 10 to 20 days, depending on the plant. When dried, the stems should snap easily. Good choices for air-drying include yarrow (Achillea), anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), larkspur (Consolida ambigua), globe amaranth (Gomphrena), pink paper daisy (Helipterum roseum), statice (Limonium), and starflower (Scabiosa stellata).
Reply:You definitely hang them upside down until they are dry. This will keep their shape (for the most part) and their color may fade a little bit. But this is the best way...
Reply:get a hard bound book you have no use for and put the flowers in there. The many pages will pull away the moisture and the color will remain.
Reply:Try leaving them in a cool and dry area till they are dried but not til they crackle.
Reply:not sure
Reply:Hang them upside down in a dry dark place. Make sure its a dark place to hold as much as the color as you can. Unfortunatly they all change color a little. The good thing is that sometimes they even change to a cooler color. Good luck. You might go onto MarthaStewart.com and see if you can find an answer there. Good luck. I'd love to see a dried daisy!
Reply:If you want them dried and to maintain their color and shape then you hang them in a room, that is dry and stays at steady temp, upside down. I usually tie a ribbon on the stems then pin them to the ceiling.

Good luck.
Reply:I hear that you should hang them upside down.
Reply:I hang my flowers upside down.


My Wisteria tree I bought last year looks dead this year but still has green on trunk, can someone help?

Tree had flowers last year when I got it. This year it looks bad. It should have buds on it by now but it has nothing. I scraped the trunk and the bark is still green. The rest of it looks dead, very dry looking. I followed all the care needs for my tree, I now just want to know if I can still save it or if it's too late. Please, my tree needs help!

My Wisteria tree I bought last year looks dead this year but still has green on trunk, can someone help?
I'm sure your weather has something to do with this. Give it time, it is very hard to kill a wisteria! Make sure you give it water when needed but don't keep it wet. Just about all of us are having trouble with a plant or too this year.



If you don't get flowers this year, be sure to cut it back around June so that it will have blooms in spring 2009. It will recover quickly from a pruning and will fill out with beautiful healthy leaves for the rest of the summer.



Don't let your lawn fertilizer get into your wisteria. This will give you pretty leaves, but no flowers.


What is the yellowish sponge like stuff appearing on my mulch bed?

Recently some strange stuff started to appear on my mulch bed. It is yellow/white like sponge. When dried it would produce some black/red dust when turned. Is it some sort of fungus coming from the wood mulch? I do have chipmunks in my yard. I have been watering my flowers in the evening, maybe this contributed to it?



Thanks for your answers

What is the yellowish sponge like stuff appearing on my mulch bed?
It's a slime mold and harmless. Frequently found this time of year. See link below.
Reply:Yes it is a fungus

Remove it with a shovel trying not to break it cause the dust are spores and will help it spread.

Fluff your mulch with a hard rake to allow airflow, (natural enemy of fungus) do it at least once a month. Plus, doesn't it look much better? fresh %26amp; new.

Chipmonks don't have any effect on this.

Moisture %26amp; darkness are a fugus' favorite enviroment, so if you can water early enough for the plants %26amp; mulch to dry before dark, try to.
Reply:donno
Reply:I could be wrong, But it sounds Like a fungus from over watering...



Try watering in the morning..
Reply:this is a fungus/ mold issue do not water at night as they water settles in. the best time to water is like 4 in the morning and not in bucket fulls, water and wood or wood chips do this quite often , it can spread and kill you plants if it continues


Drying Queen Annes Lace?

Has anyone had experience drying Queen Annes Lace? When I do it turns a yellowish color instead of staying white. I make my own greeting cards and dry the flowers between pages of newspaper, weighted down. I don't have a problem with other flowers holding their color. Someone said there was a solution for this problem , but had forgotten it. I hope you can help me. Thanks

Drying Queen Annes Lace?
I have dried many different flowers . the best luck I had with Queen anns lace was to suspend chicken wire from my garage ceiling and let the stems hang thru holding the head up . they dried perfectly in about three weeks or so . this wire was where I also hung all my flowers for drying upside down in rubberbanded bundles hung with opened paper clips. white annaphalis dries pure white, be sure to pick them before the yellow centers open for best results.try roses. globe ammaranth, statice, babys breath , peonies, nigelia,strawflowers, grasses, silver artemisia,sweet annie and my favorite,pee gee hydreangea when it turns rosy pink ,its ready to cut and arrange as is, and lasts a year or more in low light.I had luck with the pressing petals with the other hydreangea varieties. good luck ,its so much fun.

platform flip flops

What are some seed ball recipes?

Looking to garden some local areas with local native flowers. I do not want to use a balloon as a shell nor can I find dry terracotta clay. HELP!

What are some seed ball recipes?
I saw this on Rebecca's Garden about a year ago. She made the balls out of wildflower seeds and mud, and just threw them out onto the land. Her show was either on DIY or HGTV. Should be able to find it with a search.
Reply:Ask a local landscaper. Check out http://www.1800topsoil.com to see if they have someone local.


Why are my tulips leaves turning yellow/pink?

I bought a potted tulip plant about a week ago, and it bloomed beautifully a couple days later with 3 flowers. Except now all of a sudden the leaves are turning a yellow/pink color and drying at the tips. The new buds are dying and turning yellow very quickly.



Please help! I couldn't stand to have my plant die on me.

Why are my tulips leaves turning yellow/pink?
Too much water!!! Back off on the watering.. Let the soil dry out a tad inbetween waterings.


What do i need to make my own bouquets?

I am just placing an order online for my supplies to make my own wedding bouquets and table decorations. Is there anything else i will need, this is what ive already got: silk flowers, silk leaves/foilage, bouquet holders, stemwrap tape, glue, pearl sprays, grass bush, centerpiece tray, dry foam, floral wire. Anything i have forgot?

What do i need to make my own bouquets?
You'll need wire cutters - they are a big help when trimming the stems! And you have ribbon, right? Good luck!
Reply:Have you thought about using ribbons in your bouquets and table decorations.
Reply:Sounds like the only thing you need now is a groom. congrats on your wedding.
Reply:Ribbons in the wedding party's colors.
Reply:babys breath-those tiny white flowers that look so beautiful against the roses
Reply:ummm, flowers?


Looking for long cotton white dress to get married.?

Want a country barefoot wedding. I know I want to where a cotton white dress with dried flowers(and the bridesmaid and flowergirls) where could I find them? Any ideas on what the groom should wear? I also would like a picnic reseption any ideas on favors

Looking for long cotton white dress to get married.?
Pulled this off of a website for you. Look at these ideas, see what you think:



Country-Themed Wedding Home | Submit

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Written by Jennifer Marlo Illinois





A country wedding can be a beautiful and unique alternative to a more traditional wedding ceremony and/or reception. If you enjoy relaxing in pastoral settings, or even if you just find them intriguing, a country-themed wedding might be for you.



If you have decided you do want a country wedding, the first step in the planning process should be to decide on a date. This will dictate much of your wedding ? whether it will be held indoors or outdoors, what you and the wedding party will wear, even what decorations you will use.

Once you have decided on a date, it seems logical to select a location. If the season permits, an outdoor wedding can be beautiful. However, Mother Nature does not always cooperate, even for the most ardent nature lovers. If you do choose to have an outdoor ceremony or reception, always plan for the worst. It is better to be married in your second-choice venue or a tent than to have all your guests drenched by a sudden spring downpour. Many towns have older, small, quaint churches that would be perfect for a country wedding.



No matter where your wedding is held, natural, beautiful decorations are a must. To get your creative juices flowing, think about the country. To you, the country might mean white picket fences, fields of wild flowers, freshly baled haystacks, or a neighborhood get-together around the grill. Whatever your definition of country, use it to guide your decorating decisions. A charming entrance to the wedding ceremony or reception is a flower-covered arch. Arches can be rented or bought inexpensively and easily covered with fresh flowers or silk garlands. Another delightful and less-used option is a white picket fence or gate. These can be constructed solely for the wedding, or may already be a part of the venue. Either way, decorate the fence especially for your wedding. Place a fresh or silk wreath on the gate, or tied bundles of flowers or herbs on the fence posts.



Make the most of natural elements by using them as inexpensive and beautiful decorations. A simple terra-cotta pot of flowers can serve as a gorgeous centerpiece. If you have a little more money, mini pots of the same flowers would be adorable place cards and favors. If the wedding is indoors, hang honeysuckle vines or floral garlands from the ceiling. Intertwine them with white Christmas lights for a stunning starry night effect. If the wedding is outdoors, hang lanterns from trees or drape the trees with white lights. Glass mason jars also make charming candleholders for hanging lanterns or centerpieces. Or, fill the jars with water, stick in some fresh wild flowers, and you have an instant, unfussy centerpiece.



Mason jars can also serve as drinking jars. Nothing says country like drinking lemonade or iced tea from a jar. Stack the jars upside down near the buffet table or set one at each place setting. Provide large gallon jars of iced tea and lemonade to fill the jars and don?t forget to include a long stainless ladle for each jar. Drinks in glass bottles look delightful in iced galvanized buckets and provide your guests with more options. Along with the beverages, you can easily supply your own hors d'oeuvres without a lot of preparation work. A buffet setup works well for country weddings. A large mound of attractive, ripe fruits can serve as both decoration and appetizers. The perfect accompaniment to fruit is a nice selection of crusty breads, crackers, and cheeses. Serve the breads in napkin-lined galvanized tubs with a variety of butters and spreads. Whatever your main course is, it shouldn?t be too complicated or frou-frou. Simple grilled chicken breasts and vegetables or a pasta and salad bar work well and are usually reasonably priced. For a final country touch, choose a simple, yet delicious wedding cake adorned with fresh or silk flowers.



The most important step in creating a country wedding is to personalize it. Take your own ideas and images of the country and adapt them for your wedding. Whether you and your fiancé £hoose one country touch or a whole country theme, your wedding is sure to reflect your unique personalities.
Reply:Dress Ideas (As I do not know you personally I do not know your tastes or size, but these would be fitting for a country wedding - if you like them but require a different size you could try contacting the seller or looking for other White Renaissance Dresses or even just Chemise's alone):

http://cgi.ebay.com/WHITE-GYPSY-FAERIE-G...

http://cgi.ebay.com/WHITE-GOTHIC-FLARE-G...

http://www.swordsofhonor.com/wegowici.ht...



Dried flowers can be bought at any craft store



Groom should probably go with nice dress slacks, a white button down shirt and a nice vest, no tie



Favors: A Flower Bulb (Your choice of flower, should remind them of you each year as it blooms), A Jar of Homemade Jam
Reply:America in general believes that you cannot get married unless you have a $1000 polyester/silk/satin dress.



The only cotton wedding dresses I have seen are Hawaiian dresses. www.hilohattie.com for example.
Reply:Try Vintage Dress stores for your dress.



They might sell dried flowers at arts/crafts/candlemaking stores.



Groom can wear a light blue suit with scrumptious cotton shirt.



Also, check out 50's Vogue magazines for wedding dresses or if you like the 70's Glamour. They might have something you would like to make from there.
Reply:you might have to look online for the dress, try ebay, or see if there is a seamstress in your area that might make you one. for the groom, maybe a plain button down with a suede vest? picnic favors could be things like plastic ants and maybe handed out in little baskets. I hope you find what you're looking for, your idea sounds like it will be a really fun %26amp; happy wedding!

Best wishes for the years to come!
Reply:I would say to have one made. So many patterns to choose from and fabrics. You can make the prettiest country dress anyone has ever seen. Know anyone that sews? The groom can wear a cute country outfit, or he can wear overhauls. It's really what you want. Party favors can be a bulb of a favorite flower or seeds of a garden plant tied in a piece of cloth, with a nice thank you for coming note. Congrats and good luck
Reply:Find someone to sew one for you.

motor scooter

Growing my apricot tree from a pit?

I have a 14 inch high little apricot tree which was started from a pit of one of our own apricots. It recently developed a white flower-like cluster at the top which has now dried up. Will this plant need cross pollination, and how do I do that? Any other advice? How long before I can plant it outside? We are in Ontario.

Growing my apricot tree from a pit?
The fact that it flowered is encouraging, but it may not set fruit. Most free-stone pitted fruit trees are sold on a special root stock to which branches of specific types of a given fruit tree are grafted in. This assures that the mature tree will set fruit and will be the best type of tree for the climate of a particular area.



As the other answerer mentioned, you may have to wait a long time to get the tree to actually start fruiting. Even then, the tree may just flower but not set fruit.



But, hey, you've gotten farther than most people get so far. Might as well see what happens.
Reply:You could, but it may need pollination and you may still have to wait about 10 yrs to harvest.


Best use for mulch in the spring and best type of climbing vine?

I have mulched up leave in a 30 gallon garbage can full. I can plant, but keeping them alive Im not so good at. I planted 9 Marigolds last summer and all but 3 dried up. Not sure how to best prepare a soil planting area about 3 feet out from my garage, and approx. 20-25 ft long. I have some trellis climbing plants doing okay. How should I best prepare the soil next yr? till it up? remove six inches of old soil and replace? lime? fertilizer? I know nothing about this. ALSO, I have a 6ft x 7ft lattic at the end of my patio. I would like to plant some flowering climbing vines next to it next year. What are some good plants to consider for fast climbing that will come back each spring? Thanks

Best use for mulch in the spring and best type of climbing vine?
If your soil is bad then by all means replace it, but maybe it only needs to have some good compost incorporated into the soil to boost it.

You can purchase composts that have water retaining agents that will also help with the drying out problem but adding the compost will also help with that.

After adding the compost also add some all purpose fertiliser, either in granule form, slow release form or organic any of them will do the job. It all depends on what you want to spend as they all vary in price. Leave a week or so, then plant out, with your annuals or perennials.

Your mulched up leaves would be OK to put under shrubs to help retain water in the summer mths.

As far as climbers go, Jasmine is a fast grower, scented and comes in many varieties.

You could also consider climbing Roses. Clematis,Teracoma.

I am not sure where you live, but I'm sure if you go to your local garden centre they will have plants relevant to you own area and weather conditions. There are so many to choose from.

Even something that fruits, like Passion fruit, you can buy ornamental varieties of those that have spectacular flowers in spring/summer.
Reply:Youre very Welcome, Happy Gardening Report It
Reply:Trumpet vine is nice. Orange flowers over a long period in the summer and not terribly invasive. They can be cut back drastically in the fall with no harm. It may take several years to bloom though.



Avoid wisteria if you're close to a building, you wouldn't believe how fast and damaging those vines can grow.



Another option would be sweet autumn clematis. It's fast growing, but easily maintained and has tons of little white fragrant flowers in the fall. Other large flowered clematis might be nice too. You can buy several varieties for blooms in early,mid and late summer. The flowers are quite spectacular too.



Good luck!
Reply:A good climbing vine is clematis. They like sun, so be sure the spot you plant them gets at least 4 hours a day. They'll spread pretty well, then die off in the fall. Cut back the dead growth, and the following spring, they come back.



As far as prepping the soil, mix in some peat moss and topsoil, or planting soil. You should be fine.


How can i dry a rose to save it forever without losing its color?

my grandmother just passed away..and i took two roses from the flower arrangements that we bought her. i would like to save them. i know that if you hang them upside down and let them dry, but it doesnt keep the color. any suggestions??

How can i dry a rose to save it forever without losing its color?
I've never done this at home before, but at work I've done it for other people. You can cover the rose in wax. Go to Hobby Lobby or the local craft store and buy plain clear wax, and heat proof container deep enough that the rose will fit inside. Heat the wax until it is liquid, then slowly and carefully holding the rose upside down dip it into the wax and pull it back out in one swift motion. The wax is hot, but shouldn't damage your hand. Wipe the drippings off with your fingers and do again for a gran total of 3 times! You should still be able to see the natural color through the wax. You may need to remove all the leaf's before, if they get broken later it can cause issues.

Good Luck,

Sorry to hear about your Grandma.
Reply:Sorry to hear about your Grandmother:(, Go to a craft store, they should have some stuff there. I used some silicone beads from a craft store once and they dried the roses really well. Although it doesn't matter how you dry them the color will always turn a little. I used the beads to dry flowers when my kids were born and they are still beautiful today(kids and flowers lol )that was 34 and 29 years ago.
Reply:place it in some silica gel this drys the flower out in a short time


Flower garden for lazy person?

I'd like to plant a flower border around my house but don't like to be outside when it gets hot. What are some good flowers I can plant that don't need much upkeep and can survive in very hot, dry Southern summer weather?

Flower garden for lazy person?
Petunias for summer

Madness Series petunias or

'Purple Wave' (named an All-America Selections winner petunia) blooms all summer without being pinched back. Purple was the first color of the series, but now you can buy pink, lavender, lilac, and blue versions as well.

Easy Wave Series; they grow 8 to 10 inches tall and about 3 feet wide. But it's the new Tidal Wave Series that has me foaming at the mouth. Their 2-inch blooms just shrug off summer showers without missing a beat. 'Tidal Wave Silver,' noted for its silvery-white petals and dark purple centers, can even survive some winters in Alabama gardens and bloom through a second summer.



Hybrid Millifloras, a new class of dwarf petunias. Forming mounds 6 to 8 inches high and wide, they need no pinching to keep blooming. Small 1- to 1 1/2-inch flowers come in every color except yellow. Fantasy Series are perfect for containers and hanging baskets.

Supertunia and Surfinia Series. Used in beds, they grow practically flat; they're wonderful cascaders when planted in containers. Both come in a full range of colors and never require pinching.



Other Annuals For Sun

lantana: particularly lavender popcorn

coleus: The foliage is as colorful as any flower.

Star Hybrid zinnias: Mounds of blooms soften border edges.

melampodium: cheerful, bright green foliage and is profusely covered with 1-inch yellow, daisy-like flowers sporting darker centers, dappled shade in the south

persian shield: large silver viened plum leaves

salvia: old-fashioned blue 'Victoria' salvia.

larkspur





Tough Plants for Southern Gardens: Low Care, No Care, Tried and True Winners

Author: Felder Rushing

120 of the toughest plants for Southern gardens, including annuals, bulbs, perennials, shrubs and small trees, ornamental vines, and lawns.

The primary focus is on describing a large number of no-maintenance plants that do well in the Southern climate and soils. The book is divided into sections by type of plant (perennials, shrubs, and so on); for each plant, details are given on how to plant it, how to care for it, where to put it, and what to expect from it over time. Each has a picture, usually detailed enough to allow you to identify it at a nursery. Additionally, sections begin with short lists of plants that are "Great for beginners" (extremely easy to deal with) or "Kinda tricky." Random advice, like how to successfully plant wildflowers in your lawn, is scattered throughout.
Reply:OF COURSE YOU WILL HAVE TO WATER IF YOUR IN A HOT CLIMATE, BUT MARIGOLDS AND WILD VIOLETS DO VERY WELL, CREPE MERTLES AND ROSE OF SHARRONS ARE BUSHES THAT ARE VERY HARDY AND HOT TOLERANT
Reply:Purple cone flower (echinacea), cosmos and poppies do well in hot weather and are almost care free once established.
Reply:There are many plants that survive in xeric conditions. You probably will need to stay away from annuals, most require routine watering. I have purchased some agastache that continue to thrive despite my neglect. There are some lovely ornamental grasses that are fairly hardy in the heat of summer. Here is a website you might find helpful:
Reply:hi

all plant no matter will need some water and some care.

you could used artificial flower and plant them

no water no worries
Reply:Hi,

At Lowes and Home Depot you can buy these seeds that roll out in like a carpet that are used for borders, I use them in a hot climate and they work just fine plus you don't have to get dirty just water it.

Lammy
Reply:wild flowers

Teeth Whitening

Sunflowers, do they like lots of water or on the dry side ?

I have grown flowers for years, but this year I am using my digital camera every 24 hours as the blossom opens on my 3 ft. sunflower for a kids' lesson in growth. Do they like lots of water to help them bloom or more dry ? thanks sunflower lovers

Sunflowers, do they like lots of water or on the dry side ?
I never water my sunflowers. Just make sure you are removing the dead leaves, so the blooms will be nice and full.
Reply:dont let them dry out....... even water is best
Reply:about half and half not too wet but certainly not too dry i suppose a happy medium


Why did my winter pansies die?

I recently planted about 20 winter pansies in window boxes, which had previously contained marigolds. Despite the mild weather, and ensuring that they were not allowed to totally dry out, only 4 have survived. Could it be that the previous flowers somehow affected the new ones?

Why did my winter pansies die?
there is a disease called pansy sickness, you need to change the compost, viruses build up in the soil.
Reply:i pissed on them whilst walking home after a night out ;-)
Reply:its been very wet and this will effect them the soil may be water logged at the bottom and this will cause them to die or it could be bad plants or insect or slug problem as it is warm the flies ect haven't died dont know about the marigolds to be sure change soil if you can or feed the soil
Reply:Probably more likely that you have some desease in the soil ... or lack of nutrients ... throw away the old compost and replace with new .... and feed them regularly too
Reply:It could have been that they were planted too deeply. In SoCal(where I am) Pansies get "crown rot". That's when the plant has totally wilted and you can just pick it up, with the root ball detached. Pansies must be planted a little high, that is with their rootball a little bit above the soil(ground or pot). I adore Pansies but I won't even plant them in the ground anymore. If you want to try again, just make sure you plant them high :-)
Reply:They didn't die; they're just wintering in San Francisco and South Beach.
Reply:Are you sure the pansies didnt get AIDS?????
Reply:did you use good soil? plant food? watered daily? good amount of sun? (not TOO much)
Reply:They might not be dead, just dormant. They often reseed themselves but of course will not be showing their faces until it gets a bit sunnier and the weather is not quite as wet. They are cool season annuals, but if your soil is good, they will survive. Did you feed them or water them appropiately? Lots of annuals can be planted together; this should not affect the outcome unles you marigolds were diseased in some way.
Reply:If it is a annular flower it will die off.Have to replace next season.Winter one have to be protected from the cold.Merigold would'nt affect them.Did you know if you leave the marigold buds in the dirt they will reproduce fron the sniped off flower when they die.Just pick off and throw anywhere and they grow,i know cause i hace hundreds.Wait and see if pansy is dead.


Do you know of a good site that offers free landscaping advice?

I'm not very creative and know very little about what types of plants grow well in my area. Do you have or know of any free advice I could get. (I have about two acres of barren land and live in the panhandle area of florida where the soil is very sandy and dry and the sun pounds down all day) I want to create a nice entry to my front door with trees and flowers that dont require too much of a green thumb. I would also like to know what plants can be grown together in beds or containers.

Do you know of a good site that offers free landscaping advice?
http://www.gardendesigner.com/exp-pla.ht...



http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/design/vi...
Reply:i found one where you can plot on a map.like 3d. virtual garden.
Reply:http://landscaping.about.com/


Is 1 cup of a dry ingredient the same as 1 cup of a liquid ingredient?

For example, If a recipe calls for 1 cup of flower, and later, for 1 cup of water, can you use the same measuring cup? Or do you need a different one for dry ingredients and one for liquids?

Is 1 cup of a dry ingredient the same as 1 cup of a liquid ingredient?
They are different and need different type of measuring cups--check out cooksillustrated.com for the detailed explanation of why. Especially when baking, this difference is important.
Reply:Same thing. A cups a cups a cup.
Reply:You can use the same for both. If you're using one of those plastic kind with a lip on it, make sure you look inside at the line of measurement. I prefer glass for liquid and round metal cups for dry. Good Luck!!
Reply:I'm not familar with liquid and dry cups. Ounces can be liquid or weight. If you are talking about liquid ounces, there are 8 of those to a cup. With ounces for weight, you are talking about 16 to a pound.



The density of the material is the question here. A cup of air will weight far less than a cup of lead even though both have 8 fluid ounces volume.



You don't need a different measuring cup.

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What can I do to revitalize my lilac bushes?

I have nine lilac bushes in my yard. Over the last five years (which have been very dry where I live), I've gotten fewer and fewer blooms from them every year - to the point that two of them don't even bloom anymore! What can I do to make them healthy again, and to get lots of flowers from it?

What can I do to revitalize my lilac bushes?
Lilac bushes bloom on new wood. They also bloom less if they are in too much shade. To rejuvenate your bushes - prune them back some right after they bloom. Then make sure they have enough sunlight to bloom their best. The new growth from his year will create plenty of blooms next year.
Reply:I would cut them back, work up the dirt around them and feed them. They need fertilizer, and you can go to any nursery and tell them you want fertilizer for lilac's. Make sure, that they do get enough water. There is a product called bloom which you mix with water, and soon you will get flowers. Also, egg shells around the plant help in the flowering process.
Reply:Full sun, proper pruning, mulching and proper watering are all the right answers, but I would like to address a common myth.



Most everyone suggests fertilizing their trees and shrubs. Sometimes our trees and shrubs are lacking for nutrients, but seldom is it a lack of nutrients in the soil. More often a nutrient deficiency is due to our soil PH. Trees %26amp; shrubs can benefit from a light fertilizer feeding, but timing is important. Fertilize your trees and shrubs in fall when they are going dormant and the soil is still warm (50 degrees F). A light feeding at this time helps to promote root development and improves a plant's health because of a better root system. Also, we all need to understand that nitrogen promotes vegetative growth. When we want flowers, we do no want to promote excessive vegetative growth. A plant stimulated to produce new, excessive vegetative growth will do so at the expense of flower production. This type of growth is also a prime target of insects and disease. Fertilizing, especially heavy fertilizing in spring with a high nitrogen based fertilizer will reduce the number of flower blooms on our shrubs. This is just the opposite of our goal. Good luck and happy gardening.
Reply:Lilac bushes are very strong bushes. I would cut them down to 3 feet from the ground. This way you will have stronger growing lilacs. I took care of my mother lilacs and they got leggy. But by pruning them down you with spurt new growth next year. Pruning is the key for more flowers the following year. Mulching is another reason to keep your lilacs going. Mulch keep the soil moist and keep the roots systems from drying out in time of drought. Compost is a fertilizer to help your bushes grow.


How do you say Veuve de Cliquot regarding the champagne?

Also is it true it means flowers of the widow-or widows flowers?

Many thanks-it is the only champagne I realy enjoy-bone dry like a chablis(how I dress!) but with added CO2

How do you say Veuve de Cliquot regarding the champagne?
The name means Widow Clicquot.



After Francois Clicquot dies at a young age, his widow Madame Clicquot took over the running of her husband's Champagne winery and made a great success of it. Among other things, she is credited with inventing the riddling rack -- the 'A' shaped wooden device with holes that Champagne bottles are placed in as part of the process of removing the dead yeast.





This produced clear Champagne, and with her focus on producing only the best high quality Champagne she gained the reputation even during her life of being the Great Lady of Champagne (Grande Dame de la Champagne). She died in 1866



The title of the company that owns the winery is now Veuve Clicquot Pommery and you can listen to that name correctly pronounced by a French man by clicking http://www.stratsplace.com/dict/d187.wav
Reply:Verve Clicko.

There is no 'de'. It means 'The widow Cliquot' - Cliquot is her surname.
Reply:do you mean how do you pronounce it?? - its pronounced 'VERV CLEEKO'..thats how you say it!!



i agree, its excellent champagne - my favourite tipple!!
Reply:just all it bubbly and enjoy
Reply:"Gees a bottle o' yer better plonk - Five o' Clock would be nice"
Reply:It is pronounced VOOV CLEE-CO
Reply:Voo- Klee - Koh

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Euphorbia flowers?

how to take care of euphorbia to prevent it from dryness?

is there particular chemical that can be spray to it to prevent it from drying?

Euphorbia flowers?
Most types of the plant you are referring too are very hardy and can even be grown outside. Some are evergreens and look good when covered in 3 inches of snow.

But, if you are having a problem with dryness, you might try setting you plant on a saucer filled with gravel and then topped off with water to keep the humidity up. As well as grouping a couple other plants together with the euphorbia, this will also help with the humidity and keeping all the plants happy.

Having a spray bottle/mister with room temp. water and misting the leaves about once a week could also solve your problem.
Reply:Hi,

I just found this also: http://www.scienceu.com/library/articles...



Take a look/see, they say they need a lot of light and etc.

I saved the link to the whole search page.



I just typed in: Euphorbia flowers in the search bar.



Hope this helps,

Dave
Reply:I'm going to assume you're talking about poinsettias, which are a euphorbia. The following web site gives info about how to care for them:



http://bedford.extension.psu.edu/Horticu...


Why are my home made chips soggy and not crisp and dry i use sun flower oil i not sure what the potatos are?

Tend to be soggy because the oil temperature is too low, the chips soak up the oil. Try cooking them in the oil and when soft remove them. Allow the oil to reheat and then plunge them back in, the extra temperature should crisp up the outside again.

Why are my home made chips soggy and not crisp and dry i use sun flower oil i not sure what the potatos are?
When you take them out of the fryer/pan, try putting them in a colinder lined with kitchen towel to get rid of the oil.
Reply:do what the dutch do, they deep fry em, then set em on a rack or papertowl and let them cool and then deep fry them again when they are getting cold. they deep fry so crispy and wonderful!!! with lots of mayo (or frite sauce).
Reply:The best (and apprently "traditional") way of making chips at home is to blanche them in hot water first... This apprently makes them crisper and fluffier when fried... This is basically what the frozen chip companies do for you when you buy them in a bag.



Also, it's really important to hot oil and cooke them quickly... The longer they fry, the more oil is socked into the chip and the soggier it gets.
Reply:It is the type of potatoes you are using that causes them to be soggy.
Reply:Your oil needs to be the right temperature, if your using an old chip pan maybe go buy a deep fat fryer
Reply:when the chips are three quarters cooked take them out of the oil for 3-4 minutes and then put them back in the oil, this always works for my chips
Reply:for cripsy home made fries.............I use Crisp and Dry oil only.....there are some other ones about but this really does work well on all potatoes.....



1. dry the freshly cut potatoes on paper towel rubbing with a few sheets to get off any excess 'juice'.

2. salt them well.

3. Heat the oil to 180C. Do not put them in before it is at the right temperature!!

4. Place the uncooked potatoes into the basket of your fryer and lower slowly.

5. They will bubble like when toffee is cooking in a pan.

6. The oil will cool down because of the potatoes so after 3-4 mins lift the basket back out and leave over the oil to drip.

7. REHEAT the oil to 180C. This will only take about 2 mins.

8. Lower them back in and leave to cook for another 5 - 8 minutes. Depending on how you want them browning.

9. Drain over the oil.

10. Place into a colander lined with kitchen towel when completely drained and salt lightly.



Then SERVE!
Reply:They are bet served straight away,if you put them in the oven to keep warm this can cause sogginess
Reply:use king edward potatoes....also try this part cook the chips then take them out of the fryer for a few minutes allow them to drain and cool slightly then refry should do the trick alright and you,ll have crispy chips
Reply:Dear Fry Guy (lol),



The reason your chips aren't so crisp may be because of 4 things: (1) your using the wrong kind of potato, (2) you're drying them improperly, (3) you're cutting them too big, or (4) your storing them improperly.



First, you could be using the wrong kind of potato for this type of cooking method. My suggestion is to buy a bag of your favorite chips. Look on the back of the bag and find out who makes them. Contact them and ask them what kinds of potatoes they use. (You can also as them how they are made! Solving all of your problems.)



Second, you could be drying them improperly. If you're not doing so, chips should be dried using a rack. If you are drying them on a paper towel, you could be redepositing the oils onto the chips, making them soggy. Especially if you're drying one batch on top of the other....which is a big culinary no no!



Third, you could be cutting them to big, especially if you're doing so by hand. Use a mandalin to get a paper fine cut, and to make sure they are even every time. (Available in most culinary stores.....but watch those fingers while in use!)



Finally, you could have soggy chips, because you are storing them improperly. If this is the case, store them in an air tight container instead of a ziplock bag, where they can become moist.



Good Luck!



B
Reply:put your uncooked chips in some salt water for a hour or two before you fry them.
Reply:you should find out what potatoes you are using first, Maris pipers are probably the best type for chips.

other probable reasons is that your fat is at too low a temperature making the chips soak up all the fat (yuk) or insufficient cooking time.

here's my recipe, (best prepared the day before using)

peel some Maris piper potatoes, wash drain and wash again ( this gets rid of all the starch) cover the potatoes with duck or goose fat, and confit on gas mark 3 until they just start to brown. when cooked leave in the fat for 10 mins or so as to let the skin crisp slightly. remove from the fat and chill ( never freeze them).pre-heat some veg oil to 190 degrees Celsius and deep fry until quite a deep golden is taken on. drain the chips on some paper towel, season with salt and serve immediately. enjoy!
Reply:Make sure you have left enough room for the chips to move freely.



I agree with twice cooking, cook at 140 degrees celcius until the chip will fall from a knife after piercing.



Then reheat oil to 180 degrees celcius then cook until chips are a nice colour, drain well then serve.



( I have cooked thousands of portions of chips this way)



You could also cook them in a chip shop style which I think involves cooking them in one go but that will take a lot of learning of your timing and equipment and potatoes and temperatures.
Reply:The oil may not be hot enough. Chips are great when par boiled, shaken a little to roughen the edges then fried in very hot oil. My grandma used to double fry them and hers were reallllly yummy :)
Reply:If you are drying them then the only reason I can think of is that your oil is not hot enough. The best oil to use for chips is Crisp and Dry
Reply:Are you putting too many in the pan? is your fat hot enough???
Reply:sounds like your fat is not hot enough,
Reply:Use spuds recommended for chips, rinse and dry `em and cook in very hot oil.
Reply:HI the easiest way to get crispy chip's is a) ensure that your oil has reached the correct temperature, b) half way through cooking take the chips out for about two minute's and let the oil reheat itself. then put them back in. c) use a colinder lined with kitchen paper to drain off the excess oil
Reply:Fry crisp and dry


What do we do with our Rosemary plant?

It survived the winter, its quite large. We dug it up and are planting flowers. We do not wish to replant the rosemary so what can we do with the herb? Can we clip it hang it and dry it? Can we then use it for cooking or is it better fresh? Will it dry ok hanging up? I hate to just throw it away.

What do we do with our Rosemary plant?
yes , rosemary does well when cut back to the main stem and dried. and as you said , hang it up to dry , then gentlely pull the flowering part off the hard stem. put in a small jar or herb shaker! it is great with pork !!!
Reply:Yes to all of the above. The fresh stems you can use in the next few days for stuffing inside chicken and roasting. The rest dry and store the needles (not the stems). Personally I prefer the younger foliage for cooking. Yes it will dry by just hanging up, but not the whole bush, cut it apart to increase air circulation.



You can simmer the needles to add fragrance to your house.......OK, you need other smell goods too, straight rosemary is a bit much.



You can put some clean fresh and young springs in vinegar to make rosemary vinegar.



You could take the more flexible trimmings and make a rosemary wreath.



You'll have plenty for all the projects you can imagine, so you'll probably end up throwing the old gnarly stuff out for certain. No need to keep that.



Have fun!
Reply:yes, just hang it and dry it. It is always better fresh, but dried is no different than what you get from the store.



Go to this site for directions.



http://www.ehow.com/how_8288_harvest-sto...
Reply:yes hang it to dry and make Rosemary potatoes. Boil some new potatoes until firm but tender. Let them cool. Cut them into quarters and pan fry with a little butter- and a small handful of Rosemary. Very delicious. Rosemary is also good on grilled meats
Reply:Like most culinary herbs, rosemary may help relax the smooth muscle lining the digestive tract, an action that makes it an antispasmodic, and a very effective treatment for indigestion. Simply adding it to your dishes will work magic.



Rosemary may also help relieve nasal and chest congestion caused by colds, flu, and allergies, and it is widely used to help relieve the symptoms of asthma.



For a pleasantly aromatic infusion to settle the stomach or clear a stuffy nose, simply steep 1 to 2 teaspoons freshly bruised rosemary leaves in a cup of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink three cups a day. As a home-made tincture use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon up to three times a day.



Successfully growing rosemary indoors requires good sunlight -- the more the better -- and ideally a southern exposure. If the plant is large, rotate it weekly so all sides of the plant receive sunlight. Wiry growth often indicates inadequate light, and if you can't increase natural light, consider using artificial light. You can also prune plants to encourage bushiness. Indoor plants sometimes develop powdery mildew because of lack of air circulation. If this occurs, run a small (3-inch) fan for three to four hours a day. I've noticed that the creeping varieties grow and tolerate dry interior air better than the upright varieties.



If you choose to let the plant die then the address below gives instructions on drying herbs.



The second address is a link to the many uses of rosemary and how to make them.
Reply:Yes you can hang it upside down to dry the rosemary. OR you can even freeze it is a ziplock bag and use it when you need that fresh herb in a recipe. Rose mary is also good for keeping the mosquitos away (if you are in a area that has them). All you do is burn it and it works like citronella keeping those pesty bugs at bay.


Do the bulbs growing on my moonflower need to be removed and planted? If so, how?

I live in north Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth area) and I have a question about a moonflower vine. It has been growing nicely in a large pot, but it has developed three large bulbs with little green tips sticking out of the end of them. I am not sure what to do with the bulbs. I know that they are not flower buds, they are larger than the flowers we have had, and have been there quite a while without any kind of blooming.



I actually cracked one open, and it looked like a large seed inside. The second one appears to be drying out, and the third looks very much alive. Could you please tell me if these need to be removed and planted?

Do the bulbs growing on my moonflower need to be removed and planted? If so, how?
In late fall, remove the dry seed pods and save them for spring. Each pod contains 100's of seeds. (Wear gloves, when they're dry, they hurt). Keep in cool dry area over winter, Pull out the rest of the plant and dispose of. After last frost, soak seeds in warm water for 8 hours or slightly longer. Then plant about 1 inch deep, directly in soil.

The plant may have stopped blooming from over fertilization.
Reply:They are seed pods, not bulbs. If you want to save them, Allow to dry on the plant, collect, save for planting next spring. Datura is an hallucinogenic, root is the medicinal portion of the plant, though the stems and leaves share the property to a lesser degree.

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How can I make my orchid bloom again?

I rec'd an orchid as a gift several years back and it bloomed beautiful purple flowers for the first couple years. However, the last few years, it seems to be struggling.



It grows and grows and starts new shoots off the old ones, but the flower buds shrivel up and fall off. Eventually, the new shoots partially shrivel up and well.



I let the moss dry out and then water. It's in a South facing window that never gets direct sunlight, but gets plenty of indirect light.



The excess water is allowed to filter through.



I've used an orchid fertilizer in the past, but haven't recently as it didn't seem to be improving the blooming problems.



Some of the roots are coming up out of the moss.



I hope that this provides enough info that someone can help! I *will* choose a best answer, and appreciate any "stars" and good answers that I get!



Thank you in advance!

How can I make my orchid bloom again?
The problem you describe is called blossom drop which most often is due to temperatures or humidity, or both being outside the plant's preferred range. Orchids like it hot and humid. Exposure to temperatures much below 80 - 85 degrees (or much above 105 degrees) will suppress the plant's reproductive cycle, interfere with flowering and fruiting, and may even cause the plant to go dormant until conditions improve. Check your ambient temperatures and see if that may be the problem. Humidity may be improved by placing the plant in a bathroom or kitchen window where it can get some moist air once in a while.



The roots coming out of the compost may be a hint that it's time to repot, otherwise nothing to worry about..



The shoots (pseudopods) is where the plant stores food. As the food is drawn, the pods appear to shrivel. This is normal. Cut them off when they turn brown. If your orchid (which sounds like it may be a Dendrobium) has six or more live pods, you might want to divide it.
Reply:Hi there,



I've been growing orchids for a few years and have been at the same place you are... trying to get them to re-bloom. I've actually just switched to clay pellets (hydroton/ prime-agra) to grow my orchids. I'm hoping this will help. I know you need temperature swings to initiate spiking, but it sounds like you're able to get spikes, just not blooms... if the buds are falling off, this is called bud blast and can be caused by low humidity or a poor root system (it's also caused by shipping to/from stores but sounds like that's not likely in your case)........so first, I'd unpot and check for dead roots and trim them away. If you have lots of roots coming out the top of your container it could be feeling crowded and want to be re-potted. And of course, different orchids need different requirements... my phals are the easiest for me to re-bloom!



For a great forum with really knowledgable people I'd recommend www.gardenweb.com - go to the forums section and then to the 'orchids' section. They'll have lots of great info for you! Goodluck!
Reply:You might want to try relocating to a diff. planter? Sometimes plants can out grow their homes and feel suffucated. i had potted Ivy Iwas growing and for the first 2 yrs it also done well but then the leaves started to brown up and nothing i tried seemed to help and I asked my mom about it. And she said it's roots were too contricted and had nomore room to grow.

She helped me to transplant and it now flourishes in my kitchen,Big green and beautiful!!!!
Reply:This plant sounds like it may be a phalenopsis? It would have a tag in it, hopefully. Different orchids require different things. The first thing you should do is to take the plant out of the pot. Take a kitchen knife and gently go around the outer edges of the pot to release the roots that may be attached to the pot. Once it is out of the pot, carefully pull all the moss or potting medium away from the roots. Do the best you can not to break any roots that appear to be alive. All you want to have left is roots. Look at the roots. Are they firm, or are they dried up, shrivelled, greyish, etc.? If they are firm, they are in good shape. If they are light color with a little bit of greenish on them they are good. If they seem papery, dry or the root seems "squishy" like a sponge, they need to be removed. These roots will rot in the pot and cause problems. When you see a root you are unsure of, see if it has green inside. Do not do this to every root or you will destroy the roots, but this can help you decide what roots are alive or dead. Take all the dead roots off. If a root is partly alive, take the dead portion off and leave the living part. By the way, the little bright green tips on the ends of the roots are growing tips. Take care not to snap them off, if possible, as these are like little "root buds". Now you have your plant and its roots. Find a pot (with drainage holes - not closed pots) that will hold the plant and allow some of the roots to touch the sides. The pot should be neither too big, or so small the roots just won't fit. A pot in which the roots don't at least touch the sides will not allow for new blooms in the very near future. Roots on phals can be curled around if necessary, but not too severly. Potting medium: Sounds like your plant is in moss. It would probably be better to put it in orchid bark. This will allow proper drainage and may be the best change for your plant at this point. Put the plant in the pot and hold it there while sifting the bark into the bottom. Keep pushing the bark down, adding more around the roots, putting more in, until the plant is secure. They don't like to wiggle around very much, so push the bark down the best you can to try to get the plant secure. If necessary, you can use wire or tape to temporarily secure it in the pot, but you can probably get it secure just putting enough bark in the pot. Make certain to put the tag back in taping it in if necessary, if there is one, as this identifies the plant, the lineage, etc., as they all have different "lines". Water the plant and let drain. Only fertilize at (I think - look this up) 1/10 strength per watering. Allow to dry slightly, but if it is a Phal, it will like a little moisture, and perhaps a little misting once daily. If you are getting a night-time temp. drop, this should be adequate for future blooms. You might be interested in joining the American (or the branch in your state) Orchid Society. They have monthly meetings where people get together, discuss their plants, have interesting info., etc. There are even shows when the plants get "happier" and bloom for you again. Good luck - I would guess that the roots and potting medium are your problem. I think you can hold a lot of hope, in that your plant is actually attempting to bloom despite what may be poor medium. Perhaps it will be a good plant for you.


Please help with dandelions! If I remove all but base root, is it easier or harder to kill with weed-n-seed?

I just did some research, and I'm thinking that the more removal, the worse. The weed-n-seed is supposed to make the plants grow too fast, and starve it out when it can't get enough.

Removing everything above the surface will mean that it takes longer to grow out, right?

The soil is dry, so I'm going to just pull up flowers and spores for now...

Any help you can give is appreciated!

Please help with dandelions! If I remove all but base root, is it easier or harder to kill with weed-n-seed?
I agree with Stephen. I control mine by just keeping the lawn mowed. Our lawn hasn't had weed killer or fertilizer applied to it in over 25 years. Mowing and bagging the grass before the dandelions form seeds will get rid of 90% of them, or at least keep them in check. The bonus is that the lawn stays greener during the summer without having to resort to lots of watering and you get plenty of material for mulching the rest of your garden or for placing in your compost pile.



Our blog has an entry dated May 25th that talks about a product that's a by-product of corn that controls weeds and will be safe for your family-

http://www.gardening-at-the-crossroads.c...
Reply:weed and seed is a growth hormone that is adsorbed through the leaves. Thus, better to leave plant intact.
Reply:The best way to fight the dandelions is to strengthen the grass around them. Depending on the type of grass you have in your yard, this could be easy or difficult. If you have St. Augustine grass, there are specific types of weed and feed you have to use, because technically, St Augustine IS a weed, so be careful of that. Otherwise, I would personally fertilize the yard with a high nitrogen fertilizer which will green it up big time, and mow twice a week, bagging the grass and making sure you have the setting on the lawnmower low enough to get the low lying yellow flowers. If you are mulching your yard, all you are going to do is spread the weeds around. another good thing about bagging your grass, is that you can start a compost pile which will allow you to fertilize more as it composts. Good luck with it. I would say stay away from the herbicide and stay green. Bag it and fertilize.


What type of soil and care does a jasmine vine need?

I live in Oregon (zone 8) and have clay soil with some sandy loam mixed in to loosen it up a bit. Do jasmine like moist or dry conditions? Do they need to be pruned? I love the scent of the flowers and would very much like to grow it. Thanks for your help!

What type of soil and care does a jasmine vine need?
First of all there are several kinds of Jasmine. You are probably asking about Star Jasmine. Star Jasmine-Trachelospermum jasminoides is a true vine and needs somewhere to go, a trellis, tree, balcony or pergola and will go 20 feet or so. But it is also very versatile. You can keep it trimmed often to about 2 feet tall to grow as a ground cover too. I'd say it likes moderate water and soil and can tolerate partial shade. I have seen it growing in many different conditions in SoCal. Just know that they tend to sit for 6 months or so after being planted without new growth. So, don't worry. Good luck :-)



But you could be asking about Pink Jasmine- Jasmine polyanthum is a vine that will grow quite large as well. Pink buds open to white flowers in late winter. Great for a fence. Can't be kept small. Can tolerate many soil conditions.


*** roses produce round looking balls (buds) but wont bloom *?

we have tow english tea rose bushes and they DO produce flowers but majority of them have that round ball looking dried up bud with leaves sticking out the sides.

ive given it rose food and keep the soil clean and fresh and watered ive taken as much care as i can but dont understand why it blooms those ball looking dried up buds and no flowers..there are hundreds of those and only some good flowers. new branches spring up from the base of the bush and do produce flowers help!

*** roses produce round looking balls (buds) but wont bloom *?
Description appears to be that the older branches are bearing buds which fail to open and the remedy is to cut this old wood down to the lowest outward facing shoot each spring.

Hybrid tea roses bear the best blooms on new growth,by pruning as described you should get results!
Reply:Two thoughts: temperature or thrips.



Temp may not be correct for the type rose you are trying to grow. English Teas can be real picky. Some need warmth to open, others resent heat, some resent wet weather.



The way to test for thrips is to take the ball, break it apart over white paper and shake. If the dust particles that fall scamper about, you have thrips. Orthene spray just on the developing buds, not the whole plant is sufficient.



So remove the dried buds and dispose immediately, no composting them. If it's weather, well wait for warmer weather to see if that helps.....or cooler weather....or drier weather...

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Any Pro's out there for sprinkle systems?

I want to relandscape my front yard. It's grass right now.

I have a system but I want to take out the grass and add maybe mounds with flowers and a dry creek-bed with rock.

Question is: Do have to get a new system or can I unscrew some of the sprinklers and put longer piping and heads on them tall enough to come up through the raised flower beds.

I've just recently learned how to fix broken ones using that little tool you turn in and twist out the broken pipe with..and have replace them.(successfully- high five!!)...so I know a little about repair now...just don't no what to buy if I even can do that!!

Help?



Thanks so much!

SmileyCat : )

Any Pro's out there for sprinkle systems?
You can add to the existing piping, but if you add to many heads to one loop, the other heads will not work right. The system should be sized for amount of sprinkler heads for size of piping and water pressure. For instance, if the loop you want to add to has 6 sprinkler heads on it at 5 gallons each, and you add 2 heads at 3 gallons each, the water pressure may not be enough to pop up the heads and make the system work because the line was maxed out with the original heads. The best way is to tap into a loop with the least sprinkler heads, or add a drip system loop to the system. Tap off of the main line feeding the entire sprinkler system and add a zone valve. A drip system has a pipe that is buried through the flower bed or shrubs and it drips water out of tiny orifices. We hook small tubing to the orfices and loop the tubing thoughout the flower and shrub beds. This system waters under the ground and gets to the roots. Plus, you never see water. Its all under the ground. You will need to set the controller to water this zone for several hours instead of minutes. Hope I explained this well. Good luck!
Reply:Hey, Sure thing. You can splice the old line to add length and any garden center will have threaded risers ( a lenght of pipe with threads on each end) to get your desired height. Hope that helps