At one time growing orchids was an elitist hobby for the very rich in our society. Orchids were expensive to purchase. Today, local greenhouses and garden centers sell orchids at affordable prices. Moth (Phalaenopsis) and lady slipper orchids (Paphiopedilum) are the simplest to grow. Here are some easy tips to […]
Archive for the ‘Planting tips’ Category
Growing Orchids Is A Great Hobby
Posted by Hugh on February 6th, 2016
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Fertilizing plants, Interior (house) Plants, Orchids, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), Wind protection 
Comments Off on Growing Orchids Is A Great HobbyColeus Thrive In Summer Heat And Humidity
Posted by Hugh on February 1st, 2016
Coleus (Plectranthus scutellariodes) is a summer annual treasured for its colorful foliage. Plants thrive in summer’s heat and humidity (USDA hardiness zone 11). Coleus is a member of the nettle family Lamiaceae. You can create dazzling beds of color using coleus alone or mixed with flowering annuals. Modern day coleus grow more compact and better branched. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Coleus, Container garden, deadheading, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Foliage plant, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Shade Gardening, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Coleus Thrive In Summer Heat And HumidityConsumer Gardening Trends For 2016*
Posted by Hugh on January 26th, 2016
The Garden Media Group (GMG) has released its annual Garden Trends Report for 2016. The report, titled “Syncing With Nature,” identifies eight consumer trends that the group predicts will shake up the garden and outdoor living industry this coming year. The report finds “gardening” has transformed into a connected lifestyle in 2016, with a rising […]
Posted in Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Blackberries, Blueberries, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Elderberry (Sambucus), Environmental issues, Grapes, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Ornamental vegetables, Peach, Pear (Pyrus spp.), Planting tips, Raspberries, Southern Appalachian Region, Strawberries, Tomato, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest Comments Off on Consumer Gardening Trends For 2016*Petunias For Nearly Every Garden
Posted by Hugh on January 21st, 2016
Petunias (Petunia x hybrida) are top performing summer flowering annuals. There are hundreds of colorful varieties to beautify any flower bed or container garden. Petunias are divided into three basic types: Grandiflora petunias grow 8-12 inches tall and 8-10 inches spread; they start out upright branched and bear large size 4 to 5 inch wide blooms. Ideal for flower […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Container garden, deadheading, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Ground cover, Mowing, Petunias, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Petunias For Nearly Every GardenWatering Tips When Away On Vacation
Posted by Hugh on January 15th, 2016
Summer annuals: Hot July – August weather may demand daily or twice-daily watering for container-grown annuals. A trustworthy neighbor may have to handle these chores. Flowers and vegetables: When there is no rain within a week, water deeply any vegetables that are bearing fruits like tomato, peppers, and squash. Plants will keep producing far into […]
Posted in Astilbe (false spirea), Bermuda, Blackberry Lily (Belamcandra), Bulb Crops, Caladium, Canna lily, Canna lily, Container garden, Crocosmia (Montbretia), Dahlia, Ferns, Ferns, Fruits & Vegetables, Garden Maintenance, Herbs, Interior (house) Plants, Kentucky bluegrass, Lily (Lilium), Pineapple lily (Eucomis), Planting tips, Roses, Tall Fescue, watering tips, Zoysia Comments Off on Watering Tips When Away On VacationThree Easy Care Foliage Plants For Your Home
Posted by Hugh on January 9th, 2016
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema), Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia), and Calthea (Calthea spp.) are three similar looking tropical house plants (USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11). Likely, you have seen these easy to grow foliage plants inside restaurants, shopping malls, offices, and at the public library. They grow in medium to low light areas of the home or […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Calthea, Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema), Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia), Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Interior (house) Plants, Mealy bugs, Mites, Pesticide recommendations, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Poisonous plant, Potting Mix, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Scale, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Three Easy Care Foliage Plants For Your HomeAsian Pears Becoming Very Popular
Posted by Hugh on January 6th, 2016
Whether home-grown or store bought, Asian pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) fruits ripen sweet and tasty on the tree (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). There are over 100 varieties available worldwide, many with difficult to pronounce. Investigate variety cold hardiness and winter chilling rating as some cultivars are hardier than others. Southern varieties require only 300- 600 hours of winter chilling temperatures […]
Posted in acidic soil, Asian Pears, Bee Favorite, Disease prone, Fertilizing plants, Fruits & Vegetables, Harvest Time, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, mulching, Pear (Pyrus spp.), Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Pollination needs, Powdery mildew, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Rabbit/deer Protection, Root suckering, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Voles, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Asian Pears Becoming Very PopularFall Anemone 2016 Perennial Plant of The Year
Posted by Hugh on January 3rd, 2016
Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrida), popularly called “fall anemone”, are long-lived, fall-flowering perennials for cottage and open woodland gardens. They start to flower in late summer in many parts of the U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 7). Several colorful varieties are available. Fall anemones make great additions to cut floral […]
Posted in acidic soil, Anemone, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Fall Anemone 2016 Perennial Plant of The YearArrowhead Vine- Easy Care House Plant
Posted by Hugh on December 27th, 2015
Arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum), often called nephthytis, is a easy to grow trailing or vertical climbing house plant. It is indigenous to the Central and South America tropics and is botanically related to philodendron. Its 5-7 inch long leaves are arrowhead shape, with a dull pointed tip (apex) and two basal lobes. Foliage of modern day varieties come in more color […]
Posted in acidic soil, Arrowwood (Syngonium), compost, Fertilizing plants, Planting tips, Poisonous plant, Potting Mix, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, Winter Protection Comments Off on Arrowhead Vine- Easy Care House PlantCare of Holiday Cactus
Posted by Hugh on December 25th, 2015
Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) and Christmas cactus (S. bridgesii) are popular fall- and winter-flowering houseplants. Flower colors (by variety) include red, purple, lavender, cream, and white. Holiday cacti thrive in hanging baskets. The scalped stems and foliage start out growing vertically and weeks later begin to spill over the edge of the pot. Plants flourish for many years if […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera), Container garden, deadheading, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering house plant, Foliage plant, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, Wind protection, Winter flowering, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Care of Holiday Cactus
