Sunday, May 23, 2010

Suggestions for low maintance plants, ground cover, shrubs for shady Zone 5a moraine area?

I am not a gardener but I do appreciate a nice-looking garden. I have a very busy schedule which necessitates the need for low maintenance. Can you suggest a variety of plants, ground cover and shrubs for Zone 5a? I live on a moraine and most of my area is in a shady northern exposure. Ideally I'd also like to mix in a few plants that will keep away mosquitoes and other biting insects. Thanks in advance.

Suggestions for low maintance plants, ground cover, shrubs for shady Zone 5a moraine area?
There are several plants that would work and are quite hardy. First there are low junipers--andorra (has a purplish tone in the winter, and rug junipers are ground huggers. There are also yews now that will stay low with moderate trimming Some shrubs that have flowers and don't get too large (again with some occasional trimming) are purple leaf sandcherry and plum, dogwood comes with red stems or yellow and with variegated leaves, these shrubs also flower and are very hardy. Rosey barberry is very pretty but does have sharp barbs, Cottoneaster is a low grower with flowers and then red berries. Carpet roses can add some colour but do like more sun. Hostas are very good for shady areas and come in a wide variety of colours and their flowers attract hummingbirds. I hope this helps a bit, but if you go to a good garden center , they might have a free guide to plants.

sweating

What are some great plants to have indoors for an apartment?

I'd love to bring a new life into our apartment by adding plants.... what are some really great plants for apartment life? something that doesn't need toooo much sunlight (obviously i'd keep it as close to the window as possible, but only so much is possible in an apartment), and something that won't get out of control with growth or attract bugs. I'd also like to look into growing mint sprigs in my kitchen... how would this work? i know ants hate mint, so if i grow mint in my kitchen, i'm sure to not have many problems with little critters :o) how would i go about growing an herb such as this in a fairly sunlight deprived area?

What are some great plants to have indoors for an apartment?
i have found that low light plant work wonderful in apts. low light means low maintance. vines and peace lilies do good


good luck
Reply:Peace Lily is great plus you can put it in a large clear vases and put a beta fish in it. of course you have to get all the dirt and anything else off of the roots first.
Reply:An aspidistra is a good house plant for not-so-sunny spaces, plus it doesn't drop a lot of leaves or need pruning. Pothos are also great, nearly impossible to kill, but they might grow too much for you although you could always just trim or pinch and throw out (or put in pots and get new plants!)


I don't know if mint in a pot will deter ants much, but you could always try! Get a window-sill sized pot (and a tray to catch drips), a bag of potting soil and a little plant, then re-pot it into yours and keep watered. You could even get a little set of pots and do a few different herbs just for fun. Enjoy!
Reply:Eastern facing windows can grow African Violets, Christmas Cactus (not prickly or a cactus), corn plant, dracaena, ficus trees, moth-orchids, %26amp; generally all thicker-leafed plants-like construction paper in thickness. Western facing windows can also grow all of the above, but the leaves of the African Violets might get "burned" by the hot western sun. A north facing window might not grow anything well, consider using a plant light-it's just a regular looking light bulb that's blue-violet in color, you keep it on 12-14 hours a day rather close to a plant, but you can have flowering plants in the darkest corner of the apt. A south facing window is the brightest %26amp; sunniest %26amp; if nothing is blocking it you could grow alot more plants, all of the above %26amp; maybe cattliya orchids.


What common plants are cats allergic to?

These plants are common in the home.They are not poisonous to Humans or most mammals, but they can be brought in the house by a well meaning friend/relative.


Its easy to keep a cat away from cleaning solution etc, but theses are far more dangerous!

What common plants are cats allergic to?
Cat Plant Eating Survey - The Veterinary Behavior Service at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is currently conducting a study investigating why dogs and cats eat plants (grass, flowers, leaves, twigs, etc.). Although many theories have been proposed, this is the first study to scientifically investigate the age-old question "Why do dogs and cats eat grass?" The more information we gather, the better we will understand this behavior. You can help by submitting data. Please complete this survey - Cat Plant Eating Survey. November 2004





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Plants add the needed finishing touches to any decor. But, if you have a feline, that beautiful plant could become a deadly enemy.


Listed here are plants poisonous to cats that must be avoided if there are cats in your home. Note that lilies(*), in particular, are dangerous to cats. While in some cases, just parts of a plant (bark, leaves, seeds, berries, roots, tubers, spouts, green shells) might be poisonous, this list rules out the whole plant. If you must have any of them, keep them safely out of reach.





Should your feline friend eat part of a poisonous plant, rush the cat to your veterinarian as soon as possible. If you can, take the plant with you for ease of identification.





Plants Poisonous to Cats


Almond (Pits of)


Aloe Vera


Alocasia


Amaryllis


Apple (seeds)


Apple Leaf Croton


Apricot (Pits of)


Arrowgrass


Asparagus Fern


Autumn Crocus


Avacado (fuit and pit)


Azalea


Baby's Breath


Baneberry


Bayonet


Beargrass


Beech


Belladonna


Bird of Paradise


Bittersweet


Black-eyed Susan


Black Locust


Bleeding Heart


Bloodroot


Bluebonnet


Box


Boxwood


Branching Ivy


Buckeyes


Buddist Pine


Burning Bush


Buttercup





Cactus, Candelabra


Caladium


Calla Lily


Castor Bean


Ceriman


Charming Dieffenbachia


Cherry (pits, seeds %26amp; wilting leaves)


Cherry, most wild varieties


Cherry, ground


Cherry, Laurel


Chinaberry


Chinese Evergreen


Christmas Rose


Chrysanthemum


Cineria


Clematis


Cordatum


Coriaria


Cornflower


Corn Plant


Cornstalk Plant


Croton


Corydalis


Crocus, Autumn


Crown of Thorns


Cuban Laurel


Cutleaf Philodendron


Cycads


Cyclamen





Daffodil


Daphne


Datura


Deadly Nightshade


Death Camas


Devil's Ivy


Delphinium


Decentrea


Dieffenbachia


Dracaena Palm


Dragon Tree


Dumb Cane





Easter Lily *


Eggplant


Elaine


Elderberry


Elephant Ear


Emerald Feather


English Ivy


Eucalyptus


Euonymus


Evergreen





Ferns


Fiddle-leaf fig


Florida Beauty


Flax


Four O'Clock


Foxglove


Fruit Salad Plant





Geranium


German Ivy


Giant Dumb Cane


Glacier IvyGolden Chain


Gold Dieffenbachia


Gold Dust Dracaena


Golden Glow


Golden Pothos


Gopher Purge





Hahn's Self-Branching Ivy


Heartland Philodendron


Hellebore


Hemlock, Poison


Hemlock, Water


Henbane


Holly


Honeysuckle


Horsebeans


Horsebrush


Horse Chestnuts


Hurricane Plant


Hyacinth


Hydrangea





Indian Rubber Plant


Indian Tobacco


Iris


Iris Ivy





Jack in the Pulpit


Janet Craig Dracaena


Japanese Show Lily *


Java Beans


Jessamine


Jerusalem Cherry


Jimson Weed


Jonquil


Jungle Trumpets





Kalanchoe





Lacy Tree Philodendron


Lantana


Larkspur


Laurel


Lily


Lily Spider


Lily of the Valley


Locoweed


Lupine





Madagascar Dragon Tree


Marble Queen


Marigold


Marijuana


Mescal Bean


Mexican Breadfruit


Miniature Croton


Mistletoe


Mock Orange


Monkshood


Moonseed


Morning Glory


Mother-in Law's Tongue


Morning Glory


Mountain Laurel


Mushrooms


Narcissus


Needlepoint Ivy


Nephytis


Nightshade





Oleander


Onion


Oriental Lily *





Peace Lily


Peach (pits and wilting leaves)


Pencil Cactus


Peony


Periwinkle


Philodendron


Pimpernel


Plumosa Fern


Poinciana


Poinsettia (low toxicity)


Poison Hemlock


Poison Ivy


Poison Oak


Pokeweed


Poppy


Potato


Pothos


Precatory Bean


Primrose


Privet, Common





Red Emerald


Red Princess


Red-Margined Dracaena


Rhododendron


Rhubarb


Ribbon Plant


Rosemary Pea


Rubber Plant





Saddle Leaf Philodendron


Sago Palm


Satin Pothos


Schefflera


Scotch Broom


Silver Pothos


Skunk Cabbage


Snowdrops


Snow on the Mountain


Spotted Dumb Cane


Staggerweed


Star of Bethlehem


String of Pearls


Striped Dracaena


Sweetheart Ivy


Sweetpea


Swiss Cheese plant





Tansy Mustard


Taro Vine


Tiger Lily *


Tobacco


Tomato Plant (green fruit, stem and leaves)


Tree Philodendron


Tropic Snow Dieffenbachia


Tulip


Tung Tree





Virginia Creeper





Water Hemlock


Weeping Fig


Wild Call


Wisteria





Yews --


e.g. Japanese Yew


English Yew


Western Yew


American Yew





i was dumfounded when my vet told me this-there are so manny-and so manny common plants-some are not indoor but theses are all that you should stay away from!





Source(s):





www.cfainc.org/articles/plants... and my vet who sent me here after a tarrible day with my well missed cat
Reply:Poinsetta, Philodendron and Deifenbachia for sure... there's probably others. Now me, I have three tabbies and they have never shown an interest in my houseplants - just not salad eaters I guess - so it's not an issue for me. Good for you for keeping the kitties safe.
Reply:I dont know many but im positive of fox gloves, and don't worry about it too much. Just moniter what she's eating, cats shouldn't eat that many plants at all. If your still concerned ask a vet.


What live plants are safe for my aquarium fish?

I have a needlefish, a red pacu, a tiger oscar, a leporinus, a plecostamus (sp?), and a number of feeder rosies. What are safe live plants that I can add to my tank without hurting my fish, and that won't get destroyed by them?

What live plants are safe for my aquarium fish?
i use this store to help me with 'safe' plants to buy: http://www.aquariumplants.com/Herbivorou...





'hornwort' is not on that list, but i do know that my goldfish and plecos do not eat it. and i grows like hell.





* if you do end up buying a plant that your fish like to nibble on, you can deter them from eating that plant by adding cabbage, lettuce leaves every now and them. give your plecos cucumber...





**also, if the plant is aquatic, and bought from an aquarium plant dealer, it probably wont hurt your fish.
Reply:Many Fish like oranges they provide the fish vitmain C and help to stablize the tank PH. Just slice the orange then and throw them in. It will take a few days/weeks for the fish to find them. Report Abuse

Reply:I really like frill but this isn't to say that they won't destroy it. I use it when I am breeding my fish for some place to hide. The only thing is that you have to buy a lot of it. Its really cheep though!
Reply:NONE! The tiger oscar will tear things up and the Pacu eats plants. You might want to research fish that won't eat plants and plan accordingly.
Reply:These fish not only have a tendency to eat plants but they often also uproot plants as they dig into the gravel. Most planted cichlid tanks use Anubias, Java ferns or bolbitus attached to rocks or driftwood. These plants are usually left alone and the fact that they are anchored to heavier objects make them harder to dislodge.





There are no aquatic plants that will harm your fish, as long as they don't sell you a bog plant as an aquatic plant there is no danger.





Hope that helps
Reply:you can buy live plant for fish aquarium at fish shop they sell fish plant, ask the clerk for help.
Reply:go to your local pet store and ask someone who knows all about fish or just look it up on the net
Reply:All plantsd that live underwater, and you can get in a pet store.
Reply:seeweed.......


hety dheydont take me seriously...i dunno nothing bout fish


Does anyone know what plants are safe to put in with my box turtle?

I heard that box turtles do well with live plants in their enclosure? But I don't know what kind of plants are safe? Anyone have any ideas?

Does anyone know what plants are safe to put in with my box turtle?
ediable ones
Reply:I looked on a box turtle site but it does not say.


http://www.aboxturtle.com/box_turtle_die...


Here is a site that has plants for tortoises that are not poison.


I use the same in box turtle pens as I do in my tortoise pens.


http://africantortoise.com/edible_landsc...
Reply:Desert plants like mini cactuses.

hot tags

How do i make plants green when they begin to turn yellow. Like the hanging plants?

I have the plants that grow long and you can hang them and the leaves will hang down. The top part is growing in nice and green but the hanging leaves are turning yellow how do i get them to turn back green?

How do i make plants green when they begin to turn yellow. Like the hanging plants?
They won't, they will fall off! Repot the plant in a good potting soil after you cut it back. Loosen the root ball befor you put it in a bigger pot.
Reply:Spray the leaves with water. Use any kind of an old spray bottle, and soak the leaves. If they are really yellow, cut them off and new ones will come on the vine. Sounds like you have over-watered them. cut back on watering them to once a week unless the weather is really hot.
Reply:Once that part dies, you can't make it green again. Not sure if I'm right about this, but I think your plant may need more frequent watering. Also, some plant food mixed in with the water might help.
Reply:It sounds like either the hanging leaves have reached the end of their cycle and need to be trimmed off OR you need to feed it with a quality fertilizer intended for indoor plants. Check with a local flower shop or nursery which sells plants similar or the same as yours.
Reply:hi pull the yellow leaves off or cut them off and leave the rest some times yellow means over warterd
Reply:it is because they are hanging so the cells are dead and their plant cells have chlorophyll which makes them green


Can anyone tell me plants that go together to protect from pests?

I heard that some plants protect others from pests if you plant them together. Where can I find more on this subject?

Can anyone tell me plants that go together to protect from pests?
It is called companion planting. A classic combination is growing basil and tomatoes next to each other. They keep the pests away from each other and then taste great together in a salad. Perfect!





here are a few more links


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companion_p...


for a starters guide





and





http://www.gb0063551.pwp.blueyonder.co.u...


detailed companion planting grid.
Reply:lavender and roses. Look on the gardening websites
Reply:Aside from companion planting, look into installing bat houses in your trees and ladybug houses in your garden. I have a pond with a good deal of large koi and goldfish, but they only get the larvae that are laid in the water. Bats are great and they really are harmless. Lady bugs are always fun and they eat up your aphids!





For larger predators, I'm installing a motion sensored water spray! I'm so excited, I just found out about it and we have lots of cats, dogs, owls, raccoons, deer, and even a coyote.
Reply:Not sure where to find info - but my dad always planted african marigolds among his tomatoes - to keep pests off.
Reply:lantana does very well to keep da pest away dont know where you can get them i just go to da beach get cuttings they are very hearty plants easy to grow and do a great job.
Reply:Look into the Venus Fly-Trap....nature's exterminator.


How did people preserve plants over long journeys?

As in, sailors who have brought exotic plants across seas. Without storage room for freshwater for the plants, how do they water them?

How did people preserve plants over long journeys?
Probably with the same fresh water the sailors drank. I know the invention of little glass houses made transporting plans much easier and created a more dynamic exchange of plant materials
Reply:And of course you needn't water seed until you plant it.


Tropical house plants - tips for keeping them fresh and keen?

My west-facing high-windowed air-conditioned apartment is bursting with tropical palms, paquira aquaticas, and other broad-leaved plants, but their fronds occasionally brown and dullen. I spray regularly and top up woth water only occasionally.





Have a lovely day.

Tropical house plants - tips for keeping them fresh and keen?
the shower tip is a good one, also, rub the leaves with banana skin, this really helps :)
Reply:Take them into the shower .. I do all the time .. My a/c blows over several of mine, and they tend to get dusty ... I take them into the shower , spray them good , and wipe the leaves off with a sponge ..


( Hint .. DON"T tell your friends you shower with plants ...) lol...


Have a good one !
Reply:Houseplant foods are beneficial, but remember that a little fertiliser can go a long way.


Place a newspaper between the windowsill garden and the window at night to keep the chill from injuring house plants


Rotate house plants in dim locations to sunny spots to keep them all in prime condition


Dust foliage plants or give them an occasional shower

my fish

Is anyone an expert on plants?

1. In what type of environment do plants grow best?


2. Do plants contain iron? (radish)


3. What do plants have that magnets do also?


4. Can plants grow without sunlight?


5. How do plants get their water in the dessert?


6. What are somethings that all plants have?

Is anyone an expert on plants?
1. Plants grow in many different types of environments. It really depends on what plant you are growing to determine what is the best environment.


2. Yes


3. Iron


4. Yes, but they would have to have some sort of artificial light to grow.


5. Plants in the dessert get water from the ground and the air.


6. roots
Reply:1. It varies according to the plant, eg - amount of light, humidity vs dryness, type of soil,


availability of nutrients. 2. I beilieve so, as plants do require iron for growth. 3. Not sure on this one, maybe attractants, say to insects. 4. There are some which grow without sunlight. 5. Roots and/or storage. 6.Means of reproduction, i.e. seeds, runners, etc.


How can plants be emotional and conscious?

Hi,





I have read so many articles about plants being emotional and conscious.


But they don't have a nervous system or a brain.


How can this be?





PLEASE DO NOT ANSWER WITH LINKS.





Thanks.

How can plants be emotional and conscious?
The most intelligent animals are usually those with complex social behaviour, living, or particularly hunting in groups. Perfect examples of this include chimpanzees and dolphins. They benefit from having very complex brains because they have to make rapid and incredibly complex decisions in their daily life, just to compete and survive.


Since a plant has very few decisions to make, and cannot do much to change its situation there is no reason for it to have emotions.
Reply:Plants are not emotional or conscious. The many articles that


say they are either are people fooling themselves or deliberate hoaxes. One of these reports came from someone who used a polygraph ("lie detector") on plants and


claimed to get a reaction that suggested consciousness.


Unfortunately further investigation produced the same reaction from a wet dishcloth.


What are the best plants to put in a location with partial sun and hardly any water?

These plants will be placed around our new patio. I want them to be small. Flowering plants are an option. The area will have an overhang from the roof so it will not receive that much water. I will have to water them by hand mostly, so they need to be able to go days with out water.

What are the best plants to put in a location with partial sun and hardly any water?
Nasturtiums are vine like and grow well in containers or beds....They have red orange and yellow flowers and prefer poor dry soil...Pansys would do well and they bloom all year round


Also my shade garden is full of Hostas...They come in several shades of green are very hardy need no care and give a lush feel to the yard...Ooooh ...have fun!...{Hostas get to be about 2-3 feet across though}
Reply:You might try boxwoods, I now they don't like to be over watered or fertilized, but it depends on how dry you place gets. i would suggest buying a small one that is inexpensive and try it out
Reply:Where do you live? If they get too dry in the summer without water they will wilt. Do a google search on drought resistant plants.
Reply:cactus are the best for lack of water, still if you make a point of watering them every day, anykind would work as long as you just water them even every couple days.


Which plants will grow in an office under bad lighting?

A tiny square cubical.


A computer screen.


A buzzing flourescent light hovering above and no window close by. Only the high ups get window desks.


What plants will survive under such harsh living conditions? Can I get a desk lamp of any kind that will improve the lighting situation?

Which plants will grow in an office under bad lighting?
The flourescent light should be plenty of light for a plant. Ivy is a good plant and there are others. You might choose one from the other answer that listed more plants.
Reply:Ivy grows well, as does sanseveria ("mother-in-law's tongue" or "snake plant"). Spathiphyllum (peace lily) does nicely if you give it plenty of humidity. If you have a fluorescent desk lamp where you can put a grow-light, you can grow African violets too.
Reply:Ok, I think I can help you with this one. Try a pothos plant (philodendron) I'll give you links to check out when I'm thru answering this. Also, most philodendrons do well under poor conditions, at least mine do. A peace lily doesn't require much sunlight, is beautiful, but is kind of on the large side for a very small cubical. Chinese Evergreens are also beautiful and can do well under low light. I'll be back with links.





http://www.evergrowing.com/tips/philoden...





http://www.evergrowing.com/tips/peacelil...





http://www.evergrowing.com/tips/chinesee...

horns costume

Good plants to grow during summer?

I'm planting a decent sized home garden (10 ft. x 10 ft.) this weekend, and I was wondering what type of plants can I grow this time of year (July-Sept.)? I'm looking into buying seeds/growing plants. I really want to grow vegetables/fruits, and I want to grow spices as well.





Could someone help me choose what type of plants I can grow this season? I'm in Alabama, if that has anything to do with it. Thank you.

Good plants to grow during summer?
Hey Jason! Go to www.plantansers.com check into your zone area. A lot does have to do with your location! It depends on what zone you are in to which type of plant you plant. First find your zone, second decide which winter plants would be right to plant in your area according to the suggestions you find in that website. Then amend your soils according to what is recommended to that plant. For instance , strawberries are heavy feeders and need a lot of different nutrients so you would want to go heavy with compost, manure and other elements to enrich your soil. Now is a great time to start your soil enrichment for your winter garden. Also check out your local county extension office and see if they have a Master Gardener program set up. That is a terrific way to find answers to your local problems! Good Gardening!!
Reply:You can still get some tomatoes in but you will have to be quick about it! You can also do basil, cilantro, dill, fennel, oregano, sage, bay, and pretty much everything else you can still find at the shops that hasn't gone leggy already. It's pretty hot and humid in Alabama already - you may be a little late for seeds except for things that bloom in fall. Ask at the nursery and see about fall squashes. You can also get asparagus starts, onion sets and garlic to plant in fall in a couple of months.
Reply:Go to your local nursery. See what is available in the vegetable seedlings and take it from there. Same with the flowers/bushes or ask them whats looking good for summer.


They should know.





Cheers


Maz (Ms Mazscapes Nursery, Vic Australia)


Do plants grow better when they are watered too much?

I need some good science websites about plants and do they grow better when watered too much, or watered too little?

Do plants grow better when they are watered too much?
The die when they are watered too much. They die when they are watered too little. They grow best when watered just right with a little bit of plant food. Here is a link with some good, solid gardening information. If you want to check out the rest of the site, there is also more information on plants!!





http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/information...





Hope that helps!!
Reply:Glad I could help. Good luck with your gardening. =) Report Abuse

Reply:if u water a plant to much it will "drown"...if you water it to little it will be to "thirsty".....before you water it again feel the soil..if it is damp it might need alittleof water...if it is wet do not give it water...does that help?
Reply:Too much water can cause Crown Rot
Reply:No---Too much water can kill them. Houseplants- I water once a week. Garden plants--I water once a day.
Reply:We just did something on this in Science class. If you water your plant too much, it will die. If you water it too little, it will live a little bit longer, but then eventually die. A good amount of water for a small plant is 40mL. Good luck!

Hiking Shoes

Do plants help lower my amonia and nitrite?

I know they use the nitrate to grow but what about the other stuff?





What if a tank i high in nitrite and amonia will adding plants help?

Do plants help lower my amonia and nitrite?
Plants will typically utilise Nitrogen in specific forms, and there is a process, known as the Nitrogen Cycle, whereby ammonia will get converterted, utlimately to nitrates, that plants can use.





The process goes from ammonia through nitrites to nitrates, and is performed by bacteria. You can aid the process by adding cultures of bacteria into your tank - the plants won't typically appreciate the ammonia, and this is the most harmful for fish, as you probably know. That said, some plants will process ammonium, and lower its level, but I would go for improving your filtration, and upping the levels of the bacteria cultures that process the Nitrogen in different stages. Adding plants will ultimately mean more decaying plant matter in the future, which would return ammonia to the water, thus creating a problem downstream - if you'll excuse the pun.





You can buy bacteria cultures in aquarium centres etc.





Hope this helps. Good luck! Rob


What plants like lots of shade and water?

I want to put something along the side of my shed, which is mostly in the shade, and the rain runs down it into the border. What flowers or plants would like to live there?

What plants like lots of shade and water?
Not knowing where you live I am unable to pinpoint some suggestions.Here are a few that may work in your growing/planting zone. You can find out your zone on this page as well as check out some of the suggested plants.


http://www.naturehills.com/





Perennials: Athyrium spp. - Lady Fern, Japanese Painted Fern (moist to wet soils); Camptosorus rhizophyllus - Walking Fern - (alkaline, wet soils); Ligularia spp. - Ragwort - (rich, wet soils); Lysimachia punctata - Loosestrife (moist to wet soils) Hosta's like well drained soils but will withstand mosit areas.
Reply:ferns love it








also





cast iron plants can survive anything.


cast iron plants can only survive to 5 so if up north dont plant it outside unless as an annual
Reply:ferns


hostas


bleeding hearts





hostas and bleeding hearts also flower and will also give you some color as well. just make sure they can be planted in your zone.
Reply:ferns


Late june. my tomatoe plants are turning yellow at the bottom of the plants. what is going on?

My plants are healthy but towards the bottom of the plants my leaves are turning yellow and dying. what should I do. am i watering them too much or what?

Late june. my tomatoe plants are turning yellow at the bottom of the plants. what is going on?
Do not use nitrogen on tomatoe plants at this stage as suggested...They need phospherous and potassium at this stage or you will get all leaves and no fruit... Sprinkle epsom salt around each plant at the rate of 2 tablespoons per plant foot height ..a 3 foot plant will take 6 tablespoons, but not piled around the stem but scattered loosely...This gives them magnesium and also aids them in getting the natural nitrogen from the soil, which is all the nitrogen it needs...Heres the formula for this..it recommends 1 spoon, but you cannot overuse it..this is at the healthy stage..you have yellowing leaves so they need the extra boost





http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/garden_u...
Reply:If the bottom leaves are turning yellow, and also curling UP on the edges - you're overwatering.





Also a possibility of too much fertilizer, though you haven't said you used any.
Reply:Or it could be blight. If the leaves are turning yellow and also have roundish black spots you will need to go to Lowes or a garden store and buy the spray to treat your plants.
Reply:It might be not enough nitrogen. Could be too much water. I would suggest sid dressing with some compost, and giving them a little fertilizer. And water a bit less often, but deeper.
Reply:Yes, Too much water. I live in Michigan where we have had rain almost everyday in June and many plants lower leaves are turning yellow.


Will plants designed for manmade ponds work in my cove?

I live on a cove, on a river in Maine. It is shallow (4 ft at its center) and about as big as a hockey rink. lilly pads bloom all summer in it, i'm wondering if i can intrduce storebought flowering water plants to it. it is well circulated with lots of wildlife in it. Any suggestions?

Will plants designed for manmade ponds work in my cove?
Of course you can. I would stick with natives and realize that the plants will grow at the edges of your cove and most likely will not venture past about the first foot of water. Since I am in a subtropical climate, I don't know what is hardy up there, but any native that likes wet feet will grow for you. I know that cattails will, for one. Check with a local aquatic nursery or online for hardy plants.
Reply:You are sooo lucky! I don't have a lot of money to spend on plants so I like to bring home anything I see growing in ditches on the side of the road or from my area parks that looks pretty. This way you are also more likely to get natives, too. I would also set up a gazebo or at least a bench in a vantage point with a path to the house so you can sit out and enjoy the cove.
Reply:Check with someone - probably your extension office or local county agent about introducing non-native species to public waterways. If you get crosswise with that you may be in some touble. Just check.
Reply:Definitely go with your area's native vegetation, and you might think about some irises and ornamental grasses. It sounds really beautiful. Please post photographs if you are able so we can see :) Good Luck!!!

shared web hosting

What plants are best to put in with Green tree frogs?

I have 3 Green Tree Frogs but i am unsure what plants to put in with them. I would like real but fake is ok. What can i put in there and any suggestions on where i can get them from?

What plants are best to put in with Green tree frogs?
I have the"Lucky Bamboo" in with my froggies b/c they are kinda stiff like a tree and they can climb on them
Reply:Hi, we used to have green tree frogs before they got out. We bought them some tropical plants that would cope with the humidity and with being jumped on, plants with a broad leaf are the best. (sorry cant remember the names at the moment) if you ask your local pet shop what sort of plants they would suggest or ring the zoo and ask one of the workers what sort of plants they have with their frogs, they might be able to help. Also you could try your local nursery for some plants that could cope with being jumped on and being in a tank.


just remember that some indoors plants are toxic to frogs as they breathe through their skin.


Sorry I am not much help.
Reply:I bought my setup and frogs from forestfrogs.com. GTF's really do want a variety of small plants and plants to jump on. You can go to his online store and look at what he offers. But the best one so far that grows fast and is pretty hearty has been a pothos. These are very common. The only bad thing about buying them from a store is you won't know if they have pesticides on them and it will kill the frogs. Go to a nursery and ask about pesticides or grown your own.
Reply:Green trees!


What can I do about watering plants while away for 2 weeks?

My husband and I will be away for 2 weeks in September on vacation. We have a couple of potted tomato plants in our apartment's porch. We can't rely on neighbors to come in and water the plants for us nor leave the plants with people we know. Any suggestions on how we can take care of this dilemma?

What can I do about watering plants while away for 2 weeks?
If you have a timed sprinkler, you could put them within sprinkler's reach. Otherwise, if you don' have anybody who can do it for you, you're screwed. Unless, you are really industrious and created some kind of system with a plastic bottle and tubing that would gradually drop water into the plant drop by drop so that it would take about 2 weeks to empty the container.
Reply:put them in shallow pans with rocks in the bottom of the pans , fill with water then sit your house plants in the shallow pans........ the rocks and water will keep the plants moist.
Reply:Well, I was going to say have somebody come over to water, but if you absolutely can't, you may just have to pray for rain... Potted plants need watered pretty often.
Reply:The pots have drain holes in the bottom. Take the plants put them in the tub with two inches of water. Leave the lights on in the bathroom so they have light. This should take care of them while your gone.
Reply:The answer about putting them in your tub with a couple inches of water. Even better do that but place them on small rocks. Have the water just below the rocks so they will not get root rot and will get moisture from the saran wrap or any kind of waterproof covering to hold in the moisture is good.


I too am going away for a couple of weeks but than God, I have people (my mother in law) to water for me. I have lots of plants outdoors as well as indoors. But try that. I have used it on house plants before when going away. Good Luck!
Reply:you can put your plants in the tub with a couple inches of water - cover with saran wrap
Reply:ask your neigbors
Reply:The volume of water for two weeks could be calculated. But you would need a large container to hold it. maybe a muck bucket or two? Tuff Stuff make one for $10 Your plant sits just at the water level in the bucket with a fiber siphon to draw water as the plant needs it. Seed starting kits often use this capillary wicking system to ensure constant moisture levels.


http://www.nextag.com/muck-bucket/search...


DIY self-watering system


http://www.committment.com/stengle1.html


Water wicks %26amp; mats


http://www.soilmoist.com/soilnew.html


http://www.wickstore.com/watermaid.html


http://www.uky.edu/Ag/HLA/anderson/raft_...


http://coopext.colostate.edu/4dmg/Plants...





Diapers use this kind of water holding polymer. Maybe they could be used.


If you try this experiment now so you know it will work for the entire time you are gone.





For short term leaves I use ceramic cones that siphon water from a small container to water house plants. The relative levels of the two containers matters and I doubt they could bring the volume of water you need for out door plants.


http://www.deerbusters.com/too-9096.html





A small in line watering timer can be added to drip lines that lead from faucet to pot. The volume of water you supply for tomatoes at harvest should be very regular. House security may be an issue though if the only faucet is indoors.





http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/wat...


http://www.dripirrigation.com/first-time...
Reply:why dont you soak cotton balls in water, a really good soak and you can place it in your potted plants two ways:





-place the soaked cotton balls strategically raound the plants


- line up tin or aluminum strip with punctured holes (not too large) so the water can drip constantly





other suggestions:


- place them under a shade too,to prevent dry up, since its potted anyway





- after placing them under a shade, hire a kid like you would do for babystiing. if they get paid you are sure they would do the job. just make sure you trust teh kid to do teh job and rewards him if the plants are ok when you get back
Reply:Here's some ideas-





If you have an outside hose bib or faucet, get a timer for a sprinkler to water the plants. You didn't say if you were on a balcony or not, so if you are, this might affect your neighbors below.





If you don't have an outside faucet, you can get an adapter for a garden hose that will fit your sink. This would require running a hose out through the door to your porch or a window. There are some security issues with this idea as well as the possibility of the hose springing a leak while you are gone.





You could re-pot the plants in a larger pot and use the newer moisture control potting soils. Plant the tomatoes 4-6 inches deeper than they are now and the plants will grow new roots, reducing the transplant shock and making the plant stronger. Water them well before you leave and hope for the best.





You could get a drip irrigation system that you could feed by gravity from a couple of 5 gallon pails. You have plenty of time to experiment with this system before you leave so that you could get it set up right. A 5 gallon bucket is 15 inches deep, so if you adjust it so that the water level goes down in the bucket 1/2 inch per day, that would be the equivalent of 1/2 inch of rain every day. The emitters are placed right by the base of the plant so all of the water goes to the roots and very little is lost to evaporation.





Now you've got me thinking and I'm going to experiment with this!





***ADDED INFORMATION***


I stumbled on a product called "Rain-Gel injector." It's a product that contains water absorbing polymer beads. The product is contained in a cartridge that looks like the tubes that caulking comes in and fits a standard caulking gun. You inject the product around the plant to a depth of 4 inches. It would probably work better that the re-potting idea above and achieve the same results. Do a Yahoo search on the product and you will find several sources online, or check your local garden center





Visit our website for more gardening ideas at-


http://www.gardening-at-the-crossroads.c...





Good Luck and Happy Gardening from Cathy and Neal!
Reply:I do believe they have spouts that fit on a 2litter bottle you fill the bottle with water turn it upside down in the soil you can get them at wall mart
Reply:If you have time you might consider replanting your tomatoes. Remove 1/2 the soil and add perlite or vermiculite to the pot in order to retain moisture. Another person suggested placing your plants in another pots of water. This is a good suggestion, however, two weeks of sitting in water could result in root rot which may be a chance you will have to take if there isn't anyone you can depend on. Good luck


For plants in a pot, how often do you water them and how much water?

What are some good plants that require little sun and or little water?

For plants in a pot, how often do you water them and how much water?
'


pothosothis, philodendren, snake plant (mother-in-law tongue); That's pothos also ivy for low light. Water ivy before it dries out, Water pothos an philodendren when top inch or two of soil feel dry. Snake plant require very little water. Use a moisture meter and get a good book about house plants.
Reply:Cactus and other succulent plants are the great for low water and low light. They aren't the cutest of plants but hard to kill. Check at plant stores to see what works in your area, plants are usually regional.





There is usually a little tag stuck into the soil that will tell you how much sun the plant likes.





Rule of thumb for water, if the soil feels dry or the plant is starting to droop add some water.





If the soil is really dry the water will run right through it, so water a little bit drain the dish and then water again 10 min later.
Reply:not many when you have them in pots you have to allways make sure the soil is wet!


every dday watering is good!


Little sun part sun plants are marigolds can with stand that i beleive..


any greenage.. leaf plants! i cna't think of there names


Mad luv
Reply:It depends on the plant. For most annuals, you can water them every day to make the soil moist.





Aloe vera is a good plant that doesn't need much water, plus it grows well just by a window.
Reply:Outside in a pot - sometimes every day.





Inside in a pot. Once a week.





There are plenty of low light indoor plants that don't need lots of water - go look in your nearest nursery or greenhouse - they'll show you a bunch of 'em.


How plants are germinating immediately after the rain?

Even in the very dry land (which is lacking water and under very hot climate) the small plants are starting to germinate immediately after the rain. Why ?

How plants are germinating immediately after the rain?
The outside shells of the seeds have been softened up and all other conditions are right.

rain roots

What is the best pesticide to use on tomato plants?

I'm growing two tomato plants in seperate containers. On one of my plants some type of bug is eating the foliage at the bottom of the plant. They seem to be leaving the actual fruit alone, but it's making the plant look awful. I found a black looking caterpillar on the plant that I knocked off and killed. I'm thinking that might be the problem bug. Also, I've tried insecticidal soap but it doesn't seem to be helping.

What is the best pesticide to use on tomato plants?
Sevin is in order. Yes pick and stomp work wonders.


Good luck.


Plant s recommended for sevin:Alfalfa


Almond


Apple


Apricot


APRICOT (DORMANT/DELAYED DORMANT)


Asparagus


Bean


Bean, dry


Bean, fresh


Bean, kidney


Bean, navy


Bean, snap


Bedding plant


Beet, garden


Beet, sugar


Blueberry


Broccoli


Brussels sprout


Cabbage


Cabbage, chinese


Caneberry


Carrot


Cauliflower


Celery


Chard, swiss


Cherry


CHERRY (DORMANT/DELAYED DORMANT)


Chestnut


Christmas tree


Christmas tree plantation


Citron


Citrus


Citrus, hybrid


Clover


Collard


Conservation reserve program


Corn, field


Corn, sweet


Cowpea


Crabapple


Cranberry


Cucumber


Dandelion


Ditchbank


Eggplant


Elm


Endive


Filbert


Flax


Foliage plant


Forest, non-urban


Forested area


Grape


Grapefruit


Grass, for seed


Hedgerow


Horseradish


Kale


Kohlrabi


Kumquat


Lemon


Lentil


Lettuce, head


Lettuce, leaf


Lime


Loquat


Melon


Millet, proso


Mustard greens


Nectarine


NECTARINE (DORMANT/DELAYED DORMANT)


Nursery stock


Okra


Olive


Orange


Ornamental plant


Oyster


Park


Parsley


Parsnip


Pasture


Pea


Pea, dried


Pea, dry


Pea, fresh


Pea, southern


Peach


PEACH (DORMANT/DELAYED DORMANT)


Peanut


Pear


Pear, oriental


Pecan


Pepper


Pistachio


Plum


PLUM (DORMANT/DELAYED DORMANT)


Popcorn


Potato


Potato, sweet


Prickly pear, cactus


Prune


PRUNE (DORMANT/DELAYED DORMANT)


Pumpkin


Radish


Rangeland


Rice


Right-of-way


Roadside


Rutabaga


Salsify


Set-aside program


Shelterbelt, rural


Sorghum, grain


Soybean


Spinach


Squash


Strawberry


Sunflower


Tangelo


Tangerine


Tobacco


Tomato


Tree plantation


Tree, rangeland


Trefoil, birdsfoot


Turfgrass


Vegetable, transplant


Walnut


Wasteland


Wheat
Reply:try seven dust for vegetables and flowers


How do i water my home plants in my absence?

I am in Noida, India. I have some plants at home. When I go for vacation for 1-2 weeks, the only way to water the plants is to ask some neighbor to do that. But it doesn't always work out good. Does anybody know an economical way to water the plants automatically in my absence? I have heard of automatic watering kits available in US but have not seen in India.

How do i water my home plants in my absence?
Put all of your plants in the bath tub and fill it with water about 1/4 an inch deep.Place something like a mat down first to act as a small barrier between the plants and the water.
Reply:the way I do it is put all the plants into a large flat pan or several of them, put about 3 inches of water in the bottom, then cover the pans with the plants in them with clear plastic and be sure the plastic is sealed tightly ( tape it if you have to ) the moisture will form under the plastic and keep the plants hydrated for a long period of time.
Reply:get a 2 litre empty soft drink bottle and put a tiny hole in the lid or just undo the cap a bit so water can get out and then fill it with water and shove it in close to the roots of your plant. works for me!!
Reply:I'm not sure how long this works but you could put one end of a shoe string in a pitcher of water and the other end down into the soil and the water will slowly asorb and travel down the string into the soil of the plant thus watering the plant. try it out first and see how long it will go before the water evaporates, you may need a bigger container of water. this is a slow watering process it will leave the soil moist to the touch so that the plant does not get over watered. it may take a few hours before you see any initial results.
Reply:You can buy water gel from a nursery. It will last for awhile.
Reply:Water the plants well, put a big plastic bag over it and seal it on the bottom. Don't let the plastic touch the plant (stick in a 12" ruler or stick to prevent it). The water will evaporate up to the top of the plastic and fall back down again upon the plant.
Reply:warriorbabe is right.


Set plants in bathtub with water.


The pots must have drainage holes near bottom or this will not work. Have water filled in tub high enough so water will touch 1/2 of the drain holes in each pot. Some pots may have to be set on a plate or upside down plate to meet the water level desired.


What plants are common causes of gestation problems in horses?

I know about fescus being bad for mares in late gestation but I've heard that there are other plants as well. I've done a search but can not find other information.

What plants are common causes of gestation problems in horses?
There are many toxic plants. However when given a choice most horses will avoid toxic plants if they have an alternative.





In addition to those black bunny mentioned, some horses develop a taste for the fiddlehead's of ferns. Large quantities can cause stiffness and sluggish movements. Such horses can also take in a lethal dose.





Other common paster plants that can cause problems are buttercup--small yellow flowers with shiny interior





hemlock--looks like carrot leaves, white flowers similiar to queen anne's lace but flower clusters much smaller





sudan and johnson grass--tall grasses, too high in prussic acid, Sudan is actually sold as seed, furtunately you can buy a low prussic acid sudan.





Alsike clover--agin too high in prussic acid unless low prussic acid alsike is purchased





white clover--during parts of the year developes a fungus that cuases problems. Fortunately no deaths have been reported in the US that I know of. A few deaths have occurred in Great britain. In the US the main affect seems to be excessive slobbering. Little other effect is noticed and large quantities have to be taken in England to cause problems.





Luckily horses avoid all of these plants if they can. They will eat many of them however if they are dried and stored as hay.
Reply:This is very interesting. I don't have horses, but I do have goats. Another plant to avoid is milkweed. Report Abuse

Reply:Watch wild cherry. While it growing live and being eaten FRESH off the tree is seemingly ok, if you have alot of cherry trees in your pasture and have a storm where a branch gets broken and the leaves wilt and the horse eats the wilting leaves it can kill them. Cattle also.
Reply:locoweed


tall fescue


ryegrass


grain...corn and wheat


American tropical morning glory


Sleepy grass





These are all ergot alkaloids....


Many plant species exist as separate male- and female plants. How do they propagate from the seed?

In species that exist as separate male- and female plants, presumably the pollen will come from the male plant, while the seed will develop in the female plant. How can this seed coming from the same female plant develop in separate male- and female plants?


I can see 2 possibilties:


1.


The female flower produces both male- and female seeds. If so, what causes the differentiation between those two kinds of seed, when they develop in the female plant?


2.


The female plant makes only one type of seed that differentiates in male- and female plants only after germination. If so, what causes this differentiation?





Which of these 2 is the right answer?





Louis Harmsen

Many plant species exist as separate male- and female plants. How do they propagate from the seed?
It all comes down to sex chromosomes...like when male and female animals mate, some are male and others are female. Same principle except these are plants.
Reply:#1 is mostly right. Its like people, two sexes.
Reply:I'll go with the other two on the chromosome side.





There aren't many of these dioecious plants, and they tend to be trees or shrubs. Holly is one.

shoe labels

What proportion of blue flowed progeny plants will breed true if self-fertilized?

Blue flowers are dominant to pink flowers. When a blue flower is self-pollinated, its progeny are 32 blue flowered plants %26amp; 9 pink plants. What proportion of the blue progeny plants will breed true if self-fertilized? Why/how?

What proportion of blue flowed progeny plants will breed true if self-fertilized?
The blue flower is heterozygous since it contains the alleles for blue and pink. Lets call the dominant allele, blue, B and pink, b.


So crossing Bb with itself Bb yields:


BB, Bb, Bb, bb





so about 3/4 should be blue and 1/4 pink. Our theoretical is similar to actual data.





Of the blue (BB, Bb, Bb) 2/3 if self fertilized will still yield pink.


But 1/3 (BB) will breed true blue!
Reply:Silly. Divide 32 by 9, that's your ratio.





That's how many blue flowers to pink flowers you'll have if you let your blue flowers breed.





If you were to look at the problem as a box, you would see that the answer should be about 4 to 1:





this is why:





BB Bp


Bp pp = where B is the dominant blue flower, and p the recessive trait to be a pink flower.





We cross multiply them, like fractions. We get


BB Bp - blue flower


BB Bp - blue flower


BB Bp - blue flower


BB pp - pink flower.





B is "true" as BB Bp, a blue flower with no pink gene.


BB Bp will show as a blue flower, but has a "carrier" for a pink flower. When breeding BB, you will get either Bp or pp or BB. Most frequently you will get BB, but those recessive genes show up. About one flower in four will be the recessive pink combination.





Of course you just learned nothing. What's the point of homework again?


What are some nice cheap flowers/plants i can buy to make a garden?

i am looking for some pretty but cheap flowers/plants to plant in front of my house. i am also going to be planting them with my 7 %26amp;8 year olds, any tips on how to make it fun with the kids. i live in north east pa, if that matters. thank you for all your suggestions.

What are some nice cheap flowers/plants i can buy to make a garden?
Seeds. Seeds are very cheap, go to your garden center and buy the seeds for planting now. Plant them with your children, get your children to write pointers which will be placed in the earth where the seeds are. OR, buy potted plants already sprouting and plant in your garden. Give your children a note book and they can note down how big/long/colourful...it has grown over the days/months. Gardening is such fun, once they get the hang of it they will love it.......good luck
Reply:i like carnations they are cheap they spread to cover a not bad sized patch the are very bright and colorful they also come up every year.you can also buy water cress for the kids boil an egg cut the top off scoop out the egg put some soil or cotton wool in to egg sprinkle the seeds in (cost at the most 1 pound per pack)then draw a face on the egg the kids can then watch the hair grow.have fun
Reply:theres a new product out called Roll %26amp; Grow. its 1000 seeds in a fabric that you lay where you want and water, you can cut it into different fun shapes to make a variety of shapes. check rite aid, cvs and walgreen's. i think its $20.00.
Reply:Impatients or marigolds or petunias are cheap if you buy them in a flat like 15 plants for 5.00. Then you can have you kids dig holes and put the flowers in and cover them up. Then fill a pitcher and water. Then kids will like knowing they are helping and that they are pretty and the chance to watch them grow.
Reply:vanda miss jokim
Reply:The cheapest way is to buy seeds and plant them.
Reply:Putin a few elephant garlic bulbs.they are pretty and have a nice flower, low maintenance hardy and good flavoring for food get some irises and a few Jerusalem's (sun chokes) a few canna lillies and you are done!
Reply:Sunflowers are easy and impressive. Be sure to get the mammoth variety. Poke a thumb-sized hole in the ground with a stick, pop the seed in and cover. I put some out a little over a month ago and they're almost two feet high. They'll grow 8-10 feet. Wildflowers are good, too. If you want something you don't have to seed yourself go down to a local nursery and look around. I'm always planting new stuff in my yard and most of the stuff you'll find will be reasonably priced. I've got a fire bush and a butterfly bush paired together on my fence row. Butterflies and hummingbirds are always welcome. :) Good luck with whatever you decided to plant.
Reply:sure thats a great idea. you can go to homedepot prob with like $50 bucks , by a couple of 24 pacs of those small type of flowers you see in front of buildings with the water fountain and the small purple, green. yellow flowers, 2 24 pacs would prob run you sumthing like $30. then get some garden soil and some cold sodas...cuz its hot out here dont knw about there!
Reply:I find that I have the best success rate with Tubers and bulbs. I'm a "low maintanence" gardener meaning I kill anything that requires more than watering. I've had a lot of success with Canna lilies.... and the best part is they were free!!! A co-worker planted some last year that the multiplied and he had to split them off. So your best bet is to find someone who have a garden and mooch off of them (most are more than willing to give) I also think that these give you more bang for your buck b/c if you DO have to buy them the multiply so fast that the next season you'll have twice as many


When do people in Southern California replace their vegetable plants?

I heard that in Southern California, the temperature doesn't go below 60, so people can garden all year long. In the north, our vegetable plants die in the fall from frost and we plant new ones in the spring. If you garden all year long, when do your plants die? How long, for instance, does a tomato plant stand there and make tomatos? It has to die at some point, right? When do you replace the vegetable plants?

When do people in Southern California replace their vegetable plants?
I live in southern california and i've had pepper plants keep up and producing for over a year. Now most of my bulbs - tulips ect do not survive unless I dig them up and store in the fridge. Whereas when i lived up north I could leave them in the ground. So it's just a trade off.





My herbs survive year round too and stay green and producing.





We'll see this year on crock neck squash.


Do plants regenerate themselves the next year?

I am trying to develop a small front porch garden. I want to know if the plants I have now will come back again next year (after the frost), just by me watering the roots.

Do plants regenerate themselves the next year?
Depends on the plants you have...I would recommend buying perennials as they grow back every year after being dormant. Annuals typically are a once a year type of plant (although I've had a few come back)...lots of folks buy these to add additional color for the spring-fall time. If you go to Lowes, Home Depot, or whereever they sell plants you should be able to determine what kind of plant you are looking at just by reading the tag...otherwise ask someone who works there and they can help you out. Perennials typically cost more but are worth it since they come back every year.
Reply:most annuals grow, flower and die and they are done some annuals like marigolds asylum Pansy's johnny jump ups and callendulas self seed(there are probably more but I just named a few)and by self seed I mean the plant as it dies the flower head drys and all of the seeds in the flower head go in to the dirt and by spring the seeds in the flower head have spread and start growing.


Now perennials are plants that come up bloom and die down to the dirt but the roots stay alive but sleep through the winter and then in the spring the plant comes back up when the ground is warm enough Some perennials live for years(I have a Shasta daisy that I have had for 15 years)and a lot of the perennials self seed too like Shasta daisies cone flowers hardy geranium and hollyhocks on the other hand most perennials grow and double with in two to 3 years and need to be divided to make more plants- I know I threw a bunch of information our here but I hope it helped!
Reply:Well that depends on a few different things. Your planting zone and what you have planted. There are many annuals that reseed themselves. You do not need to keep watering them over the winter season once the weather warms they will germinate. Perennials will almost always come back as long as they are planted in the right zone. Bulbs and rhizomes will come back also as long as they are again planted in the right zone. If you have these plants in pots then you can bring them in and keep them going over the winter. They do get kind of scraggly looking but should get full again when in the warm weather. If you take them in the house make sure you acclimate them to the out side again slowly. That way they dont go into shock. I have a group on yahoo if you want to check it out.


Here is the link:


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monroecoun...
Reply:depends what you have planted if you have planted flowers that come up every year then yes.plan on seeing them next year.

rodeo buckle

What plants are actually suitable for aquariums?

I have recently fallen victim to Petco's fern-in-a-tube gag where they sell terrestrial plants as aquatic ones. Now, I want to deck my tank out in green, but what are some reccommended choices that would be suitable? It's a 10 gallon with lots of room. Please help!

What plants are actually suitable for aquariums?
In my tank I have several types of sword plants, anubias, and java fern. Sword plants are great because they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and most are fast growing and easy to maintain. Anubias also comes in a few types, but it usually grows much slower which can be a problem if you have algae issues(which you shouldn't, but it can take awhile to find the perfect balance between no algae and thriving plants) because it will grow on its broad leaves. Java fern is a good filler. Mine is not particularly attractive, but it's easy to care for and cheap.





It's usually good to avoid plants that are brittle or are very stiff outside of water. These, as you've probably found out, do not grow and eventually rot because they're not true aquatics.





I would go to a mom and pop store, or specialty fish/aquatics retailer instead of a big chain. They usually have better selection and know more about the individual types of plants. They can also better help you with your lighting, substrate, etc.





This is my tank, so you can see my plants and also decide if you want to take my advice, lol: http://www.flickr.com/photos/right_on/23...





The big plant in the middle is an Amazon Sword, the rest are all mixed. The broader-leafed plants on the bogwood on the right are anubias. You can tell by the leaf shape.





edit: the sword in the middle is much, much bigger now. I like it though, as the tops of the leaves sit on the top of the water and provide a bit of diffusion for the rest of the tank, including the fish.
Reply:Never fear, Plant Geek is here! This guide right here: http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide.php


Will tell you if the plant is aquatic or not. If it appears in the "Non-Aquatic Plant" section (in the bottom left hand corner) then you know if you're getting cheated or not.





Since you can't take the plants home and see if they're on the list or not, I'd bring a pen and a piece of paper and write down the names of the plants that you doubt are aquatic or not. Then go back home and check the guide to see if it's aquatic or not.





E-mail me for any questions!
Reply:A lot of this matter comes down to "watts per gallon" of flourescent light....if you have the standard bulb that came with the fixture I think thats a 15? which is ok, but not great....


You could get away with java fern, java moss, anubias, all sorts of cryptocorns (I'll never learn to spell that - they are called "crypts") - - and you can deck out a nice tank with those. Bump up the lights a little, and you can do much more.





That plantgeek is a good site - also, google "low light aquarium plants" and you'll get a bunch of hits....and one thing I did - is I researched where my fish were from and looked for (in my cases) "south american river biotope" or "Asian River Biotope" adn "aquarium plant packages"





Those turned up a lot of educational materials - then I went to my LFS with a list of potential candidates....


How can i grow My new plants?

What is the right metod og sawing plants? i have seeds of Tulsi, Zinnia,Nasturtium Calendula. what soil does it reqire and in which season should it be plant.?and what is the watering time for such plants?

How can i grow My new plants?
I don't know Tulsi, but the rest need to be planted in full sun. Make sure the soil is loosened before planting your seeds. Zinnias like it hot. Zinnias are very easy to grow in almost any soil. Calendula and Nasturtiums are summer plants but can stand lower temperatures. Soak Nasturtium seeds in water overnight before planting 1/4" deep in loose, ordinary soil. Very rich soil will make leaves grow rather than flowers. Keep the seed bed evenly moist until the plants are about 2" high, then water when they start to look limp.
Reply:where do you wonttttttttttt.......in thise world,,
Reply:where do you live? you want to put them out after winter is over and there is no more danger of frost. keep them fairly evenly moist. watering them every other day until they are established would be good.


What plants cannot be put in with fire belly toads?

I have recently acquired a pair of these and am expanding their environment to be more "deluxe" . I would like to include natural plants in both water and land areas for them. The new area is a 25 gallon hex tank instead of 10 gallon rectangle. It will have approximately 2/3 water, 1/3 land with climbing branches.

What plants cannot be put in with fire belly toads?
I haven't heard of plants really that you cant use.. although poisonous or toxic plants are not a good idea (but I am sure you knew that). Live plants are a great idea for your fire bellies, you can also use them to keep your crickets and such alive so they don't foul up the tank when your fire bellies are not hungry. If you want to know what plants are poisonous/ toxic in your area .. I am sure your state has a website with that information. All states do.








If you need more information on plants you should try to use , go here:





1.)http://exoticpets.about.com/od/herpresou...
Reply:Too numerous to list. Here are some links for you:





http://www.anapsid.org/mainplants.html





http://kinne.net/poi-list.htm


What do you feed indoor potted plants to keep them alive and healtrhy in the summer longest?

my mother has a plant in the front of our home, indoors right in the window of the front door window so it can get lots of sun. However, it always wilts a bit in the summer and she wanted to know the best way to keep it alive and healthy??





thank you so much in advance!





I know that for unpotted indoor plants you add bleach to water, but s that the same for potted plants as well? Or is there something else we should mix with the water?

What do you feed indoor potted plants to keep them alive and healtrhy in the summer longest?
I have a bird nest fern that's in the sun. It was looking really bad (yellow and burned) so I gave it a shower, some Miracle Grow and a 2 day vacation in a cool corner away from the window. now it looks great! I wouldn't use bleach!
Reply:You didn't say what type it is. Most indoor plants can't handle direct sunlight. If it wilts a bit during the summer it could be needing more water than you give it in the winter. There are a lot of liquid indoor plant foods on the market. If you mix with water use only half of what the directions say and everything will be just fine.

vacuum deodorizer

What plants don't the deer eat in your garden?

I know I can look in books and on websites, but I want to know which plants other people have had luck with the deer not eating. I have deer roaming through my yard daily. So far I've had luck with rhodies, Daphne, lantana, lavender, rosemary, red hot poker flower, and just a few others who's names I don't remember. What about you?

What plants don't the deer eat in your garden?
Daffoils, Astilbe, Asters, Hollyhocks, Black-Eyed Susan, Purple Coneflower, Hiviscus, Foxglove, Zebra Grass, Peonies, Carnations, Hybrid Phlox, Geraniums, Lilac bush, Widow's tears, etc..............





hope this helps





was it the best answer?? lol
Reply:Well deer will eat practically anything. But in our last home which was pretty forest oriented we found they wouldn't eat ornatmental grasses. So that is what we concentrated on. We had herds coming through our property there and they ate everything. except ornamental grasses.. We tried so many other things and just gave up. Even lipriope. They decided to eat that as well and we were told they didn't. Frankly a hungry deer will eat most anything. But as much as I wish they would eat the ornamentals to cut them down they won't so plant grasses.
Reply:my mother is way out in the middle of nowhere, where everything tries to eat everything... she grows all kinds of tomatoes and cucumber and they never get bothered.. if she finds they're interested in something in particular she pours beer around it and they leave it alone :)





a friend had a problem with deer specifically and she eventually had to get other plants that they like to eat more than her veggies and keep them on the opposite side of her property
Reply:this is going to sound gross, but my grandfather swore by it. he would pee in tin cans, like green bean or corn cans, and bury them half deep in and around his garden (and he had a big garden full of tomatoes and such). the deer didn't like the smell, i suppose, and never bothered his plants.
Reply:Daffodils are absolutely deer proof. Other plants I have without deer damage: crocuses, garlic, onions, asiatic lilies, dayliles, hollyhocks, bee balm, oregano, chives, echinacea, comfrey, lavender.
Reply:I found a couple links that might be helpful. Good luck! I wouldn't wanna be you. I'd cry if my gardens were eaten up by deer.
Reply:As I'm in Australia I found it interesting to read recently on an American nursery site that Australian natives are not attractive to deer. As long as you have the heat give some Grevilleas, Callistemon etc a go. Funny I haven't seen any deer lately but the kangaroos think there great.
Reply:for sure deer never eat Chile ,paprika ,lemongrass ,


the best is pour some cigar in hot water and spray over the leaves .





PS, they do not eat also coconut plant ,they cant reach
Reply:Lantana I like Pammy R answer. I give him a star.
Reply:Everything- I am on the Eastern Shore and the B***ches eat it all. Tomatoe, Hidranglas- hell they are some hungry thangs
Reply:Chives and gillyweed.
Reply:I would say peppers but last year they ate them all.


In the fall I yell out eat my lead as I pull the trigger of my shotgun.
Reply:They leave my daffodils,roses,daylilies,and daisies alone.They ate ALL of my tulips this Spring!
Reply:Cacti








Sorry I couldn't resist ; )
Reply:this is such a funny question so funny i cant even answer it sorry . . . . .
Reply:plants don't eat deer
Reply:the weeds
Reply:poison ivy and oak
Reply:g


Is it a good idea to plant jalepenos from small little 2" tall plants?

I just planted 4 small 2-3" tall jalepeno plants in my garden about 1 week and 1/2 ago and they don't seem like they are changing very much. Are they dead? They are still green and everything but they don't seem like they are getting any bigger and they don't have any blossoms or anything on them. I live in Minnesota. There have been some kind of cold nights but it has been mostly in the mid 70's during the day and they get lots of sunshine and are watered everyday in the morning.

Is it a good idea to plant jalepenos from small little 2" tall plants?
Pepper plants are heat lovers, so wait until it warms up. In the meantime, they are making strong roots, so aren't just wasting time. Don't over-water. As soon as you have consistently hot days, they will take off.
Reply:Do what Holly says cause she knows what she is talking about.


The capsicum which is the engine in the pepper which makes it hotter thrives on stress. Way down on the Mexican border where the real hot ones live it is very hot and very dry with little rain, so if you stress them by not watering until they look like the might self immolate then they will produce the hottest pepper. I have grown haba~neros in Kentucky that were hot enough for me but would not hurt a Mexican fly.


The more stress you apply so far north the better.
Reply:Give it time to recover from planting shock. Once the temps really warm up your jalepenos will grow leaps and bounds. Never let them dry out and fertilize half strength with daily watering.
Reply:Peppers are slow growers and are heat lovers. 2-3 inch pepper plants would not have any blossoms yet..they are too small. It takes months for therm to produce fruit.
Reply:It needs to warm up to where your nights are at 65 to 70 degrees then they will take off...Do not fertilize pepper plants with a fertilizer such as All Purpose Miracle Grow..pepper plants do not like alot of nitrogfen which all purpose has alot of...When they start blooming then use a fertilizer high in phospherous but very little nitrogen..also do not water peppers every day...if you overwater them then the fruit will not get hot..they will stay sweet..they produce better if the soil goes slightly dry inbetween watering..heres my pepper plants...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/...





Read under "the growing season" on this link..





http://www.mastergardeners.org/projects/...


Do i need to take potted plants out of the pots in a freshwater aquarium?

all 4 of my plants are in pots....black plastic pots with what looks like moss packed in with them.





Should i take them out so they can root.





2 are Crinum's and the other 2 may or may not even be aquarium plants...the look like small elephant ear plants or arrowheads.

Do i need to take potted plants out of the pots in a freshwater aquarium?
Yes, you should take them out of the pots. You CAN leave them in there and they will survive, but for them to develop healthy root systems, they need to be in open gravel.


Just be careful when removing the moss-like stuff, or you can damage the roots. Then bury the roots into the gravel. You can also get fertilizer tabs to stick under the plants (within the gravel) that will encourage their growth.





Could the other plant be a Red Tiger Lily? Otherwise, try to take a picture, as many plants could go by that definition :)
Reply:That would depend on your tank and your maintenance.





I leave mine in pots for easier care, plus, I can move them to the outside ponds in the summer to give them a boost. (in a slightly larger pot)





Another reason I leave them in the pots, I control their growth. Every other water change I remove the potted plants. I pull them from the containers and trim the dead or dying roots, if need be, any poor formed leaves and fertalize OUT SIDE the tank. Many professional aquarist prefer to leave them potted so they can also be moved around the tank. Just because you like a plant in one spot doesn't mean they do.





Another reason, when cleaning the tank, it makes it much easier to siphone. Many water plants do not send out runners. So binding the roots is not an issue.





It is a matter of preference however. I choose to control the growth of my plants so I keep them in pots. Either way it is more of a what do you want to do with the plants.





your arrow heads are pond plants and will quickly grow out of control and above the waters surface and then some. Keeping that one planted and roots trimmed.
Reply:yes!
Reply:i have personally bought potted plants for my aquariums, and for most of them i would suggest taking them out of the pots. this is especially a good idea if the pot contains more than one plant, because keeping them potted and squished together can cause overcrowding and doesn't allow all the plants to soak up nutrients. the only time i would leave the potted plants alone is if they have hardly any roots and need the pot as a base for support so they don't float away. also removing to pot usually looks more aesthetically appealing.


What plants don't the deer eat in your garden?

I know I can look in books and on websites, but I want to know which plants other people have had luck with the deer not eating. I have deer roaming through my yard daily. So far I've had luck with rhodies, Daphne, lantana, lavender, rosemary, red hot poker flower, and just a few others who's names I don't remember. What about you?

What plants don't the deer eat in your garden?
Daffoils, Astilbe, Asters, Hollyhocks, Black-Eyed Susan, Purple Coneflower, Hiviscus, Foxglove, Zebra Grass, Peonies, Carnations, Hybrid Phlox, Geraniums, Lilac bush, Widow's tears, etc..............





hope this helps





was it the best answer?? lol
Reply:Well deer will eat practically anything. But in our last home which was pretty forest oriented we found they wouldn't eat ornatmental grasses. So that is what we concentrated on. We had herds coming through our property there and they ate everything. except ornamental grasses.. We tried so many other things and just gave up. Even lipriope. They decided to eat that as well and we were told they didn't. Frankly a hungry deer will eat most anything. But as much as I wish they would eat the ornamentals to cut them down they won't so plant grasses.
Reply:my mother is way out in the middle of nowhere, where everything tries to eat everything... she grows all kinds of tomatoes and cucumber and they never get bothered.. if she finds they're interested in something in particular she pours beer around it and they leave it alone :)





a friend had a problem with deer specifically and she eventually had to get other plants that they like to eat more than her veggies and keep them on the opposite side of her property
Reply:this is going to sound gross, but my grandfather swore by it. he would pee in tin cans, like green bean or corn cans, and bury them half deep in and around his garden (and he had a big garden full of tomatoes and such). the deer didn't like the smell, i suppose, and never bothered his plants.
Reply:Daffodils are absolutely deer proof. Other plants I have without deer damage: crocuses, garlic, onions, asiatic lilies, dayliles, hollyhocks, bee balm, oregano, chives, echinacea, comfrey, lavender.
Reply:I found a couple links that might be helpful. Good luck! I wouldn't wanna be you. I'd cry if my gardens were eaten up by deer.
Reply:As I'm in Australia I found it interesting to read recently on an American nursery site that Australian natives are not attractive to deer. As long as you have the heat give some Grevilleas, Callistemon etc a go. Funny I haven't seen any deer lately but the kangaroos think there great.
Reply:for sure deer never eat Chile ,paprika ,lemongrass ,


the best is pour some cigar in hot water and spray over the leaves .





PS, they do not eat also coconut plant ,they cant reach
Reply:Lantana I like Pammy R answer. I give him a star.
Reply:Everything- I am on the Eastern Shore and the B***ches eat it all. Tomatoe, Hidranglas- hell they are some hungry thangs
Reply:Chives and gillyweed.
Reply:I would say peppers but last year they ate them all.


In the fall I yell out eat my lead as I pull the trigger of my shotgun.
Reply:They leave my daffodils,roses,daylilies,and daisies alone.They ate ALL of my tulips this Spring!
Reply:Cacti








Sorry I couldn't resist ; )
Reply:this is such a funny question so funny i cant even answer it sorry . . . . .
Reply:plants don't eat deer
Reply:the weeds
Reply:poison ivy and oak
Reply:g

natural deodorants

Indoor Plants that are good for our health, feng shui, as well as easy to care for?

are there such plants? formaldehyde and benzene elimenating preferably? any suggestions?

Indoor Plants that are good for our health, feng shui, as well as easy to care for?
the spider plant http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorophytu...


for a full list of filtering plants


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_air...


TOP 10 plants most effective in removing:





formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the air.





Common Name Scientific Name


Bamboo Palm Chamaedorea Seifritzii


Chinese Evergreen Aglaonema Modestum


English Ivy Hedera Helix


Gerbera Daisy Gerbera Jamesonii


Janet Craig Dracaena "Janet Craig"


Marginata Dracaena Marginata


Mass cane/Corn Plant Dracaena Massangeana


Mother-in-Law's Tongue Sansevieria Laurentii


Pot Mum Chrysantheium morifolium


Peace Lily Spathiphyllum "Mauna Loa"


Warneckii Dracaena "Warneckii"


http://www.zone10.com/tech/NASA/Fyh.htm
Reply:no such thing in fengshui.





fengshui is about manipulation of the structures of our houses or its surroundings to enhance luck.





regarding plants, remember that though plants give off oxygen by day, they take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide at night. and when you are sleeping, i think this can be a concern, esp if you are in the room with the plant.
Reply:Cannabis


Invasive plants, is there any hope for getting the native and natural balance back?

Here in the Northeast(south eastern NY), lots of woods/forests are completely covered with these agressive and destructive invasive plants like bitter sweet, Japanese something something, every where. I can only imagine how the native trees are gasping for air and sunlight under this drowning wave of invasion. Shouldn't the local and federal government do something real about this problem. I mean we are talking about losing the natural flora and eventually fauna for good.

Invasive plants, is there any hope for getting the native and natural balance back?
Millions are spent by agencies nationwide each year to combat the spread of invasives. In California, there is an "A" list of plants that are considered the most problematic. I work in an open space area and helped to all but eradicate castor bean. It's invasive, poisonous and can be used to manufacture ricin. One would think government grants would be available to help land managers get rid of this plant but if there's a program out there, it's not been discovered.





Artichoke thistle, yellow-star thistle, Russian thistle -- efforts to control these and hundreds of other species have definitely gained momentum in the last 15 years. There's a lot of good research being done, and a lot of experts in the field.





Public education to discuss the issues involved in losing native species needs to step it up. This is considered one of the top threats to habitat.
Reply:Regarding the mention of "biological control" of weeds by Rom: I think this option needs to be considered with great caution as comparable experiments have led to a series of environmental disasters in Australia.





For example, cane toads are destroying a lot of native wildlife. Report Abuse

Reply:They do teach this kind of information in school. Myself, I studied Plant Biology in college. My graduating class %26gt;1000 students; my major only had ~15. The bottom line is that the information is being taught, but I'm sorry to say that Botany is not a preferential subject.





Addressing your (?) about native and natural balance, there are efforts in the manual removal of invasive species which is laborous and inefficient. I've read studies done by the USDA on the use of a noxious plants natural enemy to control its spread. It's called biological control.





I agree with you about having local and federal gov't step in and regulate what plants are being released in our environment.





Thanks for your thoughtful question.
Reply:Well, they say they have had some success against Purple Loosestrife. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_loos...
Reply:there's no hope at all
Reply:At last! an intelligent question!








I live in Australia where the same tragic thing is happening. There is a great deal we can do, but it has to be on a mass scale.





For a start, people have to stop planting invasive weeds in their gardens, in reserves, and public parks. This means they have to EDUCATE themselves about the native flora.





They would often find there is a suitable native plant to substitute for the exotic they had planned to cultivate, and that the natives require less water, fertiliser, and insecticide as well.





We also have to pressure governments to take action, such as preventing nurseries/garden centres from selling invasive weeds and profiting from the destruction of native flora.





good on you!!!
Reply:removal of exotic/invasives and planting naturals is the only right way to me. if you just introduce a new species to control the exotic you are just adding to the problem.people must remember thate ventually the disturbance and invasion will work it's way up the ecological chain of life to us humans and it'll be to late to help ourselves. we must stop it now before it's to big of a probelm to fix.
Reply:There is no hope if you think that you will get rid of weeds without getting weed killer.