From the category archives:

Grow Taller Tips

How to grow a fruit tree inside your house

Grow a fruit tree in your house? Of course you can! Indoor fruit trees are hardy, easy to take care of and even the beginner can be a successful grower. With sunshine, the proper amount of water and care you can expect to see annual produce of several pounds. The portability of having the trees in containers makes taking the tree from outdoors to indoors easy. These trees are developed for the inside, small and not usually over ten feet tall.

Citrus trees grow well inside. Dwarf varieties of lemon is a popular choice of many indoor fruit growers. Other fruits that one can grow inside include key lime, oranges, kumquats, avocado, blueberry, blackberry, papaya, fig and more varieties. Dwarf fruit trees can be shipped anytime of the year no matter what your climate They usually come in a five gallon planting container. Growers will generally include growing and care instructions specific to the tree, along with how-to tips.

Any container you can buy at a gardening supply store can be used for the trees. Select the right size with holes for excess water to drain. The bottom can be lined with wire mesh to keep the soil from washing out. A one or two inch layer of gravel will help drainage.

Any commercial potting soil will do as long as it is loose enough for satisfactory, but not excessive draining. Fill the container part way with soil, place the plant in the new container and fill the pot with soil to the cover the tree to the same point as its original container. Marking the tree at the soil of the old pot before removing it will make it easier. The surface of the soil should be at least 1-4 inches below the rim to allow for watering. Firm the soil around the plant and water thoroughly. Do not fertilize until you see new growth.

Fruit trees grow best in full sunshine, but some can tolerate partial shade. It is important not to shock the tree by rapid light or temperature changes. Tropical trees are especially vulnerable and must be protected from the cold. They should be brought inside when it gets cold at night. Another option is to cover them with blankets or anything to keep out the cold. Be sure to uncover the tree in the morning so it can benefit from the sun.

Watering should be done to a minimum. The soil should be on the dry side of damp and watered when it feels dry. How much you water will depend on the variety, size of container, climate, potting soil and other considerations. Over watering must be avoided.

Fertilizer should include even amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium with only traces of other minerals. Check the packaging to be sure the quantities are sufficient. Don’t over fertilize. Your plant’s leaves should be dark green in color with the right amount of fertilizer.

Fruit trees will keep their shape without much need for pruning. A problem where the top will grow to the point of compromising the root system. Leaf loss and twig dying can be a problem. In this case pruning heavily is your best option. Doing so will mean less water and fertilizer should be used.

With time and care most trees will produce fruit, but don’t except large amounts. Some trees rely on their size to fruit. Pollinating, if necessary, can be done by hand, cultivators or insects such as bees. Most citrus trees will be self-pollinating.

Go ahead, get yourself a dwarf fruit tree and see what grows!

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How to Grow the Sacred Lotus or Nelumbo

The Lotus or Nelumbo are amongst the most beautiful and best known plants for the garden pond. They are not frost-hardy and only grow well outdoors in tropical and sub-tropical regions. In temperate areas, even where there is no winter frost, they are best cultivated with the protection of a greenhouse or conservatory. There are many different Lotus, some of which require a large pond, but others that are quite happy growing in a tub on the patio or balcony. Nelumbo nucifera is the famous Sacred Lotus. This produces beautiful pink blossoms on long strong stems amongst large, flat, plate-like foliage, which can be up to 6 feet tall.

The American Lotus, N.lutea is shorter, and much more cold-tolerant, but not quite as attractive. This has bright yellow blossoms amongst smaller plate-like foliage that is rarely more than 3 feet tall. There are many varieties of Lotus, amongst the favorites being the large-flowered, rosy-pink shaded creamy-yellow ‘Mrs. Perry D. Slocum and the more modest single, pure white ‘Claire’. ‘Angel Wings’ is also a single white, ‘Dawn’ delicate pink, and ‘Charles Thomas’, lavender-pink.

In warm areas, Lotus can be planted directly into the mud on the floor of a pond or else in aquatic planting baskets during spring or early summer. Plant the banana-like rootstocks just beneath the surface of the compost. When growing Lotus in a tub, add 2 – 3ins of water, and then as the juvenile foliage emerges, progressively add water. There are several good varieties for tub culture. The double-flowered, carmine, ‘Momo Botan’ and the ivory-white, edged pink Rice Bowl Lotus, ‘Chawan Basu’ are especially useful.

Depending upon the variety or species, Lotus will grow happily in 4 – 30ins of water. Feed with a slow release aquatic plant fertilizer once they are actively growing. During the summer, either support or remove any top-heavy foliage. As fall approaches the leaves fade. In cold winter areas where Lotus are temporary pond inhabitants, or when cultivated in tubs, the rootstocks are lifted. They are then washed and stored in damp sand in the cool for the winter months.

The propagation of named Nelumbo varieties is by division of their extensive banana-like rootstocks, each portion with a bud. This can be done during spring, although when the rootstocks are lifted and stored during the winter it can be undertaken at that time.

Nelumbo species can also be raised from seed. These should be sown individually in small pots in an aquatic planting compost and placed in a shallow bowl or aquarium maintained at a temperature of 75º- 80°F. The water should be an inch or so above the pots. Juvenile leaves float on the surface of the water initially, but as the plants develop they thrust up foliage in typical fashion. Pot the seedlings on regularly until they are large enough to be planted in their permanent positions.

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Tips on how to grow coffee

Growing coffee beans does not need a tropical plantation, a small bush can provide enough beans for your own coffee, but maybe not enough to feed a coffee addiction.

The coffee bean grows on the coffee arabica tree, a bushy evergreen that needs a frost free climate. The coffee plant prefers a steady warm temperature and a fertile soil. In dry areas it will need regular water, but good drainage. Coffee grows best naturally in the cooler uplands of tropical regions, such as Kenya and Columbia. There are several varieties which are differentiated by numbers , such as KM35. The original variety can become very tall (over forty feet) if left unchecked but several dwarf varieties are available that are suitable for a backyard or container. Pruning will keep larger varieties in check if the smaller ones are unavailable.

To grow your own plants you need a naturally warm garden or an enclosed porch. Coffee will not survive a frost. The soil needs to be kept fertile with regular applications of worm-castings, worm tea or compost. Keep the soil damp, container plants need watering twice a week. In very sunny areas provide the plant with shade. I live in the tropics and keep mine as an “understory” plant, with several bushes growing under trees dotted throughout the garden.

The plants have small but very fragrant white flowers which then develop into green berries. In cooler climates, where the plant is grown indoors, it may be necessary to shock the bush into flowering by reducing watering for a few months and then increasing it again. This mimics the natural wet and dry seasons of the tropics. Fruit is produced on lateral branches and regular pruning of the bush encourages the growth of these.

Coffee bushes will crop continuously throughout the year in a suitable climate with fruit and flowers at different stages present on the same bush.

The berries ripen to a bright red colour and are then ready for picking. Beans will not ripen if you pick them too early. After picking de-pulp the beans by hand. Soak them in fresh water to remove any remaining pulp and rinse in fresh water. At this point some beans may float and they should be discarded. Once the beans are clean they can be dried in a commercial roaster, on a wire rack in a warm place, or in a warm oven. If you are using your home oven it is necessary to keep stirring them to ensure an even roast and prevent burning. They are ready when they “crackle” or are hard on the outside but still slightly soft in the middle. (The bite test.)

Coffee beans will germinate fairly readily, but slowly, at home and even beans bought from an organic coffee shop may germinateafter being soaked in water for twenty-four hours. Home germinated bushes can take up to seven years to produce fruit; for this reason it is usually better to buy a plant that is a few years old and increase your stock with cuttings.

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How to grow summer and winter lettuces in your garden – Part 1

Growing Lettuces

It is perfectly possible by growing several varieties; to harvest lettuces out-of-doors from May until late October. They can then later be grown under cloches. Few salad dishes are complete without some type of crisp lettuce, rich in vitamins and minerals. Most have a mild flavour but Rocket, my own personal favourite has a strong peppery bite to it, even a few leaves added to the mildest variety gives added flavour to a salad.

The best results are obtained by sowing the seed in rich, well-manured soil where the plants are to grow. There are two main types of lettuce, cabbage and cos, but many varieties of both. Tall, short, dwarf, “butterhead” “iceberg” and many more, all shades of green and even red make up the varieties.

Summer Cabbage Lettuce

Soil Preparation

The soil should be prepared in the previous autumn. Add plenty of organic matter to the soil at the rate of 2 bucketfuls to the sq. yd. A week before sowing fork in a little peat substitute at a rate of 1 bucketful to the sq. yd. This will help the soil to be light with good texture suitable for growing lettuce. Add fish and bone meal at 4 oz. (120g) to the sq. yd. If the ground is not chalky also add carbonate of lime over the surface at 5 oz. (150g) to the sq. yd.

Sowing

In the south seed can be sown from the middle of March and a little later in the north in drills 1 ft. apart and at a depth of in. (12mm) make sowings every 14 days until the middle of July; this will ensure a succession of well-hearted lettuce. Seed can be sown in trays in a greenhouse at a temperature of 55 deg F. (13deg. C.) in January if a very early crop is required. They can be transplanted out when they are big enough to be grown on under cloches; by early March they may be set out in rows 9 in. (228mm) apart.

General care

During dry weather water well, thin out the plants where necessary as early as possible allowing 9 in. (228mm) between each plant. Small or dwarf varieties need to be thinned out to only 6 in. (15cm) apart.

Harvesting

Cut those lettuces with fully developed hearts early in the morning using a sharp knife making the cut just below the bottom leaves. Remove all those that have started to bolt or they will run to seed.

Winter Cabbage Lettuces

Lettuces that are grown through winter need well-drained soil; therefore light, sandy loam is best but raised beds are an option. They require shelter and are a suitable crop to grow in the same soil that was well manured for a previous crop, such as potatoes. The only preparation required is to rake the soil over apply fish manure with a 10 per cent potash content at the rate of 3 oz. (90g) to the sq. yd. Bone meal may be used instead with added wood ash at 6 to 7 oz. (210g) to the sq. yd.

Sowing

Seeds should be sown in rows 1 ft. apart and not more than in. (12mm) deep in early September. Sow thinly, the resultant plants should be allowed 5 in. (127mm) between each plant, ensure that any thinning out is done before the winter sets in. If during the time of sowing, the ground where they are to grow is not yet ready, being occupied by another crop, the seeds can be sown in trays until the time comes to plant them into their true position. Cloches should be placed over the plants to give them protection during the long winter months.

General Care

Keep the soil free from weeds. Early March of the following year dried blood may be given at 5 oz. (150g) to the sq. yd. This should be applied between each row taking care not to put any onto the plants.

Harvesting

The lettuces can be cut as soon as they are ready and when they are required, the first should normally be ready about May or June.

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How to Grow a Garden No Matter How Much Room You Have

      We are all looking for ways to save money through any avenue possible. With the rising cost of daily living due to outrageous gas prices. We all feel the same cruel pinch in the pocketbook. It effects everything from groceries to the price we pay to clothe our children. I want to share with you some ideas and thoughts that might help you save some cash in the “feeding the family” department! My friend it is time to tap into the “Inner Farmer” that is hiding inside the deep recesses of your being!

    So what is that you say? You don’t have room for a lavish vegetable garden? I beg to differ. Anyone can have a garden. Yes that even includes those who live in tiny apartments tucked so far into the corners that no one but them knows it is there. I will share with you a few ways to maximize your space and your resources no matter where you live.

    If you have a small amount of land that you can use then have no fear there is hope. You would be surprised at how much you can harvest out of even the smallest garden patch if you manage your space correctly. You can use a small garden tiller and turn up a small patch of ground with maybe about 8 rows or more. You can plant things such as green beans and cucumbers that grow on vines. You can train these types of vegetables to run up instead of out thus maximizing your space. You can drive stakes about 3 ft long on each end of the row. You can then run twine from one end to the other weaving it back and forth and up and down to look like a fish net. You can simply train the vines to run up your make shift net. This type of growing vegetables on a vine makes the vegetable larger and reduces the risk of rot due to not being on the ground. While you are at it plant a row or two of corn. Corn is a vegetable that is easy to grow and since it grows up instead of out you can make better use of yours space. Also I would suggest that you plant some hardy tomatoes. You can place tomato baskets around the plants to keep the heavy fruit baring plants neat and standing tall. The list is endless as to what you can plant. Just use your imagination and the sky is the limit.

bad weeds grow tall

     You can also build raised plant beds. You can build these handy boxes normally about 6 ft long and at least 3 ft wide and about 2 ft deep. You can use any type of wood to construct these handy boxes. You can fill these boxes with growing mix of your choice. Plants thrive in raised beds. This way of growing makes weeding your garden almost obsolete. You can also use the creative trick I mentioned above to grow vine type plants. Just train the vines to climb up a guide. This makes good use of your space since things are growing up instead of out. You can plant any type of plants in raised beds that you can grown in a traditional garden.

     For those who are in apartments or those who just do not have any space at all. You can try container gardening. Just simply plant your garden in flower pots. Yes you heard me, FLOWER POTS. They can be moved around easily. If you have a patio or a terrace this idea is a wonderful way to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Tomato, bell pepper, eggplant, okra, squash and such grow great in containers. You can even plant root type veggies in deeper containers. These veggies would be things like radishes, potatoes, carrot, turnips. The key to any of these types of gardening is to know how to fertilize and water your plants. One very important thing is to make sure they get the proper amount of sunlight. You can even use all three types of gardening in conjunction with each other.

    With a little elbow grease and dirt under the Ole nails you will be reaping the rewards of your harvest well into the fall. The pay back of doing the hard work yourself is more money in your wallet. It is hard in some areas of the US to buy fresh vegetables without taking out a 2nd mortgage on your home. In my next article I will touch base on the money saving options of preserving your bountiful harvest via canning, freezing & drying.

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How to grow tropical flowers and plants in non

Any gardener knows that common sense advises against growing things that aren’t hardy for your zone in your zone. I know of many gardeners, myself included who just won’t accept that, and the only way we’ll know that it isn’t possible to grow them in non-hardy zones is by experimenting just to see what happens. How then can a typical gardener bring the tropics into their home or garden to create a beautiful paradise?

Dwarf cannas can be grown in pots. The taller varieties can be grown in non-hardy zones, but it is necessary to dig them out of the ground before the first frost. Because of the shorter growing season, cannas may not multiply at the rate at which they do when they are left in the ground.

Grow Taller and Increase Height

All but the tallest or gigantic elephant ears can be grown in pots. Even in hardy zones, they do go dormant, so it will only be necessary for the gardener to bring the pot indoors prior to cold temperatures. Since they do multiply, it is necessary to dig the pups out of the pot. Sometimes they will have roots prior to digging up, but more often than not, they won’t have a well developed root system. I root my elephant ear pups in plastic solo cups.

I use a soil mixture that’s designed for moisture control. I cut horizontal slits at the bottom of the solo cups. These slits will allow the roots to grow through, making it easier to know when to transplant. The slits also allow the pups to absorb moisture from the bottom up. That ensures that the entire cup remains evenly moist.

Brugmansias or Angel Trumpets can also be grown in pots. Although there are dwarf varieties, all varieties can be grown in pots. Because they won’t tolerate sub-freezing temperatures, it is necessary to bring them indoors – or keep them indoors all year around. Brugmansias need to receive a lot of water. Since they produce so many flowers at one time, it is necessary to fertilize them with a bloom boosting fertilizer every couple of weeks.

Plumerias and Desert Roses are very tropical plants. They won’t tolerate low temperatures below 60 degrees. Desert Roses are small enough to be ideally suited to pot growing. They are easy to start from seed.

Plumerias tend to be more difficult to grow. Both plumerias and desert roses have shallow roots, so they should be watered infrequently. During the growing season, plumerias will do best when fed about 1/2 cup of Epsom salts every other week. They also benefit from fertilizing. Because they are watered so infrequently, it’s best to use a water

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How to grow parsley

There are basically two types of parsley grown here in the North Eastern United States. Which type you choose to grow in your garden is strictly dependent upon personal taste. I prefer the Curled Leaf type, mostly because it has been what I’ve grown used to. The Italian variety is equally good, however. Both are biennial herb. This means that you plant the seed one year, allow it to go to seed the following Spring and it will re-seed itself and come back up the following year. However, for this to happen it will be necessary to plant it in a location where it will not be disturbed year after year. Basically, to plant a bed of parsley, choose a warm, sunny location in your garden in early spring and plant at a time when there is ample rainfall. Or, be prepared to water it regularly until the seeds sprout and begin to shoot up. Parsley seed will not sprout in dry soil. Sometimes it is helpful to soak the seeds in lukewarm water overnight before planting. It must be planted immediately the next day and not allowed to dry out. Keep the soil you plant it in wet. It can tolerate cool temperatures, but not freezing. Sow a generous amount of seed into a well worked plot, or row, of rich, fine, organic soil. Plants can be thinned out later. Cover with about 1/4 inch of fine soil. Press the soil down so the rain will not wash it away. It takes parsley about 21 to 28 days to germinate, so be patient as you watch for the tiny green leaves to begin poking through. When stalks are about an inch high you can thin them. This helps those left grow huskier and stronger.

Day Nineteen: Both Hands

Parsley seed can also be started indoors. About six to eight weeks before the last frost sow seeds in peat pots or trays. Place on sunny window sill and keep well watered until seeds sprout. When plants are a few inches tall transplant to a warm, sunny location in an outdoor bed in the garden. Harden all plants before setting out into direct sunlight. I do this by sitting them on the sill of an open window, a little each day and gradually increasing the time every day or so. Parsley can be kept growing indoors if you can place it on a window sill that has full sunlight a good portion of the day. It will do better if you can open the window, exposing it to direct sunlight. Always remember to keep it well fed with a good organic fertilizer.

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Tips On How Plants Grow

Like any thing you can think of, whether it be people, pets or plants, their basic needs must be met to ensure a happy, healthy life.

Plants, of course, are alive, and so have both general and specific needs, depending upon the variety of plant in question. In this article, we’ll learn about the different parts of plants – root, stem, leaf and flower – and how they work together.

Roots

Most often overlooked and neglected, the root system of any plant plays a critical role in overall plant growth, health and vigor.

The root system is responsible for supplying a plant with water, vitamins and minerals, all necessary ingredients that promote and maintain healthy vigorous growth. As the nutrients around the plant are consumed, the roots will continue to grow out and down, searching for new sources of food and water.

Gardening Tip: Adding a granular or slow-release fertilizer to the soil before you plant will ensure a steady supply of nutrients throughout a plant’s growing season, especially important for vegetables and flowering plants.

Gardening Tip: Growth above ground mirrors growth below ground. For example, if your bell pepper plant is 1 foot tall and 1 foot wide, its root system is 1 foot deep and 1 or more feet wide.

Gardening Tip: Always follow the directions for any gardening product (fertilizer or pest controls). Although if you’re not sure, using less is always safer than using too much. Using the right amount however, will help ensure consistent results.

Roots and Soil

As you may have guessed, the type of soil in your garden plays an important role in overall plant health and vigor.

In general, most plants like a loose, well-drained soil with lots of organic material. Organic material can be peat moss, shredded bark, composted or decomposed plant material, some form of manure (generally cow manure), or even worm casings or rice hulls to name a few.

Potting soil is usually some combination of the above list and may have little or no actual “dirt” in it. Organic material helps to maintain moisture content levels in the soil and helps to prevent soil compaction.

Stem

The stem, stalk or trunk is the “super highway” of the plant. It starts at ground level and supplies the food and water from the roots to the leaves and flowers or fruit.

Leaves

The leaves of a plant take the food and water from the roots through the stem and with the help of sunlight will turn the water and nutrients into energy.

That energy is then sent back through the stem to the entire plant, including right back down to the roots. Natures example of Solar Energy at work.

Flowers

The flower or fruit of a plant is responsible for the reproduction of the plant. Whether it’s strawberries, lemons, tomatoes, pansies or pine-cones, their sole purpose in life is to reproduce more of their own kind.

Humans have found over time that various plants either taste good, have a nice scent or are pleasant to look at and have therefore selected out of millions of varieties just a few types to cultivate.

The Gardening Tips and Advice found throughout Your Healthy Gardens are written with the beginning gardener in mind. However, as time passes and the seasons change more and more detail will be added to help any home gardener improve their gardening skills.

Good Luck and Happy Gardening!

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How to grow Rose of Sharon plants

Immortality: The Rose Of Sharon

One of my most challenging and rewarding landscaping experiences, was an attempt to grow Rose of Sharon plants. I actually succeeded, much to my own amazement! How often I recall photographing an ant sipping rain water, at the heart of one beautiful flower on my Rose of Sharon shrub, shortly after a summer shower.

The Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), is a vase shaped plant, from the genus Hibiscus and the plant family Malvaceae. (1) The flowering shrub grows to approximately two to four meters in height, with flowers that may be white, pink, red, lavender, or purple. They are edible and are excellent as cut flowers, because they last for a long time. Some of the more common cultivars, or cuttings that have been grown into shrubs are called Diana, Lady Stanley, Ardens, Lucy and Blushing Bride. (2) The Hibiscus syriacus is also known as the Rose of Althea. (3)

Shadows grow taller and day comes to an end

In South Korea, the Hibiscus syriacus is regarded as their national flower. The Korean word “mugung” means “immorality” (4) and thus it has been considered to be a heavenly flower. It was initially adopted as the national flower after their liberation from Japan. (5) Because of the many blossoms, it represents the Koreans “wish for long lasting national development and prosperity” (6) and depicts “the glories of the county with its trials and tribulations”. (7)

In my own personal experience, I learned that the Rose of Sharon, more commonly called the hibiscus, will grow where it is very hot in the summer. It was hot, where I was living in southern Ontario.

I purchased my first Rose of Sharon shrub, called “Diana”, from a local garden center. It had been pruned to grow like a tree, with several small branches. It was about three feet tall at the time and had a single white flower. (Note that the shrubs can be multi-stemmed, as they tend to grow small plants beside the main root.) The leaves were a healthy, light green color. (When it is really hot, they tend to burn and become brownish colored.)

I learned that the hibiscus could be started from cuttings, so whenever I had a cut flower that finished blossoming, I would leave it in the vase and let it root in the water. Once rooted, I would plant it in its own clay flower pot. Over time, I gave a number of Rose of Sharon plants away, but could have planted them as a hedge.

I found out that the Rose of Sharon grows very well in full sunlight. My shrub was planted in a relatively sheltered, landscaped

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How to grow bananas

Home grown treats: Delicious hands of fruit hang from these handsome plants with glossy, bright green foliage.

Bananas, everyone’s favorite fruit, are ideal backyard fruiting plants for the warmer regions of the country. These attractive and vigorous plants have an herbaceous growth habit, lacking the woody stem and branches of a typical fruit tree.

They grow quickly and with little fuss if grown in the right climate, and produce huge hands of delicious fruit which ripen through the summer and then into the cooler months of autumn.

Bananas look wonderful positioned near outdoor living areas or near a water feature.

There are many Banana varieties suitable for backyard cultivation, and they are generally divided into Cavendish types, which are large and tapered, and Sugar Bananas which are much smaller, with a sweeter taste.

There are also several rarer varieties available to the home gardener, including those introduced from Brazil and Malaysia.

Cavendish types include:

Dwarf Cavendish which is a handsome plant growing to 2 meters with large, glossy leaves. Bunches carry between 8 and 12 hands of bananas but can be susceptible to disease.

Williams Hybrid is a widely grown variety from Fiji. It is a vigorous grower with large bunches of very flavorful fruit. It is disease resistant.

Gran Nain is a shorter, stouter disease resistant variety with vigorous growth. It produces excellent bunches of sweet flavored fruits.

Chinese Cavendish is similar in appearance to Williams. It is a vigorous grower and attractively shaped plant.

Sugar varieties include:

Lady Finger which has robust growth and can reach 5 meters in height. It can tolerate cooler growing conditions and produces bunches with 5 to 8 hands of angular sweet-flavored fruit.

Sugar Banana is a compact plant that grows to 4 meter high. It has slender leaves and small bunches with 5 or 6 hands of fruit which a very sweet flavored and thin-skinned.

Ducasse is a robust variety and is easy to cultivate in poor conditions. It has a distinctive grey-blue bloom on the plant and fruit but must be fully ripe before eating.

Other varieties include:

Gold finger with is a relatively new variety bred for disease-resistance. Its fruit resembles a cross between Cavendish and Lady Finger and is easy to cultivate.

Red Dacca is a tall, handsome plant that produces a smaller yield per plant with unusual red-skinned fruits. The flesh has a pinkish

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