It’s also important that clay pots are porous, which as far as your plants are concerned, means that moisture is absorbed easily and that air circulation is very good.

Because of their excellent absorption of moisture, plants kept in red clay pots will generally require more frequent waterings than plants kept in other types of containers.  However, if you soak your newly bought clay pot in water for several hours before planting anything inside of it, you will lessen this condition somewhat.  Regardless, make sure that you check plants kept in this type of container often for signs of dryness.

Another advantage of clay pots is that they will actually warn you if you are giving your plant too much fertilizer, or if the water you are giving your plant is too hard.  If a white film builds up on the outside of the pot, then there is a problem with either the fertilization or the water.

Finally, if you wish to reuse a clay pot, make sure that you scrub it thoroughly in wrm water.  Better yet, sanitize it by placinbg the pot in an oven at 180 degrees for thirty minutes, or soak the pot in a solution made up of one part household bleach and ten parts water.

Growing An Avocado

Take a ripe avocado and divide it into two halves.  Remove the pit and wash it off thoroughly.  Place the pit, with the round side down, in a container filled with water so that only the bottom half of the pit is in the water.  Put the container in an area with partial sun.  After approsimately two months, roots will begin to form.  When  you see these roots, begin adding standard potting soil to the water in a 1:1 ratio.  After two weeks of this treatment, pot the avocado plant.  With some patience and a bit of luck, you’ll have a beautiful houseplant!

Growing A Pineapple

Cut off the crown of a ripe pineapple, leaving about two inches of the fruit attached and place it in a container of sand.  In approximately two weeks, roots should begin to form.  When this occurs, plant the crown in moist, standard potting soil and you will soon have a beautiful Bromeliad!  Do not, however expect to enjoy fresh pineapple from your plant, unfortunately, these rarely appear.

Growing Carrots

Carrots and other root vegetables such as turnips, beets or radishes are among the easiest items in your refrigerator to grow.  All you ahve to do is cut off the tops of these vegetables, trim off the old leaves and place them im water.  Soon you’ll have a lush patch of fresh greenery.

Growing A Sweet Potato Vine

Choose a ripe sweet potato with fairly smooth skin.  Make sure taht it hasn’t been treated with chemicals to prevent growth.  Place toothpicks in the sides of the potato and put them on the edge of a container filled with water so that the tapered half of the potato is in the water.  Place the container in a location which receives direct sun.  Roots will soon sprout and then, watch out, because they will grow and keep on growing as long as you keep th erootsin water.  Using pins, drape the vines around your window or let them wander around your table or countertop.

Growing A Citrus Fruit Tree

Take the largest seeds from any healthy orange, lemon or grapefruit, wash them off and soak them for twenty-four hours.  Thenk plant them in standard potting soil, just below the top of the soil, and about an inch apart.  Place the pot in an area that receives direct sun.  Give them plenty of water and wait for the seeds to sprout.   When they do, transplant each seedling into its own pot, add some liquid fertilizer, and in a few years you will have the fruit trees you always dreamed of owning. 

Watch them carefully, and re-pot as they grow, until finally they are ready for the ground.

Grow Your Own Bean Sprouts

Take dried pinto beans, in other words, uncooked, and place them in a dampened napkin, not touching each other.  Place the napkin on a plate and check daily, being careful to re-wrap and keep the napkin moist.  Cover the napkin loosely with plastic wrap, but do not let the bean “sour” – keep the covers loose.   They will sprout in a few days, and once they are about 2 inches long, enjoy this crunch on your next sandwich!

Do this with many beans and you will soon have a tasty treat for a sandwich or salad!

How much water should you give your plants?  Well, this depends on many individual factors, including light, temperature, humidity, type of container, and of course, the type of plant in question.

In general, plants with a large amount of flowering buds, or those with many young leaves, will need more water than plants that are either in full bloom or that contain leaves which are all roughly the same size and color.  Plants with a large leaf surface, such as Ferns or Wandering Jews, require more water than plants without much foliage, and plants with softer leaves are thirstier than those with waxy or succulent leaves.  In the winter, plants generally require less water than in the summer.

These rules do not, however, apply to every plant so it’s important that you learn how to tell when a plant needs water.  There are many techniques which have been devised for this task, including fancy, high-priced electronic meters which, when placed into the soil, beep or flash if it’s too dry.  However, these devices are not always accurate, so I recommend using your own eyes and fingers to judge whether or not your plant needs water. 

Form the habit of checking that dirt!!

Signs A Plant Needs Water or Has Had Too Much

If your plant is drooping or wilting, chances are good that it could use some water.  Do not, however, rely on this so-called “sight method” everytime for a plant can only survive a few drooping periods during its lifetime.  The oldest and most proven method of judging a plant’s need for water is the simple touch test.  With your index finger, feel the soil down to about one inch deep.  If the soil feels dry, add water; if the soil is moist, do not water and check the plant again in the next day or two.

Be aware that there are certain plants which thrive in more moist conditions than this however.  For instance, Fern, Gardenias, and African Violets prefer the soil to be slightly moist at all times.  Meanwhile, Philodendrons, Coelus, and Monstera prefer the soil to be dry on the surface, but moist underneath.

When you decide that your plant does need water, try to do it during the morning hours and avoid using water that is either too hot or too cold.  Also, make sure that you give all of your plants a thorough soaking.  If you simply water the surface of the soil, the roots, will not receive an adequate amount of water.  The important thing to remember about watering plants is not the amount of water that you give them, but the frequency with which you water them.  Finally, always be sure to remove any standing water from the saucer kept beneath the container.

A wonderful trick I learned over the years is that hanging plants and plants on slabs of tree fern love to have their pots occasionally soaked in water.  During the warmer months of the year, about once a month, put the pot in a sink of water until the water rises to just about the rim of the container.  When the bubbles top rising to the surface of the water, remove the pot, let drain, and return it to its regular place.  Again, be sure to empty the saucer of any standing water.  The period just following one of these soakings is also a good time to fertilize your plant.

Lastly, if your household is equipped with soft water, you should water your plants with either bottled water or the tap water from an outdoor faucet.  A little known but important fact is that soft water contains high amounts of sodium which can prove to be harmful to your plants.  On the other side of the coin, if you live in a region of the country where the soil is very alkaline and the water is unusually hard, you will have great difficulty trying to grow such acid loving plants as Azaleas and Camellias. 

The result are plants whose leaves turn yellow.  Try using ferilizers that contain an acid reaction, or adding peat moss.  If, however, your plant’s foliage remains yellow despite these remedies, place one ounce of iron sulfate into every two gallons of water and use this solution every two weeks until the foliage becomes green again.  Thereafter, keep a watchful eye on your plants in case the problem returns.

In general, foliage plants need less light than flowering plants and most houseplants enjoy plenty of partial sun or bright light rather than direct sunlight.

However, these are only very general rules and they do not apply to every plant.  Therefore, in order to help you make sure that your plant is getting the right amount of light, become familiar with these terms to describe lighting conditions:

• Direct Sun – This type of sun is normally foundin areas with south facing windows.  Sunlight pours in for at least 5 hours a day.  Only a few plants can tolerate this much light, mainly Cacti and certain Succulents.  However, many sun loving plants, if given some shade protections and lots of water, will survive in these locations.
• Partial Sun – this includes locations which have windows facing either east or west, and which thus receive direct sun for less than 5 hours per day.  flowering houseplants especially enjoy these locations, but you must provide adequate shade protection in west facing windows during the summertime.
• Bright Light - These are areas which receive a great deal of light through the reflection of sunlight off of ceilings and walls, but which do not receive any direct sun.  The majority of the foliage plants you will buy enjoy this type of light.
• Filtered Light – This refers to light which shines through either an overhang or trees and bushes outside of the window, or through blinds or curtains inside of the window.  Normally, an area approximately five to ten feet away from a window which receives direct sun for a portion of the day may fit into this category.  While only a few flowering plants can tolerate this fairly low lighting condition, many foliage plants can adapt very easily to this type of atmosphere.
• Shade - This type of light can be found in interior rooms which receive no light from windows.  Most houseplants cannot survive in such conditions without the aid of artifical lighting.

When choosing a lighting condition for your plant, the most important thing to remember is that both the intensity of the light and the length of time the light hits that particular spot in your house are the two factors which will affect your plant the most.

You must also be aware that the growth of your plant will depend on the seasonal increases and decreases in light intensity.  Therefore, during the summer, when the intensity of light and heat is at its strongest, plants will grow faster and will need mroe moisture and fertilizer than during winter months when the light is less intense.

The portion of the country that you live in also affects the amount and intensity of light your plants take in.  If you live in a high elevation, your plants will receive a higher intensity of light than someone who lives at sea level.  Snow, smoke, haze, fog, screens, porches, shrubs growing outside of windows, there are many things that can influence the type of light your plants will get in your home.   Because there are so many different factors which alter the amount and type of light your plants are taking in, it is extremely important to be on the lookout for signs that your plant is receiving too much or too little light.  Too much light will cause a plant to wilt and its beautiful green leaves to fade.  Too little light forces a plant to drop many of its leaves and to grow unusually thin, long leaves.

Another important lighting tip concerns plants which are kept near a window.  Always be sure to turn these plants every now and then or else the plant will begin to grow in the direction of the window, where its source of light is coming from.  Be aware that windows can magnify the heat from the sun, and that plants kept near a sindown during summertime are susceptible to leaf burn.

If the space you choose for your plant does not offer it a sufficient amount of light, you can either boost the amount of light it is receiving through the use of artificial light, a fluorescent light fixture is the most efficient way to do this, or simply give the plant less fertilizer, thus discouraging it from growing at a rate which would require a type of light you cannot offer.

While houseplants such as Cacti or Succulents require dry air condtions, the majority of the plants you will be growing in your home need humid conditions in order to survive.  The easiest way to determine the humidity level of your home is with a hygrometer, a device that measures the moisture in the air.  These are readily available at most nurseries or hardware stores.

If the air in your home tends to be on the dry side, less than a 50% level, you should try one of the following methods of increasing the humidity in the areas where you keep your plants:

• Humidifiers:  A cool vapor humidifier placed in an extremely dry home will not only increase the level of comfort for your plants, but for your family too!  Portable humidifiers can be placed wherever needed, while a humidifier installed as a part of your central heating unit can increase the humidity level in your home by as much as 25%.
• Misting:  This is the easiest and least expensive way to boost the humidity level for any plant.  Ferns and Orchids respond especially well to misting, but be aware that certain fuzzy-leafed plants, such as the African violet, should not be misted as spotting may result.  It is best to mist in the morning with luke warm water.  Spray with a fine mist so that a cloud is created around the plant, being careful not to damage furniture or other household items that may be harmed by the falling mist.
• Humidity Trays:  These are another popular method for dealing with low humidity levels.  Begin with a tray at least two inches in depth.  Make sure the tray is waterproof, that is, one made out of such materials as metal, rubber, plastic or glazed ceramic, clay trays should be avoided for they will retain moisture and may damage any furniture they are resting on.  Fill the tray with pebbles, pea gravel, perlite, vermiculite, or small rocks and add water, stopping just below the top of the pebbles.  When you place the plant’s container on top of the rocks, make sure that the pot does not touch the water, which could result in root rot.  Your plant will enjoy a higher level of munidity, you can check the level with a hygrometer, just make sure you take the reading close to the plant itself.
• Naturally Humid Rooms:  Another way to boost the humidity for a particular plant is to place the plant in such naturally humid rooms as the bathroom or the kitchen.  The hot water used in these rooms generates humidity that certain moisture craving houseplants love! 
• Grouping Plants:  If your plant desires just a litle bit more humidity, grouping it together with other houseplants can give it the extra moisture it needs.  Since water evaporates from any plant’s leaves during the natural process known as “transpiration,” the area immediately surrounding a group of plants wil be naturally more humid than an area whwere a plant sits alone.  Additionally, your plant will enjoy the company of the other plants!!  Just make sure to leave enough room between the plants to allow for proper air circulation.

Since a thermostat only records the temperature of the particular room it is located in, you should take a thermometer and check the temperature of the different areas where you plan to keep your houseplant.  While most plants will adapt to any of these three temperature ranges, certain plants will grow better in particular temperatures, so it’s best to check a guide.  There is a guide provided at this site.

Most plants prefer a drop of at least five degrees in the temperature at night, as this allows them to relax after a busy day of growing.  The main thing to remember is to avoid putting plants through extreme changes in temperature.  Plants kept near windows often have to endure much warmer temperatures during the summertime and much cooler temperatures during the wintertime.  In these instances, when the weather becomes too extreme, keep a careful watch on plants in these locations and move them if they show any sign of deterioration.

Make sure that you do not place plants near air conditioning or heating vents, fireplaces, radiators or any areas where appliances which give off heat and moisture, such as a dishwasher, oven, or washing machine, are located.  An exception to this rule are tropical houseplants, which may enjoy a location in a sunny kitchen or bathroom, where moist heat and direct sun combine to recreate the warm, humid conditions these plants need.

On this note, allow me to add that I like to keep my cool-loving plants such as Camellias, Azaleas and certain Orchids, in rooms where bright or indirect light keep temperatures relatively lower than in other areas of my home.

If you are serious about giving your plants the proper care which they deserve, it is important that you have some basic tools and materials at your disposal.  While many gardening tasks only require tools you already own, your finders and hands, there are certain jobs which will demand tools other than these parts of your body.  Virtually everything I recommend owning can be bought inexpensively at any garden center or your favorite discount store.

To begin with, a watering can and a temperature gage to measure the temperature in various rooms in the house are both important items to own.  Additionally, if you think that the humidity level in your home might be a problem, a hygrometer, a device which records the humidity levelin the air can be a useful instrument to purchase. 

I also believe that it is a good idea to have a solid countertop or table to do your work on.  Since this will be the area where you will be doing your potting, pruning, grooming, and other assorted and often messy tasks, the surface should be made of material that is easy to clean.

The most basic tool every plant lover should own is a quality pair of standard pruning shears.  In addition, a sharp knife often comes in handy.  These two items are essential for grooming, pruning, and propagating your plants. 

Various kinds and sizes of containers, both plastic and clay are also a good thing to have around for the differenty types of planting tasks you will be engaging in.  Along with these pots, a collection of small broken pieces of pottery is mandatory for any potting job.  Don’t pitch the broken pots, use them to help provide drainage for the other potted plants!

A bag of all-purpose soil, along with certain additives like peat moss, compost, or ground bark is also helpful to keep handy for all of your planting needs.

Liquid fertilizer and powdered rooting hormone are also essential materials for any houseplant owner. 

While you may not yet understand why it is necessary to own some of these materials, don’t worry!  Read more ar this site, and you will soon know how each of these tools can help you maintain and grow happy, healthy houseplants!

Nature allows an insect to know what it likes!  Do you like spinach?  Broccoli?  Turnips?  Even insects have “tastes!”

Flowers are fertilized by pollen and the pollen is often transferred to the ovule (to make the seed) by insects.  The bright colors and scent of the flowers attract the insects.  There is a type of orchid which looks so much like the female of certain insects that the male insect is attracted to it and tries to mate with it.  MEN! 

Of course, in doing this the insect pollinates and fertilizes the flower.  So, we can see that the shape, color, and scent of the flowers are not just accidental; they have a very specific purpose.

What is a Botanical Garden?  Well, if you haven’t been to one, check out the nearest large city next to you, or your own, and plan a visit.  They’re beautiful and informative!

Private, public gardens and parks are created to make our cities and areas beautiful!  However, botanical gardens go a step further than beauty.  They provide a wonderful opportunity to study plants of all kinds and varieties.  In the botanical garden, we can control the environment, the food, and often they type of plant we want to see grow and thrive.  Some of these plants are quite exotic.

In these greenhouses, experiments are performed on the environment and plants to see what hurts or what helps them.  Plants that are from other areas can be grown and examined in their setting. 

A very famous botanical garden you might have read about is Kew Gardens in England.  There, you can observe a large variety of trees, plants and flowers and the insects that love them, from many other places.

Why do we stagger the planting of crops, or rotate them?  The ground gets tired to, you know!

Different crops take different nutrients from the soil and give back different elements when their remains are ploughed back into the ground.  If one kind of plant is grown in the same field year after year, the soil may become short of some nutrients.  If one crop is planted one year and another the next and so on, results are better.  This is crop rotation.  Sometimes nothing is planted in a field so that the soil gets a rest.  This is referred to as a fallow field.