Boardash: ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Friday January 1, 2010

Friday, January 1, 2010

ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Friday January 1, 2010

Having trouble seeing this email? View the most recent issue or stories from previous issues.

	Today's Wine & Dine Daily Video
	Eggnog And Brandy Play Now!

Get Healthy in 2010

Gardening Daily Tips
For You
Friday January 1, 2010

Caladium (Caladium bicolor)
Q&A: Growing Basil from Seed
Q&A: Propagating a Jade Plant
Tip: Buy Bare-Root Roses
Happy New Year!
Reader Photos

Caladium (Caladium bicolor)

Today's Featured Plant
Caladium (Caladium bicolor)

Read the full profile of this plant at ArcaMax.com.

Interested in reading about other plants? Search through hundreds of plant profiles and helpful articles by keyword.

Comment on this Story | Printer Friendly | Send Story to a Friend | Top

Q&A: Growing Basil from Seed

Question: How do I grow basil from seed?

Answer: Starting basil from seed is similar to starting most seeds. Plant in slightly moist seed starting mix, covering seed with just 1/8" or so of soil. Loosely cover the container with plastic wrap to maintain humidity and set in a spot out of direct sunlight. At warm temperatures (about 70 degrees) the basil should germinate in just a few days. As soon as you see sprouts, remove the plastic and place the pot in direct sunlight, or within 1-2" of a fluorescent light bulb. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy and the plants should grow well. You can also sow seed directly into a garden bed in full sun as soon as the soil has warmed in spring. By starting your own seeds, you can enjoy a number of unusual varieties of basil, including lime and lemon basils, cinnamon basil, and Thai basil. And don't forget some attractive and tasty purple basil!

Comment on this Story | Printer Friendly | Send Story to a Friend | Top

Q&A: Propagating a Jade Plant

Question: How can I start a jade plant part and get it to root?

Answer: Jade plants are really very easy to propagate. You can start a new plant with a single leaf, or with a short piece of stem. Pull or break the leaf or stem from a healthy plant and allow it to callous over for a few hours. Then stick the end of the leaf or stem into moistened sand. After a few weeks roots will develop and you'll see new growth. You can repot the new little start once it has developed a good-sized root mass.

Comment on this Story | Printer Friendly | Send Story to a Friend | Top

Tip: Buy Bare-Root Roses

When buying bare-root roses look for a #1-grade label for the best quality and size rose. Select roses with at least 3 strong, firm, plump, green canes, 1/2-inch in diameter, and 15 inches long.

Comment on this Story | Printer Friendly | Send Story to a Friend | Top

Happy New Year!

ArcaMax wishes you and yours and safe and happy new year. Look forward to new features and even more great content in 2010! To start the new year off right, visit the Health & Fitness feature for help with eating right, a simple exercise regimen, and more.

-- From the ArcaMax editors

Comment on this Story | Printer Friendly | Send Story to a Friend | Top

Today's Reader Submitted Photos

Click an image above to see full size and read caption.

To see more of our subscriber photos visit our full Photo Gallery.

Enter your Gardening Daily Tips pictures so you can show them off to other readers right here in this ezine and on the ArcaMax.com Web site. Click here to submit your photo.

Sincerely,
ArcaMax Editors