Gardening Daily Tips
For You
Tuesday February 2, 2010 |
Rose (Rosa x) | Today's Featured Plant
Rose (Rosa x)
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: Norfolk Island Pine Turning Brown Question: Instead of the usual Christmas tree this year I bought a 3-foot Norfolk Island pine. I now have it in a bright, cool room and water it about once a week with tepid water. Most of the foliage is a deep, bright green and it has lots of new growth on it. However, I have noticed lately some brownish needles on the ends of some of the branches. What is causing the browning and what can I do to prevent it from spreading?
Answer: This is typical for this plant, especially in the winter. Usually the needles brown and drop from the bottom up. The air inside our homes is usually very dry in the winter time. You can help the plant along by placing it on a tray filled with pebbles and water to increase the humidity around the plant -- just make sure the plant isn't sitting in water. Also, keep it out of drafts from doorways or heating/cooling vents. Norfolk Island pine likes bright light to semi shade, but little or no direct sun. |
| Comment on this Story | Printer Friendly | Send Story to a Friend | Top |
Q&A: Starting Sweet Peas Indoors Question: I would like to start sweet peas indoors and have them ready to plant by the last of April. When should I start them?
Answer: Sweet peas do not like root disturbance, which make them difficult to transplant. In areas with long, cool springs, they should be planted right in the garden. But because they prefer cool temperatures, it's a good idea to give them a head start in regions like yours where spring quickly turns to summer.
Sow seeds directly into individual peat pots, so you can just peel back the pot and pop the root ball into the garden. Plant 2 seeds to a pot, but only allow one to grow, cutting off the weaker one after the plants are 2 inches tall. Since you want them in the garden in April, the seeds should be sown in early March. Because of their resistance to transplanting, be sure to harden them off well before setting them in the garden.
Even though short-lived, their fragrance and old-fashioned charm makes them worth the extra effort. Enjoy! |
| Comment on this Story | Printer Friendly | Send Story to a Friend | Top |
Tip: Cut Pussy Willows Cut pussy willow branches 10 to 12 inches long when the catkins or pussy willows are just beginning to emerge. Place cuttings in a dry vase in a cool room to last the longest indoors. |
| Comment on this Story | Printer Friendly | Send Story to a Friend | Top |
Picking the Perfect Valentine's Day Gift Don't get stuck trying to pick the right thing for your loved one this Valentine's Day. You can get great gift ideas -- for him and for her -- from the ArcaMax Valentine's Day feature.
This special section also has holiday history and trivia, party ideas, and recipes for delicious desserts.
Visit the Valentine's Day feature.
-- 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 |
 |
| Recent Stories |
 Q&A: New Landscape
Q&A: Annual Vines in Containers
Tip: Take Geranium Cuttings
Abelia, Glossy (Abelia x grandiflora)
Q&A: Houseplants With Fragrance
|
| More From ArcaMax Publishing |
| Newsletters: Comics - Knowledge - Lifestyles - News - More Classic Books: Fiction - Non Fiction - Short Stories - Sci Fi - More More: Quizzes - Sudoku - Crossword - Weather - Sports - Columns En Español: Ultimas Noticias - Tiras Comicas - Deportes - Sudoku |
Ad Free Newsletter
ArcaMax publications are now available in an "advertising-free" format.
Please click here for details. |
| |
| |
