home sectionhome section
Boxwood propagation with stem cuttings is something you can do with nice, regular organic potting soil. Find out about boxwood propagation with stem cuttings with help from a certified horticulturist in this free video clip.
You can grow common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) to use as an herb or as an ornamental plant. This culinary herb works well in savory dishes and, you can use the edible flowers to add color and to salads and desserts. Thyme is a herbaceous, low-growing perennial that grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9.
Native to moist sites in the cool climates of North America, the speckled alder’s (Alnus rugosa) nickname is swamp alder, though it isn't restricted to swamps. Speckled alder is among the 33 alder species that have the ability to fix nitrogen, so it is able to grow in poor soils and is a good choice for erosion control. Speckled alder can be propagated by seed, tissue culture and cuttings. Grow speckled alder in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 6.
Depending on your local climate, blueberry shrubs (Vaccinium spp.) may be transplanted in the garden in midwinter or early spring when new growth is beginning. Watering your blueberry bush at this time must take into account local weather patterns so that overwatering does not occur. Measuring the moisture content of the soil will ensure that your blueberry shrub receives adequate water without saturating the soil. Blueberries may be grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9, depending on the variety.
Hyacinths are a type of plant that can definitely be transplanted at an early age. Transplant hyacinths with help from a resident expert in anything botanical in this free video clip.
Spider plants are one of the easier plants to transplant from one location to another. Find out more about transplanting spider plants with help from a resident expert in anything botanical in this free video clip.
How you will propagate a Kalanchoe plant depends largely on the specifics of your own personal situation. Propagate a Kalanchoe plant with help from an experienced professional gardener in this free video clip.
Transplanting potted plants is one thing - transplanting them properly is something else altogether. Transplant potted plants properly with help from an experienced nursing professional in this free video clip.
Transplanting Lantana plants requires a certain amount of preparation and safety to make sure that nothing bad happens to the plants during the process. Transplant Lantana plants with help from a gardening expert in this free video clip.
When transplanting some of the plants in your yard or garden, you're always going to want to keep a few key things in mind. Get tips for plant transplanting with help from a creative and committed designer in this free video clip.
Growing mini bamboo in your office takes some special considerations, but it can be done. Grow mini bamboo in the office with help from a home design stylist in this free video clip.
The more fruits you use when making sangria, the more delicious it tastes. Learn how to make cut fruit for sangria with help from a published cookbook author in this free video clip.
Polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) is valued for its interesting leaves marked with splotches and spots in bright shades of green, pink, white and red. For this reason, the plant is also known as freckle face or measles plant. Polka dot plant is appropriate for planting in the warm climates of U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 10 to 15; the plant is most commonly grown as a house plant. Although it can be propagated by planting seeds, propagation by stem cuttings is the easiest and most reliable method.
Satsuma orange, a common citrus variety, produces a seedless mandarin that peels easily. Satsuma oranges, native to China and Japan and produced there in significant numbers, also have the name Satsuma tangerines in some areas. To create new Satsuma orange plants, propagate Satsuma orange from cuttings. The cuttings root effectively with the proper preparation, resulting in healthy new orange trees for home citrus production.
The Brazilian pennywort, or Hydrocotyle leucocephala, is an aquatic plant used as foliage in fresh water aquariums. This South American native has multiple stems that produce round, light green leaves on alternate sides of its stems. It grows rooted or free-floating, beneath and just above the water's surface. It is a fast growing plant that must be kept pruned back to prevent it from crowding out or shading other aquarium plants.
The green spruce (Picea pungens) or, more commonly, the blue or Colorado spruce (Picea pungens "Glauca") is a stately, long-lived evergreen with a classic Christmas-tree shape and attractive bluish foliage in a range of shades. The color of the 1 1/4-inch-long, stiff needles can range from intense blue-green to silvery blue from cultivar to cultivar and even among seed-grown varieties of the same cultivar, according to Ohio State University Extension. For a more attractive, uniform look to a planned Picea pungens grouping or windbreak, propagate trees from the same specimen using stem cuttings.
The Picea abies pendula or weeping Norway spruce is a conifer that grows to about 15 feet tall. This Norway spruce variety has horizontal flaring branches that develop drooping branchlets. These branchlets give this tree its “weeping” appearance. It is used in landscaping as a focal point for centerpiece flower beds, at entranceways and near ponds. This tree can be propagated from rooted cuttings. The best time to take cuttings is December. Plant cuttings as soon as possible.
Blueberries are among the plants that can be propagated through cuttings rooted aeroponically. An aeroponic growing system sprays nutrient-saturated water mist over plants’ stems and roots to support growth. The system uses no soil or tanks of water. Aeroponic growing systems consist of an electric pump and misting chamber to feed the roots, a lid with holes that fits on the misting chamber, and neoprene collars that fit into the holes to hold the blueberry cuttings.
Abelia X grandiflora, or glossy abelia, is a semi-evergreen shrub with fine, reddish-green foliage and tiny pink flowers from spring through summer and vivid red fall foliage. Glossy abelia is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture planting zones 6 through 9 and has an overall vaselike shape that can reach 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide. The glossy abelia is both an attractive and useful component for landscaping as it can serve as a barrier hedge, foundation plant or single specimen.
Persimmon refers to a family of trees that produce edible fruit ranging in color from yellow to red. The seeds of the fruit are viable, but they do not produce offspring identical to the parent tree. To propagate a persimmon with results identical to the parent tree, you must take either a root or stem cutting. Root cuttings are the most viable, but you can propagate a persimmon by stem cuttings if it's your only option. For the best chance of success, try propagating a persimmon with as many stem cuttings as possible, as a high percentage are likely to…
Leopard plants enjoy moist growing areas, often thriving along the edge of a pond or lake. These perennial plants will tolerate both sunny and partial shade locations, producing large foliage, tall stems and yellow flowers. Leopard plants propagate easily by division. Divide healthy plant clumps in the spring after the leopard plant leaves dormancy. The newly separated plants should begin growing independently to fill a growing area.
The world of carnivorous plants includes the Nepenthes genus -- also known as tropical pitcher plants. These tropical plants can be a variety of colors, sizes and shapes depending on the species. Pitcher plants contain digestive enzymes inside of the leaf pitchers, ready to trap and drown insects and even small mammals. Propagate Nepenthes by cuttings when you wish to create new pitcher plants.
Hibiscus syriacus "Aphrodite," with the common name Rose of Sharon, has ruffled, tropical-looking, clear-pink flowers with a red eyespot radiating from the bloom's center outward along the veins. Medium green foliage helps to accentuate blooms. Aphrodite thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8, reaches approximately 6 to 10 feet in height and spreads approximately 4 to 8 feet wide. It grows in a vase shape.
The jade plant is a succulent variety of cacti that's both decorative and easy to maintain. To ensure your potted jade plant receives the appropriate amount of water and nutrients, transfer it into soil enriched with materials such as perlite. Perlite's small foam pellets allow proper water distribution around the jade, ensuring your plant will thrive and grow under the best conditions. It's important, however, to add the correct amount of perlite to the soil mixture.
How you will cut a piece of fruit depends entirely on what type of fruit you're trying to cut. Learn how to cut a fruit with help from a registered dietician in this free video clip.
Oregano is a leafy green herb commonly used to flavor food. Many cooks prefer using fresh herbs rather than dried and so choose to grow their own oregano and other seasonings. Growing plants using water instead of soil is called hydroponics, a relatively simple and inexpensive process when done on a small scale. You can easily build a setup that will grow oregano using little more than an old soda bottle, and your oregano will grow much more quickly than if you had planted it in soil.
Anthurium is a genus of tropical flowers native to the West Indies, Mexico and South America. They are commonly grown in warm climates such as Hawaii and southern Florida, as well as indoors and in greenhouses. They are noted for their large, colorful flowers and long spathes and are often used in bouquets and floral arrangements. Anthuriums can be propagated from seed and through division or cuttings. Division is the fastest method to propagate anthuriums and can be done by the average home gardener.
Seedling trays provide ample space for sowing a large amount of seed. After the seeds sprout, the baby plants require separation and transplanting to their own pots. A larger pot supplies each plant with the room it needs to send out a healthy root system. Seedlings are ready to transplant once they produce their first set of true leaves. True leaves are typically the second set of leaves produced and they resemble the foliage of the mature plant.
Dozens of dwarf bamboo cultivars are available -- dwarf whitestripe bamboo, dwarf heavenly bambo and dwarf fernleaf bamboo, for example -- but only Pleioblastus pygmaeus claims the common name of dwarf bamboo. True to its name, dwarf bamboo is the smallest of the cold-hardy bamboos and grows 6 to 12 inches tall with vivid green, 1/8-inch diameter culms. Growing dwarf bamboo isn't difficult, but containing the spread of this running bamboo perplexes many gardeners. Prepare your garden before planting dwarf bamboo and you'll enjoy this tough but tiny plant for years to come.
Ligustrums, or privets, are popular landscape plants used as hedges, borders, specimens and even patio trees. Certain types of ligustrum, including Japanese and glossy privets, can be propagated from seed. However, propagating ligustrum by taking cuttings maintains the desired growth and foliage characteristics of the parent plant. Softwood cuttings from ligustrums are generally able to root easily; taking cuttings correctly and providing them with a suitable environment will help ensure rooting success.
Traditionally, root cellars are vented underground storage areas, usually under a home, to store vegetables throughout the winter. If you live in an older home with a root cellar under the porch or other part of the house, it can cause cold air to flow up into your home in the winter. Filling in the root cellar will fix this problem. A mixture of dirt with a concrete slab on top is the best way to fill in the cellar for extra insulation in your home.
Bamboo is a grass with three species -- giant cane, hill cane and switch cane --native to the eastern United States, especially the Southeast. Because this grass is fast-growing, it is used in a variety of products due to its ability to control erosion and absorb the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Growing native bamboo is feasible under the proper conditions.
The evergreen oleander shrub produces dense branching and lush green foliage. These shrubs flower most heavily in spring, although some varieties continue to bloom through the summer months and sometimes into winter. Oleanders can reach up to 30 feet tall, depending on the variety. Proper pruning results in a much shorter plant. You can prune and train an oleander to a height as little as 3 feet, if desired. Prune the shrubs in early summer after the main flush of flowering passes.
Azaleas are a shrub in the rhododendron family of plants. They come in a variety of species, from evergreens to deciduous forms, and prefer shaded areas to grow in. Although they are a hardy plant, they are sometimes subjected to storms and other weather problems that cause branches to break off. This need not be the end of the world for the plant however, as it is possible to propagate azaleas from broken branches if they are treated soon enough.
Many succulent species produce abundant offshoots, or pups, as a means of self-propagation. Each offshoot possesses its own root system and will survive when separated from the parent plant. Many gardeners view the self-propagation of succulents as an opportunity to increase their number of plants using a growing method called division.
Repotting plants is a simple task depending on the type of plant being repotted and its condition. Repot plants in the same type of soil they're used to unless the plant was potted using the wrong type of soil. A cactus or succulent requires a sandy, well-draining soil. If it is planted in a loamy, rich soil, it will likely die from root rot or other moisture-related problems.
Bamboo is easy to care for and makes an unusual living hedge or wall to enclose your lawn or garden. Timber bamboos, such as Phyllostachys rubromarginata, can reach 20 feet in height, while black or running bamboos can grow up to 10 or 12 feet – even in containers. Whether you choose to plant directly into the ground or in strategically-placed decorative pots, bamboo walls add a lush, Asian-inspired flair to the outside of your home.
A member of the mint family, agastache has several common names including wild hyssop, licorice mint and hummingbird mint. It is an annual plant in cooler regions, but some cultivars can be perennials. American Indians used agastache as a sweetener and to make herbal tea. The plant grows best in sunny conditions in well-drained soil, and blooms during the summer with small blue to purple tubular flowers supported on spikes. It grows to a height of between 2 to 4 feet. Agastache is a good choice for gardeners who want to create a wildlife habitat since its nectar attracts hummingbirds,…
The genus Stephanotis includes approximately 13 species of fragrant flowering vines. Madagascar jasmine, or Stephanotis floribunda, is the most commonly grown member of the genus. It is sometimes called bridal wreath and does well in temperate to tropical regions. It also thrives as a houseplant in cooler climate zones. Propagate new plants by pruning cuttings from a long existing Stephanotis vine during the warmest month of the year. Because this vine can grow up to 20 feet long, cutting it back will keep it compact and tidy.
Yucca, a group of about 40 species of plants native to dry or desert areas in the Western Hemisphere, provides gardeners with visually striking foliage and attractive flower clusters. The growth habit of yucca ranges from stemless species that have leaves growing from the plant base, to tree-like species such as the Joshua tree. Propagating yucca takes time and effort, but an impressive addition to your yard or garden will reward your persistence.
Trilliums are spring-flowering perennials that produce blooms with three outer sepals and three small inner petals. A common method to propagate trilliums is through division. However, do not divide them until they have multiplied and formed a healthy clump of flowers. At that time, you can divide trilliums in the late summer or early fall after they go dormant. You can also divide them in the early spring before the trilliums start to regrow, according to Cornell University.
A strawberry bush is an evergreen bush or small tree that grows in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 to 10. Native to Ireland and southern Europe, this bush blooms showy white flowers and produces edible red fruit that resembles strawberries. If you need to transplant the strawberry bush to another location in your yard, do so when the tree is young and hasn’t established itself. You should transplant the strawberry bush in the late summer or early fall to avoid winter browning.
Cactus plants offer a wide variety of shape, size and color for a container or succulent garden. They need very little water and grow well in adverse conditions, since they store up plenty of nutrients and water. If you purchase a cactus from a nursery or have it for years, you will probably repot it at some point, though cactus grow very slowly, so the need is infrequent.
Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that grows from a rhizome and is useful as an ornamental, a hedge, building material, food and herbal medicine. From golden bamboo to Japanese timber bamboo, more than 1,000 species of this versatile plant exist. Gardeners in the temperate and tropical climate zones will have the best success growing most species of bamboo. Most existing garden areas with full sun, little wind and good drainage are suitable for growing most types of bamboo.
You can create a living screen to cover a wall by planting bamboo. The tall stems of the plant quickly grow tall and dense when properly cared for. Bamboo comes in two varieties -- running and clumping. Running types spread quickly and become invasive, so they aren't suitable for wall screening. The clumping types spread slowly and rarely spread beyond their planting site, so they are best suited for growing near a wall. Plant the bamboo in spring shortly after the last expected frost of the season.
Silver stripe bamboo is distinguished by the thin stripes of silver that run along the bottom of the plant. That distinctive, silvery appearance extends to the leaves of the plant, as well. You can use silver stripe to create a privacy hedge in your backyard, or simply add it as an adornment to your garden.
Guests thrill to see rippling pools of chocolate fondue spilling over the tiered edges of a fondue fountain. Featuring this display at your event brings to life a delicious childhood fantasy many adults continue to cherish. Fruit is the most-common accompaniment for chocolate fountains because the acidity offsets the richness of the chocolate. Since fruits vary in size, shape and moisture content, you should cut each fruit into an attractive portion that guests can consume in no more than two bites.
Pomegranate trees grow well in warm climate zones and act much like a shrub with their many branches and multiple trunks. These plants -- Punica granatum -- commonly yield bright red, leather-skinned fruit high in nutrients. At the smaller "bush" stage, pomegranates are much easier to transplant than if they reached full maturity of 20 or 30 feet. The best time to transplant is when the plant is in dormancy -- or in wintertime in the southern U.S.
Pothos is one common name for Epipremnum aureum, a species of epiphytic vine commonly cultivated as a houseplant. Also known as devil's ivy, pothos is valued for its vigorous growth habit and spade-shaped leaves, which often feature pale yellow or white variegation. Like many tropical vines, pothos grows effortlessly from cuttings and will put down an extensive network of roots in just a couple of months. The cuttings root best when taken in late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing.
Spiral bamboo, or lucky bamboo, isn't a true bamboo but a variety of Dracaena. The stems and leaves resemble bamboo, which earns the plant its common name. Spiral bamboo is an easy-maintenance houseplant that is thought to bring luck into the home. The stems usually grow straight, but it can be trained into a spiral pattern as it grows by using careful light management, since the stems always grow toward the light source. The plant is displayed after it develops the desired height and spiral pattern.
