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Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are arguably one of the most widely grown garden vegetables in America, and they garner advice – both good and bad – from many sources. Consequently, new gardeners often misunderstand their growing needs. Yes, they do like full sun, but they are not particularly heat-tolerant, and often suffer in extreme heat and drought, so offering shade or otherwise cooling them at mid-day may make sense under certain conditions.
How you stake hibiscus plants will play a very large role in how those plants eventually grow. Stake hibiscus with help from an experienced gardening expert in this free video clip.
When taking care of a tomato plant terrarium, you're going to want to pay close attention to the size of the container. Take care of a tomato plant terrarium with help from the owner of Eden Condensed, a small space garden design in Los Angeles, California, in this free video clip.
Planting broccoli near tomatoes is something that you need to do with a certain degree of caution. Plant broccoli near tomatoes with help from the owner of Healing Grounds Nursery in this free video clip.
How long your fruit stays ripe totally depends on the ways that you care for the produce. Keep a tomato ripe for as long as you can with help from a professional chef in this free video clip.
Taro root is a staple crop throughout the tropics, from Hawaii to Southeast Asia and everywhere in between. The starchy tuber has been cultivated for thousands of years. All parts of the plant are edible, and rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, fiber and other substances. Harvesting involves removal of the corm, which is the tuber, or the leaves. The best method for trimming the taro plant depends on whether you are propagating it, harvesting the foliage or preparing the tuber for cooking.
Green pittosporum is a dense shrub with fragrant flowers grown in warm, Southern climates. The creamy, white blossoms bloom in clusters in spring and early summer, filling the air with the fragrance of orange blossoms. The long, leathery leaves form a tight screen when planted as a hedge. Spaced farther apart, the shrub forms a rounded mound and produces an abundance of flowers. Although it tolerates hard pruning and shaping, shearing pittosporums removes the buds and prevents flowering. Plant green pittosporum in full sun or partial shade. It needs a soil rich in organic matter that drains freely.
Overgrown bay laurel plants can be tamed to a smaller size to encourage healthy growth and to prevent them from overtaking the yard. Though technically a shrub, many gardeners train bay laurels into small tree shapes to take up less ground space in the garden. Pruning these plants is similar to cutting back any overgrown large shrub. Be patient when pruning back an overgrown plant because it takes several seasons to properly tame the shrub.
Polyculture is similar to American colonial gardening, but designed according to today’s knowledge. It includes several sustainable practices: multiple cropping, intercropping, companion planting, succession planting and crop rotation. Fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers are interspersed among the garden bed. Polyculture promotes organic growing methods and is less labor-intensive than other forms of gardening. There is minimal, if any, weeding because you space the plants close together. Trellises and plant supports encourage vertical growth, resulting in higher yields even with such compact planting. Advance planning, as well as knowledge of each plant’s nutritional needs, are essential for a productive garden.
The German Queen tomato, an indeterminate heirloom variety, is a juicy beefsteak ideal for canning and slicing. Gardeners favor the German Queen for its large, meaty tomatoes that grow on tall vines all season long. Like all other tomatoes, the German Queen suffers from its share of insect pests. Aphids, whiteflies and nematodes are just a few of the pests attracted to the German Queen.
The Madagascar lace plant is one of the most dramatic of aquarium plants. This is in part because of its size, with many specimens boasting leaves two feet or more in length. Even more than its size, though, the plant's fame rests on the odd structure of its leaves. As the name suggests, the leaves are not solid but form a fine mesh, making a strikingly ghostly appearance. The lace plant is costly because of its rarity, and can be troublesome to grow.
Their linear stalks of elegant, funnel-shaped blooms against fanned, swordlike green foliage make gladiolus plants striking additions to the late spring and summer garden. Iris family gladioli bulbs produce flowers in nearly every hue, including chartreuse Green Star and deep ruby Black Jack. Infestation from a variety of tiny pests, however, can reduce the most dramatic glad display to a bed of tattered, discolored leaves and shriveled blooms.
Growing tomatoes at home in the garden or greenhouse can be relatively easy with all of the available starter kits and growing bags. Sometimes, however, the plants have trouble producing fruit because their flowers do not set correctly. Mistakes such as the wrong fertilizer and bad plant placement can cause the plants to grow poorly and not be strong enough to produce tomatoes. A little basic knowledge and some artificial help can make the tomato blossoms set firmly and produce plentiful fruit yields.
Year after year, American gardeners grow more tomatoes than any other vegetable. The popularity of tomato gardening is no surprise, with the many varieties of tomatoes available with an incredible array of fruit colors, shapes and sizes. Hybrid tomatoes, such as Beefmaster and Better Boy are both red varieties that are often for sale in garden centers as started plants.
Having healthy foods readily available by filling your home garden with a variety of fruits and vegetables makes it easier to follow a nutritious diet. While you can plant many plants together, called companion planting, others have different growing requirements in order to thrive. If your garden consists of mainly tomato plants and you would like to add some fruits, you may wonder if tomatoes are harmful to blueberry production. Understanding the different basic growing needs of plants will help you make this determination.
Celebrity tomatoes grow as short and bushy plants with flavorful fruit up to 8 oz. They produce ripe fruit about 70 days after planting. Celebrity tomatoes are a highly productive hybrid and resistant to verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, nematodes and tobacco mosaic disease. They are vulnerable to pests, such as aphids and fungal diseases, like early blight. Treat fungal diseases of celebrity tomatoes with commercial fungicides according to product label instructions.
The Dracena massangeana, or cornstalk plant, is a showy, fast-growing, common houseplant that needs occasional pruning to help it to grow vigorously and look fresh. The plant comes from South America in long, thick canes that are packed for export without their foliage. Canes are often planted in pots in small groupings of two or three. After being planted in soil, the canes sprout heads, which go on to become long, tongue-like, shiny green leaves with yellow stripes down the center. As the plants continue to grow very tall, the original leaves on the bottom turn brown and the plant…
A single tomato plant often produces enough tomatoes for dozens of salads, sandwiches and sauces. If your plant starts to wilt, though, your tomato harvest will suffer. Tomato plants wilt for reasons such as neglect, disease or pest infestation. Wilting will often lead to plant death if you do not promptly treat the cause.
Tomatoes are an easy-to-grow summer vegetable that come in many shapes, sizes and colors. Although they generally grow with few problems in regions with warm summers, tomatoes can suffer from insect pests, especially the tomato hornworm, diseases and animals that like the juicy red fruit.
Planting different tomato varieties too close together can lead to cross-pollination. The seeds of the tomato crop will contain genes from each parent tomato plant, and when these seeds are planted, they can produce very different tomatoes from the parent plants. For the ordinary vegetable garden, this isn't important. However, if you are growing heirloom tomatoes and want to preserve the seeds for planting next year, this is a concern. Cross-pollination is affected by the wind, the amount of available light, the length of day, the nutrients available in the soil, bees, the distance between tomato plants and the presence…
Home gardeners are interested in how to get the longest growing season and largest yields from their tomato plants. A good way to do this is start tomatoes from seed indoors so that established plants can be set out once the frost danger has passed to get a head start on the season. If transplanted seedlings have a good thickly branched root system, the plants grow more quickly and bear fruit earlier, an important consideration for those longing for good homegrown tomatoes.
An EMF is an electromagnetic field. This is a very broad concept that includes magnetic fields and forces, microwaves, radiation, radio and cell phone towers. Nearly all electric devices such as hairdryers and mp3 players emit EMF -- in some cases far higher than these small gadgets would suggest. Hundreds of studies have been published on the effects of these fields on plants. As of 2011, the jury is still out on how much electromagnetic energy is either good or bad for certain plants. There are as many articles arguing for negative effects as there are for positive effects.
Protecting tomato plants by using bubble wrap is a great way to keep the vegetables safe without spending a lot of money. Discover how to keep them clean with tips from an organic gardener in this free video on using bubble wrap to protect tomato plants.
Mulching tomatoes by using pine straw is a terrific method because it's inexpensive and helps keep the soil moist. Grow juicy tomatoes with tips from an organic gardener in this free video on using pine straw for mulch.
Few plants have as much impact, leaf for leaf, on a small indoor space as the Brazilian zebra plant (Aphelandra squarrosa). What the 12- to 18-inch zebra plant lacks in stature, it compensates for with ivory-veined, green leaves and golden-yellow, white-bracted blooms. If your zebra plant's normally erect posture begins to wilt, the solution could lie in a simple trip to the faucet, or a more complicated battle against environmental conditions, pests or disease.
The snake plant, also called "mother-in-law's tongue" is a common house plant. It has leathery, sword-shaped leaves that may have either yellow or white edging. The snake plant requires little care and can be grown in almost any environment. This makes it one of the most common houseplant. The foliage can sometimes become dead and will need to be removed. This will keep your plant looking lively at all times. Trimming the dead foliage from your snake plants requires a few basic steps.
Magnolias are woody plants that are cultivated as ornamentals in gardens and landscapes; they also thrive as potted plants indoors. These plants are known for their vibrant flowers, which emerge annually in the spring or summer, depending on the species. Magnolias are vulnerable to various diseases, pests and other detrimental conditions that can harm their leaves, flowers and stems. Wilting foliage and flowers are relatively common problems that often represent a minor or temporary ailment, but these symptoms can also indicate a serious threat to the plant's health.
Tomatoes -- with their lush foliage, trailing vines and juicy, fruit harvests -- are a staple of the backyard vegetable garden during summer. Tomatoes require bright sun, rich soil and structural support. All tomatoes grow on vines, whether determinate and indeterminate varieties, and require support for optimal production. Although a trellis, arbor or stake can be used, many home gardeners opt to use cages.
Nandina is a spring-flowering evergreen shrub that grows multiple stems, all originating from the ground. After the flowers drop, the plant begins to form clusters of red berries that brighten the fall and winter landscape. If you do not adopt a good pruning schedule, your nandina will appear woody on the bottom with little if any green growth, flowers or berries. Fortunately, once-a-year pruning is all that is necessary to grow a nandina that is beautiful from top to bottom.
Epiphytic orchids don't grow in regular potting mix, but in a special mix of bark and other ingredients. This special mix gives the orchid roots support, but does not interfere with the supply of air to the roots, which is vital to healthy orchids. Some insects also love living in orchid mix. Controlling these pests takes a little extra effort. An insecticidal soil drench is an effective way of controlling insects that invade your orchid mix. Preventative aftercare keeps your orchids insect free.
Many gardeners grow tomato plants from seed. However, new tomato plants can also grow from cuttings of existing tomato stems. Leaves themselves are difficult to reproduce tomatoes from, but stem cuttings with leaves on them work well. These plants will be clones of the parent plant, unlike plants from seed, which can have unpredictable characteristics from two parent plants.
Liriope, also known as a lilyturf or monkey grass, is a grass-like plant that grows in clumps and produces spikes of purple, lilac or white blooms in the summer, and later produces black fruits. The plant comes in a variety of cultivars. Gardeners often select it for its ability to grow in shady areas such as beneath trees or in any part of the garden with low levels of sunlight. In fact, it can grow in complete shade, although it does well in part-shade, too. However, it will flower best in full sun. This hardy, drought-resistant perennial needs little care,…
Tomato plants grow rapidly, consuming copious supplies of water on a daily basis. When water is restricted, the results may be shown in both the foliage and the fruit, greatly reducing the quality and quantity of the tomatoes.
No matter how you slice them, tomatoes provide a wealth of nutritional value and add flavor to countless sauces, salads and soups. With hundreds of varieties available, tomatoes are packed with vitamins, potassium and beta carotene and come in a range of sizes, from grape to beefsteak, in colors such as white, pink, red and yellow. Tomatoes prefer full sun, nutrient-rich, well-draining soil and steady temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees F for successful growth.
When chemicals are dissolved in water, they exist as ions, either positively charged cations or negatively charged anions. In these states, they can be carried down through soils with the water they are dissolved in. This is called leaching, and is a natural occurrence and part of the recycling process of elements. Plants are most affected by the leaching of plant nutrients from the root zone, which is about the top 1 to 6 feet of the soil.
The tough but beautiful oleander (Nerium oleander) grows in nearly any warm climate and soil type, from Asia to Jamaica and nearly all points in between. Oleanders entered North America with the early colonists, and Southern gardeners beautified their landscapes with the tenacious plants. Today, seemingly indestructible oleanders bloom along California freeways and Texas boulevards. Certain situations, however, may damage or even kill the shrub.
Tomato plants need four basic minerals for healthy growth. The balance of these four minerals in the soil and how you water the plant determines how tomato plants develop, the size of their stems, the thickness of foliage, the depth of the root systems, plant vigor, disease resistance and the size and abundance of fruit. In addition, the timing of planting, fertilization and watering is critical to building a healthy root system.
Similar in appearance to small mosquitoes, fungus gnats are approximately 1/16 to 1/8 inches long, with clear to light gray wings. Fungus gnats are not strong fliers and generally remain on foliage, growing media or decaying debris. The female gnat lays tiny eggs in moist organic material or potting soil. The larvae eat leaf mold, organic mulch, compost, grass clippings and fungi. It is often very difficult to cultivate house or garden plants without an effective gnat control program.
Losing your tomatoes to squirrels, whether from consumption or nibbles that make the tomatoes unusable, can be frustrating and a nuisance for the entire growing season. Luckily, you can create a cage around your tomatoes to keep out the squirrels. Once the cage is in place, your tomato plants should be able to grow without being invaded by squirrels, and you can expect to harvest the full quantity of tomatoes your plants produce.
Overwatered plants will die if nothing is done. Plants do need water to survive, but too much water will kill them. Overwatering leads to root rot, drowning, fungus and diseases. Plants live by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. It cannot do this if overwatered. Root rot happens when the roots are sitting in water for too long. The roots will slowly suffocate to death. Fungus grows easily in water and will infect plants. Fortunately, there are remedies for over watered plants.
Plants bruise when cell walls break and damaged tissue leaks fluid into the rest of, or a portion of, the plant. Bruises themselves will not heal but surrounding tissue damage is prevented by good cultural practices, fungicide or pesticide applications and pruning. Bruised segments on harvested fruit will not heal.
If the leaves of your tomato plants are covered with a dull, powdery film and yellow spots, grey leaf mold could be the culprit. Grey leaf mold, or spots, is more common in greenhouse tomatoes because of the higher humidity and lack of airflow. The mold spreads by spores and, if not properly treated, will infect the entire crop. Create ideal conditions to prevent the formation and spread of grey leaf mold.
The United Kingdom separates primary school education into two stages: Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Key Stage 2 students study green plants in science. These students learn about the parts of the plant as well as the plant's life cycle. In addition to academic learning, students may be asked to perform experiments in which they grow plants to gain knowledge in how green plants function.
Tomatoes are bright and successful in home gardens, and grow throughout the country in the warm summer season. These plants fall prey to some debilitating diseases and pests, though, and share infestations with certain other plants. Potatoes and tomatoes, for example, should never grow in the same soil or space.
The Irish potato famine of the 1840s was caused by a fungus known as Phytophthora infestans. In the summer of 2009, this same fungus made an appearance in Northern New Jersey, killing tomato crops. What makes this fungus so dangerous is the fact that, in the U.S., its spores are carried on the wind, causing Phytophthora infestans to spread from Maine to South Carolina, and threatening the $21 million tomato industry in New Jersey in particular. If your tomato plants should become infected with the blight, killing the fungus is virtually impossible. However, you can learn to recognize the signs…
Diseases, pests and stressful environmental conditions can lead to severe wilting in shrubs, trees and garden plants. Identifying the cause of wilting and applying the appropriate management tactics is critical for saving the plant or preventing contagious ailments from affecting surrounding vegetation. Wilting plants often suffer from multiple problems -- for example, a fungal disease accompanied by an insect infestation -- which makes diagnosis and recovery more difficult.
Plants are the only living organisms capable of manufacturing their own food. Through a process known as photosynthesis, plants convert energy contained in sunlight into sugars. Chlorophyll pigments play a pivotal role in combining light, water and carbon dioxide materials within the photosynthesis process. Chlorine is one of several plant nutrients that affect how photosynthesis processes take place.
Hollies, boxwood and rhododendron are all broadleaf plants. Broadleaf plants come in both shrub form, like the barberry, or trees, like the magnolia. Because they are evergreen, plant-pruning practices differ slightly than they do with deciduous plants. Follow a general rule of thumb when pruning flowering broadleaf plants. If the plant flowers in the spring, prune it directly after flowering. If the broadleaf plant flowers in the summer, prune it in the late summer, fall or winter, in most cases.
Tomatoes are common garden vegetables that are cultivated domestically and commercially in the United States. They can be grown in outdoor gardens throughout most of North America and they can survive in most temperate climates. They are also frequently grown in greenhouses and hydroponic environments, including aquaponic systems that support fish and plants together in a controlled environment. Tomatoes grown in greenhouses and hydroponic systems are subject to the same diseases as those planted outdoors, although the frequency of some diseases is increased in outdoor environments.
Squirrels are entertaining to say the least, but they can wreak havoc on a garden, especially the tomato patch. Squirrels love tomatoes and although they prefer ripe ones, they will occasionally go after green ones. Using a single method to keep the squirrels out of the garden may work, but using a combination of methods is much better. Think of a squirrel as a young child, and then put up the safety mechanisms to keep them out, but remember diversion is also necessary.
