Growing Kalanchoe Plants

kalanchoe flowers

Kalanchoe are thick leaved succulents plants that are usually seen in garden centers or florist shops,which mainly originated from the land of Madagascar where it can grow outdoors.

Its clusters of tiny flowers produce a large bloom held aloft on stems above the majority of the foliage but when you wish a second bloom it is therefore a must you have to know how to take care of Kalanchoe.

This will include the light moderation in winter to allow bud formation and this may reward you with several seasons of the bright colorful flowers.

ar where it can grow outdoors. Its clusters of tiny flowers produce a large bloom held aloft on stems above the majority of the foliage but when you wish a second bloom it is therefore a must you have to know how to take care of Kalanchoe.

Growing Kalanchoe:

-This type of plant is grown through cuttings, the vegetative stems usually produce the best plants and roots quickly. The section of about 2-3 inch is cut and strip off the bottom leaves.

-The cutting is put to out in a warm,  dry place to allow formation of callus on the end, then plant the cutting in a per-moistened perlite and peat allowing the cutting be covered to the first leaf.

-Then enclose the entire pot with a plastic bag to allow moisture conservation and also promote the formation of a little terrarium.

After this place the pot in a bright window with an indirect light while watering it well.With all this conditions made and followed the cutting will take 14-21 days to develop roots and after this it will be ready to be transplanted.

Kalanchoe growing tips:

These are low-maintenance pretty plants, growing in the winter households with low humidity.Usually choose plants with plenty of closed flower buds, other than those in maximum bloom, and make sure to develop them fully.

Light:

The plant light requirement is high, preferably a window facing south in winter while bright indirect light or east-west window on summer. When your plant Kalanchoe is looking thin and leggy it means that it's not getting enough light.

Soil:

Kalanchoe plants does very fine in a good drainage potting mix designed for succulents and cacti, or mixed in plenty of sand or perlite to improve its drainage.

Temperatures:

Kalanchoes grows well in a normal indoor conditions, but should be put away from the drafts. Always keep

kalanchoe 

your plant above 50F.

Water:

Over-watering may be the main killer of kalanchoes plant, therefore allow the kalanchoe plant to get dry between watering.  Then water continuously until it spills out on the bottom, then immediately dry off the drainage part. Avoid leaving kalanchoe sitting in water.

Fertilizer:

While it is blooming well, feed it weekly on balanced organic fertilizer.

Propagation:

---

Its propagation is easy it's by leaf or stem cuttings, other varieties may develop plantlets which may be removed and potted.

Maintenance:

Remove fallen flowers to keep it clean, wiping and spraying can also be used to remove dust.

Flowering kalanchoes makes staples for florist trade, having their cheery blooms of clusters compact, the upright plants may surely brighten the windowsill.

Like holiday cactus and poinsettia, its bloom occurs in response to daylight length, therefore can be developed to bloom also during the winter darkest days.

Creating Your Dream Garden: Caring For Hibiscus Plants

hibiscus plant

When putting together your garden paradise,
it is always nice to have a little tropical flair to remind you of the sweet smell of the Caribbean.
 Is there anything more relaxing than lounging in your hammock and seeing the big, bright flowers of your very own hibiscus bush?
 Even if you live in the north, you too can have this wonderful experience without needing a lot of work nor expertise.

Planting your hibiscus

You can either plant your hibiscus in a container or directly in the ground, depending on where you live. If you live in climates where the temperatures fall below freezing (32° F), you will want to plant your hibiscus in a pot so that you can bring it inside when the temperatures start to drop.

If you do use a container, hibiscus plants favor a snug fit, which means the plant wants to be slightly root bound. It sounds a little counter-intuitive, but when you pot or repot a hibiscus, use a pot only slightly bigger than the original.
 If you are planning to grow your hibiscus outside, remember that they can become quite tall, so be sure to put it in a spot where this will not be an issue.

Watering

As a tropical plant, hibiscus love water. Especially in the blooming stage, when the weather is warm, you should water your hibiscus every day.
However, as the weather cools, be sure to avoid overwatering—the plant only needs water when the soil is dry to the touch. In general, a hibiscus plant likes to be kept moist but not wet.

Fertilizer

Because of how large the flowers are, a hibiscus plant needs a lot of energy to produce the signature blooms. Because of this, give your hibiscus fertilizer twice a month during the growing season.

Bugs

Every now and then, be sure to check your plant for signs of common garden bugs such as aphids and mealy bugs. If you find evidence of these pests, there are many horticulture or insecticide options to solve the problem, as well as many organic pest control options.

Benefits of a Hibiscus Plant

Aside from being beautiful and rewarding to grow, hibiscus plants can help create a healthy garden environment for all of your other plants as well. Due to the bright colors, hibiscus flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies and other essential pollinators to your garden.

Additionally, hibiscus plants can be used to make a delightful and refreshing tea, which may have several health benefits. According to several recent research studies, hibiscus tea can help keep cholesterol and blood pressure in a healthy range. Many different tropical regions have been using hibiscus as a treatment for a wide variety of diseases and conditions for hundreds of years.

From the exquisite flowers to the beautiful butterflies to the on demand tea ingredients it provides, growing a hibiscus plant is well worth the minimal effort it requires. Even if you live in a cold area, you can bring the tropics into your life with your very own hibiscus plant.

Happy gardening!

How to Grow Dahlias

dahlia flowers

While dahlias are plenty beautiful, they have specific requirements you’ll need to meet if you want the flowers to draw any admiration. Fortunately, they’re far from the most demanding option out there. In fact, so long as you follow the below steps, you shouldn’t have too much to worry about.

Picking Your Plot

Dahlias need a good amount of sun in order to survive and thrive. So when you’re looking for a plot, be sure the one you pick is going to get at least eight hours of sun exposure a day. Direct sunlight is always going to be best. Preferably, you want plenty of sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon. The less sun your dahlias get , the taller they’ll grow, but the less they’ll bloom. If you live in an incredibly hot climate, you can tone down the sun exposure some.

When to Plant

Start looking for your plot in winter or at least no later than March. That’s because, for most climates, you’ll want to plant somewhere between mid-April and May. If you can check, wait until the ground temperature is 60 degrees and then begin planting. Another good way to think about it—if you have experience—is to plant whenever you would normally plant your vegetable garden.

Soil Preparation

Some of you may have heavier soil on your property. So before you plant your dahlias, be sure to add in peat moss, sand or bagged steer manure. This will help make your soil a lot lighter and give it a looser texture. By doing so, your soil will drain much easier and your dahlias will be less likely to suffer from issues related to watering.

No matter what kind of soil you have, your dahlias will have an easier time getting started and growing if you add in some bone mean to the hole before dropping in the tuber.

Ideally, the pH level of the soil you’re using should be between 6.5 and 7, meaning it’s slightly acidic. If you plan on using top soil you went out and purchased , be sure it hasn’t been treated at all for weeds. The only kind of weeding you ever want to do around dahlias is with your hands. They are far too sensitive to survive herbicides and other chemicals.

Water

Unlike most plants, you won’t water Dahlias right after planting them. In fact, you’ll want to wait until you start seeing sprouts come forth from the ground. The exception is if you live in a climate with a lot of sunlight and hardly any rain. Otherwise, Moth Nature will take care of it.

However, after you get done with the initial stage and you see some sprouts, your dahlias will want plenty of water. You should give them a deep watering between two and three times a week by setting up a sprinkler for a half hour.

So if you want beautiful dahlias dotting your property, just remember the above advice. It doesn’t take much, but the results are real.

dahlia flower

Proper Care For a Lilium Plant

lilium flowers

A Lilium is more commonly known as a “Lily” and is one of the most admired plants because of its varying color and beauty.

It makes a gorgeous addition to any garden and is a very popular gift.

If you’re the lucky recipient of a lily, or if you simply want to add some to your garden, here’s how to properly care for them.

Planting:

Lilium are flowers that really enjoy the sun so you want to make sure to put them in complete or at least partial sunlight. If you are strategic in both the times that you plant your lilies and the care that you provide them, you can enjoy lilies in bloom in Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter.

You should plant lilium bulbs in the fall months in about 1 foot to 1 1/3 foot of leaf mold soil. Planting them deep enables it to plant roots to assist in the stabilization of the plant. It can also prevent the need for stalking.

Lillies do require a cold period during their growth. They will not last in areas that are hot and humid all year round.

If you want to have all-year-round lilies, then they need to have 6-8 hours of sunlight every day.

Caring for Liliums:

Water your lilies daily. Every 2 weeks you also want to apply a liquid fertilizer. During the winter months, be sure to keep your lilies moist. Each spring, you want to apply compost and mulch. If the rainfall is less than about 1 inch per week, then you want to be sure to water your Lilium regularly. As flowers fade, just cut back the stalks to the base of the plant.

Lilium Flowers:

blooming lilium

Lilies are incredible and are most sought out because of their extreme color and fragrance. They make
wonderful cut flowers and are used very often in bouquets, particularly weddings.

If you’re going to display lilies in a vase, then you want to pick some that are just beginning to bloom. Don’t choose the tight, green bulbs. You want to select some that have just started to open and are showing a little bit of color. Then, once you take them inside, cut about an inch off of the stem on a diagonal margin.

Before you put them into the vase, make sure you remove any leaves that are lower down on the stem. You do not want any of the leaves to be underwater while in the vase. Your lilies should last about 2 weeks so long as you change the water every couple of days.

You can also prolong the life of your lily arrangement by adding some flower food. Note that lilies only require half of the food that is recommended on the package for most flowers.

When you walk into a room, Lillies almost demand to be looked at. The good thing is that they don’t require an outstanding amount of work.  With just a little bit of care, water, and fertilizer, you can have your very own bouquet all year round.

A Basic Lesson on Growing Roses

red roses

 There are many things to consider when making your selection on which type of
rose to grow, some of them are: hardiness, soil requirements, temperature requirements, structure, how long it blooms, what type of blooms it produces, the color of blooms it will produce, and how or where in your garden will it fit.

Once you have found  the right rose or roses for you, it is time to begin. When and how deep your plant will depend on your selection and you should be provided with this when you purchase the seeds or started plant.

From the seeds to started plants, prepping the soil is key.

Healthy roses need to be in soil that has the right pH, or amount of acidity. Wherever you bought your plants should also carry test kits or meters for helping you to determine the soil's pH.

Ideally for roses, you want a pH level of 6.0 to 6.9, with some of the best results around 6.5. 

Talking with your local nursery or gardening center can prove helpful in not only finding all the resources you need to adjust the pH but also in learning about organic methods for how to do so.

Not only do you need the proper pH but composition and location are important as well. Roses love loamy soil, which is roughly a mixture of one-third clay, one-third coarse sand, and one-third decomposed organic matter. This mixture helps maintain nutrients and water balance, as rose roots need to be damp, but not too wet or too dry. They also need six hours of sunlight a day, so be sure that your location gets enough lighting and that they won't be cast into shade most of the time by surrounding plants and structures.

Watering and feeding your roses

The ideal time to water them is early in the day and close to the ground to help the

roots grow deeper.  A simple way to check the moisture level: stick a finger in the soil, if it comes out dry you are not watering enough if it comes out covered in mud you are watering too much.

red roses

The leaves are also a good indicator of watering problems; Yellow and dry, too little, yellow and soft means too much water.  It can take around four to five gallons of water a week to maintain roses. Outside of normal watering, the whole bush should be sprayed off weekly to help get rid of debris and some types of insects.

Roses require a lot of nutrients to keep up their beautiful appearance. When it comes to feeding, you can get a lot of blooms using commercial feeds that require little time and effort. Some rose enthusiasts insist that to get the best blooms you need to spend  a lot of time adjusting the feed mixtures. Whichever method you choose, know that basic care and maintenance are always required to keep the plant healthy.

Beyond the basics of watering and feeding

Roses, like most bushes, need to be pruned to kept at its best. Trimming away sickly and damaged branches can help the overall health of the plant. When the best time to prune is dependent on the species and your location. It can also take a lot of time and practice before you get really good at pruning.

One good way to get into rose gardening and to get a lot of helpful tips is to reach out to other gardeners online and in your community.

Growing Your Dream Garden: Caring for Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea flower

A gorgeous colorful and flowering plant, a bougainvillea can add a lot of bright color to your garden, while only taking minimal space.
 As an exceptionally diverse plant, you can grow your bougainvillea in a multitude of different ways, from a vine on a wall, to a trellis or topiary to a tree or bush. 
Bougainvillea are also known for being hardy and adaptable plants, perfect for a home garden.

With just a little knowledge, you can have your very own bougainvillea growing in no time.

Planting

The first step in planting your new bougainvillea is to take into consideration the climate you live in. If you live in an area that will have temperatures fall into the freezing range during the winter (32° to 40°F or lower), your best bet is to plant your bougainvillea in a pot and bring it indoors for the winter.

You can also protect your outside bougainvillea with frost clothes and other frost protectants, though if you have an especially cold winter, this may not do much to help your plant. If you end up planting in a container, you must make sure it has proper drainage, as the one thing a bougainvillea can’t tolerate is being left in standing water.

Bougainvillea

 Once you have determined if your bougainvillea will be in the ground or in a container, the next step is to decide how you want your plant to grow. As mentioned above, you can grow a bougainvillea into nearly any configuration you wish, simply train the vine on to anything you wish it to climb or prune the vine into more of a tree shape to make a tree. The possibilities are endless!

Light

As a native tropical plant, be sure your bougainvillea will be in an area where it will receive full sun.

Fertilizer

With so many flowers, a bougainvillea needs a lot of energy to support all of its blooms. Because of this, bougainvillea plants need to be fed every month during the growing season.
 The two most critical nutrients are nitrogen and phosphate, though too much of these can cause more green growth than flowering.
 If possible, having a small percentage of iron in the fertilizer can help promote vibrant flower colors.

Repotting

Unlike most plants, a bougainvillea enjoys a snug, root bound fit in its pot. Don’t be too overeager to repot your bougainvillea; most plants only need to be repotted every 2 or 3 years. 
You should only repot if the roots have almost totally replaced the soil and it is difficult to keep the plant watered.
 When you do repot, the new pot should only be slightly bigger than the original pot.

If you are looking for a bright, flowering plant for anywhere in your garden, you simply cannot beat the bougainvillea.
 With such versatility, you can make your bougainvillea into any configuration you can imagine, and because of its stellar disease and pest resistance, it won’t require any of your time. 
Have fun with your new bougainvillea and happy gardening!