Gardening Talk

Let's Talk About Gardening

April 12, 2007
by admin
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Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)

Bromeliaceae (the bromeliads) are a diverse family of plants endemic to Central and South America. They are a durable, colorful and exotic plant that grows well indoors or in a pot. The pineapple is a member of the bromeliad family, but so are 3000 other species ranging from tiny air-plants to terrestrial plants reaching 10m in height.

Around half of the bromeliads are epiphytes, meaning they attach themselves to the truck or branches of trees and shrubs. Epiphytes are not parasites, as they gather the moisture and nutrients they need from the air and what they catch falling from above. If you don’t have a tree handy, they can be mounted to a piece of (untreated) wood or cork bark.

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April 6, 2007
by admin
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Easter Lilies (Lilium longiflorum)

Easter Lily.

Easter Lilies are a fragrant lily, with white trumpet-like flowers that blooms around Easter in the Northern Hemisphere (spring). Their popularity makes them the fourth-largest potted floral crop. They were originally native to Southern Japan and Taiwan, but are now grown around the world in cool climate regions.

Peak flowering period is late Spring to early Summer. Potted Easter Lilies are unlikely to flower again unless replanted outside.

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March 28, 2007
by admin
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Virtual Gardening

To many gardeners, the idea that gardening can be turned into an exciting computer game is very hard to believe. But there are several successful game franchises that feature gardening as a core component of the game experience. Everything from seed collecting, plant selection taking into consideration the climate zone and season, to weeding and watering. If landscape design is more your thing, other games let you recreate your own garden or build a replica of famous garden.

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March 23, 2007
by admin
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Push Reel Mowers

Push reel mowers are undergoing a revival in popularity. Not only are they friendly to the environment (no air or noise pollution), they are also inexpensive to purchase and operate (no fuel), and many people find them an enjoyable form of exercise.

Modern reel mowers are light and easy to push. However it is definitely worthwhile to keep the blades sharp, as blunt blades will make the reel mower significantly harder to use. Sharpening kits for most models of mowers are available, and well worth the investment.

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March 22, 2007
by admin
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Gardenia

Gardenia is a genus of evergreen flowering shrubs and trees native to tropical and sub-tropical Australia, Asia and Africa. They are prized for their strong sweet aroma and large flowers.

Gardenia prefer sheltered humid locations, and acidic well-drained soil. Specialized potting mixes are available. They do not tolerate frost. Fertilize well with an organic mix.

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