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Why Dividing Shasta Daisy Plants is Good Daisies are one of nature’s messages of cheer and bonhomie that reaffirm our notion of the restorative powers of plants. The Shasta daisy is one of these harbingers of good will and has an easy-to-grow reputation with a wide range of tolerances. Can you divide Shasta daisies? Division is not only good for the plant but the best and fastest way to increase the numbers of these fun flowers....

Deer also rub trees during mating season to attract females or to mark their territory, warning other males to stay away. This activity can result in broken branches and torn tree bark. Damaged trees, especially young ones, cannot transport nutrients or water, which is vital for the tree’s survival. In addition to rubbing trees, deer may also paw at the soil around them and urinate on the area. They will chew on branches too; however, pruning the lower branches may help protect trees from deer chewing....

When Should I Transplant Tiger Lilies? Tiger lilies are vigorous perennial bulbs that bloom in summer. They may be white, yellow, or red, but are usually deeply orange with speckled petals. Plants may grow up to 4 feet (1 m.) tall and over time the number of blooms will increase. Tiger lilies can be propagated through bulbs, scales, bulbils, or seed, but the quickest and easiest method is through division of established bulbs....

Okra Seedling Diseases to Look For Below are the most common problems associated with young okra plants and how to treat them. Damping Off Soil is comprised of microorganisms; some of which are beneficial – others not so beneficial (pathogenic). Pathogenic microorganisms tend to flourish under certain conditions and infect seedlings, causing a condition known as “damping off,” which could be why your okra seedlings are dying and are the most common of all the diseases of okra seedlings....

What is a Tree Hydrangea? Hydrangea is a very popular flowering shrub with many different species. Perhaps the best known is Hydrangea macrophylla, offering snowball blossoms that change color depending on the acidity of the soil. Tree hydrangea is another type of hydrangea. Although there are different cultivars, one of the best known is Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora,’ known to its fans as Pee Gee hydrangea. It can grow to 25 feet (7....

Why Cut Back a Weeping Willow? A mature weeping willow is one of the most romantic of trees. You often see pictures of a willow growing by a still lake, its cascading branches reflected in the still surface of the water. That beautiful canopy must be maintained to keep it healthy and beautiful though. You need to cut back a weeping willow to keep it looking its best. Trimming a weeping willow’s branch tips to even out the foliage of an ornamental tree makes sense....

What is Portuguese Cabbage? Portuguese cabbage is a leafy green vegetable in the brassica family. Unlike most cabbages, this vegetable doesn’t form heads and grows in leaves like kale. That resulted in the alternate common name of Portuguese kale plants. However, unlike kale, the leaves of this green vegetable, as well as the mid rib and stalk, are fleshy and succulent. Kale ribs and stalks are often too woody to eat....

Why Some Plants Smell Bad We like to think of butterflies and bees when we think of pollinators – these insects are drawn to sweet smells and often fill up gardens where fragrant flowers abound. The lesser-known pollinators, like flies and beetles, serve an equally important function for a small subset of plants. These plants emit a horrific odor that may smell like rotten meat or feces. They also bear fleshy flowers that may be covered in hair to give the full impression of decaying flesh to their pollinators....

What Does Plant Variation Mean? Variegated plants for gardens add a unique and unexpected touch to gardens populated by standard green foliage. What does plant variegation mean? It is the result of a mutated leaf cell and can be inherited or random. Gardening with variegated plants offers a host of interesting opportunities to accent and brighten regular foliage as well as provide a unique foil for flowering specimens. The result is a glorious cacophony of texture, hues and tones....

Papaya Pythium Rot Info What is papaya stem rot? Caused by the Pythium fungus, it mostly affects saplings. There are several species of pythium fungus that can attack papaya trees, all of which can lead to rot and either stunting or death. When it infects young saplings, especially soon after transplant, it manifests itself in the phenomenon called “damping off.” This means the stem near the soil line becomes water soaked and translucent, and then it dissolves....

Mulch and Its Uses Organic mulch is invaluable as a soil conditioner. It also helps prevent competitive weeds and conserve soil. As mulch breaks down and enters the soil, it adds nutrients and increases the tilth and porosity of the soil. Many gardeners choose cedar mulch for its beauty and scent. Mixed mulches may have a variety of bark and organic matter and come in a wide range of sizes and textures....

Uses for Cattail Plants Many species of cattails are native to the U.S. However, a lot of the more aggressive species we see in waterways now are introduced species or species that came into existence by natives and introduced species cross-pollinating. For centuries, Native Americans used cattails for food, medicine, and as a fiber for various items like shoes, clothing, and bedding. Leftover remnants of the plant were then worked back into the earth....

Ways to Eat Flowers From floral ice cubes to decadent cakes topped with rose petals, edible flowers are sure to take food to the next level. Incorporating edible blooms into the kitchen can be done even by novice cooks, as long as a few important aspects are taken into consideration. The ways to eat flowers are limitless. From sweet to savory, there are edible flowers that fit into nearly every flavor profile....

Valor Plum Information Valor plum trees originated in 1968 at the Vineland Research Institute in Ontario, Canada. The trees are appreciated for their abundant harvests and the excellent flavor of the firm, amber flesh. Valor plum trees tend to be resistant to bacterial leaf spot. Look for Valor plums to ripen in late September or early October. How to Care for a Valor Plum Valor plums require at least one plum tree nearby for pollination....

Choosing Various Kinds of Staghorn Ferns Like most bromeliads and many orchids, staghorn ferns are epiphytes. This means that they often grow in trees above the ground and do not need to be in contact with the soil. Instead, they absorb nutrients and moisture from the air and from water or leaves that wash or fall onto their fronds. Many are tropical species, with some types of staghorn fern originating in southeast Asia, Australia, and Pacific islands, and others native to South America or Africa....

Vietnamese Coriander vs. Cilantro The Vietnamese cilantro plant (Persicaria odorata syn. Polygonum odoratum) is also frequently called Cambodian mint, Vietnamese coriander, and Rau Ram. It’s not the same thing as the cilantro usually eaten in western cuisine, but it is similar. In southeast Asian cooking, it’s actually more often used in the place of peppermint. It has a very strong, smoky flavor and, because of its strength, should be used in quantities about half that of cilantro....

What Does it Mean to Water Well When Planting? Before planting, it is a good idea to observe the drainage of the planting site or do a soil drainage test. Ideally, you want your planting site’s soil to drain at a rate of about 1-6” (2.5 to 15 cm.) per hour. If the area drains too quickly, you’ll need to amend the soil with organic materials or plant only drought tolerant plants....

Inside-Out Flower Information Inside-out flowers (Vancouveria hexandra) are wildflowers found growing in the forest floor in cool, moist, coastal mountain ranges of Oregon and California. The plant consists of wiry stems that grow from tangled mats of creeping underground stems. The leaves look somewhat like small ivy leaves, which gives this mounding plant a soft, delicate appearance. Large clusters of miniature white flowers appear in late spring and early summer. Inside-out flowers spread slowly, eventually forming large patches....

What are Self-Watering Containers? You can find self-watering containers in every size and shape imaginable, from large planters to small houseplant containers to window boxes. A self-watering container includes two chambers: one for the potting mix and plants and a second, typically underneath the first, which holds the water. The two chambers are separated by a screen or a piece of perforated plastic. Water wicks up from below into the potting mix, keeping the moisture level almost constant as long as the water reservoir is filled whenever it runs low....

“What are spanworms and how do I go about getting rid of spanworms before they strike again?” Read on to learn more about spanworms, their sneaky habits, and spanworm control. About Spanworm Damage While snowbush is among their favorite host plants, they will take up residence on others, such as cranberry bogs or blueberry bushes. Managing spanworms is possible when you know their forms and movement and how to scout for them....