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August 26, 2024
"Why is my Orchid losing its buds?" is a common question we receive on our blog and social media pages. Today, we'll explain how to address this issue!
Identifying the Cause
When your orchid is losing buds or has drooping leaves instead of being firm and turgid, the first step is to rule out the presence of parasites or fungal diseases.
Benefits of Low-Water Plants
Not only do these plants help conserve water, but they also require less maintenance, making them ideal for those with limited time for gardening. The plants we’ve selected thrive with minimal intervention, some even producing beautiful blooms.
Establishing Plants for Low-Water Gardening
For these plants to grow almost self-sufficiently, they must be well established in your garden soil. Consider your soil type: avoid growing acid-loving plants in basic soil and vice versa. Young plants need regular watering and fertilizing initially to develop a solid root system that can access deep moisture. Once established, they will require less care.
10 Plants That Require Little Water
- Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)
- A deciduous shrub from China, it boasts bright yellow funnel-shaped flowers from January to March before the leaves appear.
- Cotoneaster
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- Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)
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August 19, 2024
"Why is my Orchid losing its buds?" is a common question we receive on our blog and social media pages. Today, we'll explain how to address this issue!
Identifying the Cause
When your orchid is losing buds or has drooping leaves instead of being firm and turgid, the first step is to rule out the presence of parasites or fungal diseases.
Step 1: Inspect the Plant
- Examine the plant and roots carefully, using a magnifying glass if necessary, to check for signs of parasites.
- Look for suspicious dots, honeydew, or tiny spider webs.
- Dots might indicate mites, honeydew suggests aphids, and spider webs with leaf discoloration could mean red spider mites.
Step 2: Addressing Pests
- If pests are found, treat the plant with an insecticide, following the package instructions. Repeat treatments at least a week apart.
Step 3: Checking for Fungal Diseases
- If you notice spores or mold, especially around the roots, over-watering might have caused a fungal disease. Use a fungicide as directed on the packaging.
Step 4: Repotting the Orchid
- To eliminate eggs or spores hidden in the substrate, repot the orchid.
- Discard the old potting soil, clean the pot thoroughly, and use a specific potting soil for orchids, not universal...
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August 12, 2024
Eliminating mealybugs from Dipladenia is crucial, as these pests can ultimately kill the plant. The lush, glossy leaves of Dipladenia are a tempting meal for various insects, especially the voracious cochineal.
Cochineals are tiny insects, about a millimetre in size, covered with a waxy shield that varies in colour from brown to greyish or white, depending on the species. Due to their small size, they are hard to detect, but their presence becomes apparent through the damage they cause - brown spots on the leaves and overall plant withering. Cochineals typically settle along the veins or branches, where they sting the plant to suck its sap. This feeding process slows the plant's growth, weakens it, and can lead to its death.
The mealybugs' metabolism retains the necessary proteins from the sap and excretes the excess sugars as a dense substance called honeydew. This honeydew attracts ants and can foster the growth of fungi, creating additional threats to the plant.
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August 05, 2024
Using Animal Repellents: A Practical Guide
When living with certain animals becomes problematic, using a repellent can be an effective solution. Whether it's a kitten scratching an expensive sofa or dealing with situations like pigeons, repellents can help.
Pigeon Repellent: How to Use It
Pigeons can cause significant damage to homes and pose health risks. Their guano is highly corrosive, damaging cornices and terraces, and can carry diseases. To keep pigeons away from balconies, you can use mechanical solutions such as physical barriers, acoustic deterrents, or scarecrows. Additionally, natural repellents emit odours that pigeons find unpleasant. These can be applied to windowsills, balconies, terraces, gutters, and attics. Since it's a natural product, it must be reapplied regularly, especially in rainy weather and during the first few weeks when there are many pigeons.
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July 22, 2024
Poisonous plants for dogs and cats
With so many vegetables to sow in the spring garden, it's easy to feel spoiled for choice. Today, we present 10 must-have varieties—some are beloved classics that shouldn't be missed, while others offer new tastes and introduce unusual plants to our garden.
It's important to note that planting times can vary—either earlier or later—depending on outdoor temperatures and the type of cultivation. We also need to consider where to store the seedlings once we have sown them. Those that are more cold-tolerant can be sown in the greenhouse, while those requiring warmer temperatures should be grown indoors.
This allows us to start sowing even a month earlier. Once the seedlings have sprouted and temperatures have risen, we can transplant them into the vegetable garden or a larger pot.
POISONOUS AND TOXIC PLANTS FOR DOGS AND CATS: HERE ARE WHICH ONES TO AVOID
We are used to using poisonous plants in our gardens for many different purposes: for hedges, we can use plants such as Laurel or Yew, which are dangerous for our pets because of their leaves...
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July 15, 2024
Growing Plants Indoors: 7 Useful Tips
With so many vegetables to sow in the spring garden, it's easy to feel spoiled for choice. Today, we present 10 must-have varieties—some are beloved classics that shouldn't be missed, while others offer new tastes and introduce unusual plants to our garden.
It's important to note that planting times can vary—either earlier or later—depending on outdoor temperatures and the type of cultivation. We also need to consider where to store the seedlings once we have sown them. Those that are more cold-tolerant can be sown in the greenhouse, while those requiring warmer temperatures should be grown indoors.
This allows us to start sowing even a month earlier. Once the seedlings have sprouted and temperatures have risen, we can transplant them into the vegetable garden or a larger pot.
Watering Houseplants: The First Rule—There Are No Rules!
Watering plants once a week might seem convenient, but it's not always effective. This one-size-fits-all approach can lead to plant stress caused by our cultivation mistakes rather than pests or diseases.
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July 08, 2024
During the summer, lawns endure greater stress and wear. By utilizing advanced products and following some simple practices, we can maintain the health and appearance of our grass while promoting its resilience.
Watering Houseplants: The Basics
When it comes to watering houseplants, there is no one-size-fits-all rule. Watering once a week might work for some people due to their schedules, but this approach can lead to issues. The needs of plants vary based on several factors, such as pot size, temperature, and exposure to sunlight. For instance, watering a small basil plant in a sunny spot once a week during hot summer days is insufficient.Different plants have varying water needs. Some, like succulents, can withstand long periods of drought, while others, like orchids, require special care.
How Much Water and When?
The amount of water needed depends on the pot's size. When using a watering can, ensure the soil is thoroughly soaked and allow excess water to drain before placing the plant back on its saucer. The properties of the growing medium also affect water retention. Watering lightly and superficially can lead to quick evaporation, especially if done during the day. Therefore, it's better to water in the evening, allowing roots more time to absorb moisture overnight.The interval between watering depends on various factors: pot size, temperature, sunlight exposure, and the type of plant. Smaller pots dry out faster and need more frequent watering...
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July 02, 2024
During the summer, lawns endure greater stress and wear. By utilizing advanced products and following some simple practices, we can maintain the health and appearance of our grass while promoting its resilience.
General Principles
The primary goal is to protect the root system from intense sunlight and minimize stress on the leaf system.Cutting Height
No matter the lawn's purpose (whether for sports or decoration), it’s advisable to increase the cutting height during summer. Raising the height to 45-50 mm for recreational lawns and 30-35 mm for ornamental lawns helps to shade the crown and roots, protecting them from sunburn and excessive water loss. Extend the interval between cuts to 7-8 days, and avoid removing more than 1/3 of the leaf length per cut to prevent matting.
The Role of Irrigation
Excess water can be more damaging than a lack of it. In summer, we often overwater the lawn, inadvertently encouraging fungal diseases and soil compaction. The soil's ability to absorb and store water depends on its structural characteristics. Watering should be based on these characteristics, as well as factors like outdoor temperature, seed mixture, and sun exposure.
Water should penetrate at least 15-20 cm into the soil with each watering. Water in the early morning or late afternoon to prevent prolonged wetness. A sprinkler irrigation system is recommended.
Fungal and Weed Control
Lawn diseases... -
June 24, 2024
According to color therapy, a red garden can stimulate energy, vivacity, and dynamism. Red, orange, and yellow hues in your garden can have a stimulating, exciting, and vibrant effect. Here are 20 plants to focus on for a red-coluored garden, ideal for enhancing your mood and encouraging positive emotions:
1) Aquilegia canadensis: Features dark red petals with yellow highlights, offering a striking contrast.
2) Azalea: Known for its stunning red flowers, it brings a splash of colour to any garden.
3) Begonia: Blooms from April until late autumn, with red varieties adding continuous colour.
4) Gladiolus: Produces red spikes of flowers from June to the end of summer....