House & Garden 2024, November

The correct way to prune the cluster or raceme (the stem from which the flowers grow) of the orchid depends on the variety of the plant, while to prune damaged leaves and roots, the method does not change for all varieties of orchids. Pruning methods for some orchid varieties are described below.

Blackberries are evergreen plants with roots that last for years, but the stems of the plant, formally called bushes, are biennial and therefore, before growing again, last for two years. When pruning blackberries, you will need to start treating first year bushes.

Aphids love to feed on fruits, vegetables, flowers and many other types of plants, making it difficult to develop a beautiful garden. These little pear-shaped insects congregate in the shaded part of the leaves and come in many different colors.

Wild roses are strong, hardy plants that are sometimes called prairie roses or Scottish or dog roses. There are many varieties of wild rose, but true wild roses have five petals on their flowers, which tend to be white or pink. These plants tend to spread through their roots and runners, making them difficult to completely eradicate from a garden.

Dahlias are vibrant and lovely flowers, available in a wide range of colors. However, because they can get very tall, many gardeners are skeptical of planting them in pots. They grow vigorously as long as the container is large enough, but varieties reaching 90cm tall and beyond may need additional support.

Tulips make a beautiful addition to lawns and gardens. It is also quite easy, with the right maintenance and attention, to grow beautiful tulips year after year: no precise watering times and no complicated fertilization techniques. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, this flower is an excellent choice for any garden.

The care of mini orchids is similar to that of their older sisters. Like regular orchids, mini orchids need warmth, moisture, and semi-dry roots. They tend to be a little more sensitive than common orchids, and require less water and fertilizer.

Blood meal is a slaughterhouse product and is often used as a fertilizer due to its fast action and high nitrogen content. This substance can be purchased at most garden centers and nurseries and is often used in the cultivation of fruit and vegetables.

All the cherries on the market are grown from grafts or tissue samples, so growers know exactly which product they will get. Planting hazelnuts is a project suitable for those who want to grow a cherry tree at home and want to face a challenge to see what they can achieve.

In chemistry, pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14 - a pH near 0 is extremely acidic, near 14 is very basic and at 7 it is perfectly neutral. In gardening and horticulture, the pH of the soil used for growing plants can have serious effects on the health and growth of the plant.

The peach tree is a fast-growing tree that bears fruit after just 3 to 4 years if grown from the stone. However, most gardeners prefer to purchase saplings from nurseries or farms rather than trying to develop a small, fragile seedling. Peach trees from nurseries or farms typically produce fruit in 1 to 2 years.

Freesias are pretty, fragrant flowers that arise from bulbs. They are ideal for floral arrangements and are often grown with the purpose of cutting them and putting them on display. Freesias can grow both in the ground and in pots and will blossom about 12 weeks after planting them, with flowering lasting for several months.

Edible rhubarb (Rheum x cultorum) is one of the few perennial - and therefore versatile - vegetables offered by the garden. It is used as a soft fruit and is eaten stewed, in cakes and other preparations after cooking. Although it is a low-key crop, it must be harvested just like any other garden product, at the right time and in the right way, and this can be a bit tricky in some ways.

Climbing roses come in different sizes ranging from miniatures, which reach 30-60 cm in height, to huge banksiae roses that grow to 4-6 meters or more. All these roses have to be guided in their climbing, because they don't do it naturally. Keep in mind that if they are not allowed to climb, they will expand on the ground.

Bon sai is an art that has been practiced in Asia for many centuries. Bonsai grow from the same seeds as normal plants. They are grown in small containers and are sprouted and grown to remain small and elegant. Learn how to grow one, growing it in one of the traditional styles for bonsai, and care for it so that it develops healthy for years to come.

Sarracenias are carnivorous plants that can use their tube-shaped leaves to trap and digest insects. Insects are drowned with sweet nectar and eye-catchers. The inside of the tube is often too slippery for the insect to climb. When the insects fall into the pool inside, they are digested by enzymes or bacteria.

If you live in a warm climate where there are no harsh winters, you can grow tropical passion fruit at home. The plant can be a bit difficult to handle and needs room to grow, but with enough attention and care, it will provide you with a steady harvest of the delicious fruit.

Chemical herbicides are dangerous for the environment and pose risks to bees (and other insects beneficial to the ecosystem), nature and even to animals and children who play near the treated areas. As an alternative to these products, you can make a natural herbicide using household ingredients.

Bamboo is beautiful and you can put many varieties of it in your garden; you don't have to fear it will take over if you follow a few simple steps to contain it. Keep reading. Steps Step 1. If you are not looking to control an existing plant, the best way to start is to choose a species compatible with the style of your garden Bamboo is a thick grass, and like its smaller cousins, there are some varieties that spread easily and others that remain more harvested.

Compost is a rich blend of nutrients derived from organic matter, used by gardeners and farmers to grow plants and flowers in a strong and healthy way. In addition to providing nutrients that help improve depleted soil at no extra cost, compost piles also have the added benefit of recycling many lawn and household waste that is commonly produced that would otherwise end up in landfills.

Easy to grow and highly prized, lavender is a welcome addition to any garden, with its beautiful flowers and wonderful aroma. Here you will find how to grow and care for a lavender plant without anyone's help. Steps Method 1 of 3: Get started Step 1.

The pitaya is the fruit of several cactus plants. Known more commonly as "dragon fruit", the pitaya is native to Mexico but was later transplanted to Central America and other parts of the world. Caring for the plant is pretty simple;

The hydrangea paniculata (hydrangea paniculata) "Limelight" is a slightly smaller variety of hydrangea than others of the same species. It has a more compact shape and in nature it only grows to 1.8-2.4m, instead of 2.4-4.6m like the rest of the species.

If you're growing medical marijuana, you need to know how to recognize a female from a male plant. Most growers prefer females because they are the only ones to produce the coveted buds that contain a large concentration of the active ingredient.

Nitrogen is an essential component for plant growth and plays a vital role in the development of healthy foliage. While it is possible to find a chemical fertilizer that contains high levels of nitrogen, if you want a more organic approach you can also make a nitrogen fertilizer yourself, knowing which natural products contain a high level of nitrogen that you can mix or apply to the soil.

Orchids are among the most beautiful flowers in the whole plant kingdom, as they combine exotic looks with various characteristics. They are refined plants that include over 30,000 different species and more than 200,000 hybrids - making them the largest family of plants in the world.

Purple roses can be difficult to procure, but they make a gorgeous and unusual touch in the garden if you can find them. For an inky deep purple hue, try to find cultivars like 'Midnight Blue Rose' or 'Ebb Tide'. For a light lilac or lavender hue, we recommend growing 'Blue Moon' or 'Intermezzo'.

Jacaranda - Jacaranda mimosifolia - is a large tree native to Brazil, which is also grown in the southern part of the United States, Australia and many other hot and humid climate areas. These trees are best known for their beautiful purple and blue flowers that bloom in spring.

A kokedama resembles a hanging garden and is a fun home beautification project that you can complete on your own. To make it, you first need to make a ball of substrate using moss and potting soil; afterwards, wrap the plants in several such spheres and hang them around the house.

Whether you plan to eat it or just show it off, the cactus can make a great addition to your home or garden. While most people associate the word "cactus" with images of solitary, thorny saguaro framing desert and arid wastes, in fact, tropical varieties that can thrive in humid environments also belong to the Cactaceae family.

Planting large bushes and trees is a wonderful idea for landscaping a garden, but at first, plants may not be able to support themselves. To give plants the best chance of growing strong and large, you may need to help them support themselves with stakes.

Narcissus is a hardy garden plant that will continue to bloom beautifully year after year. The secret to being able to get blooms every year is to provide the plant with the right amount of fertilizer at the right time. Steps Method 1 of 2:

Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis and Wisteria floribunda) is a gorgeous climbing plant with heavy clusters of white, pink, blue or purple flowers. It can grow to enormous size and is ideal for covering pergolas and other outdoor structures that require shade or shelter.

Chrysanthemums are perennial flowers that bloom when the days are short and the nights are longer, i.e. during the autumn of the Northern Hemisphere. Chrysanthemums produce abundant blooms, in different shapes and colors, which last for several weeks.

A garden incinerator is a simple device that allows you to burn waste at home. The ashes produced by plant residues can be used to correct the composition of the soil just as if they were compost. These devices have lost popularity due to the risks related to air pollution, although the main protests are from neighbors who see their property invaded by smoke.

Freesias are extremely popular plants in flower gardens around the world; they require little maintenance and grow in most temperatures and climates. Since freesia is a corm plant, it's important that some steps are taken to ensure it blooms year after year.

In the world of gardening, white clover is considered both a boon and a disgrace. For example, if bees buzzing around you are a problem or you are allergic to them, it is best to remove any white clover plants you have in your garden. Eradicating the seedling from the ground is just the first in a series of steps you will need to follow to make sure the plant doesn't keep growing back.

If your lawn has become a jungle of weeds, it may be time to get rid of it and get the lawn back from seed. To do this, you will need to know how to prepare the lawn, sow and care for the seeds once they are planted. Read on for more information.

The hydroponics system is an effective way of using water and nutrients to grow plants. Finding the right balance of nutrients is essential to facilitate the growth and development of your crop, and it's not particularly difficult either. Keep reading.

Lavender is a beautiful fragrant bush that will produce purple, white or yellow flowers depending on the variety you choose. Many gardeners prefer cutting (i.e. planting the cut off branch of a pre-existing plant), but lavender can also be grown from seeds.