Filling Holes/Cavities in TreesIs it possible to save or prolong the life of a tree with holes or cavities in it? YES, it is!
Anthers opening up (dehiscence) on AmaryllisFor an amaryllis flower to release pollen, the anther that holds the pollen must first mature and open. This splitting open of the anthers is called dehiscence.
Propagating Amaryllis Seeds by FloatingAlthough an exercise in patience, growing Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) bulbs from seed can be advantageous and offers the opportunity to hybridize something new, exciting and different in the world of Amaryllis.
Portable Composting and EarthwormsLiving in a condo, I don't have a lot of space, so I sometimes need to get creative with my gardening. I can't imagine a garden without compost, but did not have a large permanent place for a compost pile, so I took a large black pot that had once held a tree and I started using it for composting. The idea worked very well -- with added benefits. I had placed the pot in my rose bed. Earthworms quickly found their way up into the pot from the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. They delighted in the constant supply of fresh kitchen and yard waste that I kept putting into the pot, especially my coffee grounds, banana peels, and egg shells. Soon, I had an entire nursery of baby wrigglers, and my kitchen/yard waste was rapidly composted and became full of earthworm castings. Then, I had another idea: I had a rose bush that was not doing very well, so I moved my compost pot next to the rose bush during the rainy season. Nutrients must have drained out of the bottom of the pot, and baby earthworms made their way back out of the bucket and into my rose bed. Soon I noticed a great improvement in the rose bush, and a definite increase in the number of earthworms. It seems that this was a win-win situation: I was breeding earthworms, composting, and improving my soil -- all at the same time! This summer my composting pot is moving again. I have another bed that needs some soil improvement and is lacking in earthworms. What an easy way to improve my soil!
Soda Bottle DIY Irrigation for Roses and Other PlantsOne of the most effective methods of watering roses is by deep watering. An easy and economical way to do this is by turning a soda bottle into a DIY irrigation drip system.
Make a Lavender Wand SachetBring your garden indoors with a wand sachet made from lavender from your garden.
Natural, Non-Toxic Solution for Black Spot on RosesHere is a natural, non-toxic fix for black spot on roses that you can easily make yourself, and it costs only pennies.
