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Naturopathica

Showing posts with label Flowers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flowers. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Free Bleeding Hearts Plant from Michigan Bulb


You can get a free bleeding hearts plant from Michigan Bulbhttp://www.michiganbulb.com/ if you claim it by Sunday.  You only have to pay for shipping.  You can estimate shipping before checkout.  For my zip code, shipping was estimated at $8.75.  If you sign-up for their emails, you can also get a $20 instant coupon.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Iris Growing in a Vase



I started an iris in a vase after seeing one in a plant catalog.  I've been growing it for a couple of months now, and so far things are going well.  The plant actually grew a new leaf!  I have only topped off the vase a couple of times.  I chose to top it off with water from my betta fish tank because fish waste water is a natural fertilizer for plants.


Materials:
  • Vase
  • Aquarium gravel
  • Iris rhizome or bulb* 
  • Water
  • Moss
Directions:
  1. Fill up the vase half way with gravel.
  2. Perch iris rhizome or bulbs on top of the gravel.  
  3. Pour water into the vase so that the water level falls just under the gravel.  The iris rhizome or bulb should not be in standing water (unless it is the type of iris that can be submerged in water).
  4. Place moss on top of and around iris.  The moss will absorb the water and keep the iris bulb or rhizome moist but not soggy.
  5. Place the vase in a sunny location, and enjoy!
*The rhizome I had already had roots and a leafy top.  I filled the vase 1/3 the way, placed the rhizome on top of the gravel and then poured gravel around the roots until the rhizome rested on the gravel.


Thursday, September 20, 2012

Making Way for Cool Annuals


Summer annuals need to come out of garden to make way for cool season annuals

Here in the mild climates on the West Coast, the difficulty of getting new cool- season annuals into the garden to bloom through autumn and winter is not selecting, procuring and installing the new annuals; it is the removal of the warm-season annuals while they are still blooming and looking so good. Knowing that planting new annuals sooner than later will get them an earlier start is not always much consolation....

To read the full article, click here.



Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Propagating African Violets

African Violet: Leaf Cutting Started 6/28/2012

A friend of mine started an African Violet plant for me by using a healthy leaf cutting from her existing plant.

She snipped off a healthy leaf with a stem of about 1 to 1-1/2 inches long.  Then she stuck the stem in some potting soil in a small container.  She watered the plant, and then set the pot inside another clear plastic container.  She then placed a plastic baggy over the clear container to create a tent.  Because the water was trapped in this environment I only had to water it once in the last two and a half months!  I am happy to report new leaves sprouting near the leaf stem!

For first-time African Violet propagators, check out Christian Tamez's video on starting African Violet Plants:  


"Starting African Violets" by Christian Tamez



Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Continuous Sunflower Blooms

Photo: Successive Plantings of Sunflowers

The sunflowers are blooming against the fence.  I used last year's harvest of sunflower seeds.  The new flowers are smaller in size, and it is probably due to lack of consistent watering and over crowding.  I just threw a bunch of seeds in a row and covered it with soil.

I actually prefer the smaller sunflower heads for floral arrangements.  I planted a new row of sunflowers right in front of the old one.   I am staggering the plantings so that I can have a wall of continuous blooms.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

First Bloom: Dutch Iris

Photo: First Dutch Iris Bloom of the Season
Photo: First Dutch Iris Bloom of the Season

I love starting my morning off in the garden especially in Spring when there is so much activity.  This morning one of the Dutch Iris bulbs I ordered from Michigan Bulb Company last year greeted me in full bloom!  I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Sage Blooming

My sage plant is blooming.  I love these flowers, and the foliage stays green year round over here.  I am considering planting some in our flower bed.  


Photo of Sage Buds 2012
Sage Buds

Photo of Sage in Full Bloom 2012
Sage in Full Bloom

Friday, March 23, 2012

Freesias Are Blooming

The freesias are blooming in the garden.  I look forward to the sight and smell of these flowers each spring. 



Saturday, March 10, 2012

Free Bird of Paradise by Mail


Photo: Free Bird of Paradise", Free Plant of the Month by freeplantsbymail.org

Free Plants By Mail (freeplantsbymail.org) was started by local growers as a way to use the surplus plants from nurseries and also as a way to support The Nature Conservancy.  Free Plants By Mail offers a new free plant each month.  This month they are offering Bird of Paradise plant.  The Bird of Paradise flower resembles a bird that is poking out of the leaves.  Although the plant itself is free, you do have to pay a small shipping and handling fee of $6.95.
This organization also has over 100 plants available for sale on their site.  100% of the proceeds from the sale will go to The Nature Conservancy.
Click here to view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Harvesting Marigold Seeds

Photo 1: Dried marigold flower head full of seeds

Photo 2: Dried orange petal fluff removed.  Base of plant is holding a bunch of marigold seeds.
 
Photo 3: Base of plant holding a few marigold seeds.

Photo 4: Bag full of marigold seeds

My marigolds are dying back in the garden and the stems have turned brown, which means it is time to harvest the marigold seeds.  Collecting marigold seeds will take very little time and effort, and you will end up with an abundant supply of marigold seeds.  Share them with friends or grow them next year from seed.    

Marigolds are easy to grow from seed, are pretty, drought-tolerant, and are very hardy plants.  I plant marigolds throughout the vegetable garden because the roots secrete a substance that kills nematodes.  The smell of marigolds also deter some pests that munch on other crops (e.g., whiteflies).     

How to Collect Marigold Seeds

Materials: 
  • Plastic snack bag or other seed container
  • Small rock or weight if using a plastic bag
  • Scissors
  • Bowl

Directions:
  1. Identify flower heads that have died back, and where 1 to 2 inches of the stem has turned brown.  See Photo 1.  Snip off these flowers (with the stems) and place them in a bowl.  
  2. Place a small rock or weight in your bag to keep it from flying away.
  3. Using your fingers, remove the "orange fluff" (i.e., the dry, brittle marigold flower petals) and discard them.  I throw the fluff right back into the garden.  See Photo 1 & 2.
  4. Several marigold seeds (i.e., black and tan slivers)  are in the base of the flower.  See Photo 2 & 3.  
  5. Remove the seeds and place them in the plastic bag.  Seal the bag when you are done.  If you used dried flower heads, then you should not have any condensation.  If you do notice condensation inside the bag, re-open the bag and allow the seeds to completely dry out before storing them.     



Saturday, October 1, 2011

Seeds from Flower Arrangements

Photo: Flower from Flower Arrangement Setting Seeds

It looks like a flower in my flower arrangement produced seeds.  I can't tell if they are good seeds, but I decided to chuck them in the garden anyways and see what happens.  Maybe one will sprout!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Reviving Azaleas

Photo: New growth on water-deprived azalea bush

My new azalea plant was one of the few plants that suffered while I was away on a long weekend.  The high temperatures and lack of water turned this plant into crisp.  Since then, I have watered it everyday, and weeks later, I am happy to report some new growth.    

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Smart Hanging Basket Liners



If you are tired of constantly watering your hanging basket plants, consider updating your liners with AquaSav's baket liners.  These liners require 50% less watering than standard basket liners.  A layer of 100% recycled post-consumer plastic liner is sandwiched between natural coir fiber.  The replacement liners are inexpensive, and come in various sizes.  Alternatively, you can line the bottom of an ordinary basket liner with pond plastic or even an inexpensive plastic bowl.

































Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Starting the New Year: $20 or $40 off Michigan Bulb Coupon Code

Garden catalogs are pouring in, and I am excited for another year of gardening.  This year I want to focus on my flower garden, and Michigan Bulb, Co. offered a good selection of beautiful flowers at a great deal.  See coupon codes below.

I have ordered:
  • Sorbet Peony
  • Green Envy Coneflower   
  • Patty's Plum Poppy
  • Rainbow Lewisia Mix
  • Mixed Dutch Iris
  • Crocosmia "Emily McKenzie"
  • Twinkle Toes
  • Passion Mixed Begonia
  • Double Tuberose
  • Hardy Orchid Mix
  • Tea Cup Plant
  • Banana Cream Daisy
  • Hardy Mixed Carnations

Michigan Bulb, Co. Coupon Codes:
  1. Get $20 off $40 purchase with coupon code 0817581 Exp. 2/11
  2. Get $40 off $80 purchase with coupon code 0817588 Exp. 2/21


Sunday, September 12, 2010

Harvesting Sunflower Seeds


I harvested sunflower seeds from my garden today.  I knew the sunflowers were ready for picking because the flower petals were gone, the leaves were brown, and a few seeds were already loose.  I just cut the stem, and rubbed my thumb across the seeds to loosen them.  Most of the seeds fell out effortlessly.   For the stubborn seeds I used a spoon to work them out.  My thumb is not fond of splinters.  

I am going to save some seeds for planting next season, but I am going to roast the rest.  This will be my first time roasting sunflower seeds.  I am going to follow the instructions on the National Sunflower Association website.  

I really enjoyed growing these flowers.  The blooms are large and showy, they last a long time, and I get a nice treat from them at the end of the season!  

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

In The Garden: New Seedlings



I planted some seeds in my re-useable seedling containers about a couple of weeks ago and left them outside.  I was afraid I might have jumped the gun on planting season because I was not seeing any signs of life the first week, but on the eighth day I discovered most of my seeds have sprouted.  The Cosmos and Calendulas were the first to emerge.  Now my African Daisies, Poppies and Gysophilas have also peeked through the soil.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Don't Throw Away Those Bulbs!


Last year one of my friends received a beautiful container full of beautiful, blooming tulips as a Valentine's Day gift. After the flowers died back, she innocently threw the pot away along with the tulip bulbs thinking her poor plant had died! She did not know that the tulips would bloom again the following year.

It just goes to show that you cannot take gardening information for granted. I wonder how many people accidentally threw away perfectly good plants or bulbs that have gone dormant. The next time you gift a live plant, you may want to explain what to expect to the gift recipient so she does not make the same mistake my friend did.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Black-Eyed Susan

Black Eyed Susans are wonderful flowers to have in your apartment garden. I love having fresh floral arrangements inside my apartment, and black eyed susans serve as an excellent source of cutting flowers. The plant produces what seems like an everlasting supply of cutting flowers, and the flowers last long in a vase.


Black eyed susans have yellow petals, a dark dome-like center, and long stems. This plant is a perennial, which means it will come back year after year. Because the plant can be propagated by dividing the rhizomes, I do not bother collecting the seeds. In fact, I do not allow the flowers to go to seed because I want the longest blooming period possible. To prolong the blooming period, take regular flower cuttings or dead head spent flowers.

These flowers do well in full sun, but can survive in light shade. Once these plants are established, they are fairly drought-tolerant. I started these plants from seeds earlier this year. I currently grow these flowers outside in full sun in an unsealed terracotta container. They have been able to easily withstand California's dry, hot weather even when I have neglected to water them for a few days. I plan on dividing the rhizomes later this fall.




Available for Purchase at Park's Seed


Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Blooming Chamomile Buds

Just thought I'd share a few photos of my blooming chamomile buds. At first I thought my chamomile was blooming without any petals, but a day or two later the petals grew out from the buds to form perfect little chamomile flowers.

Photo of Chamomile Buds

Photo of Chamomile Petals Growing

Photo of Chamomile Flower in Full Bloom

Photo of Chamomile Flower Going to Seed

Sunday, April 27, 2008

African Daisy (Venidium Jaffa Ice)

Photo of African Daisy (Venidium Jaffa Ice): First Bloom

My first African Daisy (Venidium Jaffa Ice) bloom of the season! I planted a few venidium jaffa ice seeds in my succulent container to make the container appear fuller. The venidium jaffa ice foliage is "hairy" and has a frosted pale green tint. The seedlings resemble a hairy succulent until it shoots out its miniature sunflower-like blooms. My African Daisy is about 17-inches tall and has blooms that are about 2-inches wide across, but the seed packet says the plant can reach heights of up to 24-inches and have blooms as large as 4-inches wide across.

This African Daisy is an annual. I love annuals because they grow quickly and usually work well in containers. Although they only last one season, I can easily start them from seeds the following year.

Photo of White African Daisy (Venidium Jaffa Ice)

View of African Daisy's Double Row of Petals