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.

Woolly Aphids Attacking Apple Tree

Photo: Woolly Aphids on Apple Tree

Photo: Crushed Woolly Aphids on a Napkin

I noticed something that initially appeared to be white fungus on my apple tree.  However, upon closer inspection, I discovered the white fungus was actually woolly aphids!  

Woolly aphids are aphids that feed on the sap of a plant and secrete a substance that resembles white cotton or wool.  Symptoms of feeding may include twisted and curled leaves, yellowed foliage, poor plant growth, low plant vigor, and branch dieback.

I pruned back what I could to slow down the aphid growth, and I will try out a recipe for homemade insecticidal soap on the remaining aphids.  If it ends up being effective, I will share the recipe in a later post.   

Note: To determine whether you have woolly aphids on your tree, all you have to do is rub the white substance.  If a purple stain appears, then you have a woolly aphid problem on your hands; not fungus.  

Free Split Leaf Philodendron by Mail

Photo: Split Leaf Philodendron, 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 a Split Leaf Philodendron.  

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).