How to Care for Irises Post-Bloom

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Iris develops from rhizomes, enlarged underground stems that store energy for plant development and propagation. The perennial appears around the world as more than 300 species of flowers adapted to different growing conditions. The plants reach 6 inches to 4 feet in height and bloom in a wide array

Information on the Bottle Tree

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The bottle tree (Brachychiton populneus), also called a Kurrajong tree, is a rapidly growing evergreen tree belonging to the Sterculiaceae family. Bottle trees are native to the eastern regions of Australia.

How to Care for a Ponytail Palm Tree

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The Ponytail Palm trees are normally grown in containers and indoors. They are known by many names, such as a Bottle Palm, Monja and Elephant Foot. They can reach heights of 20 feet with the right conditions and they love the bright light. These plants are not really palms though, they are a member

How to Build Candelabras for Floral Centerpieces

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When combined, flowers and candles create a mood of enchantment in any setting. Both lend beauty, fragrance and emotion to such events as dinners, parties and weddings, especially when placed together at the center of a table. One of the easiest ways to mix candles and flowers is by using a candelab

Root Rot & Nematodes

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Nematodes can be beneficial to an ecosystem or parasitic. The root-knot nematode is a round worm species that feeds on plants. This type of nematode can damage landscape plants and vegetable gardens.

Jade Plants Leaves Are Falling Off

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Jade plants (Crassula ovata) can be grown from a single leaf and end up over 5 feet tall. They have fleshy branches and rounded, glossy leaves. As succulents, they require little water but grow best in bright light with some direct sunshine. Jade plants lose older leaves naturally but an increase i

Broken Tree Care

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A tree that has suffered damage, whether from falling branches, lightning, insects or other problems, needs care in order to recover. There are a number of things gardeners can do to help a broken tree.

How to Kill Weeds in Phoenix

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Gardeners in Phoenix, Arizona, must deal with broadleaf weeds and grassy weeds such as Bermuda grass and crab grass. These weeds compete with desirable plants for much needed moisture in the dry Phoenix soil. Gardeners can kill the weeds by pulling them up and tilling them into the soil for compost,

Recommendations for the Fastest Growing Evergreens

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Fast-growing evergreen trees and shrubs are a valuable design element in both home and commercial landscapes. They are a worthy landscape investment, providing longevity, hardiness, beauty and year-around color. Stately evergreen trees add vertical interest, reduce noise pollution, provide habitat f

How to Water a Silver Maple Tree

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A silver maple is a fast-growing tree that can grow up to 60 feet high. The silver maple grows best in U.S. hardiness zones 3 to 5. The tree is adaptable to many different climates, but it prefers moist, rich, slightly alkaline soils. Leaves have five lobes, and are about 3 to 6 inches long and 2 to

Diseases of Flowering Plum Trees

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Healthy plum trees have beautiful flowers in the spring.plum-tree blossom image by Roman Ivaschenko from Fotolia.comPlum trees are beautiful trees growing to 20 feet tall and wide. They need full sun and well-drained soil. The fruit of the plum tree can be eaten fresh, made into jam,...

Spider Mum Plants

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While early chrysanthemums -- the flowers were mentioned in Chinese literature as long ago as the 15th century B.C. -- were most likely small yellow flowers similar to daisies. Chrysanthemum plants evolved and were bred over time to become more elaborate. There are now 13 classes of mums. According

Conventional Weed Control for Corn

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Weeds cause problems for crops such as corn because they compete for nutrients, water and sunlight. Weeds also create a hiding place for pests that can harm crops. If the weeds are not controlled, corn crops can be lost.

What Is the Growth Rate of a Japanese Lilac Tree?

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Tolerant of urban conditions and the attendant pollution and hazards, the Japanese lilac tree also deals well with poor, clay or alkaline soils. The flexibility of the tree means it can find a home in nearly any landscape,

How to Use Mushroom Soil

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Commercial mushroom growers use a special blend of soil for growing mushrooms. As the soil periodically needs replacing they often make it available to gardeners to use at home. Low in nutrients, it does have some minor fertilizer benefits, but its primary benefit is as a soil amendment to improve t

What Does It Mean When the Leaves on a Strawberry Begonia Plant Curve?

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The strawberry begonia (Saxifraga sarmentosa) produces leaves in rosettes that are round and light green near their centers and deep green on the margins. Begonias are commonly used as houseplants and fare well in the bright, diffused light and cooler temperatures of most homes. Among the many house

How to Breed Rhododendron

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Rhododendrons are a shrubby plant closely related to the azalea bush that normally bloom only once a year. These plants prefer moist and well drained acidic soils; they propagate best in areas with minimal wind and partial sunlight. Planting rhododendron is rarely done by seed, as it can take as lo

How to Transfer Seedlings to a Hydroponics Chamber

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Hydroponics is a type of plant cultivation that is derived from the use of water and minerals delivered to the root system without soil. Essentially, plant roots are placed in a water solution with minerals and nutrients and sometimes a substrate such as sand or clay. No soil is used in hydroponics,

How to Cut Tops Off Cabbage Palms

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The cabbage palm, or Sabal palmetto, is the state tree of Florida. It thrives in ecosystems characterized as flatwoods and upland hardwoods as well as in swamps and marshes near the coastline. The cabbage palm grows to 80 feet tall and has 4- to 5-foot long fan-shaped leaves at the top of its straig

How to Care for a Breadfruit Tree

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Breadfruit trees (Artocarpus altilis), which can reach 85 feet high and 6 feet wide, bear bright green leaves with dull, yellow undersides. Male trees have drooping clusters of yellow flowers, while the female tree bears rounded, green seed heads that mature into edible fruit. Although the breadfrui