Various Types of Indoor Plant Watering Devices11.28.09

There is always a need for an indoor plant watering device to provide the moisture needs for that particular pant, Whether it is an indoor hanging plant or an orchid. There are some plants that are more particular about their water, while others seem to do fine no matter how much water they get per week.Since the larger plant cannot be moved under a faucet to provide the easy access to the water, it is more difficult to water them.In such cases, the watering can will have to be filled over and over again till the time the plant has all that it needs. There are easier solutions, however, to this type of situation through the use of indoor plant watering devices that are on the market today.

Tips Before Opting For Indoor Plant Watering Devices

The first tip when thinking about an indoor plant watering deviceis to check the soil in all of the plants in the home. If the soil is not the right consistency, it is not going to matter what type of indoor plant watering device is purchased, the plant will end up either having too much water or not enough due to the soil. The soil should be made up of a porous material that is not too heavy. The porous material will allow some moisture to be held in the soil but will also allow the excess moisture to drain out of it.The roots of the plant will be saturated all the time, thus causing rot, if the soil will hold too much water because of too heavy soil.The sandy soil which is too light through which water will pass easily will not retain what the plant needs to stay healthy.

If the soil is correct, there are plenty of indoor plant watering devices to make the watering job easier. There are automatic plant watering devices that will allow the plants to stay watered for two weeks or more. These devices can be hooked up easily by the individual and can be created from scratch or can be bought in a garden supply store. The range of cost for these devices can be from ten dollars to over one hundred dollars, depending on the complexity of the system.The More complex and pricey systems will usually water about twenty plants for up to forty days through the use of the system. These devices are very convenient when the person is going on a long vacation and does not want to have someone else come in to the home to take care of the plants.

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Curly Milkweed – Ascelpias Amplexicaulis10.20.09

Ascelpias Amplexicaulis is a member of the milkweed family. It is also a member of the Asclepiadaceae family belonging to the wildflower population that is common in the United States. It predominately grows in the Central and Eastern areas of the country with its appearance in the spring of the year. The curly milkweed inhabits fields and woods in the sandy soil growing one to three feet in height. Although it is a beauty plant, it is also very poisonous to humans and animals.

Curly Milkweed is used for the fibrous materials of the plant. It is used as food and medicine throughout the United States and the southern areas of Canada. The stems of the plant have been historically documented as textiles used by the Pueblo region. Tewa people living in the Rio Grande use the fibers of the milkweed to create string and rope. The area of Zuni uses the seed fibers to create a spun yarn that is woven into fabric for their dancers’ apparel. The Pueblos consume the green pods of the milkweed and the raw roots found underground.

The fibers are tough making a sturdy material for cords and ropes as well as sturdy clothing. The stems are dried in the late fall and early wintertime then split to allow the fibers to release the inner contents naturally. To enforce the fibers, the milkweed is sometimes fused with Indian hemp producing a stronger material. Twisting the two fibers together then rolling them creates a long lasting rope used for many purposes.

The curly milkweeds are also used for food. The tender young shoots, unripe fruits, flower buds, and roots are boiled similar to other vegetables by the original inhabitants of the eastern and mid-west areas of America. Some people use the tender younger leaves and stems as greens while the flowers are consumed raw or boiled for soups or an additive to meats.
The Native American tribes in California use the plants for chewing gum by using the sap after heating a mixture with fat of deer or salmon. In addition to using the sap for gum, the sap is used for cleansing or healing sore or cuts. It is often used as a cure for ringworm and warts as well. The hairs of the plant are burned from the ripened seeds then ground into a salve for the wounds.

The seeds are boiled in water then used in the liquid form to remove rattlesnake poison. The roots are used to create a tea to remedy the rash associated with measles and to aid in the healing of coughs. The mixture is also used for a wash to aid in rheumatism.

The natural abilities of the plant are used by butterflies to fend off their predators since the ingredients make the insects unappealing in tastes. The curly milkweed although having benefits and abilities to heal in aiding with humans is toxic when consumed by sheep and cows.

http://www.dntnursery.com TN Nursery is a state certified tree nursery specializing in native plants and trees, shrubs, fern, and perennials as well as pond plants and wetland mitigation species.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/curly-milkweed-ascelpias-amplexicaulis-1360813.html

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Garden Calendar For October – What To Do10.17.09

In Northern United States and Canada

After a killing frost there will be much clean-up work to do. In addition to collecting fallen leaves, and their transfer to the compost heap, the gardener will need to gather together such trash as Dahlia tops, Corn stalks and the stems and foliage of frost-killed perennials and annuals. Destroy any of this material that is known to harbor soil-borne pests and diseases. Put all the rest onto the compost pile.

The lifting of Summer bulbs that were not dug last month should not be delayed. Tuberous Begonias and Gladioli may be lifted before killing frost, all other kinds immediately following. Prepare areas for planting trees and shrubs and proceed with planting bulbs, except Tulips, as fast they can be obtained. Toward the end of the month, or even earlier in the northern parts of the region, you may plant deciduous trees and shrubs.

Remove garden furniture to its Winter storage quarters. Clean, oil and put away for Winter all tools and implements as their season’s usefulness ends. Mound soil around the bases of Roses to provide Winter protection, but don’t do this until as late as possible before the ground freezes to a depth that makes the job impracticable to do. Rest Christmas Cacti during this month and the early part of next by withholding water and allowing the soil to become quite dry.

In the South

There is still time to sow Rye Grass lawns. Cuttings of Camellias and other evergreens planted in a mixture of peat moss and sand in a greenhouse or cold frame give good results if taken now. Except in the lower South, where they should be fertilized once more, cease feeding Roses.

Dig roots of Whitloof Chicory, plant them closely together in boxes of sand or sandy soil and place them in a cool cellar or coldframe until they are needed for forcing. Lift Celery and plant it closely together in a coldframe. Water it well and shade it to keep it dark. Protect the frame from severe cold by covering them. Rake leaves from lawns before they mat down, and exclude air and light. At the last mowing cut the grass at a height of two inches, not lower. Mulch the soil around Boxwood and other evergreens with a layer three or four inches thick of compost, well rotted manure, peat moss or similar protective material.

Install guards of small-mesh wire netting around trunks of young trees to prevent rabbits from girdling the bark during winter. Where Amaryllis are grown outdoors October is a good time to lift, separate and replant bulbs that are crowded. It is not necessary to cut back their foliage. Plant late Winter and Spring-flowering bulbs of all kinds.

If dry weather prevails be sure to water well Azaleas, Camellias and other evergreens. Clean off the tops of perennials that are through blooming. Burn the debris if it carries soil-borne diseases or pests, otherwise consign it to the compost heap. This is an excellent time to lift, divide and replant old perennials and to plant new ones. In the deep South sow seeds of hardy annuals, Kinds to sow include Calendulas, Sweet Alyssum, Larkspurs, Lupines, Petunias, Stocks and Snapdragons.

On the West Coast

This is the ideal time to sow new lawns and to recondition old ones. This means grass lawns. Lawns of Dichondra should not be planted until Spring. Spring-flowering bulbs, such as Narcissi, Crocus, Anemones, Ranunculus, Hyacinths, four o’clock, Spanish Irises, Dutch Iris, English Iris, Oxalis and, where they are hardy, Freesias, Watsonias, Lachenalias, Ixias and Babianas, may now be planted. For now, i am planting four o’clock flowers in my garden.

Lift and store for the Winter Summer-flowering bulbs and tubers that go dormant at this season. Here belong Tuberous Begonias, Caladiums and Gladioli. Bulbs of Lilies may be planted this month. Lift, divide and reset perennials. Plant new perennials. Set out young plants of Snapdragons, Pansies, Cineraries and other annuals.

There is much more on four o’clock flowers. Drop by today at http://www.zone10.com/four-oclock-flowers.html. Click here to get your own unique version of this article with free reprint rights.

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