Archive for August, 2010
Adventitious Rooting
There are quite a number of species of both container and garden plants which can be propagated by taking cuttings from them. These are ones which already have small roots developing along the trunk or stems of the plant.
I have a double flowering form of Feverfew that I have to propagate every year or it would die out within two years. And I take full advantage of this trait in planting sections of it directly into the garden where it will grow for the next two years. As well as this it also provides extra plants for friends and charity stalls.
Other plants for which this works as well include members of the Ficus family many of the orchids eg Crucifix Monstera’s Philodendrons and many of the ground cover type species of plants. I have even known Marguerite daisies to do it in moist weather. The easiest way to find out which ones you have is to inspect your own plants stems and see which are developing roots from the trunks or stems.
This same idea of taking advantage of the adventitious roots of a plant can also be used to increase the yield of a number of the plants growing in the Vegetable garden.
Vegetable garden plants that put out adventitious roots include the solanum family potatoes tomatoes capsicum and chillies. As well as plants in the grass family like corn. While you would most likely not want to propagate these plants you can take advantage of this trait in increasing the yield that you get per plant by increasing the plants ability in taking up moisture and nutrients.
These plants are not averse to having mulch or soil heaped up around the main stems of the plants. And as such will if encouraged will send out the side roots into the growing medium and so help increase the plants vigour and fruit size quality and quantity.
Another plant in the useful garden where you can take advantage of this trait is a Pineapple top. Once they have been cut away from the fruit. Leave them out in a shady spot to dry for a couple of weeks or so. Then remove the lower portion of dying leaves you may even see some adventitious roots already developing. Pot this up in a moist welldrained potting mix it may need some extra drainage material mixed through though as they do like a sandy type soil or they may rot. Just treat the new plant like other members of the Bromeliad family.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;The Bare Bones Gardener is a qualified Horticulturist and a qualified Disability Services Worker. He hates spending money on stuff which doesnt live up to the promises given. So he looks for cheaper easier simpler or free ways of doing the same thing and then he passes these ideas on to others.
Garden Blog http://barebonesgardening.blogspot.com/
Add A Touch Of The Exotic
Are you getting bored with your house? Are you getting tired of seeing the same plants over and over? Do you want an easy and quick way to spice things up? If so you should consider using exotic plants to change the look and feel of your house. After all an exotic plant or a vase of ornamental exotic flowers is a heck of a lot cheaper than new furniture and less time consuming than painting the walls a vibrant new color. This article highlights some of the best exotic plants you can use in your home.
Bird of Paradise
There are few exotic plants more impressive than the bird of paradise. A native of South Africa where it is called the crane plant the bird of paradise can now be found all over the world a result of its obvious beauty. Standing as much as two meters tall the bird of paradise is commonly used for ornamental purposes. The bird of paradise was given its name because of its similarity to the bird species of the same name; the bird of paradise’s fan shaped stems are said to resemble the head and beak of a bird.
Hawaiian flowers
As with anything to do with Hawaiian culture Hawaiian flowers are very popular at the moment. Hawaiian flowers are especially good if you are trying to give your house a tropical feel and are sure to be the perfect exotic plant to give your flower arrangement a carefree summery look. And there are few plants more exotic and unique than a Hawaiian lava plant grown on the Big Island right on the lava stone. The main kinds of lava plants you want to look for are bromeliad and anthurium lava plants. Each of these lava plants is vibrantly colored. The colourful middle stem of the bromeliad is surrounded by a circle of fronds. And most anthurium plants have a heart shaped flower that is so bright it looks like glossy paint. Don’t settle for roses and tulips they have been done to death. What could be more romantic and memorable than a heart shaped potted anthurium plant?
Orchids
Orchids are the most popular exotic plants. The reason for this is many people think they are simply the most beautiful exotic plant in the world. Orchids are also surprisingly easy to grow and the blooms of live plants last for weeks or even months. Even though orchids are extremely popular there are so many different kinds of orchids you can easily pick orchids as your exotic plants without too much fear that you are just following the crowd. Indeed there are literally thousands upon thousands of different varieties of flowering orchids.
Exotic flowers are an easy way to make an impressive and unique design statement in your home. Instead of getting the same kinds of plants from the same places it’s time to branch out into exotic plants and shake up your routine! Turn your drab room around with a bird of paradise Hawaiian lava plant or beautiful orchid. Or even get creative and mix all three of these exotic plants.
About the writer: Steve Dolan loves flowers and plants of all types. Exotic flowers are a major focal point. Try some yourself at Exotic Flowers and Exotic Plants and for great arrangments try Flower Arrangements
A Brief Introduction To Methods Of Hydroponic Production
Hydroponics literally means water working however in practical use it means growing plants in a nutrient solution without soil. The hydroponic science had proved that soil isnt required for plant growth but the elements minerals and nutrients that soil contains are. Soil is a place where the plant roots traditionally live and a base of support for the plant structure. Soil is simply the holder of the nutrients. By eliminating the soil you eliminate soil borne disease and weeds and gain precise control over the plants nutritional diet. In a hydroponic solution you provide the exact nutrients your plants need in precisely the correct ratios so they can develop stressfree mature faster and at harvest are the highest quality possible.
In commercial production the two primary growing methods are NFT Nutrient Film Technique and drip also known as substrate. There are a number of variations of these methods and also several others including the float system ebb and flow system Aeroponics and passive. The biggest difference between the NFT systems and drip systems is the use of a growing medium. In an NFT system the plant roots are in a channel where a thin film of nutrient solution passes keeping them moist but not waterlogged. In a drip system the plant roots are in a growing medium such as Perlite or Rockwool and the nutrient solution is dripped onto the medium to keep it moist.
NFT Nutrient Film Technique
With the NFT also known Nutrient Film Technique technique the plants are grown in channels also called gullies in which the nutrient solution is pumped through. The plant roots are kept moist by the thin film of nutrient solution as it passes by. Ideally the bottom of the roots is exposed to the nutrient solution while the top are kept moist but not waterlogged.
With the development of ondemand dosing equipment a nutrient reservoir can automatically be adjusted and with proper aeration and pH adjustment the system can effortlessly be kept fresh for weeks at a time. Most NFT channels are fed continuously at a rate of approximately 1 liter per minute. Since the plant roots are not in a growing medium it is crucial that they are kept moist at all times. In most NFT systems the nutrient solution is mixed in a primary reservoir cycled through the channels and back to the reservoir.
NFT is ideal for short term crops like lettuce leafy crops and herbs. In many locations around the world Larger NFTchannels are used for long term crops such as tomatoes and cucumbers. One great benefit of NFT especially for leafy crops is that no washing is necessary since there no growing medium and no soil and hence the crop is clean. Growers chefs grocers and consumers all appreciate this.
Most growers have found flat bottomed channels or gullies provide greater surface area for root development and oxygen uptake resulting in better faster plant development. NFT channels are usually set up on waisthigh stands that slope slightly to allow the nutrient solution to drain to one end.
Aeroponics
Though Aeroponics is a unique way of growing; it is not a common means of commercial production. Aeroponics is the method of growing where the plant roots are constantly misted with a nutrient solution. Designs include an Aframe with boards on each side plant plugs set in each side and a mister between the boards spraying the roots. A round large diameter PVC pipe set vertically with plant plugs all they way around and a mister mounted inside is another way to set up an Aeroponic system.
Ebb and Flow
The Ebb and Flow method of hydroponics simply floods a growing area for 5 or 10 minutes and then the nutrient solution drains away. The nutrient solution is stored in a reservoir that can be located under the grow table. In an Ebb and Flow the plant roots are usually grown in a medium of Perlite Rockwool or expanded clay pebbles. Ebb and Flow is common in hobby systems but not often found in commercial production. This is also know as flood and drain.
Float
The float system can be an economical means of hydroponic crop production in areas where raw materials are limited and manufactured hydroponic systems and components are not availableFloat systems take advantage the surface of the nutrient solution. Most float systems are long rectangular reservoirs built out of cement or wood and lined with a durable poly liner. Holes are cut in a foam board which floats on the surface of the water and plants in net pots are set in the holes. The plant roots dangle in heavily aerated nutrient solution.
Passive
A passive system does not use timers or pumps to flood the root zone. The roots usually draw what they need by dangling into the nutrient solution. Being a slow growing system passive system is not as productive as the other methods discussed. Passive hydroponic systems are sometimes used by hobbyists.
Drip Substrate
Long term crops like tomatoes cucumbers and peppers are grown using the Drip system. In this system the nutrient solution is delivered to the plants through drip emitters on a timed system. Depending on the stage of development of the plant and the amount of available light the emitters are usually scheduled to run for approximately 10 minutes/hour. The drip cycle provides the plants with fresh nutrients water and oxygen thus flushes the growing medium.
Commercially in a drip system Perlite or Rockwool are the most common mediums for the plant growth. The biggest variables in a drip system are in the growing medium and the container that holds that medium. Perlite is often bagged in thin plastic sleeves. Holes are cut in the bag and plants usually 34 are set in with the roots growing down into the Perlite. Recently a bucket system has been developed to contain Perlite for drip systems. Each bucket holds loose Perliteand one or two plants. In either of these methods a slot or hole is cut in the container to allow excess nutrient solution to run out. A drain line below the bag or bucket collects the excess.
The Perlitetray is the another method of a drip system that is becoming popular for lettuce and herb production. Usually it is about 24 inches wide by 1014 feet long. An aluminum tray coated with a nontoxic material is filled with Perlite and set on a gentle slope of 1inch to 10feet. The nutrientsolution is continuously dripped in at the higher end of the tray and allows trickling through the Perlite to the other end. Basically this system is a combination of drip and NFT techniques.
In this case there is no need for a large nutrientreservoir tank or the periodic dumping of used nutrient. Injectors are used in most drip systems to add nutrient concentrates to water when the feed cycle starts.
About the writer: Ranbhir Bhalla is a well known author who writes articles on the hydroponic systems grow lights BioBizz organics etc. For further details please visit his site www.77hydrostore.com