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Trees & Houseplants : Home & Garden
Scented Geraniums as Mosquito Repellent
Plants can act as natural insect repellents. While generic varieties of geraniums will not help deter mosquitoes, the plant known as rose geranium does drive off the insects because of its scent.
The Do's & Don'ts of Watering Plants
There is a right way and a wrong way to watering a plant. The wrong way will kill a plant just as quickly as allowing the plant to die from dehydration.
Types of Flower Blooms
Scientists classify flowers in three main ways based on their blooms.crocuses first flower spring flower image by Pali A from Fotolia.comThe Ask a Scientist website from the United States Department of Energy reports that anywhere from 230,000 to 270,000 different kinds of flowering...
How to Build a Rain-Collection Setup
A rain collection system stores rain runoff from rooftops and makes it available for watering gardens and landscaping. The University of Arizona Sonoran Institute reports that about 40 percent of all city water usage is spent on irrigation. Set up a rain collection system for your home to protect th
Are Apricot Seeds Dangerous?
The apricot originates from China, where it was used in traditional medicine. The seed also provides the baking liquid known as almond extract, in addition to being used in a variety of Chinese recipes. Apricot seeds must be properly prepared before being consumed to avoid serious health effects.
When to Prune a Serviceberry Tree?
Serviceberry belongs to the genus Amelanchier, and varieties may grow into small trees or large shrubs. The serviceberry is a native plant to North America, and is a prized ornamental both for its spring show of whitish-pink flowers and its production of edible berries later in the season. This tree
How to Extract Dandelion Tea
Many people view dandelion as a weed but it has been used by many cultures around the world, including Native Americans and the Chinese, for its beneficial properties. Harvest dandelions for free from organic, pesticide-free gardens, extract the tea and enjoy a cup. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
What Herbs Can be Grown Indoors?
You can have nice fresh herbs to cook with, even when it's snowing outside, by growing them indoors. Some herbs don't need quite as much light as others and are wonderful candidates for your sunny windowsill. Many herbs can be started from seed right in your home, while others are best started outdo
Types of Lake Weeds
A variety of aquatic weeds reproduce quickly and threaten the ecosystems of lakes. Proper identification of these weeds is necessary to choose an effective control method. Some of the most common and problematic types of lake weeds include duckweed, alligatorweed, curly-leaf pondweed and muskgrass.
The Best Hydroponic System for Tomatoes
When people think of hydroponics, they tend to think of the traditional hydroponic systems originally used by astronauts in space. Plants dangled their root systems into compartments which housed mist-sprayed nutrients. Today hydroponic systems differ from each another in dispensing techniques, nutr
How to Grow Stanhopea Wardii Orchids
Stanhopea wardii belongs to a group of unusual and fascinating epiphytic orchids. The strangely shaped, highly fragrant, pendulous flowers look almost other-worldly, and Stanhopeas are one of the few orchids that bloom several times a year. Called "bucket orchids," there's only one bee that pollinat
What Is a Birch River Tree?
The river birch is a favorite among landscapers, with its bark being quite an asset. The bark is so showy that some people will trim the tree’s lower branches so more of the trunk is visible. The river birch grows naturally along riverbanks and streams across its range, with its root system ab
How to Get Rid of Scales
Entomologists sort scales into three groups: hard-sided, soft-sided and mealy bugs. While mealy bugs are not considered a threat to plants, hard and soft-sided scales can do a lot of damage to plants in a little time. There are over 400 species of hard and soft-sided scales in the United States. Esp
How to Clean a Houseplant
Houseplants become dusty and dirty indoors because they lack the ventilation and air movement of outside wind as well as the rainfall that cleans them naturally. Also, chances are you don't clean or dust your plants as often as you do your furniture during routine cleaning. According to CleaningTips
Should You Remove the Spent Blossoms from Snapdragons?
Snapdragons have been a favorite of generations of children for their whimsical "face" and ability to open their "jaws" like miniature dragons. With a Latin name (Antirrhinum majus) that means "snout like a rhino," snapdragons show themselves to be an annual that is big on beauty but playful at the
Basswood Tree Plants
Basswood, the common name for certain species of the genus Tilia, particularly the American basswood, Tilia Americana, has both commercial and ornamental value. Early Native Americans made ropes and fish nets from the tree's bark and incorporated the basswood into their spiritual beliefs. Today, hom
Hothouse and Greenhouse History
Greenhouses and hothouses have been used for thousands of years as a means to grow plants indoors in an unsuitable climate. While greenhouses and hothouses have a come a long way since their earliest designs, the concept has always been the same.
How Can I Tell If My Japanese Plum Fruit Is Ripe to Eat?
Japanese plums are one of four varieties of plums, and are a relatively hardy breed. Plums are a healthy fruit that among other benefits, naturally stimulates bowel movement. California is famous for its export of Japanese plums. The Japanese actually imported their plums from China about 200 to 300
Care of Photinia Fraseri Shrubs
The Photinia fraseri shrub, also known as red tip photinia, grows to be 12 to 18 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide. This ornamental shrub is often grown as a hedge or screen. In the spring, Photinia fraseri produces new red foliage, and white clusters of flowers bloom in the summer. It can be grown ou