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Cyclamen Plant Division There are two types of cyclamen: Florist cyclamen, which are the common Christmas cyclamen grown as houseplants, and hardy cyclamen plants, which can be grown outside in zones 5 through 9. Both plants can be divided the same way, though the hardy variety has a better survival rate from divisions. Florist cyclamen plants need cool temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees F. (18-21 C.). Yellowing leaves or lack of blooms can be a sign of temperatures not being satisfactory, or too little sunlight; but it can also be a sign the plant needs to be divided up and repotted....

Can You Grow Your Own Rice? While I say “sort of,” growing rice at home is definitely possible, but unless you have a large rice paddy outside your back door, it is unlikely you will be harvesting much. It is still a fun project. Growing rice at home takes place in a container, so only a small space is needed, unless you decide to flood the backyard. Read on to find out how to grow rice at home....

Whether you love or hate deer, or have a more complicated relationship with them, there is one important question to answer: Can you use deer manure in gardens? Fertilizing with Deer Manure Using manure as a fertilizer is not a new practice. People long ago discovered that manure is full of nutrients. Deer droppings on plants or on your grass may provide some additional nutrients, depending on what those deer have eaten....

Canna Seed Propagation Propagation of canna lily by seeds is possible, as many varieties produce viable seeds. Since most of the plants with dazzling flowers are hybrids, starting canna lilies from seed may not give you the same variety. Nevertheless, if you find it interesting to raise plants from seeds just to find out how they turn out, it is definitely worth a try. Moreover, you are not likely to be disappointed, as the wild varieties of canna lilies are all rather pretty, with striking colors and markings....

Goat’s beard plant was around during Roman days and earned the name of Aruncus goat’s beard. It was named by Pliny during that era. It is also native to Japan and North America. As with many native plants, it is easy to learn how to care for goat’s beard. Goat’s Beard in the Garden Aruncus goat’s beard provides tall, fluffy, creamy white blooms in late spring to early summer, brightening shady spots....

How to Grow a Carolina Silverbell Tree Growing Halesia silverbells is not overly difficult as long as you provide the right soil conditions. Moist and acidic soil that drains well is best. If your soil is not acidic, try adding iron sulfate, aluminum sulfate, sulfur or sphagnum peat moss. Amounts will vary depending on your location and how acidic your soil already is. Be sure to take a soil sample before amending....

Growing Bougainvillea in Gardens Bougainvillea are thorny, evergreen summer bloomers, but their orange, yellow, crimson or purple flowers are actually modified leaves called bracts. The bracts surround the actual flowers that are tiny and white. To start growing bougainvillea in gardens, you’ll need to live somewhere warm; otherwise, container growing of bougainvillea is recommended. The plants thrive in USDA hardiness zone 10-11, and will also grow in zone 9 with adequate protection....

Information on Carpetgrass The disadvantage of using carpetgrass in lawns is its appearance. It has a pale green or yellowish green color and a sparser growth habit than most turf grasses. It is one of the first grasses to turn brown when temperatures cool and the last to green up in spring. Carpetgrass sends up seed stalks that quickly grow to a height of about a foot (31 cm.) and bear unattractive seed heads that give the lawn a weedy appearance....

What is Belly Rot? Belly rot in fruit is caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani, which survives in the soil from year to year. The fungus becomes active when humidity is high and temperatures warm, causing obvious signs of infection within 24 hours and entirely rotting fruits in as little as 72. Temperatures below 50 degrees F. (10 C.) can slow or prevent infection. This is primarily a disease of cucumbers but may cause belly rot in fruit of squash and melons as well....

Chinese Pistache Facts The Chinese pistache tree is, as mentioned, a notable ornamental tree, especially during the fall season when the normally dark green foliage changes to a dramatic profusion of orange and red leaves. An excellent shade tree with a broad canopy, Chinese pistache will attain heights of between 30-60 feet (9-18 m.). A deciduous tree, the one foot (30 cm.) long pinnate leaves consist of between 10-16 leaflets. These leaves are mildly aromatic when bruised....

Shrubs for Dry Climates Weather seems less predictable every day and it’s impossible for anyone to say with certainty whether next year will bring rain or drought to zone 7 regions. If your area has suffered from droughts in the past, it makes sense to fill your garden with shrubs for dry climates. However, don’t forget that you’ll need to pick shrubs with drought tolerance that will thrive in the conditions your garden provides....

Clary Sage Herb Clary sage plant is native to the Mediterranean and parts of Europe. It is most commonly cultivated in Hungary, France, and Russia. Both the leaves and flowers are used in flavoring and teas as well as aromatherapy applications. The plant also yields an essential oil called clary oil or muscatel sage, which is used for topical afflictions and in aromatherapy applications. Growing clary sage for home use provides all these benefits and is safe for human consumption according to the Purdue University....

How to Clean Garden Tools Starting the gardening season off right requires a thorough check of your garden equipment. Ideally, tools should be cleaned and evaluated after each use but we all know that doesn’t always happen. Rust, broken parts, and dull blades are an inevitable part of using these helpful implements. Lay a large tarp out in an open area and bring everything out where you can see it. Wash all the gardening tools completely and allow them to air dry before proceeding with the next step....

Clove Tree Problems Clove trees are evergreen trees that are grown for their aromatic flowers. The trees grow to 50 feet (15 m.) tall. The branches are erect and flowers grow near the branch tips. The clove tree’s green leaves, white flowers, and bark all smell spicy, but the actual cloves are the unopened flower buds. Clove trees can live to be more than 100 years old if they do not have any serious clove tree issues....

What is a Columnar Tree? The American Conifer Association designates eight forms of conifers, “columnar conifers” being one of them. These are defined as trees that are much taller than they are wide and include those designated as fastigiate, columnar, narrowly pyramidal, or narrowly conical. Narrow, upright tree species, conifers or not, are useful as trees for small spaces since they don’t require much elbow room. Planted in a tight line they also work nicely as hedges and privacy screens....

Azalea Plant Pest Control Some of the more common azalea plant pests include the following: Azalea Bark Scale – This azalea plant pest occurs most often in the eastern United States. Shrubs affected by azalea bark scale may be covered with sooty mold or appear as white, cottony masses within the forks of branches. These branches should be removed and destroyed. Treatment with horticultural oil can help. Azalea Caterpillars – These azalea pests are reddish to brownish black with white and yellow stripes....

Common Southeastern Conifers Pine trees are common southeastern conifers, growing tall and sometimes weakened as they grow older. Plant tall pines away from your house. Common varieties that grow in the Southeast include: Loblolly Longleaf Shortleaf Table Mountain pineWhite pineSpruce pine Many pines are cone bearing with needle-like foliage. Wood of pine trees is used for numerous products necessary to our daily lives, from magazines and newspapers to other paper products and structural supports in buildings....

Insects and Ginkgo Trees For millennia, ginkgo trees have thrived in an ever-changing landscape, able to adapt to shifting environmental conditions. Another key to the tree’s lengthy survival is a lack of ginkgo insect problems. While the tree is generally considered to be pest-free, even ginkgoes are victim to the occasional pests that, while not serious, can be a minor annoyance. Cicada bugs are one example. Types of Pests on Ginkgo Trees Very few bugs on ginkgo trees can be found but occasionally foliage eating caterpillars, like loopers, attack them....

Cranberry Plant Problems There’s nothing that says fall quite like the unassuming cranberry. What nature neglected in size and grandeur, it made up for in intensity and sheer unforgettably flavored berries. Growing cranberries at home can be challenging, since they have very specific growing requirements, but if you’re willing to give it a go, it’s best to be armed with information about problems in cranberry vines so you’re prepared. Both cranberry pests and diseases can be devastating and difficult to manage, but we’ll get you started on the path to success....

Learn How to Compost Nut Shells Every successful compost pile includes a mixture of brown and green ingredients, or those that break down into carbon and nitrogen. Composting nut shells will add to the carbon side of the list. You may not have enough nut shells to completely fill out the pile of brown ingredients, but any shells you create in your kitchen will be a welcome addition to the pile....