Strange Plant Monday: Strangler Fig

Stranlger Fig

                          
                                                                    Image source

    You would think that being a tree you wouldn't have to put up with being strangled. I mean really, how do you strangle a tree? Well, leave it to nature to find a way, the strangler fig.
   Strangler figs start out on a host tree and send their roots to the ground. They grow around the tree and form a barrier. As the years pass, the strangler fig kills the tree. The tree will rot and leave a hollow structure, a strangler fig tree,pictured below.
    Rain forests have an intricate, entwined vine system. If the strangler fig kills the tree before it can establish a secure base the tree will fall, and bring several others down with it. So it seems nothing is safe in the rain forest.
   


                
                                                        Image Source                               


    -Wesley
                                                 
                

Dianthus

  Dianthus (Dianthus) ,with USDA Hardiness zones 4-8. Dianthus is a low growing mounding plant, meaning it will grow in dome-like shape. They have a deep green, grass-like leaf that magnifies the pinks, whites, reds, and purples available.

    Dianthus thrive in full sun (6+hours).and enjoy a semi-moist to semi-dry soil. (A drought tolerant plant). Over watering dianthus can lead to root rot that can kill the plant. The plant will turn yellow if it is being over water. Often times I will stick my finger into the soil, if it dry 3" down I water it.

             Pruning is simple: Remove any spent flowers throughout the season (these are the flowers that have bloomed and begin to die), they will turn brown. During midsummer dianthus will grow to around 4-30" tall and 4-18" wide. They make great cut flowers for indoor decoration.

The above information has worked for well me. Feel free to leave any questions or additional information in the comments. Thanks.

        -Wesley

        

Strange Plant Monday: Titan Arum

     

                                       Titan Arum

                             
                                                           Picture from Environmentalgraffiti.com

                

    When it comes to strange plants, Titan Arum (Amorphphallus titanum), has to be one of the strangest. This tropical plant, found in Sumatra, look like something you would see in some dinosaur movie, and the picture does not do it justice.
   Titan arum can grow to a whopping 12 feet ,(YEAH, 12 FEET) and displays some very vibrant colors. The bottom part of the plant is the stem, the black part, and above that is a flower. Can you imagine standing next to a flower twice the size of you!
   Now, you would think that a flower of this size and beauty would have the most amazing smell, think again. Titan arums give off a smell that resembles that of a rotting corpse, lovely. This attracts dung beetles that will help to pollinate the plant.

  Amorphphallus titanum translates to giant misshapen penis...yeah. (Something you may have thought yourself). 
   Even more spectacular is the plant must heat itself to temperatures close to that of the human body, to bloom a flower that that will only last for 2 days, and will take years before it will bloom again.

Check out this video of the Titan arum blooming.


-Wesley

Dragon Tree

       When it comes to houseplants the Dragon Tree (Dracaena Marginata) has been the easiest I have grown so far. They add great texture and color to any room.(Well, any room with bright indirect morning or afternoon light). Not only do the deep green leaves trimmed with dark magenta add a natural look, but it also is a great plant to help purify the air. 
      Dragon Trees enjoy semi-moist to dry soil comprised mostly of a loamy, peat,and humus mixture. They are tropical plants that want tropical soil. Tropical soil tends to be very loose and can hold water for quite a while. Make sure to reduce watering in the winter months because they stop growing and do not need as much water.
      For optimal growth, keep the Dragon Tree in temperatures around 78-82 degrees F. (Yeah right, they will do well in temperatures in the 70's and mid 60's, never below 60F). If the leaves turn yellow the plant is being over watered, if they the tips turn brown, they are being under watered. But be aware that as the plants grows, the base leaves will turn yellow and die. Just pull the spent leaves and enjoy.
     I fertilize it every 3-4 months will miracle grow plant food.



    Feel free to leave comments or questions. I have a lot to learn myself, but i have had great success with the above information. Later, once I learn myself, i will post how to root Dragon Plants. AND what it all means!


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    -Wesley

Did you know?

The Truth about it is....

-Wesley

40 Year Self-Sustained Ecosystem

 

      

      This is a self-sustained ecosystem that hasn't been watered in over 40 years. David Latimer, pictured above, planted four Spiderwort (Tradescantia) seeds in 1960. Only one of the seeds took, but it had spectacular results. Last watered in 1970, this Spiderwort has survived only being watered once in 40 years.

       The plant self seeded and multiplied over the years. Dead leaves fell from the plant and produced the carbon dioxide and nutrients needed for growth, sun to photosynthsize, and ultimately producing oxygen.

      But how does a plant survive for 40 years only being watered once? Well, the water condensates to the top of the container and then rains down to water the plant. Yes! Rains. Plants truly can do some amazing things. 

Be on the lookout on how to make your own terrarium. 

-Wesley

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