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!


source
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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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A little corny, I know.

                      Image courtesy of 2damnfunny.com

Damn weeds!

     One of the biggest problems you face when gardening is the insistent weeds. You go out, pull out the weeds, stand back and enjoy the garden. You go out the next day... weeds again AHHHHH! Dramatic, I know, but weeds are annoying.
    The first step you can take in weed prevention is to buy landscape fabric.(Available at any home improvement store). It is simple to set up. You choose the location for your flowerbed, easy enough. I usually remove the top layer of soil, grass included. Once you add your garden soil or have the soil tilled, you can lay the landscape fabric over the exposed soil. You will secure the fabric with landscape fabric pins. (pretty much an over sized staple). You will then cut a hole in the fabric where you want to plant.You may still need to maintain weeds at the base of the plant, but it will reduce weeds dramatically.
   I do not recommend using a chemical weed killer. This can put all your plants at risk, as well as put unneeded chemicals into your soil.  Chemicals can also kills bugs in garden, which are needed for a healthy garden. If you don't mind the weeds, leave them, unless there is a chance it will take over a near by plant.
   The simplest way is the mulch the bed. It ill not prevent all the weeds, but it will significantly reduce weed growth. Mulch also conserves water, as well as keep plants warm in the winter and cool in the summer.


    Hopefully this will help in reducing weeds in your garden. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments below.


    -Wesley

Dusty Miller

     Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima) ,with USDA hardiness zones  8-10. ( I would say zone 7 too, as long as the temperatures stay above 20 degrees F). This is a new plant for me that I have been growing in a planter with pansies.
    Duster Miller can handle a wide range of temperatures and therefor can be planted any season. It is usually sold as an annual(only lives a season or two) but is actually a perennial(comes back every year).
    Dusty Miller enjoy (6+ hours), but can also do well in partial shade(4+ hours). Depending on the sun will determine its size but typically they grow 10-14" tall and 12-16" wide. 
    I Fertilize every 2 to 4 weeks. (I used the miracle grow plant food). Keep the soil semi-moist, but not soaked. Dusty miller will begin to wilt if it under watered, as shown in the picture above. You want the plant to remain upright. Dusty Millers are a white/silver color, once the leaves are wet they will turn green. 

                    

                               Click here for information on this planter design.

                            -Wesley

Simple design idea.

            Here is a simple design idea for a beginner gardener. This will work for planters 8" planters and bigger. In the back of the planter are 3 Dusty Miller and the front we have 3 Pansies. I filled the planter about 95% full ( just to make sure you can see the pansies). The dusty millers will add height as well as help the colors of your pansies pop. I make sure the soil stays semi-moist and fertilize every 2-4 weeks. Keep the pansies pruned to ensure best blooms.

         Here is the same concept, just in a flowerbed. In the back we have Snapdragons and in the front we have pansies. Keep soil semi-moist and fertilized every 2-4 weeks. Hope these will inspire you to start a garden this year. It really is easy!


     -Wesley

Pansy

   Pansy (Viola tricolor subcp. hortensis) ,with USDA hardiness zones 6-10, can add a wide variety of color to your fall, winter and spring gardens. The colors range from blues, reds, oranges, yellows, pinks and purples. It can handle cooler temperatures so  it is a great addition for those gray winters.
    These guys enjoy the sun (6+ hours), but can also do well in partial shade(3+ hours). They will begin to die once the hottest of summer comes.
   Pruning is simple, just clip or pull dead flowers from the plant. You can run your fingers down the stem of the flower and pinch it from the base of the plant. 
   Pansies need a semi-moist soil but cannot sit in water, this can lead the roots to rot and ultimately death.

   Pansies are a mounding plant that will grow in more a dome shape, usually about 8-12" across. You can fertilize every 2-4 weeks, I use miracle gro 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 and seed pansies AND what it all means!

                                                         Click here for design ideas.

    -Wesley

Endangered Species: Doesn't Mean Just Animals.

   
     I came across this website and had to share. Earth's Endangered Creatures lists all the endangered species of the world, as well as all 50 US states. Just choose your location and click plants to see what is threatened our endangered in your area. I was surprised to see that Georgia , my home state, has 22 endangered or threatened plants.

     What's the difference between threatened and endangered?
           Endangered species are on the brink of extinction, these require our immediate attention. Threatened species are predicted to become endangered in future years.

    Just check out Earth's Endangered Creatures and you will be shocked. I will post information later on ways to help.




              -Wesley
     
   

Boston Ferns

  

 

 Picture from Lowes.com. 

     Boston Ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata) ,with USDA hardiness zones 9-10 (this means it can be outside year around in these zones), is another easy plant to care for. They enjoy temperatures around 65-95 degrees F. This applies to both inside and outside. As long as the temperatures stay in this range, you can leave the fern outside. 
     Boston ferns, like most ferns,can only handle around 3 to 5 hours of sun. If it is in a location that gets more sun (5+hours) trying rotating daily, so one side isn't always burning in the direct sun. 

      Pruning is simple, just clip the long strands that hang from the base of the plant. Try planting in a hanging basket. If this is not an option try to keep the plant elevated with a plant stand or table.

      Unlike most plants, Boston ferns will tell you when they are thirsty. Typically, Boston ferns are a dark deep green, but when thirsty they will fade to a pale green. Once it does this, it is time to water. But during the warmer months, it doesn't hurt to water it every day, they love it!

     Boston ferns have been know to live for decades, so be prepared to have it for a while. For more causal gardeners, you can just buy them every spring. 

    


    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 how, I will post on how to split them to make more! Thanks. 

       -Wesley

Snapdragons

 

     Snapdragons (Antirrhinum Majus) ,with USDA Hardiness zones 4-11, are one of the easiest plants to grow, in my opinion. They add a great pop of color and require little maintenance. Snapdragons can be planted in the fall and will last through winter, spring and into summer. Usually sold as an annual, snapdragons are actually a perennial; so don't be surprised if they keep coming back!
    These guys enjoy the sun (6+ hours), but can also do well in partial shade(3+ hours). Snapdragons can grow to around 1' to 3' depending on the variety, sun, food, and watering. Pruning will also determine the style of snapdragon you grow. If you keep the plant pruned down to around 6" to 8", it will grow outward more than upward. If you prune less, the plant will grow upwards,(which will require stakes to help keep the plant stabilized).
    In my experience, the best times to plant snapdragons is in early to mid fall, late winter, spring, and milder summer days.(I'm in zone 7, for temperature reference). Fertilize every 2 to 4 weeks. (I used the miracle grow plant food). Keep the soil semi-moist, but not soaked.



    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 snapdragons and how to seed. AND what it all means!

                     Snapdragons in the bottom flower bed. These only got 3-5 hours of afternoon sun.

                  Closer view of the flowerbed. First time growing, with NO gardening experience. They are just that easy!



    -Wesley

Five trees with a punch!

We will start with some of the more odd plants. Take a look at Five Ferocious Trees and see how a tree could kick your ass!

Welcome!

    Right to the Roots is a place to gain a basic understanding of gardening. I am a novice gardener that would like to pass on what I have learned, in the hopes of continued learning myself. Nature absolutely fascinates me, and plants even more so. Therefore, I hope to use this vessel to help get people excited about plants and gardening. I will post household plants, with fun facts, simple care, and design ideas. I will also showcase the weird, odd, beautiful, and less known plants from around the world.We are all teachers and students. Help others and educate. New post coming soon. Hope you enjoy!


                          -Wesley