What is Barley Stripe Mosaic Virus? Barley stripe mosaic virus is a seedborne condition which impacts vigor and yields of various grain plants, including barley, as well as some varieties of oats and wheat. Depending upon the virus, symptoms of the disease may vary greatly. Seeds infected with mosaic virus of barley will often appear misshapen, shriveled, or deformed. However, not all seeds may show cause for concern. If infected seeds are planted in the garden, resulting plants may be stunted and lack sufficient growth for seed production....

Japanese Butterbur Information Japanese butterbur is a dramatic plant with sturdy, pencil-size rhizomes, yard-long (0.9 m.) stalks and round leaves that can measure as much as 48 inches (1.2 m.) across, depending on the variety. The stalks are edible and often known as “Fuki.” Spikes of small, sweet-smelling white flowers decorate the plant in late winter, just before the leaves make an appearance in early spring. Growing Japanese Butterbur Growing Japanese butterbur is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly, as the plant spreads vigorously and, once established, is extremely difficult to eradicate....

Dropping of Blooms on Hibiscus Tree One of the most common causes of hibiscus blossoms falling off plants is insect pests, particularly thrips. These tiny insects feed on hibiscus flower buds, causing them to fall off prior to blooming. Using an organic insecticide once a week as directed should help take care of the problem. Gall midge is another common pest affecting hibiscus flowers. This insect lays its eggs inside the buds, turning them yellow and eventually causing them to drop....

Ways to Reuse Garden Hoses The first thought of alternative uses for an old hose is to use it in a similar situation as before. Add some holes with a small drill bit and turn it into a soaker hose for your garden. Connect one end to the faucet and add a hose cap on the other end. Gardeners have also used pieces of the hose with holes in containers to use for gentle watering access to the roots....

Why is My Plane Tree Losing Bark? The sudden or unexpected loss of bark in mature trees can be quite the cause for concern for many homeowners. Commonly used in landscaping and along busy city streets, one specific variety of tree, the London plane tree, is known for its habit of drastic bark shed. In fact, the London plane tree, as well as others such as the sycamore and some types of maples, will shed their bark at varying rates....

Plants for Dry Shade When selecting plants for dry shade, decide how much space you have, both on the ground and vertically. There are groundcover plants, as well as taller flowering and non-flowering plants. Using a variety of these xeriscape shade plants can lead to a beautiful garden. Some groundcover plants include: Bishop’s cap Lily-of-the-valley Vinca minor vines Other dry shade plants that add color with either wonderful flowers or interesting colored leaves are:...

Growing Bamboo in Zone 8 There are two main types of bamboo plants: clump forming and runner types. Clump forming bamboo do just as their name implies; they form large clumps of bamboo canes. Runner bamboo types spread by rhizomes and can form a large stand, shoot their runners beneath concrete sidewalks, and form another stand on the other side. Runner types of bamboo can become invasive in some areas. Before growing bamboo in zone 8, check with your local county extension office to make sure they are not considered an invasive species or noxious weed....

Achimenes Flower Culture Magic flowers got their nickname of hot water plants due to the fact that some people think that if they submerge the entire plant pot in hot water, it will encourage blooming. This interesting plant grows from small rhizomes that multiply rapidly. The foliage is bright to dark green and fuzzy. Flowers are funnel-shaped and come in a wide variety of colors including pink, blue, scarlet, white, lavender, or purple....

These brightly colored and carefree flowers can add appeal to ornamental beds or be used in attractive mass plantings. Learning more about growing Arctotis daisies is an excellent way for landscapers and home gardeners to determine when to plant, and what Arctotis daisy care will be required. What are Arctotis Daisies? Native to South Africa, these plants produce unique silver colored foliage. Large, daisy shaped blooms begin to appear early in the growing season on 2 foot (60 cm....

Non-Blooming Amaryllis Every amaryllis is a non-blooming amaryllis some of the time. To figure out when it is normal to see no flowers on amaryllis plants, you need a basic understanding of the garden life of an amaryllis bulb. When you first plant an amaryllis bulb, it has no flowers or foliage. It is simply a bulb, but it has potential for great things within its papery coating. Plant a new bulb in a tight pot with potting mix and just a little potting soil on the bottom....

Soil for Amaryllis Plants Amaryllis bulbs grow best when they’re slightly crowded, so you don’t need too much potting mix. Your pot should leave only two inches (5 cm.) between its sides and the edges of the bulb. Amaryllis bulbs don’t like to sit in damp soil, and too much material around them can lead to them becoming waterlogged and rotten. A good soil for amaryllis plants is well-draining. You can use nothing but peat as the soil for amaryllis plants, but keep in mind that peat is hard to rehydrate once it dries out....

Materials for Making Animal Track Casts Only a few materials are needed for making casts of animal tracks: plaster of Pariswaterplastic bag or containersomething to stir withbag to bring the animal footprint molds home in Optionally, you will also need something to surround the animal track to contain the plaster of Paris as it sets. Cut rings from a plastic soda bottle or the like. A small shovel will be handy as well to lift the set animal footprint molds up out of the soil....

How are Bird Droppings Beneficial to Plants? In short, bird droppings make great fertilizer. Many gardeners depend on bird droppings for plants in the form of rotted chicken manure, which increases the nutrient level and water-holding capacity of soil. You can’t, however, just toss a lot of bird poop on the soil and expect it to work miracles. In fact, large amounts of bird droppings in the garden may carry harmful pathogens....

What is Napoletano Basil? Believed to have originated in Italy, Napoletano basil is a light green variety with crinkled leaves. Commonly referred to as lettuce leaf basil or large leaf basil, the size and branching habit of this plant make it an excellent choice for culinary use. Lush plants also make a fragrant and visually appealing addition to vegetable gardens. Growing Napoletano Basil As with growing any other type of basil, Napoletano is fairly easy to grow in the garden....

Bee Orchid Facts Take a look at a blooming bee orchid and you’ll see that the name is well deserved. The fuzzy, little bee orchid flowers look like real bees feeding on three pink petals. This is one of nature’s clever tricks, as bees visit the plant in hopes of mating with the little faux-bees. This bit of bee orchid mimicry ensures the plant is pollinated, as the male bees transfer the pollen to nearby female plants....

Moving a begonia to a bigger pot isn’t always an easy decision, since begonias like to be somewhat root bound. Repotting begonias at some point is necessary to boost soil nutrients and aerate the soil, making begonia transplants healthier. When to Repot a Begonia Since begonias like to be root bound, wait to repot until the container is filled with roots. This will be clearly obvious if you gently remove the plant from its pot....

What is a Blue Hokkaido Squash? Blue Hokkaido, also referred to as Blue Kuri squash, is an open pollinated Japanese Kabocha type of squash that has a much longer shelf life than other types of Kabocha. Typical of Kabocha squash, Blue Hokkaido squash (Curcurbita maxima) has a flattened globe shape with as its name suggests, a blue-grey color. Additional Blue Hokkaido Info The golden flesh of Blue Kuri is sweet and can be used in dessert recipes as well as in savory/sweet side dishes....

Causes of Watermelon Splits There are a few causes of watermelon splits. The most common cause for a bursting watermelon is erratic watering. Whether it’s due to poor irrigation practices or drought followed by heavy rain, excessive accumulation of water can put the fruit under a lot of pressure. As with tomato cracking, when the plants absorb too much water too fast, the excess water goes straight to the fruits. Like most fruits, water makes up a large percentage of the fruit....

Planting Agapanthus in Containers Agapanthus needs extremely well-draining, but somewhat water retentive, soil to survive. This may be hard to achieve in your garden, which is why growing agapanthus in pots is such a good idea. Terra cotta pots look especially good with the blue flowers. Choose either a small container for one plant or a larger one for multiple plants, and cover the drainage hole with a piece of broken pottery....

What are Comice Pears? Comice pear fruit (pronounced ko-MEESE) has a distinctive shape that sets them apart from other pear varieties. Their bodies are plump and rounded, while the necks on these pears are stubby but well-defined. The fruits of Comice pear trees are usually green, but often have a red blush over parts of the skin. A few strains are entirely red, including many of the newer varieties. Originally cultivated in France as “Doyenne du Comice” pears, Comice pear fruit are delicious, with a rich, sweet, mellow flavor and a creamy texture....