What is a Jujube Tree? Jujube (Ziziphus jujube), also known as the Chinese date, is native to China. This medium-sized tree can grow up to 40 feet (12 m.) and has glossy green, deciduous leaves with light gray bark. The oval-shaped, single-stoned fruit is green to start with and becomes dark brown over time. Similar to figs, the fruit will dry and become wrinkled when left on the vine. The fruit has a similar taste to an apple....

Kiwi for Cold Climates While the larger, oval, fuzzy kiwi fruit we find in grocery stores is generally hardy to zones 7 and higher, northern gardeners can grow smaller hardy zone 4 kiwi fruit. Often called kiwi berries because of the smaller fruits which grow in clusters on the vine, hardy kiwi offers the same flavor as its larger, fuzzier, and less hardy cousin, Actinidia chinensis. It is also packed with more vitamin C than most citrus fruits....

Learning to force flower bulbs such as tulips, hyacinths, and amaryllis can be an enjoyable undertaking while the day length is short. But one lesser-known plant, called the Lachenalia, is another winter blooming flower that may be an ideal addition to your indoor collection. What is Lachenalia? Lachenalia plants, also known as cape cowslip, are native to South Africa. Species of Lachenalia thrive in Mediterranean climates which do not receive frost....

Growing Lenten Rose Plants These plants grow best in rich, well-draining soil that’s kept somewhat moist. They also prefer to be planted in partial to full shade, making them great for adding color and texture to dark areas of the garden. Since the clumps are low growing, many people like planting Lenten roses along walks or wherever edging may be needed. These plants are also great for naturalizing wooded areas as well as slopes and hillsides....

Symptoms of Pod Blight in Lima Bean Plants Symptoms of pod blight of lima beans first manifests as irregular, brown eruptions on fallen petioles in mid-season, and on pods and stems close to maturity. These small, raised pustules are called pycnidia and in wet seasons may cover the entire plant. The upper portions of the plant may yellow and die. Seeds that have become infected may look completely normal or will crack, shrivel, and become moldy....

Lucky Bamboo Indoor Plant Care Often, you will see people growing lucky bamboo indoors in their offices or low light parts of their homes. This is because lucky bamboo needs very little light. It grows best in low, indirect light. That being said, when you grow lucky bamboo inside, it does need some light. It will not grow well in near darkness. Most people growing lucky bamboo indoors will also have their lucky bamboo growing in water....

Whether you’re looking for milkweed bug information or just asking yourself “What are milkweed bugs?” you’ve come to the right place. There’s not a lot to know about milkweed bugs. The larger of them are medium sized insects, measuring 1/3 to 3/4 inch (1-2 cm.) long, and the smaller only slightly so at 1/3 to 1/2 inch (1 cm.) long. Both bugs feed exclusively on seeds produced by members of the milkweed family, posing little to no threat to cultivated gardens....

What is Monocropping? Many farmers plant only one crop in the same place year after year. This is what is known as monoculture crops. Supporters claim it is a more profitable way to farm than switching crops around each year. When a farmer grows only one type of crop he can specialize in that crop and purchase only the tools and machinery needed to deal with that crop. However, those against monocropping claim that it is very hard on the environment and actually less profitable than organic means of farming....

Mountain Laurel Cutting Propagation When you want to grow mountain laurel from cuttings, the first step is to take the cuttings at the right time of year. Experts agree that cuttings from mountain laurel must be taken from the current year’s growth. When exactly should you start your mountain laurel cutting propagation? You can take cuttings as soon as the growth ripens. Depending on which part of the world you call home, this could be early in the calendar year, or in the period August to December....

Oats Loose Smut Info Loose smut of oats is caused by the fungus Ustilago avenae. You are likely to find this disease almost everywhere oats are grown. Related species of Ustilago attack barley, wheat, corn, and other cereal grasses. The term “smut” is a descriptive one, referencing the appearance of the black spores typical of oats with loose smut. According to oats loose smut information, the fungal spores enter and infect the oat seed kernels....

Overwintering in a Cold Frame There are many types of cold frames, both plain and fancy, and the type of cold frame will determine exactly how much protection it provides. However, the basic premise is that cold frames trap heat from the sun, thus heating the soil and creating an environment substantially warmer than outside the cold frame. Can you place dormant plants in cold frames? A cold frame isn’t the same as a heated greenhouse, so don’t expect to keep tender plants lush year round....

How Do Winter Winds Affect Plants? Overwintering in high wind areas can be difficult for many perennial plants. Convective heat loss resulting from high winds can cause damage to plants in cold climates. This issue is further exacerbated for plantings which are located in containers or pots. Overwintering Plants in the Wind When it comes to overwintering in high wind areas, protecting the plants will be key. When preparing for winter, perennial container plantings should be moved to a sheltered location....

My Pear Tree is Not Blooming If your pear tree did not bloom at all this year, first determine whether it’s a mature tree. If a very young pear tree did not bloom, it may simply be too young. If your tree is fewer than five years old, your best bet is to simply wait. If your pear tree did not bloom even though it is mature, check the cultivar’s hardiness zone against the zone of your region....

In order to make this easier, we have put together this handy plant spacing chart to help you. Use this vegetable plant spacing guide to help you plan how best to place vegetables in your garden. To use this chart, simply find the vegetable you plan on putting into your garden and follow the suggested spacing for between the plants and between the rows. If you plan on using a rectangular bed layout rather than a traditional row layout, use the upper end of each between the plant spacing for your chosen vegetable....

The answer depends on where you live, but planting sunflowers late in summer is a viable option for many gardeners. Can You Plant Sunflowers in Late Summer? Sunflowers are generally planted in spring or early summer for late summer and fall blooming. However, if you live in a warmer climate, you can get a second planting in for mid and late fall flowers. Late season sunflowers may grow a little shorter or produce fewer flowers because there will be fewer daylight hours....

Facts about Bats as Pollinators Bats are important pollinators in warm climates – primarily desert and tropical climates such as the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia and Africa. They are critical pollinators for plants of the American Southwest, including agave plants, Saguaro and organ pipe cactus. Pollinating is only part of their job, as one bat can eat more than 600 mosquitoes in a single hour. Bats also eat harmful beetles and other crop-decimating pests....

How to Repot Plumeria Repot this small tree when it is dormant, in fall or winter. You can check the roots to make sure it is time to repot. If it has been over a year, you’re likely to see a rootbound plant. This limits health and growth. Check the root system by removing it from the container. Loosen the roots, removing old soil. If roots are spiraling around the plant, gently cut through with a single cut, using a sharp knife or pruners....

What is Prickly Scorpion’s Tail? Scorpiurus muricatus is an unusual annual legume native to southern Europe. Listed by Vilmorin in the 1800’s, the plant has unique pods that twist and roll in upon themselves. The name “prickly scorpion’s tail” was no doubt given due to the resemblance but its other common name of “prickly caterpillar” is far more apt in my opinion. The pods do indeed look just like fuzzy, green caterpillars....

Why Daylily Seed Propagation? The main reason for propagating daylilies from seed is hybridization. Daylilies cross pollinate very easily and can result in some very interesting results. If you grow your own hybrids from seed, it’s possible to have some truly unique (and possibly very valuable) daylilies in your garden. To cross pollinate, just pick two parent plants with traits you’d like to see combined. With a cotton swab or painter’s brush, gently brush the pollen off the stamen of one plant’s flowers and deposit it on the pistil of another plant....

Orange Snowball Plant Care When growing orange snowball, you’ll find it offsets readily at two or three years. Growers suggest leaving the offsets attached for an ultimate large mound of them. It will produce more flowers and the orange blooms are even more abundant. Orange snowball plant care includes repotting annually, in late winter or spring when possible. Replant it into a fast-draining cactus mix that is at least 50 percent pumice or coarse sand, according to the experts....