10 Houseplants that Bloom While there are many houseplants that bloom, we’ve compiled a list of 10 for growing flowers indoors. Of course, the key to growing flowering houseplants is proper indoor flowering plant care. Along with our list we’ve included a brief summary regarding indoor flowering plant care for each houseplant that flowers. When growing houseplants with flowers indoors, be sure to pay attention to the amount of water needed, sun exposure recommended, fertilizer if needed, temperature, and humidity requirements to ensure you maintain your lovely indoor houseplants with blooms that last as long as possible....

Cactus Root Knot Nematodes Nematodes feed on plant roots by digging into the root’s cell walls with a sharp, pointed feeding tool called a stylet. The puncture wound created by the stylet is usually more of a problem than the presence of the nematode itself because it creates an opening that allows bacteria and fungi to enter easily into the plant, infecting it from within. Root knot nematodes are a specific kind of nematode that feeds on roots and usually create telltale fleshy masses, or “galls” on the roots....

Turnip Bolting: Why Turnips Go to Seed Bolting is generally caused by stress which can take the form of too little watering or poor soil. Bolting of turnips is common when the soil is void of nutrients, a problem that can be easily prevented with a little work prior to planning. Working plenty of rich compost or organic matter into your garden bed will help ensure that your turnips have plenty of vital nutrients....

What is a Living Wall? A living wall is simply a vertical planting space. Growing plants in some kind of structure that is erected on or against a wall creates a green, living garden on a wall, fence, or other vertical surface. Some people use vertical outdoors spaces, like fences or patios, to create more growing area in a small space. Others embrace the living wall simply as a design element or to make a wall (indoors or out) more interesting and a focal point....

What are Oak Ferns? Oak fern plants (Gymnocarpium dryopteris) are very low growing, usually topping out at between 6 and 12 inches (15-30.5 cm.) in height. Instead of growing up, these fern plants grow out, creeping along the ground through rhizomes. In spite of their common name, oak ferns do not grow on or near oak trees, nor do they resemble them in any way, so how it derived this name is a mystery....

What is a Graptoveria? Graptoveria is a hybrid cross that originated from a combination of Echeveria and Graptopetalum succulent plants. Most exhibit a compact rosette 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm.) across. Some, such as ‘Moonglow,’ may reach 10 inches (25 cm.) in width. Offsets develop readily, tightly filling out your display. Graptoveria maintains vivid colors when they are somewhat stressed, usually from limited watering or cool temperatures. The frosty pink cultivar ‘Debbi’ becomes a deeper pink and even more frosty when growing in a sunny spot while water is withheld....

What Is a Paperbark Maple? Paperbark maple trees are small trees that grow to 35 feet (11 m.) over some 20 years. The beautiful bark is a deep shade of cinnamon and it peels off in thin, papery sheets. In some places it is polished, smooth, and shiny. In summer the leaves are a soft shade of blue green on the upper side, and a frosty white on the underside. They grow in threes and can get to five inches (12 cm....

What Causes Baldhead of Beans? Baldhead bean “disease,” also known as “snake head,” is the result of physical damage or cracking that happens when the seeds are handled while harvesting, cleaning, or planting. Bean seeds with low moisture content are more susceptible to mechanical injury. Dry soil is also a contributing factor, and damage occurs when seeds attempt to germinate and push through cracked, dry soil. Symptoms of Baldhead Bean Disease Although seeds may germinate, seedlings with baldhead bean disease typically show damage at the point of growth....

What is Butcher’s Broom? Butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is a small, evergreen shrub, called a sub-shrub. It naturally forms a neat mound. The tip of each leaf is a sharp spine. Small, plain flowers bloom in spring, and they are followed by bright red, waxy berries. The berries ripen anytime between late summer and winter. The shrub is native to the forests of Europe. It is also called knee holly because it grows only 1 to 3 feet tall (30 to 91 cm....

What is Colewort? Colewort is an easy to grow plant. Is colewort a vegetable? Definitely, and if you want something unusual for your veggie crisper, try growing colewort. It is a relative of cabbage with a similar flavor that grows well into the winter season. Colewort plants prefer cool temperatures and will bolt in summer. They produce airy white flowers, almost reminiscent of baby’s breath but with a cabbage like scent....

What is Joseph’s Coat Amaranth? Common names for this plant include Joseph’s coat or tricolor amaranth, fountain plant, and summer poinsettia. It grows as an annual from spring to fall and thrives in most USDA zones. You can grow tricolor amaranth in beds or in containers. The leaves are what make Joseph’s coat spectacular and appealing to gardeners. They start out green and grow to 3 to 6 inches (8-15 cm....

What is Summer Bunch Rot? Summer bunch rot in grapes is a fairly common fungal infection caused by a number of different pathogens, including Botrytis cinerea, Aspergillus niger, and Alternaria tenuis. Due to the wide variety of pathogens involved, bunch rot of grapes can affect plants in almost any grape-growing climate, although it universally appears as fruits are ripening in the summer. Once the sugar content is above eight percent, grapes become susceptible to grape sour rot....

White Sweetclover Info What is white sweetclover? White sweetclover (Melilotus alba) is a legume that is biennial and often used in farming. The plant has a big root system and deep taproots. Although it is called a clover, this plant is more closely related to alfalfa. White sweetclover will grow to about three to five feet (1 to 1.5 m.) in height, and the taproot extends nearly as deep into the soil....

Removing the vines from trees is often a very common issue for home gardeners. Let’s learn more about removing trumpet vine on trees. Will Trumpet Vines Damage Trees? While beautiful, these Campsis vines on trees can be very detrimental to the overall health of the host tree. Though trumpet vines only use trees to climb, there are some negative effects to consider. Trees which have been covered in vines may struggle to support the additional weight, which may lead to broken or damaged limbs....

Cool Season Vegetables for Zone 7 Zone 7 is a great climate for cool season gardening. The spring comes much earlier than in colder zones, but it also lasts, which can’t be said for warmer zones. Similarly, temperatures in autumn get nice and low for quite a while without dipping below freezing. There are plenty of vegetables for zone 7 that thrive in cool temperatures and will really only grow in the colder months of spring and autumn....

Before asking what types of plants grow in acid soil, check your soil pH. A neutral soil can be treated with acid-producing materials to lower the pH enough to satisfy acidic soil flowers. If you live in an area where the soil is alkaline, it will probably be easier to grow your acid-loving plants in containers or raised beds. Acid Loving Plants – Shrubs Popular acid-loving plants include: Azaleas Rhododendrons Fothergillas Holly Gardenias...

What are Akane Apples? Akane apples originate from Japan, where they were developed by the Morika Experimental Station sometime in the first half of the 20th century, as a cross between Jonathan and Worcester Pearmain. They were introduced to the United States in 1937. The height of Akane trees tends to vary, though they are often grown on dwarf rootstocks that reach a height of 8 to 16 feet (2.5 to 5 m....

How Many Pumpkins Per Vine? Scientists believe that pumpkins originated in North America about 9000 years ago. Since then many cultivars have developed, from tiny miniature fruit weighing about a pound (454 g.), to true monsters that weigh over 50 pounds (23 kg.) and potentially much more. A general rule of thumb is that large fruiting plants produce only a couple of pumpkins per vine. On the other hand, the smaller varieties can produce 8-10 fruits....

Controlling Bergenia Pests Slugs and snails are slimy pests that can easily eat their way through bergenia leaves in nothing flat. Confirm they’ve invaded your flower bed by the jagged holes they chew in the leaves and the silvery trails they leave behind. Here are a few helpful tips for controlling slugs and snails: Limit mulch to 2 inches (5 cm.) or less. Mulch provides a moist, safe hiding place for slugs and snails....

What is Cactus Sunscald? So, what is cactus sunscald? Despite the name, cactus sunscald disease is not a result of sun exposure. It is actually a disease caused by the fungus Hendersonia opuntiae. This fungus infects the cladodes, or cactus pads, which are the thickened, flattened, green stems of Opuntia cacti. Cactus sunscald disease first causes discoloration and cracking in a localized area of one cladode, then gradually spreads. This eventually causes the entire cactus to rot....