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Diseases of Lantana Plants Even low-maintenance lantana will suffer if you don’t treat it appropriately. Your first defense against diseases that affect lantana is to learn what lantana needs to thrive and provide it. Generally, this includes a sunny location with well-draining soil. Otherwise, it may come down with one of the following diseases of lantana plants. Powdery Mildew – Lantana loves sun, and should not be grown in shade. If you grow this vigorous plant in a shady area, it may come down with powdery mildew....

While long, hot days are often a requirement for such a crop; there are some varieties that are better suited for growth in more “non-traditional” growing regions and environments. Trovita dwarf orange is just one example of an orange tree which can be grown across a wide range of conditions, including indoors. Trovita Growing Info The Trovita orange tree is a vigorous cultivar of orange which thrives in high heat desert environments....

Types of Elephant Ear Bulbs Elephant ear is the name given to plants with large foliage shaped like a pachyderm’s ear. Many produce white spathes and spadix flower forms. From giant plants reaching almost 10 feet (3 m.) tall to diminutive 2-foot (0.5 m.) tall species, elephant ear plant types are all excellent in partial shade to full sun in rich, moist soil. There are four types of plants called elephant ears: Colocasia, Caladium, Alocasia and Xanthosoma....

Types of Hot Peppers for Making Sauce There are an almost unending number of hot pepper plants to choose from. Chili colors alone range from brilliant orange to brown, purple, red, and even blue. The heat levels vary according to the Scoville heat index, a measure of the capsaicin in the pepper — from knock your socks off hot to a subtle tingling on the tip of your tongue. With such variety it’s difficult to narrow down which chili pepper to plant....

Using Terrestrial Aquarium Plants The thing about terrestrial aquarium plants is they don’t usually like to be submerged in water and end up dying. House or garden plants in an aquarium may hold their shape for a while, but eventually, they will rot and die. Another thing about land plants for aquariums is that they are often grown in greenhouses and sprayed with pesticides or insecticides, which can be harmful to your fish friends....

About Urban Vine Growing When it comes to growing vines with no space, it pays to do some research. Not only are some types of vines vigorous growers (which is good if you wish to cover an area ASAP), but they can get out of hand in terms of size. Size isn’t the only issue when choosing vines for small spaces. Some vines, such as Virginia creeper and creeping fig, use small suction cups and aerial roots to cling to whatever they are clambering up....

Benefits of Cinnamon on Plants The benefits of cinnamon on plants is widespread and you may end up reaching for the spice almost daily. Here are some of the most common uses of cinnamon in gardens: Cinnamon for pests If you have a problem with ants in your home or greenhouse, cinnamon is a good deterrent. Ants don’t like to walk where cinnamon powder lays, so summer ant problems will be decreased....

Creating Water-Efficient Landscapes Many people associate water-efficient landscapes with sand, gravel, cactus or scarce plantings, and a desert-looking appearance. On the contrary, a successful water-efficient garden is a balanced landscape that uses water efficiently and balances the lawn area, shrubs, and flowers with the surrounding hardscape. By applying a few simple guidelines, your lawn and garden can cope with drought conditions while minimizing water waste, as all too often water is applied inadequately, resulting in significant waste due to over watering, evaporation, or runoff....

What are Microclimates in Vegetable Gardens Microclimates are areas within your garden that vary in the amounts of sunlight, wind, and precipitation they receive. Microclimates in vegetables gardens can affect how plants grow and the amount of produce they yield. Learn to identify these areas, then select the correct microclimates for vegetables you wish to grow. Understanding the Veggie Microclimate Many features influence how much sunlight, precipitation, and wind reach the garden as well as how rainwater evaporates or drains from the soil....

Climbing Vines in Zone 9 Climbing vines help direct the eye up to encompass many architectural details in the landscape. They also may produce flowers, fruit, attract butterflies or pollinators, feed birds, shade an area, or simply cover up a failing fence or other structure. Most of the vines for zone 9 are tough and need little extra care outside of watering and training them to a trellis or arbor. Climbing vines do need support to produce the best plant possible....

What is Water Lettuce? Water lettuce, or Pistia stratiotes, is in the family Araceae and is a perennial evergreen that forms large floating colonies that can be invasive if left unchecked. The spongy foliage is light green to gray-green colored and is 1 to 6 inches (2.5-15 cm.) long. The floating root structure of water lettuce can grow up to 20 inches (51 cm.) in length while the plant itself covers a 3 by 12 foot (1-3....

How to Propagate Hoya Plants Propagating hoyas with stem cuttings is easy. Hoya propagation is best is spring or summer when the plant is actively growing. Fill a pot with a well-drained potting mix, such as one containing perlite, vermiculite, or clean sand to improve drainage. Water well, then set the pot aside to drain until the potting mix is evenly moist but not saturated. Cut a healthy stem with a least two or three leaves....

Keeping weeds out of landscapes means knowing the best soil for weed plants. When you learn what common weeds grow where and the type of soil they prefer, maintenance in the lawn and garden can be greatly minimized. Identifying Weeds by Soil Type By looking closely at the weeds in a garden and surrounding landscape, you can maintain the soil’s quality more effectively; thus, producing a healthier environment in which all plants will thrive....

Flowering Crabapples Ornamental trees have an important place in the garden. While they may not offer much shade or any edible fruit, they do provide visual interest, early spring color, and an anchor for a bed or a certain part of the garden. Crabapples are popular as ornamentals because they are easy to grow, provide pretty flowers, and are small and well-suited to urban and suburban yards. Among the flowering and ornamental crabapples, the “Louisa” is wonderful choice....

Can I Transplant Weigela? Yes, and you should if your weigela has outgrown its location. This is a fast-growing shrub that many people plant without realizing just how soon it will outgrow its given space. To keep your garden tidy but also maintain the shrub’s good health, you will need to transplant it if it has become cramped and crowded. When to Transplant Weigela Bushes The best times for moving plants are when they are dormant....

Plants really dress up any room, and they can do the same for a tiny lanai or balcony. Plants will perfume and clean the air, bring wildlife and beneficial insects, and embellish the area with natural elegance. Even urban gardeners can bring nature a little closer by choosing easy balcony plants that will thrive in their small corner of the outdoors. Tips on Choosing Easy Balcony Plants Before you purchase, watch the lighting during the day in your growing space....

What are Oak Leaf Mites? Oak tree gall mites are tiny parasites that attack gall larvae on oak leaves. When we say tiny, we mean tiny! You may not be able to spot one of these mites without a magnifying glass. The female and male oak tree gall mites mate. Once the females are fertilized, they enter the gall and paralyze the larvae with their venom. The female mites then feed on the larvae until their offspring emerge....

What is a Pruning Saw? So exactly what is a pruning saw? Before you begin using a pruning saw, you’ll want to be able to find one in the toolbox. A pruning saw is a tool with the same sharp teeth as saws used for cutting lumber. Pruning saws, though, are intended for trimming live shrubs and trees. There are many types of pruning saws, each intended for a particular type of branch or stem....

What are Zestar Apples? Zestar apples are delicious and lovely fruit. These trees were developed by the University of Minnesota, famed for its expertise in cold hardy variety development. They are among the latest additions to the University’s long list of cultivars. Are Zestar apple trees cold hardy? You bet they are, along with 25 other apple varieties resulting from the University’s work. You can start growing Zestar apples if you live in USDA plant hardiness zones 3b through 4....

What is Crown Shyness? Crown shyness, a phenomenon first observed in the 1920’s, is when the crowns of trees do not touch. What exactly is a crown though? It is the uppermost part of the tree where branches grow out from the main trunk. If you were walking in the forest and looked up, you would be looking at the canopy, which is a collection of crowns. Typically, when you look into the canopy, you see an intermingling of branches between the crowns of the trees....