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Gardening the Hydroponic Way

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When we hear the word hydroponic gardening we may know the term but not actually understand what it means. We have the basic idea that hydroponic gardening can deliver larger fruits, vegetables, and plants. Also, that hydroponic gardening can deliver these plants quicker than traditional gardening. However, what hydroponic actually means and how it is done, we usually do not hear a lot about or even know what goes into it.

The word hydroponic is derived from the Greek word hydro which, means “water” and ponos, which means “labor” or it can also mean “water-working”. So, with hydroponic gardening you are growing the plants, fruits, or vegetables without soil, their roots are in a nutrient rich solution instead. Hydroponic gardening is actually very simple, it is not more difficult than any other type of gardening.

Hydroponic gardening still requires light, water, temperature, and humidity to grow the fruits, vegetables, and plants. The only difference is there is no soil used in hydroponic gardening. In place of the soil is a substitute of nutrients that holds the roots. The roots still carry the water and vitamins and minerals that the plant needs the same way as it would if there was soil. This is actually a very efficient way of gardening and is done indoors and plants respond well to this method.

One of the major things to remember and consider is that the nutrient rich soil needs to maintain a pH level of 5 to 6 after diluting. So these needs to be checked and maintained. Also, with hydroponic gardening the plant will need to be watered three times a day using a pump and timer. Keep the temperature at 71 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit when indoors, however this may change slightly with that type of plants that you are growing. Hydroponics gardening also required sufficient sun light for the plants, they should be placed somewhere that they can receive direct sunlight whenever possible. Also, using sun lamps can work too when sunlight is not available. Keep the room humid is always a good idea, this will keep the soil moist and will slow down any drying out.

A very nice feature about hydroponic gardening is that it can be fully automated. Using timers and other kits that are available to do a lot of the work for you, especially since there are no weeds to pull or the need to dig to plant your garden or flowers. One other plus is that the water is recyclable and can be re-used creating very little waste.

Hydroponic gardening is great for anyone with very little room or who is looking to do some gardening in a more efficient and waste less way. Hydroponic gardening works well and can be done by anyone, even if you do not have a green thumb.

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All about Heirloom Roses

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Times have changed for roses since Shakespeare, centuries ago wrote: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.” With the growth of modern gardening systems and tools, we have witnessed hybridization of roses which are tougher with larger blooms and which bloom frequently. Experiments with cross-pollination of different types of roses have resulted in hybrid tea roses and floribunda roses which have reached the peak of popularity with rose lovers all over the world. Despite the shift of preference to modern hybrid roses, heirloom roses are still everyone’s favorite which has stood the test of time and is geared for a successful comeback.

Heirloom roses are also called by another name: antique roses. As the name suggests, this typical variety of rose is nearly a century old and still cultivated carefully so that plants can be produced from their seeds. While the exact number of varieties available in antique roses is difficult to ascertain, there are several categories of antique roses which one can come across. These include: the Gallicas, the damasks, the albas, the centifolia and the moss. All these types of antique roses are famous for their magnificent fragrance and their large bloom size. Though modern rose gardeners have created many hybrid varieties of roses, antique roses are fairly simple to grow, just as the hybrid tea and the floribunda.

Information about heirloom roses are available in plenty in the numerous websites and your local garden store may even have some antique varieties in stock. The local horticulture societies as well as the local garden club are great places for accessing more information on the types of such roses which would be suitable for your climate and soil.

While the same rules and principles of rose gardening apply for antique rose gardening, you could add that special flavor of that era in the form of a Victorian gazing ball. A brand new gazebo could add some more excitement to your garden with a lovely climbing variety of the antique rose.

Remember some of the fundamental rules of rose gardening apply here also, in the sense that watering has to be done only at the base of the plant and not on the stems, leaves or flowers. This will deep mold and rust at bay which have a habit of damaging delicate and fresh plants. The base of the plant must be kept free of debris including dead and fallen leaves. Practice careful pruning to avoid unnecessary damage to your rose bushes. Try and complete your pruning during early spring, to ensure that you get a full and healthy bloom through out summer. Use clean and high quality shears and always wear gloves to avoid cuts and bruises from thorns. Prune the center of the rose bush as this will facilitate fresh air circulation later in the season. All dead wood, weak growth and old canes must be removed at all times. The right height of the plant which your pruning must ensure would largely depend on the variety of rose that you have chosen. But the right height can ensure strength and health for your plant. The pruning shears must be thoroughly cleaned after use with dabs of alcohol to prevent mold or fungus from spreading to the healthy parts of your plants.

There are plenty of heirloom roses to choose from which can make your rose garden a marvelous display of color, fragrance and beauty. This way you could also lend a helping hand in keeping the heirloom tradition alive in your own way.

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How to Take Care of Your Rose Plants

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Though you might have heard it otherwise, but rose gardens are not just simple to start but simpler to maintain also. Strong and perennial, rose plants can survive with little human intervention and can thrive well in the wild. A good and healthy start is the primary step for keeping your rose garden safe from various dangers which bring damage to a rose garden.

The first step to start on the right foot is to choose only such types of roses which are suited to your climate zone and the specific soil type. While your local garden store will stock lots of varieties of roses during the planting season, you must carefully examine the plants before purchase. Any rot on the roots or dead canes signify that these are unhealthy plants or have been mishandled. These are not likely to survive and should be rejected.

New plants can only survive if they are planted on firm and well-prepared soil. Roses are no exception to this rule. A well prepared, conditioned and primed soil is critical for successful growth of the plant. This means that whatever hard works that you put in, before planting the plant, will pay in the long run, when you see healthy blooms blossoming in your rose garden. Start by digging the soil about a foot deep. In stead of destroying this soil, keep it for later use. Your next job is to add compost, peat moss or even cultured manure to this layer. Dig the second time, mixing the soil with these additives. Put this mixture inside the first foot of the soil and start planting. Remember the first enemy of a rose plant is inadequate conditioning of the soil.

Do you know what a rose plant goes through during winter? The regular cycle of freezing and thawing makes the underground roots shift which ultimately damages the root system and kills the plant. To prevent this from happening, use mulch for winter protection.

Incidentally, mulch is beneficial for the soil during summer too. It wards off weeds and retains the moisture level of the soil. Thus, mulch must be part of your regular plant care schedule just before the first bloom shows up. Strengthen the plant by putting several inches of soil and cover that soil with mulch to protect the root system during harsh winter months and you will be rewarded with healthy flowers which show up during early spring.

Wet plants and unkempt flower beds are thriving grounds for many fungal diseases like black spot and powdery mildew. To keep your plants healthy, regularly remove all fallen and dead leaves along with other garden debris from near the roots of the plants. This way you can water the plants directly and keep fungal infections away. Remember, watering should be done at the base of the plant and not the leaves, stems or flowers. This will ward off mold and rust, both of which are harmful for rose plants.

Your rose plants can also attract many types of garden insects including aphids, thrips, beetles and caterpillars who love to eat into the plants. Prevention from insect infestation can be done by spraying dormant season oil just before spring. If your garden is still infested with insects, they can be removed by a combination of using hand and treating with some mild insecticidal soap solution.

Rose plants can be kept free of disease, pests and hazardous weather conditions if you are a bit alert and take timely care of your garden.

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How to Keep Your Rose Garden Free From Pests

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Starting a rose garden does require hard work and you have done it all: conditioning the soil, choosing the right type of rose and have even planted them now you would like to keep your rose garden free from pest attacks and disease infestation to see your healthy roses bloom through out the season. While rose gardening may seem a bit of an uphill task, but following some simple steps, you can keep your plants healthy and your garden a happy garden.

There is a fundamental truth about gardening in general and that is wet plants are extremely attractive for fungal diseases. So you must keep the flower beds neat and tidy by regularly removing the dead and fallen leaves from underneath as well as clean the garden of all unhealthy debris. This simple exercise can keep fungal infections away. To prevent mold and rust from attacking your plants never water the leaves, stems or flowers. This can even damage the roses.

When you prune your rose bush, remember to clean up the central area. This will allow fresh air to circulate and keep fungal diseases at bay. Though rust is not fungal by nature but behaves much the same way and is considered very harmful for rose plants. These types of disease conditions can be rectified by using fungicidal soaps and pruning of the infected stem. Also keep the pruning shears clean as infected shears can carry the disease to healthy parts of the plants. You could also use simple craft glue to repair any cuts made during pruning. This will keep your plants safe from many other types of insects.

Insects like aphids, beetles and caterpillars are very fond of attacking rose plants. Easy prevention can be obtained with early season spraying of dormant season oil immediately before the spring blooms start. Of course, there are other ways of getting rid of insects also. To get rid of beetles and caterpillars, the easy way is to try the traditional method of picking them up by hand and throwing them into soapy water. The best time to do this exercise is early in the morning and is considered one of the best ways to keep your roses safe from insect attacks.

In case you find pulling out the insects by hand is not quite something you prefer, you could buy insecticidal soaps from your local garden store. If used according to the labeling instructions, these soaps can be very effective in keeping your garden safe from harmful insects. Before using these soap solutions, remember not to use any strong and harmful pesticides which could damage your garden, in stead of bringing relief. The other point to remember is that there are a lot of beneficial insects which live in your garden, and they could also get killed if strong pesticides are used.

One of the fundamental truths behind organic gardening is that pests are part of nature and they will be part of your garden too. One way to ensure insect-free gardening is to choose the specific plants which are suited to your climate zone and soil. The plants can themselves resist the disease attacks and ward off insect infestation. The other trusted way to keep your rose plants safe is to practice companion planting of garlic and onion near your rose bushes. These companion plants keep your rose plants safe from insects.
In the matter of rose gardening, you have to be a little alert. With proper vigilance, you can easily protect your plants from disease and insect infestation and see your garden bloom throughout the summer.

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