#horticulture tips

[blooming-horticulturalist]

🌿What is wrong with my houseplant? // how to diagnose your houseplant 🌿

　✩ im definitely not a seasoned professional when it comes to houseplants, (i am a professional though) however a lot of basic plant care skills are transferrable, and i wanted to share my process for identifying "the problem" when i see a plant struggling, or my friends & family come to me for help✩

a) first identify the plant. take into account its natural habitat and what the growing conditions would be if it was in the wild. is it a tropical plant? does this plant come from the desert? does this plant usually live in the woods? if youre unsure, then look it up! this will help you get a bearing for what conditions this plant needs in order to survive.

- for instance, a tropical plant would generally need to be watered more often and cant stay dry for long periods of time, due to the natural humidity in that environment. a plant that naturally lives in the woods would likely need dappled or indirect light, due to the plant thriving under the coverage of trees. use logic to clue into the plants needs and research if you aren't sure

b) now that you have an idea of what this plant needs to thrive, compare that to it's current environment. is it getting too much sun? is it too close to the window during the winter and getting cold? is it too humid and keeping the soil too wet? try to match up the environment in your house/building to be as close to its natural environment as possible

c) ok, im pretty sure that its in the right environment, but it's still showing (x) symptom, what now?

i usually go through a mental checklist when diagnosing plants:

water—

- is it being watered enough? feel the soil with your fingers- is the soil bone dry? water it (you can't go wrong watering a bone dry plant, even succulents and cacti).

- is it soaking wet (dripping, pooling water, can be 'wrung out')? how long ago was it watered? a few hours ago, you're probably good. more than a day or two ago— there's a problem. plants need to dry out. check the container its planted in- does it have drainage holes? if not, repot that baby ASAP (and check for root rot)!! does the decorative planter it's sitting in have drainage? — if not you can remedy this by propping the plant up a few inches with a small piece of wood (or honestly anything you can find that's water resistant) so its not sitting in its drained water for days on end.

- is it moist up to a few inches down? it is being watered sufficiently 🌿 check if it needs to be watered when the top few inches are dry and go ahead and soak that baby if it does.

common symptoms of watering issues: drooping leaves/wilt, shriveled up and dropping dry leaves, rotting leaves (for succulents being overwatered especially), yellowing or browning on the edges

light- are the leaves turning a light yellow color? are you noticing leggy growth (where the stem grows long without producing a lot of leaves)? it's not getting enough sun! if its in low light move it to indirect or diffused light, and if you're still having the same issue after some time, move it into a spot where it will get hit by a sunbeam.

are the leaves turning a brown color? do they look burnt? are they getting dry and shriveled up? are they getting dull/dusty? could be too much light, move it to indirect light and see if that fixes it— if not, look for other symptoms.

potting space/ root issues:

DO NOT i repeat DO NOT repot your plants in autumn/winter

check your roots, like physically take the plant out of the pot or flip it over.

are the roots coming out of the bottom? not necessarily a bad thing, if the plant likes being hugged— definitely check for plant specific needs at this point and keep an eye on it. if you notice it dries out unreasonably fast, youre going to want to repot it. (ONLY if its spring/early summer). the plant doesnt have any room to absorb water. find a pot two inches in diameter larger than its current pot and, yk, repot it. plants get overwhelmed if its any larger and it wont have room to spread its roots if its too small. 2 inches is the sweet spot.

are the roots brown? take it out of the pot and smell it, does it smell rotted? most likely root rot. an easy fix— remove the plant, remove the soil, rinse it off, cut off rotted roots, repot it in new soil, and make sure its getting adequate time and drainage to dry out in between watering.

nutrients:

if you've checked for everything else and your plant is still wilting, it could need more nutrients. a really big tell of this is that its not producing new leaves or flowering, its staying stagnant and conserving it's energy. you can easily fix this by getting fertilizer sticks, powder, etc. from the store.

pests and fungi:

this one is the hardest and most complicated to identify.

if it's growing brown spots in the middle of the plant or you notice leaves rotting, there could be a fungus or mold issue. you can try spraying the soil with neem oil or hydrogen peroxide! if that doesnt work you're going to want to take steps to repot it in clean soil. a common cause of this is overwatering and humidity, so make sure youre letting your plant dry out (and even wilt a bit) before watering it again.

if youre noticing bugs, little brown or white spots on the back of leaves or stems, excessive wilting and misshapen leaves, holes/damage that you cant find the cause of, or what looks like little cobwebs (spider mites), you're likely looking at pests. you're going to need a chemical (or natural nonchemical) pesticide treatment. if youre unable to identify the pest on your own i recommend taking a sample or picture to your local nursery and asking someone experienced for help and recommendations! your best option for the time being is neem oil spray, as there's no chance of accidentally pesticide burning your plants.

✩　again houseplants aren't my specialty, and a lot of figuring out any issues a plant is having is trial and error and being observant of symptoms. you cant always identify one issue by one symptom, you have to be patient and see how the plant reacts to changes you make!

if youre a beginner, dont get discouraged!! taking care of plants is a learned skill and it takes time and experience to be able to notice patterns.

good luck :) i hope your prescious plant baby survives! feel free to ask me questions if you need help, but no promises I'll be able to. ✩

🌿

[cselandscapearchitect]

Annual Flowers for the Shade Garden

It is that time of year again when the seed and garden catalogs begin to fill the mailbox with their promise of spring flowers. While flipping through the glossy color pages admiring the colors of the blossoms and reading the brief but tantalizing descriptions of each species, it got me thinking about the possibilities for adding color to the shade garden this year. It is easy to find annuals…

[odditiesnoctobermidnightroad]

Mouse's Ways to Witch#7: A good witch knows their way with plants. Remember this, familiarize yourself with plants you grow or wild plants in your area. If you’re not careful and you touch a plant you aren’t supposed to, you might get a serious rash or WORSE. 

[axololtls]

[simonh]

64695.02 Lupinus perennis by Fred Michel

[casualwitch]

green witches!! any tips for witches starting out on that path? what seeds to buy, what your favorite plants are to use in the craft, ways to use them, tips for closeted witches? i appreciate any reblogs!

[wildrungarden]

5/4/24 ~ Some new stuff I’m using this year. I’ve never used Coco Coir before today & I loooove it! So much product in a compact lil brick! And it’s repurposed natural material, so win win. I still used a little bit of my seed starting mix to mix in with it just because that’s all I know 😅😆

But I’m learning about the different medias/compost for planting!

I also got a bag of worm castings. Mixed some of it in there as well. We shall see how it does!

What do you use to mix in your media?

[wholelottabotany]

Food Growing Friday: Raised Bed Basics!

    Raised beds are a very simple, manageable, and accessible way for people to establish their own gardens. It is not as daunting as it may seem, and it can be as DIY as you want. To start, all you need to focus on is the Frame, the Fill, and the Flood.

    Frame: To start, you need a solid wood or metal frame. If you’re building your beds yourself, a great long-term wood choice is Cedar, which is naturally rot-resistant and not a bank-breaker compared to other woods. If you’re choosing metal instead, especially in wetter climates, you’ll wanna go with Galvanized Steel to avoid leeching and rust. Water Troughs are a great choice for this. You can customize the height of your bed to fit your accessibility and price needs, lower beds are more cost-effective, but higher beds are easier to maintain for people with disabilities and difficulty bending down.

You can also purchase easy-install raised bed kits from your local garden or hardware center, and not even worry about all this.    

Fill: Your soil mix can make or break your gardening experience. You have to make sure that you’re not sacrificing cost for quality, and vice versa. To do so, it’s good to mix about 50/50 with cheaper topsoil, and organic compost. The compost you can source from a bag, or you can make it yourself if you have the resources. Also keep an eye out for local compost bins that you may be able to source from. Topsoil also can come from a bag, or any construction and landscaping projects in your area. Never be afraid to find resources in the community around you!    

Especially with taller beds, it’s also smart to start with a layer of mulch, logs, or branches. Anything organic that can break down, but that takes up plenty of space in order to slow weed growth and lessen the burden of soil on your wallet.

Flood: Water! Water! Water! A garden can grow nowhere without it's beloved moisture. Different beds will have different watering requirements, depending on how well the soil drains, and how much the plants need. But for now, the set up. I have personally found the best way to irrigate a small bed is by drip watering, because it avoids issues like powdery mildew and water spots caused by overhead watering. You can either purchase grids to go across the entire bed, or you can get flexible irrigation tubing and directly target your plants.

[katiajewelbox]

Check out my latest appearance on Daniel Fuller's podcast Plants Grow Here! In this episode, we discuss the surprising world of plant communication. Plants use visual cues, volatile chemicals, and other methods to communicate with other plants and with other life forms such as insects and birds. Please click on the link to listen to the podcast. A huge "thank you" to Daniel for inviting me to appear on his show!

Features my original AI generated art made with DALL E 3.

Link to the podcast:

[17-222]

The Benefits of Using Coco Coir for Successful Mushroom Cultivation

Introduction: Mushroom cultivation is a fascinating and rewarding endeavor that has gained popularity among enthusiasts and commercial growers alike. While mushrooms don't grow in traditional soil, the choice of substrate plays a pivotal role in their growth and development. One substrate that has gained prominence in recent years is coco coir, a natural byproduct of coconut processing. In this blog post, we'll explore why coco coir is an excellent choice for cultivating mushrooms and how its unique properties contribute to successful cultivation.

1. Exceptional Moisture Retention: Coco coir, derived from coconut husks, is known for its exceptional water-holding capacity. This feature is crucial for mushroom cultivation, as maintaining consistent moisture levels is essential for mycelium colonization and subsequent fruiting. Unlike some other substrates, coco coir retains moisture while still allowing excess water to drain, creating an ideal environment for healthy mycelial growth.

2. Optimal Texture: The texture of coco coir is another factor that makes it well-suited for mushroom cultivation. Its fibrous structure provides ample surface area for mycelium to spread and establish a robust network. This is particularly important during the colonization phase when mycelium growth needs a suitable substrate to expand.

3. pH Neutrality and Versatility: Coco coir typically has a near-neutral pH, which can be advantageous when growing mushrooms. It provides a stable starting point for adjusting pH levels to suit the specific needs of different mushroom species. Moreover, coco coir's neutral nature allows growers to customize nutrient supplementation more effectively, creating an optimal environment for mushroom growth.

4. Resistance to Contaminants: Contaminants can quickly derail a mushroom cultivation project. Coco coir's natural composition and structure offer some resistance to common contaminants, reducing the risk of unwanted organisms taking over the substrate. This feature makes coco coir a reliable choice, especially for beginners who are learning the ropes of mushroom cultivation.

5. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable: Coco coir is a renewable resource, making it an environmentally conscious choice for substrate material. As coconut husks are a byproduct of the coconut industry, using coco coir also helps in reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices.

6. Ease of Sourcing and Preparation: Coco coir is widely available from gardening centers, agricultural suppliers, and online stores. It usually comes in a dehydrated form, making it easy to transport and store. When ready to use, it only requires rehydration with water, a straightforward process that saves time compared to preparing other substrates.

Conclusion: In the world of mushroom cultivation, choosing the right substrate can significantly impact the success of your endeavors. Coco coir stands out as an exceptional choice, offering benefits such as optimal moisture retention, texture, versatility, and resistance to contaminants. Whether you're a novice cultivator or an experienced grower, integrating coco coir into your mushroom cultivation journey can enhance your chances of achieving healthy and bountiful harvests.

[blooming-horticulturalist]

🌤️hey!! i have a tip for you if you often find yourself at your local nursery trying to find plants with specific lighting needs! ☀️

LOOK UP!! or down. If the nursery has the means, it will place plants in conditions it needs to thrive.

🌥️do you see a shade mesh net hanging up anywhere? do you see any shade on the ground? the plants that are sitting under it are most likely shade plants! 🌥️

☀️Is the plant sitting right next to or up against the window? is it in a sunbeam? is it directly under a skylight that is facing east or upwards? that plant is a full sun plant. ☀️

🌤️is it in the middle of the store, away from any direct light, but not sitting in direct shade? that's gonna be the part sun-part shade or indirect light plants. 🌤️

☀️‼️ disclaimer, this isnt a hard and fast rule, some nurseries have limited space and light and have to get creative with placing displays. if youre not confident you can check the tags or ask someone (or google) for help! this tip is just to get you started and make the process of plant shopping easier ‼️☀️

[gardenofmydesire]

Gardening Journey: Step by Step Guide for Beginners

Our New Blog "Gardening journey with our simple step-by-step guide for beginners"

Gardening is a rewarding and therapeutic hobby that allows you to connect with nature, create beauty, and cultivate your own green haven. If you’re a beginner eager to start your gardening journey, you’re in the right place! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to kickstart your gardening adventure, even if you have limited space like a balcony. Step 1: Choose Your…

[odditiesnoctobermidnightroad]

Mouse's Ways to Witch#6: A good witch knows their way with plants. Remember this, familiarize yourself with plants you grow or wild plants in your area. If you’re not careful and you make a brew out of plants you don’t know, you might get REALLY sick, or WORSE. 

[the-cultivated-home]

The Allure of Azure: Mastering the Art of Growing Blue Passion Flowers

Embark on a captivating journey with the Blue Passion Flower in this blog. From its historical roots to its growing needs and challenges, discover the allure and satisfaction of cultivating this tropical beauty in your garden.

Picture this: A winding vine, adorned with exotic, dazzling blue flowers, curling along a trellis in your garden. That was my dream, and the star of that dream was the Blue Passion Flower (Passiflora caerulea). But cultivating this tropical beauty was more of a journey than I ever imagined. If you’ve ever dreamt of nurturing your own Blue Passion Flower, join me as I walk you through my journey.…

[brianwilder]

Understanding Pests and Fungus: Insights from Wellington Garden Club’s Talk on Tree and Turf Health

The Wellington Garden Club (WGC) is set to host an insightful meeting on September 9, 2024, at the Wellington Community Center. The event will feature a presentation by Mike Sands, a certified horticulturist and Master Naturalist with extensive experience in horticulture. This session promises to shed light on the crucial topics of pests and fungus that commonly affect trees and turfs.

Expert Speaker: Mike Sands

Mike Sands is a highly respected figure in the field of horticulture, bringing over two decades of expertise to his role. Currently serving as the head horticulturalist and spray technician for the Village of Wellington, Mike holds multiple state licenses in various categories, including ornamental and turf, right-of-way, aquatic, and natural area management. His deep knowledge and practical experience make him an invaluable resource for understanding and managing garden health.

Focus of the Presentation

Mike’s presentation will cover the following key areas:

Mike Sands’ Background

In addition to his role with the Village of Wellington, Mike is affiliated with Tangled Roots Orchid Nursery in Loxahatchee, where he specializes in bifoliate Cattleyas—orchids that are often misunderstood. The nursery is known for its innovative use of 3D-printed biodegradable pots and a newly developed line of fertilizers. Mike’s broad expertise also includes his past read more

[wildrungarden]

10/11/23 ~ A few days ago I picked up this herbicide for the weeds in my mulched areas.

Weeds can attract unwanted pests in your lawn/garden as well as take the nutrients from what you are actually growing AND want to thrive. So weeds ARE as bad as they seem… in your landscape/garden at least.

This is a product for organic gardening so yay me. It’s a non-selective, ready-to-use herbicide — which means it will kill all types of weeds - broad leaf ones AND grasses.

[For example for those who don’t know: Roundup. It’s also a non-selective and will kill everything. Non-selectives are not picky 😅😂 So spray with caution & don’t use in your actual turf lawns]

So I used this as a spot treatment only in my ornamental/edible landscaping beds. I know it’s organic and organic control will not work as well as harsh chemicals. But this is my first time using it and it killed the weeds I sprayed. Just look at the crown of that weed— brown and soggy! 😆 Of course it won’t make them magically disappear, you will have to hand remove the dead weeds. But for an organic product… this has amazing results. Better than I was expecting at least! I’ve never used herbicide before, so I can’t compare it to other organic herbicides(or any for that matter)… but this one shows results for sure.

They do have a concentrate of this liquid which is a better deal overall(for me at least). So I’ll be purchasing that one next time. But this ready-to-use spray bottle ran about $8 at Lowe’s.