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Carnivorous Plants

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Being a gardener doesn’t have to be dull. If you want something different, carnivorous plants are bound to get attention. From the common Venus Flytrap to the Cobra plant, these interesting plants serve several purposes. In regions that have large numbers of bugs, it lowers the amount of flies or other insects that annoy you. While the benefit is strictly related to the size and species of carnivorous plants that you own, these plants can grant a small level of relief while providing entertainment to adults and children alike.

There are five different types of carnivorous plants. The most common type, the same family that the Venus Flytrap contains, is the snap trap family. Snap traps depend on a mouth that closes in around its pray, where the plant will eat whatever it snares.

Next are pitfall traps. These traps rely on food falling into the plant and being unable to escape. These plants undergo constant evolution, as water can pool in the pitchers of the plant in addition to the bugs that the plant eats. These plants range from colorful to ugly, and do not have hinged parts like their snap trap cousins.

Flypaper traps are among some of the most interesting carnivorous plants. These plants ooze out a glue which ensnares and devours insects for nourishment. These carnivorous plants should be approached with caution in the residence, as the secretions can cause agitation to the skin.

Bladder traps are a fascinating subset of carnivorous plants. These plants function through the osmosis of water to create a suction within the body of the plant. Once an insect or aquatic species has been trapped within, escape is difficult. Unlike many carnivorous plants, these are more commonly found underwater than above ground. Some species of bladder traps, such as the Bladderwort, lack roots, which make them a creative addition to any collection.

Finally, the lobster pot traps are among a few of the most Interesting appearing carnivorous plants that you can acquire. These plants survive by allowing insects an easy way to gain entry, but no chance of departure. In the case of the corkscrew plant, the internal structure of the plant have downward pointing obstructions and a y-shaped leaf structure that stops the escape of its prey. The unusual shapes of lobster pot traps are directly related to their evolution to prevent the escape of insects.

For those desiring in borderline species, there are several varieties of plants that do not meet all of the requirements of carnivorous plants, but have sharing characteristics. These plants include the Brocchinia Roridula and members of the Martyniaceae species. The plants lack one of the three required aspects, which is to attract, kill and digest prey, to be classified as a true carnivorous plant.

Carnivorous plants should be placed where young children and babies cannot reach them. While most of them are relatively harmless to humans, digestion of these plants should be avoided, due to the digestive enzymes that the plant utilizes to break down prey.







The Advantages As Well As The Serious Threats Japanese Knotweed Create

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With a scientific name of Fallopia japonica, Japanese knotweed is a herbaceous plant that is local to eastern Asia, specifically in Japan, China, and Korea.  It has hollow stems with distinct nodes, making it appear like a bamboo, even if the two plants are not closely associated.

Although the most often used scientific name of the plant nowadays is Fallopia japonica, it is also called in other scientific terms: Polygonum cuspidatum and Reynoutria japonica.  The latter is its oldest name, which was assigned in 1777 by a Dutch botanist.  In addition, its other English names include donkey rhubarb, elephant ears, fleeceflower, Hancock’s curse, Himalayan fleece vine, and pea shooters.

There are several uses for Japanese knotweed.  Beekeepers value the plant as it is a significant supplier of nectar for honeybees at some stage in the year when there is little blossoming.  It creates monofloral honey, which is likewise called as bamboo honey.  Also, the plant’s new stems are edible, which taste similar to mild rhubarb.  It is a good provider of vitamin C, vitamin A, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.

Another known use of the plant is that it is an origin of resveratol, the same compound seen in the skin of grapes and red wine.  The substance helps lessen bad cholesterol, thus reducing the possibility of heart attacks.  Another useful compound taken from this plant is emodin, which helps regulate bowel motility.  Likewise, the plant is in particular useful owing to its capacity to survive at whatever time of the year and in severe situation.

However, as much as Japanese knotweed has a lot of uses, it is deemed as an invasive plant especially in North America and in Europe.  In the 19th century, the plant was brought to Europe and the United States, and it was used to feed animals, as an ornamental plant, and to prevent soil erosion.  The plant has been found to be a liability, nevertheless.

It is regarded as one of the world’s one hundred most horrible invasive species.  It is regarded as a serious threat to land developers, builders, and gardeners.  Moreover, the problems it may cause consist of damage to pavements, roads, drains, walls, and even buildings.  It may likewise inhabit river banks, thus preventing entry to rivers.  Another Japanese knotweed problem is that it spreads easily and quickly.  It can expand from small parts of root cuttings, and it can grow to three to four inches a day.  As a result of the damage that this kinds of plant can cause, the UK for instance has come up with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.  The Act prohibits its spread in the wild.

The Japanese knotweed, certainly, has two sides. It is an advantage and a problem at the same time. And, it cannot be immediately disregarded as a good or a bad weed at the same time.

Tips for First Time Bonsai Gardeners

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It’s critical that you realize exactly what you are seeking when choosing indoor bonsai trees. If you want a bonsai to thrive in the location that you mean to position it, you should be familiar with a few points to commence with. Features of the art of bonsai growing comprise maintenance, height, width, and shaping, which can be pretty too much to take in when you don’t understand what to do.

Here are some illustrations of the things you will need to be alert for prior to heading out to get your very first bonsai tree.

Care: Every kind of bonsai plant has its own specific treatment directions. This is among the the very first things that you must look at when buying a plant. Read the watering requirements. If you think that you might well forget to water your bonsai plant from time to time, then it can be sensible to opt for a tree that does not want watering as often as others. In contrast, if you are apt to give too much water to your plants, then pick a bonsai that can deal with additional moisture.

One more critical component of bonsai care is daylight. A number of bonsai trees will need a considerable amount of sunshine. Therefore, you need to ensure that you have a site in your home in mind for your plant where it can get a fair amount of daylight each day.

Size: Yet another factor to bear in mind when buying a bonsai plant is its final stature. Depending on where you intend to set your plant, make sure that you have an adequate amount of space to permit it to grow up well. Needless to say, height might not be an issue if you plan to grow your bonsai tree outside. The same pointss affect the width of the tree.

Shaping: When you have reached a decision on what bonsai plant to purchase, you will need to think about taking a lesson on how to properly shape the plant. A number of people get pleasure from the artistic aspect of growing bonsai plants. Thus, in order to be true to the art, you ought to take the time and effort to sculpt the plant. You can make use of lots of distinct designs, or make up your own exclusive style and profile.

But regardless of what style and shape you choose for your bonsai plant, it is highly important that you employ the appropriate tools. The tools that are essential for shaping bonsai trees are available at garden centers.

Desert Plants

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Despite how harsh the desert may seem, there are broad types of desert plants that survive in dry conditions. These plants are hardy, thriving on little water, a great deal of sunlight, and conditions that would wither or kill most living things. However, just because these plants can survive in a terrain many creatures cannot, desert plants do not necessarily make good house plants.

However, those who manage to raise desert plant indoors get the rewarding experience of nurturing a type of plant that many people do not usually get to see up close. These plants can serve as conversation starters, as well as adding a unique atmosphere to your home.

When you think of desert plants, the most common desert plant to come to mind is the cactus. Wild cacti can grow to several feet tall, and usually do not handle home life very well. Many require special greenhouses with artificial lighting to survive. Don’t be discouraged, there are cactus species that can be grown indoors for your enjoyment. These include the Acanthocalycium klimpelianum, the Acanthocalycium spiniflorum, the Acanthocalycium thionanthum v. variiflorum and the Acanthocalycium violaceum, as well as many other varieties. All of these cacti tend to be small, round in shape, and have one or several blossoms at the top of the plant. Like desert wildflowers, cacti require delicate care in order to survive. Unlike common belief, you cannot just neglect your cactus and water it infrequently. They need a certain amount of exposure to the sun, and scheduled watering. Without this, your plant will wither and die. Cacti are among some of the most difficult plants to keep in a home, so you will need to approach their care with caution.

If you are looking to keep desert plants in your home, there are a few key things that you need to keep in mind. Plants like the Apache Plume, the Arizona Poppy and the Blue Phacelia require a great deal of sun and warmth. While they can survive the freezing spikes of the desert night, these plants need conditions that resemble the desert in order to survive. If you plan to grow any one of these plants in your home, you should take care to provide them a great deal of light and be cautious of over-feeding.

Should you follow the few rules of desert plants – scheduled watering, proper temperatures and exposure to sunlight – you will be able to enjoy your plants for years to come.

Pest Control for Organic Gardening

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The idea of organic gardening pest control is not a new theory, and in fact is as old as agriculture. The problem is that since World War II organic pest control has been replaced in civilized countries with man-made pesticides that are detrimental to both the environment and to the people who consume the plants on which the products are sprayed. More and more people today are doing organic gardening and prefer not to use pesticides. There are varying beliefs on the use of these products, with some people opposing their use only on food crops, whereas others simply try to reduce their use as much as possible.

Many different reasons make logical sense for utilize organic gardening pest control methods. Most importantly, if pesty insects are left alone, free of pesticides, they ae less likely to become resistant “super bugs”. Organic methods tend to be less polluting and blend into the ecosystem around it instead of disrupting it. In addition, because many of the pesticides that are available are derivatives of petrochemicals, their costs are higher, thus making alternatives more attractive. Whatever the reasons may be for avoiding their use, the organic gardener has to be prepared to work in order to make up for the loss of those chemical products that he chooses to abstain from using.

Organic gardeners have several effective, non-chemical methods that they can utilize to control garden pests. Using a method known as varietal selection, where pest and disease resistant seeds are used, is one of the easiest ways to avoid pest problems. The cultural control method of organic gardening pest control involves changing your gardening methods in order to reduce the hospitality that your garden offers to pests. This may mean removing or burning diseased plant material and destroying weeds and plan debris that provide hiding places for insects. Using stakes to keep fruits off the ground as well as pruning to remove diseased limbs, removing sickly plants, proper building of the soil, and making sure the plants are in raised areas in rainy seasons also help control diseases and pests. Crop rotation can also help in the prevention of disease and in pest control.

Although it takes longer to eradicate pests with these methods, in the long run they are safer and even prevent pests from attacking other crops in the area as well. Although organic gardening pest control may present a longer and more strenuous process, it is well worth the time and effort.

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