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Trees & Houseplants : Home & Garden
Homemade Organic Ant Killers
Having an ant invasion in your home or garden is no fun. Apart from the annoyance factor, an ant infestation can be unhealthy and can cause embarrassment given the misbelief that ants only move into your home if it is not clean. That is simply a myth: Ants are drawn to warm conditions and available
Persicae Life Cycle
Myzus persicae is a form of green aphid that is infamous for infesting fruit trees. The aphid exhibits a lifestyle similar to the life cycle of the grape-vine pest phylloxera: The aphid lays eggs on the plant, which, in instar larvae form, continue as asexually self-perpetuating insects that live of
How to Water Sunflowers
Native to the American plains, the sunflower is second only to soybeans as a worldwide commercial oilseed crop. But practicality is not the only reason Americans love sunflowers. Many sunflowers bloom atop towering stalks that reach heights of 15 feet or more, while dwarf varieties reach heights les
Flowers for Hanging Planters
Hanging a basket of bright flowers on a patio or from an outdoor structure allows you to expand your garden upward. Not all flowers are suitable for the confined quarters of a basket, but many will thrive and bloom profusely. Choosing the right flowers for the hanging basket ensures your...
Tricks to Keeping Cut Tulips Alive
Tulips grow from hardy perennial bulbs and last for many years in home gardens. These are some of the first flowers up in spring, and bring color to still-gray gardens. Snip your early spring tulips and take them indoors for continued color, but follow some strict guidelines to make them last.
Peach Tree Benefits
The peach tree probably originated in China.Group Of Peaches image by LynWatanabe.com from Fotolia.comPeaches first appeared thousands of years ago, most likely originating in China. They were probably the first benefits derived from the peach tree (Prunus persica). The peach tree is a...
What Is a Conifer Tree?
Conifer trees are the oldest living things on earth as well as some of the largest. This group of trees is very ancient, appearing during the Carboniferous period -- from 354 to 290 million years ago -- along with the pelycosaurs, the ancestor of birds, animals and reptiles. Since then, this type o
What Do You Do With Grape Hyacinths After They Have Bloomed?
Grape hyacinths are spring-blooming bulbs noted for their reliable flowering and easy care. Grape hyacinths grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 3 through 8. Called grape hyacinths for their grape-like flower clusters, these bulbs are winter-hardy. After they bloom, leave grape hya
Tree Root Removal Tips
You can see the lateral roots of this tree.Old Tree Roots image by Andikong from Fotolia.comOn large to medium trees, the roots can be very pesky to remove. Trees have lateral roots that grow outward in addition to the taproot that goes straight down. Depending on the size of the tree,...
How to Identify Flowering Tropical Trees
Enjoying the flowering of tropical trees is one of the joys of living in a warm climate. With their brilliant color and lush foliage, flowering tropical trees can add startling effects to home landscapes and public parks and buildings. Flowering tropical trees generally grow in USDA Hardiness Zones
Plant Problems With Gnats
Fungus gnats infest plant soil and lay eggs. When eggs hatch, their larvae eat the plant's root system and other organic matter in soil, according to the University of California. Typically, gardeners do not have a hard time noticing gnats flying around their plants. However, gardeners can see sympt
What Is Lemon Verbena?
Lemon verbena is an herb used in cooking, scented products and lemon flavored beverages. It is often grown in pots or as a bush outside.
How to Grow Young Ferns in the House
Ferns are leafy, flowerless plants that belong to the Pteridophyta botanical group. Ferns are often grown outdoors to decorate gardens or other landscaped areas, but they can also be grown indoors. Growing a young fern in your home is not difficult, and a few basic supplies, like a drainage tray and
When to Prune a River Birch Tree
The river birch tree is known for its beautiful peeling bark that is generally cinnamon in color. Pruning is necessary for young river birch trees and for older ones at selective times to ensure adequate health. You can easily prune your river birch tree during the proper time with sufficient tools
Should I Use Nematodes or Milky Spore to Get Rid of Grubs?
Try using microbial insecticides to rid your lawn of grubs.weidenbohrer 1 image by Falkenauge from Fotolia.comMilky Spore EffectiveMilky spore disease infects grubs when they feed on treated grass, according to Penn State. When grubs die, they release more bacteria in to the grass. Milky...
How to Clone a Jade Tree
Jade trees are elegant green-leaved succulents that make popular houseplants; they can be grown outside in warmer climates, like that of southern California. Jade plants are enjoyed for their minimal growth requirements---they need little water or attention to thrive---and adaptability to many envir
Black Spots on a Dracaena
Dracaenas come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, some with fragrant flowers, some that grow as shrubs and others that are small trees. The plants all have long leaves that may be narrow or broad in shades of green, bicolors and tricolors, depending on the species. Dracaenas can be grown indoors
Ways to Dissolve Black Widow Webs
Black widows make their webs in dark corners, under furniture and in an areas where they are well hidden and seldom disrupted. Old webs can be an eyesore around the house and garden, while new webs usually mean a black widow is around, which can be threatening. It is best to dissolve these black wid
Ferns That Have Light Green Fronds
Ferns are foliage plants adapted to growing indoors and outdoors. They are characterized by their distinct, graceful, feathery foliage -- also referred to as fronds. Ferns come in a huge variety, many with a light green frond color.
Aquatic Plants & Farm Ponds
Aquatic plants provide food, shelter and aesthetic value to constructed and natural farm ponds.Schedivy Pictures Inc./Stockbyte/Getty ImagesA healthy farm pond can support a variety of aquatic plants, which provide food, shelter and oxygen for many animals and insects. Some species, like...