Posts Tagged ‘flowers’
How To Grow Fine Asters
The Aster is a well-established favorite in all flower gardens. It Was highly esteemed in the old-fashioned garden under the name of Queen Marguerites. The botanical name of the original single-flowered Aster is Callistephus Chinensis which was introduced from China in 1731.
Comparatively few are fully aware to what degree this beautiful flower has been developed during recent years. We know of cases where gardeners have been deceived by well-known flowers and have mistaken them for fine Chrysanthemums. The resemblance has been the more striking on those like the Comet and Crego types with their fine feathery petals, and the late branching type with their very large flowers on long, stiff sterns. The improvement made in the fine dwarf strains used for bedding or pot plants is equally marked.
Asters suceed best in the cool temperatures of the northern states but with proper attention to the season of planting, equally fine flowers can be had in almost every section of the country and especially in the Middle West.
By sowing seed of the very early varieties under glass in March, carefully transplanting the seedlings when large enough to handle, gradually hardening them off and setting the plants in the open when all danger of frost is past, one is rewarded with lovely flowers toward the middle and last of July. Naturally the fine flowers raised by this method-creates a desire for a longer period of bloom. We have learned that by making a second sowing during early May, the plants grow well during the summer months. If properly cultivated (and watered during dry periods) the plants will commence flowering early in September and furnish us fine blooms until the plants are cut down by the heavy frosts late in the autumn. I find that a mulch of grass clippings around the plants in the hot, dry weather will not only help to pre_ serve .the moisture in the soil but will greatly assist the fine growth of the plants by keeping the soil cool during the heat of mid-day.
There are many lovely varieties to choose from with many lovely colors and are wilt-resistant.
Cultivation has much to do with success in growing Asters as with other plants. A good rich soil is essential with some fertilizing but mainly, constant cultivation. This not only keeps the bed free from weeds but keeps the soil always loose and fine and prevents it from becoming baked and hard. Water should be applied at the roots instead of spraying it on the plants if the weather becomes hot and dry. Should a wilty or yellowish plant develop, pluck it out at once and burn. Spray the soil with some good insecticide to destroy any insects or disease that might be lingering there. Insects often cause trouble in Aster plantings but fortunately I have had very little trouble. Grasshoppers have been most bothersome with me but if one is on the alert, they can ’soon be’ encouraged to move on. I have found that by spraying a time or two with neem oil - a natural pesticide - will help do away with roots aphids, tarnish beetles, etc.
Eight inches is a good distance to set the plants apart each way. This gives room for cultivation and for branching of the plants. To make the plants branch, pinch out the tops when they are about two and a half or three inches high, and again when more branches are formed.
Plant questions your monther could not answer and more can be found at plant-care.com
Tags: art, car, disease, fashion, flowers, garden, improvement, pet, plan, plants
Interesting Facts About Birthday Cakes
In the US it is very common for you to celebrate your birthday with a wonderfully designed and tasty birthday cake. Keep in mind, it was the Greeks that were the first to make a cake for celebration. It was most frequently utilized in the parties of the birthdays for gods as well as goddesses.
If you are thinking about who actually developed the idea of putting candles on the cake, the answer is the Greeks. It was because if the Greek god Artemis, where the cake was first topped with lit candles.
Mid-age England saw the practice of hiding curios within the cakes Each thing predicted something in the future of the finder.
You will find that things like the coins, rings, and even thimbles baked into the cake.
The birthday cake made its way to Western culture in the mid 19th century and has been an important part of birthday celebrations since.
There are some who believe superstitions related to the way it is cut. If the knife touches the bottom, or when you pull the knife on the cake itself there are pieces of cake stuck to the knife, the person must embrace the anniversary nearest person of the opposite sex.
Many people will blow out the candles on their cake while making a wish, however, the trick is to blow them all out. People believe that you will get your wish if you blow the candles out all together and you don’t tell anyone what you wished for.
Typically, a birthday cake is decorated with lots of flowers and balloons, but it is covered in bright colors. For kids, it is popular to have cartoon characters or their favorite them on the cake.
You will find that there are many people who make their own cake or cook a semi-homemade cake from a package, or birthday cake can cost up to several hundred dollars.
Tags: art, birthday, car, decorate, flowers
Who needs romantic lines when you can Surprise her with a Juicer !
With the year rapidly drawing to an end, one of the most romantic days of the year is nearly upon us. Like Christmas, Valentine’s Day is a time for sharing, and like Christmas it is also a time to show those closest to us how much we care.
But this year, how about surprising your partner with something ‘truly unique’. How about giving them a gift that the two of you can share and, unlike chocolates or flowers, why not give them a gift that will be part of your lives for many years to come.
If you are looking for something truly unique, something you can share and something to last a life time then it’s hard to go past the Breville Fountain Juicer. Who needs sweet romantic pick up lines when you can brighten her day with a glass of freshly squeezed juice. The Breville Fountain Juicer is like, ‘that special song’….it’s something you find yourself returning to time and time again. This is the juicer I use every day. It’s like one of the family because it is, quite simply, a fantastic all-round appliance.
Two features make the Breville Fountain Juicer ‘truly unique: it’s incredibly fast and it’s extremely easy to clean. And when I say ‘fast’, I’m talking ‘Carl Lewis’ fast…this juicer can knock up a glass of juice in under 6 seconds and is rightly hailed as the fastest juicer in the world.
Further adding to the ‘convenience factor’ is the ‘easy-breezy’ cleaning feature of the Breville Fountain Juicer. If you’ve ever spent hours bent over the sink trying to clean your favourite juicer and then been forced to refer to the handbook to get it back together then you’re going to love the Fountain Juicer. With specially designed, easy-to-assemble parts cleaning is now a breeze. Just rinse, then put the ‘dishwasher friendly’ parts into the washer and get on with your day.
They say that ‘variety is the spice of life’. Why not surprise your partner with a different juice every weekend or just spend some time playing in the kitchen together, experimenting with exotic concoctions. The Fountain Juicer’s dual-speed feature allows you to do this. With 2 speeds, the lower setting is perfect for softer fruit such as honeydew and strawberries while the higher rotation is ideal for harder varieties of fruit and vegetables such as beets and apples.
Finally, if sleek designer looks set your heart a ‘fluttering’, then you’re going to love the classical die-cast finish of the Breville Fountain Juicer. The stainless steel finish is not only elegant, it’s also durable and will compliment the look of most kitchens.
So this Valentine’s day, why not be a little adventurous. Instead of showering your partner with chocolates and romantic pick up lines, give them something ‘truly unique’. Something the two of you can share, something they’ll love and something that will last a ‘life time’. Say “No” to romantic pickup lines…..instead, surprise them with a Fountain Juicer.