Asimina triloba

 

Common Names: pawpaw, Indiana banana, Hoosier banana Family: 

 Annonaceae (annona Family)

Description

Common pawpaw is a small tree to 25 ft (7.6 m) tall with big drooping, tropical-looking leaves. These are up to a 1 ft (0.3 m) long and turn brown and gold in autumn. The maroon flowers, about 1-2 in (2.5-5 cm) across appear before the leaves in spring, growing right out of the smooth, gray bark of the previous season's growth. The greenish fruits are shaped like bananas or mangos. They are 3-6 in (7.6-15 cm) long and hang in clusters with 2 to 9 pawpaws per cluster. When ripe, the fruit tastes like a creamy mixture of banana and pineapple. Pawpaws are prone to suckering (sending up shoots), and the proverbial pawpaw patch is often a clone arising from a single individual.

 

The cluster survived to maturity and Steve claimed his prize soon after this picture was taken. He reports that they are "incredibly delicious"!

This is a closeup of a pawpaw flower. They appear in April before the tree leafs out.

Location

Pawpaw, Asimina triloba, is native to the Eastern United States where it grows in the understory of mixed hardwood forests, on slopes and in rarely flooded bottomlands.

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Nephrolepis exaltata

 

Description

Wild Boston fern has erect fronds up to 3' long and 6" wide in tufted clusters arising from underground stems called rhizomes. The individual pinnae (leaflets) are as much as 3" long and shallowly toothed, but not further divided. The round sori (clusters of spore-bearing organs) are in two rows near the margins on the underside of the pinnae.

There are dozens of cultivars of this species. Some of the more popular selections include 'Rooseveltii plumosa' and 'Fluffy ruffles' which have pinnae that are deeply incised and feathery on the tips. 'Bostoniensis' (Boston fern) has broader fronds that arch gracefully downward and probably is the most tolerant of indoor conditions. There is also 'Golden Boston' which has yellow fronds, 'Hillii' which has doubly pinnate fronds, 'Childsii' which has broad 3 or 4 pinnate, overlapping fronds and 'Verona' has very drooping, 3 or 4 pinnate fronds.

Location

Boston fern, Nephrolepis exaltata, is a common native fern in humid forests and swamps in Florida, and occurs also as a native in South America, Mexico and Central America, the West Indies, Polynesia and Africa - a testament to the ability of wind to disperse tiny spores! Boston fern often grows on the trunks of cabbage palms. Some of the selected cultivars have escaped and established in Florida.

Culture

Light: Partial shade to shady outdoors and bright, filtered light indoors. Moisture: Boston fern likes a moist but not soggy, soil, rich in organic matter. This is the most drought tolerant of the commonly cultivated ferns, but it thrives only under conditions of high humidity. In containers, put a couple inches of pebbles beneath the potting medium and keep them (but not the potting medium itself) wet to increase humidity. Mist Boston fern every day or so if the relative humidity is below about 80%. Hardiness: USDA Zones 9 - 11. Boston fern is killed to the ground by frost but will re-emerge in spring. Propagation: By division of rooted runners. The various cultivars will not come true from spores.

Outdoors, Boston fern is usually grown in moist, shady sites beneath ornamental trees or shrubs, or as a ground cover. It makes a good ground cover for the north side of the house or under shade trees where little else will grow. Under favorable conditions, Boston fern will spread by underground runners. Indoors, the species and its many cultivars are often grown in hanging baskets or on pedestals. They are especially suitable for the bathroom or kitchen where they will appreciate the high humidity.

Features

Boston fern and its cultivars are the toughest and most widely used of all ferns. They were the typical "parlor ferns" before the advent of central heat and air. Even today they can survive for a year or two in centrally heated homes, and still look pretty good.

Some authorities place Nephrolepis in the family Davalliaceae (Davallia family), others in the Polypodiaceae (polypody family), and still others in the Oleandraceae (ladder fern family).

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Spring fling

Spring fling

“Spring is bustin’ out all over” …to mangle the Rodgers and Hammerstein song title ever so slightly. And after about a week of “normal” temperatures, everything seems to be popping out of the ground at the same time.

As if to prove it, a clump of our gorgeous native pasque flower (Pulsatilla patens, Zone 3)—native from Ontario to Yukon—is blooming at the same time as some neighbouring (squirrel-planted) broad-leaved grape hyacinths  which are usually busy producing seed by the time the pasque flowers bloom.

And the warmer temperatures also woke up hungry over-wintering insects. I love bumblebees, mostly because they’re so docile, and I adore stroking their furry backs, often to the amazement of folks who don’t realize what friendly little fellows they actually are. (The only way I know to get stung by a bumblebee is to step on a patch of clover with bare feet). Some gardeners think that in order to support bees, butterflies and other beneficials, you have to plant exclusively native flora, but that simply isn’t the case.

As you can see, this hungry bumble is perfectly prepared to hang upside down to get every last drop of nectar from the dainty Eurasian spring ephemeral, purple fumewort (Corydalis solida, Zone 4).

Other insects prefer slightly stinkier blooms, such as the faintly malodorous Turkestan tulip (Tulipa turkestanica, Zone 3). Each flowering stem bears multiple ivory-white blooms with yellow centres and brown-tipped anthers, perfect for naturalizing in grass. I seem to grow more spring bulbs in my lawn than I do in my flower beds!

Notice the crocus leaves at the top right-hand-side of the photograph: that’s not the maturing foliage of spring crocus bulbs, but rather the spring foliage of autumn crocus bulbs (Crocus speciosus, Zone 3). Once the foliage has matured, they’ll retreat underground until fall, when large, leafless purple crocus flowers will appear—hence their common name, “naked ladies”.

Another springtime favourite is the magenta-purple ‘Wanda’ primrose. Not to be confused with the multi-coloured Wanda Supreme Series, the original ‘Wanda’ is a cross between my all-time favourite flower—the common English primrose which was discovered in the eastern Caucasus in 1900. ‘Wanda’ was introduced by Bakers Nursery (Wolverhampton, U.K.) at the end of the First World War, and was named after the wife of one of its directors. Note the grassy, maturing foliage of spent Iris reticulata bulbs.

I think that the blooms of our indigenous plantain-leaved sedge (Carex plantaginea, Zone 4), native from Nova Scotia to Ontario, are pretty cool—especially when compared with the flowers of other grassy perennials. The plant itself is clump-forming, but it does tend to self-seed liberally; fortunately, excess seedlings are easy to pull out if you feel you have enough already. And as a bonus, the foliage stays green throughout the winter months, snow or no.

And speaking of unwanted seedlings, weeds like warmer temperatures too! I always feel frustrated at this time of year because when I should be outside pulling weeds, more often than not, I’m inside working at my computer.

But the fact of the matter is that this is the very best time of the year to get rid of those unwanted, uninvited garden hooligans. They can’t hide in clumps of peonies or ornamental grasses (yet!), and because the ground is still so moist, pulling these rogues out will never be easier.

See those few innocent-looking blades of quackgrass (Elymus repens)? Here’s what is likely going on just beneath the soil surface:

The bane of gardeners across Canada since 1861 (when it was first recorded), Eurasian quackgrass is considered one of the three most serious noxious weeds: worldwide it infests 37 different food crops in 65 countries. Now is the best time to pull those darn runners out!

Likewise, a small rosette of dandelion leaves may not seem like a big deal, but those taproots will grow to China if you let them. Remove them by using a trowel to loosen the soil on all four sides of the leafy rosette, and then give a firm but gentle tug. You’ll be amazed (and likely horrified) at what you pull out!

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Gardenia

How To Care For Your Gardenia Plant

 

Primarily found outdoors in the south and grown for their fragrant flowers and handsome foliage, gardenias (Gardenia augusta/Gardenia jasminoides) are popular ornamental shrubs, which are known for their finicky needs. In fact, in some areas, gardenias require considerable maintenance.

Outdoor Gardenia Care

Gardenias are cold sensitive and may die during severe winters; therefore, gardenias are typically grown outdoors where the winter weather is reasonably tolerable, or grown in pots and moved indoors for winter . Fall or spring is the most suitable time for planting the gardenia bush.

As for outdoor gardenia care, you should keep in mind that when the gardenia plant is grown outdoors, it generally prefers to be kept in partial shade. Gardenias also prefer moist, but well-drained acidic soil  with plenty of organic matter. Water gardenias regularly, even once the plant has finished putting out blooms. Prune the gardenia bush after flowering has ceased to remove spent blooms and untidy branches and to keep the plant in good condition.

Healthy gardenia plants are better able to withstand winter weather, and will oftentimes come back stronger in spring.

Indoor Gardenia Care

 

The gardenia plant can also be successfully grown in containers and treated like houseplants indoors  However, when growing a gardenia bush indoors, you must keep in mind that it requires bright light and high humidity.

The dry, short days of winter will likely be the most troublesome, especially if the gardenia bush is not given enough humidity. Moving plants to southern-facing windows and/or supplementing them with grow lights are good ways to improve light conditions during winter.

High humidity is essential to indoor gardenia care. Dry air will quickly cause the flowers to begin dropping from the plant. There are several ways to increase humidity in the home including the use of a humidifier or grouping plants together on trays of wet pebbles. Misting the gardenia plant is not recommended, as this may cause problems with fungal leaf spot.

The soil, which should be loose and organic, should be kept moist, but take care not to overwater. Monitor the soil frequently for moisture, and water thoroughly as the top inch of soil dries. The gardenia plant should also receive cooler nighttime temperatures and warmer daytime temperatures.

When to Fertilize Gardenias

Gardenias require frequent fertilizing  to ensure healthy plant growth. Fertilize monthly between April and November using fertilizer that is specifically formulated for acid-loving plants. Be careful not to overfertilize gardenia plants. Too much fertilizer can lead to salt accumulation, which can damage the shrub. Do not fertilize gardenias in the fall, which can stimulate growth. This tender, new growth will quickly die when exposed to cold winter temperatures

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Giant Panda Update

Giant Panda is considered as one of the endangered species of animals today that is primarily supported by World Wildlife Fund. This is also the rarest types of bears in the globe. Severe threats and dangers from human beings have left about 1,800 pandas worldwide. This is alarming because even if they don’t have problems with predators, humans are mostly the ones that are the cause of their deaths.

Giant Pandas are very peaceful creature with a unique black and white coat. They have a very endearing and passive attitude, which makes them as one of the well-adored animals all over the world. They are also China’s national treasure and play a very important role in WWF or World Wildlife Fund as it is the organization’s logo since 1960s.

These lovely animals are the rarest types of bear and they primarily live in bamboo forests primarily in the western mountains of China. They depend most of their lives eating bamboo. Meaning to say, Giant Panda needs to consume a large amount of bamboo each day for them to get the right nutrients they needed. Additionally they can also consume, sweet potatoes, apples, carrots, high-fiber biscuit, rice gruel, sugar cane ad others. Fresh water is also imperative for Giant Panda’s diet. Meaning, it will require them to drink large amount of water, which will help the, to healthy body.

They also play a very important role in the bamboo forest. This is because Giant Pandas has the capacity to roam and spreading seeds as well as helping in the vegetation’s facilitation growth. Primarily, Giant Pandas lives in Yangtze Basin, where these cute and cuddly animals live as well as other wildlife animals like black blue sheep, colorful pheasants, golden monkey as well as other endangered species and animals.

Most of the Giant Pandas in the world are endangered, which makes most of them to stay in breeding centers and zoos primarily in China. Most of them are in breeding areas to make sure that they will reproduce.

The lifespan of the Giant Panda are not clear to some scientist but it shows that Giant Pandas that are not in zoos can live longer. One expert explains that Giant Panda can last until 35 years as the maximum. On the other hand, it is believed that proper care is very essential to make sure that the Panda will have a longer lifespan.

When it comes to social structure of these friendly animals, they may be alone most of the time but they also communicate in various ways such as occasional meetings, calls and scent mark. Baby panda may stay with their mother until 2-3 years old.

Luckily, the strong support from the Government of China plus the help of worldwide organizations and agencies, according to the latest information gathered by WWF, at least 17 percent has added to the population rate of Giant Panda. This is indeed a good news because if we work hand-in hand, it would be a sure way on how we can able to save Giant Pandas, so that the future generations can enjoy them in the future.

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Exotic Hibiscus Care

How to Care for your Exotic, Tropical, Hybrid Hibiscus

Hibiscus are good performers, both in the garden and in bright areas inside the house. If they receive just a small amount of care they reward us with many magical blooms throughout the year. Here, in short, is what they need:

Hibiscus Flower 'Heavy Metal'

1. Temperature: Most important, a WARM place where their tropical origins are respected. It is often said that hibiscus like much the same conditions as people and with temperature, that is pretty much true. For best results and lots of blooms, hibiscus should be located where the temperature remains between 60 and 90 degrees most of the time. Short periods of either hot or cold will not injure them though they may show their displeasure by shedding a few leaves or dropping some developing flower buds.

If temperatures routinely drop below 50 degrees, particularly at night, most growth and blooming will stop until it warms up again. Flower size will become much smaller and the occasional blooms may also be misshapen. For more information on cool weather growing: "Hibiscus Care ~ Wintering Tropical Hibiscus".

Temperatures below freezing will injure hibiscus. Factors such as how cold and for how long, the age of the plant, and whether it is dehydrated determine how extensive the damage. Under 30 degrees for many hours will most likely kill the plant entirely. Such temperatures should be avoided.

Temperatures over 95 degrees will often cause most flower buds to drop off. Hibiscus can survive temperatures even as high as 115 degrees, provided they have adequate water. When the weather is hot, it is best to maintain a steady supply of water to the plant, rather than have it go through wet/dry cycles. For more information: "Hibiscus Care ~ How Much Sun?"

2. Watering. Watering is divided into two areas - cold weather watering and hot weather watering. In hot weather hibiscus will use lots of water and prefer a steady supply of it. Avoid flooding the roots or allowing the plant to stand in a saucer full of water for an extended time. Hibiscus will develop droopy leaves in hot weather if they do not have enough water. The cure is simple, provide some water and the leaves will regain their crispness.

Hibiscus 'Palm Springs'

In cold weather there is a danger of fungus disease attacking the roots of the hibiscus. Cold and wet conditions are what encourage this. Avoid this problem in colder weather by watering only as much as the plant needs. It is better to let it get too dry than to overwater it. This is one of the few things that will cause the early death of a hibiscus plant. If you can keep the roots warm you will have few problems with this. For more information: "Hibiscus Care ~ Watering."

3. Feeding: In order to maintain a healthy hibiscus that blooms a lot, you must feed it. Purchase a good quality plant food (HVH Special Blend Hibiscus Fertilizer is the best available anywhere) and use it regularly according to directions on the container. Avoid those labeled SuperBloom. Look at the label for what is often called "minors" such as iron, copper, manganese, and other minerals as these are also good for hibiscus. If you don't like to fertilize, try using a time release product like HVH Recommended Time Release or Osmocote that can last for months with just one application. HVH High Quality Worm Castings mixed into or placed on top of your potting or planting soil give a super nutritional boost to your hibiscus. For more information: "Hibiscus Care ~ Feeding."

4. Pest Control: Defend your hibiscus against insects as necessary. Many insects can be driven away simply by spraying the plant with a water hose or the highly recommended Bug Blaster or placing it in the shower for a few minutes. For specific pest problems there are other safe treatments that a good nursery can advise you about, too. For more information: "Hibiscus Care ~ Pests."

Hibiscus 'Love Story'

5. Potting: Do not overpot or change the pot size more than 1 step at a time. In other words, if the plant is in a 2 gallon pot the next step up should be a 3 gallon. Equally important is good potting soil, with lots of drainage. The HVH Recommended Potting Soil is specially designed to suit hibiscus and the same perfect mix used in out commerical growing operation. If planting in the ground, be sure the hole and location are such that water will not build up around the roots of the plant. For more information: "Hibiscus Care ~ Potting and Planting."

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A Plea for Plants

A Plea for Plants

Plants are living organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae, The Green Kingdom. Plants have been around for a very long time. The plants first appeared about 443 million years ago. About 360 million years ago, there were a wide variety of shapes and sizes of plants around, including tiny creeping plants and tall forest trees.

Plants use chlorophyll to capture light energy, which fuels the manufacture of food—sugar, starch, and other carbohydrates. Without these food sources, most life on earth would be impossible.

Plants are paying their contribution to the Beaty of the Nature

Another important contribution of plants is their shaping of the environment. Think of a place without plants. It is the plants which produce and maintain the terrestrial environment as we know it.

Although we are surrounded by plants all our lives, most of us never realize just how alien they are. From the way they manufacture their food to the ways in which they respond to the environment, plants are quite different from animals.

Plants provide nourishment for our bodies and souls. With the help of protists and fungi, plants provide the oxygen we breathe and the food that sustains us – either directly or indirectly, by feeding other animals. This is essential for our survival. Plants provide shade over our heads and cool carpets under our feet while surrounding us with beautiful colors and marking the change of seasons.

People and Plants

Plants also provide fibers for clothing, materials for buildings, and chemicals for medicines. The value of these tangible products can be easily appreciated. What is not so well known is that plants also produce a wide range of intangible effects on people. For example, plants calm us, reduce stress, increase pain tolerance, and speed recovery from illnesses. They also improve mental functioning in children and reduce domestic violence. In short, plants make us better, more civil people.

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