Monthly Archives: June 2011

Dealing with African Violet Pests and Problems

Overwatering is the most common problem associated with African violets. The plants will develop crown rot if given too much water. To avoid this, water plants from the bottom by placing them in a bowl of water whenever the soil … Continue reading

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Starting African Violet Cuttings

If you want to grow your own African violet, you can get one started from a single leaf of an existing plant. Select a healthy leaf from the center of the plant and snap it free of the crown. Make … Continue reading

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Why are my African Violets turning Mushy?

If you have ever tried to care for an African violet the same way as a conventional plant, you may notice that the plant’s leaves turn brown and mushy. This is because the leaves of African Violet plant leaves hate … Continue reading

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Lighting African Violets

When you look at all of the different colors and shapes of African Violets on a shelf in your local garden center, you may think that there are hundreds of varieties. But in reality, there are only six types of … Continue reading

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RV Gardening Tips

RVs are a unique means of travel. People who live in them, or just use them for vacations have the flexibility to see the country. But the down side of having an RV is that your choices for gardening are … Continue reading

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Bus Roots – Another Nontraditional Garden Idea

Yesterday, I blogged about a proposed garden on a Chicago commuter train. In New York City, the idea of converting commuter vehicles into greenspace has moved past the conceptual stage. NYU graduate student Marco Castro Cosio proposed the idea of … Continue reading

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Mobile Gardens – Using Available Space

If you travel the commuter train in Chicago some day, you may share your ride with some unusual natives, like Jack-in-the-pulpit and orator drop seed. These native plants are part of a proposed project called Mobile Garden. The Mobile Garden … Continue reading

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Succulents – Low Maintenance Container Plants

As I write this, I am vacationing in Sante Fe. While I drove across Texas and Oklahoma yesterday, I was reminded that a large portion of the country is in the grips of a drought. (one tends to lose sight … Continue reading

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Fairy Gardens – Little Wonders in Containers

If you have younger kids in your home and you love container gardens, one good way to give them the gardening bug is to help them plant a fairy garden. A fairy garden is a miniature garden setting planted in … Continue reading

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Orangeries — A Specialized Greenhouse

Although most people are familiar with what a greenhouse is, fewer have heard of an Orangery. Orangeries came into vogue among the upper class from the 17th to the 19th century. Their purpose was primarily to over winter containerized orange … Continue reading

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