Sunshine, light and its effect on plants

Before deciding to get a plant the basic prerequisite will be the place where the plant is going to be. plants tend to prepare their food from light.Depending on the type of the plant some require full sunshine some medium, some partial, some prefer shade.so it is always best to get to know the type of plant and its requirements.if you wish to grow plants indoors make sure you have white light inside that falls on the plants directly. i have jades,money plant, and a few flowering plants.they are under the white light.i am also trying to grow peppers inside.

Money Plant:
This plant serves as a nice plant that can be grown indoors. The green foliage can be grown inside with minimum light. It can be grown in soil or in water. It requires very minimum maintenance. It can be kept in the workplace. I have one in the pot with soil and I pluck out the stems and put them in water. It grows well. Very easy to maintain. I have one in my bedroom. As soon as I get up when I look at it I feel very relaxed. It always hangs by my window.
Propagation:
A stem from the existing plant can be put either in soil or water. Within a few days it starts growing the roots.

Marigold:

 Our house is filled over with the bright blooms of Marigolds. They look so pleasant and colorful.

Marigolds as the very name suggest shining gold in the sun. We usually opt for this variety as they tend to grow like shrubs and many stems heavily ornamented with the buds and flowers. They stand as a good colorful fest to the eyes. We have them on the side of the driveways. They are very easy to maintain and require very less water. They make good ornamental garlands and the flowers are long lasting and can be place in vases/containers.

Propagation:

 Marigolds can be propagated by seeds. The plants need about 45 days to flower after seeding. Marigold seeds should be sown 2cm apart. Cover seeds with 1/4 inch of potting soil. Water sufficiently. Plants will appear within a few days. When true leaves have formed, transplant into individual containers or outdoors.

Marigolds are robust, non-fussy plants that bring a lot of sunshine in your garden. Marigolds can be grown easily.

• Plant your seeds in half-sunny or sunny locations.
• The soil must be well-drained, moist and fertile.
• Add potash fertilizers to prolong the flowering period.
• Pinch off the first flowers before they open. This will lead to a larger number of flowers.

Types of Marigolds:

 

     Marigolds come in different colors, yellow and orange being the most common. Most of the marigolds have strong, pungent odor and have has great value in cosmetic treatment. There are many varieties of Marigolds available today. Some of the major Marigold varieties are listed below:

• African or American Marigolds (Tagetes erecta): These marigolds are tall, erect-growing plants up to three feet in height. The flowers are globe-shaped and large. Flowers may measure up to 5 inches across. African Marigolds are very good bedding plants. These flowers are yellow to orange and do not include red colored Marigolds. The Africans take longer to reach flowering stage than the French type.
• French Marigolds (Tagetes patula): Marigold cultivars in this group grow 5 inches to 18 inches high. Flower colors are red, orange and yellow. Red and orange bicolor patterns are also found. Flowers are smaller, (2 inches across). French Marigolds are ideal for edging flowerbeds and in mass plantings. They also do well in containers and window boxes.
• Signet Marigolds (T. signata 'pumila'): The signet Marigolds produce compact plants with finely divided, lacy foliage and clusters of small, single flowers. They have yellow to orange colored, edible flowers.The flowers of signet marigolds have a spicy tarragon flavor. The foliage has a pleasant lemon fragrance. Signet Marigolds are excellent plants for edging beds and in window boxes.
• Mule Marigolds: These marigolds are the sterile hybrids of tall African and dwarf French marigolds, hence known as mule Marigolds. Most triploid cultivars grow from 12 to 18 inches high. Though they have the combined qualities of their parents, their rate of germination is low.

Facts About Marigolds

• Marigold (Calendula) is an extremely effective herb for the treatment of skin problems and can be used wherever there is inflammation of the skin, whether due to infection or physical damage; for example, crural ulceration, varicose veins, haemorrhoids, anal fissures, mastitis, sebaceous cysts, impetigo or other inflamed cutaneous lesions.
• As an ointment, Marigold (Calendula) is an excellent cosmetic remedy for repairing minor damage to the skin such as subdermal broken capillaries or sunburn. The sap from the stem is reputed to remove warts, corns and calluses.
• In the 12th century Macer wrote that merely looking at the Marigold plant would improve the eyesight and lighten the mood.
• In South Asia bright yellow and orange Marigold flowers are used in their thousands in garlands and to decorate religious statues and buildings. They are also used as offerings and decoration at funerals, weddings and other ceremonies.
• Pigments in Marigolds are sometimes extracted and used as a food colouring for humans and livestock.

Moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora):

The annual moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora), is a drought-tolerant plant. This is a perennial and grows best in full sun.It does not need finest soil .Choose moss rose if you need a plant that flowers where it's hot and dry. This annual's flowers - bright reds, oranges, yellows, purples and pinks - glow atop green, succulent leaves. Moss rose grows 4- to 8-inches tall and spreads up to 2 feet, making it a great groundcover. It needs less water and easy to maintain. Once planted it comes up by itself every year so there is no need to planting it every year. Blooms appear in early summer.

Try planting Moss Rose as border edging, in rock gardens, as bedding plants or ground cover. They also look good in containers and hanging pots.

Other Names include: Eleven O'Clock, Purslane, and Sun Plant

Propagation:

Moss Rose are grown from seeds. Moss Rose seeds can be directly seeded into your flower garden, or seeded indoors for transplanting later. An early, indoor start, translates into an earlier bloom. Sow seeds early in the season and cover lightly with 1/8" of fine garden or seed starting soil.

Seeds germination period, requires one to two weeks. For indoor starts, try a seedling germination mat.

Do not set out seedlings until after the last frost date your area.  Plants are susceptible to frost. Ideal plant spacing is ten inches apart.

Established plants can also be propagated by cuttings.

Bougainvilleas

Bougainvilleas are wonderfull paper like flowers. we got one pot from the store which contained a combination of pink, yellow and orage. we thought it was a good deal. after coming home we separated them into 3 pots and grew them in the shade. during fall they would wither down a little bit. but once its spring and good outside we put them outside so that they can relish the sun .lights inside the house are enough for them. you need to use good soil and food each month to keep them healthy. if the 3 plants are crowded then they may not have proper space and that might lead to losing one of the plants. they have all beutifully grown up now and flowering well inside the house.
try them and they come in exotic number of colors. To make them grow as shrubs every year take the plant out of soil, leave the tap root and cut down the fibrous roots(all the small roots around the main root) and try planting them again. Remember to keep turning the pot so that all the plants get the light otherwise they tend to grow taller in search of the sun
Have a nice wonderful time

Straw Berry pot

This time it is going to be about my strawberry pot and the plants i have in it. it is a cute black pot with holes on the side.the beauty of it lies in the holes on the side with the plants placed in the pouches.it is a cute little gift for people who love plants.well we can get the plants from walmart about 10$. they have a variety of them in one pot.mine had a collection of jades. the plant placed in the middle had got a tall stalk and in the end it is divided into and started blooming. those pretty pink orangish blooms were a sight to see.the white light was enough for it. it started growing another stalk now.do try this and see the glow in your loved ones. i am sure they will love it.
Love and feel Love