Archives: 2008 August

The Art Of Breeding Orchids

Breeding orchids can be a highly challenging endeavor. It needs a lot of patience because the orchid seeds are characteristically small and mortality rate of both the seeds and the sprouts are high. In the wild, new orchid plants grow relatively close to the original orchid. This is probably because the seeds of the original plant will have fallen somewhere close unless taken away by insects.

Since breeding orchids can be exhaustive and sometimes absolutely discouraging, many people and orchid enthusiasts prefer to raise and grow orchids by cutting them from the original roots or getting off shoots. Another way of obtaining a new orchid plant is to cut tubers from which visible roots have already grown.

Breeding Orchids For Variety

Some orchid enthusiasts like to experiment with growing new varieties of orchids; this is where breeding orchids manually come in. The tedious task of breeding orchids can also be very gratifying when you successfully manage to grow an orchid plant direct from a seed. The reason why people like breeding orchids this way is to create a new a variety of orchid plant. You can increase the size, color and hardiness of a plant by selective breeding. You can also create your very own kind of plant by breeding orchids or different kinds but which are compatible.

What To Do

Tomatoes are a wonderful addition to any vegetable garden. They add zing and a variety of healthy ingredients to any meal. But growing them can be a little tricky in some areas. Here are some tips about how to maximize your crop and minimize your problems producing them.

Tomato plants are categorized in two broad categories-plants that form a flower cluster at an end point and plants that grow in height indefinitely. Those that grow in height are called indeterminate and typically mature late in the season. Because of this there is a threat of frost damage.

Tomatoes thrive in dry air and soil, very hot temperatures, and direct sunlight. When tomatoes are subject to these conditions they grow large and plump with healthy leaves. Cold temperatures kill tomatoes quickly.

Dealing with that potential problem involves employing a number of techniques. Some growers will utilize a small, mobile greenhouse to cover the tomato when frost is likely. Others simply plant and harvest early enough that the problem never occurs. Which you employ and when depends on your specific growing season – when it begins and ends.

Conversely, sun burning can happen with other varieties. The plants that are affected by sun burning are well conditioned for northern climates, as they produce ripe fruit in 60 days or less.

Beyond weather problems, tomatoes are at risk for a number of common diseases, pests and soil problems.

Can You Identify This? Save the seeds until early summer / late spring and just sow them on the ground. We always left some on the bush to see if they self-seeded – which they sometimes did. I have to move a blue hydrangea out from under a black walnut hanging over from my neighbor’s yard. I would like to exchange it with a young smokebush that is on the other side of the yard. Question: Is the red smokebush going to be OK underneath the walnut? I cannot find it on any of the lists on the internet.I think I remember that Ruth Stout said you could ‘plant’ potatoes on top of straw. Then when sprouted, add more straw.. and on and on.. to the top of the container. Yes, Ruth Stout, a wonderful gardener, did plant potatoes in the iris beds and onions in the hay. She, as you probably know, gardened in Vermont an talked of frost in JUNE !!!!! She talked about putting on too much mulch because she did not want to get hit by the frost.Why plants do not bloom may be caused by several reasons.

Do you have any tips for propagating Neomarica from seed? Propagation for neomarcia (IRIDACEAE) iris, is to sow the seeds at 59-64 F. in the spring. This “”under glass”" (greenhouse) method should be used with a soil-based potting mix, with added sharp sand and leaf mold, in bright filtered light, or in full light with shade from the hottest sun. Water moderately in summer, sparingly in the winter. You can apply a well-balanced liquid fertilizer monthly until full growth.I have a pothos that was very healthy until a few days ago. I accidentally left her out in the cold (around 30 degrees F).