Understanding the life cycle of a plant can lead to a better success growing them. Understanding how seeds develop can mean the difference between successful seed starting and failure. Put the two parts together and they equal a formula for success. Plant Parts Plants have several parts that we are all familiar with, the …

  With spring in full swing, homeowners and apartment dwellers are throwing open their doors and readying their spaces for outdoor enjoyment. Chief among their activities this May is planting containers, pottery and window boxes with luscious flowers and foliage to adorn their patios, porches and home. Giving these beauties a solid foundation with the …

Disclaimer: I received one or more items mentioned in this video for free or at a reduced price in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own. Sheri Ann Richerson from ExperimentalHomesteader.com is joined by Jeffrey Rhoades to talk about the Garden Products Direct Premium Goatskin Rose Gloves she received for review. …

  Disclaimer: I received this item for free or at a reduced price in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own. I love the #plantabottle - and don't know how I ever lived without it! I can't begin to tell you how many plants I have killed because I did not …

  Disclaimer: I received this item for free or at a reduced price in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own. I love the Ramini Brands #GerminationTray 3 Seeder Pots and here is why. I have been planting from seed since 1998 and over the years have used a lot of …

  Disclaimer: I received the biodegradable #peatpots for free or at a reduced price in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own. I'm a huge fan of #peatpots but these Ramini Brands Plant Gsermination Pots have made me an even bigger fan of them and here is why. First off I …

  Disclaimer: I received this product for free or at a reduced price in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own. I had been wanted to try an LED Grow Light for some time - but after Jerry passed away and my greenhouse was destroyed with hail, I felt so depressed …

A private place to relax with a tropical look is something many people strive for in their gardens. A place set apart from the rest of the world and possibly even set apart from the rest of the garden. In today's hectic word the garden, especially water gardens, are seen as private retreats where one …

As a gardener I wonder how many fellow gardeners are watching the CNN Special Planet In Peril, http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/planet.in.peril/. Most gardeners, especially those that like to push climate zones can without question state that there are climate changes going on. For example, here in Indiana, which has been moved from a zone 5 to a zone …

How wonderful it is when you see new seedlings popping their tiny heads above the soil. It is an exciting moment, especially when you may have waited months, or sometimes years, for that seed to break dormancy. The latest round of success here at Exotic Gardening Farms has been King Protea. Mind you, this is …

Brunfelsia facinates me. The main reason is because I love night blooming plants. Although I have germinated many different varieties of Brunfelsia over the years, due to heat loss and other unexpected situations the only variety I have left is Brunfelsia floribunda which has survived for the past several years. This past spring I potted …

The order from Forest Farm arrived today in excellent condition. I had placed an order for two Sapindus drummondii trees as well as three Lindera benzoin shrubs. The Lindera has several edible uses. A tea can be made from the leaves. The dried berries can be used in place of pepper or allspice. The berries …

Spring is the time of year when many gardeners wonder about pruning and tidying up the garden. While it may be tempting to trim everything to make it look tidy this is not the best way to go. It is important to know what plants you are growing, when they like to be pruned and …

Late spring is the time of year when flowers are bursting open on a daily basis. The garden, for the most part, is a flurry of activity. Bees, hungry after the long winter are flocking to the opening flowers and dandelions to gather nectar. Butterflies are arriving. The birds are flying around looking for bugs …

There are a lot of hot issues surrounding the cultivation of rare plants. Collection and import regulations are becoming stricter. There are laws that prevent the removal of plants from the wild without proper permission. There are laws that govern what can be done with a rare plant once permission has been obtained to remove …

Cochliostema odoratissimum was first discovered and named in 1847. Later it was re-named Cochliostema jacobianum by a Mr. Linden who introduced the plant at the Paris Exhibition of 1867. Mr. Linden exhibited the plant in full foliage and then sent the plant to England. The name comes from the Greek word kochlos which means spiral …

Clitoria is an easy care-free vine that can thrive in a variety of conditions. Although this plant prefers well-drained soil it can thrive in poor soil or even sand and under various lighting conditions.   The flowers of this plant are available as both single and double varieties. A little known fact is that they …

Hailing from South Africa, the Strelitzia is cultivated worldwide. The most common, Strelitzia Reginae, is a rapid grower that reaches four feet high and spreads in clumps. The Strelitzia Nicolai, commonly called the “White Bird Of Paradise,” can grow up to fifteen feet high. Its leaves can easily be mistaken for those of a Banana. …

Repairing a neglected landscape can be tricky. Deciding where to start first and then figuring out what you have to work with is the hard part. One of the easiest ways to begin is by clearing out all of the dead or diseased plant materials. Raking leaves, removing broken branches and picking up trash or …

Just as birds, bees, and butterflies need the proper habitat in order to stay in the garden, so do beneficial insects. In addition to bad bugs and nectar-producing plants, shelter and a good water source are important. You can construct bughouses for beneficial insects; however, they are not necessary. Tall grass, thick shrubs, and lush …

Soapnuts are a great natural alternative laundry detergent that you can grow right in your yard if you live in USDA zone 6 or higher. Soapnuts come from the genus Sapindus which contains about twelve species of trees and shrubs. These plants, also called soapberry, are native to warm temperate to tropical regions. There are …

The plants in the greenhouse are doing so well that I decided it was time once again to dig into my seed stash to see what unusual seeds I could come up with. I have a nice stack sitting on the table beside me that I want to germinate over the next few weeks, however …

I’ll never forget the first time I went herb shopping and that was the time I learned there's no better time than now to grow herbs. I read a book about housecleaning with herbs. How cool I thought. The lady who wrote the book talked about putting mint in her wash water, so away I …

Baby, it’s cold outside, but spring is just around the corner, so even if you don’t garden year-round outdoors, now is the time to prepare for spring. Getting a head start on the growing season indoors will insure your garden lights the landscape up come spring. Make a list of what you want to grow, …

    Are you looking to design a garden that is appealing and functional? What about a garden with therapeutic benefits and practical applications? That garden should contain plants bursting with flavor and scent as well as a nice place to sit and relax or maybe even entertain. A citrus theme garden, full of energy …

  Here is a garden that is not only practical but you can have a lot of fun designing. A tea themed garden should grow herbs that are used for tea and be a fun place to entertain. Imagine creating flowerpots out of fancy tea kettles. Many herbs, such as chamomile, would look perfect in …

  Growing plants in a greenhouse environment can rewarding as well as challenging. There’s a whole new set of rules to learn about light exposure, pest problems, and starting seeds. Growing vegetables in a hydroponic unit can make the learning curve steeper. But once you get the hang of hydroponic gardening, it’s really worth the …

  Soil testing is essential for gardening success, especially if you intend to grow plants such as blueberries, rhodendrons or azaleas, that prefer growing in acidic soil. Garden soil testing will tell you the exact pH of the soil in your garden.  Levels below seven indicate acidity, while levels above seven indicate alkalinity. A simple garden …

  Save money and eat better by growing fresh fruits and vegetables year-round in your home garden, even if you live in the north! Fresh produce naturally tastes better than produce that was picked before it was ripe and shipped hundreds, if not thousands, of miles to your local grocery store. Fresh produce also has …

Here are a number of videos on Theobroma cacao by Sheri Ann Richerson.  Enjoy! A New Variety Of Theobroma (2019) Newly updated how to germinate Theobroma video (2016) - Greenhouse video (2010) - Presentation video (2010) - The beginning of my love for Theobroma (shot in 2000, but not uploaded until 2018) - About Sheri …

  Like most gardeners, I can't wait for spring. Nothing compares to digging in the moist, warm soil and inhaling the rich, dark aroma of compost after a long winter. We've been considering adding some everbearing strawberries for several years now. We planted June bearers the first time around, but when I moved them to …

I planted these seeds on October 12, 2004. I placed them in a coldframe. They germinated on October 25, 2004.

Germination Tips: I planted seed of this during the early winter of 2003. I placed the seed in a peat pot filled with ¾ potting soil and ¼ vermiculite. The seed was pressed into the vermiculite and slightly covered. The seeds had just begun to form roots on October 25, 2004. I potted them up …

First flowers from seed grown Brunfelsia americana.   On December 4, 2004 I began soaking fresh seeds. They were in the water for about four days before I planted them directly on top of some vermiculite. On December 23, 2004 the seed germinated. The first flowers appeared on April 28, 2009! Join the discussion on …

Abutilon are soft wooded flowering shrubs that are widespread throughout the world's mild to warm climate countries. Growing tips: Prune after flowering. Germination tips: Propagate from seeds or cuttings. To propagate from seed cover the seed lightly with vermiculite. Temperatures should be between 72 to 75 degrees F. Germination can occur within 3 days. Flowering …

I planted these seeds on October 12, 2004. I placed them in a coldframe. They germinated on October 25, 2004.

This year I have decided to try to germinate some of my seeds in paper towels. Not only can I fit numerous paper towels in one of those plastic shoe boxes with a lid but I can check them every few days to see what has germinated. Once they do germinate I will pot them …

A modest growing forest vine native to tropical and sub-tropical Australia. Seeds resemble crabs' eyes and are poisonous. In India the roots are used to produce a licorice-like compound that is edible. Flowers grow in racemes and are white to deep pink in color. Germination tips: Propagate from seeds. Soak the seeds before sowing.

Small open crowned trees from tropical eastern Australia. Growing tips: Abroma prefer sheltered areas among other trees and good soil. Germination tips: It is best to propagate Abroma from seed.

Small shrubs from China and Mexico. Flowers from spring to autumn in a range of colors. Those colors are red, pink, mauve and white. Growing tips: Abelia prefer rich well drained soil in an open site. Abelia will tolerate some frost. Prune after flowering. Germination tips: It is best to propagate Abelia from new growth …