In the spring of the year, all of us plant enthusiasts' get that annual itch in our fingertips to grow new plants. When we grow new plants we call it propagation. Propagation defined is to cause a plant or animal to reproduce itself; multiply or increase, as by natural reproduction. Two ways -to reproduce There are [...]
A containerized plant with a limited amount of soil around its roots will need a dose of fertilizer from time to time. While plants make their own food through a process called photosynthesis, soil nutrients are used up during this process and eventually those nutrients need replacing. Plants have the ability to manufacture their own food. [...]
Neem oil is pressed from the seed of the neem tree (Azadirachtin indica). Native to the dry forests of eastern India, Pakistan and Burma, this tree is known by several names including "village pharmacy," "cornucopia," "wonder tree," and "the veritable gold mine." Neem leaves, stems, seeds and oil have been used for medicinal purposes and pest [...]
All of us have made some mistakes and killed off a few plants. Overwatering, underwatering, not detecting insects until they carried the plant away, the normal stuff. But as the years go on and we learn from our mistakes, we get better at what we do, and new problems arise. Aging plants in aging soil, now [...]
Boost your energy levels by keeping your eyes open to new opportunities, seeking new servicing and plantscaping tips, and maintaining high levels of curiosity about your industry. How does one go about doing this you ask? The following suggestions can help you expand your plant knowledge and improve your quality of service, leading to new energy. [...]
5 Steps to Prune Ficus Trees Ficus tree Where should I start to prune? This is their pet Ficus tree; how can I cut it without asking? Is someone watching me? What if I make a mistake? I have no extra time today to prune or clean up a mess. Are these the excuses [...]
Ferns have been part of the interiorscape for centuries but have fallen to the wayside recently, with customers favoring tall palms and little succulents. "That's fine with me," some of you interiorscapers may be saying. Ferns can be messy with their leaf droppings and temperamental nature. We would like to argue though that ferns should hold a [...]
Don't down them. Roots need air just as much as they need water. Keeping the soil soaked at all times means certain death for most plants. When learning how much water each plant needs on your accounts, consider not only the type of plant but also the amount of light it gets, the temperature of its environment, [...]
When was the last time you repotted one of your plants? If you are like most interiorscapers your answer is probably years. We take care of so many plants, too. You'd think we'd say "every two years" as the books recommend. When you look at almost any houseplant care book there is usually quite a large [...]
There are 4 groups of plant pathogens that are commonly recognized: fungi bacteria viruses nematodes And as interiorscapers, we need a basic understanding of all 4. Fungi Fungi are the largest group with over 100,000 known species. It's not required to learn them all though. The reproductive spore floats through the air very effectively or [...]
