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Trees & Houseplants : Home & Garden
Bt Insecticide for Caterpillars
Bt is an abbreviation for the bacterial disease Bacillus thuringiensis. Bt is a live microorganism that occurs naturally in insects. A strain of Bt is used as the active ingredient in insecticides that are toxic to caterpillars such as leafrollers, alfalfa caterpillars, cabbage loopers, tomato hornw
What Is Cotton Dobby Fabric?
Cotton dobby fabric is a material woven from natural fibers on a dobby loom. This special type of loom was developed as a labor-saving device for weavers, and preceded the more complex Jacquard loom. Dobby looms use a device called a dobby, which controls which parts of the loom move. The dobby can
How to Grow Blackberries in Central Texas
Blackberries, Rubus sp., do well in moderate to warm climates, including Texas. This type of bramble fruit is biennial; bearing fruit the year after planting. Plants may produce up to 15 years if well managed, with the best production occurring in year's three to eight. Blackberries can produce from
The Mulberry Tree in Autumn
Mulberry trees (Morus alba) are adaptable to many soils and growing conditions, making them a suitable tree for urban lots and areas with compacted or poor soil. The trees have yellow leaves in the fall, although they are mostly known for their glossy green, summer foliage and fruit. Plant mulberry
Tiger Lilies & Beetles
Lily leaf beetles are native to Europe and were known to exist in Montreal, Canada, for years. In the summer of 1992, the beetle was first officially sighted in the United States in Cambridge, Massachusetts, according to the University of Rhode Island. Since that time, the beetles have spread across
The Best Way to Fertilize Citrus Trees
Citrus trees need regular applications of fertilizer to replace the nutrients they expend when they produce fruit, according to the University of Florida Extension. Fertilizer also encourages tree growth and promotes health.
How to Identify and Care for an Abigaile Rose
The Abigaile Rose is the perfect rose for someone who does not have a lot of space, as it is a short bushy rose. The cultivar is Abigaile and it is in the rosaceae family. It grows well in Zones 4 to 9, and the AHS heat zone has not been defined for this plant. This rose thrives in full sun (more th
Spiral Aloe Plants
The spiral aloe is native to Lesotho, in Africa.Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty ImagesThe spiral aloe, which is known scientifically as Aloe polyphylla, is a succulent plant that originates within the highlands of the Maluti Mountains, in the African nation of Lesotho. The spiral aloe is an...
Names of Plants That Live in the Desert
the desert is home to a variety of different plant speciesdesert 8 image by Dusan Radivojevic from Fotolia.comPlants that grow in the desert have unique growth requirements and composition due to the arid climate and terrain. While cacti are by far the most characteristic of desert...
How to Identify a Red Currant Bush
Red currants are a favorite fruit for making jams, jellies, tarts and other sweet treats. According to the Botanical website, wild red currants always maintain a bright red shade. Pink, white and champagne-colored currants were developed through cultivation. In addition to being tasty, the red curra
The Best Place to Plant a Fig Tree
Originally from western Asia, fig tree cultivation has spread world wide. This deciduous tree can reach 50 feet tall but is usually maintained less than 30 feet tall for ease of harvest. Fig trees grow in various locations as long as a few conditions are met.
How to Stop Algae Growth in Water Gardens
An overgrowth of algae can cloud the water in your water garden, hide your ornamental fish, and detract from the garden's overall appearance. Water gardens are especially susceptible to this problem in the spring, when beneficial aquatic plants--which normally help control algae--are recovering from
How to Care for Pygmy Date Palms
The pygmy date palm, or Phoenix roebellenii, is a widely used palm in landscaping in the United States. It is very popular accent plant because of its slow growth, small stature, graceful crown and easy care. Pygmy date palms are also used as office plants because of their attractive appearance. The
How to Store & Ripen Pears
Pick fresh pears before they ripen to protect them from rotting. When you pick your own pears or buy fresh pears from a produce department, select fruit that is just under ripe. The flesh will be hard when you press your thumb against it. Bartlett pears will be yellow-colored before they ripen. Many
The Best Choices for Summer Window Box Planting
Window boxes brimming with summer color brighten any house.Creatas Images/Creatas/Getty ImagesWindow boxes filled with hanging or upright flowering plants give a boost to your home and garden. These inexpensive, natural decorations add bursts of fresh color to the spot, fill the...
What Are the Benefits of Peat Moss As Mulch?
Peat moss, a group of approximately 150 to 300 plants in the genus Sphagnum, flourishes in marshy areas or bogs in northern climates, such as Canada and Great Britain. Gardeners often use it as a soil amendment.
What Causes Tomato Vines to Dry Up?
It's hard to believe that the tomato was thought to be poisonous by early colonial settlers when you consider how prevalent tomatoes are in American gardens. The fruit was rarely grown for food or consumed until the 1800s. Several diseases and cultural problems can cause the vine of the tomato, now
How to Plant Horseradish in the Shade
If you're a fan of horseradish purchased in jars at the supermarket, you'll love the flavor of horseradish freshly harvested from your own garden. Horseradish isn't difficult to plant, and once planted, will thrive with little maintenance. Although horseradish prefers sunlight, the spicy root will d
How to Plant a Noble Fir
Noble fir trees (Abies procera) are evergreen conifers that growers commonly plant on Christmas tree farms. When allowed to grow to full size, noble firs reach 140 to 200 feet tall with branches spreading 30 feet wide. The trunk grows up to 5 feet around. The bluish-green, flattened needles are 1-in
Uses of the Sunflower Plant
Every part of the sunflower is beneficial in some way.sunflower image by Lucid_Exposure from Fotolia.comEvery part of the sunflower has a use for something, and no part goes to waste. Native Americans have used the sunflower plants for centuries. They are native to the United States and...