Home And Garden

Starting trees from seed can be one of the most rewarding gardening activities, but tree seeds often require a little more preparation than many common flower or vegetable seeds. In most cases, there are two ways to start tree seeds: The natural way, which often includes sowing the seeds in the fall, or through forced or “assisted” germination, which is initially done indoors. The Natural Way to Germinate Tree Seeds Seeds have been sprouting and trees have been growing for an awfully long time without any help from humans. The “natural way” to germinate tree seeds, then, is to allow nature to take its course. Most seeds, when sown in the fall without any pre-treatment, will begin to germinate the following spring. Be sure to sow the seeds at the recommended depth. If the seeds are planted too deep, this could delay or inhibit the spring germination process. With some seed varieties you may see germination spread over two or three years with some seeds germinating in the firs

Scientific Name : Gerbera jamesonii Family : Asteraceae/Compositae  (Daisy Family) Common names : Gerbera, African daisy, Transvaal daisy, Barberton daisy Flowering Period : All year round Colour : white, red, cream, orange, pink, purple & yellow Gerbera flowers comes in vibrant colours adding beauty to your garden. It has around 40 species spreading from Africa across to Madagascar into tropical Asia and South America . Gerbera are plants with a height up to 18 to 24 inch and 4 to 10 inch diameter flowers. There will be more than ten leaves in a plant, medium green in colour spread out in a circle parallel to the ground. These plants can be planted in gardens, mixed containers and pots. Its cut flowers last long and gives colour and beauty to any room. There are many hybrids that come in white, cream, yellow, orange-pink, purple or violet.

Carica papaya L. Scientific name:   Carica papaya  L. Common names:  Papaya and pawpaw (English and Spanish), malakor, loko, ma kuai thet (Thai), and du du (Vietnamese). Family:  Caricaceae Origin:  Lowlands of Central America and southern Mexico , possibly West Indies ( Caribbean ). Center of diversification southern Mexico to Nicaragua . Relatives:  Mountain papaya  (Carica candamarcensis Hook.f.). Distribution:  Throughout the tropical and subtropical world; in protected culture in cool subtropical regions. History:  Papaya was taken to the Caribbean and Southeast Asia first and then spread to India , Oceania, and Africa . Importance:  Papaya is a major commercial crop throughout the tropical and subtropical world and exported widely to areas where production is not possible. Description Tree and tree types Giant arborescent plant to 33 ft (10 m)tall; generally short-lived although may live up to 20 years; usually single trunked, no secondary growth. Leaves Leaves are palmately-

The  Princess or Hurricane Palm  is a beautiful palm allegedly resistant to hurricane force winds.  It is suitable for sub-tropical climates and is moderately drought tolerant.   Of the tribe  Arecceae , and subfamily Arecoideae  it is also known by the botanic name  Dictyosperma album .   Princess Palms  are native to the Mascarene Islands where they are considered close to extinction. Plant Facts Common Name:   Princess or Hurricane Palm Botanical Name:   Dictyosperma album Subfamily:   Arecoideae Plant Type:   Solitary Palm Tree Origin:  Mascarene Islands (endangered in its native habitat) Height:   30' Rate of Growth:  Moderate Salt Tolerance:  Moderate Soil Requirements:   Widely adaptable Water Requirements:  Moderate drought tolerance Nutritional Requirements:    Moderate Light Requirements:  High Form:   Solitary, relatively slender trunk.  Canopy of 10-20 leaves. Leaves:   Pinnately compound, reduplicate; twisted 90° near tip. Inflorescence:  1.5' long, horn-like i

  Convolvulus mauritanicus is one of those plants that always does a good job. It is hardy, attractive, humble and very giving. Plant details Common name: convolvulus (not often called by its common name, 'bindweed') Botanic name: Convolvulus mauritanicus Description: Trailing perennial with small, oval leaves and soft, slender stems. The violet-blue, morning glory-like flowers appear in early spring and continue until early autumn. Best climate: Most areas of Australia , including warm protected sites in Hobart and the mountains. Uses: spillover plant ground cover plant hanging baskets coastal gardens Good points: hardy flowers for most of the year good in sun or shade tolerates salt spray Downside: A member of the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae). Although morning glories (Ipomoea) can be extremely invasive in warm zones, Convolvulus mauritanicus is of moderate vigour only and never likely to be a nuisance. Care: Convolvulus likes a sunny posi