Gerber Daises

Geber daises are ornamental garden plants commonly grown for their bright and cheerful daisy like flowers. They can be used in landscapes as bedding plants for borders and flower beds or as potted plants.
The flowers hardly look real. They bloom in nearly every color and produce fantastically large flowers on long thick stems. They last for a week or more in the vase, making them a favorite of flower arrangements. These beautiful blooms are perfect for any occasion.

How to grow Gerberas:

Growing Gerber daisy plant is possible from seed , seedlings or divisions. Areas with full sun or partial sun are best for growing these precious plants. They tolerate mild temperatures.
The most inexpensive way to produce gerberas is from seeds obtained from reputable seed suppliers. Seedlings are easy to find in nurseries.

Growing from seeds and seedlings:

1) Seeds should be germinated in an artificial growing medium that is sterile, light and have water retention capacity. It can be purchased in garden supply store.The material often have fertilizer incorporated.
2) The medium can be placed in pots that have drainage holes.
3) Make shallow rows in the medium, sow seeds in the rows. cover lightly with extra medium and water carefully. Check the medium daily for moisture and  signs of seed germination.
4) Germination usually takes 2-3 weeks. When large enough to handle, seedlings can be transplanted in to flower beds or large pots.

Growing from divisions: 

1) When first signs of new growth are seen, plant can be divided. Use healthy plants. divide the root stock and crown into 4 pieces each with one growth bud attached.
2) Alternatively, detach young basal shoots, pot them up carefully in sandy compost and place in a propagator until well rooted, then pot up or plant into a bed or border.  

Lotus

Lotus is one of the most majestic ornamental water plants to have in a garden. It is the most exotic of
all pond plants. These are beautiful water plants that represent  beauty and purity. They are one of nature's most beautiful creations. They existed on the earth for thousands of years. They grow in shallow and marshy waters.These plants flourish in a wide range of climates.The roots of Lotus plant are rooted in the soil under the water while the leaves float on the top of water surface.  The Lotus flowers are usually found on thick stems raising several centimeters above the water.
Lotus flowers are very beautiful. They are either pink or white in color. The petals are shaped like dagger and are arranged in several layers.  The flower is known by its sweet odor. It is very fragrant and the perfume will permeate the evening. The flower which lasts 3-5 days, opens in the morning and closes at night.

How to grow Lotus plant:
Lotus plants can be grown from seeds, tubers. You can purchase them in your local nurseries.

 From seeds:
1) Place the seeds into  a glass of warm water and change the water everyday.
2) Once you see Lotus roots emerge, put them in small pots filled with good garden soil.
3) A depression should be made in the soil and one seed should be set in the depression.,
4) Cover the roots gently with soil or gravel.
5) When the Lotus leaves started to grow, keep them free of soil and set the plant in warm water up to two inches deep.
6) Plant your lotus in a larger container without drainage holes and give it as much light as possible.
7) A lotus plant that is established can be fertilized.every 3 or 4 weeks during the growing season.

From tubers:
1) Float the tubers in a large bowl. fill the bowl with warm water ntill it is nearly full and rest the tuber on the surface of water..
2) Place the bowl in a warm place and change the water very 3-7 days.
3) Plant the tubers with in few weeks after the tuber sprouts.
4) Carefully take the sprouted tuber out of the bowl and place it in the middle of your new wide pot or bowl
5) Carefully  put good garden soil  around the tuber and fill the pot 1/3rd with soil.
4) Add some gravel above the soil and fill the bowl with water.
Lotus  can be grown in a wide variety of ways from pots to a pond in your back yard

Lotus flowers, young leaves and the roots are edible and are used in cuisine. They are rich in fiber and vitamins of B group. They are rich source of iron and other important minerals. 

  

Climbing Roses

Climbing roses are ornamental garden plants grown for  their beautiful flowers. These modern roses are trailing shrubs. Their slender stems can be trained to ascend trellis. The stems grow long  and arching canes  that can be tied up and trailed along fences, walls and trellises. They form a colorful backdrop  for borders and they are fantastic for covering structures. They transform bare fences, walls and trellises into beautiful focal points.
These roses show greater resistance to diseases.
Climbing roses have large flowers similar to other garden roses which are typically held singly or in small groups and they usually have the ability to repeat blooms.
Climbing roses are grown for their beautiful flowers which range in color from white through various tones of yellow and pink to dark crimson and maroon and most have a delightful fragrance.

How to grow climbing roses:
Climbing roses prefer full sun, so the spot you plant them in should receive 6 hours of sun per day. These roses need well draining nutrient rich soil.

1) Choose a spot with plenty of space. Remove 6 inches of top soil and replace it with soil from another part of your garden.
2) Mix the new soil generously with compost and allow to settle for 2-3 weeks.
3) Dig a hole 18 inches wide. It should be large enough for the roots to spread out.
4) Sprinkle some rose fertilizer at the base of the hole.
5) Before planting a bare root rose remove and discard the packing material and soak the roots for a few hours.
6) Place the rose plant in the hole, carefully spread the roots out.
7) Fill the hole with water and let drain.
8) Add soil back in the hole until roots are fully covered and the soil is leveled.
9) Tamp down the soil with your hands gently.
10) Newly planted roses need 1 inch of water per week throughout their first growing season.
Climbing roses grow vigorously and bloom more prolifically if fertilized several times during growing season. They are excellent for limited flat space garden area that have a lot of open vertical space to climb up and elegantly drape the area with beautiful blooms.
   

Hibiscus rosa sinunsis - China Rose - Shoe flower

Hibiscus is an ornamental flowering garden plant that can bloom almost year round. It is a large shrub found in the warm regions all over the world.
 This plant is best known by its beautiful flowers.  The flowers are large, trumpet shaped without scent. Flower consists of 5 or more petals that can be red, white, orange, pink, yellow, purple or blue in color. These blossoms only last a day, but they are quickly replaced by new blooms.

How to grow Hibiscus:
Growing hibiscus is easy way to add beauty to your garden. You will be rewarded with many years of  lovely flowers. You can buy small hibiscus plants in the local nurseries
When buying hibiscus, look for plants that have lots of buds and healthy leaves.
It grows on well drained soils in the sunny areas. They prefer soils that are rich in organic matter.

From cuttings:
Select a lateral soft wood stem with mature leaves of the hibiscus plant and cut it with a sharp knife.
1) Fill the pot or the container with moist potting soil mixed with some compost.
2) Make a hole in the potting soil with your finger and step the cutting in the hole.
3) Set the cutting deep enough in the soil. Gently firm the soil around the cutting.
4) The cuttings will root in 2-3 weeks.
Growing a hibiscus plant in a container or a pot  will allow you to move the plant to ideal location.
5) Select a site with full sun and well drained soil in the garden and dig holes 2-3 apart and as deep as the root ball.
6) Carefully remove the plant from the container and set it in the hole.
7) Fill the hole half full with soil, then water it well to settle the soil. Let the water drain, then fill the remainder of the hole with soil and water thoroughly.
8) feed the plant with compost twice a month, during growing season and prune as necessary to control plant size.
9) When hibiscus are in their blooming stage,they require large amounts of water, They need daily watering in warm weather.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums are beautiful ornamental garden plants, ideal for growing in pots and containers.
This plant is excellent as ground cover or border plant since its foliage is attractive and remain green all year. As a landscaping plant, the chrysanthemum makes a beautiful display for the home garden.

Chrysanthemums are the most popular flowers next only to roses. They are favorites among home garden because of the colorful flowers. The flowers are available in a wide array of colors - from white to yellow and gold, pink, orange, bronze, deep red, maroon, violet and purple. Some are a mix of colors. They dominate a growing area with their many varied shapes, sizes and colors.
Chrysanthemums have a long flowering period. There are so many varieties of chrysanthemums today.

How to grow chrysanthemums:
Chrysanthemums are easy to be grown and are propagated by the divisions of plants and seeds. These plants can grow in any kind of soil, but they require a sunny weather for best performance.

By seeds:
Sow seeds in the already prepared garden soil, cover the seeds with a layer of potting soil.
The seedling appear 2-3 weeks and thin out after germination, They can be transplanted after about a month of sowing.

By divisions: 
1) Chrysanthemum plant should be divided to avoid overcrowding and to promote maximum flowering. They should be divided  when new growth appears.
2) Dig entire lump  and separate the plants with a sharp knife. Remove all the dead parts.
3) Replant the divisions as soon as possible in loose, well drained rich organic soil.
4) Young divisions will grow much faster and provide a better plant.

Care: 
Chrysanthemums should be watered regularly.
Seedlings should be pinched to make them bushy.
Fertilize when the plants are ready for blooming and discontinue fertilizing after flower buds are formed.
The faded Chrysanthemum blooms should be removed regularly as it helps prolong flowering. 

Cabbage Rose - Rosa centrifolia

Cabbage roses are tough, disease resistant, ornamental garden plants, best known for their one hundred petaled cabbage like blooms. These garden roses are a cross between two species of roses. They have coarse leaves and long canes that nod under the weight of their large fragrant blooms.
The blooms are large, full and have a wonderful fragrance. Their thick, full, multi petaled growth habit is how they got the name of a cabbage rose.They range in color from dark pink to lavender.
Cabbage roses require a sunny location with well drained fertile soil and careful pruning for abundant blooming. They bloom only once per season.

Propagation:
Cabbage rose plants are sold in plastic bags or pots in local nurseries.
1) Select the cultivar desired for your garden.
2) Choose a planting location that gets 6 hours of direct sun light, good drainage and good air circulation.
3) Dig a hole 2 feet deep and and put some composted soil in the center.
4) Remove the purchased cabbage rose plant from the plastic pot and fill in the hole with the plant.
5) Fill the  hole completely with rich organic soil and leave a slight depression around the plant to collect water
6) Fertilize the roses once a month with a commercial rose fertilizer or an organic fertilizer.

Pruning: 
Roses need to be pruned and shaped especially when you are wanting large blossoms prune new shoots and buds. Try to keep one or two buds per stem, this will produce a large blossom. Always  pick dead blossoms from the plant.
Keeping the plants neat and well kept will protect them from diseases.

Calla lilies

Calla lily is a beautiful and attractive plant available in a multitude of colors. It grows from under ground stem(rhizome). It is ideal for use in garden beds, borders, in pots and containers. It can also grow out doors or in a sunny window as house plant.
Each plant produces 10-30 elegant, sculptural extraordinary flowers. The flowers are generally pink, red, purple, white and yellow in color.
It is easy to grow calla lilies. These plants do not require too much care. Proper planting and location are the only important things to grow calla lilies. They prefer full sun or partial shade and warm weather.

How to grow calla lilies:
Calla lilies are easy to propagate. They grow from tubers.
1) Find a location in the garden where the soil drains well.
2) Callas thrive in average soils. Add peat moss and compost to the soil.
3) Dig holes a foot apart and plant the calla tubers shallowly so that the tops of the tubers are exposed.
4) Plant the tubers with the eyes exposed. Water the tubers to settle the soil around the tubers.
5) Roots will form in a few weeks.
6) Water the sprouts enough to keep the soil  slightly damp.