Kwangmoo Gardening

If you have always found the Bonsai Tree to be a fascinating plant but have thought that you just don't have the skills necessary to grow one yourself, you may want to consider the Japanese Maple Bonsai. These are not only beautiful trees, but perfect for beginners as they are easily grown and cared for.

The Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree comes in several different varieties, and all of these different trees offer some great color during the spring and fall. Just like outdoor maples, the Japanese Maple Bonsai tree will have leaves that change color in the fall. The tree will also lose its leaves and become dormant during the winter months.

These trees are not only easy to care for but very colorful. The Japanese Red Maple Bonsai has red leaves all summer that become brighter in the fall. The trunk and branches can also become different shades of green and red.

Another popular species of the Japanese Maple Bonsai is the Bloodgood Japanese Maple. This beautifully shaped tree has leaves that are reddish purple during the warm months and become a bright crimson color in the fall.

For a Japanese Maple Bonsai that you can keep outdoors on the patio, the Crimson Queen Maple is a good choice. This tree is actually a dwarf and grows to be about ten feet. When pruned properly, this type of maple also can make a good indoor Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree. Its leaves are long and have a feathery appearance that transforms from dark red in the summer, to a deep red in the fall. It has a charming, sweeping shape.

Though the Japanese Maple Bonsai is the most popular of the Maple Bonsai Trees, there are other Maple species that work beautifully as Bonsai Plants. This includes the Sugar and Norway Maple Trees. Another option is the Red Sunset Maple. This tree offers a good red fall color as well as a nice balance of proportion.

All different types of Bonsai Trees are available from specialty nurseries; or you can try growing one yourself from seed. It is advised that you find out all you can about growing and caring for the Bonsai Tree before you start. This will help avoid unnecessary frustration.

If you want to try growing a Bonsai Tree for yourself, take a closer look at many of the Maple species, especially the Japanese Maple Bonsai. You just may find that it is much easier than you would have believed.

Thomas T is the owner of http://www.Indoor-Bonsai-Tree.com
Lots of free info about Japanese Maple Bonsai, and more about Indoor Bonsai Tree.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_T

Posted by Moo! at 11:21 AM | 1 comments  

Labels: bonsai

There are five basic bonsai styles that one can follow while growing a bonsai. Formal Upright, Informal Upright, Slanting Style, Cascade, and Semi-Cascade are the five bonsai styles. Some styles are suited for beginners, while others are best for experienced enthusiasts. Before you learn about the various bonsai styles, it is best to familiarize yourself how different trees grow in nature. Beginners should learn to train their bonsai to grow in their natural growth patterns.

Formal Upright It is also known as the Chokkan style. For beginners this is not the best style to follow. a bonsai grown according to the Formal Upright style has a trunk that is perfectly straight and is tapering naturally and evenly from the base to the apex. Its branches are symmetrically spaced. Larches, Junipers, and Pines are best suited for this style.

Informal Upright The trunk of a bonsai grown according to the Informal Upright style is always bent slightly to the right or left. The trunk or the branches should never be pointing towards the viewer. Japanese Maple, Trident Maple, and Beech are some of the species that are suited for this style.

Slanting Style In this style the trunk leans at a definite angle, irrespective of whether it is curved or straight. Strong roots are allowed to grow on the side which is away from the angle of the trunk lean. This is done to provide support for the lean. Conifers are extremely suited for this style.

Cascade Style In this style the tip of the bonsai tapers below the bottom of the base of the pot. Cascade style bonsai gives the impression of branches seeking light. Species that are not strongly upright are best suited for this style.

Semi-Cascade In this style the tip of the bonsai will project over the rim of the pot but will not drop below its base. In natural surroundings you will find this style in trees that grow on cliffs or overhang water. Exposed roots should help in balancing the tree. Species that are suitable for this style include Cedars, Junipers, and flowering Cherries.

If you want to master the art of styling in bonsai, you should study trees in their natural surroundings. Observe their natural growth patterns. When you start with a plant you should observe its natural characteristics. By doing so, you will come up with a suitable style for that plant. When you have got enough experience you can start giving your bonsai more than one style. You can give your own interpretation of a particular style. No wonder bonsai is an artistic pursuit. It is a hobby which will provide you an outlet for your creative energy and bring you immense satisfaction.

Posted by Moo! at 8:42 PM | 1 comments  

Labels: bonsai

Flower gardens can grow wild or can be in a specified spot in your backyard, like a flower bed. You can mix and match flowers and have a different colors to improve your scenery. You can choose from annuals that will last a whole year, perennials plants that live more than 2 years, and biennials plants that take 2 years to complete their life cycle.

I would recommend you to plant a rose garden. There is something almost spiritual about rose gardens. From their heady fragrance to their delicate blooms, walking through a rose garden is a peaceful experience. Growing a rose garden isn't difficult, yet many gardeners complain that their roses are never as beautiful as they would like them to be. If you struggle to grow roses, follow these easy steps and your rose gardens will be the envy of your neighborhood.

1. How can you create a beautiful flower gardens filled with roses? Roses like to be fed. They should be fed consistently. The best way to feed your roses is to sit down in the winter with a calendar and write out a feeding schedule for your rose garden. Once you have established your feeding schedule, stick to it. It doesn't do your roses much good to feed them sporadically. Some people like to use a slow release fertilizer, but roses truly do best when a strong organic fertilizer is applied routinely.

Some great fertilizers for your rose gardens include composted fertilizer and blood meal. Roses love a high nitrogen feed, so if you make your own compost, make sure you put in lots of grass clippings to really add nitrogen to your soil.

2. Roses need about two inches of water a week. If you don't get that kind of rainwater in your area, it is vital to water them every few days. You can cut down on the amount of water you need to give them by hand if you are hard-working about mulching your roses. Mulching is a fantastic way to keep the roots of your roses from stressing. It is also great for weed control. Weeds compete with your roses for vital nutrients and water, so when you mulch your rose gardens, you help your roses get the most from the soil that surrounds them.

The best mulch you can use is grass clippings or compost that holds many nitrogen rich grass clippings. When you mulch with grass clippings you are helping feed the soil that will feed your roses.

3. It seems a mockery to cut back your roses, but in reality, when you trim your rose garden you are ensuring beautiful blooms for seasons to come. Always deadhead spent roses by cutting them back to their second set of leaves. This will allow for more blooms to come out in the current season.

Make sure that you give your roses a good pruning in the early part of spring. Cut away every piece of dead or diseased wood. Once you have removed the damaged wood, step back and shape your bush. Make sure you thin out the branches so that each one has room for air to circulate, keeping your roses free from mildew and rot.

You will need to decide if you want your flowers to grow wild in certain spots, like a pathway to a bench or the entrance to your home. You may even decide to pick a certain spot in your yard and decided to put little flower gardens there, like in front of your home for everyone to see. You can have fun experimenting with different plants and mixing a combination of annuals with perennials or vice versa and don't forget to mix in biennials plants.

All flowers have their own temperament and you want to be accommodating, otherwise you won't have much of a flower garden. Some flowers grow better in certain regions than others due to the soil and climate, so make sure to select the right flowers for your region. Also verify when it is the perfect time to plant your flower gardens so you can be prepared and ready to go when the time is right.

You may even employ a professional gardener to do the landscaping for you. The gardener should be able to tell you which flowers would suit your yard the best and allow you to pick your own arrangement for him/her to make your vision complete. You don't want to over clutter your yard or it could look more like a wild field than a flower garden. You should also consider the time that will be spent on maintaining your flower gardens, because you want it to look nice, not run down.

Posted by Moo! at 11:49 PM | 0 comments  

Labels: Flower Garden

3 Top Indoor Bonsai Tree Care Tips

Because indoor bonsai tree care can be such a difficult process I have decided to share my three best bonsai gardening tips. These tips are absolutely vital if you ever want to grow great looking, healthy bonsai trees that will be a source of enjoyment and fun rather than a source of anger and frustration. Most beginners I have seen fail to properly follow these indoor bonsai tree care tips and because of that they achieve virtually no success at all. By following these tips you will give yourself a firm grouding in the proper care of indoor bonsai trees and you will be well on your way to becoming a "master" of bonsai.

Tip 1 - Don't Over-water and Don't Under-water

Watering is easily one of the most difficult (and one of the most vital) parts of indoor bonsai tree care. Under-watering your bonsai will of course lead to the dehydration and eventual death of the tree whereas over-watering will lead to the tree "drowning". To properly water your bonsai you should wait until the soil in the pot/container begins to dry out on top. Next, water until excess liquid comes out of the bottom of the pot/container. Don't water the bonsai again until the soil begins to dry out. By following this process you will find that the tree is neither dehydrated or over-hydrated which are two of the leading reasons why bonsai trees die.

Tip 2 - Root Pruning and Branch Pruning

To master the art of indoor bonsai tree care you must be able to prune properly. Pruning is done two different ways - "root pruning" and "branch pruning". Root pruning should be done at the start of spring and only when the bonsai's roots have become grounded in the pot. Simply select the roots you want to keep and get rid of the bad ones. Branch pruning should also occur near the start of spring. Pick the branches that you wish to keep and careful remove the others. Proper pruning is one of the most important factors in indoor bonsai tree care and without properly mastering this you won't be able to progress onto things like sculpting your bonsai tree into different shapes.

Tip 3 - Applying Fertilizer and Soil

Another problem many beginners face with indoor bonsai tree care is picking and applying correct fertilizers and soil. In order to pick the right soil you should head down to your local gardening centre (or bonsai centre if you're lucky enough to have one nearby) and tell the staff exactly what type of bonsai you have. They will then direct you to the correct type of soil. Please note that it is definitely worth buying the most expensive soil possible as higher quality soils absorb nutrients from fertilizers more effectively and therefore provide a better living environment for yout bonsai tree. To correctly pick fertilizer you should ensure that you purchase a high quality, water-soluble fertilizer that contains a good variety of nutrients. Fertilizers should only be applied during the growing season and must be applied only when the soil is wet or they loose their effect.

By following these three vital indoor bonsai tree care tips you will be able to grow amazing bonsai trees and avoid annoyances like having your trees die. I must stress that these are the foundations of proper indoor bonsai tree care - you cannot progress to any of the "fun stuff" (sculpting etc.) without first mastering these three basic principles!

Thanks for reading and good luck with your bonsai gardening!

Posted by Moo! at 8:27 PM | 0 comments  

Labels: bonsai

Water gardens designed for wildlife are sure to bring you many hours of viewing pleasure. Birds will take a sip of water from even a simple tub, and they'll bathe in a splashing fountain. Butterflies love shallow pools. Insects and other animals-dragonflies, frogs, salamanders-will be drawn to your water garden and to the plants that accompany it.

Of course, water gardens designed for wildlife may also attract wildlife you would rather not deal with. Raccoons, mosquitoes, cats that love fish, and even the occasional rambunctious, water-loving dog may also become visitors to your water garden. But all in all, water gardens extend the ecosystem delightfully into your own backyard.

Water gardens designed for wildlife in a country setting may attract abundant wildlife because animals are more plentiful in locations near their natural habitat. Yet even a big-city water garden draws birds, butterflies, and other animals.

Style, Size and Location Can Make a Difference A large garden may attract a more diverse selection of wild things, but a small garden will surprise you with the number of animals it lures.

Wildlife won't know whether your water garden is formal or informal, of course. But the more that it resembles a country pond, the greater the number and variety of creatures it will attract because of the greater variety of habitats it offers.

The Depth of Your Water Garden

If you're planning a water garden that will support fish and plants as well as other wildlife activity, you'll need to consider constructing it to contain a variety of depths. Fish need at least 18 inches of water to survive. To over-winter them in areas where the pool freezes, they will need a place on the bottom deeper than that. Plants over-wintering in the garden pond will need deep areas, too.

In a climate with winter temperatures of minus 10° to minus 20° F, the pond will need to be 24 inches deep. In regions where average minimum temperatures of minus 30° to minus 40° F, the pool should have areas that are 30 to 36 inches deep. Check with your local extension service or water garden supplier to be sure the water garden you're planning will have depths suitable to your garden and your region.

Many amphibians, small animals, and birds like gradual approaches to water. An inclined beach of small stones provides a natural entry into the pool for them.

Although the location, style, and size of your http://www.garden-fountains.com/Categories.bok?category=Garden+Fountains all contribute somewhat to your success with wildlife. Having a diversity of depths, rocks, and plants will be key to attracting wildlife to your water gardens.

Plants for Your Water Garden

Native plants, which offer food and shelter natural to the birds and animals of your region, draw wildlife to your garden pond. Trees and shrubs are especially good because they provide homes for nesting wildlife as well as food and cover.

Perennials and annuals are attractions, too. Their patches of color draw birds and butterflies to feed on seeds and flower nectar. Grasses and hedges, especially evergreen or semi-evergreen species, provide cover at the water's edge for the better part of the year. Marginal plants (those that grow in the shallows of the water garden) also offer cover and food. Plants with floating leaves shade the water and serve as insect landing pads. Those with smaller leaves, like duckweed, are food for ducks and fish. Submerged plants release small amounts of oxygen into the water, which support insect larvae.

* Swamp milkweed or butterfly plant (Asclepias incarnata) grows about 3 feet high, and its yellow-to-orange, red, yellow, or white flowers attract butterflies for the nectar. This plant requires full-sun.

* Water mint (Mentha aquatica) grows about 1 foot high and bears small, light lavender flowers in mid- to late summer with nectar that is attractive to bees. It spreads rapidly and can be invasive. It should be planted no deeper than 3 inches.

* Water lily (Nymphaea spp.) spreads from 1 to 50 square feet, depending on the variety. Its flowers come in many colors and grow from 1 to 10 inches across. It prefers full sun and still water and makes a good place for frogs and other small animals to rest. Hardiness depends on the variety.

Posted by Moo! at 10:28 PM | 0 comments  

Labels: Water Garden

Watering - This is the most important aspect of caring for bonsai, especially for bonsai that are kept indoors for too long. Two things to remember about providing water for bonsai are the type of soil and species. Different soils will absorb and retain water at different rates and different tree species have varying degrees of water need.

The Japanese have a saying: water three times, each one for the pot, the soil and the tree. About 75% percent of water is taken in through the root system, but don't forget the leaves. Bonsai trees also acquire water through their stomata so make sure you wipe or wash away the dust and dirt regularly.

You should only use gentle water pressure when watering bonsai. Using excessive water pressure can wash away the topsoil and expose the tree roots. It is recommended that you use a misting hose or spray bottle that expels water in a fine mist. It is quite OK to use water from the tap, just ensure that it's not too hot or too cold.

Soil - Soil choice for your bonsai is critical for its health and long life. It really depends on the tree species of your bonsai, but generally, soil should be made of 30% humus and 70% grit for needled evergreen trees and 70% humus and 30% grit for deciduous trees. If you have a different bonsai species, make sure to look up which soil meets its special needs, since you might have to prepare a special soil mix yourself.

Pruning is the aspect of bonsai care that most beginners have trouble with. It's one of those skills that only really becomes fully formed with experience and knowledge. All aspects of a bonsai tree will need to be pruned at some stage - leaves, branches and roots.

Before attempting to prune the above ground aspects of your bonsai tree you should have a vivid image in your mind's eye of the tree shape you're looking to achieve. If you can do this and imagine a line around the tree in this shape you will be able to prune away everything that sticks out from this imaginary line.

Prune leaves or buds with care. Pruning buds will encourage back-budding and cutting leaves will 'discipline' the growth of the bonsai. It is also necessary to manage the nutrients that the roots draw up from the soil. Remember that you are trying to grow a tiny tree and letting it grow on its own will result in uncontrolled size.

Caring for bonsai takes lots of patience, knowledge and learned skills. It involves continuous work, but the results are more than worth the effort.

Posted by Moo! at 10:25 PM | 0 comments  

Labels: bonsai

The façade of a lawn is a reflection of a home that is well taken care of. Who would not be proud living in the midst of regularly pruned shrubs, colorful flowers, and other healthy plants?

A weed-free lawn with luxuriant greens is a winning factor for the lawn owner as well as for his neighbors. This is possible with the introduction of organic lawn care.

Today, you have to be thankful for the discovery of organic lawn care for your yard. For one, it is environment-friendly and therefore safe for human use. Many benefits can be derived with the application of organic lawn care through several implementing guidelines.

Organic Lawn Care: What Do We Get From It?

The benefits from organic lawn care can be succinctly summed up into two phrases - environmental protection and human safety.

Time and again, it has been proven that for an action done, there is a corresponding "payback". Nature works with this cause-and-effect concept. With the advancement in technology, lawn products promising a faster growth rate for your lawn have come out in the market.

There are also chemical-based herbicides for weed control. These products, however, are not environment-friendly and hence, not safe for humans. They may be able to seep into the water supply and cause massive damage to plant and animal life. It is for this reason that organic lawn care has emerged to provide a balance in our ecosystem.

Individuals have their roles to play in preserving the environment, and at the same time look after the welfare of their loved ones as well as their pets. Inorganic lawn products are made of harsh, toxic chemicals which are harmful to nature and humans as well. They may cause extensive damage when swallowed, inhaled, or even touched.

Organic Lawn Care: Implementing Guidelines

The prescribed height of grass to be mowed is an important factor in organic lawn care. Isn't a thick lawn what everybody desires? To achieve this, the cutting level of the lawn mower's blades should be adjusted to the highest setting.

Following the above will enable the grass to grow quickly because most of the surface is exposed to the sun. This makes photosynthesis, or the processing of plant food, easy. The grass blades and roots that are eventually produced are stronger, having been able to absorb nutrients from the soil.

Organic lawn care suggests the use of sharp lawn mower blades. Dull blades damage the grass rather than cut it. They tend to make the grass vulnerable to disease and may also contribute to water loss.

When mowing the lawn, organic lawn care suggests that residuals are left on the lawn where they will decompose naturally and where nutrients such as nitrogen will be absorbed by the soil. In fact, this nitrogen in the cut grass makes up about half of the annual nitrogen requirements of lawns.

In addition, grass residuals left in the lawn encourage earthworm movements underground. They benefit lawn care by ventilating the soil for improved water absorption.

Posted by Moo! at 8:01 PM | 0 comments