flora2

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Pruning Standard Roses - Hybrid teas and floribunda trees usually are pruned before delivery. The tops of dormant plants should be balanced. The stems that form the head of the tree should be almost equal in length. Any side shoots along the main stem below the head or at the bas... more

Rose Pests and Diseases - Major diseases are black spot, mildew and rust. Black spot may appear at first as yellowish areas on leaves, darkening later. Lower leaves are infected first. Mildew often starts to show on young new foliage as a whitish coating. The leaves curl or become... more

When to Plant Roses - All types of dormant rose-bushes can be planted. The season selected depends upon factors such as soil and climate. In heavy soils which hold much moisture, planting in early spring is often more successful. A planting in late August or during September i... more

Plant Virus Diseases - With virus diseases, the exact identification of the parasite is difficult. Viruses are so small that they cannot be seen through the ordinary microscopes used to detect and study fungous and bacterial parasites. They can be photographed by means of moder... more

Cactus Propagation - Propagating by Seed. The potting compost and coarse sand is sifted through a 1 inch mesh. In the bottom of each 3" plastic pot, put 1" of coarse washed gravel. Then fill the pot to within 1" of the top with the above compost, press down lightly and see th... more

Prevailing Winds And Planting - With many trees, you will notice that there are longer roots on one side that the other and these provide the tree with greater anchorage against the prevailing wind. If planting a tree in a position where it will receive strong wind from say the west, or... more

What is soil pH? - What is soil pH? pH are symbols used by chemists for describing the degree of alkalinity or acidity of soils. There is a scale of values centred around a central point pH7 which is neutral. The scale is divided into 14 units. Values between 7 and 14 are a... more

Lawn Plugs - Plugging - Plugs are pieces of sod, one and a half or two inches or so in diameter, of creeping grasses. When planted, they quickly grow together and cover the ground. They differ from sprigs in that each consists of many rather than a few shoots and includes the so... more

How to Plant Roses - Make the planting hole 15 to 18 in. wide and, except for standards, no deeper than will be required to bring the budding union level with the surface of the soil. (The budding union is the bulge where the main stem starts.) Make a mound of fine soil in th... more