How To Grow Bonsai in The Most Popular Styles

Simply put, the miniaturized versions of bigger trees are what we call Bonsai trees. They’re alive and they’re not plastics that look similar to each other. There are indeed different bonsai styles like the bigger trees. In fact, their shapes and forms are what please the bonsai tree holders. These styles are formal upright, informal upright, cascade, semi cascade, slant and windswept. These are the different types of bonsai trees available for shaping, training or forming. Knowing the styles enable the bonsai lovers to choose specific pots for the specific style the bonsai tree is trained to be and decide which caring tips they need to grow the trees beautifully.

Upright styles: Formal and Informal

Formal upright style is the style where the trunk of the tree is straight upwards and the first lower branches are far wider than the rest. The preceding branches will then proceed to shape an overall triangular look for the tree. This is a great shape for beginners to practice with. Trees that are suitable for these types of bonsai trees style are Pine, Larch, Juniper and Spruce. The informal upright style is similar to the formal upright except that the top branch needs to be extended forward instead of upwards. This lends the tree an impression of motion.

Slant types of bonsai trees

If the Informal upright types of bonsai trees style are suitable for Beech, Japanese maple and Trident Maple trees, this slant style can be chosen for almost all bonsai trees. This is the style wherein the trunk extends to one direction while the lowest branch extends to the other direction. This style is quite common and very easy to shape and train.

Cascade style Bonsai

If they do not like the simple styles of upright and slant, then they can choose among the cascade and semi cascade styles. These styles have a sloping effect plus the trunk is vertical and turned to one direction. Aside from that, the branches are trained to slope or cascade lower than the surface of the pot. Sometimes, some people do not want the trunks turned into one direction so they choose the semi-cascade style, which is the same as the cascade style except the trunk gradually slopes.

Windswept style Bonsai

The windswept style looks like the bonsai tree has been beset by strong winds. It looks a bit unruly and beautifully unkempt. These are most of the common styles that bonsai plants are usually trained to be.

Prune to produce different styles of Tree

Getting the style of bonsai tree you want is easy. All you have to do is prune and trim. These styles have been practiced for centuries as an art form. This is one of the most important maintenance issues of this particular plant. Aside from shaping the bonsai into the desired form, pruning and trimming could maintain balance of the bonsai tree as you reduce growth taking place above the ground.

Technorati Tags: Acer palmatum, Bonsai, gardening, Gardens, Home and Garden, Plant, Pruning, Shopping, Tree

Beautiful Flowers for Gifts

photo credit: Patricia Figueira

Some people feel that giving flowers as gifts has been overdone and does not feel like anything special any longer. However, with a little bit of creativity they still make great gifts for the special people in your life.

For Mother’s Day, there is nothing as special as telling your mom thank you, and saying it with a bouquet of blooms and a box of goodies. You can get busy with gifts crafts and make your own gift basket with a little bit of material, ribbons and a hot glue gun, which can be used for decorating. When fresh blooms are not an option, consider baking some flower cookies; with some icing, script an “I love you” or two.

For your Christmas gift giving needs, there are many different ways you can incorporate a single flower or a whole arrangement into gifts for everyone on your list and you can always add a wine gift to the arrangement too. Poinsettia, mistletoe, winter whites, amaryllis, a Christmas cactus or holly are all well loved and appreciated symbols of holiday traditions. Deliver them yourself, or have a florist send your gift directly.

Another great way to use flowers as a gift is to cut out photos of events or people pertaining to the recipient’s life and mount them on magnetic sheets. Then put them on those sticks that florists use to attach the gift card and place them throughout the arrangement. Once the arrangement has died the recipients will still have some great pictures to put on the refrigerator or anywhere they desire.

The gift itself is not as important as the thought, so any extra touch or sentiment makes it that much more special. Don’t be afraid to experiment you may just come up with a great and unusual ways to give. Consider incorporating flowers in gift baskets for all occasions, especially a Christmas gift basket, even better if you have some nice home grown flowers to include with the gift. Also, shopping for gifts online may well provide you with a plethora of ideas.

Quite possibly the absolutely best reason for sending flowers is for no reason at all. Of course, Mother’s Day, Valentines Day and birthdays are all the “usual” times to send a floral arrangement and that is great. But, if you really want to surprise someone, then send one for no reason at all with a little surprise note attached. I guarantee it will be greatly appreciated.

Technorati Tags: Business and Economy, Christmas, Day Mother, Flowers and Gifts, Food, Gift, Shopping, Valentines Day

Brians Tip to Control Pests Safely

photo credit: modean987

When considering pest control in the garden, this must be done with the safety of yourself, animals, and your plants in mind. This applies in particular when dealing with vegetables and organic gardens.

The whole concept of growing vegetables organically fails if they become tainted with pest control chemicals.

Here are some tips I find useful for long term maintenance which will make your pest control effort more environmentally friendly and less damaging.

1. Use physical pest control processes.
I’m talking about creating barriers and traps for pests, plugging holes, and where you can, by picking grubs off by hand. Snails like to hide in damp places, especially under rocks and towards the base of plants that have strap like foliage.

2. Use biological pest control methods.
Try to encourage predatory insects such as dragonflies and green lacewings to feed on pests such as aphids which attack your plants. You do this by placing a shallow bowl of water near the plants in your garden to which you want to attract the insects. Dragonflies like hovering around water. If you have a caterpillar problem, you could use a bacterial insecticide such as B. thuringiensis.

3. Here are some safer pest control substitutes you might wish to consider.
Many of the ingredients used in these methods can be found at home in your kitchen cupboard. Recipes for alternative pest control include the following:

Against Green Aphids and Mites - Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid soap and a cup of vegetable oil. Dilute a teaspoon of this solution in a cup of water and spray on aphids and mites.

Against Cockroaches - Dusts of boric acid can be applied to cracks or entry points of these insects. Bay leaves on pantry shelves could also help in warding off cockroaches.

Make sure that the chemicals you use are made specifically for the insects you are targeting.

4. Chemical pest control should only be used as a last resort.
Many organic pest control methods are a very successful. If you must use a chemical spray try and find the least toxic. These sprays include dehydrating dusts, insecticidal soaps, and horticultural oils.

Technorati Tags: Agriculture, Bacillus thuringiensis, Environmentally friendly, Home and Garden, Insecticide, Mite, Pest control, Shopping

Brians Tips for Basic Gardening Tools

photo credit: Unhindered by Talent

Most people do their best to keep their garden presentable and sometimes this leads them to start gardening as a hobby. Like any hobbies, gardening can quickly become an expensive undertaking. You are bombarded with advertising constantly for the latest wiz gadget, and it can be very tempting to think I may need that, and buy it.

Basic gardening however doesn’t have to be expensive. I mean, did your grandfather need a fully automated rotary tiller for example? Probably not. If you do need one for example if you are creating a new lawn, there is little point in buying one. It’s much more sensible to rent one, or have a gardener do it for you. May I suggest a good firm (big grin)?

To get started all you need is some simple sound tools, and they don’t have to be expensive. It’s quite possible to pick up some good gardening tools at a local car boot sale. There are always people disposing of surplus garden tools.

You don’t need to buy them new. It does not matter if they’re a little rusty. Rust will not interfere with the growing process and can always be removed with a scouring pad.

Here is a basic list of tools that you will need.

* Shovel. A shovel should have a good sturdy handle that is easy to grab. Avoid thinner handles that may break and also because thinner handles are more likely to blister your hands.
* Spade. A lot of people tend to think that a shovel and a spade are much the same. A spade is primary used to break up the ground, not for lifting. Again a thick handle and a comfortable grip are important. You should acquire two spades, one being a smaller hand held spade to accommodate for work in smaller spaces.
* Rakes. You need two types of rakes. A lawn rake to gather up leaves, fallen twigs, moss, and lawn cuttings, and a ground rake which you used to smooth the ground and flower beds.
* A hoe. There are many cool designs on the market, but in the interests of simplicity a standard square hoe will suffice for most garden tasks to begin with.
* Wheelbarrow. A Wheelbarrow is essential if you’re doing any type of gardening or yard work. A broad wheeled barrow should be chosen to spread the weight when using it on a lawn. It should be lightweight easily wheeled about, and again, care and attention should be paid to the handles to prevent your hands becoming blistered during use.

Really these tips are nothing more than a commonsense approach to basic gardening, and with a little thought and some work, gardening doesn’t have to be an expensive proposition.

Technorati Tags: Car boot sale, Garden, Home, Home and Garden, Shopping, Shovel, Spade, Wheelbarrow

Feeders Bird Baths

photo credit: tristanf

The sight of migratory birds feeding and bathing in your garden or yard is sheer beauty. To bird lovers the sound of chirping birds is music, a vibrant symbol of life. There are quite a large variety of feeders bird baths available on the market to cater to the birding hobby of many. Decorative bird feeders and bird baths are good. But they should not compromise on the needs of the birds. Argos has a nice example for sale just now.

The bird bath is an artificial puddle of water created for the birds to have bath and drink water. A shallow basin is put on a pedestal and a depth of two inches is sufficient for the wild birds, as they do not submerge their entire body in the water. They just dip their wings and splash water all over the body. You can heat up the water in bird bath with solar bird baths. The wild and migratory birds can get warm water to bathe in during the winter from your backyard. You can even add a suet bird feeder during the winter months.

The feeders bird baths should be cleaned regularly to maintain proper hygiene and to prevent the spread of any diseases. Different species of birds carry different harmful viruses and bacteria, which could affect the health of other birds. It is amazing how fast the feeders bird baths can get dirty. The bird bath can be scrubbed clean; however, a tablet containing naturally occurring bacteria and enzymes can be used to break down organic waste and keep the bird bath clean with less scrubbing, which will leave more time for bird watching.

The positioning of the feeders bird baths should be such that they provide shelter to the wild birds when there is a possibility of attack from birds of prey or other predators. Usually, a big tree or a big bush in your garden or yard can provide shelter. Bushes bearing berries can act both as shelter as well as a food source to the birds. When there is a sign of an attack, the birds can fly immediately and save themselves. With all the flying involved, migratory birds will love the warmth and safety of your feeders bird bath.

Technorati Tags: Bird, Bird feeder, Bird migration, Bird of prey, Birdwatching, Predation, Recreation, Shopping