Garden grow lights can be quite important if you want to have a healthy indoor garden; poor lighting sometimes will cause spindly or frail plants, yellowing leaves and a failure to bloom or to set fruit. Different garden grow lights are sometimes used on different indoor gardens. You need to decide what you want to grow and purchase the proper lighting that will help your garden grow.

Indoor grow lights are used to replace or as a complement to natural lighting for all indoor plants. There are some plants that do not grow well with direct sunlight but will benefit greatly from grow lights. Plants use sunlight to transform carbon dioxide into sugars that they need for growing. Garden plants such as flowers, herbs, and vegetables need anywhere from 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day so they can set fruit or bloom. Getting six to eight hours of sunlight through a window is pretty much impossible due to the movement of the sun, window screens and trees that are overhanging. This is why we need to provide our indoor plants with additional lighting for healthy growth.

Fluorescent lights are the most common form of grow lights; they are cheaper to purchase and supply an ample amount of light to indoor plants without burning them. Fluorescent bulbs that are labeled T-5 are a good sources of light because they are smaller and can give off a more focused light. This type of bulb is also good for the plants that require shade. Fluorescent grow lights are good for indoor herb gardens and indoor vegetable gardens containing spinach and lettuce.

High intensity discharge lights or HID lights are also a very effective artificial lighting for indoor plants. There are two different types of HID lights, the high pressure sodium or HPS and the metal halide also known as MH. HPS lights can also be classified as flower grow lights because they provide an orange or red light which stimulates flowering. MH garden grow lights are suited for inciting shoot and leaf growth because they provide the blue spectrum light that is needed. Incandescent grow lights are generally used to supplement light to individual plants that do not absorb natural sunlight. These lights are a little more expensive and less effective than other types of grow light systems. Incandescent bulbs give off a lot more heat than they do light and if they are close enough to the plants to provide efficient light they will probably burn the foliage. Incandescent lights are better to use when highlighting a group of plants instead of grow lights. 

If you are a gardener with a vast number of indoor plants the mercury vapor grow lights can turn into a very expensive option. Mercury vapor bulbs give off a lot more light and less heat than incandescent bulbs; this makes them an excellent source of light for indoor plants. Light emitting diode or LED indoor grow lights are the newest type of lights for growing plants indoors. These indoor plant lights do not emit any damaging heat and they will send out more light per wattage; LED grow lights can sit closer to plants without causing any damage. 

The lights you decide to purchase need to be placed as close to the plants as needed without burning the leaves or flowers. A 25-watt incandescent grow light should be at least one foot away from your plants; a 100-watt bulb, 2 feet away and 150-watt three feet away so they will not harm them. Your indoor plants will need the use of grow lights around twelve to sixteen hours of light each day. The MH lights, in order to stimulate foliage growth, need to be on 18 to 24 hours a day. The HPS grow lights need to be on for only 12 hours a day for the best desirable light for budding and flowering.

Your plants growth patterns usually inform you if the light they receive is sufficient. The symptoms of a light deficiency generally includes stem lengths too long between leaves, little or no growth, smaller leaves than normal and no buds or no flowers. The leaves on some plants could turn yellow and prematurely drop. If any of these symptoms begin to occur you may want to reposition the lights or to purchase more effecient garden grow lights.

Technorati Tags: garden, Grow, Help, Indoor, Lights, Plants

Orange and the gang meet Bonsai Tree! RETWEET: bit.ly Starring WEEZER: bit.ly TSHIRTS: bit.ly TWITTER: twitter.com FACEBOOK: facebook.com DAILYBOOTH: dailybooth.com WATCH MY EPISODES! www.youtube.com DANEBOE'S CHANNEL (He's weird): youtube.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Just getting started in bonsai? This video with tips for beginners will help you learn how to grow bonsai trees. Expert: Mike Hansen Bio: Mike Hansen, owner of Midwest Bonsai, has been growing, caring, selling, and instructing others in bonsai care for years. Mike is an expert bonsai master.

Technorati Tags: Annoying, Bonsai, Orange, tree, Wazzup

Indoor house plants can be a beautiful addition to any room in your house or even your office. Plants are believed to help bring peace and ambiance to any space by keeping you in touch with nature. This alone is a good reason to surround yourself with a little of the outdoors. The fact that house plants help fight indoor pollution is a extra plus which can assist in keeping us all healthier. Since plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen; the direct opposite of what humans do; they actually clean the air.

You can also use house plants to liven up a room or for an easy decorative touch. Although foliage plants are the most common house plants you can also find some very colorful flowering plants. The placement of a beautiful flowering plant in an empty corner or entry way can make a huge difference that will amaze you. You can even take a healthy foliage only plant and place it in a decorative pot to bring some color into your space. So go ahead and place house plants all over your house. Do not forget the basement even if you do not get any natural light down there. Use special "grow" lights and get your clean air, nature and style all at the same time.

Indoor plants are mostly tropical or sub-tropical as these are best suited for a typical home environment that has year round moderate temperature. Since most indoor plants are usually grown in glass greenhouses under conditions which are warm and humid it helps to provide them a similar environment at home. But if you can not, it is still fine as many indoor plants are highly versatile and can thrive with only basic maintenance.

In order to have healthy house plants you do need to learn a little about each variety you select and how to take care of it. Soil, light, water, temperature, relative humidity, and fertilization are some of the things that will affect how your plant thrives. You should also need read up on how to appropriately place the plant within your indoor space and proper potting procedures. A good local nursery will also be glad to help.

Happy Planting!

Technorati Tags: good, House, Indoor, Plants

Indoor plants should be welcomed in any home or apartment because of the creation of a pleasant indoor environment. A small indoor plant adds both color and a scenic picture to both tables and windows. The larger indoor plants seem to meld with the furniture groupings. The curious thing about these plants is why some indoor plants prosper and others just wilt and die over time. The important factor here is that most of the foliage plants, purchase for use as indoor plants,have as their origin tropical areas and conditions. Here then is your basic reason why a great many indoor plants require a humid and indirect  lighting environment.

There are five definitive elements required of indoor plants;light,temperature and ventilation,humidity,watering and  fertilizer. The first of these elements to be discussed here is light. Plants really have varying needs for light. My croton for example requires to be positioned at a window with direct sunlight but my Norfolk pine can do just fine with medium to low light intensity. Natural light is usually obtained from a window position to sustain the life of an indoor plant. However this is always governed by how close the plant is to the window. This natural light decreases exponentially with plant farther and farther from the natural source of light provided by the window.

There are many other things you can do to provide the necessary light for survival. You can possibly do hanging baskets,provide some glass shelves allowing light to reach all plants in the event of more than one shelf,or you could construct a bay window providing a greenhouse effect for your plants. A more practical idea would be to add some broad spectrum lighting specially designed for plants. These fluorescent lights are generally better then the regular fluorescent lights.  It is best to position these lights 12-14 inches above the indoor plants which provides a medium light intensity.

Temperature and ventilation are definite factors in the life of any indoor plant. As a rule of thumb,the majority of  indoor plants perform their best between 60F and 75F degrees. Plants otherwise tend to become thin and weak if maintain at  temperatures warmer than the above. Hot and cold drafts,warm appliances and especially heat registers are the kiss of death to once thriving indoor plants. They retain their flower blossoms longer at lower temperature settings as well as having better resistant to insect infestation and disease. Ventilation is important and in a great many homes sufficient fresh air is available. You should be aware of the presence of fumes that may escaped from gas appliances or furnaces.

Humidity is an essential requirement for these plants and since they usually need a higher humidity than can be provided by the average home or apartment some adjustments must be made. However if you do have a heating system with an installed humidifier make sure it is kept full of water. A terrarium or placing them on a tray of gravel with moisture applied to the tray will also provide additional humidity. The tray of gravel works particularly well with your larger indoor plants.

Watering is probably the leading cause of indoor plant failure. It comes from both under watering and over watering the plants. Your first indication of this problem results in the yellowing and continuous dropping of leaves. The easiest method to deal with this problem is checking the soil on a daily basis. If you find the soil to be dry to at least one quarter of inch down or the pot returns a hollow sound when tapped, then it time for some water. Sometimes it will be necessary to add water until the moisture begins to ooze from the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot.The water that drains from the pot should never be left standing as you should never allow the bottom of your pot to linger in standing water. In the case of small plants the weight of the pot can indicate the necessity for water. The lighter the pot the more water is required to revive the indoor plant. A soil that drains reasonably will increase the ease of watering an indoor plant. A heavy soil retains too much water and can cause crown rot in the plant.

The last but not least is sufficient fertilizer to keep your indoor plant healthy and happy. Dilute your fertilizer by adding it to the water used for watering your plants. A mix of one teaspoon of soluble fertilizer in one gallon of water should provide you with the  proper ratio. Apply this solution once a month during the growing season. It is best to consult with your garden center as to the best strength required for your plant. Personally I prefer slow release fertilizers they are such a time saver. It is applied in accordance with the label direction. Then every time you water some of the nutrients are released from the small pellets. You only have to re-apply the fertilizer when the directions inform you to do so.

This is just a short informational article concerning indoor plants. A more extensive and detailed informational report is available at http://www.gardenersgardening.com/indoorplants.html

Technorati Tags: caring, Feeding, Indoor, Plants

The special needs of exotic and tropical house plants are discussed in this free educational video series.

Expert: Yolanda Vanveen
Contact: www.vanveenbulbs.com
Bio: Yolanda Vanveen is a sustainable gardener who lives in Kalama, Wash.
Filmmaker: Daron Stetner

Duration : 0:2:20

Read the rest of this entry

Technorati Tags: healthy house plant & flowers, healthy house plant care, healthy house plant gardening, healthy house plant seeds, healthy house plant tips, house plant life, keeping pants alive

How to water house plants; get professional tips and advice from an expert on caring for indoor plants and flowers in this free gardening video. Expert: Austin Sheppard Bio: Austin Shepard is studying Landscape Architecture at the BAC in Boston, MA. He developed an interest in landscaping and gardening while working for a landscaping company. Filmmaker: David Jackel
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Ways to avoid common mistakes that result in a plant's sickness or death are discussed in this free educational video series. Expert: Yolanda Vanveen Contact: www.vanveenbulbs.com Bio: Yolanda Vanveen is a third-generation flower grower and sustainable gardener who lives in Kalama, Washington. Filmmaker: Daron Stetner
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Technorati Tags: care, House, Plants, watering

Many men and women look at bonsai is a type of art. Bonsai may be an art, or for several people, it is just a hobby. Bonsai is also a form of horticulture and landscaping. Quite a few different interpretations, or alternative views, of bonsai exist.

Before you learn how to engage in the art or hobby of bonsai, you have to understand what "bonsai" means. Most people think "bonsai" is really a basic term used to describe a style of plant. This explanation is only partly correct. To have an understanding of bonsai, initial realize the foundation for the term, "bonsai." The word bonsai when literally translated means "tray planting" or "potted plant". Bonsai is significantly much more even so, than purchasing a tree or a plant and growing it in a pot or tray.

Bonsai is the truth is, an ancient practice involving the shaping and pruning of trees and shrubs into a structured form. The practice of bonsai for lots of may be very peaceful and relaxing. Several engage in bonsai as a form of meditation or stress relief. Others delight in the challenge of creating the best bonsai.

For those who know anything about bonsai, you may fear the art is tricky to master. The beneficial news is by using the recommendations in this guide; you are going to uncover bonsai is significantly less complicated to master than you feel. In truth, it is possible to start developing your own bonsai within a day of reading this guide.

A Little More Explanation of Bonsai

You're likely familiar with the bonsai plant or tree, or a minimum of have an notion of what "bonsai" looks like inside your mind. In case you do not, refer to the photographs throughout this guide. Bonsai trees resemble a "dwarfed" or miniature plant, and a lot of usually mistake the tiny plant for some thing that's indeed, improperly grown when realistically, the plant is shaped and pruned to grow into a distinct but tiny shape and size.

It really is necessary you recognize this practice does not harm the plant, and when completed properly, can actually expand and enhance the quality of life enjoyed by the plant. Most ordinary plants call for routine maintenance and care. The identical is accurate of bonsai, only the sort of care needed to maintain bonsai is generally extra intense than the care 1 need provide an ordinary plant or tree.

Some persons refer to bonsai as the act of dwarfing trees, to generate an aesthetically appealing plant. This seriously makes bonsai sound like something aggressive, wrong or unpleasant. So again, it's essential you understand no harm befalls any plant produced for purposes of bonsai. Bonsai is a form of horticulture that is common the world over, though it originated in the East. Bonsai owners care for their trees and shrubs more diligently than most people care for their own flower gardens or landscaping.

Bonsai owners are a lot like pet lovers. They nurture, protect, groom, feed, water and care for their trees and plants year round. Lots of owners pass their bonsai from generation to generation, as bonsai could outlive the lifetime of the owner.

Plants used for bonsai stay small so they can grow and thrive, receiving ample supplies of water and other nutrients important to grow. Although tiny, bonsai are really a normal size for the kind of plant they represent. Some plants are only 2 inches tall even though other people grow to over 3 feet, depending on the type of tree utilised and the cutting style adopted by the hobbyist or planter.

You can find plants ideally suited for outdoor bonsai and some plants that will serve as indoor bonsai. Those thinking about creating indoor bonsai will locate by reading this guide a greater challenge lies ahead, having said that indoor bonsai can offer an aesthetically pleasing and quite natural living environment.

Learn more about Artificial Topiary. Stop by David Zagger's site where you can find out all about Topiary Balls and what it can do for you.

Technorati Tags: Bonsai, bonsai gardening, bonsai plants, bonsai trees, gardening, Indoor House Plants, Plants, trees

House plants can be beautiful, but they may also be affected by things that you are not even aware of. Having a few house plant insects is just annoying, but with to many bugs, your house plants will be destroyed in record time.

There are problems that certain plants can get hit hard with. You have no idea how many times house plants are infected by bugs, pests and insects, and people do not even realize that these mites are actually in the house.

When you purchase your house plants, take the time to make sure that they do not have an insect infestation of one sort or another. Again, when you bring your summer plants into your home for the winter, check for bugs. Sometimes this may be tricky as the bugs will borrow their way into the soil, but you will want to make certain that there is no evidence of a present infestation. By simply taking a few precautions, you will considerably reduce the chances of insects attacking your plants.

Insects will also enter your home because people carry them in. This is nearly impossible to prevent as the insects will attach themselves to cloths or come in through an open door or window. A time to watch out for bugs is when the weather is starting to warm up and again when the weather is cooling down. The insects like to come into the homes for shelter.

Plant insects can easily be controlled because it is on such a small scale. The insects or bugs are much more mobile when they are young, but the are always looking for a place to settle where they wont be disturbed. If fact, this is why your house plants can be bothered with insects. The solution to this problem is a general insecticide.

One type of bug that will bother your house plants are aphids. They have a soft body and can be easily controlled with pesticides and insecticide soaps. Other bugs most often encountered include mealy bugs, mites, scale, thrips, whiteflies and various other soil insects. Tiny spiders can also be another problem.

The typical cause of damage caused by the individual bugs includes: Aphids suck the sap out of plants; Mealy Bugs suck the sap out and plants, leaves a cotton-like substance on the plants and also leaves a honey dew substance which attracts ants; Mites suck the sap out of plants; Scale suck the sap out of plants and leaves a sticky honey dew substance that attracts ants and causes fungus growth; Thrips rip and tears foliage and blisters develop where the eggs are laid; Whiteflies cluster on the back of leaves and suck the sap out of the leaves, which turn yellow and die.

Try to avoid adding organic material into your soils. It is not necessary to add fertilizer because the topsoil will have enough nutrients for the plants. You will also want to remove any fallen flowers and leaves, as this would allow moulds and fungus to grow into the soil.

Most of the time there are infestations when the soil has a high organic content because of fungus, gnats, or springtails. If your plant has a fungus or bugs like gnats, you will generally find that your plant is actually decomposing, meaning, it is rotting.

Signs of attacks on your house plants by insects can include leaves turning a yellow or brown colour, plants starting to wilt and stop growing, jagged holes starting to appear in the foliage or a honey dew type substance smeared on the plants.

If you do notice that your house plants are infected with bugs or disease, you will need to take appropriate measures to eliminate the problem. You can consult your local garden nursery for advice or you may want to purchase a pesticide that will not hurt your plants, but will be a solution to your problems. Be sure to use the right product for the insects you have, as some pesticides can actually kill certain house plants. When using any pesticides always make sure to read and follow the warnings that the manufactures puts on the label.

Just remember to examine your house plants every now and then, do not wait for them to start looking sad. By giving the proper feeding, care and fresh air will ensure that you house plants remain healthy and more resistant to insect problems. As always, if you are able to find any problems with insects early enough, it can often be taken care of without the use of pesticides and that is, by far, the best way.

Learn how houseplants root when growing houseplants from tip cuttings in this free home gardening video from our plant propagation expert.Expert: Nicole Pantaleon Bio: Nicole Pantaleon has a BS in Plant & Soil Science from the University of MA. She has been a grower at Five Acre Farm since 1996. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Find More House Plants Articles

Technorati Tags: Bugs, House, insects, Pests, Plants, their

It's summer, and in the last week the house plants I care for have entered a huge growth cycle and look amazing!

Cacti, succulents, philodendron, ivy, etc. perking up to receive the sun's blessings and get a little bigger this season.
I am absolutely fanatic about my plants!
A room in my house isn't livable until there's a few 'green people' in there holding space.

I believe that the plants in my life bring healing, energy, blessings, purification, company and beauty to my world- and in today's article I'd like to share some aspects of keeping plants more on the magical and energetic side. Enjoy, green thumb!

The Energy-Healing Potency Of House Plants

Plants are nature's filters.
Absorbing our respiratory waste (carbon dioxide), they convert it into plant carbohydrates to build strong bodies that in turn create pure, clean, life-empowering oxygen for us to breathe!
The cycle here is absolutely beautiful- we live on each other's byproduct in a symbolic system that would crash with the smallest adjustment! I bet you'll never make fun of a tree-hugger again after that!

Oxygen, more specifically the air we inhale in general, is one way that life energy enters our systems. Yoga teaches the importance of proper breathing so that oxygen and more importantly life energy are brought into the system in the most effective way possible, and so that toxins, carbon dioxide and imbalanced energy can leave through the exhalation more effectively. Breath truly is the heart-beat of the soul and through it we not only share space with all that is, we also make sacred sound! Keeping houseplants allows us to have little energy factories right in our own homes. As energy is moved by the normal flow of our daily grind- plants silently witness and do some miraculous things!

Plants absorb energy from the space around them and ground it out, purify it and release it back into the space for healing and balance. Think of leaves as little scrub brushes on the energetic level! Plants, when properly healthy, can take on toxic vibrational patterns and seal them up or completely shut them down. The health/appearance of a houseplant can often indicate the health of the energy in a space.

So it's not just limited to oxygen- what's happening in the plant carbon-oxygen exchange is mirrored on the energetic level! House plants are natures air filter for energy!

Energetic grooming is so important for total health! Ensuring toxic patterns are being released from the system and ensuring clean, pure life energy is always able to flow through the system is of utmost importance! In addition to energy, house plants can also work on the emotional level. A certain calmness comes from the presence of one of natures gifts- they are great listeners- and can even give some great advice about patience, steadfastness, non-judgment, letting go of anger, non-violence, compassion, charity, and surrendering to the Cosmic wisdom! Think about it!

The Spiky & The Soft

I'd like to mention a few things about leafy plants and cacti. I am a huge cacti enthusiast- and in the years I have kept them have learned so much about their energy and the blessings they bring. What follows seems pretty black and white, but it's not always that way. Think of this as a general idea to roll with as you work and heal with house plants. I believe that cacti act more on the active plane while leafy plants are more on the passive plane. Cacti tend to project their energy into the space, while leafy plants tend to receive energy from the space. The spikes on cacti totally mimic the rays of energy coming off of them on the psychic level!

Cacti are great plants to keep for protection, safety, calmness, relaxation, intensive healing issues in the home (long term illness, terminal illness, etc.) and so on. Leafy plants are more passive and can be used for general energy cleaning responsibilities on every level.
Again, I know this seems very black and white, but it's just a basic observation I have made based on the plants I have worked with. Think about how this can be applied to your own life- and don't be afraid to bring some plants home and see how cacti, leafy, herb, etc. plants work on different levels for you!

When Plants Should Not Be In The Home

I have created a few notes based on psychic seeing that I'd like to share with you. These are somewhat off-chart realizations, but ones that I think are extremely important when working with houseplants with energy awareness.

Many people bring plants to the ill. This, of course, is an excellent idea! The point here is that after the person regains health or passes on- the plant should be returned to nature and NOT be kept in the house. Silk/false plants and flowers should be avoided. This is an ancient feng-shui warning, and one I agree with entirely. Don't fake nature! When plants or flowers die, or begin dying- remove them from the home. If you think they might snap out of it, put them somewhere outside that will support that if you can. Learn about your plants. Know where they come from, if they have any cultural significance, if there are any myths or stories about them, or any other cool facts you can find out. Most plant stores can give you the scientific/Latin name for the plant- then just type it into google and have fun exploring and learning! Many houseplants are toxic if ingested by humans and/or pets. Learn about your plants toxicity and make sure there are no dangers in handling sap when pruning or dangers to the kids or pets if they get eaten. Many cats find the scent of elephant philodendrons pretty tantalizing- and if they eat it, the results can be deadly. Your plants care for you. They do a ton of work! Make sure you complete the cycle by ensuring they have clean water, good organic soil that gets changed when needed, nice-looking pots with drains, food/fertilizer when needed and the right amount of sunshine. Most importantly- don't forget to thank them, talk to them, share with them and turn them around!

Further House Plant Magic Ideas

Many of us take herbal supplements or healing herbs to empower our health. Think about getting closer to the healing herbs in your life by actually growing them! I have a few healing herbs that I grow- I don't intend to eat them, I just like seeing, respecting and breathing with what heals me on the internal level. It's very powerful and I feel it has increased the effectiveness of the herbs I take! You might like to consider loosely hanging little rolled up pieces of paper with wishes, prayers or goals to your favorite house plant. The plant will literally flow energy through your written word 24/7/365 giving you a nice little energetic boost to what you'd like to manifest! Think about turning your house plants into mini-shrines! I have house plants with moqui marbles, gemstones, tiny statues, pieces of cloth, etc. all over my space. Each plant becomes like atree- protecting and nurturing an idea, goal or value I have in a way I remember every time I see it! I have a giant jade with a tiny Kwan-Yin statue at it's base, a few cacti with moqui marbles, a succulent with some strings of an old guiter and lots of other random plant shrines! It's great fun and a great way to empower your life and connect with your plany friends! If you have a loved one in need- get them a plant! Spend a few days with the plant. Talk to it, tell it about the POSITIVE and EMPOWERED aspects of your loved one and get the plant excited to be there. You may also want to feed your plant consecrated water or charged water or even decorate the plant with little hanging tags with quotes, gemstones on the soil, or hand paint the pot to make it personal!

Wishing you, and your plant friends, a wonderful summer of healing and empowerment!

Peace & Green Blessings,
Josh Williams

For free articles, how-to's psychic guidance, spirtitual wisdom, personal empowerment and more... Visit me online! www.JoshWilliamsOnline.com

Learn other ways of growing houseplants from tip cuttings in this free home gardening video from our plant propagation expert.Expert: Nicole Pantaleon Bio: Nicole Pantaleon has a BS in Plant & Soil Science from the University of MA. She has been a grower at Five Acre Farm since 1996. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Technorati Tags: healing, House, Magical, Plants, Power

Brussel's Bonsai is a the largest Bonsai grower in the United States located in Olive Branch, MS. Brussel's Bonsai grows and ship conifer, blooming, tropical, and deciduous bonsais all over the United States.

Arthur Joura is a noted expert in Bonsai trees with the North Carolina Arboritum in Asheville. Watch as he explains the process of creating a Bonsai.

Technorati Tags: Bonsai, Brussel's, Nursery