Category: Plants

Purple aloe vera is a plant that most gardeners do not understand why all of a sudden it’s changing its color. This article will tell you all you need to know about this plant.

About Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a succulent plant. It has thick skin which is very tough. It grows in the wild in many places around the world. Aloe vera has been used for thousands of years. Aloe vera has many uses. This plant has been used for thousands of years. Aloe vera is known by different names, some of them are Aloe barbadensis, aloe, and aloe vera.

Purple aloe vera is a rare color of the aloe vera plant that happens when it is too exposed to the sun or harsh weather. The purple color of the aloe vera comes from the anthocyanin pigment that is found in the leaves of this plant. Anthocyanin is a type of chemical that gives plants their colors. The anthocyanin in the purple aloe vera has a deep red color.

Purple aloe vera can be used to make a lot of different things. You can use the leaves of the purple aloe vera to make jelly or ice cream. You can use the leaves of the purple aloe vera to make shampoo. You can use the leaves of the purple aloe vera to make soap. You can also use the leaves of the purple aloe vera to make lip balm. If you want to grow purple aloe vera then you should know how to grow it.

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How To Help Purple Aloe Vera Turn Green

When you first plant the aloe vera, it will be green but when expose to harsh weather it turns purple.  Follow these steps and work   You should follow these steps to help your purple aloe vera turn green.

Step 1:  Add Organic Matter to Your Soil. Make sure that the soil in the pot is well-drained and full of organic fertilizer.

Step 2: Re-plant the Purple Aloe Vera Plant.  Re-planting this plant helps start it off again with the proper growing matter.

Step 3: Water Your Plant.  Keep watering the aloe vera every day. Water it at least twice a week.

Step 4: Keep Your Purple Aloe Vera Away from Direct Sunlight. This plant needs direct sunlight only in the morning.

Step 5: When the Aloe Vera Starts to Grow, You Should Cut Off Extra Leaves. The more leaves you cut off, the bigger your plant will be.

Aloe Vera Soil Blend, Hand Blended Aloe Vera and Succulent Soil Mix

Caring For The Aloe Vera Plant

The aloe vera plant is succulent with very attractive and unusual leaf color. It is also one of the easiest plants to care for if you follow these simple rules. Below you will see Aloe vera plant care and plant requirements.

Water Frequently. Aloe vera needs at least 1 inch of water per week. This is especially important during the first few months after planting. When to water your aloe vera plant. During the first few months after planting, your aloe vera plant will need at least 1 inch of water per week. After that, it will need water only as needed, so you will know when it needs watering.

The best way to tell if your aloe vera needs more water is to look at the underside of the leaves. If they appear dry and leathery, then your plant needs more water. If they appear moist and plump, then your plant is getting enough water. You can use a timer to help you know when to water your aloe vera plant. Simply set the timer for 2 hours, and you will be watering your plant at the appropriate time.

Fertilize Regularly. Fertilizing with a general-purpose fertilizer every two weeks will provide nutrients that will help your aloe vera grow. You can use a 10-10-10 fertilizer or a 5-5-7 fertilizer.

Add Mulch. Aloe vera likes to be in shady areas, and if you do not have enough shade, you may want to add mulch to your planting area. Mulch keeps soil moisture from evaporating, and it also helps keep the soil cool. You can use straw or grass clippings, or you can use a layer of bark chips, which will decompose naturally over time.

Provide Consistent Temperatures. Aloe vera does best in temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C and 29°C). If you live in a very cold climate, you may want to move your plant to a warmer location during winter. If you live in a hot climate, you may need to bring your plant inside at night during summer.

Keep Out of Direct Sunlight. Aloe vera does not like direct sun. During the day, keep the plant under a large shade tree or in an area with plenty of shade.

Prune Some Leaves. Harvest your plants regularly. When the leaves on the aloe vera plant start to turn yellow, they are ready for harvest. You can harvest leaves every two to three weeks until they have completely yellowed.

In Conclusion,

The purple aloe vera should be on your list to work with and help it grow back its green color.  Growing this plant is easy just as it is to help it grow back to its green color.

FAQ’s

Are you interested in growing peonies in pots and want to know how to go about it?  This article will help you not only learn how to grow peonies in pots but take good care of them.

Peonies are beautiful flowers that are very popular in the western world. They can be used for both indoor and outdoor gardening. Peonies have long been an essential part of our garden culture.

Basic Structure Of a Peony Flower

In many countries, the peony flower is cultivated as an ornamental plant. The beauty of this flower lies in its unique structure. The flowers are composed of three parts: the stamen, the petals, and the pistils.

Stamen

The stamen is responsible for making pollen. The pollen is necessary for the fertilization of the pistil, which will make a seed pod. The flower is known as a perfect flower because of the symmetrical arrangement of the petals.

Pistils

The pistils are located at the base of the ovary. They have two functions: the first one is to produce pollen, and the second one is to produce a capsule.

Petals

The petals are composed of two leaves that cover the pistil. They are arranged in two rows on top of each other. The outer row of petals is larger than the inner ones. The size of the petals is dependent on the variety of the plant.

Capsule

The capsule is the seedpod of the peony. It has two lobes. Each lobe contains one or more seeds.

Let’s move on to growing them in pots.

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How To Growing Peonies in Pots

So, now that you know what a peony flower looks like, let’s get started. We will learn how to grow peonies in pots.

Step 1:  Prepare the potting soil

The first thing you need to do is to buy some potting soil. The best potting soil is a combination of peat moss and perlite. Peat moss is an organic material, which is made up of peat and humus. It has a high moisture retention rate. Perlite is a mineral product that has very small particles and is very lightweight. These two materials are combined together and make good potting soil. This type of soil has excellent drainage and it is also good for the roots.

Step 2:  Plant your peonies’ seeds

Plant the peony in the prepared potting soil. Water well and wait until they have rooted.

You should use a pot with good drainage that is at least 20 inches deep and 20 inches wide. You will likely have to increase the size of your container every three to four years.

Step 3:  Add some fertilizer

After they have rooted, you can start feeding them with a peony fertilizer. Peony fertilizers are formulated specifically for peonies. They have a rich supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium.

Flower Fuel 1-34-32 – Bloom Booster by Element Nutrients (250g)

Step 4:  Water them well

Keep watering the peonies until they start to flower.

Step 5:  Take care of the peony after they flower

When they start to bloom, the peony needs more water and light. If the weather is too hot, you need to bring them inside.

Step 6:  Enjoy your peonies

They are beautiful plants and you can enjoy their beautiful blooms for a long time.

Step 7:  Re-pot your peonies

When they start to die, you can re-pot them into a new pot. It is very easy to do and you don’t need to be an expert gardener to re-pot your peonies indoors.

Caring For Growing Peonies in Pots

Peonies are one of the easiest plants to grow, and they don’t need much at all in terms of care once they’re established.

They prefer a sunny spot with good drainage, but they can take a fair amount of shade. They should get at least four hours of sunlight a day. In the summer they like it hot, and in the winter they like it cold.

You’ll want to water them weekly during the dry season, and monthly during the wet season. Use a soaker hose if you live in a humid area, or use an irrigation system with drip lines if you live in a very dry area.

You should water them thoroughly so that they’re completely soaked through, especially around the roots. Water the mature peonies about every week or every other week, though in hot weather they will need to be watered more frequently.

If your soil is a little on the clay side, you may need to add a bit of peat moss or other organic matter to make sure that they have enough moisture. You can also try to avoid watering during the day if possible since that tends to be when most plants get too much water.

Fertilize your potting soil twice a year, once at the beginning of spring and once midway during the growing season.  When planting your peonies you can add compost manure or organic fertilizers.

If you plant them outside, you will need to fertilize them with a high phosphorus fertilizer.  You can use the fertilizer for your garden and apply it around the plants.

It is recommended that you add one tablespoon of fertilizer for every gallon of water.  The fertilizer should be added after the plants are planted and watered in.  Once you have done this, you should water the plants regularly. 

Make sure that you do not overwater the plants.  This could cause the roots to rot.  If you notice any signs of rot on the roots, remove the plant from the pot immediately.

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Take-Home – Growing Peonies in Pots

Growing peonies in pots are possible for every gardener who wishes to grow these beauties. It takes time, patience and a good deal of care. But it can be done, and done well. Here are some tips for growing peonies in pots. Peonies are a favorite of many gardeners, but many of us have never grown them in pots before.

FAQ’s

Repotting a snake plant may be necessary especially if they’ve outgrown their present container. You can even help boost the snake plant’s growth and help it flourish when you repot in the appropriate container size.

Even though snake plant is one easy type of houseplant to have, you should still take care of your snake plant. So, repotting is also part of caring for the plant. A snake plant that is overgrown in pot can cause rootbound. So, once your snake plant has grown heavy and is starting to explode out of its pot, then it’s time to repot.

Repotting a snake plant is easy to go by and we are all about this in this pot. So, let’s delve into everything you need to know about repotting snake plants.

Signs That Shows Your Snake Pot Needs Repotting

Repotting a snake plant should be done when it’s only necessary. Don’t repot when it’s not needed so you don’t stress the plant for anything.

So, let’s look at some signs to tell if your snake plant requires repotting:

·         Water Drains Too Fast Out Of Drainage Holes When You Water

These signs show that whenever you water, the water drains fast without holding adequate water. Although snake plants can thrive with some neglect from water for some period, if the neglect is however extended, the plant will suffer.

These issues whereby water drains very fast can be a sign of soil problem. Soil can disintegrate and lose its structure as time goes on which can be due to root growth and constant watering. This issue results in the inability of the soil to retain water or even nutrients.

Another reason for rapid water draining from the pot can be because the root has overgrown the pot. So, the root takes most space and leaves little space for the soil. Hence, the soil becomes compacted that there’s little soil to hold the water.

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·         Root Growing Out From The Pot’s Bottom

When the root of snake plant begins to emerge from its container, it means repotting is necessary. This also applies to all houseplants. When this happens, it implies there is a root bound meaning the root has limited space to grow. Hence, this causes the root to come out of the base of the container.

Your snake plant shouldn’t be left in this condition because it can cause the plant to struggle to assimilate nutrients and water. This in turn causes stunted growth that can even put an end to the plant.

·         Snake Plant With Several Pups – Repotting A Snake Plant

One interesting feature of snake plant is its ability to produce pups from its plant base. Pups are little snake plants that sprout from the soil that is close to the plant connected by a rhizome.

It’s fine to leave snake plant when it has just one or two pups. However, once the pups become many, it’s necessary to repot. The pups that have adequate roots can be cut off from the parent plant and repotted into a separate individual pot.

·         Snake Plant Falling Off

Snake plant tends to grow in a tall manner with thick leaves and strong rhizomes. So, this makes the plant-heavy most time and causes the plant to fall over.

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Repotting a snake plant will then be required in this situation especially if the plant has grown twice the size of the container.

When Is The Best Period To Repot Snake Plant?

Early spring or late winter is the best time to repot your snake plant. This is mainly because snake plant is in its dormancy period during winter. So, this is right before the plant’s active growing season which is spring.

Repotting A Snake Plant: Steps To Follow

Below are the steps to follow when repotting a snake plant:

Step 1: Obtain A New Bigger Or Spacious Pot

Repotting a snake plant when necessary will require a bigger pot. The new pot needs to be at least 2 to 4 inches bigger than the previous container. This can ensure there is adequate space for the snake plant you’re repotting.

Step 2: Plant Removal

Take the snake plant out of its container. Then loosen the potting mix that is found around the root balls.

Also, if there are many pups, you should cut the pups that have roots where the rhizomes are clearly visible. Then you can plant them in individual pots. But if the pups aren’t too many, you may leave them.

Step 3: Obtain A New Soil And Replant

Obtain some new soil and add to the previous soil. This is to fill up the new space and then add extra nutrients to it to support the health of the indoor houseplant. A well-draining soil or any indoor potting mix is great for snake plants.

Put the snake plant to be repotted in the new container and add soil. In the process of adding new soil around your plant, pack the soil well to ensure there are no air pockets. Then fill up the soil into the container till you reach the point where there is an inch left from the top of the pot.

Step 4: Water And Provide Indirect Sun

After planting, water to encourage the roots to grow. Then position the newly potted plant in its spot where it can get bright indirect sunshine.

Step 5: Fertilization – Repotting A Snake Plant

If you plan to repot your snake plant in early spring or summer, adding fertilizer to boost its growth during its active season can go a long way.

Conclusion On Repotting A Snake Plant

Repotting a snake plant can be quite beneficial to the plant especially when the plant is due for repotting. It’s easy to go about repotting your snake plant and we have discussed this in this post.

FAQ’s

Lavender companion plants will be discussed in this article. The plant lavender is one of the favorite home garden plants which can be wonderful to have in all gardens.

This perennial that is evergreen has a lot of benefits which are well known, reasons why it is commonly found in beautiful locations that are sunny in most gardens. And luckily, there are lots of lavender companion plants that can be easily grown as well.

The listed plants in this article are just a few of the plants that you can plant alongside your lavender. Lavender companion plants can either help to attract insects that are beneficial, stop the rampaging of pests or enhance plant growth. Keep reading to know about a few examples of lavender companion plants.

Companion Planting

This is a gardening method that has stood the test of time, which helps to enrich and protect crops that are vulnerable. It is the act of planting particular types of crops alongside each other with the aim of helping each crop deter pests, grow healthy and attract the attention of insects with benefits.

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Benefits Of Companion Planting

There are lots of great benefits these companion plants can add to the garden. They include:

Soil Nutrients Improvement

Growing crops in your garden entails the crop absorbing most of the important nutrients from the soil. This will warrant the gardener to go through a lot of procedures at the end of the planting season to restore the lost nutrients in the soil.

Companion plants, among many others, like pole beans and bush beans can help restore nitrogen back into the soil. This way, the good health of other plants will be maintained.

Deter Insect Pests

Specific pests can be repelled by many companion plants. These companion plants are catnip, marigold flowers, and rue. In order to keep certain crops pest-free, you should plant these companion plants close to them.

Pests invading a vegetable garden can cause a plague and these are pests like cucumber beetles, cabbage worms, cabbage moths, carrot flies, Mexican bean beetles, and more.

Provide A Form Of Cover For The Soil

Some certain types of plants, like the crawling or low height plants, can protect the soil from the sun. This is because they grow by spreading all across the ground like a covering over the soil.

This helps to keep the soil cooler thereby making the temperature favorable for plants that prefer a temperature that is low. A typical example of a plant that can serve as a covering is oregano.

Lavender Companion Plants

So, let’s take a look at a few of these companion plants of lavender:

1.    Roses

Roses varieties like shrub roses and floribunda rose will do very well in companion planting with lavender. Pairing lavender and roses will come out lovely and classic. In fact, you will find out that roses flourish really well in almost all conditions, say USDA Zone 2-11.

The variety you choose matters. The best type of soil to plant rose bushes in is loamy soil that is well draining. The two plants must be well spaced. This is because rose plants need more water than lavender, thereby the need for the roses to be watered two times a week.

2.    African Daisy – Lavender Companion Plants

Just like the well-known and loved daisies, the African Daisies have similar common characteristics as them. The African Daisies attributes are extremely unique, with bright and amazing coloring looking like they’ve been dyed. In fact, you can find some varieties with more than one color on them.

Because both African Daisies and Lavender don’t need much care and can both survive in the same conditions like the USDA 9-11, they will make a lovely pair. What these two plants require is well-draining soil, full sun and to be watered once a week.

Outsidepride Dimorphotheca Sinuata African Daisy White Flower Seed

The most amazing part of pairing these two plants is that even when lavender is in its off-season, African Daisy will continue to bloom. It will bloom and keep your garden bright all through spring, summer and fall.

3.    Echinacea

Lavender and echinacea look lovely side by side and they will definitely make a fantastic pair. The environmental conditions in which they can both survive are very much alike, which is USDA Zones 3 and 9 as the best.

Echinaceas are also known as coneflowers and just like lavender, their need for much sun is important as well. However, they don’t need as much water as lavender. They can even stand heavy drought much more than lavender. Hence there will be no need for a change in how you water them. In order to form its purple blooms, it needs well-draining soil, just like lavender.

If these two plants are paired together during summer, your garden will be radiating in the beauty of the display of stunning purple and lilac.

4.    Zinnia – Lavender Companion Plants

Zinnias are annuals that are really hardy and should be considered. They come in various spectrums of flower colors which you can choose from.

You can combine any color of the zinnias with your lavender be it white, pink, red, or even lavender purple. Pairing them with your lavender will surely look amazing. And you can bet that zinnias will also thrive well side by side with lavender. Zinnias love full sun, well-draining, and dry soil as well.

They can stand heat or humidity too. This is why zinnias are a sure bet for companion planting with lavender.

• Other companion plants lavender that is great to be planted with include lettuce, onions, tomatoes, oregano, lemon balm, rosemary, sage, basil, and so on.

Conclusion On Lavander Companion Plants

Lavender companion plants list and their details have been discussed in this article. There are many plants that lavender can be planted side by side and benefit each other.

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