Colors of Christmas

The most festive and biggest celebration of the year is Christmas. It is the time for gift-giving and an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Generally, it is celebrated by millions of people around the world on December 25 with the growing numbers of Christian family as well as non-Christians too. The traditional colors of Christmas are red, green, and gold, all of which has it's own meaning. Red symbolizes the blood of Jesus which was shed in his crucifixion, green symbolizes eternal life, while gold on the other hand is the first color associated with Christmas as one of the three gifts symbolizing royalty. Christmas tree and special decorations are seen everywhere especially the Christmas lights which were lighted every night of the December month.

One of the Christmas plant which you could send or give as a gift is the poinsettia. It is particularly well-known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral display. You can find the perfect gift for this Christmas for you and your friends or loved ones at Emily's plants. They sell plants online and delivers right next to your doorstep. You can find flowers and greenery that will make any space bright and merry this Christmas season, from Christmas cactus plant to the beloved poinsettia. Shopping or buying online is very convenient, as it eliminates the time-consuming and long hours of standing looking for the best gift and searching from one store or market to the others.You are assured that arrangement from Emily's plants are all fresh, vibrant, and ready for your seasonal display. 

Since holiday is fast approaching, make sure to shop or buy in advance. For orders and other information about different flowers and plants you could visit online or call their toll free number for further assistance.

Why Are Compost Bins Beneficial?

Organic gardening or farming is very popular these days, since they are using only the natural organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer and soil amendment. It is called compost, which is also a key ingredient in organic gardening or farming and it only requires making a heap of wetted organic matter such as leaves and "green" food waste. It will take a matter of weeks or months before the material breaks down into humus. For those who loves gardening and at the same time is against the chemical or inorganic gardening, you will definitely love the compost bins by Emily's plants. It comes with different designs to match your needs and most of all for your own convenience.

There are many benefits for using compost in your garden. First of all, it conditions the soil. You are creating a rich humus for lawn and garden with using the compost. Because of this, it adds nutrients to your plants, helping them retain moisture to the soil. Second, you are recycling materials. Recycling means, we are using things or materials we thought should be a waste already. With composting, it can divert as much as 30% of our household waste away from the garbage can. Third is offering an alternative to chemical fertilizers and is good for the environment and especially to us humans. Lastly is introducing beneficial organisms to the soil to help aerate and break down organic material for plant use and ward off plant disease.

For more details about compost bins and how to purchase, you could always visit their website or call their toll free number for any additional assistance. These compost bins comes with useful accessories and a biomix to speed up composting process.

A Do-It-Your Own Terrarium

Have you ever thought of adding a little green into your indoor space? Like gracing your desk, or your dining room table or other well lit spot with an eye-catching terrarium. You could actually make your own terrariums at home with the available resources around you, all you need is just a little creativity. Terrariums are not just great oxygen booster but they also make pretty much the best gifts or party favors ever. They are super easy to make and incredibly low maintenance. When people first started making these terrariums, they would typically put them in a square glass containers the size of small aquariums. But for the past years, there seemed to be a multitude of fantastic glass containers available, as well as countless number of plants and mosses to fill up those glass containers.One example of a non-traditional container is the apple shaped terrarium by Emily's plants.

First of all, you must gather all the materials needed for your little project at home. The glass container, activated charcoal pieces, potting soil, garden gloves (optional), Terrarium plants, sheet moss, and a watering can that you will use later to give your plants a drink. Next is building the base by installing approximately 1-2 inches of charcoal and the remaining charcoal should be mixed up with the soil for the second layer. Make sure to gently pack the charcoal and soil mixture every 2 inches to avoid large air pockets. Then, carefully remove your plants from their individual containers and position them on top of the soil to ensure proper spacing. Please allow enough room between the plants for additional soil and again pack soil in around plants deep enough to cover the roots. Afterwards, you can now position the moss on top of the soil and between the plants. Lastly, is by watering the plants and placing the container in a well lit area with indirect light.

Those are the few simple steps in creating a beautiful terrarium. There are thousands of ways to create your own, all you have to do is decide on what container to use and carefully choose the plants that you will use because that would determine the type of soil that you will need. Another thing, if you do not need plants for your terrariums you can use inanimate objects to fill your containers like, decorative pebbles, candles, feathers, bird's eggs or other objects that you like, it will all boil down to your creativity and imagination.

Care Instructions for Saintpaulias

 

African Violets are a genus of 6-20 species of herbaceous perennial flowering plants in the family Gesneriaceae. They are also called as Saintpaulias which are native to Tanzania and adjacent southeastern Kenya in eastern tropical Africa. The African Violet got it's name from their superficial resemblance to the true violets and they are very common household indoor plant but can also be an outdoor plant. Several species and subspecies are endangered, and many more are threatened, due to their native cloud forest habitats being cleared for agriculture. Since these plants are said to be already endangered, why not we try to cultivate them and let them thrive at home or at our own garden, but we must also know how to take care of these plants because these type of plants are very sensitive when it comes to temperature changes and especially rapid leaf cooling.

Let me share to you the basic growing techniques to a healthy and blooming African violet plant. One of the basic requirement is the Light, because the amount of light that the African Violet receives is important for it's health and overall performance, so make sure to place them in a location where there is moderate to bright, but indirect, indoor light. Insufficient sunlight can be harmful, too much sunlight can also cause problems. Second is watering, make sure to keep soil moist to dry, and allow soil around roots to dry before watering that is to encourage blooming. In general, African violets need just enough water to keep the soil moist but never soggy and they may die from over watering.Third is getting them a good growing method, a potting medium is suitable for African violets, and it should be sterilized to light and airy allowing for the roots to penetrate properly. Soil-less mixes are ideal because they contain sphagnum peat, vermiculite and perlite. Fifth is providing the plant with the right atmosphere, African violets thrive in an environment which most people would consider pleasant, therefore if you are feeling comfortable, chances are, your plants are feeling comfortable as well. 

Lastly, is to fertilize. Lack of regular feeding is one of the reason why these African violet will not bloom. The best way to feed is to use a dilute fertilizer solution every time you water. Always remember to find a fertilizer with a low nitrogen urea contents as urea burns the roots. Always remember these simple steps for your Saintpaulias to grow bloomingly and in these little way we can still preserve the beauty of the African Violets.