fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
meaning , pollution control ways , and types of pollution
By: K - Motivation
Tags: Environment, Pollution, Plants, Trees

An ecosystem (also called as environment) is a natural unit consisting of all plants, animals and micro-organisms (biotic factors) in an area functioning together with all of the non-living physical (abiotic) factors of the environment.

the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.

“survival in an often hostile environment”

Environment: The sum of the total of the elements, factors and conditions in the surroundings which may have an impact on the development, action or survival of an organism or group of organisms.

World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 every year to remind people about the importance of nature. … In the absence of human activities amid the coronavirus-induced lockdown, nature is getting time to clean itself and reclaim its space.

World Environment Day came into existence in 1972 by the United Nations Assembly on the first day Stockholm Conference held on the human environment and later in 1974, the day started to be celebrated with the theme “Only One Earth”.

Simple Things You Can Do to Help Protect the Earth :

Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Cut down on what you throw away. Volunteer. Volunteer for cleanups in your community. Educate. Conserve water. Choose sustainable. Shop wisely. Use long-lasting light bulbs. Plant a tree.

People celebrate World Environment Day (WED) in many different ways all over the world: planting trees, cleaning up local beaches, organising meetings, joining online protests. Each year the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) chooses a particular issue to focus on.

Some human activities that cause damage (either directly or indirectly) to the environment on a global scale include population growth, overconsumption, overexploitation, pollution, and deforestation, to name but a few.

Here are a few easy and effective ways you can choose to reduce your daily impact and make a world of difference:

Bring a bag. Invest in a reusable water bottle. Bring your own reusable cup. Refuse single-use items. Avoid products with microbeads. Shop in bulk. Make sure your waste goes to the right place. Compost.

Environmental protection is the practice of protecting the natural environment by individuals, organizations and governments. Its objectives are to conserve natural resources and the existing natural environment and, where possible, to repair damage and reverse trends.

How the EPA Protects Our Environment and Health :
Drought-tolerant native plants and turf grass alternatives, a short list
By: Minnesota Board Of Water, Soil Resources
Tags: Gardening, Plants, Flowers, Landscaping

After several wet years, most of Minnesota is experiencing severe drought. Many native plants can withstand dry periods due to their deep roots and other adaptations. The following species are among those observed in recent months to withstand drought conditions. Keep in mind that all plants need some water to grow and to stay healthy, and other conditions, such as soil types and light, will help determine a plant’s success. Native plants provide many benefits, such as improving water quality and providing habitat for wildlife.

Find out more here: http://bwsr.state.mn.us/l2l

Full Sun

One of the reasons we have prairies and grasslands in the West and forests in the East is due to precipitation patterns. Trees and shrubs are limited in the West by a lack of rainfall. where these woody species don’t grow, prairies with grasses, sedges and wildflowers fill the landscape.

Short prairie grasses such as blue grama Bouteloua gracilis and little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium seem to be thriving in drought conditions. They have dense and somewhat deep root systems that allow them to find the moisture they need. Their short stature (1 to 3 feet) means they don’t need as much moisture to thrive. The taller grasses such as big bluestem and Indian grass, while still growing, flowering and setting seed, appear much shorter and less robust because of the drought. The short prairie grasses are generally much better suited to the home landscape as well. Blue grama and little bluestem have attractive flowers and seed heads, and provide fall and winter color interest.

Spotted horsemint was less robust this year, but continued to bloom through the drought.

Spotted horsemint, Monarda punctata, AKA spotted beebalm, while much less robust this year, continues to bloom during the drought. It prefers dry, sandy soils but will also grow in heavier, wetter soils. It’s close relative, wild bergamot, Monarda fistulosa bloomed beautifully earlier this summer in very dry conditions, but then faded with the summer heat and lack of precipitation. Both species are pollinator magnets and make great garden plants.

Butterfly milkweed’s large pods produce an abundance of seeds.

Many of Minnesota’s milkweed species are handling the drought in stride. Butterfly milkweed, Asclepias tuberosa, sent up its attractive, bright orange blooms earlier this summer. Its large seed pods will soon produce many seeds that will be dispersed by wind. There will be plenty of these seeds for you to plant yourself or give to friends and neighbors. Other prairie milkweed species such as common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca, and whorled milkweed, Asclepias verticillata, don’t mind the drought conditions either. Milkweeds are the host plant for monarch butterflies, and they are also used by many other beneficial insects.
Modelling for Leaf Disease Detection
By: Maria L Rodriguez
Tags: Computer Vision, Parse, Plants, Yolo, Object Detection

Modelling for Leaf Disease Detection

What drives progress most is the need to solve a problem. And what more serious quantifiable problem is there than that of poor food supply? Humans and animals heavily rely on good plant crop production. And crop production is highly influenced by plant health. It is thus imperative that crops be monitored for signs of early disease development. However, present techniques require laboratory diagnosis which takes time and resources. To help improve plant disease detection, the PlantDoc dataset was created.

The original dataset contained 2,598 data images with 13 plant species and 17 classes of diseases. Data was provided as images in JPG, and annotations in both the VOC XML format and CSV format.

In a previous blog, we explored how to use the dataset using manual upload and creating a custom parser. In this blog, we will upload the data using the git clone approach, proceed with parsing and continue to modelling.

We will follow this Outline:

A. Set-up

B. Establish directories

C. Parsing

D. Transforms

E. Modelling

E.1. Faster R-CNN

E.2. YOLOv5

E.3. RetinaNet

E.4. EfficientDet

E.5. Final Model

F. Visualize Results

G. Saving the Model

Open your Notebook and let’s see code grow!

A. Set-up

Let the above installations finish before proceeding with the next.

from icevision.all import *

Retrieve the data directly from the Github source:

B. Establish directories

%pwd # output: '/content'

!ls # output: PlantDoc-Object-Detection-Dataset (among others)

B.1. Specify a direct route to the data.

%cd PlantDoc-Object-Detection-Dataset/

!ls

The TRAIN file contains the images and individual annotations.

data_dir = Path('.')

B.2. Specify a route to the annotations.

The annotations are also available as an aggregated information in the train_labels.csv.

import pandas as pd

annot = pd.read_csv('train_labels.csv')

annot.rename(columns={'class':'label'}, inplace=True)

annot.sample(3)

annot.filename.nunique() # output: 2,345

B.3. Specify a route to the labels.

_CLASSES = annot['label'].unique().tolist()

len(_CLASSES) # ouput: 29

class_map = ClassMap(_CLASSES)

C. Parsing

template_record = ObjectDetectionRecord() class PlantDocParser(Parser):

def __init__(self, template_record, data_dir):

super().__init__(template_record=template_record) self.data_dir = data_dir

self.df = annot

self.class_map = class_map def __iter__(self) -> Any:

for o in self.df.itertuples():

yield o def __len__(self) -> int:

return len(self.df) def record_id(self, o) -> Hashable:

return o.filename def parse_fields(self, o, record, is_new):

if is_new:

filepath = self.data_dir / 'TRAIN' / o.filename

record.set_filepath(filepath)

if filepath.exists():

image_size = get_img_size(filepath)

record.set_img_size(image_size) #

record.detection.set_class_map(self.class_map) record.detection.add_bboxes(

[BBox.from_xyxy(o.xmin, o.ymin, o.xmax, o.ymax)])

record.detection.add_labels([o.label])

The custom parsing steps are discussed in Section E here.
Ep. 2 Phosphorus — Show Notes
By: The Book Farmer
Tags: Gardening, Plants, Botany, Farming

Phosphorus, the P in the NPK mafia, is mainly concerned with the transfer and storage of the energy within the plant and the development of a plant’s roots, seeds and fruits. It is crucial for a young plant to have enough Phosphorus in its diet or else its growth will be set back for the remainder of its life.

How easily does Phosphorus move?

Soluble Phosphorus reacts with compounds in the soil and is converted to forms which are less available to plants. As a result, Phosphorus is not very mobile in the soil and little of it is lost by leaching. On the other hand, Phosphorus moves freely in plants, which means that as the plant grows it will move from older parts of the plant to the newer parts of the plant. Therefore, you will most likely detect the signs of Potassium deficiency in older parts of the plant first.

What are the signs that there’s not enough Phosphorus?

As with most essential elements, a lack of Phosphorus will stunt the growth of the plant. There are other visible signs that may indicate that your plant is lacking Phosphorus in its diet.

For example, when a plant detects a lack of Phosphorus, dark pigments (anthocyanins if you want to be technical) may build up in the leaves and stems giving the plant a purple or blue-green color.

It may not be obvious at first, but if your plant is lacking Phosphorus you may notice that the plant has poorly developed seeds, fruits or roots.

What are the signs that there’s too much Phosphorus?

Using too much Phosphorus can make the plant take up less of other elements than it needs. Elements such as Iron (Fe) or Zinc (Zn) may be the first to be affected. We’ll discuss these elements at a later date.
Coconut
Tags: Coconut, Plants, Botany, Plants400, Food

For millennia, the coconut, the ‘prince of palms’, was central to the lives of Polynesian and Asian peoples; fruits were portable food and drink, whilst the stems and leaves were shelter, fuel and transport. In the west, coconuts were more exotic. The sixteenth-century English herbalist John Gerard emphasised that polished coconut shells, traced with silver, were novelties for the wealthy. In Edwardian Britain, coconut shies became commonplace fairground entertainment. Today, coconut palm-fringed beaches are advertising clichés.

The coconut palm has a smooth, slender, curved, grey trunk, up to 30 m tall, surmounted with a rosette of leaves, each of which may up to be 6 m long. Coconut flowers are tightly clustered together among the leaves. Coconut palms produce as many as 70 head-sized fruits per year, with fruits weighing more than one kilogramme each.

The wall of the fruit has three layers: a waterproof outer layer, a fibrous middle layer and a hard inner layer. The thick, fibrous middle layer produces coconut fibre (coir), which is used for making rope, matting, bristles and even peat substitutes. The woody innermost layer (shell), the familiar coconut, surrounds the seed. The shell, with its three prominent ‘eyes’, gives coconut its scientific name, Cocos, meaning ‘mask’ or ‘monkey face’.

Inside the shell are the nutrients needed by the developing seed. Initially, the endosperm is a sweetish liquid (coconut water), which is widely drunk; it is also a source of plant growth hormones and can be used in emergency blood transfusions. As the fruit matures, the coconut water solidifies forming brilliant white, fat-rich, edible flesh. Dried coconut flesh (copra) is made into coconut fat and coconut milk, for cooking, cosmetics and soap.

Coconuts are great maritime voyagers and coastal colonizers. The large, energy-rich fruits are buoyant and salt-tolerant, but remain viable only for about 110 days. Literally cast on to desert island shores, with little more than sand to grow in, coconut seeds must germinate and root. The air pocket in the seed, created as the endosperm solidifies, and the fibrous fruit wall that provided buoyancy en voyage, protects the embryo and provides a moisture-retentive rooting medium to help the seedling establish itself quickly.

During the nineteenth century, coconut oil and coir evolved into items of international commerce. Moreover, at much the same time, a derivative of coconut fat, glycerine, acquired strategic importance, as Alfred Nobel introduced the world to his nitroglycerine-based invention — dynamite.

Professor Stephen Harris

Druce Curator of the University of Oxford Herbaria and Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences

Oxford Plants 400

Twitter: Plants400
Tips for a Successful Edible Home Garden
By: Public Libraries Singapore
Tags: Gardening, Urban Farming, Books, Plants, Inspiration

3. Growing Medium

The main reasons why growing medium is important is: 1) drainage, 2) nutrients and 3) pH value.

Drainage

Most plants prefer to sit in well-draining medium, where pockets of air in the soil allow for the roots to breathe—the reason why burrowing earthworms are a gardener’s best friend. The variety of growing medium you can find at a gardening centre helps you vary how much moisture is retained in your potting material. This can range from very little (using a medium with a larger percentage of coarse grit like perlite and gravel), to very water retentive (adding sphagnum moss and coconut coir).

Here’s a tip: the growing medium of a plant you buy from a shop usually isn’t ideal for its growth. Because these plants are transported across long distances without watering, the medium used is usually water-retentive. Letting them sit for long periods without repotting would likely end in root rot. Of course, all this won’t matter if your pot doesn’t come with drainage holes, so make sure they do.

Nutrients

If you’ve ever wondered if there was a difference between potting mix and potting soil, the answer is “yes”. Potting mix, unlike potting soil, is soilless and sterile, and is a much more controlled growing medium. It’s also lightweight and fluffy, but doesn’t contain minerals and organic matter, so you’ll have to periodically fertilise it. Potting soil, on the other hand, contains organic matter and compost, so you likely don’t need to fertilise as often.

pH Value

It’s an often overlooked component of gardening, but pH value affects everything from the kind of nutrients accessible by your plant, to the types of organisms that live in (and condition) your growing medium. Think you’ve finally found a use for coffee grounds as a fertiliser for your plants? Before tossing the lot in, know that coffee grounds are highly acidic, so ensure that you’ve got acid-loving plants.
Best Indoor Plants
By: Sanje Chuck Myles
Tags: Gardening, Indoor Plants, Plants

So I’ve handpicked some of the best looking ones and easy to take care of ones and most of these are on NASA’S list for the best houseplants to purify the air and the other ones I chose just because they’re so aesthetic.

Please note that some of these plants may be toxic, so it’s not recommended if you have pets or small children who might eat them.

Alright let’s start with the:

Fiddle Leaf Fig

The Fiddle Leaf Fig is known for its large, glossy violin-shaped leaves. It’s an interior design favorite and you can find it literally all over Pinterest. These Fiddle Leaf Fig love bright and indirect sunlight, and you know when to water it when you stick your finger in the soil and the top one inch is dry.

You can water it once or twice a week, depending on the season. Also, take a microfiber cloth to wipe any dust off the leaves, once a week or so that the leaves can absorb the sunlight better.

The leaves will grow towards the light, so if you want your plant to grow evenly, so should rotate it whenever you notice its leaning in one direction.

Proper drainage is also very important to prevent root rot, which is when the roots sit in water for too long.

Monstera Deliciosa

This plant also goes by other names such as “Window Leaf” or “Swiss Cheese” plant. And of course, you see it’s known for its unique leaves with those beautiful cut and splits.

These plants can grow up to be so beautiful and make a big statement in your home. Similar to the Fiddle Leaf Fig, they like indirect sunlight and you also have to mist the plant and wipe the dust of its leaves occasionally.

Peace Lilies

The Peace Lilies is super easy to care for medium size plant known for its fresh lily flower and beautiful leaves. They’re on NASA’S top list of plants that purify the air because they’re known to reduce the levels of toxins in the air. Peace Lilies do well in shade and cooler temperatures, and they also tolerate low humidity. This makes them great for dry areas or apartments that get less natural lighting. Whats cute and convenient is that their leaves will droop if they’re thirsty and perk up again after watering.

Continue Reading: http://bravoplants.com/2019/06/best-indoor-plants/
Yerba Mate: The Holly for All Seasons
By: Pull Up Your Plants
Tags: Medicinal Plants, History, Plants, Yerba Mate, Ethnobotany

Ilex paraguariensis

FROM: PULLUPYOURPLANTS.COM

Ilex paraguariensis, a South American holly tree responsible for providing humankind with the caffeinated beverage called Yerba Maté, has been a celebrated infusion in South America since a time immemorial. The leaves and unopened buds are steeped in tradition, sweetened with affection, and served in friendship.

In the wild, Ilex paraguariensis was planted along rivers by the Toucan [9]. Today, Yerba Maté may be found in your local café or grocery store.

In this article we explore the plant, its traditional harvest by yerbateros, its medicinal uses, and even how to prepare maté as they did in 18th century Paraguay (you likely can’t find a coffee house preparing it quite like this).

It’s my honor to welcome you to the plant and people behind

Yerba Maté.

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE, VISIT THE LINK BELOW:

PULLUPYOURPLANTS.COM

By: Kevin Healey

Please visit patreon.com/pullupyourplants if you would personally like to support this work.

For my beautiful wife and son, as always.
The Many Types of Cherry Trees
Tags: Gardening, Plants, Life, Trees

One of the most pleasant trees you can possibly maintain is a cherry tree. The word Cherry is derived from the name of an ancient city in Turkey. It describes both the tree and the fruit it produces. A cherry fruit is classified as a rupe? In the center it has a single hard core that holds the seed. The outside of the fruit is smooth and might have a small groove down one side. There are hundreds of different varieties of cherry. https://www.bluaquafilters.com/

There are two main groups that cherries can fall under. It is either a wild cherry or a sour cherry. Wild cherries are generally used for plain eating, and originated in Europe or western Asia. Usually if you buy a bag of cherries from the store, you can guess that they are wild cherries. The other type, sour cherries, also originated in Europe and western Asia. These are less pleasant to eat, and are used more in cooking situations, including the production of jam or jelly. W10413645A Water Filter, EDR2RXD1

Cherry trees are not just known for their delicious fruits. They are also popular for their beautiful flowers or blossoms. The clusters of flowers that appear in the spring are rather breathtaking, and have inspired many a song or poem. Replacement for Whirlpool Water Filter

Another one of the most beautiful types of trees is the purple leaved plum. Contrary to its name, it is not a plum but rather a larger type of cherry. Its tree is most recognizable for its strikingly purple flowers. Through the course of its flowering season, they usually change from deep purple to light pink. Either way, you will probably be the only one on the block with such a colorful tree. One of its strong points is that it is particularly resistant to pests.

The Amur Chokeberry is most recognizable for its golden bark on the trunk and branches. When its flowers bloom in the middle of spring, they are very small and white. These trees specifically require moist, but well-drained soil. If your yard cannot supply that, then this is probably a tree you should skip. This tree is one of the most susceptible to pests and diseases unless you live in a very cold climate. It is one of the most high maintenance trees, but the cherries are delicious and the flowers are some of the lushest.

No matter what your yard or soil situation is like, you should have no problem finding a cherry tree that will do well in your area. They are a great thing to add to your yard, and when it flowers it will take the breath away from everyone that looks at it. It works great as a focal point for any garden. So go to your nursery today, and enquire about what types of cherry trees are known for doing well in your region. You are bound to find something you like. Whirlpool Water Filter, 4396841
Pitcher plants
Tags: Plants, Plants400, Carnivorous Plants, Sarracenia, Pitcher Plants

Endemic to North America, pitcher plants from the genus Sarracenia were amongst the first insectivorous to be grown by horticulturists in Europe. The first successful flowering of a cultivated Sarracenia plant was recorded in the late 1700s. The spectacular pitchers and relative ease of cultivation have ensured their continued horticultural popularity. The main requirements for success are nutrient-poor compost, a wet or damp substrate and distinct summer- and winter-growing conditions. A highlight of a visit to the glasshouses at the Botanic Garden is the temperate carnivorous plant collection. Grown in a wetland-type environment and displayed in a naturalistic style, these plants embody the theme of adaptation that unifies the glasshouse collections.

Carolus Linnaeus adopted the generic name Sarracenia from a name the French botanist Joseph Pitton de Tournefort gave to some specimens that were sent to him by Michel Sarrazin, the Father of Canadian Botany. Tournefort is the first botanist to have a clear concept of the genus.

What makes pitcher plants so captivating are their gruesome adaptations for life as a carnivore. The pitchers are modified leaves, adapted to supplement the meagre supplies of nitrogen and phosphorus sarracenias can extract from the nutrient-deficient soils. Numerous mechanisms contrive to lure insects, and spiders, into the pitchers and ensure they drown in a trap of digestive fluid.

Sarracenias are long-lived, herbaceous perennial plants. The pitchers are arranged in rosettes, growing from the tips of woody rhizomes. Pitchers vary hugely in shape and size amongst species of Sarracenia but all have the common feature of an operculum, a lid-like structure at the apex of the pitcher.

Beneath the operculum, the lip or peristome of the pitcher produces nectar to attract prey to the trap entrance. The upper, interior portion of the pitcher is waxy, forming a glass-smooth surface on which insects easily lose their footing.

As the prey plunges into the pitcher, it passes minute downward-facing hairs, making escape impossible. The base of the pitcher is covered in coarser, downward-facing hairs together with glands that secrete the digestive enzymes that extract nutrients from the prey.

All sarracenias are threatened in the wild by development, land drainage and collection for the horticultural trade. Because of the dramatic reduction in habitat and decrease in healthy plant populations, all species have legal conservation protection.

Dried specimens of Sarracenia rubra, collected by the naturalist Mark Catesby in the 1720s, are held in the Oxford University Herbaria.

Kate Pritchard

Glasshouse Curator

Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum

Oxford Plants 400

Twitter: @Plants400
Plant Health Diet, sounds simple, eat more plants.
By: Vishakha Maheswari
Tags: Planets, Plants, Plant Based Diets, Food, Diet

As a parent, we discuss a lot about our kid’s diet, increase his protein intake, give him more green leaves. Cook up some chicken soup, toss a fish on that grill and what not.

All these conversations are now put to a halt by some scientists, precisely 37 who were part of the EAT-Lancet Commission that discovered the new way of eating. This research was triggered to look for answers to feed billions in the coming decades.

How will they do that? Well, their recent report on ‘Planetary Health Diet’ will provide you clarity.

These experts from different fields of the study, argue to have figured out a diet which would not only help our health but also the health of our planet Earth.

By 2050, it is estimated that the earth’s population would reach around 10 billion, which will lead to food scarcity, and a rise in the consumption of unhealthy food.

So now that the fact is out, what is required from us?

Simply eat less of the fish, chicken, red meat and those sugary treats. The report focuses on shifting more towards nuts and legumes (eat more beans and lentils), filling our plates with fruits, veg, and consuming chicken and fish only once a week.

For the exact recommendation chart below from EAT-Lancet might help.

EAT Lancet

It is a global call for change, with international and national governments playing huge roles.

India’s might not have too much issue with the meat part but the fast food craze that’s on, its some work on our plate.

With takeout habits building up, we need more companies focusing on delicious plant foods and bit more recipes on the net would also help.

It’s not just us but our planet would gain as the diet promises to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the effort to combat climate change.

As said by Walter Willet, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard T.H.Chan School of Public Health, at the report launch, “Humanity is facing a huge crisis today in terms of environment but also in terms of human health and well being.”

So let's eat well and save our Planet.
Plant Power!
By: Dawn Jackson Blatner
Tags: Gardening, Plants, Green, Wellness, Health

I am starting to miss all the green leaves on trees, the green mini-palm trees on my deck, and greengrass. So I’m dedicating this WOW to the importance of year-round, indoor green plants.

Why you need INDOOR plants in your life, stat.

Better Memory

Working in the presence of plants can increase memory & attention up to 20 percent.

Fewer Colds & Flus

Research shows indoor plants can help purify the air of toxic chemicals & maintain humidity levels that prevent germs from spreading.

Less Pain/Fatigue

One study found that patients who had plants in their rooms had lower blood pressure and reported less pain, anxiety, and fatigue than patients who didn’t.

Fewer Cravings

Seeing greenery is linked to less intense and frequent cravings. [More craving busters here]

“Plants are pretty and all but I do NOT have a green thumb… I’m busy and fear I’ll forget to water them. What are some low maintenance options?” -Dawn

Your best bets…

ZZ and Snake Plants … Water every 2–3 weeks

Other plants that do great indoors, with little care, and low-moderate light…

Philodendron and Pothos Plant … Water every 1–2 weeks

No sunlight in your home/office to grow a plant? No problem!

Even just the color GREEN is associated with happiness so…

Buy a faux green plant.

Make your screen saver green.

Get a green mousepad like this.
Sylvia that is so cool.
By: Louise Peacock
Tags: Gardening, Outdoors, Perennials, Plants

Sylvia that is so cool. I was wondering what type of birches those were since they did not look familiar. What zone were you in when you had them? I do not recall seeing these at any of our local nurseries, so am wondering is this is because they would not survive our really harsh winters. (We are zone 5–6).

I have never attempted Hellebores, maybe I will give them a try this next growing season.

My Pulmonarias are loving a heavily shaded and wind protected area out side the kitchen window and provide a lovely early spring show. Sadly the pretty, spotted one, “Mrs. Moon” has been taken over by the plan leaved, peach coloured one.

Pulmonaria

In that area I have now added a hydrangea paniculata, which seems to like it there. It replaces a Purple Leafed Sandcherry that was plagued with decay and various cherry fungus diseases, and which had to be removed.

Hydrangea paniculata, “Phantom”

Sadly the big box stores have made life difficult for “real” plant places and many have sold up to builders, so finding interesting and unusual plants is becoming very tricky.

A few years ago I tried out a “hardy” cactus which evidently grows in the very harsh western provinces environment, so was supposed to easily survive here. Interesting but very hostile plant. It eventually gave up because the location I had it in did not get enough sun, and also was a location where snow gets piled. It was an interesting experiment, but its propensity to leave its barbs in ones skin at unexpected times, and the short lived bloom period suggests to me that it is not right for my garden.
What Are Variegated Plants?
Tags: Plants, Variegate

The word “variegation” has its origins in Latin: it comes from the verb “variegare,” meaning “to make of various kinds of colors.” This should give you a good idea of what variegation is: this word is used to describe plants with multicolored leaves and flowers. Most variegated plants combine 2 colors, such as green and white, silvery, or pink. However, you can come across some specimens with 3 and even 4 colors, the most well-known being Agave lophantha ‘Quadricolor.’

Types of Variegation

No two plants are the same, and that’s especially true of variegated ones. Different types of variegation manifest themselves in various ways. Here are the most prevalent types of variegation:

Pigmented variegation is present in plants that are naturally patterned. Prayer plants and pink rubber plants are the most well-known representatives of this group.

is present in plants that are naturally patterned. Prayer plants and pink rubber plants are the most well-known representatives of this group. Chimeral variegation stems from genetic mutations: some plant tissue loses the ability to produce chlorophyll, resulting in white splotches and streaks on the foliage. While highly attractive, these plants tend to grow slower than their non-variegated counterparts since the lack of chlorophyll stunts photosynthesis. Variegated Alocasia plants belong to this group.

stems from genetic mutations: some plant tissue loses the ability to produce chlorophyll, resulting in white splotches and streaks on the foliage. While highly attractive, these plants tend to grow slower than their non-variegated counterparts since the lack of chlorophyll stunts photosynthesis. Variegated Alocasia plants belong to this group. Reflective variegation happens when blisters form between the different-colored layers of the foliage. If you own a Scindapsus pictus, you know what reflective variegation looks like: it’s responsible for this plant’s signature silvery spots.

Variegated Plants
“Rose Of Jericho” — Magic Resurrection Plant
Tags: Gardening, Resurrection, Plants, Rosé, Plant Based

“Rose Of Jericho” — The long-lived perennial plant on the earth!

Why You’ll Love This:

All plant collectors and keen gardeners like a plant with a special story, and few plants have a story as special as the Rose of Jericho. The Rose of Jericho is a plant that is nearly difficult to kill which makes it perfect for people who have a hard time keeping plants alive! It can be kept in a dark cupboard for years and still be revived in water. When placed in a bowl of water, it perks up within about 4 hours. Don’t leave it standing in water for more than a few days, as this will make it rot. Change the water daily, and give it “rests” without water. this will help the plant live on forever.

Its natural growth-cycle alone is intriguing, and this is what has led to the many beliefs and superstitions of this amazing plant. The Rose of Jericho goes from seeming death to life magically, it’s not surprising to discover that it is believed to have magical qualities.

The Rose of Jericho grows in the desert, sucks up all the water, and then when there is nothing left to drink, rolls up inside itself and blows around the desert until it stumbles upon another body of water. When it comes upon an unsuspecting shore or a small desert puddle, it un-tucks its roots, and begins sucking up the moisture, drawing in life!

FINAL RESULT:

FEATURES:

Occult & Magical

Add Water and Watch The Plant Come to Life

Light Requirements: Partial/full shade

One Resurrection Rose (Selaginella lepidophylla)

Shop Now Today Get special Discount Today

visit:- https://virespace.com/Rose-of-Jericho
Starting my little urban farming experience
Tags: Shopping, Plants, Urban Farming, Food

I intend to grow vegetables on my own, on my little balcony in Milano. Before I started I researched a lot about “How to grow vegetables”. There were a lot of tips and tricks from growing a potato to avocados. But it was all about regrowing and I had in mind to grow my vegetables from the seeds. So where do I get the seeds? It was really difficult to find them. And then I thought, but what is the difference between regrow and grow from seeds? Regrow it’s just a faster way to multiply your vegetables from what you already have. So I looked around in my kitchen and found potatoes, tomatoes, onions and garlic… I knew I have enough things in my kitchen to regrow, so I just need to buy pots and soil. I live on the 5th floor in Milano, so carrying a bag full of soil is too heavy for me. What’s the alternative? I knew IKEA has always good solutions, so I decided to drive 8km by bike to the nearest IKEA store and give it a try. And there I was, buying a few pots, watering-can, dried and pressed soil, which I could easily carry in my bag. Nonetheless, my bag was fully packed and I had to drive back home.

After my long trip to IKEA, I had to rest. I decided to grow my vegetables on Sunday morning and use Saturday evening to researching more about the vegetable, which I choose to grow. It was a back and forth of decision-making. Should I regrow lettuce? It’s easy, but I had to buy it first. Can I grow tomatoes in the wintertime? Which vegetable is good for growing in winter? I decided “let’s grow tomatoes because I love them and I can grow them indoor. And garlic, because it’s perfect to plant it in autumn-time” So I researched, which is the best way to grow tomatoes and garlic, how many sunlight hours they need, what is the minimum temperature and which minerals should be in the soil.
The History of Gardening in 3 Minutes
Tags: Gardening, History, Plants, Garden, Healthy Lifestyle

Long, long ago in a distant land…people began growing.

We all sort of know gardening has been around forever, but very few people know how it started, much less how it’s morphed into what it is today. So we did some research and made a spiffy little timeline for you.

In this article, we will guide you through the history of gardening.

10,000–7,000 BCE

Behold, the first growers! It all began in the Middle East in a place called the “fertile crescent.” (Things grow really well there.) The neolithic’s realized that you can take seeds from a plant and grow new ones, which is the basis of all gardening.

2,000 BCE

Think pyramids. So far, gardening and farming haven’t really changed that much. Then, an Egyptian king named Ramses III orders servants to grow him a garden. And so with one wish, he changes the future of growing. Ramses makes gardens more than a thing of necessity — it’s now about beauty and leisure. Thus, a thing separate from farming.

1100 BCE -1450 CE

This ginormous chunk of time covers the Ancient Greek and Ancient Roman empires. Let us tell you: these guys were growing pros. They began to specialize in ways of growing, and they adored their herb gardens.

Simultaneously, during Medieval times, religious monasteries became the keepers of the garden in Europe. They endowed it with a spiritual connotation that still exists today: gardens as a place of calm and contemplation.

1500’s

This is prime-time Renaissance Era. Art was all the rage, and so design became an integral part of gardening. This is why, if you go to palaces in Europe, they usually have elaborate and perfectly arranged gardens.

1600’s

Fast forward to the Pilgrims in America. Everyone gardened during this time; it was a means of survival. Also, say hello to Western World originals — like tomatoes and peppers!

1900’s

With the industrial revolution, the popularity of home gardening really took a hit and farming reigned. Only 40% of Americans had a garden in their home. Until…

1939

You probably know this date from grade school. It’s the beginning of World War II. Because wars consume a lot of money, the U.S. and British governments began encouraging people to grow their own food and be self-sufficient. And people rose to the challenge!

1940 — Now

After WWII ended, the government had a lot of extra chemicals which they began feeding into the farming processes. Hence, organic growing’s pervasiveness.

Then, the technology boom. The new ways of life and urban expansion made gardening inaccessible and difficult for the average human.

Today

We’re bringing growing back, simpler and more accessible than ever. All the same benefits, but ready for the modern world.

There’s a reason people kept gardening long after survival dictated it. It’s because growing is AWESOME. And now you know the history to back it up.

**DISCLAIMER: We’re not historians, so we had some help: Thanks to here, here, and here for the info!

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3 Unexpected and Unique Ways to Decorate with Herbs
Tags: Gardening, Herbal, Design, Plants, Home Decor

As temps cool down, bringing your greenery indoors can be the best way to decorate your home with the warmth of summer. Decorating with herbs will bring you green beauty and fresh herb harvests and stimulate all your senses — taste, smell, and sight. With unique textures and deep colors, they’ll bring excitement and beauty to your home.

We all know that herb gardens belong in the kitchen, but it’s definitely not the only option. Here are 3 unexpected places to decorate with herbs.

1. Atop Your Desktop

There’s nothing more mundane than a boring workspace, so you should deck it out with herbs! Setting an inbox of herbs atop your desk — whether you work at home or in an office — will brighten up your day and add much-needed color. Because who says office spaces shouldn’t be trendy and beautiful?

Besides, desktop herb decor is the quickest way to get you to focus. Having plants in your workspace is proven to reduce tension and anxiety by 37%, decrease fatigue by 38%, and increase productivity by 15%. Plus, a little green is known to boost your creativity.

2. At Your Entryway

Greet your guests with herb gardens. By decorating your entryway or foyer with herb plants, you’ll set an instant smile on yours and all your friends faces. Imagine you’re your own guest: is there anything better than walking into a new space and encountering an unexpected garden?

In any case, having the unique scent of lavender or the beautiful leaves of parsley in your entryway will set the tone for your entire home — no matter how messy your kid’s room is.

3. In Your Bathroom

This might feel like an odd place to put an herb garden but trust us: it’s the most delightful of all. If you’re not cooking with your herbs, you should absolutely be making the most of their spa-like uses, including their face, hair, and skin treatments. (Helloooo, rosemary baths!)

Greenery imparts calmness, and there’s no place in your home more appropriate for calmness than your bathroom. In fact, you’ll basically be turning your bathroom into a bonafide spa.

The best part about herb gardens in bathrooms? It’s like having your own personal garden you don’t have to share.

The conclusion is this: herbs belong everywhere (as does greenery of all kinds). Check out our inbox of herbs, and get decorating with herbs! You’ll love how it brightens your favorite spaces.

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Restorative And Relaxing Herbal Bath Tips
Tags: Gardening, Plants, Tips, Health, Herbal

Life is chaotic. So, at Gardenuity we’re always looking for ways to de-stress, relax, and reset — gardening is our absolute favorite way. But sometimes, you need to actually do nothing.

The most relaxing way to do nothing?

Take an herbal bath!

Herbal baths are an age-old idea that’s been revamped with “tub teas.” Tub teas are herbal mixtures placed in a muslin bag that you take to the bathtub with you. Simply let it soak and let the herbs do their job. With the gorgeous smell and topical benefits of many herbs, you’ll have the utmost relaxation and a moment to reset, de-stress, and refresh.

Tips for DIY Herbal Baths

Take a muslin bag and place the herbs of your choosing inside. Simply soak in the warm water as you do. The scent and benefits of your herbs will release and calm your soul.

Use natural and organic botanicals! It’s just like the things you eat — you don’t want to put artificial or pesticide-ridden anything into your body.

Fresh plants are the best option! The sooner after harvest the better (smells better, too!) They’re full of natural remedies ready to release. However, you must use immediately. If you need to save or gift a tub tea, dry your herbs first.

Don’t worry about exact proportions when you’re combining your blend.

For sensitive skin, try one herb at a time at first. It’ll help you know which herbs your skin loves!

Our Favorite Herbs & Their Benefits

Lavender — elegant and stunning, this herb releases a floral aroma and helps to heal minor skin irritations.

Parsley — smells deliciously green and helps heal bruising and reduces inflammation.

Rosemary — woodsy and enchanting, rosemary relieves sore muscles.

Sage — also relieves muscle tightness (perfect for post-workout!) and smells divine.

Our Favorite Herbal Bath Concoction

Instructions-

Mix 2 cups of baking soda with 1 cup of sea salt, 1 cup lavender, and 1/2 cup rosemary.

Separate into muslin bags and soak alongside you in the bath.

Relax and enjoy the restorative and de-stressing benefits of herbal baths!

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Hawthorns
Tags: History, Hawthorn, Plants, Plants400, Agriculture

The genus Crataegus is native to the northern temperate regions of Europe, Asia and North America. It comprises some 250 species of shrubs or small trees. Many are armed with thorns derived from sharp-tipped branches. Some authorities consider the number of species to be many times greater than this. Disagreements over numbers of Crataegus species are frequently associated with the relative importance attached to patterns of intraspecific morphological variation, breeding system variation and the frequency of interspecific hybridisation.

In the United Kingdom, two species Crataegus species, Crataegus monogyna and Crataegus laevigata, are native. However, complex patterns of variation mean that it can be difficult to separate them in some parts of their ranges. The latest account of British hawthorns makes the point that such patterns may be far more complex than previously thought because of the many species that have been introduced for horticultural, forestry and amenity purposes.

Hedges are an obvious landscape feature of rural Britain and northern France. Hawthorns are the primary trees used in hedges; a word derived from an Anglo-Saxon term meaning a ‘fence with thorns’. When well-managed, using techniques such as laying, hawthorn will produce a thick, stock-resistant hedge. Moreover, hawthorns have other important ecosystem functions. They are shelter and protection for animals, and nesting habitat. The flowers, which are produced in late spring, provide nectar and pollen for the main pollinators, od hawthorn, flies and bees. The fruits (haws) are valuable food for birds, which are important as seed dispersers.

The haw, which looks superficially like a berry, is technically called a pome; it is like an apple. In the haw’s centre there are one to five bony pyrenes each surrounding a seed. The fruits of various Crataegus species are eaten by humans. More recently, evidence has emerged that there may be a scientific basis for the traditional use of Crataegus fruits and leaves in cardiovascular conditions.

One interpretation of the generic name Crataegus is from the Greek meaning ‘sharp strength’, and appears to be a reference to hardness of hawthorn wood. Hawthorns have rich folkloric associations across Europe. The Glastonbury thorn (Crataegus monogyna ’Biflora’), a mutant that flowers in early winter and spring, was believed to have grown from a staff planted by Joseph of Arimathea at Glastonbury. Scions of this tree have been popular in gardens since the early seventeenth century. Other mythologies associate the hawthorn with fairies and protection from lightning.

Professor Stephen Harris

Druce Curator of the University of Oxford Herbaria and Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences

Oxford Plants 400

Twitter: Plants400
Kiwifruits
Tags: Plants, Plants400, Kiwi, Food, Agriculture

The genus Actinidia is comprised of perennial climbing plants native to Asia, specifically eastern Russia, China, Japan and Korea. Most of the species have separate male and female plants. The fruits are berries, some enlarged, containing many small seeds in soft flesh. A great diversity of fruits is exhibited among species. The most notable species are Actinidia deliciosa and Actinidia chinensis, which produce kiwifruits, Actinidia arguta, kiwiberry, Actinidia polygama, silver vine, and the ornamental Actinidia kolomikta.

While Charles Maries, an English plantsman, was travelling through the Japanese island of Hokkaido in 1877, he discovered Actinidia kolomikta, a plant with naturally variegated leaves. At that time, he was collecting seeds on behalf of the Veitch Nursery in Chelsea, one of the largest nurseries in Britain. After a few years in cultivation, and grown in a sunny aspect, the male plants of this deciduous climber develop white and pink patches on their heart-shaped, green leaves producing an attractive, ornamental shrub. The plants are extremely hardy. Female plants produce edible fruits that are particularly popular in Russia.

Today, the best-known kiwifruits are produced from the species Actinidia deliciosa, mostly a single cultivar called ‘Hayward’. Commercialization of the temperate fruits of Actinidia chinensis, often called the Chinese gooseberry, and Actinidia deliciosa, developed in the twentieth century. Only in the last fifty years has their cultivation, as an economically significant crop, become worldwide. In May 1900, Ernest Henry Wilson, a British plant hunter, found Actinidia deliciosa on his travels in China and collected seed from the plant. In 1904, seed was sent to New Zealand where commercial crop production developed. It was not until the 1960s that the fruits were exported to Great Britain and California, which was made possible by the exceptionally long storage life of fruits transported by sea. The name ‘kiwifruit’ was coined because the ovoid shape, and the furry brown outer skin of the fruit, was reminiscent of the New Zealand flightless bird, the kiwi. Experimentation with other species and cultivars is now underway as the fruits have a very high vitamin C content.

In China, the human medicinal benefits of using Actinidia species have been recognized for centuries. However, one species, Actinidia polygama, appears to have beneficial effects on cats, producing a euphoria similar to the effects observed with catnip (Nepeta cataria). The most effective parts of the plant appear to be extracts derived from fruit galls and the wood.

Serena Marner

Herbarium manager

University of Oxford Department of Plant Sciences

Oxford Plants 400

Twitter: @Plants400