INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Not all plants do equally well in close quarters. When deciding what you want to grow, look for species that are recommended specifically for cultivating in containers. They'll be easier to care for and will have a better chance of survival than those that thrive in the ground. Roses, pansies, begonias, and hydrangeas are among the most popular choices for container gardening. The seedlings and seed packets you purchase at your local gardening center or plant nursery will often come with information on the plant's spatial requirements, which can give you a better idea of how to make use of the containers you have on hand. Compared to regular gardening soil, which clumps easily and makes it hard for air and water to pass through, quality potting soil mixes are light, fluffy, and rich in vital nutrients. This gives winding root systems the ability to spread out and creates a more hospitable environment for outdoor plants of all types. Look for potting soil mixtures containing ingredients like aged bark, vermiculite, lime, and peat moss. These substances are essential for promoting healthy growth. Potting soil is also less likely to contain insects, weeds, fungi, and other harmful contaminants than soil that comes straight from your garden. Outdoor plants often lose moisture faster due to fluctuations in temperature and exposure to direct sunlight. Different species have different moisture requirements, but generally speaking, plants in large containers should be watered thoroughly once a day, while those in smaller containers need a drink once in the morning and again in the evening. Your waterings will need to become more frequent during the hot summer months. Plants in small, porous containers tend to dry out rapidly. Using a water retaining potting mix or switching to a container with fewer drainage holes may help keep them moist longer. Avoid overwatering your potted plants. Enclosed containers cause soil to drain slower, and if you're not careful, the excess moisture could rot or drown out the roots. Plants that have been overwatered may appear lifeless or rubbery, while dry soil and discolored leaves are the most common symptoms of underwatered plants. Leave room near windows, open expanses, and other sunny spots for plants that grow best with lots of light, like hibiscus and gardenia. Those that prefer shade, such as peace lilies, philodendron, and most ferns, can be arranged along one wall of your home so they receive less direct exposure. You may be better off growing temperamental species like Bluebells and African Iris in lightweight containers that can be repositioned easily throughout the day as light and temperature conditions change. Save heavy, stationary planters for perennials, small trees, and other hearty plants that will be okay in one spot. Take a close look at your potted plants about once a week to confirm that everything appears normal. Leaves with small holes or jagged edges may have recently been food for hidden insects. Likewise, significant browning and withering could be symptoms of disease in plants that are currently in season. You can thin the ranks of most common plant pests by spraying them a mild soapy water solution, or simply removing them by hand. Minor plant diseases can usually be treated with careful pruning and restoring water, sunlight, and key soil nutrients to their optimal levels.

SUMMARY: Select plants that are well-suited for containers. Use a well-balanced potting soil. Make sure your plants get enough water. Position your plants where they can get the right amount of sunlight. Inspect your plants regularly for signs of infestation or disease.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Help your cat relax by giving it warm, secure places to rest. Make sure it won't be disturbed in these places for resting. If you feel comfortable with it, let your cat up on the couch or bed, or give it high perches where it can rest and relax. Keep window shades open so your cat can lie in the sunshine. Allow your cat to roam and play and do not cramp it. For example, do not hold your cat if it resists being held. Also encourage other people in your home to let it be if it doesn't want to be held. Your cat will feel happier and more secure if it has some freedom. Place your cat's food, rest areas, and litter box in different places in your home. Cats don't enjoy eating or relaxing too close to the litter box. And provide your cat with several scratching posts, resting places, and perches throughout your home to enliven its environment. Try scenting the air with lavender to make your home more calming and pleasant for your cat. Make gradual changes in your home or in your cat's routine. For example, move the furniture in stages rather than rearranging it all at once. Or if you need to change the time when you feed your cat, start by setting the time back or forward in minute increments, rather than by hours. Gently expose your cat to any new animals or people in its life, like a new baby or a new pet. Keep new routines consistent after you make any changes.

SUMMARY: Give your cat soft, comfortable places to rest. Give your cat space. Keep its environment pleasant. Don't make abrupt changes.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: From this point in the natto-making process, it's crucial that all of the containers and utensils you use are sterilized or mold and bacteria may develop. Boil a pot in water on high heat for 10 minutes to sterilize it. Dry it with a clean towel, and then add the beans to it. Boil any spoons or other utensils that you'll be using to mix as well. To make the natto, you'll need nattomoto powder, which contains natto spores. Use the special spoon that comes with the powder to add one spoonful of the spores to a small sterilized bowl. Add 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of boiled water to the powder, and stir the mixture with a sterilized spoon until the powder dissolves. Nattomoto powder is also known as natto spores or natto starter. You can purchase it from Japanese grocery stores and online retailers. Once the nattomoto powder has dissolved, cover the beans with the solution. Use a sterilized spoon to stir the beans and solution together so they're fully combined.

SUMMARY:
Place the beans in a sterilized pot. Combine the nattomoto powder and water. Pour the natto spore solution over the beans.