GLITZY GARDEN DECOR

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

ATTRACT MORE BUTTERFLIES INTO YOUR GARDEN

Rare California Checkerspot Butterfly

Thunbergia crawls up Glitzy's Arbor.

Here is a unique recipe I ran across from Garden Gate Magazine's eNotes. I'm told this recipe really works to lure butterflies into your garden for a few slurps of this butterfly nectar confection:

Butterfly Refreshment

1. Stir a 20 oz. sports drink (like any flavor of Vitaminwater®) and 2 cups of sugar together in a pan. Bring the mix to a boil and remove it from the heat.

2. After it cools, add 2 Tbsp. of regular soy sauce. (Soy sauce? Yes! It has amino acids and enzymes that will help keep butterflies healthy.)

3. Serve immediately. You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three months.

Bee sits and stares at Glitzy taking pix!

Don't forget to add some colorful zinnia, snapdragon, gazania and daisy which butterflies love. Mix with some garden yard sticks, a trellis of Thunbergia (Black-eyed Susan Vine) or a rose garden with garden figurines.

Friday, September 28, 2012

WHY WON’T MY BIRD OF PARADISE TWEET?

Standard Bird of Paradise in Bloom

It’s been 2 years, and you have feed them, watered them, cared for them, but they still don’t want to show their beaks and tweet (bloom). While they are expanding and getting larger, but they don’t bloom…What gives?

You are not alone. Bird of Paradise plants take a long time to get around to blooming (usually three years). The prime reason is they like to have their roots crowded. Two years is a minimum time for waiting for a bird to show, but it may take longer. Here is a tip:

Healthy Bird of Paradise Plants

If you wish to plant Bird of paradise and it comes in a 1, 2 or 5 gallon pot – the recommendation is to dig a hole 1.5 times the size of the pot in depth and circumference. Then add some potting soil (MiracleGro Potting Soil is great!). Add a little Perlite to the mix and toss the soil like a salad. Then do this – and this is the secret – cut the bottom of the pot out of the Bird of Paradise plant you purchased from the big box store garden center, and yes – plant it in the pot!

Larger more vibrant Bird shows off it's color.

Like some plants (Cyclamen, Clivia Kiefer, and many more), Bird of Paradise expand as they grow, but love crowded spots. So not only do the roots grow deeper, but they expand WIDER. Keeping your Birds in a confined pot will make the roots crowd faster and allows them to bloom faster. Still, it will be a minimum of two years before blooming, and do not over-feed them, but soon, you’ll have birds poking out their colorful beaks and tweeting up a storm.

Create some true tuneful song --- Add a birdbath, birdhouse or bird feeder near your Bird of Paradise plants to get the real birds in your garden.

Source: The California Newspaper – Rose Crawford Column Section F_September 23, 2012

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

AH, NUTS … THEY ARE GNATS! By Rose Crawford

Sympathetica Lily needs your sympathy
when gnats get into the soil.

Does your houseplants have uninvited guests? Did you try Rose and Flower Insect Killer or Insecticidal Soap only to find dead houseplants later? It may be cute to have little decorative critters on garden stakes in our gardens, but it is entirely different when our houseplants get inhabited against their will. So, here’s a tip from the gardeners to help our indoor plants:

Firstly, we need to understand what gnats are and where they come from. Believe it or not, gnats are formed from fungus in soil of houseplants. It’s a very common problem no matter where you live…gnats invariably inhabit a houseplant despite most seemingly good efforts. Here is the culprit or major cause of fungus-related gnats on houseplants…OVER-WATERING! Gnats love to breed in damp decaying organic matter, which is a common ingredient in houseplant soil.

Schefflera is susceptible to Fungus Gnats,
if over-watered.

Gnats lifecycle is about 4 weeks, especially in houses or areas where warm temperatures are maintained inside. Gnats go through a metamorphosis – from egg to larvae to pupa to flying adult. When you see flying adult gnats hanging around your houseplants, they are depositing their eggs into the moist soil. The cycle then repeats itself. While there are sprays for gnats, you must read the label to find the one spray specifically formulated for “Fungus Gnats”. Most gardeners recommend you not spray at all.

TIP: Let your plants dry out as much as possible and at the same time, trap the adult gnats. You can do this with yellow sticky traps that hang (purchased in most hardware or garden stores). You can also make them cheaply by getting bright yellow construction paper, (gnats are attracted to yellow), and coating it with Vaseline. You could also layer a coating of dry sand on top of your soil to try and trick the gnats in thinking the soil is dry and they don’t want to lay eggs. Once the gnats are gone, you can scrape off the sand and feed your houseplants with MiracleGro liquid, but be sure to keep them on the drier side. Let your houseplants tongues hang out “WANTING” water without drying them out too much. MircleGro also sells a Moisture Control Soil that assists with over-watering or under-watering.

A Golden Pothos is no longer "Golden" if
over-watered. Gnats attract to yellow even in leaves!

Be diligent in fighting the adult gnats and you’ll win the war, plus your houseplants will still be alive!

Source: The Californian Newspaper-Sunday September 23, 2012 Section F

Saturday, September 22, 2012

BEST SUMMER SUNGLASSES By Megan O’Neill

Pick shades that look great and give your eyes the best protection—and keep your old pair out of the landfill. Outdoor gardening can do damage to your eyes and skin, so it’s important to protect ourselves when making our outdoor space beautiful.

While you may look hip, these
sunglasses may not be good for the eyes.

When choosing sunglasses, it’s tempting to put fashion first. But don’t forget their most important function: providing protection for your peepers. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can damage both the cornea and the retina of the eye, as well as contribute to the development of certain types of cataracts. While everyone’s eyes are at risk, some of us are even more so: If you spend a lot of time in the sun, have had cataract surgery or certain retina disorders, or if you take medications that can increase the eye’s sensitivity to light (such as tetracycline, birth control pills, sulfa drugs, diuretics, or tranquilizers), make sure to throw on some shades every time you’re outside. Here are some tips to keep your peepers safe:

Look for a label
Sunglasses should have lenses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays, and they need to carry a tag or sticker stating they do. Fortunately, you don’t have to pay a lot to get this level of protection.

Maui Jim is known for fashion
and highest eye protection.

Get wraparound frames
Oversize lenses may be back in fashion, but they’re more then just stylish—they also offer more protection for your eyes and the skin around them. Shades that curve or wrap around the sides are even better, because they keep sunlight from sneaking in through the sides. It’s also wise to wear a wide-brimmed hat when in the sun, which should stop light from entering into the eye area from above.

Oakley is known for high eye protection for the
active sunglasses wearer.

Consider extra features
High-end frames won’t offer any more protection than a cheap pair that blocks 100 percent of UV rays, but they may have extras that make your eyes more comfortable when in the sun—and thus make you more prone to wearing them, according to Dr. Monica. Polarized lenses, for example, help reduce glare. Just make sure they’ve also been treated with UV protection, as some shades are just polarized. Blue-blocking glasses, which typically have yellow or orange lenses, make distant objects easier to see and sharpen the contrast in colors, so they’re great for seeing in fog and haze.

Seek out recycled shades
While buying secondhand shades might seem like the greenest way to go, Dr. Monica advises against buying used frames unless they are marked with a sticker that says they block the proper amount of UV. If there isn’t a tag, you can’t be sure they’re protective unless you bring them to an eye-care expert who can check them with a photometer.

Repair or donate instead of tossing
It is possible to have sunglasses repaired by a professional, so if you spent enough on nice shades, bring them to an expert who may be able to buff out scratches or repair broken parts. When they’re beyond repair, though, don’t just toss them in the trash. Keep them out of the landfill and give them a second life by donating them instead. Unite for Sight accepts gently used sunglasses and send them to those who are unable to purchase their own pair, both in the U.S. and abroad.

Buying a great pair of sunglasses also insures you can see the need for garden décor enhancement in various open patches of your yard. GlitzyGardenDecor.com can help you find unique “garden kits” coming to our store very soon. Check back with us soon to see easy pre-made kits you can buy, install like a plug in lay and have an immediate Patio Party.

Friday, September 21, 2012

GOOD GRIEF, GOOD GRAPES! by Barbara Arciero

Wine Grapes are grown differently
than Table Grapes.

Question: California farmers provide what portion of the nation’s commercially grown table grapes?

Answer: 99 Percent, and with more than 70 varieties – green , red, red-purple, black.

California farmers will be the first to say that really good table grapes are difficult to grow. Grown primarily in Coachella and San Joaquin valleys, various grape varietals are grown almost year-round in sunny California.

Measuring "Grape Maturity" is important to the crop.

Question: Grapes continue to ripen after they are picked—true or false?

Answer: False! If measured properly, grapes are harvested fully ripe. They do not become sweeter after they are picked, so timing of the harvest is everything. A small gadget called a “Refractometer” is used to measure the sugar content (or maturity) of grapes to determine when to pick them for market. They do this by squeezing grapes into a meter to measure its juice.

Organic grapes taste best!

Factoids: About 500 California farmers grow table grapes with more than 90,000 acres planted and nearly 100 million boxes shipped each year from California exporting globally. In fact 60+ countries import California table grapes.

If you want to try and grow your own favorite table grape, the time to plant is now. Be sure to prepare the soil, put lattice work behind your young plant so it can climb. Green lush grapevines are a terrific backdrop for garden weddings or Patio Party ambiance.

Source: California Bountiful Magazine, Pgs 16-19 www.californiabountiful.org

Table Grapes come in various varieties, including seedless.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

DIFFERENCES IN BULBS

To have a better understanding of how to plant, care and garden for bulbs, it is good to know that not all bulb plants are the same. Bulbs - and cousins - Tubers, Rhizomes and Corms, are like hidden treasure buried for many months before they unveil their beauty in your garden. They are considered Herbaceous plants (die back annually) and contain underground organs that have all the botanical elements needed to grow, regrow and propagate with very little help from us. Here are the differences:

Naked Ladies (Belladonnas)

BULBS are little pre-packaged plants that contain leaves, flowers, stems, food and all elements inside itself. Many bulbs grow increasingly larger every year or produce off-shoots. Good examples are Naked Ladies (Amaryllis Belladonnas - see left), Lilly of the Nile, Tulips, Daffodils, Onion, Garlic, etc.

Lavender-Blue Bearded Iris

TUBERS have a thickened stem and grows sprouts from "eyes". The old tuber is used as stored food for the plant to draw from while new tuber shoots propagate itself. Good examples are Potato, Radish, Dahlias and Tuberous Begonia.

Purple-Variegated Gladiolas

RHIZOMES are thickened stems but with gnarled finger-like roots. Most Rhizomes, such as the Bearded Iris, like to grow flat along the ground with roots barely covered by good soil and their tops exposed to sunlight. Like tubers, rhizomes have "eyes" that help it propagate easily. More good examples are Ranunculas, Cannas, Alstomerias, etc.

CORMS is a modified stem and like bulbs, provides all the energy needed to grow and flower. New corms grow along side of "Mother" corm into little cormels, then they grow, mature and become a successful off-shoot flower. Gladiolas, Crocus and Banana are great examples.

In many areas across the USA, now is the time to plant bulbs for next spring before the frost hits. If residing in sunnier areas, late October is best. Don't forget to decorate around your new bulbs with garden stakes and other garden art. Source: California Bountiful Magazine

Friday, September 7, 2012

MOSAICS BREAK UP GARDEN BOREDOM

Garden Mosaics

Source: Houzz eArticle of July 27, 2012

Tired of your driveway, entryway, front porch, backyard or garden patio, and poolside concrete having zero eye or curb appeal? Want to put some pizzazz on the patio or eye-popping punch on the porch? Try creating your own Garden Mosaic! The good news is, creating Mosaics is not hard to do and can be easy on the wallet. The upgrade to your outdoor space will also pay-off in home-value return…a win-win situation.

Peaceful place for Yoga practice.

While Glitzy is, by no means, a landscaping business, we can advise you of this … colorful mosaics full of texture and contrast in the outdoor garden will create warm eye-catching ambiance.

They are a welcome change in the garden.

Here are a few examples that http://www.Houzz.com has provided in a July 27, 2012 eArticle. This is picture proof that a little texture and color in the outdoor patio or garden goes a long, long way.

SantaFe or south-of-border Mexico color.

Add a firepit for functional color.

A simple mosaic surround -ing the BBQ, pool area or a garden trellis or arbor with a reading bench will invite family, friends and a stress-free environment.