Greenhouses and Gardening

Christmas decoration fashions may change, but succeeding generations are continuing to utilize the traditional symbols and especially the favorite evergreen tree. Another Christmas green for this season is the holly with its glossy foliage and red fruits. Pyracanthas covered with scarlet berries are offered by a few florists. These two berry plants are indeed prized treasures. hut they are not suited to window garden culture. The florists’ Christmas offerings are beautiful and satisfying, yet there is also room for home grown berry plants. When we look around for unusual plants for our window gardening we may overlook some of the old favorites because they have not been called to our attention in the garden pages for some time.

House plants add color to Christmas decorations, and life to any home. Ardisia crispa and Rivina humilis are among the easily obtainable berry plants. In warm climates ardisia is grown as a shrub or tree, but it is a good subject for pot culture. It does not require special soil or care and its berries are the same size and color as those of holly. My largest plant is about ten years old and it is five feet tall above its seven-inch pot. It is constantly well decorated with numerous red fruits. It is a rather slow grower that does not require repotting often. The thick textured, way-edged leaves, four by 1 inches, make this plant attractive even before it begins to fruit.

When it becomes the desired height, the bushy top may be air-layered and rooted and another excellent plant will he the result. Cuttings for propagation may be obtained from young shoots of semi-matured branches. Well ripened seeds germinate in from four to six weeks and the seedlings are easily grown if given good light and some sunshine. They begin to bloom and produce berries at about three years of age and as plants become older they produce more and more drooping clusters of long lasting fruit. Each cluster holds from 15 to 20 one-seeded berries. They remain on the plant two years or more and a plant may carry several seasons’ fruit, constantly enhancing its beauty.

The flowers are small. white or slightly colored, with a five parted corolla and five stamens attached to the throat of the corolla. The anthers are large and hand-pollination is not necessary to insure a good crop of fruit. The berries are green while small, but with rich soil and good light and sunshine the color soon becomes bright and uniform. Watering overhead (sprinkling) should be avoided until the berries are set.

Although there are probably more than 200 species of ardisia, only .a few are available in the usual lists. The white, black or rose colored berry plants may be found in some collections. A good standard soil mixture of sandy loam. leaf mold or peat moss suits ardisia. Pulverized manure should be added to the mixture for older plants. The soil should be kept moderately moist as for most house plants and good drainage is essential. Bright light, near the glass, hastens blooming, and plenty of sunshine, when not too hot, intensifies the color of the fruit.

Tags: garden, greenhouse

Use of electrical gadgets in a household is on a steady rise and refrigerator has its own place. A refrigerator is primarily used to store the food at a lower temperature so that the same can be used for a longer period without being effected by using the bacteria. Thus, we add on to the savings by using the leftovers, instead of throwing them away.

Whereas, the appliances comforts us most, any small functioning on its part puts the normal functioning of a household totally out of gear. Normal wear and tear can be one of the reasons of this. The compressor plays a prominent role in the operation of the fridge. It compresses the gas inside the machine to bring down its temperature to the desired level.

In case the machine does not cool the items kept in it, its compressor is suspected to be faulty. We should first of all check the availability of power and various electrical controls responsible for supply of power to compressor are in order. This is the primary check that we carry out on a faulty machine.

Check to make sure you temperature control is in the correct position. Inspect the functionality of the freezer fan. Also listen to the sound of the compressor fan that is located at the bottom of the fridge. Ceased fans can be the result of accumulated dirt and debris on the fans. So, clear them properly.

On noticing that the compressor is very frequently producing a clicking sound, see the compressor relay may have gone bad. Check for a dust or carbon deposit on relay contacts. This cuts off the supply and in turn shuts off the compressor.

First, unplug the fridge and test it using a multimeter. Access the bottom of the refrigerator where the compressor is located. The relay is usually located to the right of the compressor in the terminal box.

Compressor basically looks like a bit of coiled copper. Remove it by pulling it out, and check to see if there is any corrosion to the unit. If there is, it will need to be cleaned or replaced.

Use a multimeter to test the relay continuity. Set the meter to X1 and touch the probes to the contact points. The meter should read the infinity symbol. If by all efforts, you fail to repair the compressor, its time to get it repaired from a skilled man.

Tags: gardening, greenhouses

Garden gravel has always been a popular landscaping material. Its popularity is growing even more today.

The color of the stone can vary greatly. Some popular colors are grey, black, white, and red. Large stones can be used similarly to garden art. They can enhance the focal point. Gravel and stone certainly have the characteristics to enhance the beauty of any yard or pathway.

The benefits are many for including gravel in a garden. Maintenance is relatively easy. Usually raking or leveling the stone is about all that has to be done. It conserves water quite effectively, because it acts like a mulch. Its natural beauty can enhance the beauty of the plants. If you have an irregular shaped area, it makes a good cover. The cost of gravel is much lower when compared to keeping a lawn or paving.

There are several shapes and colors to choose from, as well as, types of gravel. The most popular choices are traditional gravel, pea-gravel, and stone clippings.Types available to you will often depend on where you live. It is much more feasible for your local stores to stock gravel that is readily available in your area.

Plants that will thrive in this garden are numerous. For easier maintenance, some recommend using varieties that do not easily shed. Contrasting a stone color with a plant color can also be attractive. A lot of consideration for your choice of plants is whether the area is sunny or shady. However, everything from flowers, plants, and even vegetables can thrive.

Something else to consider is how formal or informal you want the area to be. It may be easier to keep it simple, but that is entirely up to you. Decide on what will be your focal points, and just how much gravel you plan to use before you begin planting. Consider incorporating a stone pathway in the landscape as well.

Garden gravel is both an attractive and practical way to enhance any landscape. The possibilities are only limited by your own imagination and creativity.

Tags: greenhouse, greenhouses