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For the last couple of years, Aloe Vera has gained popularity due to its medicinal properties. Aloe Vera leaves are succulent and in most cases form a dense rosette. Many of its uses come from the gel. The gel is obtained from the plant’s leaves.

Over the last few years, it has been a subject of many scientific studies. Many researchers claimed that the plant possesses therapeutic properties. In North Africa, the plant thrives all year around. In this case, pollinators get nectar from the plant.

About Aloe Vera Propagation

You can grow an Aloe Vera plant from leaf cutting. However, the most successful method of Aloe Vera Propagation is from pups and babies. Aloe Vera is related to cactus. Propagating Cacti is very easy. Rooting an Aloe Vera seems like it can work, but all that you will get at the end is a rotten leaf. Therefore, cuttings are not reliable methods of propagating the plant. The best way to make this easy and more successful is by removal of offsets.

Propagating Aloe Vera Plant

Once you have determined if the plant you want to propagate from is healthy, start collecting supplies. Look for healthy pups or else small Aloe plants near the mature plants for propagation.

Required Gardening tools and Supplies

• A sharp knife.
• Pair of clippers.
• Pots for planting.
• Succulent soil mix or Cacti.
• Metal chopsticks.
• Aloe Vera pups.
• Sand or gravel.

Which are the steps to propagate Aloe Vera plant?

1. Untangle thick Aloe Vera plant roots

Be patient when removing the thick Aloe Vera plants roots. You don’t want to destroy any delicate roots from the pups. Disturbing the roots may minimize the chances of germinating. To make things easier, shake off the soil from the root system.

2. Separate the pup from the main plant

Here you can use the sharp knife or even a pair of clippers to facilitate easy detachment from the mother plant. Additionally, it will be much easier splitting the Aloe plant.

3. Gently untangle the pup roots

To avoid injury on the roots, gently separate the pup roots. Ensure that no roots are broken in the process. Chopsticks will be of great help here. It will make detachment easy and efficient. Chopsticks have proved to be excellent.

What should you consider before planting?

A deep container will be quite useful in this case. Make sure that your container or pot is deep enough if you are using a stem. It will be easier to plant the entire stem under the soil. Choose a container that will allow the soil to dry thoroughly. A container made from a porous material is recommended. It is heavy enough to keep the plant from tipping over.
Moreover, if you don’t have terra cotta, you can use plastic container though they hold more moisture. To allow excess water to drain out, choose that container which contains at least one drainage hole. The hole can either be on the side or bottom. Always use a well-drained mix. Cacti is the best here. A reliable mix should include:

• Sand.
• Lava rock.
• Perlite.

Lack of good drainage will make Aloe Vera plants to rot. Also, this is the most common reason for plant death. You need not have a layer of sand or lava rock at the bottom. The roots need enough space to develop.

How should you plant an Aloe Plant?

At this moment, your plant must be large enough to repot it. Here are the steps you will follow:

1. Leave the plant for a few days in the sun

In the process, make sure that the cut part does not come into contact with soil. It will minimize infection.

2. Prepare the pot

If you have used the pot before, place a screen just below the drainage hole. The screen prevents soil from falling. Additionally, it allows water to drain correctly. A newspaper can also be used though it will break down after a short time.

3. Remove your plant from the current pot

While you remove dirt from the plant roots, make sure that you don’t damage the roots. It is possible to trim off the stem if it has grown such that it can’t fit in the pot. Here are steps you can follow in cutting the stem.

4. Cut off part of the stem

Take the stem in indirect sunlight until it develops callous on the wound.

5. Plant your plant

Slightly bury the cut part in the soil. The cut should occupy 30 percent of the well-drained potting mix. Fill the soil around the plant. The bottom part of the plant should rest on top of the soil. Don’t water the plant after you have planted.

Watering the plant a week from when it was planted will be much better. Much water increases the chances of rotting and withering. The moment roots start to grow, water your aloe plants. The plant needs to be kept in a warm place, preferably direct from sunlight.

Caring for your Aloe Vera Plant

After planting Aloe Vera plant, it is essential to care for them. Consider the following practices:

• Water your plants in summer only.
• Use organic manure or fertilizer.
• Weed control will minimize the plants from competing for food and water.
• If the plants grow too big, move them to a big container.

Work can stress you out, especially if you are sat in an office that lacks natural lighting, has no windows and no greenery. What you need is something to change that equation, open the blinds, open a window or have a plant on your desk. A drink and a bite to eat will give you an energy boost.

It would help if you never missed out on any of your breaks either as these are needed to stop you concentrating too hard all day long.

Maybe you could throw your work in the trash can yet you may find that harder to get away with unless you are a manager or your own boss.

Rest your mind even if you cannot rest your body. Bringing some of the gardens and putting it on to your desk is a sure fire way of bringing relaxation into your part of the workplace even if nobody else feels more relaxed. Looking at the plant on your desk is a way to take the tension away until you reach your next break.

That is were copying or making use of the concept of Zen will come in handy. Zen is the Japanese word for mindful. If you follow the idea of Zen, then you will be looking after your mind by helping yourself to relax.

The perfect thing about these mini Zen gardens is that they are DIY gardens and it is really simple to make your own piece of Zen for your desk only. The materials are so natural to get your hands on, and from there to make your own display.

You do not have to make a copy of somebody else’s mini Zen garden. You make your own unique version of Zen to maximize your relaxation. It is after all about keeping you calm and reducing stress levels. Experiment a little until you best your version of Zen.

Materials required to make your mini Zen

• Bits of wood can be scraps, sticks or planks
• Any nice small rocks you can find, preferably no larger than 10 cm in diameter
• Some small pebbles
• The small quantity of sand
• Something to stop the pebbles and the sand getting mixed together like rubber, plastic or fiber
• Used / old newspapers
• Old paint (water based if possible)
• Moss, it can be fake or real
• Small bridge (optional)

The tools needed

• Right angle
• A measuring tape or meter
• Manual or electric screwdriver
• A cutter or sharp knife
• Stapler
• A clamp
• Pencil or pen
• Hand saw
• Some screws
• Metal file
• A paintbrush or roller
• Comb or rake

8 steps to your office Mini Zen

Step 1

Make sure that you have all the materials and the tools mentioned above. You may find a shoebox useful to place the finished Zen into, plus pots to allow you to water the garden. Soil can also be used instead of sand. Plus keep it simple.

Step 2

Take the shoebox lid and the sand (line the lid with a thin layer of plastic if using the Zen for longer).

Step 3

Put all of the sand into the shoebox lid. Then carefully make it is evenly spread across the whole of the lid.

Step 4

Now you can place the rocks into the sand. It is common to put rocks into each corner, but you can place them wherever you want to.

Step 5

Put the moss or any other plants you have chosen into the garden, arranged to your taste.

Step 6

Now grab the comb or mini rake to make patterns in the sand.

Step 7

Place the water bowl or container into the garden, and if you have a bridge put it over the water.

Step 8

Place your completed Zen garden on to your desk. Look at it anytime that you need to relax or calm down.

So there is how to make and use your own mini Zen garden. You should find that these mini gardens are a good way to stay calm at work and to prevent stress from harming your health. Remember no job is worth ruining your health over.

Do not just have mini Zen gardens on your desk at work, put some around your home if you have problems relaxing there.

Herb GardeningFor a novice gardener learning how to garden herbs is easy than learning how to grow flowers. Herbs are natural to plant and to maintain than flowers are, plus herbs still smell great, and at the end of the day you get to eat them as well. The gardeners who state that nobody should learn to garden with herbs as these are totally green are wrong. Herbs are more varied than even eGuide for Beginners

Beginning the herb garden.

To start the ball rolling, you will need to choose between growing individual plants in their own pots or building your herb garden. If you have never tried gardening before then starting by growing a single plant in its pot one at a time is easily the best thing to do.

After all, you will only need to make sure that each plant gets enough water and light as there is already enough nutrients in the soil that came with the pot.

After a while, the plants will be repotted as they grow too big to stay in the original pot. Some types of the herb can have roots, which eventually grow to be 6 foot long if not longer. With herbs that grow larger at some point, you will have to consider planting them in a garden.

Large herbs may suffer from stunted growth if they are not transferred into soil and remain in a pot that is really too small for them. Bearing in mind that plants will need to be put into the garden it makes more sense to select growing the herb garden in the first place.

It needs you to pay more attention in the first few weeks to make sure that the area you have put aside to be the herb garden has enough nutrients in the soil. Just make sure the herb garden can get enough sunlight and is amply watered. Making sure the herb garden has the main thing to succeed.

The priority thing to do is to make sure that a herb garden succeed is to put it in the right place. Providing summers are not hotter than 90 degrees on average the herb garden can be entirely in the sun. If it gets warmer than that in the summer, then more shade is needed through the garden will require at least 4 hours of sun a day.

Planting the herbs

For the majority of herbs, you will space of between 1 foot and 4 feet. Here is a rough guide to sizes: 3-4 feet – Rosemary, sage, and mint 2 feet – Basils, thyme, and savory 1 foot – Chives, dill, and parsley.

Prepare that soil

To get the ground ready for the herbs you need to make sure that the soil is broken down. Use a fork to go through the compacted ground, so that the soil will drain better after you water it or if it rains. It would help if you made sure the soil is broken down as roots will spread easier.

You can also put a thin layer of compost over the top to improve drainage and make sure that there are enough nutrients.

Plant healthy plants.

Before you put the herbs in the ground make sure that the plants are healthy. Then make sure that the plants are getting the right amount of water, too much can cause as much damage as too little. You need the soil to be moist instead of dry or waterlogged.

Harvest the plants

You will need to harvest your plants regularly as it promotes growth. Generally, harvest when the plant reaches 8 inches in height. With plants like parsley that grow in the center cut off all of the older branches.

Growing herbs in containers

Herbs are simpler to grow than general houseplants. Provided they have access to sunlight, enough water and nutrients in the pot then they will thrive. Put the pots on patios or decks exposed to the sun, and the herbs will grow strongly.

Remember when the plants are in pots, you may have to water them more often and make sure there is enough sunlight.

For planting herbs in containers you need:

Make sure that there is enough soil to cover the plant and add fertilizer according to the instructions on the packet. Place a saucer under the plant. A large enough pot, between 8 and 18 inches either made of clay or plastic. Good quality soil in the container to make sure plants get enough nutrients.
Plant fertilizer – a herb or vegetable fertilizer would be best.
Hose or watering can.
Herbs will need at least an 8-inch pot to be put in, with room in the container for the plant to grow.

Make sure that there is enough soil to cover the plant and add fertilizer according to the instructions on the packet. Place a saucer under the plant.

Plants should be taken out of the original pots and placed upside down into the container, then dig a hole and put the plant into it. Then water the plant. After that only water the plant when the soil feels dry.

As previously mention the herbs will need at least 4 hours of sunlight every day, and place in the shade if it gets excessively hot in the afternoon.

The easiest herbs for a beginner to grow, Sometimes it is best to start with the easiest herbs to grow to build your confidence. So pick herbs like rosemary, thyme, parsley, basil, and mint.

Carrots grown in your garden contain much more of the ‘good stuff’ such as better flavor, vitamins, and texture. The fact remains that canned or processed carrots do not taste as good as freshly grown by your own hand. All natural foods are much healthier and almost always have a better flavor for your palate.

One of the main complaints that home gardeners have about their carrots is that they do not grow straight. We hope to remedy this situation for you by providing you with the following information on growing carrots properly.

About Carrots

Carrots are called ‘root vegetables.’ A root vegetable is the enlarged and fleshy parts of plants that are used as vegetables such as carrots, rutabagas, and beets. So in other words, they grow underground as opposed to vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers that grow on a vine.

When we think of carrots, we think of them as being orange. However, some types of carrots vary in color. Some are white, yellow, red, orange, and even purple. No matter what color your carrots are, the root is rich in vitamins, fiber, carotene, and sugar.

Carrots are hearty plants that are long-lasting. They prefer to grow in the colder parts of spring and fall. Aside from the ‘roots,’ the leaves of carrots are also edible, though they may taste bitter to some people. Due to their pretty foliage which resembles a fern plant and the vitamins, fibers, carotenes, and sugars, carrots make a beautiful and edible houseplant. One variety of carrots named Nantes is said to be the best for cultivating in a pot. A book entitled “The Bountiful Container” written by the duo of Maggie Stuckey and Rose Marie Nichols gives you more ideas of the other carrot varieties that can be grown in a pot, indoors.

How to Start Growing Carrots Indoors

Beginning the growth of carrots indoors is not all that complicated. Once you know the correct way to begin them, it’s pretty easy after that, and they make your indoor garden attractive because of their greenery. By following the five steps below your bounty of this tasty and healthy root vegetable can prosper before you plant them in the ground outside.

1. Begin with a container that will drain water good that will allow for a least 8-12 inches of soil. Be sure to leave at least 3 inches of room in the pot for your plant to grow. Fill your container with sandy potting soil as garden soil is often too heavy to use for indoor growth. Along with the soil, organic fertilizer is best such as worm compost or another organic compost. Be sure to leave the soil loose but plentiful in your container.

2. Now, set your pot in a large tray that is also deep for catching the water as it drains out. Carrots enjoy light and warmth, so move them to a room that has both. Because carrots like full sun and temperatures from 70 to 80 degrees, a southern or western window will provide the natural light that they crave. Keep in mind that carrots can tolerate the heat as low as 45 degrees, but higher temps will help them prosper more.

It is best to give your carrots at least 8 hours of direct sunlight for growing, even though they will tolerate partial sunlight, their growth will be slower. Keep your container as close as possible to the window for it to get prolonged light.

3. When adding carrot seeds to the soil, add them thickly and directly to the soil. Sowing them down at least ¼ inches will give you the best results, they tend to germinate slower than other seeds do, and do not transplant as well. The seeds must stay moist during their germination period. A quick tip is to water them with chamomile tea. It can help fend off a disease known as damping off that can be fatal to seedlings.

4. Once the leaves of your carrots grow to at least 2 inches, start to thin them out to give the plant room to breathe. It will also help them not to get tangled with other plants while growing. Keep in mind that you do not need to throw away the leaves that you have removed as they can make a nice addition to a salad or to nibble on, no matter their age or size.

It is recommended to thin round types of carrots about 1 inch apart, and the longer variety should be at least ½ inch apart when thinning.

5. Follow the directions on the seed packets after you have thinned out the plants and removed those that will not continue growing. For the remaining plants, let them continue to grow by the directions given if you want them to be full-sized carrots.

Items You Need to Grow Carrots Indoors

Potting container

Drainage tray

Sandy Potting soil

Worm compost or another organic fertilizer

Chamomile tea

Direct, natural light

Temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees

Fun and Useful Ideas for Growing Carrots Indoors

For your container, consider using a recycled metal pail or an untreated wooden crate.

Plant your carrots in their containers every two weeks to keep them growing continuously.

Have your kids join in your efforts. They love to plant things and play in the dirt. Kids will also enjoy re-growing their carrots indoors, and the task is simple for them.

Carrots available at the grocers are not the best for growing indoors. They are too rooty.

Try growing your carrots from scraps. It can be a fun task to undertake. The kiddies will enjoy it too.

Use the carrot tops to regrow carrots, about an inch or so of a carrot top will do.

To start regrowing from scraps, place the tops in a saucer or bowl, then add water that reaches about halfway up the carrot top. After a few weeks of keeping them watered continuously, add them to the soil. Keep in mind that carrots will not actually grow in this manner, but you will be able to watch their flowers bloom, and when the flowers go to seeds, you can then plant them for carrot growth.

Plumeria, also known as ‘frangipani’ to some gardeners, is a delightful, delicately colored flower which belongs to the dogbane family of plants. Often grown as ornamental shrubs, plumeria plants are surprisingly hardy for such pretty blooms. They are a tropical species and have no trouble withstanding the harsher conditions of USDA zones 10 and 11.
They thrive easiest in warmer climates. In colder regions, they tend to be brought indoors during the winter as protection from frost. If you’re planning to grow plumeria, we recommend keeping the plants in containers so you can bring them indoors when temperatures start to drop.
Also, make sure to pick up a high-quality plumeria fertilizer. Keep reading for more tips on growing plumeria flowers successfully in your garden.

Picking the Right Fertilizer for Your Plumeria

Fertilizer is essential for plants grown in containers, whether they primarily reside indoors or outside. Plumeria plants need the right combination of minerals and nitrates to grow up hardy and robust. They are phosphorous hungry which means any plumeria fertilizers you use should be rich in this mineral.
When shopping, always look at the middle number on the label. It will tell you how much phosphorous a fertilizer contains. Use the label to pick a product with a low to moderate volume of nitrogen. Don’t forget nitrogen accelerates growth.
If you’re keeping your plumeria plants in containers, you probably don’t want unchecked, uncontrolled growth. The best plumeria fertilizers are those with a relatively low first number on the product label.
While not essential, some gardeners like to top up the soil in the container with Epsom salts. It’s an easy way to rebalance the soil’s PH; plumeria enjoys slightly acidic conditions, but regular fertilization can tip acidity levels too far. Add 1-2 teaspoons of an Epsom salt mixture to your containers once a month.

How to Fertilize Plumeria and Promote Controlled Growth

Fertilization routines are important for almost all flowering plants. They’re essential for plumeria. Weekly fertilization can quickly turn into a big job. While the species is rather hardy, it becomes a little high maintenance when you consider the prospect of continually fertilizing throughout the summer.

We advise fertilizing plumeria plants in containers once a week. Take care not to water too frequently. It will wash away all that nourishment and goodness you’ve spent time adding to the pot.
There’s also a risk of decaying roots if the plant becomes waterlogged. Give your plants ample water but always let the soil dry before doing it again. If you have any concerns about fertilizing the container’s soil in the right way, you may want to consider using a foliar fertilizer instead.
It will get applied directly to the leaves, rather than the roots in the pot. Other than that, use it in the same way as you would natural fertilizer; apply once to your plumeria once a week.

When to Start Fertilizing Your Plumeria Plants

Start your fertilization routine in April. Apply once a week for three months. If you live outside USDA zones 10 and 11, in a region with winter frosts, your containers will need to come indoors for winter.
Stop fertilizing in early August and bring the plumeria inside. If you’re lucky enough to live in a warmer climate, it’s okay to keep fertilizing all year. We recommend using approximately 1lb of fertilizer for every inch of your plant’s trunk diameter. Apply it at the drip line and up to two feet past it.

Fertilizer Choices for Your Plumeria

You can use all kinds of fertilizer brands on your plants as long as they contain the right balance of minerals. Some of our favorites include Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Bloom Booster Flower Food, Dr. Earth Exotic Blend Palm Tropical, and Hibiscus Fertilizer and Grow More Hawaiian Bud and Bloom.
It’s best to pick a fertilizer and stick with that same brand once you see signs it’s benefiting your flowers. Try not to chop and change too often.
You can, of course, look for a fertilizer that is specifically designed for use on plumeria plants. You don’t have to – more generic brands will work fine – but it’s the quickest way to ensure you’re getting a product with the right mineral balance. Any fertilizer you use needs to contain a volume of phosphorous exceeding 50 in the NPK ratio.
Make sure granular products exceed a score of 20 to promote and nourish flower growth in your container plants. Plumeria blooms can be extremely beautiful. They are commonly used in Hawaiian garlands because they’re so vibrant. Yes, if you want to add a little cheer and personality to your garden, plumeria is a great choice.

Plumeria plants require careful, constant fertilization to grow healthy, active and bright. It’s worth remembering this when planning to add them to your garden. Are you willing to keep up with the fertilization routine? Do you have the time and money to top up containers once a week for several months or, indeed, the whole year?
Outside of its fertilization demands, plumeria is a natural species to raise. It is relatively low maintenance as it needs little care to flower providing its soil stays mineral rich. If you give your flowers what they need, at the right times, you’ll be gifted with a bumper crop of beautiful blooms come to the summertime.
There’s nothing like a bright tropical plant to perk up a tired yard and bring a little exoticism to lackluster flowerbeds!