Hortiscope: Arborvitae roots shouldn’t be problem for pool
Q : I want to plant emerald green arborvitae a few feet from my pool. Will the root system spread under my pool from this distance? How far out do the roots spread? We are going to buy five or six trees. Sarsabz Fertilizers – Fatima Fertilizer
Replace Your Head Lice Treatment With This Non-toxic Oil
Head lice have been causing extreme discomfort to children and adults for a long time and are so common because they are highly contagious. People often think that only individuals that are dirty have lice, but that’s not the case. The truth is that the cleaner a person’s hair is, the easier it is for them to catch lice. Since people have thought for so long that a person infected by lice is unclean, it’s very embarrassing for anyone that has head lice to admit it.
Lice are very social parasites that love to multiply and suck blood from their host. They usually feed about 4 or 5 times a day. They do this by finding a spot of skin and injecting it with saliva. The saliva keeps the blood they suck from clotting allowing it to flow freely while they feed on it.
Nits are louse eggs from which nymphs hatch. Each nit is firmly attached to a hair shaft with a cap-like structure. After about a week, nymphs will appear from the nits. They are not an adult louse until they go through three stages of molting. When they become a louse, they are ready to start searching for a suitable mate. Once they have found their mate, they will copulate frequently.
A typical female louse will lay between 50 and 150 nits during her 4 week life span with 60% of these being fertile. A female louse with a 60% nit mortality rate will produce more than 80 nymphs. This means if you have 10 pairs of lice in your hair, they are capable of producing more than 800 nymphs. If 75% of these nymphs survive through the molting period, you will end up with 600 full fledged lice from the original 10 pairs. Once these 600 begin mating, you have a very serious problem. It doesn’t take a calculator to figure out that these lice will produce many, many thousands of new lice making a colony that has astounding numbers in a very short period of time.
These parasites are extremely contagious which easily infect other victims through any close contact. It doesn’t take nothing more than hugging an infected a person to catch lice. That split second that your heads touch can be all it takes. It goes without saying that you should never use a hair brush or hat of an infected person or you will almost certainly catch lice. Another certain way to catch lice it to use a bed or pillow that belongs to an infected person.
Fortunately, there’s a new method of treating head lice that is now available and for those people that don’t like the idea of using a pesticide shampoo especially for their children, this is a dream come true. Dimethicone is a polydimethylsiloxane oil which is a non-toxic, silicone-like substance that effectively suffocates lice by effectively blocking their air supply. The best part is that the oil is organic.
About the Author
If you liked this article, you definitely want to check out my website that’s loaded with information about lice. To find out more about lice head treatment, just visit GoodbyeHeadLice.com
Fungus or insects can affect opening of peony buds
Dear Jane: We have three peonies in our flower garden. Two of the bushes bloomed beautifully, while the third one sets buds that never open. They stay tightly closed. How to make your own organic fertilizer
As an Art History Professor, the question that comes up on a daily basis is “What is art and why is it so important”?
Theoretically, there are many answers to this question however the one that I put great credence into would be the fact that art is a momentous Historical Documentation. It gives us a visual idea of the world and its inhabitants dating back thousands of years. It allows individuals the benefit of interpreting and envisioning the world without written testimony.
Throughout time art styles emulated, copied and transformed within the same subject matter. Although there might have been artistic variations, it was constructed from an original primary visual and modernized and evolved itself throughout the years.
What is exciting is when we view art and try to presume what the piece is telling us. We wonder if the work is the story of someone’s life, an account of a daily activity, a religious belief or a sacred ritual. In many cases we are unsure however it allows us to use our imaginations and derive at an intellectual evaluation.
My class begins with Prehistory and the mystifying “Venus of Willendorf”. 24,000-22,000 BC. At first the class reluctantly comments on this curious figure however when they do, the discussion becomes endless. (If you are not familiar with her please refer to an image) Venus of Willendorf is a famous sculpture that was discovered by an archeologist in 1908 in a small village near Willendorf Austria. She measures approximately 4 3/8 inches tall and displays a corpulent naked body. This depiction has always been associated with childbearing whether in sculpture or painting. What is bizarre is the fact that in any portable sculptures that were found resembling Venus she was never shown with a face nor did she ever have feet. The logical explanation for this would be that she is equated with being a sexual object and not just a person. An object of fertility and ritual ceremonies for childbearing therefore facial features and feet are unnecessary. The exciting idea that this sculpture was created from a visual concept must make one marvel at the thought that even thousands of years ago the visual imagination was creating for aesthetic pleasure or documentation. Venus is beautiful in her own right she also possesses great spiritual power if speculation is correct regarding her presence. Whether she is only a statuette or a sculpture of documentation for prehistoric civilization she warrants cognition. When my lecture comes to an end I ask my students the age old question, “Could it be possible that Venus of Willendorf was just a doll? And the excitement conversation begins all over again.
Therefore, when we ask ourselves what is art and why is it so important we must try to comprehend the bigger picture and appreciate the beauty, dissect what we see while intellectually speculating and understand that everything came from an idea, a creative process that was once just a thought in someone’s mind. If we can do that we can understand the importance of preserving art and greatly appreciating it because of the Historical value it contributes to wonderful world beginning as the visual image.
Copyright 2009: Mary C. Saleeby Ph.D.
About the Author
Dr. Mary Saleeby holds a BFA, MFA and Ph.D. in Art History with a Certification in Egyptology. She is an Art History Professor in New York City and gives Private lectures in various museums. You can visit her at http://www.marysaleebyphd.com
I’m planning on getting some java moss for my 10 gallon tank, and the tank currently has 2.5w/gallon. The bulb is an incandescent bulb that came with the tank so i’m probably going to use it until it dies then get those fluorescent coil ones. What is the ideal amount of light to have for the moss to grow at its best? How long should i have it on each day? Right now i have neon tetras in there and i have the lights on for no longer then 9 hours a day. I don’t plan on using CO2 injection or fertilizers, or anything special to help the plant grow.
i would keep it on for the same time because your fish are use to it and it confuses them but if your java moss dosent grow any good keep it on for longer till you get the right balance.
I brought home from Hawaii several starter “sticks” of the plumeria flowering shrub. The directions call for sandy porous potting soil. I purchased commercial Miracle Grow potting mix but do I need to add my own sand? If so how much?
Hi there:
I was just given a similar starting stick by a friend. My directions ready a 1/2 and 1/2 mixture. But first you load in rocks or stones in the the container to about 1-2″ inches to line the bottom of the container then add in the soil/sand mixture to plant the stick.
Synthetic turf is gaining importance every year. It does not require watering, mowing, fertilizing, and lower labor costs. Artificial grass can withstand any weather conditions. So this will help the players to play throughout the year. If the field has natural grass, the players will not be able to play during rainy season due to muddy patches. Natural grass requires a lot of money and time. It requires lot of maintenance costs. It requires watering, mowing, fertilizers. In some areas there may be water scarcity due to which they can’t water their fields. This may create lot of problems to the players. So if synthetic grass is put up in the fields then you will not need any water. Synthetic turf can be used for sport purposes like soccer pitches, golf courses, tennis courts, hockey fields and cricket pitches.
Synthetic turf can be used for indoor soccer turf also. In Synthetic grass team names, logos, and other markings can be embossed very easily without regular repainting. Since artificial turf is very soft it can create less injury when compared to natural grass. The main reason for soccer being played 365 days in a year is due to the way synthetic turf was designed. Mostly the life span for synthetic soccer is 10 years. Since soccer is played throughout the year, its lifespan is reduced to 7 years. Artificial soccer requires very little maintenance. It mainly consists of brushing the surface to loosen the compacted infill, bring the yarns into an upright position and remove dirt such as leaves, clay and small branches off the pitch. This does not require highly skilled work force for maintenance.
Artificial turf made of polyethylene material is used for making soccer pitches because it very soft when compared to other materials such as polypropylene or nylon. Sports organizations can benefit from the installation of synthetic grass. Players will be happy playing on artificial grass instead of uneven lawns. Synthetic turf provides an opportunity for players to display their hockey skills. Synthetic turf offers comfort and limits danger to players. Synthetic turf also benefits cricket pitches. Synthetic grass can benefit both the batsmen and bowler to display their skills. Synthetic grass can be easily installed and maintained. It is user-friendly and the ball bounces in a very good manner. Synthetic grass is UV stabilized. Since synthetic grass is non-slippery players can play properly throughout the year. This type of grass is non toxic and non allergenic.
About the Author
Brayan Peter is an expert author for Artificial Grass . He written many articles like Artificial Lawn , Synthetic Putting Green, Synthetic Grass, Artificial Turf and Synthetic Lawn . For more information visit our site http://www.ecowaterlessgrass.com/. Contact me at brayan.peter@gmail.com.
To Produce Top Quality Fruit Fertilize The At The Right Time The Right Way
Copyright (c) 2010 Kaye Dennan
Because tomato plants are such rapid growers, sometimes reaching 8 feet tall, one could be excused for thinking that they need fertilizing every week, but that is not necessary. In fact too much tomato fertilizer will burn the roots and possibly even kill the plant or at least end up with blossom-end rot. What tomato plants do need is a well prepared soil before the seedlings are put in the ground.
Preparing the soil.
Soil acidity testing is the first step. The soil should be slightly acidic and the pH balance about 6.0 to 6.8 for the best results when tomato growing. If there is no method to check the soil acidity then simply mix 3/4 cup of lime and ½ cup of 8-8-8 fertilizer together. The symbol 8-8-8 may seem a mystery, but it relates to the make up of the fertilizer which is designated by weith, the percentage of the three major nutrients that all plants need for strong healthy growth. This mix is very popular in the tomato growing industry.
The mix is nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. The three ’8′s’ relate in the sequence mentioned here. If the numbers are different it means that in that sequence the particular amount of that mix is changed.
When digging in the 8-8-8 also add some lime to the soil as this helps reduce the overall nutrient imbalance of the soil and as well as that it also controls the blossom-end rot problem which is very common when growing tomatoes.
Dig in about 3 inches of organic compost before planting as well.
Side dressing growing plants.
Fruit and vegetable producing plants need fertilizer during the growing cycle if they are to produce a robust, healthy end result. Side dressing should be done when the fruit branches start to form and about every 3 to 4 weeks thereafter. If the side dressing is done too early, the plant will produce masses of large leaves and not much in the way of fruit.
Apply the side dressing by digging a through in the soil about 6 inches away from the stem and add the 8-8-8 fertilizer at a ratio of about ½ a tablespoon for each plant. Some gardeners like to use a mix of 5-10-10 on the growing plant. Back fill the furrow. There is no need to especially water the fertilizer in as the weekly watering will take care of spreading the nutrients.
Fertilizing tomato plants is an important step in the production of beautiful, sweet tomatoes, but it is not something to be overdone as that will burn the plant. Care needs to be taken not to get the tomato fertilizer on either the tomato stem or the leaves during the fertilizing process.
About the Author
Why not sign up to our FREE 10 part mini-course ‘Luscious Tomatoes’
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Fertilizer, Lime and Gypsum Spreading at Nictaux Farms
In a rocky bed grows a single tree
Stretching its roots far below the stones
Slowly siphoning water up its stretched trunk
Ten feet away a forest begins
Bushes, branches and leaves
Easily nourished by the soft soil
Our single tree does not lean or falter
Steadily reaching for the crystal sky
Determined to age in its pebbley palace.
A child works to draw a horse
Mane, tail and hooves
It begins to resemble a lion
So he adds a saddle.
Or is this ending better:
It begins to resemble a dog
So he adds a leash.
Any advice on the poem as a whole is welcome
I have the last verse on there because it’s supposed to be a metaphor and w/o that verse I’m not sure how to compare it. This is so hard! Luckily the professor isn’t grading us on these I just want it to be good because we have to read them out loud. Great feedback so far… how about if I change the title to “Growth”?
I don’t care for the title. It’s a little grand.
I like your poem. Since you’ve taken some time to shape it, could I persuade you to do a little more with it? Use rhythm? It can be good brain exercise to squeeze your thoughts into a pattern of your choosing.
I really like the last 4 lines. I prefer the lion/saddle version.
I like the title “Growth.”
Um, about your professor wanting a metaphor . . .You don’t have to include the last stanza for that. If s/he asks what your metaphor is, it could be something like “The tree is a child raised in a harsh (rocky) environment . . .” What gives the tree meaning to you? Why were you captured enough by the image of a tree in a rocky bed to write about it? It already DOES mean something, and that makes it a metaphor.
To use a famous example, Maya Angelou was struck by the thought of a caged bird singing. This was not because she was an animal lover, or a music lover. It seemed to reflect a deeper truth to her.
I hope I’m being somewhat clear. Good luck.
Nine Essential Factors To Determine Your Soil Type!
The role of soil in plant growth is unique. Soil serves as the basic resource and the roots of the plant act as a means to transfer the water and nutrients from the soil to the leaves.
Soil provides physical support, acts as a temperature fluctuations moderator, and protects from toxins.
Normally, soil comes in six types–sandy, loamy, clay, silty, peaty, and chalky.
As the soil type and its quality directly affect the roots and its nutrient transferring job, it is good to understand the soil types and identify the best soil for your plant.
Soil types can be differentiated based on its characteristics–color, moisture content, compaction, organic content, pH, structure, texture, profile and temperature.
1. Color: It is a basic factor to determine the soil’s organic matter, biotic activity, fertility and aeration. So, depending on the soil color, the condition of the soil can be determined.
Dark colored soil: The organic matter, available nitrogen, fertility and aeration will be very high whereas erosion factor will be low.
Medium colored soil: All factors will be medium.
Light colored soil: The organic matter, available nitrogen, fertility, and aeration will be low whereas erosion factor will be high.
To identify the soil color, the only way is to dig in 3? – 4? deep and test the color using a slice of soil.
2. Moisture Level: The moisture content in the soil differs significantly with the soil type, organic matter in the soil and atmosphere.
Although the moisture level in the soil can be estimated roughly, it is good to determine the moisture content in the soil through a laboratory test [soil testing]. The soil moisture level is generally reported as percent moisture on the weight of a given sample.
3. Compaction: Soil with high compaction rate doesn’t provide enough air to the roots and water tends to move overly causing more damage to the plant growth.
But, a normal soil with low compaction rate can able to absorb and preserve water, release water to the roots slowly and provides sufficient air to the root zone of the plants.
So, the less the compaction rate in the soil, the more the plant production will be. For example, sand doesn’t preserve many nutrients or water, whereas clay can preserve more nutrients than other soil types.
4. Organic Material: This content in the soil influences the plants and other organisms in the soil. Organic material decomposition supplies several essential nutrients to the plants as well as soil residents.
So, keep the soil deficient free through regular applications of organic materials to the soil. Ignition is the best way to determine the organic materials quantity in the soil.
5. Level of pH: pH level of about 6 – 6.5 in the soil is good for plant growth. Universal indicator solution or pH paper is the best source to determine the amount of pH in the soil.
Remember that pH level below 3.5 is too acidic and above 8.5 is too alkaline. Moreover, the pH level fluctuates within the soil and each layer of the soil differs in pH concentration.
6. Soil structure: It describes the way soil affects the water flow, airflow and penetration of roots into the soil. The shape of the soil determines the soil structure.
So, to know the soil structure, carefully cut the layers and observe its characteristics with one of these structural types of the soil–columns, blocky, granular, and plate-like.
7. Profile: Determining the soil type is really possible by obtaining a sample of the soil using a soil core tool, a tool that helps pull out the soil from the ground. Examining this soil core helps determine the soil type and its layers.
8. Soil Texture: The proportionate allocation of the various sizes of particles in the soil determines the soil texture. Sand, clay and silt are the forms that describe the size of each particle in the soil.
Sand is the largest particle and very gritty; clay is very smallest sized particle and is normally sticky and tough to squeeze; silt is medium sized particle and very soft.
9. Temperature: It plays a vital role in identifying the plant growth rate and its endurance.
Soil temperature can be measured using a thermometer at 2”, 6“and 12” below the ground surface and compare their readings. The temperature ranging 40-85 F indicates a better growth whereas below 40 F and above 85 are considered as no growth at all.
About the Author
Neelima Reddy, author of this article writes for TheGardenCentral.com Garden Central blog helps you learn everything you need to know about gardening. Know more about various important gardening tips for taking care of your vegetable garden, fruit garden, flower garden, landscaping, etc. Visit The Garden Central
