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Monday, 01 September 2008 00:01 |
NATURAL LIGHT: Adequate light is the most important factor in promoting flowering. Place plants near any window that has bright, but filtered, light. An east window is best because it gets morning sun. A thin curtain will be necessary if placing plants in a south or west window. In order to develop a nice symmetrical form, plants must be turned 1/4 turn every week.
FLUORESCENT LIGHT: If adequate natural light is not available, plants can be grown under fluorescent lights. Use double tube fixtures with one cool white bulb and one broad spectrum bulb. Lights should be 8 to 10 inches above the top of the plants and turned on for 12 to 14 hours a day. If plants have tight centers or seem to be bleaching out, reduce the number of hours to 8-10 a day.
WHEN TO WATER: More violets die from over-watering than from any other single cause. Violet soil should be kept evenly moist and never allowed to become soggy. Water only when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. Always use tepid water.
HOW TO WATER: You can water from the top, bottom, use wicks or use self watering planters. However, about once a month, plants should be watered from the top to flush out accumulated fertilizer salts. Never allow plants to stand in water (unless wicked or Oyama Planters are used). If water gets on the leaves, dry with a paper towel to prevent leaf spotting.
SOIL: A potting medium suitable for African Violets should be sterilized, and light and airy to allow root penetration. Soil-less mixes are ideal - they contain sphagnum peat, vermiculite and perlite.
FEEDING: Lack of regular feeding is one of the reasons an African violet will not bloom. The best way to feed is to use a dilute fertilizer solution every time you water. Use 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. fertilizer to one gallon of water. A balanced fertilizer should be used such as 20-20-20 or 12-36-14. Find a fertilizer with a low nitrogen urea content as urea burns the roots. Some brands are Peters, Optimara, Miracle Grow, Schultz.
ATMOSPHERE: Temperature and humidity are important factors. Most violets can tolerate temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees. Ideal temperatures are 72-75 degrees day-time and 65 degrees night-time. The preferred humidity range is 40% to 60%. A humidifier or bowls of water placed near plants can be used to increase you home"s humidity during heating season.
Click here for Oyama Planters and other African violet growing supplies
Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com
www.avplanters.com
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Friday, 13 June 2008 08:00 |
Use an oxygen tester and air stones to keep your available oxygen level to at least 7.0 parts per million of dissolved oxygen in 90 degree F. water. Koi and goldfish start showing signs of stress at oxygen levels of 4.0 ppm and will start dying at 3.0 ppm. The higher the water temperature goes the less oxygen that"s available. Water temperatures over 90 degrees will also affect fish health so keep the temperature under control by providing shade during the hottest parts of the day.
It"s Parasite Season
Warm water causes an increase in parasites such as anchor worms, fish lice or flukes. Some parasites such as anchor worm and fish lice are visible and can be treated with Dylox, Dipterex or Masoten.
Invisible parasites such as external protozoa and flukes can not be seen but they usually cause symptoms including extra thick mucus, constant scratching by rubbing against objects, flashing, or jumping. Some variations will cause a noticeable head shaking and yawning. COntact your pond specialist for treatments because different symptoms are indicative of different infections. Follow label instructions at all times or you could cause serious injury or death to your fish.
Summer Koi Feeding Tips
If you water is between 70 to 85 F. then feed a low protein food in a quantity that is equal to 1.0% to 1.5% of total koi body weight in pond. Estimate total koi body weight in pond and feed recommended % of food daily based on season and water temperature divided into intervals of about 2-2-1/2 hours.
It takes koi about 2- 2-1/2 to digest food in warmer water and 4-8 hrs in colder water when feeding is begun. So in warmer ideal water temperatures feed 5-8 times daily the individual portions totaling daily amount needed. In cooler temperatures feed 1-3 times daily.
Sunblock for your Koi
Koi are not immune from sunburn, especially in shallow ponds that get direct sunlight. Provide shade such as water lilies or a rock overhang. Even a beach umbrella will do in a pinch.
Watch for Evaporation
Depending upon the surface area of your pond, you can lose several inches per day to evaporation. Monitor and adjust your water levels daily or as neccessary. Remember, do not use water with chlorine in it if you have fish!
Five Quick Tips For Healthy Summertime Water
- Ensure that you have good mechanical and biological filtration and that your pump will turn the pond water over totally at least twice per day.
- Operate the pump 24 hours a day.
- Provide adequate shade by having 60 to 70% of the pond"s surface area covered with floating plants or other types of shade.
- Add water clarifiers and bottled bacteria if your water remains cloudy even when good filtration is present.
- Test oxygen levels daily and add air stones if levels fall below 7 PPM.
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To read the full article, click here:
https://www.macarthurwatergardens.com/Newsletters/Summer-pond-tips.shtml
Brett Fogle is the owner of MacArthur Water Gardens and several pond-related websites including macarthurwatergardens.com and pond-filters-online.com. He also publishes a free monthly newsletter called PondStuff! with a reader circulation of over 9,000 pond owners. To sign up for the free newsletter and receive a complimentary "New Pond Owners Guide" for joining, just visit MacArthur Water Gardens at www.macarthurwatergardens.com.
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Monday, 02 June 2008 04:01 |
Splashing Out During Drought
Drought and water restrictions have raised the level of
concern regarding creating water features in home gardens.
Many people are under the mistaken assumption that water
features are a contradiction to water conscious gardening.
While there is truth in the fact that large, cascading
waterfalls and far spraying fountains are not particularly
water efficient. The carefully planned water feature can
save water!
Creating a water feature in your garden can be beneficial
not only to the overall look of your garden but to the
environment! A properly designed, installed & maintained
water feature can not only save water but create a haven for
wildlife already struggling to find water in the drought.
Water Gardening Myths Debunked!
Water features use to much water…
Consider how much water is required to keep plants, lawn or
even pot plants alive. Apart from the initial fill of your
water feature, a properly designed and constructed water
feature will require just the occasional top up. It is a
common belief that water features are connected to water
mains and are constantly using water. A water feature should
always have a pump and a sump or reservoir that recycles the
water.
The bigger the feature the better…
There is no need to create the Trevi Fountain in your
garden; with water a little goes a long way. Often a smaller
feature such as a millstone, patio feature or container
water feature strategically placed is more then enough to
satisfy the desire for the look and sound of water in a
garden.
Designing a water friendly water feature
The first step here is to check with local authorities
before designing your feature. Local council often imposes
regulations that must be heeded. Container gardens are
unlikely to require approval or be regulated by councils.
Things to consider…
1.Placement – it is best to site your feature away from
wind and sun (unless using aquatic plants) to reduce water
evaporation. Also consider the location of underground
utilities eg. Electricity, Phone line, Gas etc.
2.Size – when designing wildlife ponds a larger body of
water is easier to maintain than a smaller one. Container
features containing no wildlife or plants require only
minimum amounts of water and can be kept clean with water
treatments.
3.Containers: Container water features tend to have no
wildlife or plants and therefore only require minimal
amounts of water and can be kept clean with simple water
treatments.
4.Water depth – exposed shallow water heats up and
evaporates quickly. For wildlife ponds (aquatic and plant
life) a minimum depth of 45cm is required.
5.Splash – Splash causes water waste of criminal
proportions. Consider features less likely to cause
splashing eg. Trickling waterfalls rather than Niagara
Falls!
6.Shape – although the overall shape is a matter of taste,
consideration should be given to the vertical aspects of
your feature. Sloping sides (eg. beach effect) produces
shallow, warm water that evaporates quickly. If creating a
wildlife pond rocks can be used as platforms to allow
wildlife access to the water.
7.Fountains / Water Jets – although fountain jets look
great, a bubbler or spout can be just as effective and loses
little or no water from your feature.
8.Creeks and streams – can be wasteful. As the sun heats
rocks and pebbles it warms the water resulting in
evaporation. If you must have a creek, consider locating it
in a shaded part of the garden and making it deep enough to
reduce splash.
9.Council regulations: Don’t forget to check with local
authorities before designing your water feature, as some
councils have regulations that must be headed.
Saving Water
It is imperative that your water feature is constructed
properly and with water conservation in mind. Whether you
feature is a small natural wildlife pond or a designer
contemporary water feature mistakes can be made that will
waste vast amounts of water, even without your knowledge. It
is often wiser and less frustrating to call in the
professionals at this stage to ensure proper construction!
Top Water Saving Tips
1.Plants – if you must site a pond in a full sun position
it would be wise to use aquatic plants that float on the
water surface (such as lilies) to minimize evaporation by
stopping the sun’s heat.
2.Fountains – if you must have a fountain ensure that the
pond/reservoir is large enough to catch the splash. It is
best to avoid fountains that spray in the air altogether.
3.Pumps – use a submersible pond pump appropriate for the
size and desired effect of your feature. Speak with a water
garden specialist to size your pump correctly.
4.Eco Systems – create a balanced eco system in wildlife
ponds with the aid of bio-logical filters etc to keep water
clarity and eliminate the need to empty or partially empty
the pond for cleaning.
5.Pets & Children – everyone loves water and this is
especially true of pets and children. Children and pets love
to play in water features, wasting the water or worse still,
causing leakage.
6.Leaks – proper construction should mean you have a leak
proof water feature. Keep an eye on your water level for
significant drops that indicate leaks that need attending
to.
7.Timers – can save water and energy by running the feature
only at times when you are present.
8.Wind Breaks – hedging or planting can be placed around
your water feature as a wind break. This prevents
unnecessary evaporation. Be careful to choose no-toxic and
non-invasive plants.
9.Still Water – the soothing qualities of still water in a
reflection pond can be just as effective as moving water. If
keeping fish or plants use an oxygenator (air pump) as well
as a pump to keep live giving oxygen in the water.
10.Topping Up – a catchment container for rainwater can be
used to top up your water feature.
11.Pipes and Connections - make sure all pipes and
connections are securely fixed to eliminate dripping pipes
12.Frog Ponds – are not only water efficient but help to
protect declining frog populations. Frog ponds also attract
other wildlife such as lizards, skinks and birds.
Some Great Ideas
oDecorate around your water feature creatively with
interesting objects that need no water at all, such as
rocks, bricks, gravel and deck areas.
oCheck your water feature regularly for crack, leaks and
maintenance problems that may lead to water loss.
oConsider using xeriscape (drought tolerant) plants such as
Liriope around your water feature.
oInstall a pond rather than a bird bath – bird baths
evaporate quickly and need constant re-filling. Ponds are
beneficial to more wildlife than just birds.
oArtificial waterfalls will splash less than rock
waterfalls as they have been manufactured to direct water
flow.
oUse preformed ponds in small ponds to reduce the risk of
liner pierce or concrete cracking.
oRemember, aquatic plants don’t need to be watered!
Add some life and soul to your garden!
Water features, rather than wasting water, generally use
less water than any other part of the garden. A well planned
and managed pond can be a haven for troubled wildlife in
times of drought.
One of the nicest, not-to-be-ignored benefits of water
gardening is purely psychological. Just when everything else
seems dried-out and arid, your water garden can be a quiet
haven of relaxation, your own backyard oasis.
About the Author
Danielle Dickinson is an avid water feature enthusiast. She is a regular contributor to Gardening Magazines. Visit her website http://www.waterfeaturesonline.com.au for more information on Buidling and Maintaining any type of Water Feature as well as a huge range of water gardening products. |
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Wednesday, 28 May 2008 01:01 |
(ARA) - While most homeowners have nightmares about natural disasters such as tornados, hurricanes and hail damaging their house, it tends to be the more mundane occurrences like undetected leaks and burst pipes that are the most common cause of water damage to personal property.
“On average, almost three-fourths of our home water-loss claims each year are caused by an appliance people use every day, such as a washing machine, water heater or refrigerator,” says Georgie Anderson, Safeco claims adjuster. “I vividly remember a recent incident where the homeowner put a load of laundry in her new front-loading washing machine and then left for a soccer tournament. When she returned hours later, she discovered that although the door had popped open mid-cycle, the washing machine had continued to run all day, spouting untold gallons of water into the laundry room and surrounding area.”
The good news is that taking a few easy steps now can prevent a lot of trouble and expense later. Anderson points out that many common water problems are easily avoidable with simple maintenance. “Spending just $10 on a new hose for the washing machine can prevent thousands of dollars in property damage.”
Homeowners who experience water damage might be surprised to find out how expensive ignoring routine maintenance can be. Some find their insurance doesn’t cover the damage and they’re left with the bill. “Most policies don’t cover damage caused by poor maintenance or neglect,” says Jim Arciere, vice president of Safeco Claims. Even with a covered loss, the homeowner still needs to pay the policy’s deductible and deal with the hassle of cleanup and repair.
To help homeowners pinpoint possible problem areas in their homes, Safeco is launching an interactive, Web-based guide to water damage prevention that outlines easy steps that can help avoid costly water losses and repairs. The “Drip” site, found at www.safeco.com/drip, includes a room-by-room house tour highlighting potential trouble spots. The site also provides other important information, such as steps to take in the event of a water emergency; tips for deciding which repairs are do-it-yourself and which should be left to a professional; and a review of water damage that insurance typically does and does not cover.
Here are a few tips from “Preventing Water Damage in Your Home:”
* Regularly look for wear, cracks and bulges in washing machines hoses; replace rubber hoses with reinforced steel-braided hoses.
* Repair failed seals and cracked tiles or grout on bathtub and shower stalls.
* Check roof on a regular basis, especially after a storm; replace worn, curled or missing shingles.
* Check for leaks in icemaker supply line and replace immediately.
* When leaving home for an extended period of time, don’t leave any water-using appliances running and consider turning off their water supply.
For more useful tips on how to keep your home safe from water damage, visit www.safeco.com/drip.
Courtesy of ARA Content
EDITOR’S NOTE: Safeco, in business since 1923, is a Fortune 500 company that sells auto, home, life and small-business insurance and investment products through independent agents, brokers and financial advisors nationwide. The company’s mission is to make the experience of buying, selling and owning insurance easier than anyone else. More information about Safeco can be found at www.safeco.com.
About the author:
Courtesy of ARA Content
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