Must See…. Amazing Chinese Olympic Topiary Plants

Soon the world will set their eyes on the Summer Olympics in China. All over China thousands prepare for not only athletes but spectators alike. Asia carries on their long tradition for unique tranquil gardens along with a special approach bringing a “nature Zen modeled” beauty to potted plants like bonsai.

In North America we often associate topiary plant sculptures in the landscape with theme parks like Disney and Busch Gardens.

Enjoy the images below as the Chinese prove they can create some extremely beautiful topiary with amazing detail. I truly hope the world gets the opportunity to enjoy this spectacular “landscape sport” of plant topiary!

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Ficus Tree - They Have Gall!

Recently a subscriber at plant-care.com asked the question about Ficus tree care and send along a picture of a condition called “gall.” In our eBook on Ficus Tree Care we cover top to bottom on caring for your Ficus - however, Ficus gall is seen by so few it is not covered in much detail.

Check out our Ficus Care Guide

Here’s want they wanted to know about this Ficus condition:

• What causes gall on Ficus Trees?
• Is it detrimental to the tree?

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Time for Houseplants to Celebrate Spring!

It’s Time to Celebrate Spring!

Springtime is right at our doorsteps.

After the long winter it’s time for the growing season, pruning, giving those house plants a good thorough cleaning, repotting… if necessary and overall getting those plants in shape!

• But what about your houseplants?
• Where do you start?
• Who do you ask?

When house plants leave the nursery, their entire “how to” care information now sits in the hands of the local nursery or garden center. They know some basics on lots of plants but not the real inside scoop. Sort of like an office temp…

You’ve probably asked plant care questions, tried your hand at watering, fertilizing, repotting, moving plants around… But your efforts don’t deliver results!

You’re Frustrated!

That’s why I decided to do something about it.

I created a simple, extremely effective, easy to read, easy to apply, care guide on indoor house plants that anyone can understand and put to use.

If you’re serious about making your houseplants look their best! … Click the link for this
Special Guide!

Bring on the Spring!

Ficus Tree Care - Winter Leaf Loss

Question: Every year when winter rolls around my Ficus benjamina loses a bunch of leaves. First they turn yellow and then drop. Why is my Ficus doing this? Kaye, Minnesota.

Answer: Most people know Ficus benjamina as the weeping fig and for years it continues to be one of the most popular trees grown for indoor use - even though it does drop leaves when you first bring it home and during the winter. By the way check out of Ficus Tree Care Guide…

Leaf loss on Ficus usually comes down to 3 possibilities.

• Change in environment
• Over or under watering
• Insect or pests

Losing leaves is a normal process for Ficus trees while caring for them. It is not uncommon for a Ficus tree to lose 20% of its foliage (leaves) as it acclimates to its new environment.

If your plant has enjoyed the summer outdoors, dropping leaves as it goes into its new surrounding can be expected. If the plant has been inside all along then the change can also come from reduced light and drier conditions indoors from heat.

Place your Ficus in your brightest window, they love light and helps with a multitude of Ficus problems.

Ficus benjamina comes from a region with distinct seasons. The Ficus sheds its leaves during the dry season and when the rainy season returns, new growth fills out and the canopy.

As a general rule of thumb - water more when the plant gets lots of light and less s when less light is available. Why? Less light means less growth and water need. Ficus have aggressive root systems and can quickly fill a pot with roots making watering difficult. Check to make sure they are not rootbound, if so your Ficus may need repotting into slightly larger pot. In general keep the soil your Ficus moist, but never soggy wet.

A happy, well grown Ficus tree rarely has many insect problems, but yellowing leaves can be caused by the common insects of scale, mealybug and spider mites.

Once a Ficus tree is stable and actively growing care is minimal, usually all that is needed will be a weekly check of the soil moisture and watering if needed. Over time as the Ficus tree grows, pruning and shaping may be required, typically every spring, depending on its speed of growth.

A well maintained ficus tree can be a stunning addition to any home for years. For more information on Ficus tree care visit FicusCare.com

Ficus Tree - Pruning Time

Ficus trees have a tendency to freak people out… It seems like as soon as the tree comes home, leaves start dropping. The last thing a Ficus tree owner was to think about is pruning. There are too many visions of leaves dropping in their mind.

Before I get too far I need to really get something off my chest relating to Ficus and Ficus growers. I’m sure “hate” mail will soon be following.

Ficus continues to be a major crop for indoor use. At one point in my foliage growing career I grew over 125,000 plus Ficus trees per year. The issue I have with SOME, not all, Ficus growers is with pruning!

Economics being what they are, its financially cheaper to prune a Ficus with hedge clippers. Just get out the clippers and make all the plants the same height. That’s the problem - using hedge clippers is NOT the correct way to prune Ficus trees.

Plants much like people and none of these Ficus growers would dare to have their hair cut the same way they “trim” their Ficus crop! If you want the right results you need the correct method.

I’ve always hand pruned my Ficus crops all 125,000 plus of them. I’ll admit I tried the shear method and all it does is promote a disease called Phomopsis. What Phomopsis causes is twig dieback and under indoor conditions it can get very severe.

GROWERS if you are not going to prune Ficus trees correctly - please quit selling them to the public. You’re only creating headaches! I feel better now…

Here’s what happens. You’ll notice on a Ficus tiny “branches” with a node between them. If you just randomly cut between these nodes (this happens when you shear), the twig dies Phomopsis.

A correctly pruned Ficus won’t miss a beat. It may have lost some foliage but it will immediately begin to sprout out and grow. Next time you’re in the local garden center take a good look at the Ficus and see if you can find what I’m describing.

Let’s cover some pruning basics.

Reasons For Pruning

Pruning when done correctly can extend the useful life of indoor plants. It helps:

• Control or maintain shape and size
• Promote growth
• Allow more light and air to the plant
• Remove dead, diseased or pest infested foliage

Let’s assume your Ficus has out grown the space and you need to reshape it.

Start by removing all the dead twigs on the tree. Ficus are lovers of light. As some of the smaller inner branches are shaded out they just die - this is natural. These twigs will generally be very small about the size of a #2 pencil lead.

Remember - Ficus are lovers of light. It’s important to get light on the foliage where the stronger branches are. Remove any weak growth in the center of the plant.

Now it’s time to start pruning the outer growth. Remove about one-third of the canopy all the way around the tree. What you will be doing is reducing the size of the canopy and promoting new growth and a fuller tree.

Sometimes you’ll get a “wild” branch that heads for the light and just changes the shape of the tree. Selectively prune this branch or branches back toward the center of the tree. This will force new growth back into the center.

Pruning Basics

• Always cut back to a healthy branch, leaving as small a wound as possible.
• Always make complete, smooth cuts; never rip or tear a branch. This leaves the plant open disease or infection.
• Never cut too far above a bud; this results in a dead stub. It looks bad and can rot back (Phomopsis) into and or past the new growth.
• Remember the tips (terminal bud) of a branch or stem grow much stronger and faster than lower buds on the branch (lateral bud). When you remove the terminal bud the strongest lateral bud takes its place.

Have more questions on Ficus Tree care? Check out of Ficus Tree Care Guide

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