June 26, 2007

Ready-To-Go Hydroponics System Kits

If you are looking to get into growing flowers, plants, or vegetables right inside your own home, but you do not have the desire or the energy to set up your own indoor garden, one solution is to purchase a kit that includes a complete hydroponics system. Such kits come with absolutely everything that one needs in order to get started growing indoors, and do it with a high level of success.
While it is true that a whole lot of people nowadays are not lucky enough to have green thumbs, growing flowers, plants and vegetables indoors, in water, does not require a green thumb. What is needed to grow vegetables indoors is a little bit of space in your kitchen, a little bit of water, a light source that mimics the sun, and a garden kit. A garden kit includes a reservoir and tray, where the water will go and the plants will grow. Such a kit also includes some medium to put in the tray. The last element; also included in a garden kit, are the nutrients which must be added to the water in order to enable the plants to grow.

A hydroponics system kit enables everyone to be […]

Full Article At: KnowHow-Now.com Articles

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June 14, 2007

Indoor & Outdoor Fountains - Add A Peaceful Touch To Your Home Or Garden

Tip! Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) - removes chemical vapours; Dracaena (Dracaena deremensis ‘Janet Craig’) - best of the dracaenas for removing chemical toxins from the indoor environment

The beautiful sight of a cascading water fountain combined with the gentle trickling sound of the flowing water is wonderfully soothing. We all tend to lead busy lives these days, and when our nerves are fraught, being able to retreat to a peaceful spot and relax for a few moments is important. This is where fountains come in handy. They come in a huge variety of styles, from decorative tabletop fountains to ornamental garden fountains. So, whether you like to escape to the backyard or unwind inside in your favorite armchair, a fountain can easily be located nearby to help ease your stress.

Tip! Flowering bulbs are not only easy to grow and popular among garden plants, but they can fit into nearly any type of gardening style.

Indoor fountains enable you to bring the naturally peaceful sound of trickling water inside, so you can close your eyes and easily imagine you’re by a babbling brook or waterfall. A desktop fountain placed on a computer desk or shelf helps promote a good working environment. The moving water helps to purify the air and acts as a natural humidifier. As well as small tabletop interior fountains, floor and wall fountains are available for larger spaces such as an entranceway or reception area. These are great for creating a welcoming atmosphere.

Garden fountains can be used in any garden design, from large lawned gardens to small courtyard areas. Pond fountains are excellent for creating an attractive display and for keeping the water circulating. Bird bath fountains are ideal for attracting beneficial wildlife to a flower garden. Outdoor fountains are powered either by an electrical pump or by the sun’s rays. Solar fountains have the advantage of no running costs and can be moved easily to any position you like, provided the solar panel is kept in sunlight.

Tip! Some plants may be better than others are but all plants clean the air as they beautify our surroundings and add oxygen and humidity to the indoor environment.

Whether you want to drown out the noise of the city and transform a small patio into a haven of tranquility, or want to create a relaxing ambiance in your home, a water fountain could be the perfect accessory.

Caroline Smith is a contributor to FindFountains.com - an online resource offering a huge selection of outdoor and indoor fountains, including
indoor wall fountains, garden pond fountains and more.

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June 13, 2007

Inside Secrets - Low Light Indoor Plants and Indoor Air Temperature

Tip! plants also clean the air inside our homes, buildings, and offices. The sources of chemical emissions that cause indoor air pollution include: acetone, alcohols; ammonia; benzene; chloroform; formaldehyde; and xylene

During the winter when outside temperatures head lower, most indoor air
temperatures run lower also. Low light for indoor plants is a whole other area
you and your houseplants must deal with.

Depending on where you live lower light may come from the change of bringing your houseplants
inside; lower air temperatures may come from turning off the air conditioning
and firing up the heater.

The remedy for low light on your indoor plants may come down to moving the
plant. Air temperature may not be as obvious.

We all can find a place in our home where the room stays warmer or colder than
other parts of the house. Do not assume that since the thermostat reads 72
degrees the whole house keeps that temperature in the indoor space.

The simple fact on indoor air temperatures - they are very often variable.

Tip! English ivy (Hedera helix) - particularly effective at removing formaldehyde; Florist’s mum (Chrysanthemum x morifolium) - one of the best flowering or seasonal plants for removing formaldehyde, benzene, and ammonia from the atmosphere

Houseplants when grown in their native surroundings experience short-term
temperature swings - day verses night. These same plants when introduced to the
“alien” growing conditions of a nursery or interior can face 4 different
temperatures ranges:

- Cold

- Cool

- Warm

- Hot

Most people find temperatures in the 60 - 80 degree range comfortable. Similar
air temperatures are found in the tropical areas where most our indoor plants
are native to.

Temperature usually is not an issue with your indoor environment, but you should
be aware of the subtle temperature differences throughout indoor spaces.
Hallways, large rooms, doors, windows and different exposures can affect the
temperature of your indoor “microclimate.”

Tip! Flowering bulbs are not only easy to grow and popular among garden plants, but they can fit into nearly any type of gardening style.

Winter may be here, and just as cold temperatures can be a problem, remember
your house plants can face heat problems as well. Dry heat from heating vents or
people moving the blinds to give houseplants as much direct light as possible -
can lead to heat stress.

Heat Stress - What Does It Look Like

Heat stress may cause leaves to turn yellow. The tips and edges of leaves can
become dry, spindly or stretched growth can occur. The dry warm conditions make
for a perfect environment for spider mites. Sometimes the only and best remedy
for the cold and hot problem is simple: Move the plant!!!

These lower temperatures translate into lower transpiration and less water loss.
In general, try to eliminate wide temperature swings and monitor your plants for
any changes that you may notice, both leaves and roots.

Many times we focus on air temperatures only. But, healthy houseplants can
handle lower room or air temperatures - if the soil area stays warm.

Tip! The quality of your bulbs from a mail order company is normally better, too. They are healthier and picked for you by experts; whereas, picking them yourself may not always be easy, unless you know what to look for.

Remember - the root system is the machine that moves everything around in the
plant. At the nursery during the fall season a quick dip in temperatures is
fine. But a period of 3 - 4 days when temperatures do not warm up and soil
temperatures go down into the low 60 degree area, plants can take weeks to
regain the vigor.

Greenhouses equipped with heated floors can lower air temperatures since the
root and soil areas stay warm.

Remember around the house you have the freedom to move if the temperatures do
not meet your comfort level, your plants do not have the same freedom.

Tom Fryd writes for http://www.plant-care.com where you can learn more Indoor House Plant Secrets and receive a free weekly newsletter on house plants.

Tip! Bulbs are widely available at most garden centers; however, most of the more spectacular ones need to be purchased through mail-order catalogs or nurseries that specialize in these types of plants
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