Bonsai Trees Show in the City Garden – Gardening and Hobby 12

 

Fig 01- A bonsai tree called as weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)

We just visit a kind of bonsai show by our city bonsai society recently. The show was not that big, just less than 100 trees.

Our city bonsai society also presented:

- lectures and demonstrations

- discuss between members and visitors about caring bonsai trees

- sale different types of bonsai trees.

You may be know that bonsai is a small tree by design, not because of genetic. Simple ways to make bonsai are:

- pot confinement

- root reduction

- defoliation

- prune and trim

- wiring and clamping

Fig 02- Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia)

There are many good trees for bonsai, just some of them are:

- pine

- azalea

- olive

- Indian banyan

- Chinese elm

- Fukien tea

- Crape myrtle

- Ficus benjamina

- Pomegranate

- Common beech

Fig 03- Bonsai from variety of plants

In the USA, the most popular tree for bonsai is a pine. It is because:

- pine is easy to shape with a lot of styles

- ever green

- full grown to 40 years

Fig 04- Visitors for bonsai show

The pines for bonsai, mainly come from native:

- New Mexico

- Colorado

It is said that bonsai pine trees is good if we place indoor. They grow well in the constant room temperature, and in position under light.

Do you love bonsai? What kind of bonsai trees?

Is Spanish Moss Coming from Spain? – Gardening and Hobby 11

Fig 01- Spanish moss is hanging off the trees

We just aware that there are plenty Spanish moss hanging of the trees on the near by of our jogging paths.

Then, is Spanish Moss coming from Spain? No, the moss is not coming from Spain. It is said, its common in the areas (regions) such as:

- Central America

- South America

- Caribbean

- Mexico

- the USA

In the USA, the moss grows well in the south states, because of moister condition.

The moss is abundant in the states such as Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. The moss also may be found from south areas until north states such as Virginia.

Fig 02- We may see Spanish moss attaches to the trunk of trees

How this an epiphyte plant gets foods and water? By using its leaves:

- absorb nutrients from air

- get water from rainfall 

Fig 03- Spanish moss grows on the ground

There are some negative effect of Spanish moss to the host trees:

- thick moss will block sunlight to reach host tree leaves.

- moss may reduce growth rate of trees. 

Fig 04- Moss covers the trunks

However, the Spanish moss will not kill the host trees, because they are not parasites, and just need the trees to support their life span.

Not all trees are attached by Spanish moss, two most favorite hosts are:

- live oaks

- bald cypress

These two trees are common in the southern states of America.

Do you recognize the Spanish moss in the nature? Do they attach your own backyard trees?

Cleaning the Roof as a House Routine Maintaining – Gardening and Hobby 10

Fig 01- Dirty roof, just for illustration

Roof is one of important parts of our house. People do cleaning house roof for many purposes, from just to make look beautiful to prevent from destroying to get good bargain when selling it.

Many of my neighbors call a cleaning roof company to do the cleaning, but few did by themselves.

These chemicals are favorite to clean roof in my neighborhood:

- bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite).

- Sodium Hydroxide.

- or Sodium Percarbonate

Bleach not only clean the roof, but also kill the organisms (micro plants) which attached on shingles.

Two important “micro plants” may destroy our roofs are:

- algae

- mold

Fig 02- Clean roof after washed by bleach

What is different between algae and mold?

Both are living organism. Algae need sunlight to live and grow, while mold does not require sun to survive.

Mold eats material on the roofs, and our roofs to be infected by molds. thus can make shingles rotten over times.

Fig 03- A house roof looks black in color, before cleaned

Our roofs may look “ugly,” because mold produces colors, include:

- black

- gray

- brown

- green

- white 

Fig 04 – Roofs of a house look pretty after cleaning

Many brands of roof cleaners are available in the market, some of them are:

- Thetford

- Dicor

- Propack

- Wet and forget

- Eterna

- Spray and forget

It is easy to clean the roof, first, just spray the shingles with bleach or other brand cleaners, let the solution on the surface for 30 minutes. Then rinse with pressure water.

The result is amazing. Roof looks shining. Please see Figure 02 and 04. Our neighbors did clean their roof every other year.

Raising Chickens as Pets in the Backyard – Gardening and Hobby 9

Few growing chickens in the playing area

We know people raising chickens in their backyard for many reasons. Few of them are:

- as pets

- fresh eggs

- meats

- just for fun (without clear reasons)

A long time ago, we have less than 10 chickens as pets at our backyard. Morning crowing sounds from roosters make us happy.

Off course, we have daily fresh eggs as a source of healthy protein. We love soft boiled (half cooked) eggs.

It is said that we should wash our hand with water and soap after handling raw (uncooked) eggs to prevent transmission of microorganism from egg shells to other items, especially other foods.

Little baby chickens, just for illustration

Other advantages to have chickens are:

- control bugs and weed on lawn

- source of fertilizers.

- in addition to eggs, chicken is a source of meat (home grown meat).

Chickens does not require a big space, a chicken need only:

- 1 square meter to grow and play

- 0.3 square meter for nesting and hatching eggs

People love certain chicken breed, these are 5 favorite breeds in the America, just for examples:

- Rhode Island red

- Wyandotte.

- Silkies

- Cochin

- Easter Eggers

Have you ever raised chicken in your backyard? What is your purpose?

What Causes of Unhealthy Lawn? – Gardening and Hobby 8

Fig 01- Moth caused lawn damages

I was familiar with large number of moths in my lawn about two years ago. They flew away when I walked on the grass. Their size is small around 0.75 inches (1.95 cm)

I have no ideas about relationship between moth influx and lawn healthiness on that time.

After reading from several articles, these moths may damage our lawn. At least there are three species of lawn moths:

- Nomophila noctuella.

- Tehama bonifatella.

- Crambus sperryellus.

Adult moths take nutrition directly from grass leaves. They love juice from leaves interior.

Fig 02- A webworm is a worm stage of the moths

The abundance of moths may lead to damage of lawn permanently, but harmless if they are in lower numbers.

Female moths lay eggs on grass leaves, the eggs then hatch after several days or a week.

Fig 03- A house with beautiful lawn, just for illustration

Larvae or worm stage is veracious stage, dangerous pests for grass. These larvae may destroy grass significantly, especially turf grass.

The signs of our lawn has been damages and infected are:

- appearing of dead brown patches on the grass

- growing of weed

- present of vine grasses

- growing of moss around the house.

- number of birds feeding on lawn, because a lot of worms.

How to control the larvae?

Using soapy water is one of good ways to get rid off Webworms from lawn. We may mix proper amount of liquid dish soap water.

People usually use 2 table spoon liquid soap per gallon of water, then spray on the infected grass.

Have you got problem with your lawn? What problem?

My Neighbor Small “Paradise” at Backyard – Gardening and Hobby 7

Fig- 01- Little pond with small waterfall

One of our neighbors designs their yard with a nice small pond for Koi fish. Lovely place to sit around, especially during hot seasons (days).

I believe the pond characteristics are following:

- size 12 feet x 16 feet x 6 feet (3.7 meter x 4.9 meter x 1.8 meter), twelve feet by sixteen feet with six feet deep.

- at least 2000 gallon of water.

- there are more than 10 koi fish in the pond.

Water fall makes the pond not only beautiful, but also good for water circulation which has “trickle down” effect on:

- more oxygen creation to keep more fish

- healthy plants in the pond

- chemical and thermal stratification will be prevented

Fig- 02- Koi fish swimming in the pond

There are many types of Koi fish available, based on their size, at least there are 3 kinds:

1) Domestic Koi fish

- sizes between 12 to 15 inches (30.5 cm to 38 cm) long

2) Japanese Koi

- fish may grow from 22 inches to 26 inches (56 cm to 66 cm) long

3) Jumbo Koi fish

- sizes between 34 to 36 inches (86 cm to 91 m) long

Fig- 03- One corner of backyard

In general, Koi fish could reach their maximum size in 3 years, but Jumbo koi may reach its maximum size in 2 years only.

In nature of Koi fish, everything might be available in their environment, include:

- bugs

- insects

- algae

- plants.

Interestingly, this critter may consume human daily foods as well, such as:

- cereals

- rice

- peas

- watermelon

- lettuce

Have you ever have Koi fish as a pet? What is length size?

Are Yellow Elder Blooming in the Fall? - Gardening and hobby 6

Fig– 01- Blooming of Yellow Elder in early Fall

We just walking regularly this morning in the city garden after stopping a while because of pandemic.

Surprisingly, many flowers are blooming in the early fall season with lower temperature, below 21 C (70 F) degree.

One of them is Yellow Elder. This flower has several species, the popular one is called with scientific name Tecoma Chrysantha.

It is said that Yellow Elder is a good shrub flower for both big landscape and our home garden. Other best flowering shrubs are:

- Paper-Chase Tree

- Golden Dewdrop

- Bougainvillea

- Purple Wreath

- Allamanda

Fig- 02- beautiful color

The interesting features of Yellow Elder:

- flowers are very bright yellow with trumpet like

- leaves are green and look like head of spears

- tolerant of drought

- good to grow in areas of temperatures about F 35 (C 1.7) degree, also well growing in warm regions.

Fig- 03- Flowers are climbing the roof

What I like that it is said the flowers are able to attract critters such as:

- hummingbirds

- butterflies

- bees

Fig- 04- Shining and beautiful yellow flowers

Hummingbirds and butterflies are my favorite critters, I am planning to grow this flower in my small garden by near coming future.

Other feature of Yellow Elder is its ability to climb the objects. Thus, it is good to cover:

- wall

- fence

- old tress

Is there Yellow Elder flower in your area?

Should We Use Pepper Seed to Feed Wild Birds? - Gardening and hobby 5

Fig 01- Green peppers have seeds for birds

We may try to attract wild bird by bird feeders to come to our backyard. In fact, we are able to invite hummingbirds with sugary solution.

Please read previous post:

- Attracting Hummingbirds by Suitable Feeder at Backyard 

Our neighborhoods use mainly commercial bird foods bought in groceries (pet shops).

The problem with the commercial bird foods is a good meal for other wild animals such as:

- squirrels

- raccoon

- rats

Some friends told that wildlife may ride the feeders without giving a chance to birds to consume a single bite.

Fig 02 - A wild bird crossed the neighborhood street

Other animals include deer and bears are interesting with feeders as well. And, even bears able to breaking the feeders to deplete all foods.

Fig 03 - Bell pepper, just for illustration

Few neighbors suggested to use pepper seed to feed wild birds. Most birds love these seeds.

They observed that other animals did not touch the pepper seed. The following animals are avoiding the seed:

- rodent

- squirrels

- raccoon

Should We use Pepper seed to feed wild birds? Yes, I will try this kind of bird food by next spring.

Do you have any special foods to invite wild bird?