Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Do You Know Lotus Is Important To The Ancient Egyptians

The lotus appeared in legends originating from ancient Egypt. It played an important part in ancient Egyptian religion. The pure white lotus flower, the only plant to fruit and flower simultaneously, emerges from the depths of the muddy swamp. Growing from the mud at the bottom of ponds and streams, the exquisite Lotus flower rises above the water and is usually white or pink with 15 or more oval, spreading petals, and a peculiar, flat seedcase at its center.


It is a symbol of the sun, of creation and rebirth. Because at night the flower closes and sinks underwater, at dawn it rises and opens again. According to one creation myth it was a giant lotus which first rose out of the watery chaos at the beginning of time. From this giant lotus the sun itself rose on the first day. A symbol of Upper Egypt .The lotus flower played a prominent role in the version of the creation story that originated in Heliopolis. Before the universe came into being, there was an infinite ocean of inert water which constituted the primeval being named Nun. Out of Nun emerged a lotus flower, together with a single mound of dry land. The lotus blossoms opened, and out stepped the self-created sun god, Atum, as a child. A slightly different version of the creation story originated in Hermopolis. In that version, the sun god who formed himself from the chaos of Nun emerged from the lotus petals as Ra. The lotus is a flower which opens and closes each day. His history went on to say that the petals of the lotus blossom enfolded him when he returned to it each night.

The Lotus flower has for thousands of years symbolized spiritual enlightenment. Indeed, this flower essence's purpose is to accelerate spiritual evolvement and enhance healing on every level within the system.

The blue lotus was found scattered over Tutankhamen's body when the Pharaoh's tomb was opened in 1922. Many historians thought it was a purely symbolic flower, but there may be some reason to believe that ancient Egyptians used it to induce an ecstatic state, stimulation, and/or hallucinations, as well as being widely used as a general remedy against illness, and to this day is used as a tonic for good health, consumed as an extract.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

How To Care For The Bamboos

As said by the Environment Protection Agency in the US, scientific evidence reveals that indoor air can be more severely polluted that the air outside even in the most metropolitan or highly urbanized locations. With people spending approximately 90 % of their existence inside their residence, searching for ways to clean indoor air has become a very important task. One way of eliminating air pollutants and toxins is through keeping household plants. Ornamental plants placed indoors also help combat effects of outgassing, and assist in balancing the humidity within the home.

More and more people have become more partial to having ornamental bamboos inside their homes, and its easy to see why. Indoor bamboos not only add visual interest to your home and garden, it also makes the space feel quiet, contemplative, and calm. They don’t only look clean bamboos are also easy to maintain. If you wish to have bamboo plants in the house, below are some guidelines and other issues to take into account.


Bamboos require the same things as other indoor plants. For one, it has to have soil where water drains readily but not rapidly. The soil should also be nutrient-rich. Bamboos also thrive when given with a high-nitrogen, low potash fertilizer during the growing season.

Bamboos are fast-growing plants, so if you want to grow them in a container it is important to use a container with adequate room. In most cases it is a good idea to pick a container that is adequate enough to have a space of at least a couple of inches between the fringe of the root ball and the edge of the container. Any type of bamboo will spread in the container, and when it fills the container with root and rhizome, it has to be transferred to a roomier one, or in the case of bonsai bamboo culture, you can restrict growth by taking out a third of the roots before putting the plant back into a pot of fresh soil.

Bamboos also require sunlight. There are various bamboo species and they vary when it comes to how much sunlight they require. Generally speaking, the bigger its leaf, the less light it needs. You also have to take into account which environment the bamboo will thrive in. Case in point, cultivating temperate bamboos indoors where it is cooler may lead to leaf drop which takes away the plants aesthetics and create problems for housekeeping as well. Growing bamboo plants indoors also necessitates regular manicure. Periodic pruning will help keep the bamboo stay healthy and beautiful. Some people are fearful about pruning bamboos. Fortunately, these plants are are not very demanding when it comes to pruning and will take pleasure in the attention you give it.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Growing Cherries In Your Garden Is Not So Difficult

Growing cherries in your garden is not so difficult as you imagined, but you still need to follow some tips. You can either use cherry seeds or buy a sapling. However, cherry seeds are best as they are not effected by pests. As fall is coming, you can sow the cherry seeds now so that it germinates by spring. Do not just rely on one cherry seeds. Take out seeds from half a dozen cherries. Wash them and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Make sure the packet has small holes to let air enter inside. Take out the seed and wash in water. After defrosting, germinate the seeds in the garden soil or pot.

Make sure you plant the cherry seeds in a place where there is adequate sunlight. The plant should get at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight. Cherry plants can grow in any type of soil. Just make sure that the soil is not soggy or else the plant can damage. If you have planted the seed in a temporary place, you can transplant it after the seedlings to another place after the seeds start to sprout. Make sure that the plants are at a distance of 6 inches.


Sweet cherries are especially susceptible to diseases such as brown rot. If the flowers turn brown and the plant starts to dry, you can be sure that your plant has been attacked by brown rot disease. Make sure that the soil is clean. Remove dried leaves, fallen cherries from the ground as they are home to diseases and pests. You can also spray sulphur. It is an organic method to control brown rot. Spray sulphur when the flower buds turn pink, when the flowers are open and when the leaves fall.

Give sufficient water to the cherry plants as they can become soggy if the soil is moist. You can water the seedling on alternate days. If you have planted the seed in pot, water it small amounts on alternate days. If you have planted in the garden soil, make sure the plant gets sufficient water to grow. Ideally you should water the plant when the soil becomes dry. If the soil turns from dark to light brown, you should water the plant.

This is very important to grow and care for the cherry plants. If you do not prune the cherry plants, they can suffer from brown rot. It is very easy to prune cherry plants or trees. After the tree is in the soil for an year, you can prune the plant. You can prune the cherry plant during winter too. Prune in the horizontal fashion to foster fresh growth. You can prune the cherry plants annually to allow new branches to grow and also avoid them from brown rot.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Is Hoodia Cactus Really Benefit To Weight Loss

The South African Hoodia Cactus is known by many different names in the Western world but the san Bushmen still call it by the name familiar to them, Xshoba or Xhooba. Besides using this Hoodia Gordonii for appetite and thirst suppressants the San Bushmen also used it to heal minor ailments and even infections. In the Western world the scientific label is Hoodia Gordonii. In reality the plant where Hoodia is derived from is actually a succulent but many people wrongly name this species of plants cactus rather than the correct name; succulent. This particular succulent or cactus-like plant only grows in the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa.
The African hoodia cactus is known by many names. You've undoubtedly heard about hoodia cactus extract by now as it has been covered by numerous major media sources, including the BBC, CBS, The Today Show, and much much more. If you are into herbs and natural cures, you've undoubtedly heard of the Hoodia Gordonii cactus, the latest natural diet discovery for suppressing the appetite. There are dozens of hoodia plant, but only the hoodia gordonii species harbors a seemingly magical active ingredient that tricks the brain into thinking its full and, therefore, assists with weight loss. Hoodia Gordonii is a spiny, bitter, and succulent aloe plant that resembles a cactus which grows in the Kalahari Desert of Southern Africa.
It is important to note that there are more than twenty different varieties of hoodia, but only hoodia gordonii is believed to contain the natural appetite suppressant. Involvement in the next anti-obesity wonder is believed to eventually make a boatload of money for the Africans that never ends, considering that companies are expected to shell out even more continued money to purchase Hoodia cactus. Now, having said all of that, here are some things to be aware of to get a better picture of the health risks of hoodia gordonii cactus.
There are certain health risks of hoodia gordonii cactus for diabetics because the active ingredient tricks the brain into thinking you're full. However, because obesity is such a large and growing threat in the Western world it was logically concluded that if people could be made to consume less calories, the hoodia gordonii plant could be a boon to the weight loss dreams of millions of people.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Plant The Gerberas At Your Own Home

Now we can see gerberas in more and more weddings now, gerbera flowers belong to the daisy flower family. The daisy flowers is a symbol for virtue and a lack of corruption. Most consider gerberas to have an especially merry touch owing to their bright, diverse shades.

There are many more colors, such as pinkish versions and red ones, while yellow and orange gerberas are often seen. An average gerbera can be over half an inch in diameter. Gerberas take well to indoor use after being plucked, and are quite hardy.


 The brightness of gerberas is perfect for those who love a lot of brilliant colors. Many of the people growing gerberas say that they are ideal for brightening up a yard. As long as you are in a place that gets a lot of light from the sun and have the will to tend to your plants, you can keep gerberas.

Because of their robustness, these flowers are excellent for vase use. Gerberas are a popular choice for flowerbed work as well. You may want to think about giving your most important girl a gerbera arrangement made up different shades, because they are so pretty. Of the five most popular flowers in the world, the gerbera is one. Sprouting gerberas requires adherence to a specific rule. They are sun-loving beauties and must have an adequate dose of morning sunshine everyday.


 Most enthusiasts begin by purchasing some gerbera seeds, saying they are the best way to start. There are seeds available in most flower shops, as well as mixes used to get beginners started. Many enthusiasts say that gerbera flowers grow best when planted in a sterile soil substitute as opposed to normal soil.

If you plan to grow gerberas at your own homw, please remember these, do not go over a centimeter into the soil or medium when poking holes for the seeds. All growing media for these seeds must be sufficiently damp. You can prevent drying out of the medium by using a clear cover that permits sunlight to penetrate.

Move a seedling to a larger container once you see the first leaves coming out. A number of gerbera enthusiasts suggest the use of already-established plants for those who are not confident about their ability to tend to seeds. Starting from the seed planting to flowering, you should expect as long as 4 or even 5 months to get a plant that has a flower.

The direct sunlight is necessary for gerberas, so be certain that you place your plants in places where they get a steady supply of it. Be careful that you do not flood the soil in which you have planted your gerberas, even if you do always water them. The right fertilizers can really improve the blooming of your gerbera plants.

The bright, cheery colors of gerberas make them among the happiest-looking flowers the world has seen. These flowers can really make you feel happier if someone you love gives you an arrangement with them. They are effective antidotes to depression and troubles.