Types And Identification Of The Fir Trees

Most of the cut conifers sold as Christmas trees are nothing, but fir trees. They belong to the family Pinaceae, and classified under the genus name Abies. Sharing taxonomic plant family with the pines, there are about 48-55 fir trees types. Nearly all the varieties have short needles, measuring a few inches in length. These evergreen trees are prized for their adorable, pyramid like canopy shape. One of the interesting fir trees facts is that the evergreen foliage is retained for more than 5 years before shedding. They are fast growing evergreen trees, adapted in moist, well-drained soil, and areas with cool summer temperatures.

Fir Trees - Types and Identification

There are two characteristic features that help in fir tree identification. The first is the presence of a small-sized suction cup at the base of the needle leaf that connects it with the twig, and secondly the development of erect and cylindrical shaped cones. The purplish female cones are developed in the topmost branches below which has the green, pendant shaped male cones. The female cones after fertilization ripens and breaks open in autumn to release seeds. Popular fir trees types that are grown as houseplants or specimen trees are discussed below.

Noble Fir Trees
These are tall fir tree types that can grow to as high as 200 feet, and 5 feet diameter. In fact, they are the largest varieties of all true fir species. The leaves are silvery green in color and ranges from 1-1 ½ inch in length. The high popularity of noble firs (Abies procera) as Christmas trees is attributed to long-lasting leaves that retain for a longer period, even in cut trees. They are also used for making outdoor wreaths and garlands.

Fraser Fir Trees
These fir trees types (Abies fraseri) are named after the renowned botanist, John Fraser who have studied them in detail. The adult trees at maturity grow to about 80 feet. The needle leaves are flattened, ½ to 1 inch long, dark green in color, possesses strong fragrance and arranged spirally in the branches. The distinctive features of these landscaping trees are their small size and upward directing branches.

Douglas Fir Trees
Can you believe the Douglas fir trees live for more than 1000 years? Yes, these highly fragrant, Christmas trees survive for 500 years and more on an average. They are not true firs, hence the scientific name for these evergreen trees is Pseudotsuga menziesii. The foliage is flat, bluish-green in color and measure about 1 to 1 ½ inch in length. Distinctive features include forked bracts, winged seeds and furrowed barks.

Balsam Fir Trees
Balsam fir trees (Abies balsamea) or blister firs are native to the cool regions of North America and Northeastern America. The leaves are ¾ to 1 ½ inch length, and barks of young trees have conspicuous resin blisters. These evergreen trees attain a height of about 15-60 feet at maturity, with a spread of about 25-30 feet. These fir trees types are common Christmas trees, especially in Northeastern America.

Grand Fir Trees
Also called giant fir trees, they are represented by the scientific name, Abies grandis. The common name is coined with reference to its height, which measures about 300 feet. They are easily identifiable from other types of fir trees by their lustrous green, needle-shaped leaves, arranged in two rows in a single plane. When crushed, the leaves give a citrus scent. Giant firs are planted as ornamental trees in formal gardens and large public parks.

If you have a fir tree at home, check the leaf scars left on the twigs after you pick the needles. Nearly all fir trees types are economically important for production of aromatic oils, herbal medicine and paper. Though the wood of these coniferous trees is valuable for making rough timber and plywood, it doesn't meet the qualities of a good timber.

How Plans Fight Diseases

Scientists have shed new light on how plants fight diseases caused by bacterial pathogens.  Plants are like all other living things in that they are susceptible to disease. Generally this type of plant is quite hearty when cared for properly and is only typically susceptible to a couple of different types of diseases. If you know what the diseases are and what to look for, you can usually catch the disease early on so it can be treated as quickly as possible. The more quickly the rubber plants disease is treated the less likely it is to affect the plant long term.

Oedema is one type of rubber plants disease.  This is a disease that comes about when the roots of the plant soak up water faster than the water can be used by the plant.  What happens is that the root structures fill with water and the water pressure builds up in the cells of the leaf, which causes the leaves to look blistered.   

Oedema will often look like blisters on the plant.  They may start out the same color as the rest of the plant but then change to a more hardened form and turn white, tan or brown and even take on an almost wart like appearance.  Usually if the problem is not treated the leaves will begin to drop off the plant, the plant will begin to look weak, and then it will stop growing all together.  This disease is almost always seen in the later parts of the winter, but may also occur when the soil the plants are in is warm and wet and the air is cool and moist as well. 

"Some scientists have shown that these proteins block signaling transduction pathways in the plant, which eventually weakens plant immunity. We are introducing a fresh perspective on this topic, namely, that the pathogens evolved strategies to directly attack the production of plant antimicrobial compounds, such as isoflavones, thus compromising the plant''s defense mechanism," said Ma.

Once affected it can be hard to reverse the effects of Oedema.  To avoid it, the plants should be kept in places where the relative humidity is below 70% during the winter months.  Plants should be spaced further apart if this is a continuing problem to allow for more air flow.  Most plants may suffer during the winter months but then recover in the spring and summer months due to better water absorption. 

Rubber plants are also susceptible to powdery mildews.  Some plants are able to withstand the mildew but the weaker ones may actually stop growing and even begin to die.  The mildew usually appears on the plant as a gray or white power that coats some or all of the parts of the plant.  The spots often start out as small spots that will eventually overtake most, if not all, of the surface of the plant.

First, the pathogens inject virulence bacterial proteins, called HopZ1, through needle-like conduits into the plant cells. These proteins then largely reduce the production of the isoflavones and promote disease development.

However, by sensing the presence of HopZ1, the plants mount a robust resistance against the pathogen, including the production of a very high amount of isoflavones. At this point, the pathogen must come up with new strategies by either changing the kind of proteins it injects into the plant, not injecting any proteins at all, or injecting virulence proteins in a way that helps them escape detection by the plant. In this way, the virulence bacterial proteins and the plant host engage in an endless "arms race."

Chatillon Rose

There are many kinds of roses and different colors, rose represents the romance. Chatillon Rose is a delicate and romantic polyantha that comes all the way from France. Introduced by a French nurseryman named Auguste Nonin in 1928, Chatillon Rose comes from a class of roses that traces its origins to the rose known as R. multiflora 'Polyantha'.

 

Rose expert Bob Martin advised me that "The first polyantha was produced without pollination from sowing seeds of the mysterious rosa multiflora polyantha." I have found that polyanthas are generally very hardy plants that continually produce large clusters of small blooms, and Chatillon Rose is no exception. As a matter of fact "many blooms" is what the Greek word polyantha means. A very popular class of roses from the first half of the last century, they were also called "poly-poms" by the British.

 

Chatillon Rose in particular has many appealing attributes. It is known for making enormous sprays of lighter than air pink blossoms, which give the impression of flocks of little butterflies. Its flowers are bright medium pink, and the center of each bloom is white with a warm glow of rich yellow stamens. These delicate blooms are bountifully clothed in attractive, medium green foliage on a vigorous upright plant.

By way of growth habit, Chatillon Rose is extremely vigorous and tends to grow larger than many polyantha plants. It produces great masses of flowers, especially if the spent blooms are deadheaded away regularly. Have no doubt that the abundance of blooms will be a fine reward for any deadheading you perform. Since this rose flowers and reblooms so profusely, it is an excellent choice to plant in beds, low hedges and mass plantings, and will provide color and fragrance in the garden throughout most of the year. It is also a splendid plant for containers, and makes a bright splash of color wherever it is planted.

 

Like most polyanthas, Chatillon Rose blooms profusely on new canes that emerge from or close to the ground as well as on old canes. This tendency to have a number of canes and stems at different stages of maturity at the same time is common among polyanthas, and ensures a steady and reliable rebloom factor. This ever-blooming characteristic, known as remontance, combined with hardiness and disease resistance, makes Chatillon Rose a perfect choice for the home garden.

 

Since the 1930's, many new polyanthas have been introduced and classified as shrubs and miniatures, and thus have been more difficult to identify in commerce, while their larger and more spectacular offspring, the floribundas have made a large splash in the marketplace. However, many wonderful p olyanthas continue to be grown and sold, although they are more likely to be found in smaller, boutique nurseries that specialize in antique roses than in the bigger, more commercial venues. Therefore, Chatillon Rose is not widely available commercially at this time.

 

Polyanthas also make wonderful exhibition roses, and classes can be found in most rose shows for polyantha sprays and often three polyantha sprays. Chatillon Rose is a polyantha that does well on the trophy table. See the photo of the beautiful, award-winning spray shown by top Southern California exhibitors, Ron & Modine Gregory, at the 2004 San Diego National Show in San Diego (photo by our multi-talented webmaster, Glenn Fiery).

 

Most polyanthas, including Chatillon Rose, are similar to floribundas in that they produce many small canes and clusters of small blooms, which are under two inches in width. It is no surprise to learn that they are the forerunners to the floribunda roses, which were bred from polyanthas and hybrid teas, and which enjoy such popularity today.

 

Chatillon Rose, like most polyantha roses, is hardy, undemanding and easy to grow. It is therefore a good variety for beginners, since it does not require a lot of effort and attention. It is colorful, fragrant, disease-resistant and floriferous, making it an all-around delightful cultivar.

In conclusion, if you're a modern rose grower who is longing for a nostalgic, turn of the century garden, polyanthas like Chatillon Rose can reward you with the beauty and charm of yesteryear. Let a stroll through your garden take you back to the romance of the past with Chatillon Rose!

 

The Information About Bamboo

The original Bamboo is a grass of Gramineae family and Bambusoideae subfamily. Its size is from inches to over 100′ and can grow a foot or even more a day and there are running or clumping species. But what we'll discuss about and have inside our houses or what is sold by the name of "bamboo" in flower shops, cut and arranged in different decorating ways, is not a real bamboo plant, but a kind of Dracaena sanderia plant native of Cameron.

There are pot and also in water kept bamboos. In both cases the plant has to have roots for the hydration process to be done. Most of bamboo pot plants prefer the light, without full sun and a soil pH of around 6.0 - 6.2. The lack of water is the biggest problem with growing bamboo. However don't ultra water it, because its leaves will become yellow and with an unhealthy aspect. The soil is good to be just moist. When you buy or receive it check up the soil's water level, it has not to exceed 50 %. Anyway don't you water immediately when get it inside, because bamboo has 1 or 2 days period of adaptation at new environment.

Bamboo is one of the few plants that can grow even hydroponic (without soil), resisting more than one year. The water is good to be purified before put the bamboo in or just let for 24 hours to decant and thus chlorine and fluorine substances to evaporate. Change periodic the water in vase and you can add some general flower food. In summer, spray the bamboo's leaves with water even once a day, because it loves air humidity.

Bamboo is a plant with right stem, but we admire in flower shops the spiral shape. Maybe you ask your self how this is possible. It's easy for you to make a spiral from your lovely bamboo. Bamboo is growing and aligning towards the light. All you have to do is to turn around regular the vase where it's put.
 
Don't you put a bamboo near other plants in water or especially not together with cut flowers. It will not resist because of the cut flowers' speedy debased. If that happens, the bamboo will rot too or its leaves will become yellow. This is a sign of bamboo is dieing. Yellow streaking will slowly expand and spread. The only solution is to cut the part of the stem that is affected by bacteria, because it is not a reversible process.
Feng Shui Bamboo symbol.

Bamboo is the plant that brings luck if we admit the feng shui principles. In Chinese language the words "prayer" and "bamboo" have very similar meanings, that's why the idea of having a bamboo in your house which is increasing the religious faith and is protecting more from all the bad energies. The feng shui tradition says that is good to buy or create all by your self a bamboo with 3 or 8 stems, these being considered the lucky numbers and if you choose 8 stems bamboo plant, make sure that 2 of them are a spiral shape.

We recommend you to build something from bamboo wood, maybe a small house for your children play or decorate your place with. Or just put a bamboo ringer in front of your door, because, according to Hindu culture, bad spirits fear of these of which sounds could betray their presence.

Bamboo is one of the most useful plants grown in the world. It's used as food, building material, animal fodder, ornamentation and screening. For example, there is a freeze dried bamboo powder product that is very suitable for food and beverage.

Why Pine Trees Are Evergreen

Almost all the trees turn into yellow in winter,but the pine trees are also green,they are evergreen,why?let me introduce the details to you.
Pine tree is evergreen is because its leaves have evolved into pine needles, so the water is evaporated is very few, keep chlorophyll is more also. And pine trees are not leaves, it is in constant change the leaves, just a falling leaf is not so much, time leaves in the four seasons of different time, not carefully observe, really thought is evergreen!

The pine needles longer life expectancy, general is 1 year to 5 years, and not regularly falling leaves.
Pines are native to most of the Northern Hemisphere. In Eurasia, they range from the Canary Islands, Iberian Peninsula and Scotland east to the Russian Far East, and in the Philippines, north to just over 70°N in Norway, Finland and Sweden (Scots Pine) and eastern Siberia (Siberian Dwarf Pine), and south to northernmost Africa, the Himalaya and Southeast Asia, with one species (Sumatran Pine) just crossing the Equator in Sumatra to 2°S. In North America, they range from 66°N in Canada (Jack Pine and Red Pine), south to 12°N in Nicaragua (Caribbean Pine). Pines have been introduced in subtropical and temperate portions of the Southern Hemisphere, including Chile, Brazil, South Africa, Tanzania, Australia, Argentina and New Zealand, where they are grown widely as a source of timber. A number of these introduced species have become invasive, threatening native ecosystems.
Pines are evergreen, resinous trees (or rarely shrubs) growing 3–80 m tall, with the majority of species reaching 15–45 m tall. The smallest are Siberian Dwarf Pine and Potosi Pinyon, and the tallest is a 268.35-foot (81.79-meter) tall Ponderosa Pine located in southern Oregon's Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.
The bark of most pines is thick and scaly, but some species have thin, flaking bark. The branches are produced in regular "pseudo whorls", actually a very tight spiral but appearing like a ring of branches arising from the same point. Many pines are uninodal, producing just one such whorl of branches each year, from buds at the tip of the year's new shoot, but others are multinodal, producing two or more whorls of branches per year. The spiral growth of branches, needles, and cone scales are arranged in Fibonacci number ratios. The new spring shoots are sometimes called "candles"; they are covered in brown or whitish bud scales and point upward at first, then later turn green and spread outward. These "candles" offer foresters a means to evaluate fertility of the soil and vigour of the trees.

Pines are long-lived, typically reaching ages of 100–1,000 years, some even more. The longest-lived is the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine, Pinus longaeva, one individual of which, at around 4,600 years old, is one of the world's oldest living organisms. This tree can be found in the White Mountains of California. An older tree, unfortunately now cut down, was dated at 4,900 years old. It was discovered in a grove beneath Wheeler Peak and it is now known as Prometheus after the Greek immortal.