Azaleas

Azaleas ~ Are flowering shrubs that are part of the Rhododendron genus. Deciduous azaleas are in the Pentanthera subgenus, and evergreen azaleas in the Tsutsusi subgenus. There are more than 10,000 different cultivars of these flowers, coming in many different colors, including purple, white, yellow, orange, red, reddish-orange and pink. As with the majority of flowers, there is symbolism and meaning attached to azaleas.

Primary Meanings
In China, the meaning behind azaleas is womanhood. The Chinese believe that azaleas are symbols of womanhood and temperance. In other parts of the world, the azalea is thought to symbolize the concepts of fragility and passion.

Chinese Culture
Although in China the azalea is associated with being a symbol of womanhood, it also means "the thinking home bush," which is "xiang shu" in Chinese. This means that it is a shrub that represents thoughtfulness and pensiveness.The azalea was made famous by the Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu who vibrantly detailed them in some of his works, such as "A Sea of Blood Red Azaleas."

Sweet Tea Heucherella

Sweet Tea Heucherella - Sweet Tea’s unusual, velvety rich orange and burgundy-red leaves darken in summer and brighten in fall. This colorful cross between Heuchera and Tiarella grows 20" tall. An impressive border or container plant that also works well planted en masse. Ships in a 3" pot. Zones 4-9. Height: 20" Zones: 4-9 Bloom Time: Late Spring Light: Partial to Full Shade.

Rainbow Eucalyptus – Nature’s Painted Tree

Rainbow Eucalyptus – Nature’s Painted Tree

The incredible looking Rainbow Eucalyptus is the only species of eucalyptus that grows in the northern hemisphere. It can grow to impressive heights, of up to 70 meters, and it is normally grown... for its pulpwood, used to create white paper. There are many other interesting facts regarding Rainbow Eucalyptus, but the obvious question arises: why does it look like it’s been painted?

The secret behind the Rainbow Eucalyptus is actually pretty simple. The trees shed multiple patches of bark every year, but not at the same time. As the patches are gone, the green inner bark is exposed, and, as it matures, every new patch first turns bluish, then orange, purple and maroon. This creates the rainbow effect that makes these trees so nice to look at.

Rainbow Eucalyptus can be found in New Guinea, New Britain and the Philippines.

shared by Lhynn

Not Your Usual Veggies

Radishes are one of the easiest and fastest plants to grow. Radish plants come in 2 varieties; spring radishes and winter radishes. Spring radishes are harvested in the spring. Spring radishes are fast growers and they come in red, white, pink, and black. Spring radishes can be round, oval, or cylindrical. Spring radishes have a more subtle flavor than their winter counterparts. Winter radishes take a longer time to grow and are divided in to 4 groups. Daikon radishes are like white carrots. Chinese or lo bok radishes are white and long. Spanish radishes are tart with black skins and white flesh. German Beer Radishes look like turnips.


Radishes




Bitter Melon is very popular in southern China. Fruits are in top shaped with large square shoulder. Dark green skin Bitter Melon can grow to reach 400-450 grams in size. The plant grows vigorously in warm climates and is resistant to rain, suitable for growing in tropical regions.


Bitter Melon

How to care for a Rubber Tree indoors:

How to care for a Rubber Tree indoors:



A rubber tree plant is also known as a Ficus elastica. These large trees can grow up to 50 feet tall. When learning how to care for a rubber tree plant, there are a few key things to remember. Rubber plant care isn’t as difficult as one might think.

Starting with a young rubber tree houseplant will allow it to adapt to being an indoor plant better than star...ting with a more mature plant.

Proper Light and Water for a Rubber Tree Plant

When it comes to rubber plant care, the correct balance of water and light is crucial, as
with any plant. You can control the amount of light and water it gets, which is important because they shouldn’t have too much of either.

Light

When you have a rubber tree houseplant it needs bright light, but it prefers indirect light that isn’t too hot. Some people recommend putting it near a window that has sheer curtains. This allows plenty of light, but not too much.

Water

The rubber tree plant also needs the right balance of water. During the growing season, it needs to be kept moist. It is also a good idea to wipe off the leaves of your rubber tree houseplant with a damp cloth or spritz it with water. If you water the rubber tree plant too much, the leaves will turn yellow and brown and fall off.

During the dormant season, it may only need watered once or twice a month. If the leaves begin to droop, but not fall off, increase the water you give the rubber tree houseplant gradually until the leaves perk back up again.

Mine has new leaves at the top, but I find they are dropping from below, so I will have to keep an eye on it, I have it in light filtered through a light curtain.
But I do love it as a indoor plant....