Mexican Petunia (Ruellia Angustifolia) - Pictures

My Mexican Petunia's, aka: Mexican Bluebell or Britton's Wild Petunia:

Pictures by Kim Sellers

Yucca - Pictures

Just Some Pictures of My Spanish Dagger Yucca:

Pictures by Kim Sellers

 

 

Aloe (Aloe Barbadensis) - Poisounous

Is Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Poisonous?


While aloe vera is a popular treatment for burns and is included many types of products including sunburn creams and lotions, the aloe vera plant does have some relatively minor poisonous properties. Underneath the skin of the plant is a latex which can cause an allergic reaction to the skin and if ingested will most likely cause vomiting and/or diarrhea. In small doses, the poison in the aloe vera plant is relatively harmless to humans but it may cause an allergic reaction in some people.

When using the aloe vera plant as a burn cream or for other dermatological purposes, you should test the plant on a small section of the skin to ensure that a rash or dermatitis (irritation) does not occur. You can reduce the irritant (latex) in the aloe plant by properly preparing the plant prior to use.

Cut away the skin and layer of yellow juice below the skin, leaving only the actual gel of the inner plant. The yellow layering is the primary source of the latex which can cause irritation in some individuals.

Corn Plant (Dracaena) - Trimming

Is your corn plant getting too tall for the house? Before the corn plant reaches the ceiling it is best to trim it back. 



The best part is that by trimming the corn plant you gain a new plant. Here's my corn plant that I let grow way too tall.The small baby corn plant actually broke off of the large one when I let grow way too long in the house. I planted the baby one after it fell off of the top of the corn plant. (I know the leaves are turning yellow I think it's been getting too much sun since I moved it outside.)

So I decided to trim my corn plant back for the winter.

I typically start by taking a good pair of pruning shears that are large enough to cut smoothly through the stalk of the plant. Clean the pruning shears with some rubbing (Isopropyl) alcohol to help prevent infection of the corn plant.

Next cut the stalk of the plant to the height you wish to trim it back to. The existing (rooted) corn plant should sprout new leaves just below where you cut it.
 

You can root the top of the corn plant (part you just cut off) by placing it in some water or well draining soil (keep the soil damp until it is rooted then water the corn plant well, but let the soil dry to about 1 inch  below the surface).

Corn Plant (Dracaena) - Care

The Corn Plant (Dracaena), also referred to as a Dragon Tree or Ribbon Plant -- Plant Care and Growing tips:

Light: Prefers bright light but will tolerate low light. If the corn plant's leaves bleach or burn it's probably getting too much sun light. If the leaves turn dark, solid green and lose the yellow stripe down the center, the corn plant is not getting enough light.

Soil Conditions: Likes good drainage. It might be a good idea to use a loamy soil or place some pebbles at the bottom of the planter to provide drainage.Mixing the soil with peat moss may also help to provide the optimal soil conditions. The optimal PH range is 6.0 to 6.5.

Watering and Humidity: Water well and let the soil drain. Let the soil dry out down to about an inch below the surface before watering again. While the corn plant likes well drained soil it also likes humidity, so unless you live in a humid climate mist the leaves once a week or so and keep the plant in an area with other plants to help keep the air moist.  The roots of the Corn plant are located close to the base of the plant and the plant has a very shallow root system; when watering, place the water near the base of each cane to ensure adequate absorption of water. If the leaves begin to drop or turn yellow, the corn plant may be over watered, try watering less often (also check the lighting conditions).

Temperature: The corn plant likes average room temperatures ranging between 60° F and 75°F, (16°C to 24°C). Care should be taken that it isn't exposed to temperatures below 55°F (13°C).

Hopefully this will provide some basic corn plant care tips.

Corn Plant (Dracaena) - Poisounous

The Corn Plant, a type of Dracaena sometimes referred to as Dragon Tree or Ribbon Plant, is often referred to as a poisonous houseplant; however, the research I have found is somewhat conflicting as to if the corn plant is truly poisonous to humans or animals, and if so, how toxic it really is.

The ASPCA lists the corn plant as toxic to cats and to dogs with symptoms of: Vomiting (occasionally with blood), depression, anorexia, hyper salivation, and dilated pupils (cats).

However, the William E. Brock Memorial Library at Oklahoma State University lists the plant as non-toxic with symptoms of stomach-ache.

My take is that the plant is poisonous to some animals and not to others (or at least the symptoms are less severs). I recommend keeping the corn plant out of reach of small children and prevent your pets from eating them.

Worm Gardening Tip: Harvesting

So you have spent the time and effort to make a worm garden, now how do you separate the worms from your black gold?

A simple method is to build your worm garden so that there is a removable board or other object separating approximately one quarter of the box from the rest. Fill the larger portion of the box, leaving an open space in the other end of the box.

When the worms are ready to harvest, place fresh food and bedding / dirt in the open end of the box. Next, remove the board. Over a few weeks the worms will migrate to the fresh food. Now the nutrient rich worm dirt can easily be harvested.

Organic Smell Remover Recipe

Cat urine, dog smells, skunk odor, and other smells - Try spraying a solution of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and soap on the affected area. Use the following mixture:

• One half cup baking soda
• 16 ounces (2 cups) hydrogen peroxide
• 2 table spoons dish soap

Place the solution in a spray bottle and shake it well. Spray the affected area thoroughly and let it sit. Place a fan on the area to help it dry. I don't recommend any rubbing or blotting unless you have to.

For skunk odors try adding a bottle of vinegar to the above mixture.

Be sure to spray the solution on a small test area to try it out first. Peroxide may cause bleaching.