Bonsai for beginners is simply learning the basics of tree care. Do not water bonsai just before repotting; it is difficult to remove the old soil if it is too wet. New soil must be dry and generally is a mixture of clay, peat moss, leaf mold and sand, in equal parts. Much of the soil components should be sifted in order to separate the different sized particles.

The most necessary tools and materials are as follows:

Sharp scissors, a round brush, pointed chopstick, wire clippers, watering can (preferably one with fine spray), copper wire in a range of sizes, string, and dried and powdered moss which has grown on rock, i.e. a low growing moss.

The important ten steps:

1. Take tree out of container and clean out container with brush.

2. Prepare container. If the root mass of the bonsai will fill one-half to two-thirds of the space in the container after roots are trimmed, use copper wire to tie the tree in place. Arrange wire; tie (later). If the root system is small, it is better to tie with string after the repotting is finished.

3. Loosen the soil of the root mass. Use chopstick to loosen up the outer one-third of the soil of the root mass. Also loosen soil of the underside of the root mass (approximately the lower third).

4. Trim roots. Use large sharp scissors and cut away the outer third of the fibrous mass; also cut off about half of the roots on the underside. A little tree should not be repotted if it does not have a tightly packed root system, that is, if it is not completely "pot bound."

5. Position tree in container. Place tree in center if the container is round or square, and one-third in from the end if a rectangular or oval container.

6. Bonsai for beginners involves getting new soil in around the roots. This is done by rapid jabbing with a chopstick. The soil should not be pressed down by hand. Only the chopstick can make the soil go into the spaces between the roots. The jabbing motion should not be to the same depth each time. That is to say, the first motion should go down deep, and the next time a little shallower than before, etc. Also jab sideways as well as straight down. Generally speaking, this jabbing motion takes time. As the soil works down in and disappears, during the jabbing, constantly add more-until no more is needed.

7. Tie tree to container. Wires must be pulled up first then drawn together over the root mass, and twisted tight.

8. Brush away excess soil. If the surface soil is higher than the rim of the container, all the water will run off when the tree is sprinkled. Keep soil one-quarter inch lower than the side of the container. It is desirable to insert a protective rubber strip between wire and roots, so the wire will neither contact nor cut into the roots. Visible wire may be cut away after one growing season.

9. At this point only one finishing touch is needed. Spread a very thin layer of topsoil over the surface of the soil already in the container, and sprinkle dried powdered moss, through the fingers, onto the topsoil.

10. Water. Place the newly planted bonsai container in a tub of water in which the water level is the same depth as the container. At the same time, gently water from above.

By: Bob Flukes
If you are interested in growing your own bonsai - You can
visit: http://www.bestbonsaibook.com

If you love rosebushes but do not have ample space in your yard or home, consider growing miniature roses. These delicate little plants are just as beautiful as their bigger relatives; they just do not take up as much space.

If you plan to grow the miniature roses outside, you need to select a sunny location. They love the sunlight and will thrive in its sparkling rays. Watch the planting spot for several days to make sure there are no shadows cast where you plan to put the plant.

Dig a hole that will accommodate the plant and carefully remove it from its container. Be careful not to disturb the roots any more than necessary. Gently place the miniature rose in the hole and pack the dirt loosely around it. If you have cold seasons and plan to leave your bush outside, it is a good idea to cover the base with a couple of inches of mulch to protect the roots.

These little guys like a lot of water so be sure to give it a drink every day for the first couple of weeks. Continue to monitor the amount of moisture in the ground, and water the plant before the ground dries out around the plants base.

If you prefer to grow your miniature roses indoors, you will have to select a window that provides ample sunlight. If it looks as though the plant is not growing or bushing out, move it to another window. Even in the pot, the plant will require a lot of water, so check it everyday to be sure the soil is kept moist.

If your miniature rose bush is thriving and growing rapidly, you may need to transplant it to a larger pot. Do not increase the flower pot size too drastically, or the plant will refuse to grow. It needs a bit of cramping on its roots to continue to grow, just not to much cramping.

That's really all there is to it. Keep the plant well watered, whether it is indoors or outside, and your miniature rose bush will continue growing and producing beautiful flowers for years to come.

Just make sure you are aware that even though it is a miniature rose bush, it will grow to be about 3 to 4 foot tall. Allow the plant plenty of space, when you are deciding where to put it, or it will eventually look cramped.

By: Lee R. Martin
Resource Site : http://www.WonderfulRoses.com
Come to the site and look around. Lots of good information.
Also a Free Mini-Course, for anyone wanting more knowledge about rose gardening.

Growing orchids can be one of the most rewarding and satisfying hobbies that you will ever undertake . When you do begin growing orchids, one thing is absolutely certain, you will need to be well informed and knowledgeable on the growing of orchids and orchid care. This article will help you to get started with some useful orchid growing tips that I feel are the most important when just starting this exciting adventure.

Selecting Your Orchid

There are three species of orchids that are most suitable for growing indoors. These are the phalaenopsis or moth orchids that requires not so much light and can adapt easily to indoor settings. The Cattleya species which requires much more light to grow well indoors and finally there is the Dendrobiums species. Orchids that grow well outdoors are the Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Cattleya Hybrids, Laelia, and Stanhopea.

Essential H2O

The knowledge of Watering is probably one of the most important factors when growing orchids. The right combination of air and water should be thought of carefully when watering orchids, as excess moisture can cause the roots to rot which is true of most plants. Some varieties of orchids prefer their roots dry, while others need more moisture. The amount of watering should depend on the temperature and humidity of the environment, and the species of the orchids.

Tropical orchids need a warm, humid atmosphere because most of them do not have superior root systems. You must have a water tank or pool in the center of the plants to provide the moisture. Orchids should be watered 2-3 times a day and should not be allowed to dry up during the summer months. Growing plants need extra water just like plants in baskets need more water than those in pots. Orchids which have recently been potted should be watered cautiously while waiting for the new roots to emerge.

Humid conditions should be provided as well. Anywhere between 60-70% should do. Humidity is also very important for these plants. Typically if the substrate is moist and the temperature is set to the correct levels then the humidity will take care of itself with the aid of the live plants. Humidity plays a large part and is one of the most important orchid growing tips I can give you.

The Energy of the Sun

The third orchid growing tips is that orchids require enough light not only to stay alive, but also to grow and ultimately to produce flowers. A good indication is to determine if they are receiving enough light is by examining the leaves. Moderate to light green leaves means they are getting the right amount, while deeper and dark green leaves means the level of light is not that good. Excessive heat may cause the leaves to suffer sunburn and also exhaust the food reserves of the plant. If you notice that the leaves are yellowing like autumn leaves then you know that they have had to much heat.

Feeding Your Orchids

The minerals that are essential for orchids and are easily depleted are the following: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Growers differ in the fertilizer compositions and regiments they employ. Inorganic fertilizers that combine mineral salts and are soluble in water are the easiest to use and most commonly available. High phosphorus content in fertilizer is said to be the factor responsible for stimulating and increasing orchid flowering. The decrease in excess nitrogen allows for more abundant blooms among orchids.

Pots and Mixes

The final piece of advice from my orchid growing tips is to ensure you have the correct pot for your orchid. Believe it or not but this is of primary importance! There are three types of pots, plastic, terracota and basket. I prefer terracota and I always make sure the pot is the right size for my orchid. With regards to mixes I use a combination of organic fibers and inorganic materials. The organic choices are Fir Bark, Redwood Bark, Coconut Husks, Sphagnum Moss and tree Fern Fiber and for Inorganic choices include Charcoal, Lava rock, Alifor are, Pearlite and Turface.

By: James R Connor
James Connor is an Orchid specialist who has a number of websites on the care and cultivation of Orchids. If you would like to know more check out OrchidGrowingTips.org for more information about Growing Orchids and receive Your FREE Report on Growing Orchids.

There is very little that is more beautiful or that looks more magical when incorporated into your landscape than a climbing rose. It is impossible to look at a rose encrusted vine creeping up the side of a trellis and not have romantic thoughts. Although climbing roses are most often found weaving up and around a trellis, it is possible to train one to climb the side of a building, to wind around a decorative column, or accent a boundary. Some clever gardeners have even used climbing walls to turn fences into living works of art.

One of the concerns that many rose lovers have when they are looking at incorporating climbing roses into their garden is that some climbing roses are not capable of withstanding the elements, however over the years botanists have been able to create several species of climbing roses that are capable of living through the unpredictable weather that many states experience. When you are selecting a climbing rose, make sure you are confident that one you select has been bred to survive your winters.

There are three basic types of climbing roses that you can choose from.

Rambling Roses

Rambling climbing roses are perhaps the most impressive in terms of growth. Some surprised growers have reported that their rambling roses have grown twenty feet in a single season. Several varieties of rambling roses have extremely large blooms. The downside to rambling roses is that they seem to be extremely susceptible to mildew.

True Climbers

True climbers are the perfect choice for any rose lover who is looking for a climbing rose that has extremely large blossoms. These roses have clusters of blossoms making the already large blooms look even larger. When you are looking at true climbers you should know that there are actually two types of true climbing roses; climbing hybrid tea roses and bush climbers. The climbing hybrid tea roses usually do not bloom as long as bush climbers and they are more susceptible to disease.

Trailers

Trailing roses are an excellent choice in climbing roses because they are extremely resistant to the diseases that often compromise other varieties of climbing roses. The downside to growing trailing roses is that they need to be staked or they will not have enough support to grow properly.

When to Plant Climbing Roses

Climbing roses do best when they are planted in the early spring. Since the start of spring can vary from state to state, you should check when the best time to start planting. Make sure that there is no chance that you are going to experience a frost after you have planted your roses. Your climbing rose will be more likely to survive winter if it has had a minimum of six months to establish a solid root base.

Caring for Climbing Roses

After you have planted your climbing rose you need to make sure that you are vigilant about watering it a least once a week, make sure that you do not over water it as mildew is one of the leading causes of rose death. When your rose has grown enough so that it reaches whatever you want it climb, make sure you fasten it to the object, this will train it to properly climb.

By: Kirby Cranson
http://www.creditbest.net/
A self-professed personal finance geek. I search for, read about, talk about, and postulate about personal finance when I am not working or sleeping.