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Can Plant Bacteria Infect a Human? Although it would seem like a no brainer to assume that plant and human diseases are distinct and cannot crossover from plant to gardener, this isn’t the case at all. Human infection from plants is very rare, but it does happen. The primary pathogen of concern is a bacteria known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which causes a type of soft rot in plants. P. aeruginosa infections in humans can invade nearly any tissue in the human body, provided they are already weakened....

About Cherry Tree Propagation via Cuttings There are two types of cherry tree: tart (Prunus cerasus) and sweet (Prunus avium) cherries, both of which are members of the stone fruit family. While you can propagate a cherry tree using its seeds, the tree is likely a hybrid, meaning the resultant offspring will end up with the characteristics of one of the parent plants. If you want to get a true “copy” of your tree, you need to propagate the cherry tree from cuttings....

The flavorful, nutrient-rich vegetable isn’t difficult to grow in full sunlight and moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Read on and learn how to grow this broccoli variety. How to Grow Destiny Broccoli Start seeds indoors five to seven weeks ahead of time or start with small Destiny broccoli plants from a nursery or garden center. Either way, they should be transplanted into the garden two to three weeks before the last frost in your area....

Horseradish History Before we get into horseradish container growing, I want to share some interesting horseradish history. Horseradish originated in southern Russia and the eastern region of Ukraine. An herb, it has traditionally been grown for centuries for not only culinary use but medicinal use as well. Horseradish was incorporated into the Passover Seder as one of the bitter herbs during the Middle Ages and is still used to this day....

History of Planting Poppies Growing poppy flowers are said to spring up on ravaged battlefields, as long ago as the 12th century. White poppies appeared on battlefields left by Mogul warrior Genghis Khan and were sighted in war zones following some battles of World War I. Thus, they have come to symbolize death and rebirth. The red poppy symbolizes fallen warriors and commemorates Veteran’s Day in the United States. Growing poppy flowers have been used for medicinal and culinary purposes over the centuries....

About Plants for Cutting Propagation Rooting plants from cuttings is one of the easiest ways to propagate, or make more, plants for the garden. The propagation process can be used for both woody and herbaceous plants; however, the procedure will vary somewhat depending upon type. Before choosing plants for cutting propagation, it will first be important to do some research. While a number of plants can be multiplied in this way, this method will not work with every plant species....

Haganta Plum Tree Info Each spring, Haganta plums reward growers with a fantastic display of fragrant, white blossoms. When pollinated, these blossoms transform and develop into large dark fruits with a juicy, yellow flesh. Grown commercially for its high production, hardiness, and disease resistance, this plum tree is an excellent choice for the home gardener too. Reaching only about 12 feet (3.5 m.) in height, these partially self-fertile (self-fruitful) trees produce a profusion of early-ripening freestone plums....

Pomegranate Tree Transplant Pomegranate trees are not stately by any means. Many grow as bushy shrubs. They are resistant to pests and diseases though and are easy to transplant from a container into your backyard These trees thrive in USDA plant hardiness zones 7b through 12. When is the best time to do a pomegranate tree transplant? If you buy a bare root plant, you’ll want to do it in the spring, right after you buy it....

What is Junegrass? Prairie junegrass grows natively in most parts of North America. Where does Junegrass grow? It is found from Ontario to British Columbia, and down south to Delaware, California, and Mexico. This hardy, adaptable grass grows in the Plains Mountains, meadow foothills, and forests. Its primary habitat is open, rocky sites. This makes junegrass in landscapes that are challenging a perfect addition. Junegrass is a perennial, cool season, tufting true grass....

Flowers from the Past Old flowers are fascinating in that they were not initially the primary mode of pollination and reproduction in many instances. While seed producing trees, like conifers, are much older (around 300 million years), the oldest flower fossil currently on record is believed to be roughly 130 million years old. One prehistoric flower, Montsechia vidalii, was believed to be an aquatic specimen which was pollinated with the assistance of underwater currents....

Pretty Weeds for the Lawn The term “weed” may call to mind a scraggly, ugly plant that is hard to get rid of. The word simply means a plant you don’t want on your land. This group generally includes wildflowers; yet wildflowers have many of the advantages gardeners seek when they go looking for lawn alternatives. Although individual plant requirements vary, most native plants require neither fertilizer nor extra irrigation. If they depended on human maintenance, they wouldn’t bloom wild in nature to begin with....

Propagation of Holly Shrubs Holly cuttings are made from canes of new growth that have been removed from the holly bush. Once you have these canes, you can cut them into pieces about six inches (15 cm.) in length. Propagating holly should be done while the bush is dormant. If your holly is deciduous, this means your cuttings won’t have any leaves on them. Although they have no leaves, you will see bumps on the canes....

When to Prune a Maple Tree Many gardeners are confused about when to prune a maple tree. In late winter, when the days are warm and the nights are cold, root pressure causes sap to flow from any wound made in the bark of the tree. This makes it look as if the tree is suffering. However, maple tree pruning in winter generally won’t hurt a mature tree. You would have to remove an entire limb for the loss of sap to negatively impact a fully grown tree....

How to Grow a Rosemary Topiary A rosemary topiary is simply a shaped rosemary plant. You can grow your own and practice the art of topiary, or you can buy one that is already shaped. The latter option does require that you prune to maintain the shape if you want to keep it looking neat and tidy. What makes a rosemary a good plant for topiary is the fact that it is a woody plant with dense growth....

Cutting Back Indigo Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) is an ancient plant, famous for the intense blue dye which is extracted from the leaves. Although most clothing manufacturers have switched to chemical dyes, true indigo dye is still favored by people who prefer to work with natural dyes – especially manufacturers of premium denim. A beautiful, arching plant that shoots up from the base, indigo produces masses of purple or pink flowers that burst forth in summer and early fall....

What is Quince Tree Leaf Rust? Quince rust is caused by the fungus Gymnosporangium clavipes. Although it is called quince tree leaf rust, it doesn’t do much damage to the leaves of fruit trees. It attacks the fruit. So, if you are worried about this disease, don’t look for the rust on quince leaves. Most of the symptoms are on the fruit. You may also see some on the twigs. The quince rust fungus requires both a juniper/cedar and pomaceous host....

Quinoa Growing Requirements One of the biggest issues facing commercial growers and home gardeners is meeting quinoa’s climate requirements. Originating in mountainous areas, quinoa requires cool temperatures and short daylight hours to reach its full potential. This can make it difficult to grow and harvest quinoa in many agricultural areas. Research shows that temperatures above 95 degrees F. (35 C.) cause quinoa plants to go dormant or the pollen to become sterile....

Raised Garden Bed Soil What is the best soil for raised garden beds? As you might guess, the best soil type for raised beds depends entirely on what you intend to grow and won’t be the same in all situations. Some plants thrive on acidic soil, like blueberry bushes. Others prefer a soil with higher pH. This plant preference remains just as true in a raised bed situation as in a ground garden....

Growing Regina Cherries The best time for planting Regina cherries is generally late fall or early spring. Select a planting spot where the tree is exposed to at least six hours of daily sunlight. Otherwise, blooming may be limited, or may not occur at all. Like all cherry trees, Regina cherry should be planted in soil that is moist but well-drained. Avoid soggy areas or spots where water puddles or drains slowly after a rainfall....

Gardening in September Below are September to-do lists by region. Northwest Live in the Pacific Northwest region? Here are some things you should be doing: Continue to deadhead annuals and perennials to keep them blooming as long as possible.Pick tomatoes and peppers if frost is in the forecast.Divide iris and peonies.Bring green tomatoes indoors to finish ripening.Stop fertilizing trees and flowering shrubs. Tender new growth is likely to be harmed by winter freezes....