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29.4.15

Workable Practical Tips for Growing Flowering Plants in Cold Climate Countries by Karen Orlando Thank you so Much Karen!

 Workable  practical tips for growing flowering plants in cold climate countries, what most of readers of Garden Care Simplified from US and Canada have been searching for, comes with a wonderful blessing from an awesum friend Karen Orlando, on Face Book, you can see her passion, love and care for her lovely ones, as they definitely give back the love with awesumly fragrant blooms!
Lets read on...by Karen Orlando!
This is how I overwintered my Cestrum Nocturnum (Night blooming Jessamine) , Lakeview Jasmine, and small Potted Gardenia plants.
Hello everyone! I found this group because I was looking for some info on Night Blooming Jessamine (Cestrum Nocturnum) about when I should bring my overwintered plants from inside my house back outside this Spring. I wanted to know living here in S.E. Lower Michigan what the minimum night time low temps would be that these plants could safely tolerate before setting them out for the season. I didn't find any conclusive answers but found Rizwana's Garden Care Simplified Blog site. I found a discussion with many good comments and info on this specific plant. I commented and hoped that someone could tell me the info I need to get these plants safely back outside here in Zone 6a in Michigan. Rizwana suggested after I posted on how I overwintered these plants, to share with others who may want to know how I did it, and if I could post some photos, so here is the info if anyone is interested.
Photos of plants shared by Karen Orlando for Garden Care Simplified

Photos of plants shared by Karen Orlando for Garden Care Simplified

Photos of plants shared by Karen Orlando for Garden Care Simplified

Photos of plants shared by Karen Orlando for Garden Care Simplified

Photos of plants shared by Karen Orlando for Garden Care Simplified

Photos of plants shared by Karen Orlando for Garden Care Simplified

Photos of plants shared by Karen Orlando for Garden Care Simplified

Photos of plants shared by Karen Orlando for Garden Care Simplified

Photos of plants shared by Karen Orlando for Garden Care Simplified

Photos of plants shared by Karen Orlando for Garden Care Simplified
The plants in the photos are:
2 potted Cestrum Nocturnum ( Night blooming Jessamine), (Queen of the Night) plants.
1 potted Lakeview Jasmine plant
1 potted small Gardenia plant
The Lakeview Jasmine I have had for several years and have always overwintered in my home and put back outside in Spring. It has done well over the years.
The 2 potted Cestrum Nocturnum ( Night Blooming Jessamine) plants I purchased last June 2014 from a local nursery. They were both about 3 ft high when I bought them. I brought them home, and re-potted them using their original soil and also some potting soil mix and some organic compost, topped the pots off with a thin layer of Mulch to keep moisture in. I fertilized once or twice last season with Miracle Grow Bloom Booster 10-52-10. I experimented with the placement of these plants on my covered front porch and open deck. They took some time to acclimate and let me know that they were unhappy by drooping their leaves in protest of either the amount of sun, shade or water amounts. I finally found a spot that they were both happy with, and they decided to give me a few blooms to let me know they approved, but only a dabble of bloom which was a fragrant delight at night, even if it was very few and short lived. I pruned them down after they flowered and some before bringing them inside to keep their size tolerable for indoors.
.
In the fall I brought them inside and because I am lucky to have two full bathrooms in my home, I used my downstairs bathtub as their winter home. From the photos you can see the set up I used for them. I used a floor lamp...Brand: "Lavish Home" Sunlight Floor Lamp, plugged into a timer to set the hours of light they would receive daily. I read that for them to produce the flowers, they need completed darkness at night for the process of setting flowers. I also used my hand held shower to direct the spray all around the plants and the walls of the tub to create a nice humid area for them. I sprayed them every morning and at night before going to bed. I sprayed directly on the leaves of all the plants and very lightly and only once a day directly into the pots, they seemed to like having the water drip from their leaves into the pots instead of over watering directly into the pots and with the humidity they stayed nice and green.
Shortly after giving them this over- wintering environment, they showed their happiness by quickly and profusely producing an explosion of tiny white fragrant blooms that literally filled my whole house with their perfume, even with the bathroom door closed my whole house smelled of their sweet fragrance. It was lovely!! After that one bloom-time, I cut them back once again, and let them rest. I kept my house temperature about 68 - 72 degrees F. adjusting to how cold it got outside in the daytime. At night I would lower the temp a couple of degrees again adjusting to how cold it was outside. I did not fertilize at all during the winter. They did lose some leaves and I had to clean the bottom of my tub from leaves that had fallen,but as you can see they did pretty well over all.
These photos were taken on April 27 2015. You can see that they are now putting out new growth. I have decided to wait to put them outside until our night low temps are 50 and above. I will slowly acclimate them to the amount of Sun they get as well when I set them back out. I do have a garage just in case there is a chance that temps dip or a rouge frost comes, as it has done before here in Michigan. I do not want to haul these big pots and plants in and out of the house this spring!
One other Note: I read that these plants are highly poisonous to both animals and humans. I have two kitties that I absolutely adore and love and I had to be very vigilante all winter to make sure the bathroom door stayed closed so they wouldn't have access to these plants. 
If anyone wants to try this method of overwintering, and you only have one bathtub, you can either take them in and out of the tub when you need to shower, or if you have room let them stay and shower with you! smile emoticon
Thank you so so much Karen for this wonderfully helpful share, I am sure this will help save so many precious ones!
Meanwhile back home under the sun, ..waiting for the Gulmohar blooms, each day the buds appear to grow larger... My Brahma Kamal plants are doing awesum in the kitchen window, with watering twice and sprinkling waters three to four times on the leaves, and of course singing and talking to them! lets see when they will decide to bless me with blooms! 
With the hot summers don't forget to keep some water out for our heavenly friends! have added two more stone containers this season.
God Bless and All the Best from Rizwana! Have a Great Day!
www.razarts.com
All photographs shared in this post are by Karen Orlando, please do not copy or use them for personal or professional use! Thank you!

28.4.15

Garden Care Simplified, our blog has been featured as among the Top 12 Blogs in India by Baggout Team, Thank you so much Baggout for this recognition

Thanks a lot for your awesum support and love shown to my blog readers of Garden Care Simplified, our blog has been featured as among the Top 12 Blogs in India by Baggout Team, Thank you so much Baggout for this recognition, God Bless you All!
As I continue to share my passion of growing unique plants, keep growing them in a small space under the sun , keep buying and keep sharing practical experiences and tips...Thanks a Lot!
Meanwhile the garden is at its best with awesome Summers giving out colorful blooms, and as I love colors so I select plants with colorful flowers, and this time God Has blessed in amazing ways! Thank you God for these beautiful blessings and wonderful nature being a part of my life.
Amaltus Golden Shower is in full bloom this summers!

Roses are awesum! Mogra is fully loaded with heavenly fragrances...
Beautiful garden Roses Garden care Simplified
Allamanda in full bloom Rizwana Mundewadi
 Allamanda, where my beautiful pet Boku blue love bird lies in peace is giving out large sized blooms! and of course the Gulmohar with its loaded buds in just about going to begin an awesum show of Reds!
Gulmohar tree in container bursting with buds, Rizwana Mundewadi
Goldie love bird feeling hot Rizwana Mundewadi

The hot summers  our love birds , especially Goldie, yellow one is tightening wings again and again communicating of the hot climate. I am protecting them from the day heat and also keeping them under fan. Morning fresh garden outings, showering,  help to keep them healthy and cool.


Spiritually Purple Petunia flower, Rizwana Mundewadi

Large Red Amaryllis , Rizwana Mundewadi


Have a Great Day from Rizwana!


24.4.15

Green Peppers Capsicum Plant Photos and Tips Shared by an Awesum Reader Charmi Vora

The capsicum with its beautiful  shape, commonly called Bell Peppers is a beautiful fruit that is very good for health and heart. peppers it seems alleviate hormones that are required to boost immunity and fight diseases. Peppers, Jalapeno, Chilli, Capsicum that finds a prominent place as toppings on our pizzas!
While some refer it as herb, some vegetable and some fruit it is one thing which sometimes people complain they are difficult to digest. Great for high cholesterol and heart patients as it improves blood circulation as mentioned by many qualified the peppers sure have different levels of chill factors.
The fruit of capsicum contains a capsaicin, a chemical factor that helps in reducing pain.
Also good for peptic ulcers and also has many beneficial properties in improving skin, hair, and over all immunity. Excellent sources of vitamin C they boost hair growth and give healthy hair. And are also believed to relive from pre menstrual stress and bloating. As a laxative helps for those suffering from constipation.
The beautiful green bell peppers are the commonest ones we see here from the others that are red, yellow, purple and black. The more deeper and stronger the color in your fruit the more anti oxidant properties it has. Some people may be sensitive to peppers  who have acidity  and their body may react in different ways like bloating, stomach pains and this can be counter acted by adding any other vegetable or dals with capsicum, tried this, it works!
Now Over to Charmi Vora and her awesum Bell Peppers!
Capsicum Plant shared by Charmi Vora our reader of Garden Care Simplified

Bell Pepper plant Photo shared by a Blog Lover of Garden Care Simplified Charmi Vora
I planted the seeds of capsicum nearly end of December...it took 2 to 3 months to grow completely and  by mid march it started giving chillies..i used soil mixed some fertilizers (cowdung) i watered it alternate days...also i used growth regulator Named Planofix it keeps germs away and increases the growth..after 1 month it needs support of a stick or sumthing...good amount of morning sun rays...and its done :)
Thank you so much dear Charmi Vora! for sharing this beautiful moments of happiness with our readers of Garden  Care Simplified!
Capsicum Bell peppers Growing Tips- (personal experiences are I really find it difficult to grow any plant from seeds except for some flowering ones! our birds guests do love the new baby plants!) 
1) Growing from seeds from own vegetable left over cuttings ,dry them and keep them under sun before planting, this gives faster sprouts and growth.
2) Water with care, sprinkling delicately, the new shoots grow lanky and die off with over watering.
3) Fungus, white under the leaves,  is one thing that attacks faster in wet cloggy soil.
4) Too much sunlight burns the fruits as well as the plant leaves. 
5) Protect your fruits from birds and pets, as this is spicy may trigger watery eyes and mouth.
6) Some flowers may drop off on their own and that may be Ok as the plant can focus on giving large sized peppers. 
So I have tried growing different types of chillies, red, green and was easy but capsicum, must try!
Thank you Charmi for this beautiful share! Do share your experiences of growing capsicum bell peppers, if you loved it or what problems you had in growing these awesum ones, Thank you!
God Bless from Rizwana!

Green Painting Good Luck
Peace of Mind Feng Shui Tips

16.4.15

Bougainvellias around the globe names Symbolism and simple practical bougainvillea designing and growing tips Indoor and Outdoors

A Tribute to an awesum plant Bougainvellia! For the one that has tolerated my whims and fancies and still stays with us giving us loads of vibrant blooms( I have trimmed them, cut and thrown so many , got real angry with the thorns, after feng shui reading wanted to remove all,  and still kept one stub of a stem that is so caring , it still loves me! And am planning to add some lovely colors this season!)
Vibrant Pink Bougainvilleas
Lilac Purple Bougainvilleas in a Plant Exhibition
A native to Brazil and South America. Heart shaped leaves of bougainvillea fascinating awesum colors brilliance and glow. From shocking pinks magentas lilacs to peach to mango colored we see these beautiful plants all over the world. They are very strong, resistant and forgiving plants! can tolerate most of the climates and bloom all year round.  The bracts are colorful paper thin and inside we see a tiny tubular off white or white flower.
The name bougainvellia is a tribute to Admiral Louis Antoine de Bougainvella, a Frenchman, as he was the captain of the ship that travelled around the globe as an explorer in 1768 in Brazil. (www.classyplaques.com) It was first noticed by Jeanne Bare’ a woman, expert in botany. Discovered by Philbert Commerson 1768. Also know as Buganvilla in Spain, bugambilia in Mexico, Veranera in  Columbia Costa Rica, Napoleon in Honduras, trinitaria in Columbia Peurto Rico, Santa Rita in Argentina, Papellilo Northern Peru (Wikepedia). Malaysians call it bunga kekwa or paper flower. Due to the thorns it also has got a nick name devil flower, pua kepalo, in Hawai.
The name of this genus has gone immense changes and finally crowned as Bougainvellia. National flower of the Carribbean nation of Granada and the United States Territory of Guam. Also an official flower of many countries in Malaysia and Taiwan. In United States this is a floral symbol of Three California cities Camerillo , Laguna Niguel, San Clementi.
In Hawai it is strung into garlands, Leis, traditional floral garlands and is a great symbol for welcome. The city of Darwin hosted for many years  a Bougainville festival every year, Darwin Festival,  for this awesome colorful blooming plant. The Bougainvillea society of India too sponsors an annual festival.
Bougainvellia is influenced by the Scorpio Zodiac sign. National flower of Lienchiang country.  
The plant is tough and can tolerate snow cold climates as well as hot ones. Even near sea shores and salt water it can grow happily. What more they look awesum even as bonsai plants with vibrant blooms and growing happily in hanging baskets.  What we see today are mostly hybrids of the originals and we see a lot of multi colored, shade and unique bougainvillea plants. More than 300 over species the plant is often selected for its attractive vibrant all year round blooms.
Just like they grow outdoors happily these awesum ones can enjoy indoor too. With the lovely blooms even growing with bonsai techniques these plants burst into colorful blooms. A thick stem of bougainvillea with some branches can be grown in a container indoors with indirect sunlight. The plant grows as vines or climbers and are great as fences, patios and garden wall covers.
Now for some practical tips for bougainvillea’s growing an displaying-
When they love you they immensely love you! So I had planted them in a big container and they just kept blessing me with loads and loads of stems and blooms.
1) Trimming is an important part of this thorny vine and a difficult one too. Wear gloves and thick clothes full sleeves, to avoid scratches from thorns.
2) Place them carefully. Containers must be away from eye level, that is not in traffic areas where people can get hurt by brushing up against the thorny climbers.
3) Over watering is one problem, they may not like it. Plant leaves are loved by pests and birds sometimes gorge on it leaving the plant barren but still the awesum one gives out blooms!
4) Tie it carefully, they just don’t have any discipline! Each stem bursts into plenty and plenty of branches, any how,  so they need to be shaped and directed in a beautiful manner.
5) Very very good for protection from animals. Thorns do come handy. Fences and garden walls covered with vibrant blooms add up to beauty and act as protection symbols. And privacy from inquisitive neighbors!
6) Growing bonsai with bougainvillea, thick stem with small branches. Keep it on side of table or choose a corner not frequently used so they can grow happily and you can enjoy the beauty of the blooms.
 7) Higher level growing with bougainvillea’s is also good, like hanging baskets that do not come in between traffic areas where you walk.
8) If the plant grows profusely and does not flower, trim them and add fertilizer. Otherwise most are happy in their own and give out all year round blooms.
9) Some species or varieties of Bougainvillea’s are more stronger than other colors. Shocking fuchsia and pinks and great tough ones, practically experienced.
10) In feng shui thorny plants are to be avoided, but the awesum tempting blooms are just too much to do away with. Grow them safely at higher level or areas which can be seen by far, corners, window sills,  so that no one feels shar energy from them. Only happiness!

With the hot summers these awesum blooms are every where enjoying the majestic beauty and adding up beauty and grace to every space they are grown in. 
Meanwhile a lot happening under the sun! Our Gulmohar/ flame of the forest  that was quiet for months has given out so many buds!!!!! Immense Happiness!!!and Allamanda has given out huge reddish maroon blooms!
Allamanda Flowers Large sized blooms
Fresh buds on Gulmohar / Flame of the forest tree in Container

7.4.15

Important Practical Tips to make plant Fertilizer at Home Growing orchid flowers struggle and symbolism of pigeons laying eggs in our Garden


Great heaven luck,welcoming some new energy in our garden with loads of happiness! The Gulmohar tree , one with us since past seven years and has given so many vibrant vermilion colored blooms was so very quite this season..
Gulmohar Tree Sprouting new leaves
and then as spring came I took the bold step , with heavy heart, to trim some of its branches, actually preparing myself that it is gone, and some great awesome surprises it gave with bringing out lime green colored fresh greens! sharing today symbolism of pigeons laying eggs and how to grow an orchid garden as I have faced lots of challenges. hope this brings value to your reading time. 
Gulmohar  Flame of the Forest Tree in Container
Mama Pigeon sitting on her eggs

 Some new life in our garden, so as the pigeons were about to search for home, frequently visiting our home which I did  not allow finally they took home in one of the containers and had two eggs that were hidden from the crows due to thick foliage. From the shocking large sized caterpillar (read my experience of  huge ones! Dubai miracle garden trip and tips for butterflies garden)  symbolizing warning and change now come pigeons laying eggs!
Pigeons are amazing persistent beings, they symbolize homecoming new happiness and good luck.
Pigeon eggs in our terrace garden
 They just find an great place where they see the supply of regular food and water and lay eggs, no wonder we see pigeons everywhere around the globe, they adjust and adapt and thus a pigeon making home in your premises is great heaven luck, some fruition of ideas and new business. Pigeons laying eggs also symbolize beginning of new family or new ventures. So I searched awesum Google!
Pigeons lay two eggs , for a period of  twenty one days the babies come out. If the babies are not healthy the pigeons themselves destroy the eggs.
Baby pigeon


pigeons in terrace garden

pigeons in my window

Pigeon egg 


Heavenly fragrant white mogra flowers
 Meanwhile the garden has sprung into new life with heavenly fragrances of roses and mogra blooms, especially the evenings with cool breeze and whiff of natural fragrances are great!
Mogra flowers season

Big sized rose blooms
 Orchids are beautiful unique flowers, exotic are costliest plants and flowers used in flower decorations. With more than three thousand varieties of orchid plants we see a lot of unique and different types of colorful and unique shape and shaded flowering orchids.
I found that we see more then 30,000 varieties of different types of orchid flowers,each one special , attractive and beautiful.
Orchids growing tips 
I love these unique blooms! Though we have added lots of different types of orchids hardly many have gone for a longer period. I really did not understand the habits and tantrums of Orchids!
 Watering more the stems and roots would rot and watering less the roots look dried and still the plants die.
Orchid Garden


Then the adventurous wild trekking trips, orchids that my husband plucked for me in the wild forests growing on huge trees, gave us flowers once and died. It may be as some say the the orchid plant dies off after giving out blooms.
The main reason for orchid plants dying off are watering and air. Never pot an orchid in full sunlight as they love to grow with dangling roots in the air attached to bigger tree trunks. Over watering is one of the   main causes of orchid plant deaths. Then growing in crammed spaces is also not advisable as the hanging roots need to spread and need space and free air to grow otherwise the roots when left wet for longer periods start rotting and become mushy and thus the orchid plant dies.
This time they are in roots and sand of beaches, still clinging out with dangling roots. I think they grow best on barks of huge trees.
Do share your expertise and experiences on growing orchids, it may help many of  us! Still continuing the search for growing orchids! and buying new ones!
Home made feed for plants in containers
 The Best home made fertilizer is adding mulch. After the winter needs its time for your plants to get some feeds so that they give out lovely blooms for the summer.
Home made tips for Fertilizer Feed for plants
After cow-dung this is the best (Tips for buying good cowdung cakes online)  I have seen in home made fertilizers. Instead of throwing old calendars and books and some news paper, all can make an awesum tasty dish for your plants! and of course my reiki paper paintings that were old, not in good condition, so I tear and burn them and this is wonderful for my garden flowers. Watch video on YouTube tearing old paintings, cutting burning old art, sounds of ripping art video,4 hours of tearing paintings
Wet news paper mulch is great. Burn old papers and add this ash to plants, they love this. Just see that this does not clog the soil. Digging ,and Turning the soil helps this mulch to get absorbed.

Coming for a cool dip and drink bird baths
 Before signing off, its summer, please keep water in your window or any space you can for birds, its really very hot and many birds die , we see them keeping their mouth open and tightening their wings due to extreme heat. keep some water so they can drink and have a dip, and invite some awesum heaven luck into your life!
Keep in heavy container of stone, this keeps the water cool. and birds  also do not drop the container. we have added some extra ones this time.
I have been painting and working on my website, striving to make bespoke unique healing painting,
I am happy with myself! self empowerment Reiki zonar healing art

Thanks for coming by Garden Care Simplified!
All the Best from Rizwana!
I do not sell plants, this is my love and passion! A Healing Artist selling original Reiki healing art @ The Red Pilgrim's Healing Art You Tuber The Red Pilgrim Dedicated since year 2000 towards spreading health wealth and joy to the world with my Reiki symbol healing paintings!
The Red Pilgrim

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