Richard Vande Sompel our expert of the day, writes:

Very few decks are used for a single purpose. The wise thing to do is to plan for several uses before construction starts so that everyone involved in the process is content with the outcome. The trick is not to go to the extreme. Trying to cram too many ideas into one design can become a disaster. Instead begin by planning for 1 or 2 major activities that the family would enjoy doing on the deck and work out from there.

There are a number of design techniques that can be used in creating ideal multifunction decks:

1. A bench seating arrangement can partially surround a child’s sandbox area and provide a place for quiet play, reading and conversation. When the children outgrow the sandbox it can easily be converted to a firepit. The same seating arrangement can be used to partially surround the new firepit and transform the area into a place to get warm and enjoy the company of others. If a firepit is not in the budget or not an item on the family wish list, perhaps a water feature would be a better choice. Again the already built seating will permit quiet reflection and enjoymnet of the sights and sounds related to the water feature.

Ann Marier our expert of the day, writes:

With the possibility of building PVC hydroponics systems at home, the materials used in the process need to be both accessible and easy to find. PVC is the primary matter for the pipes used in the system. This type of PVC hydroponics is exploited at the maximum in some hot globe areas where the large number of insects makes it almost impossible to grow safe crops. The most widely used is the PVC in the construction of the net, the pipes and the cover. Such a net house using hydroponics can be easily dismantled if it’s necessary. It is most often used in combination with a flood and drain system.

How to build a PVC hydroponics system

A PVC hydroponics house built in the monsoon areas will make the system not only safe from insects but a true shield for the plants against harsh weather conditions. Without this small protection, the very fragile hydroponics plants would be systematically excessively flooded by rains, so this is one convenient way to ensure your investment. Moreover, PVC hydroponics systems also protect the plants against other harsh weather conditions such as cold, since they keep the inside warm in combination with a heating device. Periodically, when the season allows it, the hydroponic system can remain uncovered.

Jeffery Rush our expert of the day, writes:

Many people think the orchid plant cannot be grown indoors. When grown in the wild, the orchid plant often forms a symbiotic relationship with other plants in order to get the nutrients that it needs. The orchid plant, like most other plants, must live in the proper conditions in order for it to bloom. The three major conditions that must be controlled in order for the orchid plant to bloom are water, light, and temperature. The orchid plant receives moisture through its roots like all other plants. Avoid planting the orchid in potting soil, because it does not like to be in standing water. The orchid thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. The orchid will continue to grow without this change, but it will not bloom.

Orchids can be a difficult flower to grow indoors because they are usually found growing in nature. As long as you are familiar with the living conditions that orchids need to grow, then you can grow orchids indoors. Orchids should be grown in a similar way. If wholesale orchids are left in standing water, they will eventually die. Wholesale orchids also need to have the temperature variations of the plants that are grown in the wild. The leaf color of wholesale orchids will indicate whether or not the orchid is getting the right amount of light. Yellowish color leaves mean the plant is getting too much light.

Kelly James our expert of the day, writes:

For most, orchid growing has become a rewarding and relaxing hobby. Orchids are easily distinguished, as they share some very evident apomorphies. Orchids have developed highly specialized pollination systems and thus the chances of being pollinated are often scarce. Orchids, like tulips, have become a major market throughout the world.

Cares About Your Orchids

Michael Straumietis our expert of the day, writes:

In the world of hydroponics, the most successful grower is often the one who gathers the most hydroponics information. If you ever meet someone who is renowned for a having a “green thumb,” chances are their book shelves will be lined with tons of books, magazines, and other resources to better help them understand the art, craft, and science of hydroponics.

If you want to give yourself the same edge and reputation, you should never skip an opportunity to learn everything you can about hydroponic gardening. Here are the best resources you can use to expand your knowledge as a gardener.

Hydroponic Manufacturer - When using any hydroponics equipment or nutrients, always collect as much information from the manufacturer as you can. They often run independent tests that determine the best ways to use their products, and the environmental conditions that help plants thrive. This sort of information is usually included with the equipment as instructions, or is posted on their website. Larger hydroponic manufacturers usually have toll free numbers where you can speak to a hydroponics professional about growing topics. Taking advantage of these kinds of resources will help you better understand how to use their products, and will result in bigger yields, tastier vegetables, and more successful cloning.

Tomatoes, the most popular vegetable for the home garden, are divided into three main types. Small compact plants with stems only 12 to 18 inches long, called determinate, stop bearing once they reach their full size.

The kaki species is especially tasty. These persimmons are heart-, plum- or tomato-shaped. 2 to 4 inches in diameter and golden red, yellow or orange in color; the flesh may be yellow or brown. The trees grow 20 to 30 feet tall with an equal spread; they are especially beautiful in autumn when their leaves turn brilliant shades of yellow and red. Good varieties are Chocolate; Eureka; Fuyu, also called Gaki or Fuyugaki; Hachiya; Tamopan; and Tane-Nashi. Japanese persimmon trees are usually self-pollinating and can be planted alone.

The common persimmon grows wild in much of the southern and eastern half of the United States and will grow in Zones 5-10. Trees grow 30 to 60 feet tall with a spread of 20 to 30 feet. This species bears 1- to 2-inch yellow, orange or purplish fruit in the fall. Good varieties are Early Golden, Garrettson and Killen. Plant trees of at least two varieties to ensure that the trees bear fruit.

Orchid gardening has been around for quite a while. It is a very enjoyable hobby - and for some an obsession. The variety of orchid species and hybrids makes the options truly endless. With that - it also makes it difficult to have a quick guide that is comprehensive and accurate for all orchids. Still - you can get a good start with the basics below. They are true regardless of which type of orchid you are trying to grow.

Orchid Gardening Tip #1 - Care Is Required

There is no need to make orchid gardening hard. However - the plants to have specific needs and you need to be willing to take care - special care - of each orchid. Without the right care, it can be difficult to get your orchid to bloom. So - if you are starting out, you may want to choose an easier type of orchid.

Orchid Gardening Tip #2 - Selection Is Key

Selecting the correct orchid for getting started is vital to early and easy success. If you are just getting started in orchid gardening (first off - congratz!), you could do much worst than starting with a Cymbidum. The Cymbidum orchid is a great starter for the first time orchid gardener.

Gooseberries are seldom eaten fresh but are prized for jam and pie. However, like currants, they spread white-pine blister rust, and their cultivation is prohibited where white pine trees grow. Ask your agricultural agent if gooseberries can be legally grown where you live.

To prepare the ground, scatter a 1-foot-wide band of 5-10-5 fertilizer at a rate of 1 1/2 pounds to every 25 feet of row; dig the fertilizer in thoroughly, and set the plants 2 to 3 feet apart in rows 4 feet apart. For later crops, sow seeds directly outdoors when night temperatures can be depended upon to stay above 60.

The genus is closely related to Cattleya, and the plants are sometimes difficult to tell apart. From the early days of hybridizing, laelias were crossed with cattleyas to such an extent that there are more laeliocattleyas than interspecific hybrids. Laelias are evergreen epiphytic plants, their size varying from 15cm (6in) to 1 in (3ft) tall. A number of the smaller growing species have pets. brightly coloured flowers held on upright sprays above the foliage for plants, such as Laelia cinnabarina, produce slender pseudobulbs with single, semi-rigid leaf. The larger nests such as L. crispa, resemble cattleyat while others, which include L. ar3ceste are more distinct with squarish pseudobulbs and a shiny single leaf Their flowers are carried on tall, slender flower spikes, at the end of which the large, 10cm (4in) blooms are held in a loose cluster.

Orchids will dry out quicker in their lofty position hanging in the greenhouse. Again it should be stressed that humidity and moisture are all-important if your plants are to reach their full potential, and every part of them is to be allowed to develop fully.

In addition to producing a normal root system, when these roots have become fully or partially formed further roots then emerge along their length at right angles to them, they then turn upward and after a short time cease to grow leaving a sharp pointed tip to the end of the root which becomes very hard.

The first essential in any greenhouse where orchids are to be `grown is some form of artificial heating. If you arc growing only cool-house varieties, heating will be necessary for approximately six months of the year. Intermediate or hot-house orchids will require heating all the year round to maintain the higher temperatures at night. Whatever form of heating is decided upon, it should be more than capable of holding the required temperature without working continuously at full capacity. Also, an additional form of heating should be kept at the ready in case of emergencies when one system may fail.

The beauty of orchids is well known - but how do you make sure you are taking care of orchids properly? Well - part of taking care of orchids is choosing the right pot. It can make a different in the orchids growth and its ability to bloom.

First, before potting your orchid, there is a little bit of research that you will have to do. Different types of orchids often require different types of potting material. These types of potting material include coconut husk, fir bark, moss, and frequently a mixture of several of these materials.

Overall, your goal is to give structural support to the roots of the orchid, as well as provide plenty of air between the potting material particles.

Many orchids originate in rain forests. You can imagine how humid it is there! What is really awesome is that orchids can grow on the side of these massive trees. Their roots dangling in the air and drinking up the water. What you can learn from this - do not let your roots be submerged in water for a long period of time. It just isn’t natural for them.