One thing about my son that I admire is his love for science. He enjoys Geology, Entomology, Mycology, Botany and Zoology. I try to fuel my sons curiosity by getting him the items that he needs and it isn't always easy to do. Science kit can be expensive so I have to look for alternatives. I frequent goodwills and discount shops to purchase different kits. There are other ways that attribute to his love for science. Right after a heavy rain I take Brandon to the park or even a walk up the street and we look at the variety of mushrooms. Mushrooms pop out like crazy after the rain and kids love to photograph them. My son loves to see them growing on the trees, on tree stumps and on the ground.
Nature walks are always healthy. I also bought my son a bug kit. He loved it . Please watch the video below as he describes it.
Recently, a neighbor gave me a umbrella tree and told me it was too big for her home. Naturally, since I am the plant whisper I took it. My family gave me a strange look since the umbrella tree did not stand upright, and it had a rather clumsy look. It was no big deal to me since I didn't mind the challenge.
I got a few stakes and some twine and tied up the umbrella tree so that it had a more suitable look. But there were so many wild branches so I figured it needed a trim. It is not a good idea to throw away a viable pieces of a plant. So I decided to try and root the small piece. I had to search the internet to find out how to root a umbrella tree. I was positive that it could be done, I just didn't know how.
To root a umbrella tree it is as simple a placing a thick healthy stem in water. The only difficult part is waiting approximately 4 months for it to have a healthy root system to plant. Please watch the video below where I demonstrate how I rooted my umbrella tree. I frequently, do plant tutorials so please subscribe to my channel Brandy's Botany Bay
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Growing a Venus fly trap has been a truly rewarding experience. I purchased the plant over the summer and it has provided a interesting amount of growth. It has caught a lot of flies that I was not even aware were in my home.
The Venus flytrap can be a easy plant to grow if you follow instructions. ''
The Venus flytrap is a bog plant so it requires constant moisture. It grows in a mixture of sand, and peat most so the soil is always a bit spongy. When you water the Venus you want to be sure you use distilled water or rain water.
Venus fly traps supply their own nutrients so there is no need to fertilize. Those flies are more than enough. When your flytrap catches a fly eventually the trap and that whole stem will die. You want to remove the stem once it turns black. If you do not remove those dead leaves your plant will suffer.
Do not tease your fly trap, inside of the mouth of the trap is a small trigger. The trigger is a small hair like growth that when touched closes the mouth of the Venus. This takes energy and will stress the plant if it is not catching any bugs.
Did you know that dragon fruit is a cactus. It starts out as a small spiky little cactus before it becomes a large massive wild curved stick. I've been growing my dragon fruit that I started from seed for almost three years and I am quite proud of it. It does not require a lot of maintenance and I barely water it. Please check out the video below where I show you how to grow a dragon fruit from seed. If you have any questions please feel free to leave them on my blog or ask them on my youtube channel.
Please check out the video of my mini dragon fruits as well.
I love Henry Doorly Zoo. It is full of things to do!There is a aquarium, butterfly garden, animal rides and a of course a organized selection of animals. For the past two years I makes sure I keep my membership up to date so I can enjoy festivities a well. Please check out the fund video below of my previous visit to the zoo. Please Subscribe to my youtube channel.
Don't spin your wheels. I used to go to the closes merchandiser and purchase pot in singles. That is a waste of time and money. In most cases you need a lot of pots to display for spring so its best to purchase them in larger quantity. Last summer I used panda pots. They were plastic pot that had a terracotta look. 5 of the 12 inch diameter 3 1/2 gallon pots cost 29.00. Typically that would be the cost of one pot at your local store.
I also purchased their 4 inch starter pots and they come in a pack of 50 for $17.00 dollars and are made of recycled plastic. If you needed to purchase pots in bulk with panda pots they can be found at panda pots
Please subscribe to my youtube channel at Brandy's Botany Bay. Also check out my etsy shop where I sell rare and unusual plants it is also called Brandy's Botany Bay. I update my instagram daily so it if would like to see what I am growing follow me on instagram.
One of the most important moves for me is growing plants that you don't typically see. If you are going to grow a tomato grow a yellow, purple or green one instead of the basic red. Going to your neighborhood nursery will give you the typical neighborhood look. But, when you take the time to search for seeds that aren't typical you will stand out. I have shopped all over the Internet for a wide variety of species. Then I decided to start my own seed shop with the off-springs of my adventures. I take great prided in being able to share with others and seeing how amazed they are when they grow great specimens. Please check out my etsy shop Brandys Botany Bay. Please subscribe to Brandy's Botany Bay youtube channel as well.
If you like morning glories you will love the moon flower. Although, it does not have the color of a morning glory flower it doesn't pale in beauty. The flowers are extra large about the size of the palm of my hand. The white is so bright it seems to glow. Even the buds and seedpods are beautiful in their own right. It is the perfect night flower for us insomniacs. Checkout my night video of the beautiful blooming flowers. The pods after the moonflower has bloomed has a neat look as well. they are very large and interesting to look at. Checkout the video below for a up close look at them. Lastly,I dried out the pods and harvested the seeds .That was a fun process and very calming thing to do.
I tried to document start to finish of how to grow moonflower and my videos weren't quite perfect but they also were not worthless. This last video shows my moonflowers in the vining stages and seedling stages. Please subscribe to my youtube channel to learn the techniques I use to grow plants. Please check out my etsy shop if you are interested in purchasing moonflowers and other varieties at Brandy's Botany Bay.
Moringa is also known as the miracle plant because it has a great reputation for healing many ailments. It has gained popularity as a medicinal herb over the past five years. It is a pretty simple herb to grow if you use the method I provide in my video below.
The basic method is to start your seeds off with a good soak in water. This should be for about 2 days. Then remove the seeds from the water for a day or two to allow them to start rooting. Once they root place them in the dirt. Do not allow them to root so long that they develop leaves and stems as they are in this picture above at that point they won't adapt to the soil well. You can find Moringa seeds at my etsy shop by clicking on the link. Please don't forget that moringa is a very health herb that can be used for lowering blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, reducing inflammation, protecting against arsenic toxicity and some use it to regulate their fertility. Beyond it's medicinal uses don't forget how beneficial it is as a supplement:
Please check out the video below where I express how beatifically it has been for me during my recovery from a serious illness. The moringa in powder form that I use can be found here
If you prefer to have moringa in pill form check out the video below. In capsule for it just contains pure moringa in a vegan capsule. It can be purchase at this link.
School is almost out in Nebraska. We have to keep our children's minds sharp. A weekly trip to the library is a inexpensive way to continue teaching your child. I prefer to go with a theme so my son can read books that suit his interest. Last summers theme was books on gardening. We found books that were based on different ethnicity, cultures, but stayed with the theme of a particular plant or way of gardening.
My children are extremely helpful in the garden. The question is what is the best age to starting delegating gardening responsibilities. Young children should know that vegetables don't just come from the grocery store. My son is only two so he his knowledge of seasonal gardening is limited. I plan on teaching him a lot this year. Beans are the perfect plant to start with, because they are big enough to fit in their little hands comfortably. Simply soaking a seed will jump start the seed into sprouting in a day or two. This will give the child the option to remember that the seed has changed from its original state. I would suggest using beans such as hyacinth, fava beans, or even a scarlet runner. I once used a method of starting a bean in a a jar so my kids can watch them grow. It was a perfect way for the child to watch the bean swell, loose its protective shell, develop roots and sprout leaves.
The method of growing beans in a jar is better for a child between the age of 4 and 7. At that age kids have a better understanding. Please watch the video below to watch my son talk about growing hyacinth beans inside of a jar.
Kids don't play outside like they used to. Most children prefer to stay inside and play video games. I will admit my kids like to sit inside and play video games too. But, I do push them outside and tell them to enjoy nature. Brandon started his own little garden and started with growing clovers. However, in the process he discovered a little friend. He chased around this little frog and had a great time. My only issue with Brandon was convincing him not to mess with every animal that he saw. For example, he came inside the house one day and told me that he was trying to catch a giant guinea pig. He said that the guinea pig was very pretty and it was black with a pretty white stripe down its back. He said he tried to chase it but it ran away. Judging by his description I discovered he was actually talking about a skunk. I am so glad he didn't get sprayed. I will admit I am highly impressed by Brandon's infatuation with nature. It seems that most animals enjoy his company as much as he enjoys theirs. I do my best to encourage him with by frequent trips to the zoo and purchasing books about animals. Thanks to his love of video games like Minecraft, Terraria he has learned about rocks and minerals.Yes, he is a all around nature boy. But as much as I want to condemn video games like most parents I did notice there is certain knowledge that he has gained that was not provided by his homework. When I hear him talking about uranium, obsidian, quartz and I am not mad at all. Minecraft and Geometry dash have given him extra math and team-building skills.I guess the best thing we can do as parents and make sure there is a balance. We have to make sure they get their physical activity and monitor what games they play.
Growing Moonflowers is so rewarding.The are very easy to start. You receive these humongous seeds. That don't require a lot to germinate. But, I do suggest soaking them in water the day before you plant them so they can have a jump start. They spiral and twirl everywhere because they are climbing or vining flowers. They thrive very well on gates, trellis,and harbors. Moonflowers, are in the Ipomoea family so if you can grow morning glories you can grow Moonflowers. Although,morning glories come in a array of colors and patterns moonflowers are usually white or cream colored. Please check out the video above how I started my moonflowers. Please check out the video below to see the big beautiful blooms.
Lastly, check out the video on how to save your moonflower seeds. If you would like to grow some moonflower seeds check out my online store @Brandysbotanybay .Happy Gardening.
I enjoy teaching people how to grow exotic plants on my youtube channel. One of my most popular videos is the "How to grow a baobab tree quickly video" I discovered a technique where you pour boiling water over the planted seed to jump start the germination process. Once you have poured the boiling water over the seed place the pot into a plastic bag to keep it moist. Within two weeks you will have a beautiful sprouting sapling. I've had my baobab for 3 years and have watch them change from season to season. They are very interesting and it is amazing how they grow so far from their native home.
Growing plants outside of there typical zone can be a challenge. I enjoy growing plants from tropical regions such as Africa and South American but there is extra care that has to go into them. Lighting is a serious factor. Although outside conditions maybe too harsh for the plant, when you bring them indoors you might need them to have them facing a window or you may need to purchase a grow light. Desert plants like cacti and succulents require the warm conditions that maybe optimal outdoors but too much rain can kill them instantly. Be sure you place them in a place that is guarded from the rain. I place them in a area where my roof extends and prevents the rainfall from effecting my plants. A greenhouse is nice place to store your tropical plants if they are place in decent place in your garden. If the greenhouse is under direct sun it will basically bake all of the plants inside. If it is place in a place that is too shaded it will become a breeding ground for Roly Polies which enjoy feasting off of young sprouts and struggling seedlings. So pay attention to your plants needs. They all don't have the same requirements so be mindful to gather plants together that fall into the same category or require the same care.
Having a kitchen garden is super important. Essential herbs are great for culinary and medicinal purposes. One of my favorite herbs to grow is mint. It can be invasive and take over your whole yard if you let it. However, that is what I like about it. It grows strong and spreads with little care. You have it whenever you need it. I love the smell of it as well.
Basil is another favorite because it has so many culinary uses. It goes perfectly with tomato. It also has a sweet spicy aroma that is all its own. Cilantro is also a multifaceted herb to grow, it adds the perfect touch to Mexican cuisine. It also has such a fresh taste that it compliments just about any vegetable. If you are interested in learning more about herbs and growing strategies please check out my YouTube channel.
I also sell rare seeds for your garden on etsy @Brandysbotanybay
Growing fruit trees is simpler than you think. Even the most exotic fruits can be mastered, with a little patience. I really wanted to grow a mango tree and I worked at it until I found a technique that works. The first thing you must do is remove the seed from the seed coat. You can score the outside of the seed coat and then cut through it with a knife, be gentle so you do not damage the seed inside. When see the actual seed it is not intimidating at all. It looks a lot like a basic bean. Place the seed inside of a wet napkin and place the napkin inside of a a plastic bag. Place the bag in a dark place and wait about a week. You should receive beautiful roots, and your seed would be ready to place in dirt. Once you place it in the dirt it will flourish into a beautiful plant. My mango tree is over a year old. It is growing very slowly but is very strong. Please check out my video update of my mango, feel free to subscribe to my channel.
Fingerprint Fava Beans are my latest adventure. I purchased the seeds from therarevegtableseedconsortium.com This my second time growing Fingerprint Fava, the last time I grew them the cold killed them right after they flowered. I didn't get the opportunity to enjoy as many beans as I would have liked to. I am not impressed by the flavor of flava beans, a matter of fact I prefer lima beans. But, the look of them is amazing. They look like they are made of wood. They all have their own perfect design.
As I stated before this is my second time growing them so I know the pro's and con's. The con is that they must be extremely sweet because slugs, rollie pollies and other bugs love to eat them as soon as they sprout. With the destruction of the seed in most cases the plant does not flourish. So as a precaution, I decided to sprout the seed before placing them in the dirt.
I simply place them in a napkin, wet the napkin and placed them in a
plastic bag until they sprouted. Five out of five of the beans had roots in a week in a half. So I placed them in the dirt and they are growing in my grow room inside of my house. I had to make sure I started early so I could enjoy the plant throughout summer and spring. Check out the video below of my grow room. Please subscribe to my youtube channel and feel free to comment as well.
There isn't a place more peaceful than the botanical gardens. I've visited the Botanical Gardens of Atlanta, Dallas and the Lauritzen Botanical Gardens which is located in Omaha. The Lauritzen is a tranquil place that has a ton of rare species of plants. This garden did not limit itself to just plants. It also has a beautiful train track that runs through it. The theme of trains are quite dominant throughout this botanical garden due to Omaha history with the railroad system. There is also other themes such as the rose garden, children's garden and others. My family has visited a few times and we really enjoyed it.
If you live in the Omaha or Area I suggest getting a membership and visiting frequently it is worth it. The Lauritzen Garden is located at : 100 Bancroft St, Omaha, NE 68108
Sunflowers are a relatively easy plant to grow. They usually take about 7 to 10 days to germinate from seed and 80 to 120 days to bloom. The blooms usually stay last a long time and when they cease to bloom they are great for birds and squirrels to munch on. I took a sunflower challenge with a few youtube friends and displayed beautiful flowers. The fun thing about the challenge is that there are so many variety of sunflowers and different sizes. So you can decide to grow sunflowers that have the traditional look, fuzzy flowers like teddy bear or sunflowers with a variety of colors. I decided to purchase a mix of sunflowers so I could enter the best looking one in the contest. But, this summer I want to grow something really tall so I might grow mammoth sunflower.
One thing about my son that I admire is his love for science. He enjoys Geology, Entomology, Mycology, Botany and Zoology. I try to fuel my sons curiosity by getting him the items that he needs and it isn't always easy to do. Science kit can be expensive so I have to look for alternatives. I frequent goodwills and discount shops to purchase different kits. There are other ways that attribute to his love for science. Right after a heavy rain I take Brandon to the park or even a walk up the street and we look at the variety of mushrooms. Mushrooms pop out like crazy after the rain and kids love to photograph them. My son loves to see them growing on the trees, on tree stumps and on the ground.
