Monday, 6 February 2012

HOW TO GROW GERANIUMS FROM SEED


Geraniums have been a popular bedding plant for over a century now, and why not? They are tough, tolerant of drought and relatively disease and pest resistant.

While geraniums have been traditionally grown from cuttings, new seed-grown hybrids have been becoming increasingly popular. Why? Because they will often out perform the older geranium varieties. This is Because many of these new seed-grown hybrid geraniums possess excellent vigour and heat tolerance, superior disease resistance, and will flower their hearts out until the first frost of winter.

Luckily, geraniums are easy to grow from seed although they are rather slow to get going. To get the most out of growing geraniums from seed you will need to sow their seed from mid - to late January. This gives you the best chance of to produce flowering plants ready for the spring. Typically, your geranium seedlings will be in flower approximately 12 to 16 weeks after sowing.

When choosing your compost, keep in mind that good drainage is a priority. Choose a good quality soil based medium such as John Innes 'Seed and Cutting' but add either horticultural grit or perlite at a 3:1 ratio in order to improve drainage.

During germination, the biggest killer of geranium seedlings are fungal diseases - notably 'damping-off'! To discourage damping-off, containers used for starting seed should be clean and have excellent drainage. If you are re-using old containers then they should be washed in soapy water, then disinfected by dipping in a solution containing one part chlorine bleach and nine parts water. make sure you thoroughly rinse them off with clean water afterwards though.

Using either, pots, seeds trays or preferably modular trays,fill with your compost to within 1/2 to 1 inch of the top. Firm the medium lightly, water, then allow any excess water to drain away. geranium seeds can be sown  2 to 3 inches apart and cover with about 1/8 inch of compost. After sowing, thoroughly water the compost by partially submersing the pot or tray in water. When the surface becomes wet, remove the container from the water and allow it to drain thoroughly. To insure a uniform moisture level during the germination period, cover the container with a sheet of glass or clear plastic. Failing that you can try cling film, but don't let it sag in the middle.

Move your pot or tray in to a warm position where it will receive plenty of bright light, but out of direct sunlight. This is because direct sunlight can cause high temperatures which may adversely affect seed germination. The ambient temperature will need to be about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Your geranium seeds should germinate in five to seven days. Remove the plastic/glass covering as soon as germination occurs.

Transplant seedlings into individual containers when the first true set of leaves appears. Again, consider using a good quality soil based compost such as John Innes 'No 1', but mix in additional horticultural grit or pelite for improved drainage. Just remember to handle the small seedlings by their leaves since the small, thin stems can break easily. Insert seedlings to the base of the seed leaves, called cotyledons, when transplanting.

Growing tips for geraniums from seed

For best results, grow seedlings under fluorescent lights. The lights should be no more than 4 to 6 inches above the growing plants. Leave the lights on 12 to 16 hours per day. If supplemental lighting is unavailable, place the plants in a sunny south window. Geraniums become tall and spindly when grown without sufficient light. Pinch out the shoot tips of spindly plants to encourage branching.

Ideal growing temperatures for geraniums are 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 60 to 65 degrees at night. Thoroughly water geraniums when the soil surface is dry to the touch. Fertilise weekly with a one-quarter strength houseplant fertiliser. Harden off the plants outdoors for seven to ten days before planting into the garden. Plant geraniums outdoors when the danger of frost has passed.

For information click onto:
Can You Over-Winter Citrus Outside?
Cold Hardy Citrus Varieties for Over-Wintering Outside
Detox you Body with Fresh Fruit
Growing Orange Trees from Seed
How do you Harden off Seedlings?
How to Germinate and Grow Melon Plants from Seed
How to Germinate and Grow Okra from Seed Indoors
How to Germinate and Grow Watermelon Seed Indoors
How to Grow Agave from Seed
How to Grow Avocado from Seed
How to Grow Banana Trees from Seed
How to Grow Citrus from Seed
How to Grow Eggplants from Seed
How to Grow From Seed
How to Grow Geraniums from Seeds
How to Grow a Lemon Tree from Seed
How to Grow Melon Plants from Seed Outdoors
How to Grow Palm Trees from Seed
How to Grow Vegetables?
How to Grow Watermelon Plants from Seed Outdoors
How to Over-Winter Citrus Plants outside
Why haven't my Seeds Germinated?
Why is Fresh Fruit so Good for You?

Based on an article from http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1995/1-13-1995/geran.html

Photos are of http://shelburnemuseum.blogspot.com/2011/03/any-sign-of-spring.html and http://healthyhomegardening.com/Plant.php?pid=1070
Posted by Simon Eade at 13:21 0 comments
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Sunday, 5 February 2012

RMS TITANIC - Father Frank Brownes Photographs

CLICK HERE FOR THE NEW 'GARDEN OF EADEN WEBSITE' AND SEED SHOP

This year - 2012 - we witness the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the titanic while on her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York.

This terrible tragedy occurred on April 15, 1912, and resulted in the deaths of 1,517 people. The shipwreck was one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in history.

However, incredible photographic evidence from Father Frank Browne has helped to bring this disaster to life and so the world is able to learn the story of the Titanic from his personal perspective.



A student of theology who later was to be ordained a Roman Catholic priest, Father Browne had been sent a ticket for the first leg of the maiden voyage of the Titanic, which went from Southampton to Cherbourg, France, to Queenstown, Ireland.

During this leg of the voyage, an American millionaire offered to pay for Father Browne's passage for the rest of the trip to New York! Luckily for him, upon being apprised of this offer, Browne's Jesuit superior cabled Queenstown saying - succinctly, "Get off that ship -- Provincial."

Browne's great collection of photographic negatives of the Titanic - and other subjects - lay forgotten for 25 years after his death. In 1986, the Rev. E.E. O'Donnell, another Jesuit, accidentally discovered it in a large metal trunk. He brought the negatives to the attention of the features editor of the London Sunday Times who called them

"the photographic equivalent to the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls."

For related articles click onto:
Charles Darwin's Greatest Experiment
Charles Darwins Legacy - 200 years on
Knole House and the Ghost with no Name
Rembrandts House
Rome: How to get to Villa D'Este from Rome
Rome: How to make Roman bread - Panis
RHS Wisley Gardens - A Photographic Walk Through
RMS TITANIC - Father Frank Brownes Photographs
Rome: Gladiator Graveyard Discovered!
Rome: How to get to Villa Adriana from Rome
Rome: How to get to Villa D'Este from Rome
Rome: Opening Times for Villa D'Este
Rome: Photographs of and around the Colosseum at Night
Rome: Villa Adriana - Tivoli
Rome: What did Gladiators Eat?
Rome: What did the Romans Eat?
Rome: Who were the Ancient Gladiators?
Sissinghurst Gardens - a secret history
The Evolution and Devolution of Man - Finally explained

Based on an article by By Monami Thakur

Photos are of http://www.amdg.ie/2006/12/19/411/ and http://www.titanicphotographs.com/galleryB.asp?GalleryID=8&ID=271 and http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/293192/20120205/rare-unseen-images-rms-titanic-father-frank.htm and http://www.bridgemanart.com/en-us/news-and-features.aspx and http://www.fanpop.com/spots/rms-titanic/images/5702422/title/b-deck-photo and http://www.abratis.de/ship/construct/ and http://www.goldposters.com/item-5149337/rms-titanic-which-sank-after-hitting-an-iceberg-on-its-maiden-voyage-1912.html and http://piyo-halliwell.livejournal.com/124676.html and http://www.jmilfordrmstitanic.com/2011/06/titanic-ship-magnificent.html and http://www.titanicdiclaudiobossi.com/Html/Turni%20di%20guardia%20sul%20Titanic_105.htm http://www.maritimequest.com/liners/titanic_interior_page_2.htm and http://www.superstock.com/stock-photos-images/4048-2061 and http://wn.com/Gross_Tonnage and http://www.titanicebook.com/radio.html and http://hdwallpapersdesktop.com/wallpapers/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/23/Titanic-Wallpaper-RMS-Titanic.jpg
Posted by Simon Eade at 13:32 0 comments
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Friday, 3 February 2012

WHAT IS VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY?



Vitamin D is a steroid vitamin - a group of fat-soluble prohormones - which encourages the absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorous. However, people who are exposed to normal quantities of sunlight will not need vitamin D supplements because sunlight promotes sufficient vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Unfortunately, because of the inherant risks involved with sun exposure - such as skin cancer -  many of us remain covered up during the sunniest periods of the year to the detriment to our health.

Five forms of vitamin D have been discovered, vitamin D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, but the two forms that matter to humans the most are vitamins D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol).

As mentioned previously, people who get plenty of sun exposure do not require supplemental vitamin D. This is because sunlight naturally increases vitamin D synthesis when it strikes our bare skin. Although the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin D is 200 IU per day for adults, there is some evidence that elderly people need 800 to 1,000 IU per day for maximum effects on preserving bone density and preventing fractures. Sun-deprived people should take no less than 600 IU per day and ideally around 1,000 IU per day.

So, vitamin D for humans is obtained from sun exposure, food and supplements. It is biologically inert and has to undergo two hydroxylation reactions to become active in the body. The active form of vitamin D in the body is called Calcitriol (1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol).

Calcitriol promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from food in the gut and reabsorption of calcium in the kidneys - this increases the flow of calcium in the bloodstream. This is essential for the normal mineralization of bone and preventing hypocalcemic tetany. Hypocalcemic tetany is a low calcium condition in which the patient has overactive neurological reflexes, spasms of the hands and feet, cramps and spasms of the voice box (larynx). A severe lack of vitamin D can also cause the childhood bone disorder Rickets in which bones soften and become prone to fractures and deformity. Rickets affects mainly children, although the disorder may also affect adults (osteomalacia).

Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency is more common in strict vegetarians (who avoid vitamin D-fortified dairy foods), dark-skinned people, alcoholics, and people with liver or kidney disease. People with liver and kidney disease can make vitamin D but cannot activate it.

Vitamin D deficiency is more common in people suffering from intestinal malabsorption, which may have occurred following previous intestinal surgeries, or from celiac disease. People with insufficient pancreatic function (e.g., those with pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis) tend to be deficient in vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is also common in individuals with hyperthyroidism (Graves' disease), particularly women.

In children, vitamin D deficiency is called rickets and causes a bowing of bones not seen in adults with vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is common among people with hyperparathyroidism, a condition in which the parathyroid gland is overactive. In a study of 124 people with mild hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D levels were below normal in 7% of them and suboptimal in 53% of them. Vitamin D deficiency is also common in men with advanced prostate cancer. In one study, 44% of 16 men with advanced prostate cancer had decreased blood levels of vitamin D.

One in seven adults has been reported to be deficient in vitamin D. In one study, 42% of hospitalized patients under age 65 were reported to be vitamin D deficient. In this same study, 37% of the people were found to be deficient in vitamin D, despite the fact they were eating the currently recommended amount of this nutrient. Vitamin D deficiency is particularly common among the elderly. Age-related decline in vitamin D status may be due to reduced absorption, transport, or liver metabolism of vitamin D.

For related articles click onto:
How to Harden Off Seedlings
Posted by Simon Eade at 13:13 0 comments
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