Monday, October 10, 2011

Seven Ways to Profit Growing Landscaping Plants

!±8± Seven Ways to Profit Growing Landscaping Plants

Growing plants for profit is a great way to turn your love of gardening into extra cash or a profitable career. Your backyard nursery can become the one-stop profit center that you've always dreamed of. Here are seven ways you can profit from growing landscaping plants:

1. Ground covers

Ground covers do just that - they're flowers or plants that densely cover an area of ground. Ground covers help reduce erosion, control weeds and reduce the need for watering. Plus, they're easy to grow and are big sellers. Some popular types include Hedera (ivy) and Hypericum (St John's Wort).

2. Shrubs and trees

Growing shrubs and trees can bring you some high profits. Try Azaleas, flowering shrubs, rhododendrons, Japanese maples, firs and more. Find out what your local retail nursery is stocking, and those just might be the shrubs and trees you want to grow yourself. Or better yet, offer shrubs and trees, such as exotic or unusual varieties, that these retail nurseries don't offer. If you're the only place in town to get a certain type of shrub or tree, then you could see a lot of business coming your way.

3. Table-top Christmas trees

More and more people are living in apartments and condos and don't have room for a full-sized Christmas tree. That's why you could make some nice money growing table-top Christmas trees. Two varieties, in particular, are widely used: Elwood cedar and Italian stone pine.

4. Ornamental grasses

Ornamental grasses are called "ornamental" because of their special color or form. Landscapers love them because of how versatile they are. They can be used as specimen plants, near ponds or streams and several other ways. For a first-time grower, they're ideal, because few insects and diseases bother them, and you can start selling crops in just one season.

5. Bonsai

Bonsai is the popular Japanese method, which involves stunting trees and shrubs without altering the natural appearance. You can find bonsai plants in three types: starter plants, trained plants and specimen plants. Prices vary based on size, what type of bonsai and the overall appearance.

6. Hpertufa

Hypertufa is an artificial stone that's quite simple to make. Mix three parts Portland cement, four parts peat and five parts perlite. Put the finished mix in a container along with a plant, and you're on your way to a big seller. It's a great way to sell a plant for .

7. Trellised plants

You can add value to a plant by training it on a simple trellis, as opposed to a stake. How does making double the original amount sound? You can make a trellis by taking cedar fencing boards, ripping them into narrow strips and using an electric stapler or brad nailer. This is a good idea to do for bigger pot sizes, as a trellis can provide stability.

These are seven ways to profit from growing landscaping plants. Try some. See what works for you. Soon those big profits will be coming your way.


Seven Ways to Profit Growing Landscaping Plants

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Sunday, October 2, 2011

Chinese Elm Bonsai Tree

!±8± Chinese Elm Bonsai Tree

One of the best ways to start bonsai trees for the farmer is the Chinese elm. This tree is native to East Asia, can be grown both indoors and outdoors. If grown outside, the Chinese elm, which grows to a height of 60 meters. If grown inside, the Chinese elm is trained and pruned to a miniature version of the full growth of trees.

This is a beautiful specimen tree. Its bark is mottled with dark gray, mixed with cream and redcolors. The tree remains a semi evergreen, as long as it is kept indoors, if replanted out of doors the tree reverts to a deciduous tree, where the foliage will drop from the tree at the ends of the growing seasons.

While a lot of Elm trees are susceptible to the dreaded Dutch Elm disease, the Chinese Elm is not. This fact alone makes this a great choice of specimens to grow. The Chinese Elm is a slow growing tree with very predictable growth patterns. The slow growth often helps beginning growers to become more comfortable with pruning.

The Chinese Elm should be protected from harsh weather conditions. The tree is also affected when exposed to cold blast of air. If you are growing this tree indoors, be sure to place it away from outside doors.

Pruning of the Elm is simple. The only rule that you need to follow is that after pruning at least two nodes must remain. These nodes should be located near the main trunk of the tree. There are no special watering requirements for the Chinese Elm. Keep the tree moist at all times. Do not over water.

Like most Bonsai trees the Chinese Elm should be repotted in early spring. Repot after the first year, but not later than the third year. Repotting should occur at least one month before or after pruning. Do not do both at the same time. This is very stressful for the tree and can cause long lasting or fatal damage.

The Chinese Elm requires feeding, if grown indoors a regular weekly feeding is recommended. If you choose to grow the Elm Bonsai out of doors, then feed it once a week with a high nitrogen fertilizer. Continue the weekly feeding for one month, then reduce the feeding to once a month.

If you elect to use wires for training, then they should be applied before the tree begins to produce leaves. Remember this is a very hardy and forgiving tree, One that can be grown and trained into a magnificent bonsai specimen.


Chinese Elm Bonsai Tree

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