3 Facts About Growing Orchids At Home

Posted on March 13, 2011 by The Home and Garden Guru

Orchid plants are a truly amazing and very beautiful genus of plants. There are many interesting facts about orchids and indeed a few are more unusual than others. Growing orchids can be a fantastic hobby for many people – once you start growing orchids you will want more and more and it’s easy to see why.

Orchids are the second largest group of plants grown today and have become the number two most popular pot plant in the USA closely behind the seasonal Christmas poinsettia. The reason for the prolific numbers of varieties available is that growers have bred different hybrids over many decades, continually improving and creating new colors for commercial production. It is estimated that there are over one hundred thousand orchid hybrids in existence today.

Of course the main reason for the popularity of orchid types is the beautiful flowers they produce in various colors and forms. The more commonly available plants are instantly recognizable as orchids but you will be amazed at the diversity of the less well known varieties – many that you will not recognize as orchids at all. This diversity is mostly down to the continued hybridizing over many years and the fact that orchids come from many different areas of the world.

Orchids are found across much of the world and from a range of different climatic regions. They are found grow mountains, temperate zones, tropical rainforests and even in the Arctic Circle. They are however most commonly found in the tropical climates in South America, Central America and Asia.

Orchids are also very different in their growth habits and general appearance. Some species known as terrestrial orchids grow in the soil, whilst others – known as epiphytes – will be found growing on trees or rocks with aerial roots. It is the natural diversity of the species of the orchid that helps to make them such a popular choice today. And of course they look great!

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Create a Luxurious Bathroom Setting

Posted on March 12, 2011 by The Home and Garden Guru

Do you want your bathroom to be a luxurious retreat? Then you must make a few tweaks to take it from a standard issue bathroom to an environment that is worthy of a five star spa. When creating a relaxing bathroom setting, you should consider the materials for all surfaces as well as the plumbing fixtures to use within the space.

Luxury Bathroom Finishes

The most luxurious bathroom finishes are natural stones. Marble, granite and slate look elegant on nearly any bathroom surface, including the counter, floor and wall surfaces. Slabs are the sleekest option as well as the easiest to clean. With an expanse of stone, you don’t have to worry about scrubbing between hundreds of grout lines. However, installing stone slabs made of these natural materials can cost a lot of money. You can emulate this look by using larger tiles that are installed carefully.

Your plumbing fixtures also contribute to the effect of luxury. Spend a little extra money on a large sink, and a toilet with special features such as a warming seat or a self-cleaning function. These features will make your life a little easier, and also make you feel as if you are visiting a high end spa on a daily basis.

Bathroom
Photo by designestates

Bath and Shower Enclosures

Another important factor to consider is the enclosure for your bath or shower. If you enjoy relaxing in a tub for a long time, then consider installing a garden tub shower combo. You can enjoy the best of both worlds; relax in the tub for 30 minutes, and then rinse off in the shower. Make your layout the most efficient by installing a bi fold shower door, so you don’t waste valuable feet within your bathroom just for a dedicated door swing area.

By choosing luxurious finishes and shower enclosures, your bathroom will feel like a high-end spa for your everyday use.

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What’s The Best Cordless Drill?

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Home and Garden Guy

One of the tools that I use the most, without a doubt, is my cordless drill. I have an old Black & Decker 12v cordless drill, which has performed marvellously over the years and has handled just about everything that I’ve thrown at it. I hear people talking about drills every so often and they invariably want to know, “What’s the best cordless drill?”

Well, there’s no easy answer to that. There are lots of great drills out there that will take care of just about any job that you need them to. A lot is going to depend on what your budget for a drill is, and what sort of jobs you want the drill to be able to handle. Let’s take a look at some of your options.

Before we do that though, one quick word on cordless vs corded drills. Cordless drills are great in a lot of ways because they can go anywhere and aren’t tied to the length of your power cord. However, the most useless thing in the world is a cordless drill with dead batteries. A few of my DIY buddies have sworn off cordless drill for this reason. They’d rather suffer the inconvenience of using a corded drill since that means they don’t have to worry about charging the batteries. To each his own, but just let me say that a second battery for your cordless drill is probably a wise purchase.

If you’re looking to spend $100 or less, there are a couple of great options available. The DeWalt DCD950B is one of the highest rated items on Amazon, with an average of 4.5 stars out of 5. Just about everyone who gets this drill likes it. It’s currently available for around $95 new. (That price doesn’t include any batteries. Make sure to grab them when you buy it too.)

Another option for under $100 is the Black & Decker CDC180ASB, which is an updated version of the great quality old drill that I have and use. The model to the right is the 18v version, and is available for around $60. They also have a 12v version for a little bit less.

Both of these drills are great for around-the-house type projects, and will handle the occasional big DIY project. If you’re just looking for something to put screws into and out of walls, and hang some pictures or plants, they’re a great choice. On the other hand, if you want something with a bit more muscle, you’re probably going to have to spend a little bit more money.

In the $100 to $200 range, the Bosch 36614-02 is a great choice. It comes in at just under $200 and that includes two batteries. This drill is a 14v version and is a serious piece of hardware. It will handle anything the typical weekend-hobbyist can throw at it, and wouldn’t be out of place in a professional setting.

Lastly, if money is no concern, the DeWalt DC827KL cordless driver kit has gotten top reviews on Amazon. It’s an 18v drill that comes with 2 Nano-technology (lithium) batteries that are lighter and last longer than typical Ni-Cad batteries. If you use your drill for a living, this is probably the drill for you.

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How To Kill Clover In Your Yard

Posted on July 20, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

Weed is a general term used to refer to a plant that is considered an annoyance. They are unwanted plants that could exist in various settings – from natural environment which include dunes, river banks, and agricultural fields to man-made set-up such as gardens and lawns.  One of the most frequently desired weeds to kill is clover, with many people searching for “how to kill clover.”

Weeds are harmful to plants for a number of reasons. They can block or restrict light which is essential for the process of photosynthesis. They can also use the limited nutrients in the soil, leaving your plants undernourished. Plus, their existence can harbor pathogens that do not just infect your plants but degrade their quality as well. Some of them has thorns or prickles while others have chemicals that can cause skin irritation or hazard when eaten.

These undesirable plants that can rapidly spread from one area to another through their seeds are disliked by people most especially by plant growers that they wanted to get rid of them. There are a number of ways to remove these weeds, may they be an annual or perennial type.

Let’s start from the simplest option which is pulling them. This is an effective method because you know you’re pulling their roots but this one too is the most time consuming. Unless you’re a full-time gardener, you may want to try other ways.

In removing weeds in your yard, you can make use of a long-handled scuffle or hula hoe. This works the same thing as pulling the weeds. The equipment will allow you to expose the weeds’ roots and let them wither under the sun.

Some things in your house can also provide you with solution in killing these annoying plants. These include boiling water, soapy water, alcohol spray, and vinegar. Just be careful in using these materials. You don’t want to see your beloved plants die too, do you? Soapy water is a mixture of 5 tablespoons of liquid dish soap and 4 cups of water. The same ratio is used to make an alcohol spray (5 tablespoons of alcohol and 4 cups of water). Unlike the previous two, the vinegar to be used has to be undiluted.

A weed torch can be also your key to get rid of the weeds. They burn the waxy cuticle that protects the cell in the plant’s leaves. Thus, inhibiting these plants’ growth. Just torch a few times and in no time, you’ll have a weed-free yard.

If you want to kill the weeds but not harm the environment, you can try organic herbicides such as scythe and weed pharm. They work the same as with other herbicides without compromising the environment.

Indeed, nothing beats prevention itself. Aside from your daily plant assessment, you may want to spread 2-3 inches of mulch. It is known not only for killing existing weeds but also in preventing them from growing. Using cornmeal gluten is another option.

Some weeds do have beneficial properties to your yard, clover for instance offers nitrogen to the soil which can help your grass out as well as it is drought hardy, which means during dry times when your grass browns out the clover stays green.  This gives your lawn a green appearance, without the need of constant watering, so you may not want to kill clover, just keep it from taking over.

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The Beauty of the French Writing Desk

Posted on July 19, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

The words “french writing desk” may bring a picture to mind of an ornately carved, delicate table with a small but useful gallery on top all in a very light colored wood. This is certainly a classic and well known design for desks which will probably always be popular, but there are also many others styles to choose from as well.

Louis XV had the ornately carved desk like the one described above. The intricate details would have includes roses carved into the tops of the legs and a top decorated with carvings and inlaid wood pieces. You’ll be lucky to find one of these authentic period antique writing desks and if you do find one you’ll probably have to pay a good deal of money for one. You could also look for a quality replica desk that wouldn’t set you back as much and could be much easier to find.

Modern designs now have much straighter lines that still look more like a table than a desk, are much less ornate and usually have two to four drawers at the front of it to hold your writing supplies. They also have desks suitable for computers, which are called pedestal desks. A drawer pulls out to hold the keyboard for your computer, while the monitor sits on top in the open. The cupboard to the right of where you sit holds your computer and hopefully the rest of your accessories, including the printer. This gives you plenty of room on top to work, while allowing you ready access to your computer.

A bureau can actually be a desk. This style has a shelf that folds down from the top for writing on, while the rest of it is a drawer. Behind the fold down shelf are little cubbyholes for your pens, letters, envelopes and stamps. This is such an easy way to both keep your home looking clutter free and keeping your private matters private, just close the top when someone comes and it is all out of sight.

Over the years desk styles have evolved to accommodate our modern day needs, but you do not have to totally sacrifice the beauty of the past. There can be any number of good uses for an old style writing desk, even though so few people sit down with pen and paper any more.

Do you think writing a grocery list once a week and Christmas cards once a year would be worth buying a Louis XV style desk? Probably not, finding one that you can use for those tasks and that will also accommodate your computer, printer and other modern office equipment would be a good functional furniture investment. You can read a lot more about them at the Writing Desk Specialist.

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Powdery Mildew Treatment

Posted on July 19, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

Do you also hate it when you finally have that beautiful garden ready and than powdery mildew covers it all? In this article you can read about some tips to remove powdery mildew fro your garden. This powdery mildew treatment contains a few do it yourself tips and some prevention tips.

Prevention.
If you want to prevent to get powdery mildew on your plants it is necessary to use some distance between plants when planting them. This way air can circulate around them. Also do not water your garden after noon, after sundown mildew spores love wet foliage. Remedy two and three beneath do also work preventive against mildew.

Powdery mildew treatment preparations.
When you are going to remove powdery mildew it is a good thing to hose your plants and try to get all mildew off the surface. Use a strong spray and cover all parts of the plant, do not forget the underside of the leaves, the stems and the soil. Best times to spray are early in the morning. Do this once or twice a week when it is dry and warm weather. If it is rainy you have to spray more often.

Home made powdery mildew remedies.
Remedy 1. Ingredients: 1 tbsp baking soda, 2,5 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 gallon water. 0.5 tsp Castile soap.
Mix the first three ingredients and add the soap. When you are spraying the plants you must shake the container you have the ingredients in to separate the water and the oil.

Remedy 2. Ingredients: handful corn leaves, handful clematis leaves, lot of garlic paper outer skins, water.
Mix all the ingredients in a blender and make a thin liquid. Wait a couple of hours before spraying it onto your plants.

Remedy 3. Ingredients: milk and water.
Mix two parts of water with one part of milk and spray first couple of days when you have discovered the mildew. This works better when the powdery mildew is just a couple of days fresh. Milk changes the Ph value of the plants.

Remedy 4. Ingredients: 3 tbsp cider vinegar, one gallon water.
Mix the ingredients and spray over your plants. This remedy works also on aspen trees and roses that suffer from black spots.

I hope you will find the right remedy to treat powdery mildew in this article and enjoy your beautiful garden again.

This article’s guest author is Frank Catamon and he loves to write about do it yourself projects. His last article was about mold and mildew removal.

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Floor Rugs

Posted on July 18, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

Office workers who spend eight hours in small, drab cubicles can get bored pretty quick. The grayness of the atmosphere can even get so boring that it can put you to sleep, which is not conducive to doing your work. Although you can jazz up your “cubie” with a few pictures and plants, the drabness remains. Have you ever thought of brightening up your workspace with floor rugs? Most people have never thought of bringing their own rugs to work with them.

Because adding your own personal touch to your cubicle can put you in a better mood, it might even increase your productivity. You do not even need to spend a lot of time going around looking for the perfect area rug for your space. All you need to do is look for rugs online. The ordering process is simple, and you can browse at all the different styles and colors. Buying rugs online is fast and fun. What’s even better, instead of lugging your purchase home from the rug store, and then having to lug it back to the office, you can simply order your floor rugs online, and have them delivered right to your office with no hassles.

When your co-workers get a glimpse of your new work pad, you might be surprised at how many follow suit. You may become a trend setter in your own right! You might be responsible for boosting the morale in your office, just by your great taste in decorating. It only takes one, cheerful area rug to make all the difference in the world, and in your attitude. When your work environment is homey and comfortable, you will feel more like stepping up your production. Why stop with floor rugs, when you can order small area rugs and tack them on your cubicle walls, if company policy permits. Who knows, you may find yourself putting in lots of overtime and making more money, thanks to your new digs!

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Great Ideas for Bay Window Curtains

Posted on July 17, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

The architectural design and dimension of your bay windows definitely add the loveliest touch to your home. It enhances natural light and adds intrigue to the depth in a room. However, the curtains that you will use to adorn these windows should naturally and beautifully frame that window but should not obscure the view of the beauties outside or dominate the window’s dressing. Overly covering up the look of your bay windows with curtains is a huge interior designing mistake.

Curtains for bay windows have unique designs. This makes the location of the loveliest curtains a great challenge. There are many bay window curtain ideas but you have to be careful to find the curtains that will add the best look to your bay window. You will also want to get the curtains the nice view that your bay window surely provides you with. The following tips will aid you in making the best selection possible.

First, combine your valances and blinds. At night, you will need privacy and using attractive valances and blinds together will make your window beautiful whilst giving you privacy. Valances will decorate your window without overdoing it. This method will always make your window look great both with closed and open blinds.

You can also complement bay windows by using rod-pocket curtains. These types of curtains are of the window treatments most commonly used. They consist of a stitched pocket situated at the top of your curtains which is gathered onto the curtain pole giving a pleated look along the curtain rod. Such curtains are colored and patterned differently so you have a wide selection from which to choose. They will look gorgeous with your windows. However, you may need special-made rods that will hinge best with your windows.

Finally, combine valances and drapes of different colors and patterns to achieve the most dashing look on bay windows. The curtains look superb from the outside as well as the inside. You can then place the valances between these curtains on both sides. This will achieve an elegant and tasteful look that will suit your bay window and accentuate the decor of your room.

In conclusion, imagination is all you need to come up with bay window curtain ideas that will be perfect for your window. This will not even require you to abandon your budget since there are many options in varying colors and styles that are highly affordable.

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How to Pick the Right Area Rugs

Posted on July 17, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

Do you want to know one easy and fast way to update your room’s look? Do you also want to be more comfortable while walking around in your house? If yes, you should try using rugs in your rooms. Rugs that occupy a certain space in a room have different functions and benefits. One of the most important functions of these rugs is to make the room more comfortable. Just imagine stepping on a warm, soft rug instead of stepping on a cold, hard floor. It is not only comfortable but it is also good for your health.

Rugs also define the space in a room. For example, if you place a couch and coffee table in your huge bedroom, you can place an area rug underneath to define that space as your reading or sitting space. You do not need put up a divider or some kind of wall to separate the space.
Aside from these things, rugs are also very decorative, especially if you pick the right color, pattern, and texture. To help you choose the right rug for your room, here are some things that you need to consider.

•    Size.

You have to determine the size of the rug. This depends on the size of your room or the space where you want to put your rug. 9×12 area rugs are a typical choice but it still depends on your needs. You do not want a very large rug for your small room or a teeny rug for your spacious room.

•    Style. There are so many different styles of rugs that you can choose from. There are styles of rugs based on texture or design such as shag and braided area rugs as well as styles based on themes like Oriental and contemporary area rugs. Choose the one that will complement your room’s design and theme.

•    Material.

Rugs are made from different materials. Cotton and wool are very popular options. Wool is softer, heavier, and warmer than cotton but it is also more expensive. Choose the one that your budget can afford. You should also consider the time and effort that you need to spend in cleaning and maintaining the material use for making the rug.

•    Color and Pattern.

These are also important considerations because you do not want your rug to look out of place in your room. For example, if you use earth colors in your room, choosing stark or silvery white rug is not a good idea. You can choose green, brown, red, or orange. You can choose patterns that are nature-related like leaf, floral, or animal pattern.

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What to Consider When Buying Saucepan Sets

Posted on July 17, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

When buying saucepan sets, people look for value for money and good quality. Many buyers look for comfort in a brand name. They must judge whether the additional cost of their favorite brand name is worth the additional comfort level.

Are you looking at a saucepan set that has all the pieces you want? Or perhaps there’s a pan you didn’t really want. Sometimes, you can buy a set with a pan you wouldn’t have chosen, but now you’ve got it, you cannot do without it!

Many people look for the pans to heat evenly. When simmering, the bubbles should be created evenly across the bottom of the pan. There should not be “hot spots” that can lead to food over-cooking – perhaps burning – in some places while not cooking properly in other places. Stoves usually heat evenly – though there’s no law about that!

Even with expensive saucepan sets, surfaces can be scratched easily – and permanently – by metal cooking spoons. When you are cooking, you may only use wooden or plastic spoons. But what happens when a metal spoon-wielding guest – your mother-in-law, say – offers to cook?

Washability is also a factor in choosing your saucepan sets. The last thing you want near your newly acquired pots and pans is steel wool. Check, too, that the pans – especially their handles – can be washed safely in a dish washer. Ensure your pots do NOT have rivets that create dirt traps inside the pots – or even outside, come to that.

Design is critical.

Handles should be heat proof, either because of their material or by virtue of the design not transmitting much heat from the pan to the handle.

Handles should not be so heavy that an empty pan becomes unstable, either on or off the stove.

The buyer needs to check whether the sides of the pan are vertical. Such pans are better for boiling and frying. Otherwise the pan sides may be sloping: wider at the top. The latter pans are called sauciers and are better for stirring, whisking, reducing or any of the other sauce making processes.

Stacking and storing your saucepans should always be part of the design specification. I like to know where my pans are and am able to get to them easily!

Bottoms Up!

Copper-bottomed cookware conducts heat better and more evenly than other cookware material. It tends to eliminate hot spots and uneven cooking. Copper-bottomed pans also cool faster. This gives you, the cook, more control over the cooking process.  The thicker the copper-bottoming, the more expensive the pan.

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