The cultivation of the Four Leaf Clover - (Marsilea quadrifolia)

The Four Leaf Clover (Marsilea quadrifolia) is a water fern of which the leaves look like clovers. Do you think that the terms water fern and clover has nothing to do with each other? On the contrary – both of these terms describes the characteristics of these unusual very decorative and practical unknown plants in the gardening world.

Saturday 12th June 2010 21:09 | print | Water and aquatic plants

How to descend of the bean weevil?

I presume that the bean weevil needs not to be introduced to you. This is small little beetle of 3–4 mm big, that can be found on the seeds in the kitchen for example.

These detrimental small beetles develop in the seed of all kinds of pods. In fact, every pod type has some of these creatures – the broad bean – broad bean weevil (beetle), pea – pea beetle, lentils – lentils beetle, and garden broad bean – garden broad bean beetle etc.…

On the damaged seeds you can find bruises at the places where little holes were drilled by the larvaes. When the adult beetles hatch, drill holes become visible in the seeds. Beetles often cause most of the damage during the storing period (because the living conditions are ideal) irrespective of the fact that the plant was already contaminated when it was still in the garden.

The fight against the beetle is fortunately completely simple and efficient (100% chance of success!).

Friday 11th June 2010 20:07 | print | Pests

Kiwano – Cucumis metuliferus

The Kiwano’s 10–15 cm long fruits look like oranges. It belongs to the cucumber family. The fruit has little horns on the peel and makes one think of a medieval weapon. The flesh of the fruit is green and usually contains many 5–10 mm long white seeds. When not ripe yet, the colour of the fruit is green.

Tuesday 8th June 2010 19:26 | print | Exotic plants