Topiari, Crop Art of Ancient Europe
Gardening January 25th, 2010
About ten or fifteen years ago, crop plants can be found almost in every yard. High or low, the average round-shaped plants in those days, known as the plant crop.
Even now still favored crop plants. In the center of many ornamental plants are now offered by the established crop plants resemble animals such as deer and rabbits. There is also a plant “normal” level of 1 to 1.5 m, with a few branches and leaves on the branch is intentionally set up as dots of the same or varied sizes. Of course plants have cut such a special allure, because its presence in a garden can serve as a point of interest.
The Origin
Many traders called plants of this crop plant as a “bonsai”. In fact, bonsai is not the appropriate term for plants that had been trimmed to obtain a form called a bonsai is which inhibited the growth of plants that remained stunted in adulthood. During growth, purposely pruned bonsai plants or special shaped, and generally always placed in a container, since I was young.
Actually we know as the plant crop, in terms of English gardening sono, known as Topiary. This is an art to beautify the plant (with a deliberately cut or formed) which was adapted from ornamental plants in gardens geometric style in Renaissance Europe. In those days the palace gardens of the kings and nobles of Europe is almost entirely laid out geometrically. Examples of geometric gardens that are still preserved even become tourist attraction is the park of Versailles Palace in France that is realized by King Louis XIV.
If we are down the garden, the plants on the left and right we are comprised of the same types of plants and neatly trimmed with the same form. There is a round, cone, prism, or a square (cube). Border or any pembatasnya plants trimmed with certain forms. The principle of this geometric style garden refers to a symmetrical order.
Topiari
Like fashion in the fashion world who continue to “spin”, European-style trim plants back to XIV century and is now favored starting presented in Indonesia, among others, by Bénara Nurseries located in Cikarang, West Java.
Crop plants such as various forms of balls, cone, or cube is available in a poly bag which can easily be moved to the ground or into large pots. And because it was formed from the beginning, we only need to take care and do regular pruning to shape is not changed after all this time.
For the limited size of the park, hairdresser’s two plants are identical shape and size is sufficient to complete the charm of modern architecture houses. But at a certain leafs colonial style house area, the row crop plants arranged on either side of the entrance, will increasingly thicken colonial impression.
May be concluded that topiari should not be combined with any other plants. Topiari should stand alone, dideretkan or grouped with other types, although different in form. In this way the barbershop or the beauty of the plants will appear topiari maximum.
Plant Type
In nature there are plants that have a charming architectural charm, good when he was young, and after she grew old. Crops include frangipani, flamboyant, palm, pine, and Yuka. But there are also plant growth after a certain age, the beauty of the original structure will fade, it looks even more cluttered. The types of these plants, especially those with lots of leafy branches and twigs of small, dense, and tight, very suitable if made topiari. Examples of such plants are tea-tehan, ficus (fig), mirten, orange Triphasia trifolia, sianto, bougainvillea, cypress, bamboo, azaleas, soka, myrtle, paradise, and gardenias.
Not Plants Indoor
Both use a type of flowering plant flowering or not, topiari need to get enough sunlight. Morning sun (until 11:00) will make topiari flourish, leaves glossy green, dense, and diligent flowering.
If you wear not flowering plants, topiari be placed on the terrace or under the eaves. Make sure that for one – two hours, the plant touched the morning sun, or a full week moved to another location to receive sunlight. If too long in the shade, will grow topiari not perfect and easily invaded by white lice, which damage the tops of the plants and ultimately hamper growth or turn off the tops of the plants.
Caring Topiari
Topiari plants are planted in large pots, do not actually require the planting medium is equal to the volume pot. Third to some of the pot can be filled with rock or pumice stone. Besides making the pivot on the media structure, the two types of light rock, making it easier for potted plants be moved or shifted to another location.
Note that the basic pots must have holes enough for flushing excess water can flow out perfectly. And do not forget to prop topiari with potted plants or adobe bricks, so the pot does not directly attached to the ground. It also aims to prevent excess spray water flooded the pot.
Topiari be watered as needed. Two times a day when the place of bulk topiari get sun from morning until past noon. Or just one time in the afternoon when Topiary only get the bulk of the morning sun for 1 – 2 hours only.
Regular trimming schedule (every 2 – 3 months) in order to shape the plant is always stable. Besides the occasional need to be done soil penggemburan media. For fertilizing, use of fertilizer N content (sodium) and K (potassium) is higher than the element P (phospor) to stimulate root and leaf health.
When visible white membranes on soft cotton-like branches, twigs or leaves, spray anti-fungal drugs as the recommended dosage on the package to exterminate fleas white.
Park In containers, Solutions For Small Page
Gardening December 24th, 2009
Park in a container or a container garden is a solution for those who love to garden, but only a little land or even none at all.
Currently, the remaining open land on housing, the average housing is very limited. So sometimes the desire to have the park to “beat” by the need for additional space for family activities. Rather than become the park, the rest owned land is often built to expand the house. Then, should the desire for gardening was buried deep in? Apparently not! Park, still can be had-even in mini-size in a container.
English
Park in a container or a container garden idea came from Europe, rather than English. There, the people are well-known hobby of gardening. May have heard about the English garden or English-style garden which is popular? This hobby can be easily distributed to homes in rural areas are certain leafs wide. But when they migrated and settled in the city, residential lots available are flats or apartments. Because the more the center of town, land and house prices more expensive.
As a result, the remaining land for gardening becomes narrow and sometimes no. Problems they face, not much different from what we experience, is not it? Gardening hobby to channel, the maniacs they park their narrowness of mind land. And finally, creating a container garden.
Value Plus
Though small, the real garden in containers has many advantages for the planters. Here are some of them.
- Easy care
Because of the small size, it is easier maintenance and do not eat a lot of time such as caring for a large garden.
- Low manufacturing costs
Because the mini, the cost to purchase the plant certainly more expensive than ordinary garden. Cost builders can be eliminated because you can make your own.
window in the attic, on the terrace, or on the stairs, all right. If placed in the room, once a week you can remove it to get light. If bored, can position can be exchanged.
- Save water
Because only one umbrella, water consumption was so not too extravagant.
- Irit fertilizer
Likewise, the use of fertilizers, to be more efficient than regular use in the park.
- Clean
Especially when using a hydroponics growing media and not the soil.
Basic form
This container garden in his form is a combination of several plants that are planted together in one container. How to plant it certainly is not vain, to produce beautifully arranged gardens.
There are three basic forms that can be used to regulate the composition of the benchmark in the container garden.
- High – skinny
- Round – full
- Low and / or multilevel
But the experiment still legitimate when forming composition in a container garden as desired. Maybe style flower arrangements to try to apply in a cultivated garden.
Plants
Composition models such as the above mentioned earlier, will affect the type of plants used. Does physical plant that forms a high-long, plump, rounded, or dangling. However, whatever the chosen plants, there is one thing that must be obeyed if you want to park in a container managed / survive. Requirement is, in a container, choose the types of plants that have characteristics and needs of the relatively similar.
For example, if the park in the container will be placed in the shade / protection, use the kinds of plants that do not require full sun. Do not combine the shade plant enthusiasts with flowering plants that need full sun. Or if you do not have much time to water, using succulent plants or types of cactus.
Maintenance
Treatment in the container garden is quite simple. For repotting (replacement of the following pot soil or soil), apply when plants are growing roots fill the container. Markers, plant growth usually begins ugly; plants become thin or lazy flowering.
Land used to park in the container, preferably textured shaft or crumbs. To get this kind of land, may by way of ordinary garden soil mixed with manure or humus that many traders sold by ornamental plants.
If the plants in containers have started badly, it immediately changed to keep the garden looking vibrant. Especially if you use a type of flowering plant shrubs annuals. Usually when replacement every 3-6 months.
Water gurgling noises
Gardening December 10th, 2009
Green plants, splashing water and ornamental fish are chasing each other like an oasis in the barren desert.
It may be that you are one of the many city residents in the small hearts want to go home and live in the area only. Reality metropolitan chaotic and noisy throughout the day more a torment than a challenge. Moreover, sometimes at home, you also can not get the silence during the rest. Moments like that sometimes comes a yearning for the calm atmosphere, peaceful, breezy, and a faint sound of water splashing.
Traffic density and the high drive activity on the streets of the protocol to gangs in large cities, must be recognized has become part of our daily life. Motorcycles and cars is no longer the monopoly of the home “Gedongan”. Sound means of transportation of this city came almost exactly 24 hours. Sometimes, it still added also shouts and the sounds of vendors pushing carts of wares.
Reduce Pollution Voice
Noise pollution around us – the ongoing – it makes tense and stressful. What we attempt to muffle? The simplest is to put music, although not a solution 100% effective. Because not all family members have the same taste in music.
Concrete fence wall height from 1.5 to 2 m of a fortress, often successfully, muffled noise from the highway. If it is felt not enough, try to add a row of leafy plants outside the meeting or in a wall fence. For example a row of pine, kana flowers, oleander, or Heliconia.
But when two layers of fence walls (concrete and plant life) had also solve the problem, try to bring the sound of water falling!
Water gurgling sound
The sound or the sound of water falling with a regular and consistent frequency (continuous) and heard up to the house, actually unwittingly focus will divert us from hearing the sounds uncomfortably outside the home. The word “enchanted” or “hypnotized” in a positive way, perhaps more appropriate to describe the human mind calming effect due to sound / voice is monotonous. Especially if the aesthetics, fall in the water area also strived to appear attractive so it can be enjoyed from inside the house.
In the open sound of water splashing caused by flowing water or pouring non-stop from the top, falling down and drifted into the creek. Of course, this natural way is not economical when applied at home. So anyone work at through a pond.
What to Look For
What are the basic principles you need to know, before making the pool?
1. Size
An area of 1 m² was actually sufficient to make the water fall / fountain, spurting water even waterfalls. So that makes noise, the distance between the water fountain and pond water surface at least 1 to 1.5 m, with a pool depth from 15 to 40 cm.
2. Water Pump
Pump function raises the water from the pond to the point or position has been prepared, and then fell himself from the law of gravity. Increasingly swift running water, the more splash and air bubbles that occur. Pelannya rapids or actual water flow can be regulated. Even more important is the planned height.
In addition to good quality, choose the equivalent capacity of the pump / balance with the pond water volume and high point / position of the water fall. For example, the pump dye (submersible) 70 watts of power is sufficient for ponds 1 x 2 x 0.6 m with a point / position of the water fall + 1 – 20 m.
3. Bath Filters
Clean pond causes a pump to function optimally and durable. When you place the plant in water-even container / pot-and a few small fish, need to be prepared like a filter / filter.
Without the filter, the pump will often jammed because the dirt particles from decaying leaves of water plants, the remnants of feed, and fish waste will be trapped in the pump. Unfortunately, the pump is stuck in a long time tend to be damaged by engine heat.
Present in the House
Sound of water can also be presented at the initiative of several craftsmen rumahatas natural stone (sandstone). Splashing water devices are available in the shops of building materials or interior equipment store.
Size and price vary enough. From small to put on the table until a stand-alone and requires an area + 0.75 m². These devices are already equipped with a pump, so you only need to pour water suitable container capacity available, plug the power cord to the switch and start to enjoy the rhythm of splashing water!
Elements Water in the Garden House
Gardening November 23rd, 2009
The element of water has a million meanings. What if want to be included as an element of home design?
Elements of water is often presented to sweeten the park, be it swimming or just water the plants. The presence of the rush of water, shadow ripples the pond and agile movements of fish can create a cool and calm when we relax in the park.
Unfortunately, often the design and selection of appropriate elements of water or less in harmony with the park. As a result, the beauty of the park becomes less optimal, and then emerge feeling lazy to maintain it. Elements of water and then become dormant, dry, or dirty moss. Though it costs less to manufacture. Therefore, careful consideration needs before choosing and making the water element in the garden house. Here are some examples of the water element commonly used in home gardens.
Swimming Relief
This pool is “attached” to the same wall of natural stone wall. Usually made of chicken wire, rocks, and cement. The design emphasis on the pool wall reliefs with stroke-stroke texture stone natural impression. Manufacturing cost is relatively expensive because it requires workers with specialized skills, especially when equipped with a waterfall that requires a water pump.
Pool of this type is very suitable when the available land is relatively narrow, but to provide space that is wide enough view, so that relief can be enjoyed from the wall a short distance. For example, the park is located at the back of the narrow house, but can be enjoyed (viewed) from the living room / dining room.
Swimming can be made for the relief of indoor and outdoor parks. For indoor gardens, need to pay attention to air circulation does not become damp houses, especially when decorated with a waterfall. For decorative plant small plants should be selected and fine-textured ferns hung like centipedes (Nephrolepis biserata), philodendron (Philodendron Sp.) And buggy. Not recommended to plant woody plants and high trunked. When exposed to enough sunlight can also be used hanging flowering plants such as lantana (Lantana sellowiana) and orchids.
Lighting (lighting) which shone into the plant or on the wall of waterfall can view the beautiful shadow effects. For simple lighting, Lay toro (Japanese style stone lantern) at certain points.
Pond maintenance relatively easy relief. Dark color and coarse texture makes it easy to look dirty. However, the pool still needs to scrubbed and the water replaced regularly in order not to be a nest of mosquitoes.
Natural stone pond
Brief shape is similar to the relief but minus the pool’s wall. Made of stone slabs and cement. Impression of wild (not ordered) and natural pond alloys arise due to formation of rough stone and lush plants dangle. Natural stone pond mostly found in the park Bali, a tropical garden and Japanese garden.
Variations can be added to fountains or waterfalls and accent statue. In Balinese garden, a statue that is used is usually associated with mythology and folklore Bali like frogs, turtles, and monkeys. While the Japanese garden, accents and penciri is tsukubai toro (fountain bamboo pipes) and the dwarf trees of pine and rhododendron family.
Maintenance for the simplest of these ponds. Because the atmosphere is allowed to park memorable experience need not be cleaned too often. If there must be considered ornamental fish and water and air circulation with a pump. Natural stone pond should be placed in areas exposed to the sun.
If the land is relatively wide and contoured, this type of pool could be developed into a kind of miniature river (creek). If made as a river, should be considered a source of water and circulation. Since the flow far enough so the water will quickly run out, so that the natural water resources better. These ponds usually invite people to play water, especially small children, so that safety factors should be considered. Bottom of the pool should be made not slippery. Therefore, maintenance was a bit difficult because the have brushed regularly.
Square pond
His form of a rectangular swimming pool is decorated lips granite or marble tiles. Commonly used in Mediterranean gardens, Balinese gardens, and modern gardens.
In Balinese garden, plant used water is Salvinia (Pistia stratiotes). For a large enough pool of water plants can be used like a lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), stock (Thypa angustifolia), and water helikonia (Thalia dealbata). While the garden plants that can add to the beauty of the pond include frangipani Japanese (Adenium coetanum), ornamental bananas (Heliconia Sp.), Croton (Codeaum variegatum), and bali pandan (Pandanus Tectona).
In the modern and Mediterranean gardens, ponds are usually rectangular function as a Reflecting Pool and the focal point. The bottom is often decorated with coral brushes, ceramic mosaic pattern, and even coins. It acts as a focal point, lighting in the pool. If the mirror coated in a pond, the pond will be memorable shower of light. The most widely used plants are succulent shades of desert plants such as sikas (Cycas revoluta), palm short, siklok (aloe agave), yucca (Yucca gloriosa), and cactus.
Maintenance and creation of this pool quite expensive. Should always be regularly drained and cleaned so that no moss. Raw granite and marble are also quite expensive. Can be used as an alternative to ceramics, andesite stone, or stone temple.
Swimming Pancur
Shower is a swimming pool containing water from the shower attached to the wall. Its size is usually small and made of concrete. This pool is usually adorned European gardens, where water from gargoyles memancur (gutter) the shape of lion heads. This pool is very suitable for small area because it can paired with garden style. Can also be a pool of origin wudlu water hygiene is maintained.
Making the pool shower was difficult because they have to create a new water network in the least cost tembok.Mahal depending on the pump and the selection of materials (granite, marble, or concrete). For treatment, the pond needs regular brushing.
Fountain Swimming
Pool is circular with a fountain in the middle. Large surface placed on the ground, and made of concrete. Small and “legs” are sold in the form of “so” of fiberglass or ceramic materials. Maintenance is relatively difficult due to periodically cleaned and dried.
Large pond, complete matching European gardens, modern gardens, and parks Islam. Third-style formal garden is symmetrical, ie the composition of plants over the four corners. Swimming is usually decorated with detailed ornemental and placed in the middle of the park as a focal point.
Lighting focuses on a detailed fountain or pond in order to create interesting shadows. Do not place a high garden lights near the pool so as not to snatch the attention.
Plants that are used are usually fine textured and trimmed. For tall plants, select plants that are not dominant shapes and colors such as pandanus and Yuka, so there is a balance between the pond and suggested tanaman.Tidak water plants.
Water Plant in Pot
Contains a large pot of water plants or single plant can provide water in a garden accent. Lighting is focused on the flower or plant canopy may provide a different view.
Large pot terracotta urn-shaped, fully compatible with the corner of an indoor garden of tropical or Balinese style. Crop water use varies from papyrus to the water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes). Can be combined with statues of animals and plants used. When using water plants like lotus flowers, the sun should be enough available to be flowering plants.
Pot white color / light and the legs can be used for formal composition, such as the European-style gardens. Crop water used should be small as Salvinia. As for the Japanese garden, the pot should be placed as a focal point. Combine with the hard elements such as bamboo and coral littered with interesting composition.
Plant maintenance is easy because they do not need to be cleaned or dried. But keep in mind clean so as not to become a nest of mosquitoes.
In design, some types of ponds can be combined so that a unique memorable such as swimming relief, natural and integrated mini river in a large park area, or pond fountain shaped natural stone. Complementary elements can also be mixed-match as you wish and imagination. Happy creating!
Bromelia (Bromelia Sp.)
Gardening October 22nd, 2009
Unique shape and color of flowers are conspicuous among the green blades of the leaves, is the main attraction bromelia. Color of leaves and brilliant flowers almost in all seasons. Bromelia flowers can last from one to three months. The average one has 40 pieces of bromelia leaves the curved edges. In some species the leaves are jagged, whereas in other species of soft, without serrations.
Bromelia be grown in single pots, can also be arranged to form colonies. In general, colonies are placed at the edge bromelia path or point of interest made in the middle of the park. These plants are generally developed with seed or seedling.
Including family Bromelia Bromeliaceae. He came from Argentina and Brazil. Latin Americans know bromelia as medicinal plants, namely as de-worming. Plants are still a family with pineapple is rich of calcium and vitamin C. Bromelia leaves can also meat.
Bromelia name derived from the name of a Swedish botanist, Olof Ole Bromell. The total number of species in the world to reach teens, but in Indonesia, the kind most popular bromelia orange blossom (Bromelia alta, B. flemingii, B. humilis, B. scarlatina, and B. serra) or red (Bromelia alsodes, B. antiacan, goyazensis B., and B. hieronymii). Yellow Bromelia (Bromelia chrysantha, B. goeldiana, and B. palmeri), purple (Bromelia horstii and B. Karataş), and there are pink, but the numbers a bit.
Bromelia not too fussy, in a sense not need watering too often and stand planted in the lowlands. Watering should be tailored to the medium conditions, do not be stuck with the routine. Siramlah when the medium was seen to dry. Remember, that the conditions must be different media between the hot weather, overcast, and rain. In addition, the most hated bromelia dry environment. In the armpit leaves should always be a pool of water.
Fertilization bromelia not too difficult. If you use slow-release fertilizer is fertilizer is conducted every three months. NPK fertilizer can also be used but this type of fertilizer is easy to absorb. So the frequency of fertilization should be more frequent.
In order for your bromelia and diligent fresh and colorful exhibit flower, should not be planted in the ground. Use a medium shredded coconut fiber or ferns. In addition, bromelia should be placed in the open, but not exposed to direct sun. To have good results “cage” Bromelia be covered with netting or paranet cover.
