Showing 31 - 40 of 51
Fine Feathered
B Magazine, Normita Thongtham, Published on 16/02/2014
» Unlike other plants, ferns produce neither flowers nor seeds. They reproduce by spores, which appear on the underside or along the veins or margins of mature fronds. Some are elongated in shape while others are round, kidney-shaped, cup-shaped or chain-like, depending on the species. Spores are light and can be easily dispersed by wind. If they fall on a place which is moist, with enough light and lots of organic matter, they will germinate and grow into new plants.
When your chilli's not feeling it
B Magazine, Normita Thongtham, Published on 26/01/2014
» Tessie Piyarom wrote to say she planted chilli in her backyard. They looked healthy but only grew to about 15cm in height. Some bore fruit but their leaves later turned yellowish and became curly and small. "I used cow manure as fertiliser but it did not seem to nourish the plants," she added. "What particular fertiliser do I need? The soil is sticky and very hard when dry. Please advise."
Not such a prickly customer
B Magazine, Normita Thongtham, Published on 01/12/2013
» Every now and then I receive an email asking about soursop. Some wanted to know where they could buy the fruit or a tree sapling, others if they could plant the tree on their property. The latest email came from Edward Letts, who is wondering whether it is possible to grow it in the far north, in Chiang Rai province.
Fifty ways of shade
B Magazine, Normita Thongtham, Published on 24/11/2013
» Reader Ekachai sent me an email saying that his house faces south. "The afternoon sun is unbearable especially from November 'til May," he wrote. "I would like to grow trees to help shade the garage roof. Unfortunately, there's no place where I can plant trees, as the ground is paved with cement. I heard we can grow trees in big circular concrete blocks. Can I have your comment, please?"
When they can't stand the heat
B Magazine, Normita Thongtham, Published on 13/10/2013
» A mother sent me an email from the UK to say that she was coming to Thailand in November and would like to bring vegetable and flower seeds for her daughter, who lives in Rayong. "She mentioned growing plants in pots and I suggested that she plant vegetables in her garden. What would be the best flower and vegetable seeds to take there? I would appreciate any advice you could give me," she wrote.
Hedging your bets with bamboo
B Magazine, Normita Thongtham, Published on 06/10/2013
» When we talk about reafforestation and greening the environment, the first thing that comes to mind is to plant trees. Millions of trees have been planted as part of environmental awareness programmes initiated by conservation groups, government agencies, and companies wishing to improve their corporate image. But I have yet to hear about bamboo being used to rehabilitate degraded forests.
Terrace chants, The best place to buy balcony plants
B Magazine, Normita Thongtham, Published on 18/08/2013
» Nigel Sellman has a large balcony, just over 20 square metres, and would like to make it green. "I would prefer foliage plants, but with some flowering ones mixed in, especially if they attract bees, butterflies or birds," he wrote. "I would like a small tree or large shrub at either end of the balcony, maybe a citrus tree. I'd prefer native species, but I'm not going to be restricted to them.
All in the families
B Magazine, Normita Thongtham, Published on 30/06/2013
» My three-year-old grandson once Googled "apple". After reading the details that appeared on the screen, his father _ my son _ asked me, "Did you know that apples belong to the same family as roses?" He was intrigued that apples are fruit trees and roses are ornamental plants, but they both belong to the Rosaceae family. He has since become interested in finding out which plants are related to one another, and was even more intrigued when he found out that the strawberry is also a member of the rose family.
They'll smell as sweet, But choose your roses wisely
B Magazine, Normita Thongtham, Published on 23/06/2013
» Roy Beevor wrote to say that he had a piece of land in Nakhon Ratchasima's Wang Nam Khieo district and would like to grow roses there. "An article in the gardening supplement of the Financial Times Weekend recommended the apricot pink Abraham Darby, the deep pink Princess Alexandra of Kent and the copper-coloured Fortune's Yellow. I would be grateful for your comments/advice," he wrote.
Primordial plants bring beauty and health to the modern world
B Magazine, Normita Thongtham, Published on 09/06/2013
» Selaginella, collectively known as spike moss, are not your ordinary kind of plants. Classified among the "lower plants" for their lack of flowers and seeds, they belong to a group which dominated the Earth's surface long before flowering plants and trees made their appearance. Fossil finds trace their origins to the Carboniferous period 290-354 million years ago. As a genus, they comprise more than 400 species worldwide.