Saturday, May 31, 2008

Exotic Flowers: Luxurious and Impressive for Your Home and Garden Decor

Exotic Flowers: Luxurious and Impressive for Your Home and Garden Decor
Submitted by smith@sharewebs.info
There are several types of exotic flowers to best suit any occasion. And of course, depending on your personal taste, you will want to choose the best exotic flowers you can obtain to be the perfect flowers, the most adequate for the purpose they will be serving. For example: at someone’s funeral, you may want to choose bouquet of flowers that the deceased would have loved. Here are some other examples (after all, these flowers are for happy occasions as well as the more tragic ones.Musas:The Chinese Musa flower is a stunning example of the kinds of exotic flowers that are perfect for gardens or bouquets.Calatheas:The exotic flower called the Genus Calathea is in the Marantaceae family of plowers, however it differs from other genera. The Marantaceae family of exotic flowers, in which Maranta and Ctenanthe are included, are unbranched inflorescences cone-like clusters.The calathea comes from tropical South America, Calathea, it has about three hundred different species. These flowers love the shade and humidity, they are virtually all grown in much of the world only indoors. These flowers require full shade from the sun. However, if they must, they can handle a small amount of morning sun. These exotic flowers need their soil to be moist but well-drained soil, the use of a fertilizer is recommended.When, on the rare occasion that these exotic flowers are grown outside—you must be sure that they are healthy, they must be free from all pests and diseases. Some of calathea will die midwinter, but will return again midsummer.Cymbidiums:Cymbidiums contain approximately forty-four species they are found in the tropics of the old world. The elegant, large flowered types of cymbidiums come from the higher regions of the Himalayas, and they must be kept in cool conditions in order to bloom well.Dendrobiums:Dendrobiums actually have about one thousand different species in their enormous family, they have countess hybrids as well. However, there are many varied growing conditions for this type of exotic flower. It is recommended that one establish from where in the world, and at what altitude their plant is accustom to, in order to determine how to best take care of the plant.Miltonias:Miltonias are referred to as the Pansy Orchid sometimes. There are approximately ten different kinds of species, and miltonias are found primarily in Brazil, therefore they are warm-weather flowers, and there are many hybrids with wonderful fragrance, because the militona is such a fragrant flower to begin with. These flowers will add a wonderful sensory ambiance to their surroundings, because in addition to their scent they are extremely pleasing to the eye.Odontoglossums:Odontoglossums also have a wide range of species, approximately 0ne hundred and seventy-five. These exotic flowers originated in the mountains of South America, as well as in higher altitudes and are used to wet clouded forests. Thus these wonderful flowers must be tended to under cool conditions, many hybrids exist as well, so there are many types to choose from.Oncidiums:These are among the most popular exotic flowers and there are approximately six hundred different species in existence. They come from the tropics of the Americas, and few of them even grow in high altitudes, these also must be supervised under cooler conditions. Fortunately, the hybrids are more tolerant than the species, you will find that this is true for most plants.Paphiopedilums:Paphiopedilums, the root word being Paphinia—who was the greek Goddess that the Romans later named Venus. Around sixty species exist, coming from Asia India and New Guinea. There are species with mottled leaved which need to be kept in warm conditions. And the paphiopedilums that are plain leaved and single flowered require intermediate/cool conditions, and plain leaved multiflowered species have to have warm environments to survive.Phalaenopsis:Phalaenopsis, or the exotic flower that is often called the Moth Orchid comes from Java and the South Seas, the Phillipines and Queensland Australia. Therefore, they are definitely warm weather growers, and they do prefer to be in the shade. Phalaenopsis would make the perfect houseplant, they are very free flowering and also make great gifts.Vandas:Vandas have approximately fifty species. Several hybrids have been derived from the tropics, Asia, and the orient—as far down as Australia. These hybrids require a warm environment that includes plenty of bright light. Many people hang them in their homes or gardens from wooden baskets.Water Gardening:Water Lilies and Lotuses are a beautiful touch to your pond, or waterfall etc. Major cultivars of water lilies and lotuses—almost all of which are hybridizers—explore the best landscapes in which to grow these exotic flowers.Nymphaea and Nelumbo:The genera Nymphaea and Nelumbo are beautiful species of exotic flowers, other genera in the waterlily family include Nuphar, Victoria, Euryale, BarclayaDraecena:Draecena (otherwise known as the dragon’s tree) is an exotic flower that neither requires regular watering, nor does it need much light at all. It’s a symbol of power and prosperity. These flowers may live up to one thousand years. A perfect gift for yourself or a friend or family member who does not have that much time for gardening, but would love to have a beautiful garden, however small, and something elegant and exotic to pass on for generations to come.Anyone can add a striking touch of color to their home, or even the office with the elegant of wild exotic flowers. Exotic plants and flowers add a beautiful touch to any garden, home, patio or yard, as well as weddings, celebrations, banquets, and more solemn occasions.
About the Author
Smith Chen is an author and internet marketing consultant.Find more about Hot Online and review page cooking

How To Repair a Leaky Pipe

How To Repair a Leaky Pipe
Submitted by sverdlow
There is going to be one time in your life that you will need to either call a plumber to fix that leaky pipe or repair the leaking plumbing pipe yourself but before you do there is some information you should know before you attempt that plumbing repair.Depending on what type of pipe is leaking will depend on what types of tools and fittings you will need to do the plumbing repair. Another thing to consider is the place that the pipe is in, the harder it is to reach or access the harder it will be to repair the pipe.Most common types of plumbing found in households are pvc, steel, cast iron, and copper. Usually copper pipe and pvc pipe can be repaired by the home owner of the leak is small enough, and most hardware stores or home improvement stores will have what you need to get the job done.If the pipe that is leaking id steel, lead ( Lead bend ) or cast iron you will want to call your local plumber because there types of repairs will require expensive plumbing tools and expert professional knowledge to do the job properly.
About the Author
Jack Dalton is a writer for ToolsKeep.com, where you can find information about Chicago Electric Power Tools, Northern Tool, and Cummins Tools.

Pruning Tools - Purchasing the proper tools for the job.

Pruning Tools - Purchasing the proper tools for the job.
Submitted by Leaftech
With the arrival of spring, many home owners are beginning to take a look at the foliage which provides such a beautiful complement to their lawns and gardens with a little bit of trimming in mind. Proper pruning means that not only will your trees, shrubs, and bushes look nicer, but they will be able to grow in a more efficient matter and produce optimally as well. Many novice gardeners think that just one or two tools will be sufficient to carry out all the pruning challenge that their yards pose. This is far from the case, however. Every plant in your yard is unique, and what is more, each type of plant will require a different set of pruning tools. We will take a brief look at which types of tools might be best for you, based on your pruning task.TreesOne of the first pieces of foliage that you will want to prune in your yard once the weather starts to warm up a little are your trees. Whether you have producing fruit trees or just ornamental trees, they will probably need pruning every spring (many gardeners will argue that trees should be pruned at the end of summer as well).Trees offer the biggest challenge insofar as various pieces of equipment are concerned. For trees that are still in infancy, pruning snips such as those used for your garden shrubs will probably be sufficient. When it comes to mature trees, on the other hand, your tools will have to pack a lot more punch. Long handles on snips, as well as thicker, bigger blades, provide the leverage and the reach you need for older trees. Depending on how recently the tree has been pruned, you may find you need a saw (chain or hand held) for really thick branches. And, of course, you’ll need a ladder!ShrubsNext, take a look at your shrubs. The equipment for this task is fairly simple – in most cases, a small pair of pruning snips will do. A simple squeeze and the excess branches are off! You might spend a lot of time kneeling when pruning your shrubs, so think about a kneeling pad or other comfort-providing devices.HedgesHedges provide the most challenge when it comes to yard foliage. There are lots of branches, and you have to maintain the overall appearance of the hedge. This usually means a lot of small cuts all over the hedge. Your tool should have a lot of small “teeth”; many gardeners recommend gas powered trimmers in order to save wear on your arms (gas powered is ideal; electric cords tend to get in the way).
About the Author
Bahco is one of the leading manufacturers of professional gardening hand tools.

Pruning Tools - Purchasing the proper tools for the job.

Pruning Tools - Purchasing the proper tools for the job.
Submitted by Leaftech
With the arrival of spring, many home owners are beginning to take a look at the foliage which provides such a beautiful complement to their lawns and gardens with a little bit of trimming in mind. Proper pruning means that not only will your trees, shrubs, and bushes look nicer, but they will be able to grow in a more efficient matter and produce optimally as well. Many novice gardeners think that just one or two tools will be sufficient to carry out all the pruning challenge that their yards pose. This is far from the case, however. Every plant in your yard is unique, and what is more, each type of plant will require a different set of pruning tools. We will take a brief look at which types of tools might be best for you, based on your pruning task.TreesOne of the first pieces of foliage that you will want to prune in your yard once the weather starts to warm up a little are your trees. Whether you have producing fruit trees or just ornamental trees, they will probably need pruning every spring (many gardeners will argue that trees should be pruned at the end of summer as well).Trees offer the biggest challenge insofar as various pieces of equipment are concerned. For trees that are still in infancy, pruning snips such as those used for your garden shrubs will probably be sufficient. When it comes to mature trees, on the other hand, your tools will have to pack a lot more punch. Long handles on snips, as well as thicker, bigger blades, provide the leverage and the reach you need for older trees. Depending on how recently the tree has been pruned, you may find you need a saw (chain or hand held) for really thick branches. And, of course, you’ll need a ladder!ShrubsNext, take a look at your shrubs. The equipment for this task is fairly simple – in most cases, a small pair of pruning snips will do. A simple squeeze and the excess branches are off! You might spend a lot of time kneeling when pruning your shrubs, so think about a kneeling pad or other comfort-providing devices.HedgesHedges provide the most challenge when it comes to yard foliage. There are lots of branches, and you have to maintain the overall appearance of the hedge. This usually means a lot of small cuts all over the hedge. Your tool should have a lot of small “teeth”; many gardeners recommend gas powered trimmers in order to save wear on your arms (gas powered is ideal; electric cords tend to get in the way).
About the Author
Bahco is one of the leading manufacturers of professional gardening hand tools.

How I turned my garden into paradise.

How I turned my garden into paradise.
Submitted by MarkeD
Finally, after months of hiding under jumpers, arms are out because the sun’s come back. How long for – who’s to say? Perhaps, if there’s no Number One about ‘my umb-er-ella’ this year, we might be in for fewer floods and a brighter time. But for now, sunny days are here and they’ve sparked a new love affair, with my garden.Gardening’s always felt rather daunting. I don’t like worms, would rather do anything than weed and, garden centres (without any knowledge about soil type or garden design) have never appealed. There’s something about garden centres; they’re like a secret club, for people who know about garden things. All I know about gardening is that I like pretty things, and don’t have the time, or inclination, to learn how to use a hoe or thin out seedlings. Is that such a crime?However, this year has brought about a gardening revolution. Since discovering the joys of shopping online and container gardening, I’ve created a perfect garden paradise.Finally, my garden resembles the cross between an English country garden and a Mediterranean paradise that I’ve always yearned for. Not such a peculiar combination as it might sound, you see when everything is planted in containers, garden design, in my opinion, can go out of the window. Herbs, geraniums, roses, tomatoes – all neatly potted. And the great thing is that at any point I can rearrange the pots and create a new look; perfect for someone as impulsive and indecisive as me. Even more satisfying, is that the only maintenance needed is to water the pots everyday. Even I can manage that. The watering is easier since I named the plants; standing proud in their pots each has a distinct identity. I’d almost swear that the roses (Marilyn, Audrey, Shirley, Angela and Kylie) sigh with joy during their evening soak. Perhaps it’s just me. But any which way you look at it, container gardening wins – no weeding, no worms and you can take them with you if you ever move.The plan nearly fell apart though. Without a car, I cursed all out of town gardening centres. Even if I managed to reach them on my trusty bicycle, what chance did I ever have of fitting huge glazed pots and 75l bags of compost into my wicker bike basket? Then it occurred to me that since you can buy just about everything online these days, perhaps, just maybe I could get pots, plants and compost there too? Bingo! Not only did I find ‘practical’ things, but also seemingly infinite choices of colour for watering cans, seats and parasols. The bigger joy is that it arrives without any effort or lifting required and without any need to deal with those people who know.The only slight problem is that, now the garden is such a paradise, I don’t really want to go anywhere else. I’ve got round this by ordering a barbeque and groceries online too. So, my garden functions as my kitchen and lounge. Perfect. Unless, of course, it rains…
About the Author
Sarah Maple used dealtime.co.uk and uk.shopping.com to find the best prices for everything she needs in her home & garden.

Organize Room for More Quilting Time

Organize Room for More Quilting Time
Submitted by marilyn
I quilt, I am a quilter, I love quilting, and I love to quilt. Quilting has enriched my life in ways I never dreamed of. I have learned interesting facts about history because of quilts. I have made a ton of friends; and I have traveled because of quilting opportunities.To make quilting fun and to be able to start and finish projects with the less amount of stress and to avoid hunting for tools a well-organized sewing room is a must. Here are tried and true ideas and tips on how to organize a sewing/quilting room, no matter the size. If you use the room for other purposes such as an office, craft room or even a bedroom organization can create more time for you to focus on sewing and quilting.1. Have your sewing machine, ironing board, and cutting table arranged so they are easily accessible. Get a system going so you can take fewer steps between the iron and the sewing machine which will save time and you will be more efficient. Or if you don't have room for all of these in the same room just think you are getting exercise going from room to room rather than saving time.2. Use baskets or other gadgets fabric and quilting stores store sell to store your tools in. Place them next to where they get the most use. Be sure to put them back in the same container after using them as this will save a ton of time. If you store your tools in a room different from where you sew, containers make it very easy to transport the tools to where you need them and then they can go back to be stored with a minimum amount of effort or time.a. For example, place the tools you use at the ironing board near the ironing board. This could include a pressing cloth, spray bottle, pin cushion a small pair of scissors and a measuring gauge. I purchased an ironing board cover with measurements printed on the cover.b. Next to the sewing machine you'll need a pin cushion, scissors, seam ripper, waste basket for threads, or you can tape a plastic or paper bag to your sewing table for the threads. Also keep extra thread and bobbins near the machine. A magnetic board to hold the project directions is very helpful. I love my Side Winder portable bobbin winder that I keep on my sewing table.c. At the cutting table have available a rotary cutter, rulers, cutting mat, pencil, pen, a note pad and pin cushion. Cutting directions for your project can start out here when cutting and then can be moved to your sewing machine area when you start to sew. Either tape them on the wall or pin to a curtain or attach a small magnetic board on the wall to hold them. 3. Sort your fabrics by color and then organize within color group such as batiks, novelty, florals, flannels and homespun. Or organize by lights, medium, and darks within the same color. Clear plastic boxes/bins work well to hold and contain fabric. When replacing fabric put it back where it belongs, this saves time and frustration later. If you store your fabric on shelves you could label the shelf with the type of fabric that goes on which shelf.4. Vinyl project bags with zippers are great to use for short term storage. The plastic bags with zippers that sheets and other bedding come in also work for storage and are a great way to recycle. They can hold a project, strips or a kit. They are easy to grab and go if you have a project you are taking to a class.By organizing your sewing room or sewing space in a way that your supplies and tools are easy to find and are convenient for use you'll have more fun and more time to sew rather than spending your time hunting for what you need. It takes time to get everything like you want it but it will be worth it.Happy sewing/happy quilting.Marilyn Bohn's BioMarilyn is a creative organizer who has been organizing for over 20 years. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and is working towards becoming a Certified Professional Organizer. Professionally she has been organizing homes and offices for over two years. She holds a bachelors degree in Social Work. She has reared five daughters and currently lives in Utah. Marilyn invites you to her website http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can find free organizing tips and interesting blogs and helpful videos on organizing.
About the Author
Marilyn is a creative organizer who has been organizing for over 20 years. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers.She holds a bachelors degree in Social Work. She has reared five daughters and currently lives in Utah.Marilyn invites you to her website http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can find free organizing tips and interesting blogs and helpful articles on organizing.

Educational and Work Experience of Distinction: College Internships Abroad

Educational and Work Experience of Distinction: College Internships Abroad
Submitted by slobac@gmail.com
The classroom is but one of many places to obtain an education and real life skills. Students can opt for a broader experience by participating in college internship programs. Internships for college graduates and undergraduates alike provide valuable work skills vital in today’s competitive job market. Students can even earn college credit for participation in some programs.When evaluating the available opportunities, students seeking an experience above and beyond the norm can chose to participate in an internship abroad. Of particular note are New Zealand and Australia internship programs. These offer distinct benefits beyond work and educational experience. The Benefits of Australia and New Zealand Internship Programs There are several compelling reasons why college internships in the South Pacific are a great choice for students seeking a college experience of distinction.• Cultural Immersion—An internship abroad in Australia or New Zealand provides more than work experience. It allows student to live and work side by side with locals, providing a unique glimpse into the culture and society. The experience leaves a lasting impression and affects the students’ perspective on the world and their place in it. Participants in New Zealand and Australia internship programs find the experience better equips them to communicate and relate to people of different cultures with ease. It also imbibes a greater appreciation for cultural differences and similarities. • Professional Development--College internships are an excellent option for recent graduates as well as undergraduates. They provide the training needed to succeed in a career, as well as practical experience critical in qualifying for gainful employment. While an internship in general provides the opportunity for real-world experience, an internship abroad in the Australia or New Zealand includes experience in a global setting; truly a distinctive addition to any resume.• Appreciation of Natural Splendor--A summer internship in Australia or New Zealand is a fantastic way to experience the beauty of the country in a much deeper way than you might if you were to visit for a short vacation. Being able to take the time to explore all of the wonderful scenery and sites available, such as the deserts, rain forests, mountains, and beaches, is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity that is possible through summer internships in these countries. •Affordability--It is expensive to attend college and most certainly to study abroad during your college career, but if you would like to experience a foreign country, then a summer internship in Australia or New Zealand can be a cost-effective way to spend time in a new area of the world and experience it for yourself.
About the Author
Susan Slobac advises college students on study abroad opportunities in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.