tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132002012024-03-13T04:20:06.192-07:00Useful HouseplantsThere are lots of useful plants that can be grown as houseplants. Why not have your houseplants do double or triple duty? They can make your house look nice, clean the air and also provide vitamin-packed food or other valuable fruit. Here I share my efforts at growing plants in my apartment. I don't coddle plants. If I can grow it, anyone can grow it.K. Davidhizarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279426236449733887noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13200201.post-35692432988392292192019-09-09T12:36:00.000-07:002019-09-09T12:36:01.255-07:00Don't Throw Away Eggshells<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
I just can’t throw away eggshells in the garbage even living in a small apartment with no possibility of a compost pile. So I save them. Leave them in the oven when I bake something so they get dried out and</div>
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sterilized. Then I smash them up just squeezing them with my hand.<br />
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I use them like perlite in my potting soil. So far so good. I also hate throwing out used coffee grains. So I store them in plastic containers and use sparingly in my potting soil. The acid coffee should balance the alkaline in the eggshells. <a href="https://draxe.com/nutrition/article/eggshell/">Here</a> is an interesting article on many uses for eggshells including eating them, and I won’t go that far.</div>
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Another plant growing from old seed (6-10 years old). Aren’t seeds amazing? <a href="https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Ephedra+sinica">Ephedra sinica</a> is somewhat notorious, because ephedrine was purified from it and used in excess by people wanting to lose weight. I believe they can make an artificial ephedrine too. So the FDA prohibited selling supplements that contain ephedrine. Of course, anything used in excess can be dangerous, even water. But it is legal to grow your own plant. </div>
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It’s a stimulant kind of like coffee with caffeine. I have trimmed several tips, about 1/4 teaspoon and chewed them, but didn’t really notice anything. I guess you need more.</div>
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There are several kinds of Ephedra. Ephedra sinica (also called Ma Huang) is apparently the most potent. It hails from the desert steppes of Northern China. We also have Mormon tea (Ephedra nevadensis or Ephedra viridis) here in the U.S. It looks the same, but apparently doesn’t stimulate, but is used to alleviate asthma and the common cold.</div>
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Ephedra grows up to two feet tall, Maybe I should put mine in a bigger pot. There must be a female and a male plant to get fertile seeds, so with one plant I won’t be able to get seeds. You can buy Ephedra seedlings at <a href="https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/product/ma-huang-ephedra-sinica-potted-plant-organic/">Strictly Medicinal Seeds</a>. Their seeds are out of stock at the moment. You can buy seeds on <a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-Samen-von-Ephedra-sinica-Ma-huang-Samen/113382930724?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item1a66263924:g:-nsAAOSwJTNb8nqJ">Ebay</a>. </div>
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99% of the time I won’t remember what I planted in such and such a pot. So I always need to identify the seeds that I planted.</div>
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I do this by cutting up aluminum cans like soda or juice cans. Then with any kind of sharp point, pen or pick, I write the name of the seed on the bit of aluminum, And the name will always be there, never fades, because it is impressed into the metal.</div>
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I was a member of an organic forum and when I suggested this method of identifying seeds, I was excoriated by the members for suggesting using any kind of aluminum in my garden. Once the plant is growing, I'll pick up the tags. </div>
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I don’t know, but the aluminum doesn’t “rust” like other metals, so maybe there are a few atoms left in the soil. Would this be so terrible?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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I grew it from seed. And get this. The seeds were at least six years old. I have a lot of old seeds that I got six to ten years ago. So I thought I might as well try and see if they will grow. <a href="https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/lemongrass/dividing-lemongrass-plants.htm">This place</a> says you propagate lemongrass by division. There are different kinds of lemongrass, so that might be a factor. I plan to divide this so I have more plants.<br />
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You can also <a href="https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/lemongrass/regrowing-lemongrass-in-water.htm">root lemongrass</a> from lemongrass stems you get at the grocery store.
I had a lemongrass growing last year, but it died. Maybe it didn’t die. Maybe it just was dormant, and I didn’t give it time to come back after the winter.<br />
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Unlike citrus plants like lemon and lime, lemongrass is quite <a href="https://bonnieplants.com/how-to-grow/growing-lemongrass/">easy to grow</a>. As I noted in my last post citrus plants are not that easy to grow if you are a casual gardener. This Australian <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB7khqDaIOI">gardener</a> shows you how to grow lots of it outside if you live in Zone 11 or above.<br />
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One good thing about lemongrass, it’s easy to identify. It tastes like lemon, duh. I have been clipping several inches off the ends every few days. Some say to use the bottom of the stems for cooking, but the whole thing tastes like lemon, so I don't see why not use the top part too. I like to add it to anything I cook—soups, stews, casseroles. Especially since I learned about how healthy it is for you as they <a href="https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-lemongrass.html">tell you here, </a><br />
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You can buy <a href="https://www.richters.com/Web_store/web_store.cgi?product=X3680&show=all&prodclass=&cart_id=5750435.27148">plants</a> or <a href="https://www.richters.com/Web_store/web_store.cgi?product=X3682&show=all&prodclass=&cart_id=5750435.27148">seeds</a> at Richters. And seeds on <a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/LEMONGRASS-300-SEEDS-LEMON-GRASS-CYMBOPOGON-FLEXUOSUS-MOSQUITO-REPELLENT-USA/131903043935?epid=1183015392&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item1eb608b95f:g:2NMAAOSwARZXm9B~&enc=AQAEAAAB4BPxNw%2BVj6nta7CKEs3N0qUCqTgzOQ0SjVe8Wq38OxoqWW28Odi5CShBJ7nJ2OUEy8QxE%2FwqrWADiSicak%2FnAElarNlMHYtR966vRvgQWiQbM%2BPVctY8SqlGeGJM21oICf7YJzAaFvEdJKXORT4eYqN8%2Bt3l5PlasXeGOKvKLM9LAZPleoSmW3KM0DFCxeaoNt48gXDL%2FdQC2Qmf%2FomkxbfeIJ6G034yoSDwNpPgGgUYAmV0JD8RAdaOt8Ie1mkyCJf6zwGditmX5sroUJ%2BS1Eb2PV1x7c%2FB%2FB67P8YFCKXKqWLvbDZfhKgesMQEWqhnjpREWOapkq3KL2h6Tm%2BflBvoyeF9eaaW6HWiiG54wAfL8LJPiI5hQY%2BuAA34bNbqnpGTPWSugOZEkCNVfTQHBTvt9OhDgpSE5e25dUvKQv%2FH%2F%2Bqe7yn2Ko9OiakqOOAIJXU54G91Y46M5JdqPFmnO%2BIdLMhrp8xuHMnfs2sDvbm1hoo4fdV64QjXVwD3mU1gR5dKdprsy5XmNdzVeuoRoUJq0rrcAxfBx40sp1%2BRzPVU7pReZeRbjzi2wQCyg0raV628TtLxIeeOod%2FBcyXlR1pqdvP1QbCjv3qxGLIu8IvrPiBm9zsvDp2h55Lh32X3GQ%3D%3D&checksum=131903043935c983f07ea4be4d5c91bb2611144b0d27">eBay</a>. It certainly is an easy, visually interesting and useful plant to grow outside or inside your home.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Gota Kola -</span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Ancient Herb Easy to Grow</span></h2>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">I’m munching on this herb as I write. It’s not that tastey, but, Hey, we can use all the help we can get. When you are eating medicinal herbs, be sure to chew them as much as you can to absorb their benefits better. I’ve grown it for several years now. It requires minimal care once you get it started. Just be sure to keep it moist. It’s vining and easy to root in another pot to multiply. If you want to chew on some every day, you’ll need more than one pot. It can be grown outside in Zone 8 or above. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">I bought mine at <a href="http://www.strictlymedicinalseeds.com/group.asp?grp=249">Strictly Medicinal Seeds</a> (used to be Horizon Seeds), but now I see they </span></div>
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don’t have any in stock. <a href="https://www.richters.com/Web_store/web_store.cgi?product=X3000&show=&prodclass=Herb_Plug_Packs&cart_id=5750435.27148">Richters</a> in Canada also has it. <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">I advise you to buy the plant and not the seeds which can be difficult to germinate.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Mine is not looking so good. Maybe I'm not keeping it moist enough or maybe it needs</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> more sunshine. </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">I</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> only get about 2 hours of sunlight where I am now, and that's if it's not cloudy. We've been having a cool summer up here in the Northwest USA.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">It’s good for your brain and circulation among oher things.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">You can get info on all it’s supposed to be good for at <a href="http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-gotu-kola.html">Herb Wisdom</a> and <a href="http://www.secrets-of-longevity-in-humans.com/gotu-kola-facts.html">Secrets of Longevity</a> and <a href="http://www.consciouslifestylemag.com/gotu-kola-benefits-of-the-herb-of-enlightenment/">Conscious Lifestyle</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Well after reading these descriptions again, I think I need to be eating more of it. Here’s a nice </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fIWKq_gViw" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">video</a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">on growing it and what it is used for.</span></div>
<script>document.write('<a target="_blank" href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=9&pub=5575203241&toolid=10001&campid=5337924818&customid=&icep_uq=gotu+kola+plant&icep_sellerId=&icep_ex_kw=&icep_sortBy=12&icep_catId=&icep_minPrice=&icep_maxPrice=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg">Find Gotu Kola on eBay</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=9&pub=5575203241&toolid=10001&campid=5337924818&customid=&uq=gotu+kola+plant&mpt='+Math.floor(Math.random()*999999999)+'">');</script><noscript><a target="_blank" href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=9&pub=5575203241&toolid=10001&campid=5337924818&customid=&icep_uq=gotu+kola+plant&icep_sellerId=&icep_ex_kw=&icep_sortBy=12&icep_catId=&icep_minPrice=&icep_maxPrice=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg">Find Gotu Kola on eBay</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=9&pub=5575203241&toolid=10001&campid=5337924818&customid&uq=gotu+kola+plant&mpt=%5BCACHEBUSTER%5D"></noscript>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I’m back. After a 7-year hiatus I am back to talking about useful houseplants. Although I did not have much space for growing plants inside and still don't, I have learned a few things which I will be posting about, I’ve checked the links, and those that are still here are still in business. So they have at least a 10-year track record. That’s practically a lifetime in internet years.</span></div>
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</div>I didn't know they were one and the same. Thank you <a href="http://greenblogosphere.com/Home/14342">Greenblogosphere.<br />
</a>Now I have a 5 foot Fragrant Spring tree that I got from <a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.raintreenursery.com/catalog/images/catagories/Fragrant%2520Spring%2520Tree.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.raintreenursery.com/catalog/producttype.cfm%3Fproducttype%3DFragrant%2520Spring%2520Tree&usg=__TXFR8Yb8sXVgcAeB51EtaZES2eA=&h=244&w=160&sz=21&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=As3n2r68W5MBOM:&tbnh=110&tbnw=72&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfragrant%2Bspring%2Btree%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1">Raintree Nursery</a> and two little Chinese Toons that I've grown from seed I guess I'll have a Fragrant Spring grove in a few years. The great thing about them is that their leaves are edible. I say the more edible perennial plants you have the better.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<br />
I bought the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0898154502?ie=UTF8&tag=somediwillbui-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0898154502">The After-Dinner Gardening Book by Richard W. Langer</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=somediwillbui-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0898154502" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> some years ago. (Actually recommended by a reader of this blog.) The book is out of print, but you can buy used copies. It tells about a New York City man's obsession with growing plants from seeds and remnants of foods eaten. It's an engrossing read, but I doubt that Mr. Langer would have as much success these days.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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<script>document.write('<a target="_blank" href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=9&pub=5575203241&toolid=10001&campid=5337925315&customid=&icep_uq=soap+nut+tree+seeds&icep_sellerId=&icep_ex_kw=&icep_sortBy=12&icep_catId=&icep_minPrice=&icep_maxPrice=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg">Find soap nut seeds on eBay</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=9&pub=5575203241&toolid=10001&campid=5337925315&customid=&uq=soap+nut+tree+seeds&mpt='+Math.floor(Math.random()*999999999)+'">');</script><noscript><a target="_blank" href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=9&pub=5575203241&toolid=10001&campid=5337925315&customid=&icep_uq=soap+nut+tree+seeds&icep_sellerId=&icep_ex_kw=&icep_sortBy=12&icep_catId=&icep_minPrice=&icep_maxPrice=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg">Find soap nut seeds on eBay</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=9&pub=5575203241&toolid=10001&campid=5337925315&customid=&uq=soap+nut+tree+seeds&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]"></noscript><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>K. Davidhizarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279426236449733887noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13200201.post-75931047164856991902007-01-16T20:50:00.000-08:002008-11-13T04:14:55.610-08:00Have a Hoodia sprout<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YD0WIRuyAOA/Ra251b14isI/AAAAAAAAABA/pLz0OsGd_yA/s1600-h/blog+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YD0WIRuyAOA/Ra251b14isI/AAAAAAAAABA/pLz0OsGd_yA/s320/blog+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020873487245937346" border="0" /></a><br />The plastic bag method is just the best for getting seeds started.<br /><br />I had a few Hoodia seeds left over from the ones I bought last year, so a few weeks ago I planted all but two in small pots. Nothing has happened with them. A few days ago, I put the last two seeds into a plastic bag with a damp paper towel. In just a couple of days I have roots popping out. So from now on that's how I'm going to propagate everything.<br /><br />I also have two pomegranate seedlings that I started that way coming up. I got the seeds from some pomegranates I bought at the grocery store. Now I'm waiting for my Ginkgo biloba seeds to sprout. I picked up a bagful of them from a park in downtown Portland, where they have a bunch of beautiful old ginkgo trees growing.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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