Planting Orchids: How to Repot an Orchid Plant

The growing medium breaks down over time and won’t properly anchor the plant or provide the necessary nutrients. They also need high humidity and airflow around the roots. They need regular periods of drying alternated with heavy watering.Orchidsdo best in temperatures above 50F but below 85F. The Spruce / Viktoriya Stoeva The closer you come to creating these conditions, the more success and better blooms you will have. Most store-bought orchids come packaged in cheap plastic pots with the roots packed in soaked moss....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 291 words · Kelsey Jefferson

Planting Roses: A Step-by-Step Guide

It may even comebare-root, resembling a thorny dead stick. Read on to learn how to plant roses in the ground. Tips for Planting Roses Roses are not the pickiest plants if they’ve been planted correctly. The Spruce / Kelly Miller This allows the rose bush to put more energy into its roots rather than keeping excessive top growth alive. Roses are best transplanted in early spring before new growth begins....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 233 words · Melissa Wright

Plants That Groundhogs Will Avoid

This appetite makes them one of our most feared garden pests, capable of devastating a garden overnight. Do note, however, that all such pest-resistant lists deal in probability, not certainty. But you put the odds in your favor if you grow plants that pests are less likely to eat. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova There are many plants that groundhogs generally avoid; learn about some of the prettiest and most useful ones....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 428 words · Charles Howard

Plaster vs. Drywall: What's the Difference?

It dries to a hard, polished finish that can look great without priming or painting. Drywall comes in pre-cut panels that are relatively easy to install. It is generally less expensive than plaster and well-suited to newer homes with standard stud spacing. ba11istic / Getty Images Construction Method Installing plaster and installing drywall involve two different processes. Metal mesh backing can also be used instead of wood lath for a more uniform base....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 339 words · Chad Elliott

Platform Beds vs. Box Springs: Similarities and Differences

If youre waking up in the middle of the night feeling discomfort, consider buying a new bed base. Both types have their own pros and cons. This comparison will help you determine which one is right for you. The Spruce / Mira Norian Platform Beds What Is a Platform Bed? A platform bed is a bed frame topped with either slats or a solid surface. Relatively low profile, platform beds are usually between five and 12 inches high....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 383 words · Ricardo Gonzalez

Poinsettia: Indoor Plant Care & Growing Guide

Key Tips These are some basic pointers to keep in mind forkeeping your poinsettia healthy. Poinsettia Care Keep your poinsettia healthy and vigorous beyond January by using the proper care techniques. The trick: Provide enough filtered sun, warmth, and water, and your poinsettia will thrive. The Spruce / Leticia Almeida If grown as a landscape shrub in warm climates, poinsettia requires a sunny location and well-drained soil. Frequent pinching back of the stem tips will ensure seasonal color in winter....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 433 words · Nicholas Jimenez

Poinsettias Aren't Throw-Away Plants—How to Keep Them Alive, According to a Gardener

However, poinsettias are actually long-lived perennials that can be rewarding to grow as houseplants or in the garden. Below, youll learnhow to grow poinsettiasindoors and out and simple ways to extend the life of your plants. Constantine Johnny / Getty Images Do Poinsettias Come Back Every Year? izzzy71 / Getty Images In colder areas, poinsettias can be cultivated as annuals or kept indoors as houseplants. Want more gardening tips? These plants really hate to have wet feet....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 131 words · Ashley Johnson

Poinsettias Come in More Varieties Than You Think—Try These for Holiday Blooms

Want more gardening tips? What is a bract? Sometimes mistaken for flowers, the colored portions of poinsettias are bracts which are actually modified leaves. Clive Nichols / Getty Images Color changes occur according to the length of light exposure. The flower portion of a poinsettia is a tiny set of petals calledcyathialocated in the center of the bracts. This poinsettia fills a space at up to 16 inches tall with strong branching and uniform bracts....

May 4, 2025 · 4 min · 795 words · Mary Chan

Poison Hemlock vs. Queen Anne’s Lace: How to Tell the Difference

Learn about the distinguishing characteristics of each plant to tell poison hemlock and Queen Anne’s lace apart. Do not get too close to the plant, and never touch it without proper protective gear. The plants die back during the winter and reemerge in the spring of the second year. Queen Anne’s laceAli Majdfar / Getty Images The leaves on the upper part of the stem are not as large as the base leaves....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 240 words · Richard Nguyen

Poison Sumac vs. Staghorn Sumac: The Major Differences

Both plants are tall shrubs with colorful fall foliage, though one is poisonous and one is not. Key identifying features set them apart. belong to the same family as well. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova Another beneficial plant in the family is thesmoke bush(Cotinus coggygria), a popular ornamental landscape plant. Poison sumac is aplant of very wet areas. It is a frequent inhabitant of stretches along the roadside where the soil is dry....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 193 words · Jordan Lee

Pollen Is Here: 7 Ways to Keep Your Windowsill Clean, According to Cleaning Pros

Windowsills are hotspots for dust and grime to build up. So, what are the best ways to clean your windowsill to keep dust and sneezes at bay? It helps to focus on the corners and window tracks. The Spruce / Sarah Lee Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Murphy also notes that it’s gentle on paint and wood. “It works especially well on older sills that havent been cleaned in a while....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 141 words · Robyn Adams MD

Polycrylic vs. Polyurethane Comparison Guide

However, they can confuse new DIYers since they have a similar name and purpose. Polycrylic is a light-duty sealant that dries quickly with a clear or slightly milky hue. It’s low in flammability and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The Spruce / Dennis Madamba Polyurethane is better forhigh-traffic areaslike wood floors, though it does take longer to dry. Oil-based polyurethane is a flammable product with a high level of VOCs. Water-based polyurethane still has a higher level of VOCs than polycrylic....

May 4, 2025 · 4 min · 646 words · Daniel Malone

Polyester or Microfiber—Which Is Better for Bed Sheets?

Still, there are a few key differences between these fabrics to know before choosing your next bedding set. Generally, microfiber sheets are better for breathability, and polyester is better for durability. Read on to learn what they had to say. Getty Images /CreativaStudio What Is Polyester? Polyester is a synthetic fabric made from petroleum-based products that’s inexpensive and easy to clean. What Is Microfiber? Microfiber is like a polyester upgrade....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 437 words · Joshua Allen