Easy Compound Marcotting or Air-Layering for Quick Propagation

Spawned by the article on serpentine air-layering, I'm writing this one on how to easily propagate your favorite vines using compound marcotting.

As long as the vine branch is thick enough to perform marcotting, then you do marcotting in between nodes. Nodes that have leaves or foliage are preferable.

Before, I was hesitant to air-layer several parts of the vine (in other words multiple marcots), for fear that the vine may not have the "energy" to allow the marcots to root. That, however, is not so much the case.

Air-Layering Technique to Revive Dried Marcots - Syringe Solution

In a recent article, I discussed how I revived a drying air-layer with a nozzle bottle technique. It was effective as was shown by the results in the article.

In the past few days, however, the temperature has all the more risen and I'm finding wilting air-layers or marcots almost everyday. Although the nozzle bottle technique is effective, it takes a while to perform.

Serpentine Air-Layering or Compound Marcotting

Propagating the Golden Garland Tutorial

The Nong Nooch Vine aka Golden Garland

The Nong Nooch vine (Petraeovitex bambusetorum), also called Golden Garland, is such a lovely vine with pretty yellow flowers that we have these plants always blooming in hanging garden pots. But the best part about them is that they're incredibly easy to propagate by air-layering or marcotting.

Adenium Flat Grafting Method Tutorial - One Node Technique - Part 2

(This is the continuation from Part 1)

11. If the scion stem's wound at the other end has discolored, cut off a thin sliver and discard. The scion cut should remain white or as fresh as possible.
    

Adenium Flat Grafting Method Tutorial - One Node Technique

In a previous article, I discussed an easy grafting technique for adeniums (Desert Rose). Recently, I've tried a flat grafting method that proved to be just as easy yet simpler and, in my opinion, more effective.

Unlike the technique in the previous article, this method utilizes only one node on the stem of a desired adenium plant for a scion.

Air-Layering Technique to Revive Dried Marcots - Nozzle Bottle Solution

A few days ago, I noticed some of the newly marcotted or air-layered Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis) had foliage that looked a bit wilted. These were the leaves of the foliage on top of the air-layers. The rest of the foliage of the plants looked healthy enough.

It's been particularly warm in the past few days and so I guessed the air-layer medium (coco dust) was drying up. Looking at one of these air layers confirmed my suspicion.

Adding Soil to a Plumbago in a Garden Pot

More than two years ago, I wrote an article detailing how I secured a garden pot to a metal post in our garden. It is a plastic rectangular pot that has a Plumbago auriculata.

That was more than two years ago. The garden pot has faded and has weathered the elements. The Plumbago plant has matured and its branches has thickened considerably..

Straighten the Bent Trunk or Branch of a Garden Plant - Part 3

(This is the continuation of Part 2)

Today, I finally removed the splint I devised to straighten a bent branches in a Sandpaper Vine (Petrea volubilis). Based on my observation of this vine from images on the internet, I noticed from the photos that the mature vine doesn't necessarily grow straight up.

Straightening and Healing a Broken Branch in a Vine - Part 2

(This is the continuation from Part 1)

7. Ensure that the entire length of the leader branch is secured to the stake.
   

Straightening and Healing a Broken Branch in a Vine

A recent typhoon swept through our area this past week. It wasn't a particularly strong typhoon but it brought with it non-stop rains resulting in floods. One thing I noticed peculiar with this typhoon, at least in our area, is the presence of low but strong winds.

It is for this reason that many potted plants in our garden and at the sidewalk were toppled. One garden plant damaged by this typhoon is our newly repotted Bauhinia kockiana.

Straighten the Bent Trunk or Branch of a Garden Plant - Part 2

(This is the continuation of Part 1)

The double splint method of straightening the bend of the trunk or branch of a plant uses two straight and relatively rigid rods or slats. The branch or trunk is then "sandwiched" in between the two rod or slats. This is a stronger splint and prevents the tying material from touching the branch or trunk.

Straighten the Bent Trunk or Branch of a Garden Plant

In a previous article I outlined the steps in my procedure to propagate a Sandpaper Plant or Petrea Volubilis. In this article, I will discuss a technique to straighten the trunk of the Sandpaper Plant, sometimes called the Queen's Wreath or Purple Wreath.

It is a technique that can be applied to correct not only the trunk but to a severely cured branch as well. Also, this technique may be used for all types of semi-woody to woody garden plants. As long as the garden plants are young enough, then the curve may be corrected.

Gynura Procumbens in Garden Pots at the Front Fence - Part 2

(This is the continuation from Part 1)

4. Remove dried up leaves stuck among the foliage. Feel and tug on some of the branches that are still attached on the grilles. Look for brittle and unusually soft ones. Cut and remove all branches and twigs that have rotted or dried up. Now is the opportune time to really clean up the vine on the fence grilles.
   
   
5. When all the identified branches and foliage have been cut, clean the concrete ledge from dust and debris. Use a scrubbing pad, detergent powder and water to scrub away the dirt that accumulated over the years.
   

Gynura Procumbens in Garden Pots at the Front Fence

In a recent article, I wrote how I kept flowering vines tidy on one side (inside) of the front fence and have most of the foliage, including flowers, cascade on the other side (outside).

In this article, I'll discuss how keeping the inside clean and tidy allowed me to affix garden wall pots. And to these pots, I planted a medicinal vegetable/herb called Gynura procumbens or Longevity Spinach.

Propagation by Cuttings in Humidity Chamber (Sandpaper Vine)

I've seen the Sandpaper Vine's flowers many times in photos all over the internet and found them amazingly beautiful. The fact that the flower colors of violet and blue aren't as common as the reds and yellows in the tropics makes this vine even more appealing to me.

The Sandpaper vine's scientific name is Petrea volubilis. Unlike the white Porana volubilis (which I have in a container trellis), this vine isn't aggressively twining at all. Petrea volubilis's other common names are Queen's Wreath, Purple Wreath, Blue Bird Vine and Fleur de Dieu (Flower of God)).

Marking Plant Branches for Identification

In a previous article, I discussed a simple method by which you can make markings on the branches of a bougainvillea plant. That method is a tip to pre-label marcots or air-layers. In that article, marcots were made on two bougainvillea plants growing in a single pot. The reason why pre-labelling is done is to correctly identify the marcots especially when it's time to harvest them.

In this article, I'll discuss an even simpler method to mark the branches of any medium-sized garden plant. "Marking" in this context is for the purpose of being able to identify a particular branch after some time. I'll be using a garlic vine (Mansoa alliacea) instead of a bougainvillea to demonstrate the technique.

Techniques for Tidying Flowering Vines on the Front Fence

There's a gardener's saying that goes like this: “The first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they leap”.

The first season after you plant a vine, it may appear to be asleep above ground. Rest assured though that below ground their roots are very much awake. And they are growing larger and spreading throughout the bed in search of nutrients.

The second year, the year they creep, you will see additional growth above ground. This is because the roots are larger and can support a larger plant. Then, in the third year, when their roots are fully formed, the vine will seem to leap, assuming a fully mature size.

Avoiding Ant Bites When Fruit Picking - Part 2

(This is the continuation of Part 1)
When weaver ants are able to crawl on the fruit picker pole you're using, you can be sure they'll be crawling downwards toward you and bite you. There will be a constant stream of ants that will be on your fingers, hands and arms.

So how do you minimize, if not prevent weaver ants from using the mango fruit picker pole as a bridge to reach you?

Avoiding Ant Bites When Fruit Picking

Weaver ants are the boon and bane of mango trees. Boon, because they help eradicate some of the pests that eat and destroy the leaves and fruits, thus significantly cutting down the pest management expenses of farmers.

They're a bane, well, because they attack on the farmers when it's time to harvest the mango fruits. And they attack relentlessly. Like an army on a suicide mission, they bite wherever and whenever they fall or crawl on you.

Homemade Bird Trap - Disposing Trapped Sparrows

WARNING:
The following article contains graphic images showing the cervical dislocation of a sparrow. Viewer discretion is advised.

Sparrows cause damage to property and are considered PESTS. I don't have to repeat myself.

You've set and baited your homemade bird trap and successfully trapped those pesky sparrows. Now what do you do? Do you keep them as pets? Do you bring the cage somewhere far and release them there?