Dragon Fruit

 

Days from Seed to Maturity: 5-7 years from seed to fruit. 1-3 years from propagated cuttings to fruit bearing stage.

Lifespan: Perennial. 20-30 yrs. 

Outdoor Planting Zones: 10-11

Pruning: Prune during summer. Clip away any dead or rotting areas of the plant.

Light: Full sun.

Soil: Well drained.

Indoor Planting: 

Water: Do not over water. Keep soil well drained.

Food: Feed with a basic Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food, such as Miracle-Gro, that has a NPK of 24-8-6, or your favorite well balanced fertilizer. Fertilize indoor plants per the directions accompanying your fertilizer of choice. 

Potential Companions: More Dragon Fruit 

"Fruit trees should be planted in tandem (at least two together), and their best companions are alliums, tansy, comfrey and other nitrogen fixing plants, nasturtiums, marigold, marjoram, lemon balm, mustards, dandelions, daffodils, borage and other flowers." 
http://www.medicinegarden.co.za/about/companion-planting/fruit-companion-plants/ 

Do not plant with: Plants that require high moisture.

Additional information: Dragon fruit is a climbing plant and will require support. Dragon fruit will not continue to ripen after it is harvested, do not pick the fruit until it is ripe.

Additional Links and Resources:

https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/flowers-and-plants/fruit/grow-dragon-fruit-from-seed#:~:text=If%20dragon%20fruit%20has%20intrigued,two%20years%20to%20bear%20fruit.

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/long-dragon-fruit-bear-fruit-102059.html

https://www.bhg.com.au/growing-dragon-fruit

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/dragon-fruit

  

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Maple Tree Tapping

Here in New Hampshire Mid February to Mid April, dependant on weather, is Maple Tree tapping season. Carrying out New Traditions today by using some of the Maple Trees located at Little Lakeview Conservatory LLC to collect Sap to turn into Syrup this weekend. 

What you need:

• A Maple Tree
• 12-20 inches in Diameter for one tap
• 21-27 inches in Diameter for two taps
• 28 inches in Diameter or wider for three taps
• Stainless Steel Maple Syrup Taps 
• Hammer
• Measuring Tape
• Drill with 5/16 Drill bit
• 5/16" ID 7/16" OD Clear Vinyl Tubing FDA Approved Food Grade Multipurpose Tube
• Food Grade 5 Gallon Bucket with Lid

How To:

Identify your Maple Tree(s). Measure the size of the Tree you intend to use to verify that it is an adequate size. With the Drill and 5/16 bit Drill a 1.5" hole straight into the tree. Using the Hammer, hammer the Maple Syrup Tap into the hole in the Maple Tree. Push the 5/16 tubing onto the tap to seal, Drill a hole into the lid of the 5 Gallon Bucket to fit the hose into. The lid should prevent anything falling into your sap while you are collecting it. 

You will need to collect 40 Gallons of Sap to boil down to 1 Gallon of Syrup. This is a weekend project here. After the buckets fill they will need to be slowly boiled down to evaporate the water and make the Syrup sweeter. We will follow up this Post with another showing how we made our Syrup.

...https://www.littlelakeviewconservatory.com/2020/02/making-maple-syrup.html 

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Growing Roses

We have decided to try a couple of new traditions with our old after Valentine's Day traditions. We love to regrow our Valentine's Day Roses from the leftover stems as they wilt each year. Convinced by a friends suggestion, we gave three methods for growing your own roses from stems a try. Hopefully these will take, and in a few months we will be able to update with which methods worked best for us.

Method 1: Propagation in Water

What you will need:

Water

A vase or jar

Your Roses/Rose Stems with some foliage, preferably the top leaves

Scissors

We saved our petals to use in our Bath Teas and other projects later.

How to:

Cut the bottom of the stem at an angle below a node/bump on the stem.

Cut the rose flower off.

Cut all but the top leaves off.

Place in Water and Expose to light.

Wait for up to 1-3 mths for roots to form in the water. 

Plant the rose in Soil or your choice of growing method.

Water, Fertilize and Expose to light.

Method 2: Plant Stem directly in Dirt, Potted or Outside dependant on location seasonally. 

What you will need:

Dirt and a hand shovel

A vase/jar/space 

Rooting Hormone, such as Fast Root

Water and fertilizer

Your Roses/Rose Stems with some foliage, preferably the top leaves

Scissors

How to:

Have Dirt in vase/jar/space to plant your Rose Stem.

Cut the bottom of the stem at an angle below a node/bump on the stem.

Cut the rose flower off.

Cut all but the top leaves off.

Dip the tip of the bottom of the Rose Stem in a Rooting Hormone.

Place in Soil in vase/jar/space.

Water, Fertilize and Expose to light.

Wait for up to 1-3 mths for roots to form. 

You may use a clear cover to help contain the moisture for your plant while it's rooting. Using something that mimics a greenhouse effect will help ensure that your stems root properly, but monitor your plant to avoid mold or unwanted conditions. 

Method 3: Dip Rose Cuttings in Honey and Plant in a Potato, in Soil.

What you will need:

Soil and a hand shovel

A Potato and Something to poke a hole into it, We used a metal chopstick

Honey

A Bucket/Planter or you may plant it outside dependant on location, seasonally.

Water and fertilizer

Your Roses/Rose Stems with some foliage, preferably the top leaves

Scissors

How to:

Have Dirt in vase/jar/space to plant your Rose Stem.

Poke a hole into your Potato.

Cut the bottom of the stem at an angle below a node/bump on the stem.

Cut the rose flower off.

Cut all but the top leaves off.

Dip the tip of the bottom of the Rose stem in honey and place into the Potato.

Place in Soil in vase/jar/space.

Water, Fertilize and Expose to light.

Wait for up to 1-3 mths for roots to form. 

You may use a clear cover to help contain the moisture for your plant while it's rooting. Using something that mimics a greenhouse effect will help ensure that your stems root properly, but monitor your plant to avoid mold or unwanted conditions. 

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Soil Sanitizing:

When recycling used soil from old planters or elsewhere, it's a good idea to sanitize your soil to remove possible pathogens. However, once your soil is "Sanitized" it will actually be dirt. You may need to add amendments, microbes, to bring your soil situation back to a living growing environment again. 

What you will need:

A Large container for your Mixture

A garden trowel/hand shovel to mix with

Soil 

Baking dishes

An oven

How to:

Preheat oven to 200

Place dirt in 5 gallon bucket.

Mix with garden trowel/hand shovel. Take out any unwanted matter. 

Place dirt in baking dishes.

Place baking dishes in oven for at least a half hour. 

Remove dirt and let cool before mixing with soil enhancers.

  

All DIY projects shown on LittleLakeviewConservatory.com are purely "at your own risk". As with any DIY project, unfamiliarity with the tools and process can be dangerous. Posts should be construed as theoretical advice only. 

If you are at all uncomfortable or inexperienced working on these projects (especially but not limited to electronics and mechanical), please reconsider doing the job yourself. It is very possible on any DIY project to damage your cottage, void your property insurance, create a hazardous condition or harm or even kill yourself or others.

Little Lakeview Conservatory LLC will not be held responsible for any injury due to any featured DIY project.

Little Lakeview Conservatory, LLC

Additional resources:

https://www.almanac.com/organic-soil-amendments-explained

https://cedarcirclefarm.org/tips/entry/the-living-soil-microorganisms

Choose a large container to mix your sanitized dirt with amendments, bringing it back to healthy Soil again.

Little Lakeview Conservatory, LLC was est. in 2019 to provide sustainable plants in NH and to share information to help people create self sustainability in their own homes.

Please feel free to contact us at LittleLakeviewConservatory@gmail.com be added to our email list or with any questions, requests and comments.

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Fertilizer

Fertilizer:

Plant Food:

Just like Humans, Plants need water and nutrients to live and grow.

Plant fertilizers are labeled in a NPK format. N=Nitrogen, P=Phosphorus and K=Potassium/Potash(Plant Ashes).

http://www.ncagr.gov/cyber/kidswrld/plant/label.htm is a great link for better understanding the fertilizer label. They also have other educational links for Children and Families. Information explaining plant nutrients: http://www.ncagr.gov/cyber/kidswrld/plant/nutrient.htm

The ratio or Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium in a mixture of fertilizer will serve different plants differently. Below is a chart explaining the three and their roles in plant growth, with information from Better Homes and Gardens: https://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/garden-care/what-do-nitrogen-phosphorus-and-potassium-do/

There are many different types of Fertilizers that can be applied in different ways. Finding the right fertilizer depends on how you are caring for your plants, the envioronment in which they are stored and which type of plants you are fertilizing.

Types of Fertilizer:

• Straight
• Mixed
• Complete 
• Incomplete
• Organic
• Inorganic
• Soluable
• Nonsoluable

Some plants, such as Air plants, don't have roots in soil. They would get their nutrients best through misting a liquid fertilizer on them, or when they are scheduley soaked. Plants that are able to be grown in Hydroponic Gardens will need a fertilizer that is water soluble. An Aquaponic Garden should fertilize itself. If you're growing in an indoor garden or with houseplants, most likely you won't want a harsh smell associated with your home. Each plant has its own needs for best fertilizing them. Always research the needs for a plant's care based on the type of plant and where you are growing it.

This link has a reference chart with a list of Organic Fertilizers and their average NPK ratios:
https://www.americantreeinc.com/healthy-soil-healthy-plants/ 

  

Where Plant care meets Selfcare:

Some teas that do double duty for human and plant care:

Black Tea:

Black Tea is high in Potassium and Phosphorus.

Green Tea:

Green Tea has Nitrogen in it, and is less acidic than Black Tea. Different Plants require more or less acidity to thrive best. 

Chamomile Tea:

Seasonally we use our own Chamomile, grown here at Little Lakeview Conservatory, LLC. Chamomile Teas can be used as a calcium fertilizer. 

This link has a recipe for Chamomile Fertilizer:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/calcium-fertilizer.htm

Banana Peel Tea:

A fantastic Potassium source can be found in Banana Peel Tea. Whether made for a fertilizer source or for drinking yourself, Banana Peel Tea is easy to make. It is a great way to reuse your discarded fruit peel.

Banana Peel Tea Recipe: https://www.littlelakeviewconservatory.com/2019/12/banana-peel-tea.html

Always use plain, cooled, unsweetened tea for plants.

Always check with your Doctor or Medical Professional to best serve your own dietary needs.

All DIY projects shown on LittleLakeviewConservatory.com are purely "at your own risk". As with any DIY project, unfamiliarity with the tools and process can be dangerous. Posts should be construed as theoretical advice only. 

If you are at all uncomfortable or inexperienced working on these projects (especially but not limited to electronics and mechanical), please reconsider doing the job yourself. It is very possible on any DIY project to damage your cottage, void your property insurance, create a hazardous condition or harm or even kill yourself or others.

Little Lakeview Conservatory LLC will not be held responsible for any injury due to any featured DIY project.

Little Lakeview Conservatory, LLC

Little Lakeview Conservatory, LLC was est. in 2019 to provide sustainable plants in NH and to share information to help people create self sustainability in their own homes.

Please feel free to contact us at LittleLakeviewConservatory@gmail.com be added to our email list or with any questions, requests and comments.

Little Lakeview Conservatory, LLC * Grow a little!

Homemade Herb​al Tea

Homemade Herbal Tea:

Making your own Herbal Tea from Scratch. 

Some Methods for Making Hot Tea:

• Microwave Hot Water in a Microwave Safe Mug.
• Brew Hot Water on the Stove in a Tea Kettle. 
• An Electric Tea Maker.

We used a Tea Kettle to Brew Hot Water here on the Stovetop.

Some Ingredients you can use:

• Fresh or Dried Herbs -Mint, Lavender, Chamomile, Echinacea, Lemon Balm, Rose, Rose Hips.
• Fresh Fruit
• Banana Peels
• Fresh Ginger
• Dried Spices
• Other Beverages, Honey or Flavors can be added to taste.

Here's helpful and informative links we found:
https://www.marthastewart.com/1512086/make-your-own-herbal-tea-blends-what-need-know

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-herbal-teas

Whichever method for water and ingredients chosen, next you will need to steep your ingredients in the hot water to taste. Be careful, hot tea is hot.

We used our own Mint grown here at Little Lakeview Conservatory, Oranges from the our fridge and Spices -Cinnamon, Anise, Whole Cardamom, Whole Cloves, Whole Nutmeg and Dried Orange Peels. Discover your favorite recipe and share with others for gifts or get togethers!

We used one of our all time favorite gifts, a Green Remi Glass Tea Mug with a stainless steel infuser by Teavana. It's been a cherished kitchen item here and would make a great gift for anyone, perhaps with some of your own homemade tea. Here are some amazon links for these and similar products:

   

Another gift idea for sharing your favorite Tea Mixture are Drawstring loose-leaf disposable Tea Bags. And whether for a gift or just for yourself, this Long Handled Heart Shaped Tea Infuser is adorable. 

As an Amazon Associate, Little Lakeview Conservatory LLC earns from qualifying purchases. Since we love Amazon, enrolling in this program was an easy choice.

Little Lakeview Conservatory, LLC

Little Lakeview Conservatory, LLC was est. in 2019 to provide sustainable plants in NH and to share information to help people create self sustainability in their own homes.

Please feel free to contact us at LittleLakeviewConservatory@gmail.com be added to our email list or with any questions, requests and comments.

Little Lakeview Conservatory, LLC * Grow a little!

Air Plants - Foraging and Propagation

Air Plants:

After recently being introduced to Air Plants, a trip to Florida was planned for a foraging excursion. Sanibel and Captiva Islands in Florida are famous for their beautiful shell covered beaches. The Ocean, Shells, Driftwood, Local Wildlife and Air Plants!

Air Plants require no soil and very little maintenance. They are perfect for decorative crafts, terrariums, and many other Pin worthy uses (Pinterest.com). After a little research, a few were initially bought on Amazon.com to propagate. Then, after successfully multiplying the first round of Air Plants, the first foraging trip to collect wild Air Plants for propagation was planned.



A couple of informative websites about Air Plants:
https://www.theeagle.com/news/local/the-misunderstood-magic-of-ball-moss/article_3c68da80-04e9-573f-ae23-aba5d446e6a0.html
https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/flowers-and-plants/houseplants/air-plant-care

While foraging on Sanibel and Captiva Islands in Florida, the Ball Moss were easily taken off of the lower hanging branches of local Floridian trees. Since the Ball Moss, Tillandsia recurvata, seemed to be considered a weed to most of the locals, everyone that was asked openly offered any gatherable Air Plants for the taking. The branches of the little trees in front of local business' were abundant with Air Plants.

Air Plants let off "Pups" from the lower end of the plant. These "Pups" are Little Air Plants which will grow into bigger Air plants. These "Pups" are dropped by the bigger Air Plant roughly every 6mths. If you were to grow Air Plants from Seeds they would take anywhere from 2-4 years to develop. We'll see how long ours takes. Seed were gathered from the dried flowers of some while they were being cleaned up. New Pups were taken and used in Terrariums and other seasonal crafts.

More informative websites about Air Plants, their uses and how to propagate them:
https://www.naturallivingideas.com/growing-air-plants/
https://herselfsplants.com/2008/10/03/ball-moss-tillandsia-recurvata-2/

Little Lakeview Conservatory, LLC

Little Lakeview Conservatory, LLC was est. in 2019 to provide sustainable plants in NH and to share information to help people create self sustainability in their own homes.

Please feel free to contact us at LittleLakeviewConservatory@gmail.com be added to our email list or with any questions, requests and comments.

Little Lakeview Conservatory, LLC * Grow a little!

 

Orange Peel Cleaning Solution

Orange Peel Cleaning Solution Recipe

How to make an Orange Peel Cleaning solution:

What you will need:

• A Jar
• Oranges/ Orange Peels
• White Vinegar
• A Funnel (Optional)
• A Spray Bottle

How to:

1. Peel Oranges.
2. Place Oranges in a Jar.
3. Fill the rest of the Jar with White Vinegar.
4. Leave the Orange Peels to sit in the Jar full of Vinegar for 2 weeks.
5. Patch test the Solution on the item you are going to clean.
6. Clean.

Some Recommended uses:

• Glass Cleaner
• Air Freshener
• Adhesive Remover
• Oil Spot Cleaner
• Wood Cleaner
• Hard Surface Cleaner
• Floor Cleaner
• Appliance Cleaner
• Grill Cleaner
• Ant Deterrent
• After Shampoo Hair Rinse

We used an Upcycled Pickle Jar and Cleaning Vinegar. Cleaning Vinegar is more acid than Regular White Vinegar. We only used the cleaning vinegar because we happened to have it on hand. The Oranges were snack bagged for kids' lunch snacks. Double use for the oranges. A Non-Toxic, All Natural, Bio-Degradable cleaning option.

Little Lakeview Conservatory, LLC

All DIY projects shown on LittleLakeviewConservatory.com are purely “at your own risk”. As with any DIY project, unfamiliarity with the tools and process can be dangerous. Posts should be construed as theoretical advice only.

If you are at all uncomfortable or inexperienced working on these projects (especially but not limited to electronics and mechanical), please reconsider doing the job yourself. It is very possible on any DIY project to damage your cottage, void your property insurance, create a hazardous condition, or harm or even kill yourself or others.

Little Lakeview Conservatory LLC will not be held responsible for any injury due to any featured DIY project.

Little Lakeview Conservatory, LLC

Little Lakeview Conservatory, LLC was est. in 2019 to provide sustainable plants in NH and to share information to help people create self sustainability in their own homes.

Please feel free to contact us at LittleLakeviewConservatory@gmail.com be added to our email list or with any questions, requests and comments.

Little Lakeview Conservatory, LLC * Grow a little!