IT'S ALL ABOUT PLANT!

Plants are living organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. Precise definitions of the kingdom vary, but as the term is used here, plants include familiar organisms such as flowering plants, conifers, ferns, mosses, and green algae, but do not include seaweeds like kelp, nor fungi and bacteria. The group is also called green plants or Viridiplantae in Latin. -

HOUSEPLANTS

A houseplant is a plant that is grown indoors in places such as residences and offices. Houseplants are commonly grown for decorative purposes, positive psychological effects, or health reasons such as indoor air purification. Plants used in this fashion are most commonly, though not always, tropical or semi-tropical. -

FLOWERING AND FOLIAGE SHRUBS

A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m (15–20 ft) tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience. Small, low shrubs such as lavender, periwinkle and thyme are often termed subshrubs. -

TREES AND HERBS

In general use, herbs are any plants "with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume" or parts of "such a plant as used in cooking". In botanical use, the term "herb" is employed differently, for any non-woody flowering plant, regardless of its flavor, scent or other properties, and thus includes only grass-like plants and forbs -

AQUATIC PLANTS, VINES, CACTUS, etc.

A cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, within the order Caryophyllales. Cacti have a variety of uses: some species are used as ornamental plants, others are grown for fodder or forage, others for food (particularly their fruit). Most cacti live in habitats which are subject to at least some degree of drought. -

Thursday, August 16, 2012

How to Store Fresh Herbs?

Fresh herbs are rare finds in the market nowadays. Though many consumers prefer to have them, preservation that groceries swear by can't keep up with the demand. This is why building your own herb garden isn't a bad idea at all. If you have already started this endeavor, you may already be facing some problems on how to store your well-cared for harvest. So, here are a few tips:

Keep Clean
After cutting off herbs, it is best for you to wash them with cool, clean water. Be sure to be gentle in doing so to prevent unnecessary damages. Dry them out by shaking the excess water. There are some herbs which need to be taken out the water from its stem such as basil and other products with big leaves. For smaller leaves, however, it is not a standard to part the components.

Storage
After taking the necessary cleaning interventions for your herbs, it's time to learn how to store them properly. The immediate action for you after cleaning is drying out the excess water. Then, put them in a clean and soft clothing material such as sturdy tissue paper. In the refrigerator, the best place for the herbs is the crisper or the box at the lowest portion of the appliance. Skip the option of plastic storage as this will risk quality and freshness.

Drying 
There are a variety of methods to dry your herbs. The following are the four most popular ones:
• Combine similar herbs in a bunch and tie them up with a string made of cotton. Let it dry naturally by hanging upside down in a warm place for a couple of weeks. If the place is dusty, you could wrap them in a paper material and let it stay for a month.
• Remove seeds from the body of plants and let it dry in a paper bag. Tie the remaining parts of the herbs and let it stay for 3 weeks.
• Another way is for you to literally put the herbs underneath the sun's warmth. Put them in screen and spread evenly so coating is equal. Be sure to cover them accordingly to avoid the air from driving them away.
• To hasten the drying process, it is also acceptable for you to dry them in an oven! Just keep the temperature to 150 degrees. Just line it up with parchment paper that is evenly holed for better results.

Other Concerns
Overall, the best way to store your fresh herbs and preserve its freshness is through an airtight container as it will trap the aroma inside. Don't forget to put labels on all jars so as to prevent confusion and wrong usage. To enhance the flavor and color for an extended period of time, place the containers in dry and dark rooms to slow down damage made by bacteria or fungi.

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WWF Message (Forests for Life)

WWF Message (Forests for Life)
Plants are disappearing. Every year over 11.5 million hectares of tropical forest is cut and then burned to clear land for farming and cattle grazing. This kind of change is called deforestation. With fewer trees and other plants to convert carbon dioxide to oxygen, too much carbon dioxide builds up. Deforestation is one cause of global warming. The conservation of plants and forests is now something more people and governments are beginning to discuss very seriously as one way to protect the environment.

WWF Message (Before It's Too Late)

WWF Message (Before It's Too Late)
Plants are one of two major Kingdoms of life forms. There are about 300,000 plant species on Earth. Plants are the only life forms that can produce their own food using energy from sunlight. Plants produce almost all of the oxygen in the air that humans and other animals breathe. Plants are also an important source of food, building materials, and other resources that make life possible for Earth’s animals.

International Aquatic Plant Layout Contest - 2012 Grand Prize

International Aquatic Plant Layout Contest - 2012 Grand Prize