Blotanical is the best

Blotanical is the place to be if you have a gardening blog (and even if you’re no a blogger).It will definitely increase readers of your blog. It is a directory of gardening blogs with a difference that makes it stand out above the rest. It was founded by Stuart Robinson whose own blog Gardening Tips 'n Ideas originates from Western Australia.

Other members of Blotanical has the opportunity to pick (rating system) your blog. You also have the opportunity to rate blogs of all the other members. It is a great community of like minded people with a passion for gardening. The members of Blotanical is very friendly and always willing to help. You will definitely not regret joining this community. I know I’m glad I joined.

You also have the opportunity to communicate with other members, build friendships, share ideas, etc. And as they say ‘You are never too old to learn’, I have found some very useful information in blogs of other members of Blotanical.

When you join, you will receive your own little plot on Botanical to which you can link your blog, display your interests and info about yourself. The best part is this piece of cyber ‘land’ is free.

First thing every day I start my day by visiting my fellow Blotanist’s, reading about and sharing in their trials and tribulations. Don’t know what I would do without them. They are part of my family now.

What have you got to loose, come and visit our community, and see for yourself.

Visit Blotanical and be amazed.

My current favorite - Clivia miniata

My current favored plant is the Clivia Miniata, it also known as Bush Lily, Coral flower or St John’s lily. It grows to a height of about 45cm in the shade of trees and shrubs.

With clusters of bright orange flowers rising among its leathery strap-like leaves it is an attractive and easy to grow plant worth a place in every garden.

The yellow form of the Clivia, (Clivia miniata ‘Lutea’) is unfortunately not as readily available.

It was revealed during a drought in Southern African in the 1980’s that this plant should not be overwatered, as it was at its most beautiful during these years without rain.

Cultivation

·         Depth and spacing: Plant with the crown above the soil surface and 30cm apart.

·         Watering: Water well in spring and summer but keep soil drier in autumn and winter.

·         Frost tolerances: Clivia must be protected from frost – a verandah, the eaves of a house or a dense tree canopy are usually sufficient for temperatures as low as –5°C.

·         Flowering time: Spring to summer, once the flowers are mature which will be in approx 3 years.

·         Soil: Well drained, a pH 5.5-6.5 best suits Clivia’s.

·         Aspect: Partial to full shade.

·         Ideal temperature range: 15°C to 25°C.

·         Pruning: Remove old leaves and stems.

·         Fertilizer: A generous amount of slow release fertilizer applied regularly from early spring to mid-summer achieves maximum growth.

·         Propagation: It can be propagated by means of seed, as well as vegetatively through offsets.