Plants

Plant category. Library of general plant articles including care and growing tips.

How to Save a Plant With Root Rot?

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What is root rot?

What is root rot?  Ι   Causes of root rot  Ι   Signs of root rot  Ι  How to inspect the roots for signs of root rot  Ι  How to save a plant with root rot  Ι  How to prevent root rot in plants

What is root rot?

Root rot is a condition characterised by the decay and death of plant roots with two primary causes; not enough oxygen (anoxia or hypoxia) or bacterial, viral, fungal and water mould infection. Because root rot occurs beneath the soil, a considerable amount of damage can occur before it is noticed.

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Is Fiddleleaf Philodendron Toxic to Dogs?

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Is fiddlehead philodendron toxic to dogs?

Fiddleleaf philodendron (Philodendron bipennifolium) is toxic to dogs. The toxic principle is insoluble calcium oxalate crystals which `are produced by specialised cells known as idioblasts. When the dog chews the leaves or stem of fiddleleaf philodendron, these needle-sharp crystals are released, causing intense pain and burning.

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Is Norway Spruce (Picea abies) Toxic to Dogs?

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Is Norway spruce toxic to dogs?

Norway spruce (Picea abies) is non-toxic to dogs, and is safe to keep as a Christmas tree or ornamental plant in the garden. However, precautions must be taken to keep dogs (and cats) safe.

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Is Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia) Toxic to Dogs?

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Is angel's trumpet toxic to dogs?

Angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia spp.) is highly toxic to dogs. The toxic principles are tropane alkaloids including atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine. Tropane alkaloids are secondary metabolites mostly found in the Solanaceae family which have powerful powerful anticholinergic agents.

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Ten Beneficial Insects For the Garden

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Beneficial insects for the garden

Our gardens are a diverse environment that provides a home to microorganisms, insects, and wildlife. Gardeners can harness insects to help keep their plants healthy. Beneficial insects fall into three categories, predators, pollinators and parasiters. Beneficial insects can help keep populations of pests down in the garden and reduce or eliminate the need to use toxic insecticides.

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Ten Deadliest Plants

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Ten deadliest plants

Plants have devised a number of ways to protect themselves from herbivory. Thorns, bark, and toxins all serve to deter insects and animals. Toxins can be mild and self-limiting or deadly. We take a look at ten of the world’s most toxic plants.

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Herb and Vegetable Seed Sowing Guide

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Herb and vegetable sowing guide

Seeds require the right conditions or they will fail to germinate or germinate at a greatly reduced rate. Several factors trigger germination including soil temperature, moisture, soaking, stratification or scarification. 

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Amaryllis vs Hippeastrum: What is the Difference?

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What is the difference between Amaryllis and Hippeastrum?

About Amaryllis   Ι   About Hippeastrum   Ι   Difference between Amaryllis and Hippeastrum

Hippeastrum and Amaryllis are both flowering bulbs grown outdoors in warmer climates. Both plants produce stunning umbelliform flowers and are commonly confused. This article looks at the differences between Amaryllis and Hippeastrum.

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Overpotting Plants: What Are the Risks?

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The risks of overpotting plants

As the plant grows, the root system develops and eventually the plant runs out of space and will need to move to a larger pot. If you’ve ever seen a severely potbound plant, you will have noticed the roots have curled around the base of the pot and there’s very little dirt left. Leaving a plant in a pot it has outgrown will result in a stunted plant.

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What are Insoluble Calcium Oxalate Crystals?

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What are insoluble calcium oxalate crystals?

What are insoluble calcium oxalate crystals?

Insoluble calcium oxalate is a type of biomineral that is commonly found in plants and is made up of small, crystals of calcium and oxalate. These crystals are insoluble in water and other solvents and can accumulate in various tissues and organs of plants. Insoluble calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals are the most abundant biomineral in plants¹ that can be found in the leaves, stems and roots of over 200 plant families.

The discovery of calcium oxalate crystals was made in the mid-17th century by Marcello Malpighi (1628-1694), an Italian physician, biologist, and anatomist. Dr Malpighi used the newly-invented microscope to examine the internal structure of plants and described them his work ‘Anatome Plantarum‘, which was published in 1675. In his book, he refers to calcium oxalate crystals as ‘sarmenta‘, which he observed in the stems, leaves and roots of a number of plant species.

Calcium oxalate crystals are found in five morphologies:

  • Raphides (needle-shaped crystals)
  • Druses (spherical aggregate of individual crystals)
  • Styloids (elongated crystals with ridged or pointed ends)
  • Prismatic (four or more sides similar in length and width)
  • Crystal sands (minute crystals in a single cell).

The focus of this article is raphides, which pose the greatest risk to humans and animals due to their shape which allows them to penetrate the tissues of the oropharynx and gastrointestinal tract. They can vary in size from micrometres to several millimetres and may be straight, clustered in groups, curved or spiral shaped or branched with multiple needle-like projections.

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