All About Plants

It is clear for all to see that plants and foliage can look beautiful, and really brighten a space. Indoors and outdoors, plants play a big part in our everyday lives. However, the true impact of plants in interiors goes far beyond the aesthetics, providing benefits to health and wellbeing, productivity and financial savings.

Research into indoor plants has proven that: •Plants improve the efficiency of the workplace •Plants reduce absenteeism by reducing the effects of "Sick Building Syndrome" •Plants improve the quality of the environment •Plants reduce noise levels •Plants lower stress levels •Plants conserve energy by creating a micro-climate •Plants give structure to an office area and help to guide people around

Plants improve well-being and mental health of recovering patients

Recent research published in the academic journal, HortScience (USA Publication) finds that indoor plants have a positive effect on rehab patients. The research carried out in Norway with 436 coronary patients found that indoor plants in communal areas of a rehabilitation centre had a positive effect on self-reported well-being and mental health of the patients.

HOW TO THICKEN THE TRUNK OF YOUR BONSAI!

This trick is for that particular plant you find that seems to have the potential to become a nice bonsai but the trunk is very small in proportion. You will also find it somewhat helpful in creating a better taper. When pruning your newly created bonsai you should leave a branch low to the base of the trunk, even if this particular branch does not meet your esthetic requirements. Remember this branch is usually left on temporarily, but can be kept if it is helping you to achieve the overall shape you are striving for. What this trick accomplishes is to direct a strong amount of nutrients through the cambium of the trunk directly to this branch because it is the first branch the nutrients reach therefore sending less nutrients up the rest of the trunk to spread off to other branches. This extra flow of nutrients to the lowest part of the tree increases the rate the trunk thickens usually by double. When the trunk becomes proportionate you can then go ahead and remove this lower branch. On some species the desired effect can be reached in as short a time as 3-6 months.

HOW TO REDUCE THE LEAF SIZE ON YOUR BONSAI!

There are a few tricks to achieve this, here is one... you have a Bonsai that is desirable in all aspects accept leaf size and you're impatient to wait until it truly dwarfs itself according to its pot size. Here is what you do... go through the tree and cut all the leaves in half. That is right... I said in half!!! Especially the very large ones. You can do this at an angle, if you so desire, so the leaf looks more natural. This will trick the plant into growing a new generation of leaves that is only the size of the portion of leaf you removed. Hence, producing a smaller crop of leaves on your new growth. This will usually work the first time, but you may need to repeat the procedure again to achieve the reduction in leaf size that you require. It is important to remember to keep up on your daily spray misting immediately after cutting the leaves in half, this will reduce the amount of bruising you will see on the tips where you have cut. Also, remember to use a very sharp, clean pair of Bonsai shears.

Life is Beautiful

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
- Confucius

Life is beautiful. Let these Beautiful quotes remind us of the beauty of life.

Gong Xi Fa Cai 2012

新春將至，預祝龍年行大運，先拜個早年囉！Wishing you happiness, good fortune and prosperity in the new year!

冬至快乐

相传幸福是个美丽的玻璃球，跌碎散落世间每个角落。有的人拾到多些，有的人拾到少些，却没有谁能拥有全部。

我愿将我的分点给你，让你比别人更幸福！