Plant in Focus: Acalypha

ACALYPHA 

Copperleaf, Chenille Plant, Red-Hot Cat’s Tail 

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Originally from New Guinea the Acalypha was introduced to greenhouse gardeners in 1896. These plants are grown for the interesting copper hue of the leaves or hanging 
flowers. The flowers are bright crimson, lack petals and hang down in long slender tassels. This plant has been considered a symbol of longevity. Info Source

Acalyphas are probably better known as an old fashioned plant. But their attributes show they are a much underrated and underused plant.

Acalyphas are grown for their wonderful coloured foliage – ranging from autumnal shades of copper, bronze and pink, to dark green, yellows, greens and reddish purples. 

Brisbane’s Roma Street Parklands has one of the largest collections of acalyphas in the world. These plants belong to the Euphorbiaceae family, and there are more than 400 species in the acalypha genus ranging from ground covers to large shrubs. 

Some to look out for include:

• Acalypha godseffiana ‘Firestorm’. The leaves have pink margins which make it look attractive. Plant them in a group for an absolutely stunning look.

• Acalypha ‘Inferno’ will grow to about a metre, are easy to manage and also have interesting foliage.

• The newer dwarf varieties are also good for the garden. Look out for ‘Trendy’ and ‘Spitfire’. These grow well in the ground or try them in a pot or a hanging basket. Just trim them back to the size you want.

• And one that is different is Acalypha reptans sometimes sold under the cultivar name ‘Summer Love’. It reaches about 30cm and each plant spreads about the same distance. Grow it in a hanging basket or try it cascading over the side of a pot or a low stone wall. 

Propagating acalyphas is dead easy. Just take a tip cutting, but shorten the leaves – so that they don’t transpire and breathe out moisture. Don’t be too fussy with the leaves - just trim them off. Then dip the end of it into some honey, or vegemite and put it into some seed raising mix. Keep it moist and warm, and before long, you’ll have a new acalypha. 

The acalyphas that we filmed in the garden received no supplementary water during the drought, and yet despite that, only one died, the rest have survived well. 

Acalyphas are not prune to any diseases and are troubled by few pests. But the large succulent leaves are attractive to chewing insects such as grasshoppers. Control these pests by spraying a mixture of molasses and water. The stickiness keeps the insects away, or alternatively use a safe insecticide like pyrethrum. 

Acalyphas are tropical and subtropical plants, and so they need a warm frost free location, preferably sheltered from the wind. They like humus rich soil, and keep them well fed to ensure the foliage is lovely and lush. As well as a complete fertiliser in spring, add about a hundred grams of sulphate of potash in spring and autumn to help bring out the foliage colour even more. 

Acalyphas are versatile plants. Use them in pots, as mass planting and they also work well as a screening or hedging plant. The brightly coloured foliage of acalyphas gives a tropical feel to any warm climate garden. Info Source

How to Launch a Successful Lawn Care Business

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Do you have a natural knack for taking care of plants? Perhaps you have spent some childhood summers sweating profusely as you trudge behind a lawn mower, hoping you could make a few bucks as a reward for your work. If you are the type of person who possesses the physical stamina and takes great sense of enjoyment mowing lawns and taking care of your neighbor’s garden, you may want to consider launching your very own lawn care business. Who knows, you lawn care business could be your initial steps towards a financially rewarding and personally fulfilling career.

For a successful lawn care business launch, here are some important lawn care business tips that you may want to take into consideration.

Good preparation is the key

§  Are you physically, mentally and technically capable? Your lawn care business will end up futile if you don’t have any of these abilities. You must be in excellent physical shape to withstand the rigors of the job and you must also be mentally prepared to face extreme business conditions. Find the right people and invest in high quality tools and equipment to assist you in the delivery of excellent services to your clients.

§  Do you understand your target market? It is more likely that there are other lawn care services operating in your neighborhood. In order to be successful, you need to differentiate yourself and clearly stand out from your competition. Aside from regular mowing and lawn maintenance, what other related services can you offer your clients?

§  Do you have the appropriate permits? Almost invariably, launching your lawn care business without the necessary permits and other legal requirements is a sure formula for failure. You might end up being run after by the IRS and other government agencies. It’s pays right to start your business right. So, find a reputable business advisor to help you through with the legal requisites of your business.

Get the Word out

Once you have prepared everything needed for your lawn care business, you need to take action and make your business known. The success of your lawn care business is highly-dependent on your target market’s knowledge of your services. Let your friends, neighbors and family members know. Have some flyers or business cards printed and distribute them to your target niche.

You want to create the best impression possible. Take time to groom yourself. It’s a huge mistake to approach a potential customer other than in your work clothes. Put yourself in your customer’s shoes— will you make a good impression if you introduce your lawn care services to your customers and show up in some stinky, soiled and dirty work clothes?

Most of all, be professional. The most effective way to insure a successful lawn care business is to serve your customers in the most professional manner. Respond to your customers quickly and perform the job in the best manner. This will create a lasting impression and will clinch for you highly-valued promotion through word-of-mouth. If your customers are satisfied with your services, it is highly-probable that they will hire you for a long-term lawn care service.

Landscape Lighting: Essential Element in Landscape Design

A well-thought landscape lighting can do wonders in making your garden an absolute treat for the eyes. A good landscape design takes into consideration not only how your garden looks beautifully during the day, but also how to make your garden visually stunning at night, making people driving by your house take a second look because you put something interesting in your garden.

Once the sun sets on the horizon, it is important to make your garden glowing with the warmth of carefully selected lighting to create a more inviting ambiance you, your friends and your family enjoy.  Each of the landscape lighting you install must be carefully selected and integrated in your landscape design and meticulously combined with the natural elements and other accents such as strip light, spotlight and even lighting for your water feature and other focal elements in your garden.

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The most common areas where landscaping lighting is crucial are the following:

     Main Walkway. An exquisitely installed light along your main walkway will lead your guest right to your front door. A landscape design that incorporates pathway lights can make your guest feel more welcome and comfortable, especially in large gardens where it can become dark and unfamiliar. However, you must shun away from placing your garden lights in a very straight line as this would create a runway effect. Rather, aim at installing the light, directed mostly downward, where it would create a soft and warm glow.

     Porches.  A well-placed lighting that enhance your outdoor living space if very crucial. Integrate in your landscape design a provision for lighting that will guide your guests as they enter your front door, illuminating stairways and other potential hazards. A beautifully-lit porch can be a very wonderful place to spend warm evening with your family and guests.

    Back and Side Entrances. An inexpensive lighting can create a heartening effect when place behind the landscape bed. Ensure that our backs and side pathways and entrances are properly lit, making you and your guests experience that warm comfort as you take a stroll at night to catch a breath of fresh air.

There are variety of options that you can choose in terms of your landscaping lighting. The most important trick is to create a well-planned landscape design that combines all your garden design elements to create that warm, soft and translucent glow that will surely keep everyone entertained.