Category: Odd + Funny Author : Kim LaCapria Posted: July 22, 2010 Tags : firestick plant, firestick plant blindness, rick warren, rick warren firestick plant, saddleback church Saddleback Church pastor Rick Warren reportedly suffered an injury due to a “firestick plant” while gardening, according to tweets he sent to his followers requesting prayers. Warren was said to be in such pain from the firestick plant attack that he was initially unable to convey the details of his injuries to his wife: “Apparently some of the milky poisonous sap from the plants had penetrated his gloves and made contact with his hands,” said Saddleback spokeswoman Kristin Cole. “He wiped over his eyes.” Warren tweeted initially: My eyes were severely burned by a toxic poison.Hospitalized Mon.Excruciating pain.Now home.Pray my sight loss is restored This apparently alarmed some of his followers, because he added: A doctor put protective contacts on my corneas as bandages during the healing. I am NOT blind. Thank you. The Saddleback Church spokeswoman clarified Warren’s condition, but says the firestick plant related injury is not expected to be permanent: “It did do some damage to the cornea, kind of like a chemical burn,” Cole said. “But the [more..]

Grow a cutting garden and enjoy flowers indoors and out If you feel guilty when you cut flowers in your garden, worrying that you're destroying nature or leaving gaps in your flowerbeds, it may be time for you to plant a cutting garden, says the American Association of Nurserymen (AAN). A cutting garden is designed to provide flowers for indoor arrangements, and it will give you a new perspective on removing flowers from your garden. Choosing the Right Flowers and Plants As with any garden, the first step in planning your cutting garden is to select plants that grow well in your part of the country. Ask the experts at your local garden center for their suggestions, and keep in mind your soil conditions, the amount of sun or shade your garden receives and how much it rains. Selecting a Color Scheme After you've decided which plants will thrive at your site, choose a color scheme, whether bright and vivid primary colors, soft and muted pastel shades or dusty earth tones. Since the purpose of a cutting garden is to grow flowers to use indoors, think about how flowers of certain colors will look when you place them in main [more..]

Learn the basics of raised bed gardening in this free online video guide to vegetable gardening. Expert: Scott Reil Contact: www.safelawns.org Bio: Scott Reil is an accredited nurseryman and longtime horticulturalist with over two decades of experience in the field. Scott is now working for www.safelawns.org. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso [more..]

I went to the US Botanical Gardens a few weeks ago and took a bunch of pictures but I didn't name this picture thinking I could read the plaque but I cannot. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/jcdluvr27/0209091151.jpg (picture) First person to tell me what this is gets best answer! Thanks in advance. The National Botanical Gardens in Washington, DC, actually, not Huntsville and. It is the golden lotus banana! I'm in need of glasses so zooming didn't do the trick for me. Thanks everyone. [more..]

When planting bulbs for spring, there are a few things to take into consideration, such as picking the right bulbs and always planting in groups. Determine the best way to plant your bulbs for spring withtips from a third-generation flower grower in this free video on spring gardening. Expert: Yolanda Vanveen Contact: www.vanveenbulbs.com Bio: Yolanda Vanveen is sustainable gardener who lives in Kalama, Wash. Filmmaker: Daron Stetner [more..]

Learn professional tips on how to plant a bonsai tree, in this free video. Expert: Mike Hansen Bio: Mike Hansen, owner of Midwest Bonsai, has been growing, caring, selling, and instructing others in bonsai care for years. Mike is an expert bonsai master. [more..]

Calla bulbs take slightly longer than normal to bloom because they need a good set of roots first. Discover how to plant calla bulbs withtips from a third-generation flower grower in this free video on gardening. Expert: Yolanda Vanveen Contact: www.vanveenbulbs.com Bio: Yolanda Vanveen is sustainable gardener who lives in Kalama, Wash. Filmmaker: Daron Stetner [more..]