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Horsetail Plant: Equisetum Hyemale

March 16, 2022 By Josh Leave a Comment

Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale), often known as rough horsetail or scouring rush, is an evergreen plant with no flowers. Instead, it has vertical green stems with horizontal bands, like bamboo, but they’re thinner and higher, like ornamental grass. Horsetail reproduces through spores rather than seeds and underground rhizomes, similar to ferns.

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Equisetum hyemale

Equisetum is derived from the Latin words equus, which means “horse,” and seta, which means “bristle.” It alludes to the general look of plants of this genus and their rough, bristly texture. At the same time, hyemale refers to winter, which implies its tendency to remain evergreen in warmer environments.

Horsetail Plant Care

Horsetail is far from a delicate plant. It is sometimes more difficult to confine than to grow; it has a strong tendency to spread and produce a monoculture. The spreading potential of horsetail, on the other hand, is helpful if you want the plants to fill an area that is unfriendly to most other species.

Install plastic barriers in the soil to keep horsetail planted in the ground under control, just like you would for invasive bamboo. Growing the horsetail in a deep pot buried in the earth is another option. Containment will be difficult, though, because horsetail spreads through spores as well.

Light

Horsetail is a light-loving plant that thrives in a wide range of light conditions, from full sun to moderate shade. It does, however, enjoy the filtered shade, such as that found beneath large trees on the forest floor.

Soil

Horsetail grows best on poor, sandy, gravely soil that gets a lot of rain. When growing horsetail in a container, you can add gravel or sand to the potting mix to give it the texture it prefers.

Water

Horsetail prefers soil that is at least fairly damp when it comes to moisture. It can even grow up to a depth of four inches in standing water. As a result, it’s ideal for rain gardens and other regions that may flood on occasion. Horsetail should be irrigated constantly and never allowed to dry up due to its love of water and damp soil. In hotter climates, this may even necessitate daily watering.

Temperature and Humidity

Horsetail plants grow in a wide range of temperatures and prefer high humidity for several hours each day. The plant is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9, so winter care isn’t necessary; however, the vivid green of the stems may fade in particularly harsh winters.

Fertilizer

Horsetail plants do not require fertilization because they do not prefer extremely rich or fertile soil.

Keeping Horsetails in Under Control

Horsetail is simple to grow, but its underground rhizomes make it difficult to restrict it from spreading into undesirable locations. In addition, it’s very tough to eradicate once it’s formed, so it’s better to keep it contained with some barrier.

Growing it in a pot or planter is the simplest approach, we might add that they’re quite a popular plant for container gardening. You can also erect an underground barrier around it, similar to those used to keep bamboo under control.

Planting horsetail on an island within a concrete patio is another popular approach; it has a very modernist aspect in this setting and cannot escape into the rest of the landscape.

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Horsetail Oil

Horsetail oil is an extracted oil, not an essential oil. It is extracted straight from the horsetail plant using a cold-pressing method or soaking the plant in water or oil to make a tincture. It is usually taken as a supplement to improve hair conditions and promote growth.

It strengthens and enhances the suppleness of hair fibers, aids in regulating the hair growth cycle, and lowers inflammation. Taking horsetail oil also improves cell turnover on the scalp to promote healthy hair growth.

Horsetail Tea

Horsetail tea is a great way to detox your body and strengthen your bones, but it does have some potential adverse effects that you should be aware of.

The tea is made from the dried leaves of Equisetum, the last genus of an ancient vascular plant family. Horsetail tea is high in silica, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, selenium, zinc, manganese, and iron. It also contains various vitamins, antioxidants, fatty acids, saponins, and sterols, all of which have different effects on health.

Here’s a simple recipe for horsetail tea you can try at home.

Ingredients:

2-3 tsp dried horsetail
2 cups hot water
Honey or sweetener of your choice

Instructions:

Bring a kettle of water to a boil to create horsetail tea.
In a teapot, add 2-3 tablespoons of dried horsetail.
Over the dried leaves, pour the hot water.
Allow 8-10 minutes for the tea to steep
Strain the tea, flavor it with honey or any other sweetener of your choice, and enjoy your cup of tea.

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Horsetail Benefits

The horsetail plant has a variety of valuable compounds that have a range of health benefits. Antioxidants and silica stand out among these.

Antioxidants are chemicals that help your body combat free radicals and prevent cell damage. Silica, on the other hand, is a silicon-oxygen combination. Horsetail’s potential advantages for skin, nails, hair, and bones are thought to be due to this compound.

Horsetail is most commonly ingested as a tea created by steeping the dry herb in hot water. However, it is also available as a pill or a tincture.

Horsetail has been used as a herbal treatment for thousands of years, and current scientific data supports the majority of its potential advantages.

Bone Healing

Horsetail has been shown in studies to help in bone healing.

Bone cells called osteoclasts and osteoblasts constantly remodel your bones through bone metabolism to avoid imbalances that can lead to brittle bones. Osteoblasts are responsible for bone formation, while osteoclasts are responsible for bone resorption.

Horsetail appears to inhibit osteoclasts and activate osteoblasts in test tubes. This shows that it could benefit bone illnesses such as osteoporosis, caused by overactive osteoclasts, resulting in brittle bones.

Horsetail’s bone-remodeling action, according to researchers, is primarily attributable to its high silica content. Silica accounts for up to 25% of its dry weight. No other plant has a higher concentration of this mineral than this one.

By promoting collagen synthesis and improving calcium absorption and usage, silica, also found in bones, promotes bone and cartilage tissue development, density, and consistency.

Natural Diuretic

Diuretics are substances that cause your body to excrete more urine. Horsetail’s diuretic action is one of the fern’s most sought-after folk medicine characteristics.

A study of 36 healthy males found that daily ingesting 900 mg of dried horsetail extract in capsule form had a more effective diuretic effect than traditional diuretic medicine. The plant’s high antioxidant and mineral salt concentrations were credited with this.

While these findings are encouraging, existing research is limited.

Promotes the Healing of Wounds

Horsetail ointment appears to enhance wound healing when applied topically.

Researchers also conducted a 10-day trial in 108 postpartum women who had an episiotomy during delivery — a surgical cut to facilitate childbirth. They found that using an ointment containing 3% horsetail extract aided wound healing and pain relief.

In addition, when compared to a control group, wound redness, edema, and discharge improved dramatically. Scientists credited the silica concentration of the plant for these beneficial effects.

Nail Health

Horsetail extract can also be used in nail polish to treat nail psoriasis. Psoriasis is a skin ailment that produces abnormalities in the nails.

According to one study, applying a nail lacquer containing a blend of horsetail extract and other nail-hardening chemicals reduced the appearance of nail psoriasis.

Hair Growth

According to research, horsetail may also improve your hair, thanks to its silicon and antioxidant content.

To begin with, antioxidants aid in the reduction of micro-inflammation and free radical-induced aging of hair fibers. Second, hair fibers with a higher silicon concentration have a reduced rate of hair loss and have a brighter appearance.

A three-month study found that taking two daily capsules containing dried horsetail and other components enhanced hair growth and strength. This is compared to a control group in women with self-perceived hair loss. Other studies that looked at the effect of different mixes comprising horsetail-derived silica came with similar conclusions.

However, research on horsetail’s effects alone is currently restricted because most studies focus on various hair growth components.

Relief from Inflammation

If you routinely experience uncomfortable swelling and inflammation in various parts of your body. Whether due to an injury, arthritis, gout, or any other ailment, including horsetail tea or supplements in your health regimen can be highly beneficial. This herb’s analgesic and anti-inflammatory components can help you fast recover from your symptoms and get back on your feet.

Ease Respiratory Problems

If you have respiratory problems, such as congestion or repeated colds, horsetail tea can help. It works as an expectorant, removing mucus and phlegm from the respiratory tract, where germs can lodge and increase, strengthening the immune system and reducing inflammation, resulting in respiratory comfort.

Precautions

Horsetail does have some side effects, but they usually appear after you’ve been taking it for more than two months. Preparation is the primary source of safety problems with this plant. Because of its high silica concentration, chewing the raw plant can wear down the teeth.

A chemical called thiaminase is also present in the fresh plant. This chemical can deplete the body’s supply of thiamine, a B vitamin. However, this is usually only an issue with long-term excessive intake and can generally be counteracted by a balanced diet rich in B vitamins. Heating or drying can also deactivate thiaminase.

Horsetail is not recommended for alcoholics, pregnant, or breastfeeding. Diabetics and those using prescription drugs are also advised to check their healthcare practitioner before using this herb.

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Conclusion

Horsetail is a very low-maintenance plant. However, because it’s so widespread, you can end yourself with the opposite problem: difficulty controlling the plant. You can easily solve this by placing it in a container.

While it is not recommended to grow horsetail indoors, this is due to the plant’s quick-spreading nature and demand for ample and consistent water. It is still possible.

It has been used for thousands of years to treat various ailments and is frequently seen in products that claim to promote hair growth or bone health. However, there is little evidence suggesting that it can treat medical disorders or be safe to use. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved horsetail to treat any medical ailments.

Have you ever tried growing horsetail or used a product with horsetail as an ingredient? How did it go?

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Container Gardening for New Gardeners

March 15, 2022 By Josh 1 Comment

According to the Garden Media Group, 16 million people began container gardening during the pandemic. Many were under the age of 35 are growing their veggies, fruits, and herbs in raised beds, containers, and produce bags.

Ideal for city dwellers, container gardening, is the practice of growing various plants (vegetables, shrubs, fruits, or flowers) only in compact, enclosed, and usually portable containers. It could be a pot, a box, a tub, a basket, a tin, a barrel, or a hanging basket. It can be located on the ground, in the air, or on your roof. It’s a terrific way to make the most of your space, boost your productivity, and cut down on the time and amount of work you have to do.

Containers allow you to shift them around to take advantage of the sun. Sun-loving plants may still be a choice if your place is heavily shaded because you can change your plant’s location. Container gardening, particularly window boxes and hanging baskets, offers several design opportunities not found in other types of planting.

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When Is the Best Time to Start a Container Garden?

Container gardening is typically done at the same time as in-ground gardening, either after the threat of frost has passed in the spring or before the final hard frost in the fall. Because container soil heats up faster than garden soil in the spring, you may be able to plant a little early. As a result, a container garden might help you extend your growing season. If an overnight cold snap approaches in the early spring or late fall, be prepared to cover the pots or bring them indoors.

Tips When Starting Your Container Garden

Before You Go Out to Buy Plants, Make a List

One of the most excellent methods to avoid or reduce plant panic is to decide what you want and write a list before going to the nursery. This list doesn’t have to include precise plants. However, if you’re ambitious, you may go online or browse plant catalogs to determine what you want.

Make a list of the number of pots, their sizes, and where they’ll go to acquire plants that suit the pots and determine whether you need plants for sun, shade, or somewhere in between.

Don’t Overlook the Drainage

Containers might be the difference between life and death for your plants. When there isn’t a large enough hole or holes for water to drain out of your container, the soil becomes overly wet, causing the roots of your plants to rot and die.

The bad news is that many garden pots on the market lack adequate drainage. Larger holes can typically be drilled, punched, or carved to improve drainage. However, it’s sometimes easier to buy a pot with good drainage. A drainage hole must be at least 1/2 inch in diameter for small or medium-sized pots. Look for containers with a diameter of at least an inch for larger sizes.

Assess Your Light

People frequently overestimate the amount of sunlight that their containers receive. So while you may choose an excellent plant for practically any quantity of light, you must first determine how much light your container will receive.

Place your container where you want it and time how long the sun shines on it to determine how much direct light it will receive. You can also use a sun calculator to determine how much sunlight you get.

Planting Good Neighbors

Ensure that the plants you choose for your container will work well together. This means that all plants in a single container should have the same amount of light and hydration requirements.

Some plants will not grow if mixed with plants with different demands. So, if you have a plant that needs full sun, you want all of the plants you chose for that container to need full sun. On the other hand, you don’t want to place a plant that likes to dry out between waterings in a planter with plants that enjoy it wet. Here are some example of plants you can use for container gardening and their ideal companions.

Acclimatized Your Plants

Many plants dislike rapid changes, so acclimating them to changes in light, exposure to the elements, water, or temperature over time will make them happier. This is especially crucial for young plants. However, it is also necessary for most plants that have lived their whole lives in the controlled environment of a greenhouse.

You must harden off your plants if you buy seedlings in the spring or cultivate them from seed. This is a time-consuming and tiresome process, but you will significantly diminish your plants’ chances of prospering if you don’t perform it.

If you live in a colder climate and want to overwinter your plants, they’ll need some time to acclimatize to the lower light levels and drier air.

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Choosing the Right Container

Garden containers come in two sizes: inches and gallons. The diameter of the pot, or the distance across the top of the container, is measured in inches. A container could range as tiny as 10 inches wide or 1 to 2 gallons to 30 inches or 30 gallons. Make sure to choose which size is appropriate for your plant.

Container heights usually are classified as “standard” or “azalea.” Azalea pots are shorter and appropriate for plants with minimal roots, such as herbs. Standard pots for growing vegetables are advised when in doubt and are widely available at garden centers.

The material that best suits your plant and the growing circumstances is the next step in selecting the proper container. Plant pots are available in a range of materials. Make your selection based on the descriptions below, and don’t forget to ensure that the pot includes drainage holes.

Terracotta

This is a classic favorite. Smaller sizes are less expensive, while larger and more ornate types can be costly and cumbersome to transport. It dries rapidly, making it great for indoor pots for drought-tolerant plants and Mediterranean herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme. Glazed terracotta takes longer to dry. When used outside, freezing temperatures can break or weaken the terracotta. In colder climates, it’s best to keep empty during the winter.

Plastic

Plastics are lightweight, long-lasting, and cost-effective. Classic earthy tones or bright colors bring zing to any setting. However, direct sunlight burns black plastic in outdoor pots, injuring roots in hot areas. Therefore, alternative plastic containers, such as tubs, bins, and buckets, should also be considered. These are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

Wood

Provides a natural appearance that works well in garden settings. Wood is long-lasting and weather-resistant, but it does deteriorate over time. Half-barrel wooden containers are fairly hefty when filled with soil, so make sure they’re in place first. Wooden containers are ideal for the outdoors.

Glazed Ceramic

These pots are strong and long-lasting, and they come in various colors. However, they can be costly and don’t hold up well in frigid temperatures. Ideal for use indoors.

Concrete

These containers are the best durability, but they come at a hefty price. Extremely cumbersome. It’s best to use it outside.

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Container Gardening with Vegetables

Almost any vegetable grown in a regular home garden can also be grown in a container. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, green onions, beans, lettuce, squash, radishes, and parsley are among the vegetables that thrive in containers. Pole beans and cucumbers grow nicely in this style of garden as well. However, their vining growth habit necessitates a lot more area. Here are some vegetables with their ideal container size and the number of plants you can plant.

Planning to plant herbs? Check out our article on the 7 best herbs for container gardening!

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Container Gardening with Fruits

Growing your own fruit in containers is a great way to cut costs at the grocery store. Plus, there’s nothing like biting into a luscious piece of fruit straight from your garden for a fulfilling and delightful experience.

Here are five fantastic fruits to grow in containers and planting tips for them.

For more in-depth instruction on how to grow watermelons in containers, you can read our post here.

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Conclusion

When starting your own container garden, it is important to know what plants you will be using and what will be their needs. Don’t forget to use soilless potting mix, give them plenty of sunlight and ventilation, fertilize them, and plant them with compatible companion plants if you want to. Also, keep an eye out for weeds and insects that could harm your plants.

Have you started your own container garden? How is it going?

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Barakura-Style Gardening: What Is It and How to Do It

March 15, 2022 By Josh Leave a Comment

During his many visits to Japan’s Barakura English Garden, plant expert, writer, and podcaster Michael Perry, aka Mr. Plant Geek, discovered an inventive kind of container gardening that he hadn’t seen anywhere else on his travels.

According to Michael Perry, barakura is similar to flower arranging with natural plants, except that you achieve an instant effect by utilizing a variety of plants placed close together, so the container looks excellent right away.

On his five or six visits to the Japanese garden, he has seen specialists growing containers in the Barakura manner.

You can mix and match plants from various groupings – shrubs, perennials, grasses, and more – to create an instant wow impact by squeezing them in and focusing on foliage rather than flowers.

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How to can you create one?

Plant selection is not limited when it comes to planting. Here, you may let your creative side shine. Over the years, there have been various airy plantings developed, with a sometimes startling density of plants. You may also customize your plants as they’re being planted. For example, you can separate multi-rooted plants, root-balls can be rearranged to fit a rectangular area, and so on.

Barakura style throws caution to the wind when it comes to planting combinations. This approach can blend plants with slightly diverse requirements into one space. However, this is irrelevant because you’re making a container for the medium to short term, not one that will endure three years.

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What plants work well in a Barakura-style container?

Gardeners are hesitant to plant anything that isn’t an annual or a patio plant in a container. Lupins and delphiniums are rarely found in pots. People aren’t particularly creative.

Although shrubs are more challenging to grow in a pot, you may combine a shrub with other patio plants. It won’t stay in there for years, and you’ll need to reorganize it from time to time, which you may accomplish with Barakura style.

Michael Perr adds that the obedient plant Physostegia virginiana, which is particularly cool, can be used a lot in the autumn. Many of these plants are treated with a dwarfing agent in Japan to keep them small. Still, they don’t do that in the U.K. with perennials, usually purchased in larger sizes. The obedient plant gives you the blossoms when they are still young.

You can also use celosia, a popular plant to impulsively buy. Rock plants, such as sedum, with delicate, intricate leaves for the dressing are also options. For example, dahlias or chrysanthemums with cosmos, ornamental grasses, and ferns can tie the container planting together with their foliage.

What is the lifespan of Barakura-style container planting?

The durability is deceivingly good. You would think that because they’re planted so close together, the plants will compete and die, but you’ll be surprised at how long the pots live.

Michael Perry says that the pots can last for months; however, you may need to swap out plants beyond their prime for better alternatives in some circumstances.

Plants can be planted in pockets, and plants can be readily lifted and replaced with others. You could even put plants in their pots to make it look like you’re arranging flowers with real plants. It might be done that way if folks are concerned about the roots growing into each other.

Although barakura-style containers are more expensive, you can still plant in them if you’ve grown from cuttings or discover good value plants.

How could you give the Barakura treatment to autumn pots?

Don’t limit yourself to plants in your garden center’s autumn-planting section. Look at the perennials section of the store. There may be perennials, such as hardy geraniums, or shrubs, such as young pittosporum or photinia. You may also want to head to the conifer department and have a tiny conifer as your focal point.

People must understand that you will not be growing something for many years, but rather for a few months. After that, you’ll be dismantling and reassembling it so that the conifer can be put into the garden or replanted around it.

Heathers and pansies, as well as later-blooming perennials like Japanese anemones and rudbeckia, Michael Perry suggests, might provide color to your Barakura-style pot.

In the summer, you could create some pots by combining houseplants — such as spider plants and monstera – with outdoor plants.

Bring all those plants together in the garden center and see how they work together. Make that you have enough to cover any gaps.

Some Japanese students would roll the plant to make the root block more oblong-shaped, allowing it to fit into the container easily. You certainly can do so. It means you can put a plant in a gap or shape it into a crescent. It works with multi-stemmed plants, such as grasses.

What about compost?

Always buy high-quality compost with moisture-retentive characteristics and nutrients built-in. Michael Perry also recommends adding some slow-release fertilizer and moisture-retaining crystals.

Because the plants are packed in, the Barakura-style container will be more competitive. Still, if you have adequate soil, you’ll have a decent chance of succeeding. You’ll need to maintain watering because the rain won’t suffice. Have a saucer beneath you to assist you.

What are your thoughts on Barakura-style gardening? Will you try this style of container gardening?

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