Although called “killer bees,” humans are very rarely killed by African Honey Bees. They were first identified in Florida in 2002. Since that time they have become well established in South Florida, West Central Florida, and several other areas around the state. The key to public safety is learning to co-exist with Africanized bees. Some knowledge of the habits and characteristics of these bees and some common sense can help protect everyone.

Although African bees have been called aggressive, their reactions are actually defensive in nature. Compared to European honey bees, they swarm in defense in larger numbers, they defend a much larger territory, and they chase intruders much further. Regular honey bees may chase you about 50 yards, while Africanized bees will continue chasing for 150-200 yards or more. Unsuspecting animals and humans may be caught by surprise and seriously hurt by killer bees.

European bees have fuzz-covered bodies with black rings on their abdomen - just like killer bees. Although they are just a bit smaller, Africanized honey bees look identical to European bees. Even experts can’t tell the difference visually. There are only 2 ways to distinguish - take 25 different body measurements or do a genetic analysis. The best advice on avoiding African bees is to avoid all bees.

Adiantum is widely distributed in South America, Australia and New Zealand. The suitable temperature for the plat is from10 to 18C. (50 to 65F.). It is moderately easy to grow.

When introducing new plants to a collection, whether they he gifts or purchased, a brief inspection should be made for the presence of pests, as these are very much easier to avoid than to eradicate.

When creating a display, be it in the fireplace or at the4lower club, there can be few plants that blend in so readily with almost any chosen colour scheme. And one cannot imagine any major function at which flowers play an important part where cut maidenhair fern would not be used in quantity. To supply adiantum for this purpose the nurseryman forsakes pot culture and plants his stock into specially prepared beds in the ground in his greenhouses, which gives a greatly increased yield. The owner of the garden room may well benefit from the nurseryman’s example by planting adiantum at the front of prepared beds containing an assortment of house plants.

On most varieties stems will, quite naturally, become leafless and woody in time. When this happens and the plant is no longer attractive the stems should be cut to within a few inches from their base. Keep the potful of stumps as they usually grow again from the base. The stems can then be cut up into sections some 2 to 3 in. in length.

Often enough, with hederas for example, three or four leaves with a longer piece of stem will be used. In these instances it is usually advisable to remove the lower leaf or two and not to bury the remaining leaves in the compost. Plants resulting from this type of cutting are often fuller and of better quality. In the case of cuttings with smaller leaves (hederas, tradescantias and Ficus pinate) it is advisable to insert as many as six cuttings in a pot. Plants so produced are of much better appearance than those from only one or two cuttings in each pot. Hedcras, being easy to propagate, should be inserted directly into the compost in which they are expected to grow - transferring them from peat to compost is not necessary with the easier plants, and causes unnecessary disturbance of the new root system. However, when rooting cuttings of the larger leaved hederas such as H. canariensis they should first be encouraged to root in peat.

Decks are very useful additions to homes and buildings. It provides a recreational place for you and your family as well as friends and loved ones. More than always, decks are situated at the back of homes because backyards offer a more tranquil area. This is beside the fact that you enjoy the privacy from the prying eyes of passersby. It is also for the fact that the front of your homes should always be neat and clean so as to embody the homey feeling you have for it. On top of these all, homes usually face east so the back is the best place for watching the sunset.

Backyard decks are very cool places to stay for the hot afternoon with your friends, family, or loved ones. It is also where you can hold BBQ parties with your officemates or meetings with your clients or get romantic with your loved ones. To ensure that all of these will be accommodated in your backyard deck, you have to pick a design that will best match them. Some of the best designs can be found online and they are for free. Some are also found in magazines and country papers, which you just have to copy. But there are some also that are products of your own mind and will just need an interpretation from a professional, if you will not able to put it in drawing.

Only two aechtheas are generally available and one of those, Aechrnea fulgens, only infrequently as supplies are very limited. A. rhodocyanea is the more attractive and has, in recent years, become an important house plant, particularly in the higher price range. A. fulgens is much the smaller of the two, and has burgundy-coloured foliage. The dark blue flowers are short lived, but the bract that emerges from the centre of the rosette will remain colourful for two months or more.

A. rhodocyanea is one of the most exotic and unusual of all potted plants. Large, strap-like overlapping leaves form a perfectly watertight urn (hence the common name). When purchasing, look for plants with lighter grey colouring as the darker ones are less attractive. To prevent damage to the natural grey bloom on the leaves it is important to ensure that they are not cleaned or rubbed in any way.

Another pest that ruins the appearance of affected plants. Easy to detect but very difficult to kill off completely once they have made a home in the tangled branches of such climbing plants as stephanotis and hoya. One is often invited to visit the greenhouse of an enthusiastic amateur and see the wonderful range of plants being cultivated under one roof.

A mild attack of scale is not too damaging, but if left unchecked they multiply quite rapidly and will completely cripple the plant in time. They also leave a sticky deposit on leaves and stems which does nothing to improve their appearance.

Do this by wrapping a piece of polythene around the pot so that the soil cannot spill out, then dip the plant in the insecticide and swish it around to ensure that all leaves and stems have been well saturated, not forgetting first to don rubber gloves. Keep the plant out of the sun and allow the foliage to dry naturally before replacing in position.

The larger leaved ivies are better where a bolder effect is sought, but all these are vulnerable to red spider mite in hot, dry conditions, so a watch should he kept for their presence.

As the name suggests, II. Mini Green has smaller, more congested leaves that are crinkled at the edges. Of the variegated plants for outdoor use, and as durable indoor plants, the best small-leaved ivies are those with basically grey colouring.

Ivies may he used for almost every purpose, as trailing plants, upright plants on stakes, climbing plants against the wall or, very effectively, as hanging basket plants. In this respect they may he used in conjunction with other plants, or as individual specimens filling the basket.

Grown in this way they should be treated as all individual plants used for basket work: a number of young plants are put in the basket at the outset to ensure a full appearance when plants mature.

You can actually do so many things to impress your guests. And installing the glass railings is one of them. With a properly installed deck and glass railings, you can surely have a good time at your deck and at the same time give you the chance to admire nature.

If you are the type of person who just love outdoors, then a deck with glass railings is the perfect option.

What used to be a protection to the deck now becomes a great embellishment in achieving a more elegant home. Today, railings are designed to show off the modern look so people from your neighborhood can just be green with envy. To have that modern look you’ve been dreaming of, manufacturers now product railings that are made from different materials, designs and styles. Glass is one of the materials that are mostly preferred by many homeowners because of its exceptional look and styling. Though glass railings may seem a little odd, it still has the capacity of giving you the stylish look plus providing an unrestricted view of the outside world. Glass railings can be used in different ways so it would give you greater chances of enhancing not just your deck but also your entire home. In the early days, glass used as a railing material may seem a little inappropriate. But today, homeowners come to accept and appreciate the benefits given by glass railings.

Easy-to-Grow House Plants

A lot of indoor plants are popular for the beautiful foliage and therefore have great decorative value through the different seasons. The plants discussed here are very easy to grow and will do great in your home, office or shop, all you need to do is provide a bit of love and care.

Ficus,philodendron and ivy of any kind are all very attractive and easy to grow options.

For wall or pillar covering, plants with a climbing nature and those with skinny, long shoots which need support are quite suitable for adorning your home. Some plants are grown for the foliage alone and others for the beauty of the leaves.

The plants listed on the following list have become common and popular because they can withstand dry conditions and can withstand any environment quite well.

Asparagus plumosus

The plant above, has dark green, fern-line foliage on very delicate, wiry stems that vine with support and grows several feet long. It should not be confused with the Asparagus plumosus nanus, which is smaller and more compact and not a climber.

Cissus

There have been many hybrids of Hibiscus rosasinensis produced in recent years, many of them really excellent plants that ought to become popular as they become more generally available. There are single and double forms in shades of red, pink, lemon and yellow. Individual flowers last for little more than one day and this, to some, is a disappointment when plants are first purchased. But the disappointment is soon forgotten when it is realised that what flowers may lack in staying power they more than make up for in numbers, as on healthy plants flowers are produced continuously throughout the summer.

In good growing conditions plants can be very invasive, so will need hard pruning any time after flowering. Mealy bugs can be troublesome pests should they find their way in between the twining stems of the plant, so a careful watch must be kept in order to eradicate them before they have a chance to get established.