How to Choose a Stylish Sofa Table

If you have been thinking it's time to upgrade part of your living room, you may think you are finally going to get that sofa table you have always been considering. After all, you could use having a little extra storage space behind the sofa. It always just seemed like there was a void there and you would prefer to put that void to good use. But what type of sofa table should you choose? Well, if you want to be in style, you need to make sure you know the 2010 home furnishing trends before you buy.

There are generally three styles that are in fashion this year when it comes to sofa tables. Pick any of these categories and you know you will be good to go in the furniture fashion world.

Minimalist

The first theme this year is to go small. This is called the minimalist theme. The idea is that many pieces of furniture have gotten out of hand over the years. Instead, we need to scale back to getting pieces that are just big enough to do what needs to be done and nothing else.

When it comes to sofa tables this means you are going to want to measure a piece that just fits behind the sofa, perhaps even a little shorter. On the width front, you are not going to need a big wide table that takes up too much space, but one that is just wide enough to allow you to set what you need behind the sofa - such as a lamp, some books or even possibly a drink.

Luxurious

The next theme you want to consider is one that understands luxury. Being able to show off your indulgent side is in this year. So if you have been coveting a lushly decorated Victorian sofa table for some time now, now is the time to buy, as it's at the top of it's fashion calling.

This also means you can have some fun choosing things that you may not have always considered in the past such as pieces that are a little more flamboyant than you usually would settle for. It's the fashion this year! Enjoy it!

Metal

For those who have modern or contemporary décor or just like the touch of metal in their furniture, this is the year for you. Metal is in and in a big way. The best part about this when it comes to purchasing sofa tables is metal is a nice, strong durable material. This means that all the things you want to put on the table, it can handle. It also should hold up well to all of those times that someone plops down on the sofa, banging into the sofa table at the same time.

One benefit of choosing a sofa table that is in the fashion 'in' crowd this year is that you will also know you will have plenty of options when you start shopping since most of the furniture manufacturers out there are creating furniture that goes with the trends.

Orchid Plant Care

Lighting

It is important to provide the proper light conditions to grow your plants to their optimal potential. Orchids can be grown on bright windowsills or under artificial lights. Of course, if you are fortunate enough to have a greenhouse or a sunroom, plants can be grown with even greater results.

The best exposures for growing orchids are east, south and west. They should be grown in full sun light a sheer curtain or window screen is important to diffuse the sun's rays. Note how many hours of sun each window receives as trees and overhangs will cut down on the amount of sun.

Orchids that have dark green foliage, but do not flower, are usually not getting enough sun. Leaves should actually be a yellow-green color, not dark green. Each new growth produced should be as large as or larger than the previous one. Strong pseudobulbs will produce beautiful flowers and will ensure you that your plants are receiving the proper light.

Orchids thrive outside in the summer. In our area this is from mid May until October. Please be careful when moving your plants outdoors as they will need some protection from the full sun. A shade cloth area or the filtered light provided by a birch or willow tree will prevent them from getting burned by the summer sun. If your orchid has not been receiving the proper amount of sun light, you will need to increase their exposure gradually over the course of a few weeks to prevent burning. Remember, just because a plant gets sunburn, it does not always mean it is the wrong exposure for the orchid, only that it was given too much sun too quickly.

This guide shows what plants will grow well in which exposure; however, plants that require less sun light can be grown in the same window when shaded by more light loving plants.

East Window: Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium
South Window: Cattleyas, Vandas, Oncidium, Dendrobium and Cymbidiums
West Window: Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, Dendrobium and high light Paphiopedilum
North Window: Jewel Orchids and other low light species
Orchids For Under Lights: Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum, Masdevallia, Pleurothallids, Compact and Miniature Cattleyas

Artificial Lighting

If you do not have a window that provides sufficient natural sunlight, consider supplementing with grow lights or completely going to artificial lighting. One advantage of growing under lights is that you are able to grow in any room in your house. Complete light carts are available and come equipped with lighting and humidity trays.

To receive the proper intensity, orchids will need to be within 3-6 inches of regular florescent lights. When using high intensity lights carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding the proper distance from your plants to prevent burning the foliage. Most lights will also produce a certain amount of heat so be sure to have good ventilation and air movement.

In order for your orchid plants to flower consistently, you will need to adjust your light timers to replicate natural daylight. We suggest increasing one hour each month from January (11 hrs) until June (16 hrs) then decreasing one hour starting in July (15 hrs) until December (10 hrs).

The basement is an excellent choice for a growing area because it will stay at a uniform temperature and will have sufficient humidity. Heavy duty plastic or reflective aluminum can be used to insulate ceiling joists and curtain off an area. By hanging florescent light fixtures over plant tables and adding an oscillating fan for air movement, you will have your very own subterranean greenhouse.

Orchids For Under Lights: Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum, Masdevallia, Pleurothallids, Compact and Miniature Cattleyas

Watering

The general rule is to water once a week. However, orchids need to dry out slightly between waterings and then be soaked thoroughly. The old slogan says, "When in doubt do without."

Should you experience shriveled and leathery leaves or pseudobulbs, a close inspection of the roots will be necessary to decipher the problem. Over watering will cause the roots to rot, while symptoms of under watering will be dehydrated roots.

We recommend feeling the weight of the pot before watering, then again after it has been watered thoroughly. This will give you a better idea of whether it needs water or not. We do not suggest the finger test because you can only feel the top inch of the media which will not let you know the rest of the pot's moisture content.

Keep in mind clay pots will dry faster than plastic pots and orchids grown in sphagnum moss will tend to take longer to dry. When grown mounted or in slatted baskets without potting media, plants need to be watered nearly every day. Orchids can be grown in almost anything as long as you adapt your watering accordingly.

Temperature and Humidity

Normal home temperatures are fine for growing most orchids. Temperatures of 70-80 degrees in the daytime and 60-70 degrees at night are ideal. Always keep plants away from hot or cold drafts.

Many orchids, like phalaenopsis, need a drop in temperature for several weeks during the fall to set their flower spikes. This is accomplished by moving them outdoors or opening the window in which they are growing when the outside night temperature is in the mid to upper 50's. Cymbidiums like to grow outside during the summer with plenty of light and fertilizer. They require a 20-30 degree drop in temperature in the late fall to set their flower spikes. So leave them outside until danger of frost.

If you have trouble growing cool or intermediate orchids, consider growing them in your basement under lights. Beware of cooling your orchids using an air conditioner as they remove humidity from the air and may cause the flowers to wilt. A good level of humidity in winter can be attained by running a humidifier or by putting humidity trays under your plants. Feel free to spray your orchids with a mister on any sunny day to increase the humidity level.

Fertilizer

It is always very important to feed your plants, not only while they are growing, but also when they are in bloom. Like all living things, when fed properly, they will grow stronger and produce more flowers.
Our product of choice is Dyna-Gro, but any balanced fertilizer may be used. Brands such as Miracle-Gro and Peters are also known for quality fertilizers and supplements.

We recommend watering the plant prior to applying fertilizer and then following one of the two sets of instructions on the manufacturer's label. One is for feeding (1/4-1/2 tsp/gallon) weekly and one is for intermittent feeding (1-3 tsp/gallon) every 2 to 4 weeks.

If you cannot fertilize as often as you should, then use a timed release fertilizer to supplement regular feedings. Depending on the brand and formula, granules will last from 3-12 months. Top dress your plant with the manufacturer's recommended amount. Sprinkle the feed evenly across the surface of the mix taking care not to get it close to the new growths. Do not use this type of fertilizer with sphagnum moss. Because the moss is constantly moist, it will continuously release nutrients and could burn the roots of your plants.

Repotting

Repotting is the part of orchid growing that hobbyists consider most intimidating. However, with some guidance, even the novice grower will find it to be an easy and rewarding experience. First decide whether you simply want to shift your plant or divide it into several pieces. To shift your orchid, remove the plant from the pot and clean the old mix off the roots. Then choose the proper pot size allowing room for two years of growth. When dividing cattleyas and other orchids with similar growing habits, we recommend leaving 3-5 bulbs per division. Decide what size cutting you want to make. Then use a sterile knife to cut down through the rhizome and the roots staying as close as possible to the older growth. Choose the proper pot size allowing for two years of growth. Next consider what type of container will suit your orchid and watering schedule. Most orchids grow well in plastic pots. However, if you have a tendency to over-water, clay pots may work better for you since they are porous and will dry out faster. Clay pots, because of their extra weight, will also help top-heavy plants to remain upright.

We recommend potting in a fir bark mix. This media was originally developed by our founder George Off in the1960's. Fir bark is still used extensively by many commercial growers in various modified formulations.
Orchids like good drainage, so we suggest using large bark or sytrofoam peanuts in the bottom of the pot. Place the plant with the newest growth farthest from the edge of the pot and fill in with mix. Make sure to get the right level for the potting medium. Be careful not to bury the eyes at the bottom of the bulbs and leave some room for water in the top of the pot.

Note: There is some controversy as to how hard the mix should be packed. We have always tamped the mix in tightly, while others just use their fingers. The main point is to pot firmly, eliminating most of the air pockets.
If you are potting in sphagnum moss, just remove the old medium and choose the proper pot size depending on the amount of roots. Spread the roots over a cone of moss, then wrap some more moss around the root ball and place it into the new pot. Phalaenopsis should be centered in the pot, while orchids that grow like a cattleya need to be placed with the new growth farthest from the edge of the container. Be sure to cover all the roots. Moss should be spongy and should not be packed too tightly.

Staking and Grooming

Good staking and grooming habits are one of the easiest ways to make your collection look its best. By removing a few yellow leaves and trimming scarred or damaged portions, all of orchids will look better. A new single edged razor or sterile scissors will work well for cleaning up your plants.

Orchids will take up less room if they are staked upright. New growths should be staked to allow light into the rhizome area of the plant and will also ensure that the flowers will have good placement when they open.

Pests and Diseases

Bugs create a host of problems and can seriously damage a collection if left untreated. Scales, mealybugs, aphids and mites are the most common orchid pests. You will find that bugs are attracted to certain genera. For instance, mealybugs like phalaenopsis and bifoliate cattleyas, while scale prefers cattleyas and cymbidiums. Aphids are attracted to the buds and flowers of dendrobiums and oncidiums, but they do not discriminate between orchid genera. Spider mites will show up when there is a lack of humidity especially on dendrobiums, oncidiums and cymbidiums.

Always keep a close eye out for bug damage. They like to hide under leaves and sheathing and, if left untreated, they will quickly spread through your collection. By removing old sheathing once it becomes loose, it will be easier to recognize the early signs of an insect problem. Scale depletes chlorophyll leaving yellow spots on the foliage. They also love to feast on the tender eyes at the base of the pseudobulbs. Aphids will leave a sticky residue on the foliage below where they are eating. Spider mites can be identified by the silvery scarring they leave under the leaves. The good news is that most orchid pests are easily exterminated. Home and garden sprays will provide a long list of bugs they will kill. We recommend spraying the plant, then manually cleaning it as much as you can with a Q-tip or toothbrush, followed by another treatment of spray. Follow up treatments after five to seven days may be necessary to fully eliminate the problem.

Schultz, Bayer and Ortho all carry a good line of sprays that are available at any garden center, hardware store or home improvement warehouse. For a less toxic approach, we recommend using denatured alcohol, neem oil or insecticidal soap. Remember to always be extra careful of what you spray, especially on the flowers, and always follow the manufacturer's instructions to prevent plant and flower damage. Slugs and snails chew flowers and buds as well as the tender new roots and growths. Bait is readily available and will do a good job of ridding your collection of these pests. Ants can be a problem, especially when moving your orchids back inside in the fall. Orange Guard, a citric acid product, is a good way to eliminate these pests. However, if they are down in the mix, you will need to drench the pot with an insecticide or repot the plant.
Other orchid problems, like rot and fungus, can be treated by first removing the infected area with a sterile tool, then applying a fungicide spray or powdered cinnamon, which is a good natural fungicide. Improved air circulation can help prevent a reoccurrence of this problem. Flowers that have botrytis (small dark spots) should be removed to prevent spores from spreading to others blooms.

Any orchid exhibiting signs of a viral infection should be totally segregated as contact with diseased plant fluids will cause the virus to spread and may contaminate other plants. Any questionable plant should be tested and if it tests positive, it should be destroyed as there is no cure for orchid viruses. This is why it is so important to use sterile tools and equipment when handling your plants. Human contact and chewing insects are also vectors for spreading viruses.

We hope these tips will help you to be successful with your orchids. There are many orchid books, magazines, periodicals and internet sites that can help you to become a better grower. We also recommend that you go to the American Orchid Society for individual culture sheets for all types of orchid genera. You will find growing orchids to be an exciting hobby. However, a word of caution, orchids are extremely addicting! Once you purchase your first plant, you will be 'hooked' for the rest of your life!

6 Easy Steps to Caring For Your Orchid

Until relatively recently, it was assumed that making a success of growing and looking after orchids was limited to the minority of specialist orchid experts or those who could afford to employ them.
But, with the wide selection of orchid species together with the number of associated hybrids available, there are many varieties which are suitable for enthusiastic amateurs to grow indoors and even in the garden.

1. Choosing Your Orchid.

The first step is to select the right type of orchid which will thrive indoors, which is where most people who are new to orchids begin. All orchids are noted for their unique and beautiful flowers which is the primary reason for their popularity as plants to grow in the home.

One variety of orchids which is particularly popular is the Phalaenopsis, commonly known as the Moth Orchid, which has white or purple flowers. This plant is commonly found in garden centres and plant shops where they are often bought as presents. Its popularity compared with some of the rarer orchids, is a result of the relative ease with which it can be grown and cared for by the first time orchid owner.

Indeed, it is not unusual for orchid growers who experienced the satisfaction of successfully growing their first phalaenopsis orchid, to develop both their interest and knowledge by searching out and growing some of the rarer varieties.

2. Your Orchid Needs Daylight

In the wild most orchids require long periods of partly shaded or filtered sunlight rather than the sustained direct exposure to a strong midday sun.

Being a member of the epiphytes group of orchids which grow on trees by attaching their roots to the bark, the phalaenopsis manages to achieve this optimum amount of sunshine. When grown indoors, these shaded conditions can be replicated by locating the orchid close to an east facing window during the hot summer months.

For orchids in rooms with limited natural daylight, especially during the winter period, the plant can be artificially lit for the normal daylight hours. This method of supplementing the available daylight uses fluorescent light fittings over the plant at distance of 30cm (1 foot).

3. The Right Temperature for Your Orchid

This type of orchid originates from the tropical and sub-tropical climates which means that it relies on continuous warm conditions, 29 Celsius (85 Fahrenheit) maximum daytime temperature, and 16 Celsius (60 Fahrenheit) minimum night-time temperature.

4. Watering Your Orchid

The orchid requires continuous moisture below the surface of the potting medium. This can normally be achieved with a watering frequency of about once a week. When in doubt, check that the exposed roots (aerial roots) feel dry before watering, and avoid excessive watering.

5. Orchids Thrive on Humidity

Again, due to its natural habitat, the phalaenopsis requires moist air conditions, with an optimum humidity range of between 55%-75%. These conditions can be obtained in the home by placing the orchid pot on a small tray containing moist gravel, pebbles or small stones, but avoiding direct contact between the pot and the water.

6. Feeding Your Orchid

To ensure your orchid receives its nutritional requirements it is important to feed it by using soluble non-urea fertiliser in the water. This can be carried out at intervals of one month, minimum.

Conclusion

If, having read this article, your enthusiasm for owning an orchid has increased then, follow these steps to make the anticipation of growing an orchid successfully a reality.

Vegetable Gardening For Beginners - Planting a Beautiful Vegetable Garden at Home

Are you looking to plant your very own vegetable garden but you're not sure how to get started? Planting a healthy vegetable garden provides so many benefits including an abundance of healthy organic food and saving thousands on your grocery bills. I don't know about you but I still remember the days when a tomato from the supermarket tasted like a tomato, not anymore unfortunately. Let's look at some vegetable gardening for beginners tips to help get you started today.

Vegetable Gardening For Beginners - Tips

Preparation is the key to growing a beautiful and healthy vegetable garden. Planning is critical for setting up a vegetable garden that you can harvest every daily. Vegetable gardening for beginners does not have to be difficult with the correct planning.

First you must decide on your plot, the area for your garden. The ideal spot is somewhere that receives plenty of morning sun and protection from the elements such as wind. Although you maybe limited with the space you have available don't be discouraged as you will be shocked at how much you can grow by maximizing the space you have. Ensure there is sufficient drainage for water run off.

Importance Of Soil Quality

One of the most common vegetable gardening for beginners tips you will hear is never underestimate soil quality. Soil is the life line of a garden do not underestimate it's importance. You must ensure that your soil preparations include checking the soil and preparing it by testing its pH levels. The ideal pH level for your soil is 6.5, if you do not have a test kit you can go to your local garden outlet and let them test it for you.

Don't stress if your levels are out of whack for the moment, you can purchase garden lime that will improve the pH levels of your soil. In a nutshell your pH levels will determine how much nutrients your vegetables will be able to receive.

Preparing Your Plot

Dig your plot and turn your soil over, ensure you dig into a depth of about 12" (30cm) and remove any weeds you find by hand. Avoid using weed killers and they can effect your soil structure and levels. Once your pH levels are in healthy range, wait 4-5 weeks before you begin planting.

The vegetables that you grow will dependent on where you live. Speak to your gardening outlet that will buy seedlings from for the most suitable vegetables.

Ask about purchasing some organic fertilizer which will be the life blood of your garden. Organic fertilizers such as animal manure, blood and bones as well as compost are terrific choices for providing essential nutrients and moisture.

Growing Vegetables Year Round

The key to planting a successful garden is to have vegetables that you can harvest year round. By doing this you can rotate different vegetables to help ensure the health of your gardening by limiting pests and diseases. One of the most common vegetable gardening for beginners mistakes is insufficient planning and set up process.

If you set up your garden correctly you will have vegetables that you can harvest every single day. With the right planning your garden should require very maintenance and upkeep as it continues to provide fresh, organic food for you and your family for years to come.

Different Couch Options

Are you tired of your current living room? If you are, I'm not surprised. As living room styles change, the desire to keep your old pieces looking nice slowly fades away. That's why you need to constantly be on the lookout for discount pieces, as you can get such fancy ones for a lot less than you would think. Imagine, for a second, one of the priciest pieces on the market. This would be some type of leather curved sofa, or an Ashley style sectional. These are both very modern pieces and they'd both be very expensive. Did you know, though, that you can possibly find them in actual furniture stores?

This is hard to believe, but you really just have to be flexible. Often, the store will simply want to movie a piece of furniture for inventory purposes. There doesn't have to be something wrong with the sofa, it may have just been priced too high initially. That is when you can slip in and capitalize. This isn't necessarily an easy thing to do, but it is well worth it if you can end up with a piece of furniture you normally wouldn't be able to afford. Also, if you don't like the material or color but the sofa itself is to die for, just look into slipcovers. They make them in all shapes and sizes, from very large to very small and you can even get them custom made.

If you're not in the mood for that kind of bargain hunting, why not go for a traditional microfiber or microsuede style couch and loveseat combo? This will be able to seat most people as the gather around your living room, and if anyone wants to stay the night they can use the fold out sleeper. Imagine being the one with the house that all your friends want to congregate at because of how comfy and good looking your living room is.

Of course, if you're just looking for a comfier place for your dog or cat, you'll have to go to a pet store. But they do make those kinds of couches and sofas for that purpose.

Sofa Furniture of Different Types

Without furniture you cannot enhance the interior of any house or building. There are different kinds of the furniture pieces available in the market which can be varied according to vast variety of features. These pieces are manufactured according to the place that where you want to place them. If you want to buy the pieces for the dining rooms then the pieces would be dining table, dining chair, and other small accessories. If you want to buy the pieces for the drawing room then the pieces would be sofas, coffee table and chairs, side tables and center tables.

You can even place the coffee table and chairs in the lounge or in the lobby. And if you want to have the pieces for the bed rooms then pieces would be bed, side tables and bedroom chairs and other small accessories. In the same way the furniture for the home is different from the pieces for the hospital and other business buildings.

One of the most important and popular furniture pieces is the sofa. You can find sofa in any home or any business building. It is known to be the piece which is most comfortable to sit and relax on. There are different styles and designs of the sofas available in the market for different people having different taste and style.

Typically sofa is the focal piece in the drawing and living room. It is the perfect piece for covering the space of these kinds of rooms, because it helps to make several seating areas built into one piece. There are different kinds of materials used for the manufacturing of this piece that would create the luxurious look of the sofa or the very casual look.

There are different types of the sofa furniture, like the casual couch, L-shape, and some have the loose pillow back.

How To Choose Great Living Room Furniture

With the amount of time that most families spend in their living room, it is no wonder that it is the most popular room in the house and the furniture in it is also the most popular.

Your living room furniture should be as comfortable as it is stylish, so that whether you are entertaining guests or just laying around watching TV, you will have that comfortable and cozy feeling of being at home.

One way to begin choosing the furniture for your living room is to decide on your style. Some people prefer the modern look with a lot of glass and chrome plating while others prefer the more contemporary look of wood grain and brass.

Remember when choosing your style to take the other rooms of your house into consideration, as you do not want to create a style that changes drastically from one room to the next.

While choosing the decor for your living room (or any room), keep the size of furniture in mind as you will want it to be cozy but not crowded. A well designed and decorated living room will give the feeling of spacious or openness when standing and walking, but when seated you will feel cozy and comfortable as though the room was hugging you.

If you have a smaller living room area, try choosing a sofa and/or love seat that is comfortable, but not overwhelming in size, also try to pick brighter more solid colors as this will help in creating a more open atmosphere that will make the room "feel" bigger.

It is easier to choose your coffee table, end tables and TV stand if you have already decide on your sofa, love seat and chair as you will already have an idea of the style you will be trying to create.

In most cases if you have decided on bright colors and creating openness with the sofa and love seat furniture, then choosing a coffee table and/or TV stand that is glass and chrome will compliment the openness and will give the feeling of a spacious living area.

Likewise, if you have decided on more darker colors and/or patterned seating furniture, then a good choice for your tables and TV stand would be the darker wood grains and brass or pewter handled furniture as this will help in complimenting the cozy feeling that the darker colors are trying to create.

By remembering these tips when choosing your living room furniture, you will find it easy to turn a room in your house into a room with that cozy-comfortable feeling that you can call home