History Of Citrus

The pleasing appearance of citrus trees and the fruit was mentioned by many ancient travelers, even though the fruit of citrus trees had not evolved to the point as an important food staple, the fragrance of all parts of the citrus trees, including the flowers and fruit, were desirable perfumers of rooms and were thought to repel insects.

History Of Citrus

The occurrence of citrus in Europe and Mideast were thought to have been natural occurring native trees and shrubs, but historians today believe that the ancestor of the citrus trees, Citrus medica L., was introduced by Alexander the Great from India into Greece, Turkey, and North Africa in the late 4th century BC. The most ancient citrus was called 'citron.'

Organic Fruit Variety

History Of Citrus

There are ancient clues from wall paintings in the Egyptian temple at Karnak that citrus trees had been growing there. There were other suggestions that citrus trees may have been familiar to the Jews during their exile and slavery by the Babylonians in the 6th century BC. Even though speculations suggest that citrus trees were known and grown by the Hebrews, there is no direct mention in the Bible of citrus.

History Of Citrus

History Of Citrus

The first recording of citrus, Citrus medica L., in European history was done by Theophrastus, in 350 BC, following the introduction of the fruit by Alexander the Great.

In early European history, writers wrote about Persian citrus, that it had a wonderful fragrance and was thought to be a remedy for poisoning, a breath sweetener, and a repellant to moths.

Citrus was well known by the ancient cultures of the Greeks and later the Romans. A beautiful ceramic tile was found in the ruins of Pompeii after the city was destroyed by a volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Another mosaic tile in the ruins of a Roman villa in Carthage, North Africa, in about the 2nd century AD, clearly showed the fruit of a citron and a lemon fruit growing on a tree branch.

Early Christian tile mosaics dating back to 300 AD of both oranges and lemon were shown in lemon-yellow and orange colors surrounded by bright green leaves and freshly cut tree branches; the relics can still be seen in Istanbul, Turkey at mosques that once were churches of Emperor Constantine.

It is not known how, where, or when the exceptional present day varieties of citrus trees developed, such as the sweet orange, lemon, kumquat, lime, grapefruit, or pummelo, but there appears to be a general consensus of opinions that all these citrus developments and improvements were obtained by natural and artificial selection and natural evolution. It is well known, that the Romans were familiar with the sour orange, Citrus aurantium L. and the lemon tree, Citrus limon. After the fall of Rome to the barbarian invasions and the Muslims, the Arab states rapidly spread the naturally improving cultivars of citrus fruits and trees throughout much of North Africa, Spain, and Syria. The spread of sour orange, Citrus aurantium L., and the lemon, Citrus limon, extended the growing and planting of these trees on a worldwide scale by planting the seed, which produced citrus trees very similar to the parent trees. The Crusades conquest of the Arabs later spread citrus planting and growing throughout Europe.

The sweet orange, Citrus sinensis, appeared late in the 1400's, near the time of Christopher Columbus, who discovered America. After trade routes were closed when the Turks defeated the Eastern Roman Empire in 1453, centered in Constantinople (Istanbul), many European kings began to seek alternate, trade, sea routes to open trade by ships with China and India. The sweet orange tree introduction into Europe changed the dynamics of citrus fruit importance in the world. The voyage of Portuguese explorer, Vasco de Gamma, recorded that in 1498, there were multitudes of orange trees in India, and all the fruits had a sweet taste. The new sweet orange variety, known as the "Portugal orange" caused a dramatic surge in citrus planting, much like the much later appearance of the "Washington navel orange" tree introduction into California.

The lime, Citrus latifolia, was first mentioned in European history by Sir Thomas Herbert in his book, Travels, who recorded that he found growing "oranges, lemons, and limes" off the island of Mozambique in the mid 1600's. Lime trees today are available in many cultivars.

In 1707, Spanish missions were growing oranges, fig trees, quinces, pomegranates, peaches, apricots, apples, pear trees, mulberries, pecans, and other trees according to horticultural documents.

The Mandarin orange, Citrus reticulata, was described in Chinese history in the late 1100's, but was unknown in Europe, until it was brought from a Mandarin province in China to England in 1805, where it spread rapidly throughout Europe.

The pummelo, Citrus grandis, also called the shaddock and the 'Adam's Apple' was growing in Palestine in the early 1200's and was planted and grown by the Arabs. The pummelo is believed to have an Asian origin and was planted as seed in the New World.

The grapefruit, Citrus paradisi, is believed to have arisen as a mutation from the pummelo tree. Grapefruit were so named because they grew in clusters like grapes, but most gardeners considered them to be inedible until A.L. Duncan found an outstanding seedling grapefruit that was named Duncan grapefruit in 1892; the original tree is still alive and growing in Florida.

Christopher Columbus introduced citrus on the island of Haiti in 1493. It is believed that he brought citrus seed to be planted and grown of the sour orange, the sweet orange, citron, lemon, lime, and pummelo fruits. Records show that these citrus trees were well established in the American colonies in about 1565 at Saint Augustine, Florida, and in coastal South Carolina.

William Bartram reported in his celebrated botanical book, Travels, in 1773 that Henry Laurens from Charleston, South Carolina, who served as a President of the Continental Congrees, introduced "olives, limes, ginger, everbearing strawberry, red raspberry, and blue grapes" into the United States colonies after the year 1755.

William Bartram in his book, Travels, reported that near Savannah, Georgia, "it is interesting to note that as late as 1790, oranges were cultivated in some quantity along the coast, and in that year some 3000 gallons of orange juice were exported."

Many of these wild orange groves were seen by the early American explorer, William Bartram, according to his book, Travels, in 1773, while traveling down the Saint John's River in Florida. Bartram mistakenly thought these orange trees were native to Florida; however, they were established centuries earlier by the Spanish explorers.

The citrus industry began rapidly developing in 1821 when the Spanish gave up their territories and its many orange groves to the United States. Wild orange tree groves were top-worked with improved cultivars and residents traveling to Florida realized how refreshing orange juice tasted; thus began the shipments of oranges, grapefruit, limes, and lemons that were sent to Philadelphia and New York by railway and ships in the 1880's.

Citrus plantings were extensively done in California by the Spanish missionaries; however, the commercial industry began to grow with the 1849 Gold Rush boom, and efforts to supply the miners from San Francisco with citrus fruit were successful. The completion of the Transcontinental Railway further stimulated the citrus industry, since citrus could be rapidly sent to eastern markets. Later improvements of refrigeration helped to increase citrus growing and planting, mainly oranges, lemons, and limes throughout the world in 1889.

Florida at first dominated citrus production in the United States, but because of some devastating freezes in 1894 and 1899, Satsuma orange trees were virtually wiped out in the Gulf States. Thousands of acres of Satsuma orange trees were wiped out in Alabama, Texas, and Louisiana in the hard freeze of 1916; thus the citrus production of the United States began to shift from Florida to California.

Citrus is marketed throughout the world as a beneficial health fruit that contains Vitamin C and numerous other vitamins and minerals in orange and citrus products lime marmalade, fresh fruit, and frozen and hot-pack citrus juice concentrates.

Copyright 2006 Patrick Malcolm

History Of Citrus

Organic Fruit Variety

Growing Organic Watermelon

When to Plant

Growing Organic Watermelon

Growing Organic Watermelon

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Growing Organic Watermelon

Growing Organic Watermelon

A long growing season (at least 3 months of warm weather) is needed to mature and develop sweet watermelons. In short summer areas, a warm indoor start can count towards the long-season requireMents. If you live in the North, starting your watermelon seeds indoors 2-4 weeks before your last frost date will allow you to take advanTAGe of any warm, sunny days outdoors and still be able to bring them in at night or on cooler days. Planting too early will cause the plants to develop tendrils or more than four leaves which may cause your plants to have difficulty setting roots once they are transplanted to the garden. In the warmer southern climates, watermelons can be direct-seeded in the garden once soil temperatures have reached a steady 75-80F.

Where to Plant

The key to growing a successful watermelon crop is to provide as many sunny, warm days as possible for the growing plants and protect them from cold temperatures. The more exposure warmth the vines receive, the more fruit your plants will produce in the summer.

Watermelons require full sun and plenty of heat. Give your watermelons the sunniest spot available with good Air circulation. This will help the plants dry out quickly after a rain to prevent diseases.

Preparing the Soil

Watermelons prefer well-drained, sandy loam soils with a pH level between 6.0 and 6.5. Soils with a pH less than 6.0 will produce plants with yellowed foliage and fewer perfect flowers. Good drainage is critical for preventing disease in your melon plants. If your soil doesn't drain water well, mix a generous amount of organic matter into the soil before planting. We recomMend mounding your soil into hills. Raised hills improve drainage and helps keep the soil temperatures up. If you water with soaker hoses, mounding up a row (rather than hills) will make watering easier.

Mix in a shovel full of well-aged manure where you plan each hill. This is especially important if a spring crop has already been planted in this area and taken nutrients from the soil. Mound your manure aMended soil into hills about 12" tall and 2'-3' wide. Space each hill 4'-6' apart, depending on how much space your variety needs. Adding 2-3" of aged manure or compost before planting your melons will give the plants a nutrient boost and improve your soil's structure.

As much as I'm not a fan of plastic, it's almost a necessity when trying to grow watermelons in a shorter growing season. This is something you will need to decide for yourself. Watermelons build up sugar and develop sweetness in their final days of growth so providing the necessary warmth is critical for a growing a good watermelon crop.

Covering your planting area with plastic a couple weeks before transplanting will warm the soil more quickly. Depending on the weather, this can allow you to transplant your seedlings outdoors up to 7 to 10 days earlier than without the use of plastic.

If plastic is left throughout the growing season, it will reduce ground rot in your fruit (fruits rotting from sitting on soil). Clear plastic mulch will heat the soil up 4-5 degrees warmer but black plastic will prevent weed growth.

Ventilation holes must be made in your plastic mulch to allow oxygen into the soil. If your plastic doesn't have pre-made ventilation holes and it is still on the roll, you can use a ¾" drill and drill your own holes through the layers at an 8"x8" spacing.

Choosing the Right Seeds

When choosing a watermelon variety, consider how much space the plant requires to spread out. If you have a limited growing area, choose a bush type that is more compact. Some heirloom or more vigorous varieties can take up 100 square feet per plant and only produce 2-3 fruits.

Seeds and Germination

Watermelon seeds germinate optimally between 70 and 90 degrees F. At these temperatures, seeds will germinate within 5-10 days. At temperatures below 60F, germination will not occur.

Getting Started Indoors

Watermelons don't survive frost or maintain proper growth at temperatures below 60F. In areas with short summers, seeds must be started inside and later transplanted outdoors; be extremely careful not to disturb the roots. Watermelon plants do not thrive well if their roots are disturbed, even when young seedlings.

Plant your seeds in loose potting soil (not seed germinating mix as it contains no nutrients for the developing seedling).

Plant 2 seeds ½" deep per 4" individual pot (I plant 2 seeds in case one seed does not germinate, and as the seeds get older I might add 1 or 2 more just to be sure I get one good plant). Watermelon seeds remain useable for 5 years after your initial purchase.

Keep planted seeds in a warm, sunny area (such as a south-facing window) where soil temperatures maintain between 70F-95F. Use bottom heat if necessary to maintain around 75F soil temperature. Once your seedlings are 2" tall, thin each pot to the one strongest plant by cutting the other seedlings off at soil level.

Transplanting to Outdoors

Starting your seeds indoors can extend your melon growing season 2 to 4 weeks but melons are particularly sensitive to transplanting. If the roots are disturbed, your plants growth will be stunted.

Vines may not set fruit if they're chilled when seedlings so be sure the soil temperatures remain steady at all times and the garden soil has warmed to 70-80F before transplanting outside. Planting in cooler soil will also increase the chance of soil-borne root diseases developing.

To prevent disturbing the roots, 4" use peat pots or other bio-degradable planting pots instead of plastic seedling pots. Peat pots will decompose quickly and allow you to plant the pot directly in the garden bed when you transplant the seedlings.

Carefully tear or cut out the bottom of the peat pot before planting in the ground to allow the roots to spread more quickly. Be very careful not to cut the roots. If the roots are too dense (root bound) at the bottom, don't cut the bottom out as you may damage the roots.

Transplants should have 2-3 mature leaves and a well-developed root system when they are moved into the garden. Planting seedlings that have developed 4 or more leaves may have difficulty setting roots once transplanted to the garden.

If you covered your soil with plastic to help bring up the soil temperature, you can remove the plastic before planting or leave the plastic down to continue locking in the heat. Cut slits in the plastic every 4 to 6 feet and plant seedlings through the slits.

If you choose to leave the plastic down, be sure to anchor it well. Plastic that is not anchored well can blow off during a windy day, breaking your plants in the process. If growing watermelon in rows, space seedlings 18 to 24 inches apart within the row. Space rows 5 to 6 feet apart. In shorter season areas, only plant one plant per hill so it will not compete for nutrients with other vines. In warmer climates, 2-3 plants can be planted per hill.

Crop Covers

To protect your young plants from wind damage, which can retard growth and reduce the amount of fruit the vine will set, place hot caps, plastic tunnels, or a row cover over the plants the first 2-3 weeks until the plants have a chance to better establish themselves.

The use of one of these coverings will also protect your plants from cooler Air temperatures and early insect pests. Remove the covering within 2-3 weeks to avoid high temperature plant injury and to allow bees and other pollinators easy access to the flowers.

Direct planting (planting seeds directly into garden bed)

Follow the above instructions for preparing your soil and forming hills. Once your hills are formed and aMended with well-aged manure or compost, plant the seeds ½" - 1" deep, sowing six seeds per hill.

When your watermelon plants have reached 2" tall, thin seedlings to 2-3 plants per hill by leaving the healthiest and most vigorous seedlings and cutting the remaining plants off at soil level.

If planting in rows, plant 2 to 3 seeds together ( a couple inches apart from each other) every 18 to 24 inches within the row. Once the seedlings are 2" tall, thin to the best plant per group by cutting the remaining plants off at soil level.

Don't pull weeds up by hand. Hand-pulling could disturb the root systems of the other plants and pull them out of the soil.

Mulching

Applying 2-3" of mulch around the plant will conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth. Organic mulches like woodchips or straw can also be used when growing watermelons, but do not apply organic mulches until soils are warmer than 75ºF. Applying organic mulches too early keeps the soil cool, resulting in slow growth and shallow rooting.

Weeding

The roots of melons grow close to the surface of the soil, so it's important not to cultivate too deeply or too close to the plants. Cultivate just deeply enough to cut the weeds off below the surface of the soil. Continue cultivating until the vines begin to spread between the rows. Then pull large weeds by hand.

Watering

Regular deep watering is especially crucial during the first 3 to 4 weeks that growing watermelon vines are growing in your garden. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are the best way to give watermelons a steady Supply of moisture. Water deeply and infrequently (1-2 times per week); provide a total of 1-2 inches of water per week.

Cut back on the water once the plants have started to set fruit; over-watering will dilute the melon's sugars, causing it to be less flavorful and lose sweetness. Too much water could also stress the plant and cause less fruit to develop. There is very little benefit in a light watering that only wets the soil's surface. Deep, infrequent, but consistent watering is extremely important especially in the last 2 weeks of growth. Excessive watering at this sTAGe can cause the fruit to split.

Companion Planting and Rotation Considerations

Watermelon doesn't allow much room for companions, and does best when it can sprawl out freely without competing for nutrients with other plants.

You can try planting Marigolds or Nasturtiums in the area which deter beetles, or Oregano which provides general pest protection but it is likely the vines will smother them if planted too close. They need to be in their own pot or raised bed, out of the reach of the encroaching vines.

Because watermelons are in a different class than muskmelons (cantaloupe) and both require the same care, they're good companions. Watermelons and muskmelons share the same nutrient requirements and have the same watering needs; and because they are in a different class, their seeds won't cross-pollinate.

When to Harvest

Ripe watermelon doesn't slip from the vine when it is ripe, so it takes a little more know-how to tell when a watermelon is ready to pick.

Use this combination of indicators to check for ripeness:

Tendrils near the fruit stem have become brown and dry;

The fruit surface is rough to the touch and the fruit color is dull;

The bottom of the watermelon (where it lies on the soil) has changed from a light green to a yellowish color;

Look for 'black sap spots'. These are caused by bees extracting the juice from the melon. If there are several beads of hard black sugars, you know you've got a sweet melon.

Preventative and Natural solutions to Common Pests and Problems

The use of row covers will help prevent infestations of most pests (see Row Covers, Hot Caps, & Plastic Tunnels)

Striped and Spotted Cucumber Beetles

These pests spread bacterial wilt throughout your crop when they feed; they tend to attack around the time the plants begin flowering. Note: Male flowers will appear first, at leaf joints on the main stem and female flowers will appear. About one week later, female flowers will develop off of secondary side-shoots.

Your best defense against these pests is to cover your plants with row covers until flowering. The covers must be removed once the female flowers appear so that the bees can access the plants for pollination.

A severe infestation can be controlled with pyrethrins; the pyrethrins are a pair of natural organic compounds that have potent insecticidal activity.

Melon Aphids

Aphids are tiny pear-shaped insects with long antennae that suck sap from the plant, causing the leaves to become distorted and drop.

A strong spray of water can often knock the insects off your plants. Crushing several cloves of garlic into a spray bottle filled with water and spraying mixture on the plants can often deter these pests. Insecticidal soap, pyrethrins, and neem oil are also effective organic insecticides for heavy infestations.

Squash Vine Borers

Squash vine borers look like 1" long white caterpillars. They bore through the stem of the plant and may be unnoticeable to the gardener until the vine begins to wilt.

In April (in the South) and in late June or early July (in the North), keep a lookout for an orange and black wasp-like moth. This is an adult borer which lays eggs at the base of the stem during this time. The tiny orange and red eggs are laid just below the surface of the soil. Remove and crush any eggs you can find.

Once the season progresses, keep an eye for entry holes at the base of the stems. If the hole is surrounded by a yellow dropping that resembles sawdust, cut a slit in the stem and remove any larvae. An injection of Bt can also be used (Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, is a soil-dwelling bacterium, frequently used as an organic alternative to chemical pesticides).

Environmental Factors

Vine crops that have recently been transplanted or that have been direct-seeded outside and recently germinated have been known to suddenly wilt and die. Most often this occurs when you have a stretch of 4 or more days of rainy, or overcast weather with no protection over your plants to retain heat. If soil temperature drops down below 60F, the plant roots stop absorbing water from the soil.

When the sun does reappear, water evaporates from the leaves Faster than the roots absorb water, which results in sudden wilting and death. To prevent this from happening, keep your plants protected when cool wet weather is predicted with the use of row covers or hot caps. In humid climates, watering the roots directly rather than soaking the leaves helps prevent many common foliar diseases.

Disease

Most diseases can be avoided by following these rules:

When growing watermelon choose varieties resistant to common diseases such as powdery mildew. Wait until the soil has warmed to a minimum of 70F before planting seeds or transplants and keep soil temperatures consistently warm throughout the enTire plant cycle. Keep seeds and seedling beds moist but not water logged.

If starting indoors, plant seeds in 4" pots or larger to lessen root disturbance and allow more room for roots to develop properly. Transplant seedlings once they have 2-3 true leaves. Avoid over-applying Nitrogen (such as animal manure). Too much nitrogen, especially during fruit set, can encourage "hollow heart" and bland flavor. Provide good air movement around plants by keeping weeds under control and planting with proper spacing.

Powdery mildew

Powdery mildew, a fungus, can cause leaves to prematurely die, and reduce yield and fruit quality. Damage can include brown spots, tattered holes in leaves, sunken brown lesions on vines, and rotted fruit. Powdery mildew infections are usually caused by warm, humid conditions (68-81F), or the plant being damp too long from rain or overhead watering.

In warm, dry conditions, new spores are produced in leaf spots and can easily spread disease by being blown by the wind and infecting other leaves. To avoid these diseases do not grow melons in an area where any member of the squash family has been grown for 3 years or more. Reduce moisture on leaves by providing plants with proper space, controlling weeds, and using drip irrigation or a soaker hose instead of sprinkler irrigation. Apply a natural fungicide when a single spot of powdery mildew is spotted. Sulfur products can be applied to both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. Remove severely infected plants and any debris from the garden.

Plant disease resistant varieties whenever available. Resistance is virus specific and it is necessary to first determine which mosaic virus is common in your area. A reputable seed company in your part of the country will have this information. If not, ask your county extension.

Purchase clean seed from a reputable supplier. If saving seeds, do not collect seed from infected plants. Control weeds within and around the planting area. Especially perennial weeds that can carry the virus from one season to the next. Control aphids and cucumber beetles early on to keep populations low. If disease appears in a few plants, bury or dispose these plants to prevent further spread of the disease. Wash hands and tools after working with infected plants.

Storage

Watermelons will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week, but not only will flavor and sweetness diminish, so will nutrition levels. The best way to store a watermelon is at a room temperature of 50-60°, such as a basement. Watermelons will last up to 2-3 weeks and retain their flavor, sweetness and nutrition. Melon flesh can be frozen (think watermelon smoothie) and rinds can be pickled.

Growing Organic Watermelon

Drinking Noni Juice to Control Diabetes!

Noni juice is regarded as a miracle juice for those who have seen the many health benefits it can provide. This juice is harvested from the Morinda citrifolia plant, traditionally called the Noni Fruit, in the chemically free and organic farms of Samoa. The Samoan people have been using this juice for generations and have benefited from its potent healing properties. It is now a juice recognized worldwide to help with a variety of health issues including: cancer related illnesses, arthritis, weight loss, digestive problems, and even helps reduces diabetes risk, among many other ailMents.

Drinking Noni Juice to Control Diabetes!

Drinking Noni Juice to Control Diabetes!

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Drinking Noni Juice to Control Diabetes!

Drinking Noni Juice to Control Diabetes!

For people at risk of diabetes or have diabetes, noni juice can be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and moderate exercise to maintan healthy blood sugar levels. The juice works by providing your body with a rich Supply of vital nutrients and vitamins that your body needs to repAir itself. While noni fruit contains natural sugars, it won't spike your blood levels. In fact, it can actually help stabilize glucose levels from spiking due the insoluble dietary fibers of the noni fruit. In case of a diabetic shock episode, noni juice can also be used to bring up the natural sugars of the body.

For best results, take 1 oz of Noni juice up to three times a day, before a meal. You can also add other juices such as orange juice in the morning or cranberry juice before dinner. However, being a diabetic, you'll want to choose 100% juice, no sugar added. While mixing it with juice can help you get into the routine of digesting noni daily, you'll want to eventually take noni by itself for its maximum potent benefits in stabilizing glucose levels. Those who keep up with this routine have been shown to have lower glucose levels after their meals.

Many who consume noni  as a juice regularly find that their energy levels increase and fatigue decreases, allowing them to do more activities than once possible. Noni fruit can also help reduce triglycerides and total cholesterol levels. Since diabetes is often linked to weight, this can be a great remedy in shedding some extra pounds that are contributing to the diabetes in the first place. The combination of benefits noni juice provides makes a great foundation in reducing your diabetes.

Disclaimer: The stateMents on this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Please consult your physician before starting any nutrition regimen.

Drinking Noni Juice to Control Diabetes!

Meyer Lemon Trees-How to Solve Three Common Problems

If you own or considering buying a Meyer Lemon Tree, you will want to know how to care for this beautiful variety of indoor fruit tree. These trees are generally hardy, but three nagging issues come up from time to time. Here's how to solve these three problems ...

Meyer Lemon Trees-How to Solve Three Common Problems

Meyer Lemon Trees-How to Solve Three Common Problems

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Meyer Lemon Trees-How to Solve Three Common Problems

Meyer Lemon Trees-How to Solve Three Common Problems

Problem # 1: Excessive Leaf Shedding And Yellow Leaves

If planted properly in the containers, most Meyer lemon trees are very easy to grow. A humid environMent, adequate sunlight, and consistent watering are about all that is needed.

Sometimes though, this and other varieties of indoor citrus trees will experience excessive leaf shedding or yellowing leaves. This is usually a sign of a pot bound plant.

If you need to replant, you may want to prune a few roots to ensurethe remaining roots have ample room. Untangle them and provide plenty of room for the roots to spread.

Problem # 2: No Fruit

Normally, when Meyer lemon trees are shipped, they are about a year old, meaning they are an established plant. Like any plant though, they need to adapt to their new environMent.

Under typical circumstances, your tree should bear fruit within a year. If you don't get fruit, we recomMend placing the tree outdoors in the warmer months. This allows the tree to be pollinated.

Another way is to have two indoor fruit trees. They will cross pollinate, which should solve the issue. If absolutely necessary, you can pollinate the trees by hand.

Problem # 3: Pests

Meyer lemon trees are quitedisease resistant, but depending on your indoor environMent, they may become beset with pests occasionally.

The most common types are moths, fruit flies, and mites. If you see holes in leaves, followed by excessive shedding and yellowing, check for pests. Fruit flies are seen rather easily, while mites are not. The best way to check is with a magnifying glass. Examine the leaves closely. If you see small white specks that move around, your tree has mites.

The good news is, pest problems are relatively easy to resolve. As part of our routine watering, we mix our trees. You should mix a Meyer lemon three or four times a week, possibly more if your indoor humidity levels are low. If the problem persists, a good all purpose pest spray suitable for citrus trees isyour next step. You can find one at any local garden centers.

Summary

Meyer lemon trees, and any indoor fruit tree for that matter, are an excellent addition to your home. They are fragrant, easy to care for, and add a distinctive touch to your decor. Most problems are easily resolved, and your tree will generally produces ample fruit and last for many years.

Meyer Lemon Trees-How to Solve Three Common Problems

"Elderberry Wine

Wine has for many years been made from the ferMentation of grapes. In recent times however, other ingredients that have naturally occurring starch, enzymes and other nutrients are gaining popularity in the production of wine. Other than apples and elderberries that are been ferMented with yeast for purposes of converting their sugars into alcohol, barley and rice are all the same gaining popularity in these productions. These drinks have their old history in countries like South Africa, California and Greece.

"Elderberry Wine

"Elderberry Wine

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"Elderberry Wine

"Elderberry Wine

"Elderberry wine", is considered to be one of the most sweet flavored fermented and alcoholic fruit drinks. It however has got a lower alcoholic concentration and furthermore, it is sweeter than most of the other alcoholic drinks. To make it more appealing to thetaste, you could consider mixing the berries with some strawberries, since they both contain the right amount of natural substances that give you the right taste.

The fruits that make this drink come from a shrub that grows in the wild and which is more productive in mid-summer. It does well in moist land and in areas that are fertile, those that have rich soils. The fruits are red and black, and for the best tasting drink, you should prepare them while they are raw. Do not cook them.

"Elderberry Wine

The Five Worst Foods Foods For Your Skin

Skin and Your Diet

The Five Worst Foods Foods For Your Skin

The Five Worst Foods Foods For Your Skin

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The Five Worst Foods Foods For Your Skin

The Five Worst Foods Foods For Your Skin

The old saying, "You are what You eat" is never truer than when it is applied to your skin and proper skin care. The Food you eat affects your skin-some Foods are really good for it, offering the nutrients and emollients that make it look smooth and young, but some foods can really have a "detriMental effect on your skin. Let's look at some of these "bad skin foods".

Five Bad Skin Foods

One really bad food that does your skin no good at all is caffeine. Present in beverages like coffee, tea, hot chocolate and colas, caffeine makes skin look Tired and old, and can cause spots and oily skin. Caffiene is a diuretic which reduces hydration and depletes the body and skin of moisture. Dermal layers – epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous,internal organs, and hAir and nails need fluids to replenish cells and maintain healthy cell growth. Cut down on caffinated beverages as much is you can-is that extra cup of coffee really worth unattractive, unhealthy skin?

Alcohol is pretty bad for the skin too. You know what a hangover feels like-that's what alcohol does to your skin, making it dry, irritated and even result in vasodilatation (swollen blood vessels) which makes red veins mar the surface of the skin.

Salt is another ingredient that can harm you skin. Salty foods taste great, but what is the effect on your skin? Salt causes tissues to swell, and the subsequent deflating results in less elastic skin. Have you noticed how your face gets puffed up if you've eaten too many salty snacks theprevious day?

Processed meats are another kind of food that your skin would be glad to avoid. The salt and preservatives in these meats leach moisture from your skin, leaving it dull and lifeless.

It's important to avoid junk food-cut them out from your diet and see how much better your skin looks!

Good Skin Foods

On the other hand, foods that do your skin a whole lot of good are fresh fruits and vegetables and of course, plenty of water. The vitamins and minerals found in foods like onions, eggs, asparagus and garlic help maintain skin smoothness. Beta carotene is good too-it's found in yellow or orange vegetables like carrots, peppers and squashes.

The Five Worst Foods Foods For Your Skin

Natural Food Sources of Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen

Got a wrinkle to fill? You could fill that wrinkle with injections of bovine collagen or hyaluronic acid. Yet, is there anyway to smooth out wrinkles without jabbing your skin with needles?

Natural Food Sources of Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen

Natural Food Sources of Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen

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Natural Food Sources of Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen

Natural Food Sources of Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen

You can avoid the need for the needle by optimizing your estrogen levels. While estrogen influences numerous aspects of our health, from the developMent of breast cancer to the developMent of a fetus, estrogen also determines the moisture and collagen level of our skin as we age.

Studies published by n. Grossman in the "Acta Pharmacol Toxicol" established the link between estrogen and collagen. Estrogen boosts the skin's moisture content by increasing the amount of hyaluronic acid in the skin.

Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the body. One of hyaluronic acid's primary Jobsis to make the skin firm and provide support for the collagen and elastin fibers that give skin a firm, youthful appearance.

You can potentially increase that amount of hyaluronic acid in your skin by increasing your intake of estrogen. For example, animal studies show that soy isoflavones protect skin against sun damage and may increase production of hyaluronic acid.
Soy dishes come in a variety of options. From soy tofu soy protein shakes to incarnations of soy Food are endless.

While eating your way to a firmer face, you don't want to overlook vitamin C While vitamin C remains a potent antioxidant, it also helps your body to produce collagen.

Even though vitamin c's beauty potential is loudly touted by the media, 33% of the US population is not gettingenough vitamin C according to a 2005 survey done by the U.S. Agricultural Research Service's Food Surveys Research Group.

You can enjoy vitamin C in foods like broccoli, red or green peppers, strawberries, oranges and Brussels spouts.

Eating vitamin C and optimizing your estrogen levels are just one step in a series of things you can do to slow down the aging process. One simple tip to keep your anti-aging regiMen working is to ask yourself each time you eat, "Is this food protecting me from free radials and allowing my body to repAir itself, or causing more free radial damage?" This way you're sure to be eating your way to more youthful skin.

Natural Food Sources of Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen

Date-A Wonder Fruit of Arabia

Dates are the fruits of the date palm tree which is a Food of high nutritional value. They are used abundantly in the month of Ramadan when Muslims Fast from dawn to dusk. The sweetness of the date takes the edge off hunger and this is another reason why Fasts are opened with dates. This prevents a person from overeating after he has opened his fast.

Date-A Wonder Fruit of Arabia

Date-A Wonder Fruit of Arabia

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Date-A Wonder Fruit of Arabia

Date-A Wonder Fruit of Arabia

Dates contain calcium, sulphur, iron, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, copper, magnesium, volatile oils, Vitamin-B6, folic acid, Potassium, Iron and Magnesium, proteins, sugars, vitamins and are rich in natural fibers which contribute to a healthy body and mind.

Dates provides natural sugar in the form of glucose and fructose which is ready for immediate absorption and is infinitely superior toto cane-sugar.

Eating dates has great benefits which can be illustrated as follows:

Prevents Cancer: Dates are very nutritious and contain natural fibres. Modern medicine has shown that they are effective in preventing abdominal cancer. Bedouin Arabs In general, who eat them on a regular basis, show an extremely low incidence rate of cancer.

Weak heart: Dates are an excellent remedy for weak heart. Dates soaked overnight should be taken twice a week which strengthens the heart.
Bedouin Arabs who regularly consume dates have shown an extremely low rate of heart disease.

TreatMent for Obesity: The wide variety of nutritious eleMents in dates makes it hunger-resistive! I know treatMent by eating a few dates when feeling hungry helps reduce hunger and befilled. These dates will provide the body with the necessary sugar and stimulate the internal unrest which reduce hunger greatly, and eventually, reduce Food consumption.

Eases child-birth: Eating dates eases the pain of childbirth. Scientifically they are known to contain hormones which strengthen the uterus, help produce milk for nursing mothers and also prevent blood loss after childbirth. (The ripe fruit contains a substance that uterine spasms urges and increases contractions especially in the time of delivery. This resembles ' substance ' that oxytocin is secreted by the pituitary gland, which encourages contractions of the uterus. Dates contain some stimulants which strengthen the muscles of the uterus in the last months of pregNancy. This helps the dilation of the uterus at thetime of delivery and reduces post-natal bleeding).

Ideal for breast-feeding mothers: Dieticians consider dates the best Food for breast-feeding mothers. This is because dates contain eleMents that assist in alleviating depression and enrich the breast milk with the nutrients needed to make the child healthy and resistant to disease.

Bones: Calcium is important for strong bones, so this is an additional benefit that dates provide. As dates are rich in calcium, they contribute to healthy bones. For this reason it is recommended that children and older adults, especially women, eat plenty of dates to strengthen their bones.

Modern science has also proved the effectiveness of dates, in preventing diseases of the respiratory system.

Intestinal Disturbances: Eating datesin the morning on an empty stomach kills intestinal worms and other parasites, for dates have an antidotal potency which restrains their growth. According to Metchnikoff, a great Russian scientist, liberal use of dates keeps in check the growth of pathological organisms and helps to establish a colony of friendly bacteria in the intestines.

Improves Eye sight: Dates are also important in maintaining good vision and are effective in guarding against night blindness.

Cures constipation: Dates are also highly beneficial in the treatment of constipation as the roughage provided by it stimulates sluggish bowels. They should be immersed in water at night and taken after making them into fine syrup the next morning to secure laxative effect.

Remedy for Sexual Debility: Datesyrup can be used as a treatment for weak heart. It can also be use for the treatment of sexual weakness. When it's mixed with milk and honey, dates can be used as a tonic for the treatment of sexual disturbances for both sexes. And strengthens the body such syrup and raises its energy levels. The elderly would benefit from this syrup too. It improves their stamina and purges their bodies from the toxins that have accumulated in their cells along the years.

Remedy for Liver and Inflammations: Dates remedy Lever and purge it from toxins, Breaking the fast with dates, is one of the most magnificent of natural remedies for the maintenance and purging the Lever from accumulated toxins. And also drinking dates juice could be used in the treatment of sore throat, various types offever, rhinorrhia and common cold.

Remedy for Intoxication: Dates are an excellent remedy for alcoholic intoxication. In such a case, drinking water in which fresh dates have been rubbed or soaked will bring quick relief

Children's Disease: Dates tied to a Wrist of the baby and allowed to be sucked during teething period hardens the gums and also prevents other complaints like restlessness and diarrhea.

In short, one sentence date satisfies the minimum requirements of a balanced and healthy diet-know cultivating a healthy habit of eating dates miraculously preserves our health and attains longevity.

Date-A Wonder Fruit of Arabia

How to Lose Belly Fat Via the Fruits and Vegetables Diet

Fruits and vegetables may be the best thing to help you lose weight. To try To stop those hunger pangs from your stomach in the middle of the night fruits , these will be the best answer. And for those who do not take vegetables, how do you expect to lose your belly fat?

How to Lose Belly Fat Via the Fruits and Vegetables Diet

How to Lose Belly Fat Via the Fruits and Vegetables Diet

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How to Lose Belly Fat Via the Fruits and Vegetables Diet

How to Lose Belly Fat Via the Fruits and Vegetables Diet

But I am not suggesting that you turn vegetarian straight away after reading this article, but I do hope that you will increase your intake of these powerhouse Foods. Together, combined with other diet routines, you may lose weight naturally, and easily.

First of all, you should note that these plant Foods are low-calorie, low-fat and extremely filling. And if you get them fresh from your organic supermarket or farm, you can be sure that you're not ingesting any processedingredients or chemicals.

All of these Foods contain unique basics that can significantly reduce the risk of cancer. These natural bioactive compounds are found only in plant foods, and work with nutrients and dietary fiber to protect against disease.

Secondly, you should consume a wide variety of colorful fruits and veggies to reap these health benefits. Because these basics work better together, you can fight disease better by eating different kinds of vegetables than compared to eating only one kind.

In fact, different basics have protective effects on different parts of the body. Recent studies show that there is emerging evidence to suggest that these nutrients slow down the process of brain-ageing, and can improvecognitive functions such as memory.

To keep track of which fruits and vegetables are better choices, separate them by colors of the edible portion. Just follow this simple list below to choose the right foods and boost your health!

White
Eat cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage instead of radish, potatoes or bean sprouts.

Red
Choose tomatoes, red peppers and strawberries more often than apples or watermelon.

Yellow/Orange
Select rock melons, papayas, mangoes, oranges, pineapples, carrots and starfruit, pumpkin instead of corn or bananas.

Green
Go for darker green varieties such as spinach, broccoli and kiwifruit Commission which are more nutrient-dense than lettuce or pear.

How to Lose Belly Fat Via the Fruits and Vegetables Diet