SHIMPAKU (Juniperus chinesis)

Summary

Shimpaku is also known as the Chinese Juniper, an excellent choice for bonsai. This evergreen is highly tolerant of various soil types. Interesting, Shimpaku is also dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female plants. This naturally, irregular shaped tree that grows in mound shape. The nice thing about using the Shimpaku tree for bonsai is the year round foliage with dark, green needles, beautiful to look at and soft to touch.

Because the Shimpaku is so easy to grow and maintain, it is perfect for beginner bonsai growers. With more than 500 species of evergreen in the Juniper category, you will certainly find the exact one that suits your needs. Typically, the Shimpaku tree in Japan has been collected from mountains, dating back more than two centuries.

Proper Care

The Shimpaku does best in full sun although those with scale-like foliage do like a little bit of shade. In the winter, you want to protect the Shimpaku from frost. When growing this type of tree indoors, the key is to make sure the tree has lots of good lighting, excellent humidity, and adequate air circulation. Without this, you would have a very difficult time growing it.

To water the Shimpaku, you want to keep the soil barely moist. Watering too much could lead to root rot, which is a problem the Shimpaku is prone to developing. In addition, you should mist the foliage several times a week to help keep pores free from dust in that this tree needs to breathe. To feed this bonsai tree, you want fertilizer every other week, containing high nitrogen. This should be done from the early part of spring to midsummer. Then from late summer through the winter months, feed the Shimpaku with low nitrogen fertilizer.

The Shimpaku needs to be pinched back continually throughout the growing season, helping to keep the foliage dense and compact. The key here is to use only your fingers, never scissors that would cause the foliage to turn brown. Then, do not pinch anything off one month after any visible growth is seen in late spring. Then, you want to thin out the foliage, helping to reduce the volume of older growth in the summer.

Now for repotting your Shimpaku, this should be performed every two years until the tree reaches age 10. At that point, you would only repot as needed. The best type of soil for this bonsai is soil that is free draining. Just make sure all stone or grit used in the soil mix is cleaned prior to using. This will get rid of any alkaline deposits that would cause stress to the tree.

To propagate the Shimpaku, you can air layer or use root ripe, woodcuttings in the fall. When it comes to styling for bonsai, the Shimpaku works exceptionally well with all styles with the exception of the broom. Then, this particular tree is virtually disease free. However, you would want to check occasionally for scales.

What Does it Mean to Have a Green Thumb?

Are you Green Thumb person?

Preoccupying yourself in a hobby like gardening has grown to be a feel good hobby, that involves a considerable amount of work but at the end of the day, it can be satisfying and rewarding.
Developing Green thumb
Some people indulge in it as a personal therapy and others it is the time to bond with their family but one thing is sure that each hour spent on your garden will be paid back with moments of personal delight. Want to literally develop your green thumb, herewith, are some stress free gardening tips which could be your guide:

If you think you are not gifted with a green thumb and don't know anything about growing exotic hedge plants or rare orchids, leave them to the horticultural experts. Instead, focus on basic flowering plants or put up a small herbal garden in an area in your patio or any vacant lot.

- Expand your knowledge by reading about specific temperature, soil and proper care pertinent for your plants. You can ask your friends and relatives, who can share tips about plant care. Garden shows abound during the summer and its good time to visit, learn and be inspired.

- Like any hobby, turn gardening into a passion by constantly and consistently doing it. Some consider mornings as the best times to enjoy gardening since everything is relaxed and refreshed, while others love to do it after work when they are not hurried and also to relieve stress. Set a specific schedule when you can spend a considerable amount of time and stick to it.

- The ingredients required for healthy plants include sunlight, soil and steady supply of water. While some plants require watering everyday, most plants need minimal requirements. When it comes to watering the general rule is that the soil needs to be kept lightly moist to prevent it from drying out.

- You don't need state of the art garden equipment just the basics for opening and improving, weeding and cultivating the soil. Look for spading forks, hoes, trowels, rakes, shovels and shears or clippers.

- Wash your tools before putting them away to avoid corrosion and rust. Keep your tools with cutting edges in top shape and sharpen grass cutters and keep clean always your shovels, hoes and rakes before keeping them in the storage.
Green Thumb means
-An extraordinary ability to make plants grow well.

-A person is said to have a 'green thumb' when almost any plant he/she plants will turn out to thrive well under his/her care.
Bonsai for Beginners
Bonsai for beginners is a complete introductory guide to this beautiful and fascinating art, with advice and suggestions on all aspects of bonsai, including choosing, planting, growing, shaping and maintenance, together with a directory of popular varieti

Growing bonsai is an enjoyable and rewarding pastime, and one that is popular throughout the world. Bonsai for Beginners is a complete guide to starting this fascinating hobby, and chapters cover every aspect of your bonsai, from selecting suitable plants for your climate, through healthcare, styling, potting and troubleshooting to long-term development. A range of useful case studies take you through important techniques throughout the book, and a special chapter, The Bonsai School, looks at styling and development techniques in more detail, as well as providing species information on some of the major bonsai varieties.
How to care Bonsai
The bonsai trees are the miniature trees which are grown in pots or trays. Bonsai literally means bon (tray) and sai (plant). Growing bonsai trees has been an ancient art that is becoming increasingly popular with every passing day throughout the whole Wo

Bonsai must be placed in an area where enough light is available. If a bonsai fails to have enough UV rays, it dries. The bonsai needs warmth in the daytime - at least 60 degree Fahrenheit and the humidity to flourish. Regular spraying on the leaves with water is mandatory. However, bonsai can never be placed in a saucer or tray filled with water, as this can rot the roots. At night what the bonsai needs most is cooling down as it occurs in the nature as well.

Repotting of the bonsai once every two years or so is very crucial and this should be done in the spring. When the re-potting is made the roots should be pruned. Depending on the size of the roots, 1/3 to 2/3 should be removed from the tips. Repotting in a similar type of container as the original is necessary to create the same kind of effect. Drainage holes for the water must be cared of. If the roots come in close contact of much damp they will rot gradually.

Bonsai containers should be shallower than normal indoor pots used for plants. So if fertilizer is added dilution is to be accordingly otherwise the fertilizer will burn the roots. Bonsai should be fed this fertilizer about once every three weeks - but it should not be fed in winter.

Bonsai needs to be "pruned" and "pinched back" at a regular interval to keep it at the desired shape. Actually, this should be done in the spring before the season's growth begins, and then regularly throughout the season. Actually everything depends on perfect pruning .It must be taken care of what kind of tree was got before this pruning - for example, if a ficus is taken all the leaves should be cut back.

Take Care of the Bonsai to be amused

As the bonsai is kept in a shallow container, it can attract pets and prone to be diseased. Bonsai requires more care. Even more than any other plant we generally see at hand

1. The bonsai should be cleaned with a small brush on a regular basis. Any plant debris on the soil is not allowed after the finishing of pruning the bonsai.. It will decompose and hamper the growth with fungal diseases or moss.

There is a common idea that moss is decorative and is not removed. If this is the case it should be kept away it form the trunk and branches of the tree - using a special spatula, or a hard nylon toothbrush just scraping away . A pair of tweezers is needed to remove any weed and it must be remembered that any grass can steal nutrients away from the tree.

2. Pests always should be kept away. As bonsai is watered often to keep it humid, this attract

pests such as aphids (aka greenfly), caterpillars, ants and red spider mites.

Diseases to combat

Diseases like Powdery mildew are the most widespread fungus disease. If a white, floury layer on

the shoots and leaves of the tree is seen it is nothing but powdery mildew. Rust may appear as orange or brown patches on the leaves. You may be using too much potassium in the soil, if this begins to occur.

Iron deficiency will cause yellowing of the trees. The leaves or needles will turn yellow - while the veins will remain green. This usually takes place in chalky or lime soil, which "locks up" the iron.

Repot and changes in the potting compost should be done.

The four seasons to notice

Special treatments for the outdoor bonsai will need special treatment in each of the four seasons, but even the indoor bonsai needs special treatment at times, for the biological necessities, rather

than environmental ones.

There's no need to give fertilizer during the winter, for example Pruning for shape should be done in early spring, and, as stated earlier, repotting should take place in the spring of every second year, and the roots trimmed.

How to Grow Bonsai Trees From Seed

How to Grow Bonsai Trees From Seed

1.Bonsai Seeds
Collect mature bonsai seeds. If you collect your seeds from a fruit tree, you will have to plant them right away. If not, you can store them in a dark and dry area with a nice air flow. If you plant your seeds right away, remember to use an environmentally safe plastic bag as well.
2. Refrigerate your seeds before planting. You need to have your bonsai seeds in the refrigerator for about a week before you plant them. Soak them in water the night before you plant them. The ones that are the ripest will sink to the bottom. These are the ones you will have to use when planting your bonsai seeds.
3. Select a container to plant your bonsai tree in. This can be tricky because if you choose a smaller container, you will have to re-pot it quite often as it grows. Line your container with plastic and have a way for the water to drain from the container. Roots that sit in water too long will rot leaving you with a dead tree and you will have to repeat the entire process over again!
4.Add a layer of sand to your container first then cover the sand with rich potting soil. You want to choose a potting soil that is rich in nutrients and well balanced. This will ensure your bonsai tree roots will grow healthily.
5.Dig small holes in the soil using your finger then place seeds into the holes. Once you have placed the seeds in the soil you can add another layer of soil on top of the seeds.
6.Place your containers in a dry and dark area with a nice air flow as before. Be sure you cover the container with a light net material or even a cotton sheet just to keep the dust away. Using a spray water bottle, you can mist the tops of your seeds with enough water to dampen the soil. After a month or so they will start to sprout up and this is when you can move them into direct sunlight and be fertilized as well.

Stress Reduction Technique

The body’s natural relaxation response is a powerful antidote to stress. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, and yoga can help you activate this relaxation response. When practiced regularly, these activities lead to a reduction in your everyday stress levels and a boost in your feelings of joy and serenity. What’s more, they also serve a protective quality by teaching you how to stay calm and collected in the face of life’s curveballs.

Starting a relaxation practice
A variety of relaxation techniques help you achieve the relaxation response. Those whose stress-busting benefits have been widely studied include deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, visualization, yoga, and tai chi.

Learning the basics of these relaxation techniques isn’t difficult. But it takes practice to truly harness their stress-relieving power: daily practice, in fact. Most stress experts recommend setting aside at least 10 to 20 minutes a day for your relaxation practice. If you’d like to get even more stress relief, aim for 30 minutes to an hour.

Getting the most out of your relaxation practice
Set aside time in your daily schedule. The best way to start and maintain a relaxation practice is by incorporating it into your daily routine. Schedule a set time either once or twice a day for your practice. You may find that it’s easier to stick with your practice if you do it first thing in the morning, before other tasks and responsibilities get in the way.

Don’t practice when you’re sleepy. These techniques can relax you so much that they can make you very sleepy, especially if it’s close to bedtime. You will get the most out of these techniques if you practice when you’re fully awake and alert.

Choose a technique that appeals to you. There is no single relaxation technique that is best. When choosing a relaxation technique, consider your specific needs, preferences, and fitness level. The right relaxation technique is the one that resonates with you and fits your lifestyle.

Hot Cocoa

Hot cocoa is a deliciously warm and comforting drink that I like to serve with lots of little white marshmallows floating on top. Unlike hot chocolate that combines milk with semisweet chocolate, Hot Cocoa starts with good unsweetened cocoa powder combined with sugar and just enough milk or cream to make a smooth paste. Then hot milk (skim, 2%, or whole) is added to this cocoa paste and stirred until it is thoroughly blended. Sometimes I like to place the hot cocoa in a blender (or you can use an immersion blender) to make it nice and foamy. Finish your hot cocoa without a large handful of marshmallows (store bought or homemade) or else a dollop of whipped cream.
You may not know it but cocoa powder was invented back in the early 1800s by a Dutchman named Coenraad Van Houten. He made a press that could extract the cocoa butter from the chocolate liquor, leaving a dry cake. This cake was further dried and processed to become unsweetened cocoa powder. Van Houten then went on to discover that if the unsweetened cocoa powder was treated with an alkaline solution it produced a cocoa powder that was darker in color and softer in flavor than what he began with. It became known as 'Dutch-processed' cocoa powder. The reason I tell this story is Dutch-processed cocoa powder is what I use to make my hot cocoa. While you could use regular unsweetened cocoa powder I find the flavor of Dutch-processed makes for a mild yet flavorful drink. Droste is the brand I use and you can sometimes find it in grocery stores, or else at specialty food stores or on line.

Hot Cocoa: Place the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until it is nice and hot.

Meanwhile in your mug or cup, make a paste with the cocoa powder, sugar, and cream. Pour the hot milk into the cocoa paste and stir until combined and smooth. You can place the hot cocoa in your blender (or use an immersion blender) to make it nice and foamy.

Garnish with marshmallows or softly whipped cream.

Makes 1 - 8 ounce (240 ml) serving.


Hot Cocoa Recipe:

3/4 cup (180 ml) milk (skim, 2%, or whole)

1 tablespoon Dutch-processed cocoa powder (I use Droste of Valrhona)

1 tablespoon granulated white sugar

2 tablespoons of cream or milk

For Garnish:

Marshmallows or softly whipped cream

Sources

Bigelow, Fran. 'Pure Chocolate'. New York: Broadway Books.: 2004.

Bloom, Carole, 'All About Chocolate'. New York: MacMillan, Inc.: 1998.

Rinzler, Carol Ann. 'The Book of Chocolate'. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1977.

Singapore Opportunities

Singapore, the smallest country in SoutheastAsia, has a highly developed market-based economy. One of the “ Four Asian Tigers”. A well-developed country and considered as one of the best destinations for Filipinos seeking opportunities abroad.

One of the main reason to land a job in Singapore is the salary which is much higher compared to our country and other foreign countries. If you finished a bachelor degree you will enjoy the monthly minimum income of Singapore Dollar SGD 1, 800 exchange rate in Philippines of SG$1 IS Php29. Around Php 50, 000 plus. But the salary has no limit you can earn thousands , it depends on your position and expertise. For IT’s they could reallyget a high paying job.

Another reason is easy access.From Philippines you only need to travel 3 hours with air fare ranging from Php 2000 To Php 5000. Regardless of other expenses upon staying in Singapore, going there is not so expensive. Since Singapore is an ASEAN country member, visa is not needed. Just take note the two things you need to have- your Passport, and your Plane Ticket.

You can go to Singapore by lack, by chances. You can use a tourist pass.In most cases immigration personnel will grant a 1 month stay and you can ask more extension of another 1 month. In this given period of time you can look and apply for a job. For longer period you can apply a social visit pass or the EPEC (Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate). In Singapore most job opportunities are online. Just be sure you’re already in Singapore once you applied, so that your application will not be wasted. Much more you are not binded to a contract, after 6 months of good performance you become a regular employee. You can then apply for Permanent Residence Pass. If it is approved you can now bring your whole family to live there. Canadian citizenship can be attained if you stay for consecutive two years.

Singapore has a tropical rainforest climate so basically Filipinos could adjust and adapt easily the climate. For our Filipino workers climate is not a threat. Singapore also is considered as the most clean country. So when it comes to health, staying there is not a problem.

For Filipinos seeking for greener pastures, Singapore is one of the best choice today. Always consider a country having a good economy, this could give you a more promising future, not only for you but for your family. All you have to do is to grab all the chances once you’re there never waste your time, specially if you have no job yet. Prepare necessary documents needed in applying the job. Work hard, to earn big in Singapore.

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Cake Decorating Ideas | Free Tips, Techniques and How to Videos

Cake Decorating Ideas | Free Tips, Techniques and How to Videos

Cake Decorating 101

Think great cake decorating is only for the really talented? Well we disagree! You, (with a little know how and practice) can decorate beautiful cakes that will impress your family and friends. Even experts and professionals should revisit the basics from time to time. We’ll cover the tools, supplies and design ideas you need to get started.

Advanced Cake Decorating Tips & Techniques

As your confidence as a cake decorator grows, so too does your arsenal of decoration tricks – pretty soon people are asking you to make cakes for their weddings, anniversaries and birthdays.

A neatly iced sponge with a sugar flower on top is hardly going to cut it for such extravagant occasions, no sir. To be crowned an advanced cake decorator, you’re going to have to pull out the big guns. Create the monster truck of decorated cakes. The Super Bowl of sugar-coated perfection.

Luckily for you there are a raft of tips and techniques that you can take on board to create an edible masterpiece.

How to Raise the Bar

There are certain extra details that turn a nicely decorated cake into an absolute monument. And for those who have perfected the basics of cake decorating, you will be surprised how little extra effort is actually required to produce the variety of cake that even a pastry chef would be proud of.

Fondant Flowers

Make unique fondant flowers to match the theme of your cake and you will graduate from icing amateur to sugar paste ace overnight.

Start out perfecting the basics of:

• Daffodils
• Sunflowers
• Mushrooms and
• Petal Dust

To mold these little marvels make sure your toolbox includes:

• Flower formers
• Petal cutters
• A fondant rolling pin
• Fondant shaping foam
• Several small artist brushes

Cake Tiers

Big really is best when it comes to building a cake that will be the pièce de résistance of a special occasion. The trick to building a strong tier cake is hinged upon some very basic foundations:

1. Ensure your cake is firm, not airy – this may take some serious baking practice, trial and error.
2. Cut the layers evenly – be very precise. The baked top and bottom of the cake should be trimmed off to remove any bowing that occurred in baking.
3. Don’t overfill – if using filling ensure it is thin and evenly spread. Otherwise you will notice a Leaning Tower of Pisa effect.
4. Always ice each layer on a flat surface and wait until entirely set before attempting to tier it.
5. Use pillars – when starting out it is often a good idea to use cake pillars to help you stack tiers.

Crumb Coat

And oldie but a goodie. Frost the first layer of your cake with a thin covering of butter cream icing to smooth off the crumbs and then refrigerate it for 1-2 hours. This will provide you with a great foundation for an advanced cake.

Decorating Turntable

When icing your cake, ensure you do so on a turntable, otherwise known as a “Lazy Susan”. This will allow you to spin your cake while icing and ensure that you do not lift your spatula off the cake and ice with upward motions.

Practice

Really does make perfect in the world of cake decoration:

• Practice baking a cake that can withstand tiering.
• Practice evening out your layering.
• Practice icing on a turntable.
• Practice using your spatula without lifting it off the cake while icing.
• Practice making fondant flowers until there is little difference between your designs and the real thing.

Cake Decorating Tips & Techniques Video

Today we’re going to be talking about cake decorating. Our theme is going to be, “How to make roses.” Now we’re going to make the rose. I have a rose nail in my hand and I want you to watch as I turn that carefully when I make the rose. One of the thing you want to do when you make the rose in have a place to build up on your pattern so that the rose stands up.

You do that with a pumping action, going up and down. And what your going to try to do is make you rose a little bit higher that the other flowers that you have. In order to make the rose it’s real simple. You pump frosting onto your rose nail. And once you get the icing pumped, then you begin to make little petals by making a circular motion back and forth.

Watch what I do. You start with the wide tip facing down and push the icing over and come down. Go back, come over and come down, back over and come down and back over and come down. And there is your rose.

Now you need to take this rose off, so if you have a spatula, just slide it under the rose very carefully and put it on the little mound that you made for it. So let’s take a look and do one more.

Remember, we’re going to pump, get the icing built up and then we’re going to go back and forth. Start back, pull it over and go around. Your spinning the wheel as your turning the rose.