If you want your clivia (Clivia miniata), you don’t need any gardening training, just a little knowledge about its origins and requirements. The clivia – also known as strap leaf comes from South Africa and is one of the most popular flowering houseplants. With its strong, overhanging leaves and bright orange-red flowers, it adds tropical flair to your home all year round.

This is the right location

For your clivia to thrive, it needs a bright spot without direct sunlight. It is best to place it in an east or west-facing window. In summer, it loves fresh air – a balcony or terrace are ideal summer quarters. But beware: during flowering, the clivia does not like changing locations. Mark the pot so that you can realign it exactly every time you put it back. This way you avoid flower drop.

Substrate and pot

Don’t skimp on the substrate: Use a nutrient-rich, loamy and well-drained soil with a pH value of around 6. A small, heavy pot prevents the clivia from tipping over – because its fleshy roots grow vigorously in width. Repotting is only necessary every three to four years when the roots reach the soil surface. Be particularly careful not to damage the delicate roots.

Water and fertilize correctly

Keep the root ball evenly moist, but avoid waterlogging. In winter, give the plant a rest: water sparingly so that the root ball remains almost dry. From March, the clivia will enjoy more water again – and regular fertilizer applications. A liquid fertilizer every two weeks from spring to autumn is completely sufficient.

No flowering without a cold shock

Many hobby gardeners despair because their clivia simply won’t flower. The reason is simple: the plant needs a cold stimulus. From October, place them in a cool place with temperatures between 10 and 12 degrees for at least two months. This “winter rest” stimulates flower formation – and you will be rewarded with magnificent umbels in spring.

Klivie propagation made easy

After flowering, the clivia forms so-called sprouts – small daughter plants that you carefully separate when repotting. Place them in pots with a well-drained substrate and put them in a bright spot. After a few weeks, they will form their own roots – and you will soon have a new, flowering plant.

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Caring for Klivie is worth it!

If you want to look after your clivia, the most important things are light, rest and the right soil. With a little patience and the necessary cold stimulus in winter, your clivia will reward you with bright flowers every year. And best of all, the clivia is robust, easy to care for and hardly ever sick. A perfect plant for anyone who loves beauty without stress.

Source: My beautiful garden

Hobby gardeners have to protect their beloved plants from various pests all year round. Fungus gnats and aphids are particularly common. But there are also small whiteflies that infest your houseplants, herbs or vegetable plants. Find out what you need to know about the so-called moth scale insect and how to combat it.

Recognize moth scale insects

The small white flies are closely related to aphids and scale insects and have nothing to do with the classic fly. A distinction is made between the greenhouse moth scale and the cotton moth scale. Both species occur mainly in greenhouses or indoors, but in rare cases also outdoors, e.g. on balconies. The aphids are 2 to 3 mm in size – with their milky white wings, the females resemble moths, which is where the name comes from.

Both the larvae and adult moth scale insects damage your plants through their sucking activities. This also transmits viruses. In addition, the pests excrete honeydew, which makes your plants susceptible to fungal infestation. Yellow, falling leaves, growth disorders and fruit deformities are the result.

Which plants are particularly at risk?

The following plants are considered particularly endangered:

• Basil and other herbs (also in the home)
• Money tree
• Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Beans
• Cabbage
• Fuchsias
• Gerbera
• Geraniums

The insects can only survive for a short time at temperatures around freezing point. However, they find optimal living conditions in the greenhouse, in the home or anywhere where high temperatures prevail. Incidentally, the females lay up to 400 eggs in their short, four-week life. These are elongated-oval and white to yellowish-green in color. Especially in warm places, the small whiteflies have the ideal conditions to multiply rapidly. All the more reason to combat them as quickly as possible.

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Fighting small whiteflies

The first step, of course, is to prevent a pest infestation. Insect hotels in the garden and beneficial insects, such as ladybugs or spiders, can help you to keep the pests away. If necessary, you can strengthen your plants with tansy tea or nettle slurry. Also make sure to ventilate your home and greenhouse regularly and check your plants for pests from time to time. However, preventative measures are not always successful or you may bring the moth scale insects into your home, greenhouse or garden via newly purchased plants. Various methods have proven successful in combating the small whiteflies.

• Yellow tablets 🛒 attract the pests. They stick to them and eventually die.
• Rapeseed oil 🛒 or Neem products 🛒 are also suitable for controlling the moth scale insect. Make sure you also treat the underside of the leaves and repeat the application regularly. You should mix rapeseed oil with a little water before use.
• Ichneumon wasps 🛒 are particularly helpful in the greenhouse or in the home to control pests.
• Predatory bugs are also effective. It is best to give them grain moth eggs as food so that they do not accidentally damage your plants.
• Certain plants, such as the poison berry or the Blue lantern flower effectively control the pests within a radius of six square meters. The little beasts die when they suck on these plants.
• After successful pest control, it is advisable to change the substrate for houseplants.

Do without pesticides

The use of pesticides should really only be considered in an absolute emergency. Such products can cause considerable harm to the beneficial insects in your garden. First try the means and methods listed here to get rid of the small whiteflies for good. Good luck!

Source: meinschoenergarten

The links marked with the shopping cart 🛒 are affiliate links. The products are researched to the best of our authors’ knowledge and some are also recommended from personal experience. If you click on such an affiliate link and buy something through it, our editorial team will receive a small commission from the online store in question. For you as a user, the price does not change and there are no additional costs. The income helps us to offer you high-quality, entertaining journalism free of charge.

The introduction of the organic waste garbage can was a good idea for several reasons. The separately collected organic waste automatically produces compost – the perfect natural fertilizer. Valuable biogas can also be produced from the biowaste. According to the Federal Ministry for the Environment, biowaste accounts for around a third of all waste. So there is great green potential.

But here’s the big but: organic waste often contains non-recyclable materials, known as mis-waste. Glass jars with food scraps, plastic, baby diapers or cat litter often end up in organic waste by mistake. If the proportion in a batch is too high, the entire organic waste must be incinerated. This is not only harmful to the environment, but also expensive.

What’s behind the new organic waste garbage can law

From May 1, 2025, a law is therefore to provide a remedy. More precisely, the so-called “minor” amendment to the Biowaste Ordinance of 2022 is to be extended. The new regulation will initially have a direct impact on waste disposal companies. They are the ones who are in breach of the new law if too many of the aforementioned incorrect throws are made. Under the new law, they will soon be allowed to reject biowaste containing more than three percent foreign matter.

In other words, if the waste collection service discovers that you have separated your organic waste incorrectly or too uncleanly, they will in future simply leave your organic waste garbage can where it is – and only take it away once it has been properly separated. Not a pleasant task. And if you’re now thinking that nobody can check this properly anyway, then you’re unfortunately misinformed.

You could face these fines

Waste collection vehicles don’t just sift through your garbage can. Their vehicles also have special detectors that recognize metals in organic waste, for example. In such cases, the collection vehicle automatically blocks the garbage can from being emptied.

It’s not just that the organic waste garbage can is left on your doorstep and causes a stench – the costs for disposal could also skyrocket. The fines for waste offenses vary depending on the municipality, but the law provides for penalties of up to 2,500 euros. To avoid this, you should find out exactly what you can and cannot put in your organic waste garbage can.

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What belongs in the organic waste garbage can and what doesn’t

This waste is allowed in the organic waste garbage can, for example:

• Vegetable waste
• Leftover food (preferably wrapped in newspaper)
• Fish, meat and food scraps (also spoiled)
• Egg shells
• dead plants and plant remains
• Flowers, leaves and grass clippings
• Coffee grounds, used filters and tea bags

Plastic bags, coffee capsules, stones, jars with leftover food, packaged food, diapers or tampons, on the other hand, have no place there. It is also good to know that the regulations may vary slightly from region to region. Basically, however, the rules are similar everywhere.

Many local authorities also offer special bags for larger quantities of garden waste. If you live in an apartment building and are responsible for the garden, you should consider this offer. After all, the neighbors are usually less than pleased if they can no longer throw their organic waste in the garbage can because of the garden waste.

Source: myhomebook, t-online

With the start of the warm season, the first mosquitoes are already on the move. The blood-sucking pests that can really spoil your evening in summer or buzz around your head at night and rob you of your sleep have probably not been missed by anyone. All the worse that a NABU expert is now warning of a mosquito plague in summer 2025. Read here what’s behind this prediction.

Is there a threat of a mosquito plague this summer?

The south and southwest of Germany in particular are currently experiencing ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes – after weeks of rain, it is now warm and summery. “All the rain has created pools or puddles that are ideal for laying eggs,” NABU expert Julian Heiermann told t-online. According to the expert, it could be a very mosquito-filled summer – a mosquito plague is imminent!

The short, mild winter was also favorable to the pests. In spring, it was initially dry in many places and the animals hardly laid any eggs. However, the insect expert knows that the mosquitoes will be able to catch up by now at the latest. The pools of water that have formed as a result of the rain do not dry out immediately, even at higher temperatures. This means that the brood has a good chance of surviving in these places.

The blood-sucking pests that make life difficult for humans and animals in summer are exclusively female mosquitoes. They need the protein contained in blood to form and lay eggs after fertilization. This means that mosquitoes cannot reproduce without blood. But wouldn’t that be a real relief in summer?

Mosquitoes are important for the ecosystem

As annoying as the biting pests are, NABU also informs us that mosquitoes make a crucial contribution to our ecosystem. Mosquitoes and their larvae are important prey for other animals, such as fish, amphibians, dragonflies and birds. If mosquitoes were to disappear from the ecosystem, this would also have far-reaching consequences for other animals.

Did you know that mosquitoes also make an important contribution to the pollination of plants? Mosquito expert Doreen Werner told t-online: “Everyone always talks about bees and bumblebees. But the large mass of mosquitoes and flies do about the same amount of pollination.” According to the expert, midge larvae living in the soil also help with the decomposition of leaves and contribute to the formation of humus.

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Nature created mosquitoes for a reason – you should always keep this in mind, even if you are threatened by a mosquito plague this summer. Maybe you’ll be lucky and the biting pests will leave you in peace for the most part. Otherwise, here are 6 preventative home remedies to ward off mosquitoes.

Source: t-online

Fleece jackets are perfect for sports or outdoor activities. However, this is precisely why they need to be washed often. If you make mistakes here, this can lead to your jacket losing its functionality, becoming deformed or simply becoming unsightly. With the right tricks, however, your fleece jacket will stay in top shape for a long time – cozy, soft, dimensionally stable and breathable. Here you can find out how to wash your fleece jacket correctly. Without damaging it.

Why does fleece need special care?

Fleece is made of synthetic fibers that have been specially developed to store heat, transport moisture to the outside and dry quickly. However, the material is susceptible to pilling (the formation of small pills on the surface) and can lose its insulating properties if not cared for properly.

Environmental friendliness also plays a role when washing fleece: as it is a synthetic fiber, microplastic particles are released during washing, which can end up in the environment via waste water. However, with the right washing methods, you can protect your jacket and extend its lifespan.

How to wash a fleece jacket

Before you put your fleece jacket in the washing machine, take a look at the care label. Here you will find information on the recommended washing temperature and whether your jacket is machine washable or only hand washable.

Also close all zippers and Velcro fasteners before washing so that they do not damage other parts of the jacket or other items of clothing during washing. Turn the jacket inside out to protect the delicate outer surface from abrasion. If you are washing several fleece items at once, separate them from garments with rough surfaces such as jeans or jackets with zippers to prevent pilling.

The right wash cycle

Fleece should always be washed at low temperatures, ideally at 30 degrees. Use a delicate or gentle wash program with a reduced spin speed (maximum 800 revolutions per minute) to protect the fabric.

Use a mild liquid detergent that is suitable for delicate materials. Avoid powder detergents as they can leave residues. Fabric softener is absolutely taboo for fleece, as it settles on the fibers and impairs their breathability and insulating properties.

Drying instructions: Do not tumble dry

Proper drying is essential after washing. Take the fleece jacket out of the washing machine immediately so that no creases or odors form.

Then lay it flat on a clean towel and allow it to air dry. Do not hang them directly on the washing line as this can stretch the fabric. You should also protect the jacket from direct sunlight or the proximity of a radiator, as heat stresses the fabric and can change its properties.

Fleece jackets should never be tumble dried. The heat can shrink them and damage the structure of the fibers.

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Preventing and removing pilling

Despite proper care, pilling can occur in fleece jackets. This does not impair its function, but can look unattractive. To prevent pilling, avoid contact with rough surfaces or abrasive items of clothing in the washing machine.

By the way: The best way to remove small pills is with a special lint shaver 🛒 or a sweater comb. This will keep your fleece jacket smooth and looking like new.

Source: fragteamclean

The links marked with the shopping cart 🛒 are affiliate links. The products are researched to the best of our authors’ knowledge and some are also recommended based on personal experience. If you click on such an affiliate link and buy something through it, our editorial team will receive a small commission from the online store in question. For you as a user, the price does not change and there are no additional costs. The income helps us to offer you high-quality, entertaining journalism free of charge.