Keeping Tortoise's

Keeping a tortoise as a pet requires careful consideration of their habitat, diet, and overall well-being to ensure they thrive in captivity. Tortoises are reptiles known for their longevity and require specialized care to mimic their natural environment as closely as possible.

**Habitat:**

A tortoise habitat, often called a tortoise table or enclosure, should provide enough space for the tortoise to move around comfortably. It should include a substrate that mimics their natural environment, such as a mix of soil, sand, and peat moss. The enclosure should also have hiding spots, such as rocks or hollow logs, where the tortoise can retreat when feeling stressed or seeking privacy.

**Temperature and Lighting:**

Maintaining the right temperature and lighting is crucial for a tortoise's health. Tortoises need a basking spot with a temperature ranging from 85-95°F (29-35°C) during the day, which can be achieved using a heat lamp or ceramic heat emitter. At night, temperatures can drop to 70-75°F (21-24°C). UVB lighting is essential for tortoises to metabolize calcium properly, aiding in shell growth and overall health. Ensure the UVB lamp covers the entire enclosure and replace it every six months, as UVB output decreases over time.

**Diet:**

A well-balanced diet is key to keeping a tortoise healthy. Their diet should consist of dark, leafy greens like dandelion greens, collard greens, and kale, along with occasional fruits like strawberries and apples as treats. Avoid feeding them iceberg lettuce as it lacks nutritional value. It's also essential to provide a calcium supplement to prevent shell deformities.

**Hydration:**

Tortoises need access to fresh water for drinking and soaking. Provide a shallow dish of water that's easily accessible for them to drink from and soak in. Soaking helps keep their skin hydrated and aids in digestion.

**Health Care:**

Regularly monitor your tortoise's health by observing its behavior, appetite, and shell condition. If you notice any changes or signs of illness, consult a reptile veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.

In summary, keeping a tortoise requires creating a suitable habitat with the right temperature, lighting, diet, hydration, and regular health monitoring to ensure their well-being and longevity in captivity.

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Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina)

 Propagating Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina) in water is a simple and effective method to grow new plants. Here's a guide on how to do it:

1. **Choose Healthy Cuttings:** Select a healthy stem from the parent plant. Make sure it has at least two nodes (where leaves are attached) along its length. Nodes are crucial as they contain the cells that will develop into roots.

2. **Prepare the Cutting:** Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut the stem right below a node. Remove any leaves from the lower node to prevent them from rotting underwater.

3. **Place in Water: I used a bought a Propogation Station by Better Homes and Garden (see pic).  Submerge the cut end of the stem into the water, ensuring that the node is fully covered. You can place multiple cuttings in the same container if you have several to propagate.

4. **Light and Location:** Place the Station under grow light, I got one for $5.00 at a discount shop, Avoid direct sunlight as it can heat up the water and potentially harm the cutting. A windowsill with filtered sunlight is ideal.

5. **Monitor and Change Water:** Check the water level regularly and top it up as needed to keep the node submerged. Change the water every few days to prevent stagnation and the growth of mold or algae.

6. **Root Development:** Over the next few weeks, you should start to see roots forming from the node submerged in water. Once the roots are a few inches long and well-developed, you can transplant the cutting into a pot with well-draining soil.

7. **Transplanting:** Prepare a small pot with a well-draining potting mix suitable for indoor plants. Gently remove the cutting from the water, taking care not to damage the delicate roots. Plant the cutting in the soil, burying the roots and the lower node, leaving the upper part of the stem above the soil line.

8. **Care after Transplanting:** After transplanting, water the soil lightly to settle it around the roots. Place the newly potted plant in a location with bright, indirect light, and continue to water it when the top inch of soil feels dry.

By following these steps, you can successfully propagate Wandering Jew in water and enjoy growing new plants from cuttings.

Wysteria

Wisteria is a beautiful and popular flowering vine known for its cascading clusters of fragrant, lavender, blue, or white flowers. It's a woody vine that can grow vigorously, often reaching great heights and widths, making it an excellent choice for pergolas, trellises, and arbors. There are two main species of wisteria: Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) and Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda), both of which are commonly grown in gardens and landscapes.

Planting wisteria from seed can be a rewarding but somewhat challenging process. Here are the steps to follow:

1. **Seed Collection:** Collect wisteria seeds from mature pods in late summer or early fall when the pods begin to dry and turn brown. The seeds are usually found inside the pods and may need to be extracted carefully. 

2. **Seed Preparation:** Soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours to soften the hard seed coat and improve germination rates. Some gardeners also scarify the seeds by gently scratching the seed coat to further enhance germination.

3. **Germination Medium:** Choose a well-draining potting mix or seed starting mix for germinating wisteria seeds. Fill small pots or seed trays with the chosen medium, leaving some space at the top.

4. **Planting:** Plant the wisteria seeds about 1 inch deep in the germination medium. Water the soil lightly to moisten it, but avoid overwatering as this can lead to rotting.

5. **Location and Temperature:** Place the pots or trays in a warm, bright location with indirect sunlight. Ideal temperatures for germinating wisteria seeds are between 65-75°F (18-24°C).

6. **Watering and Care:** Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the germination process. Mist the soil lightly if it starts to dry out. It may take several weeks to a few months for the wisteria seeds to germinate, so be patient.

7. **Transplanting:** Once the wisteria seedlings have developed several sets of true leaves and are strong enough, they can be transplanted into larger containers or directly into the garden. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil for planting wisteria outdoors.

8. **Support and Training:** As the wisteria plant grows, provide it with a sturdy support structure such as a trellis or arbor. Train the vines to climb the support using ties or gentle guidance.

9. **Maintenance:** Wisteria plants require regular pruning to control their growth, promote flowering, and maintain a tidy appearance. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

By following these steps and providing the right conditions, you can successfully grow wisteria from seed and enjoy its stunning blooms in your garden.

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