Brand new house. Can't stand the floors!
Nischa Nischa
6 years ago
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sheloveslayouts
6 years agoingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Brand new ivy plant and spider mites.... (I just can't win)
Comments (5)Ivy-like plants that are less prone to spider mites. Hmmm. Well, Senecio macroglossus (cape ivy) looks very much like English ivy (Hedera helix), and isn't particularly attractive to mites, but it has a whole set of other problems that don't make it significantly easier, and it's not all that widely available. Hedera canariensis (Algerian ivy) looks like a very big version of H. helix. It's not as attractive to mites, but you still have to watch carefully for them (I recently lost my plant to mites because I didn't notice quickly enough what was going on.): once they get going, the population explodes like it would for H. helix. I'm not hugely familiar with Ficus pumila (creeping fig), but I've seen some varieties of it that had a similarly-sized leaf: the effect from a distance is kinda the same. There's also a (smaller-leaved) version with white around the leaf edges, but I think that may be the only variegation option. I'm under the impression that they're fairly easy plants, and while mites are possible, they should be more easily controlled. I have not yet tested this by trying to grow it personally. Plectranthus nummularius (Swedish ivy) trails, though it doesn't much resemble English ivy otherwise. It's good about bugs: I've had one for a while that has never had any problems, even when other plants in the vicinity did. Pilea nummularifolia is another trailer that looks even less like Hedera helix than Plectranthus nummularius does. Nice plant, though. I'm actually getting to be pretty fond of mine. Don't really know on the bug situation, but again, no problems for mine so far. Cissus rhombifolia (grape ivy, oakleaf ivy) vines and trails. Doesn't look much like English ivy, and it is supposed to have some issues with mites, but it exists, and I've had mine over a year and it's been very civilized. Zebrina pendula (wandering Jew) and Tradescantia pallida (purple heart) are pretty pest-free in my experience, though they get leggy quickly and also bear no resemblance whatsoever to English ivy except for trailing. Epipremnum aureum (pothos) is almost too obvious to be worth mentioning. Ditto Philodendron hederaceum (heart-leaf philodendron) and the other climbing Philodendrons. Philodendron hederaceum in particular is underrated, in my opinion, because it will tolerate a lot of abuse, and so the plants everybody always sees are plants that have been through a lot of abuse, which makes them not look so great. A well-grown P. hederaceum is a thing of beauty. All three are decent if not spectacular when it comes to bugs. Hoya carnosa, again, doesn't look like English ivy, and some people have trouble with them, but mine have been great so far, and are very easy-maintenance. Spider mites aren't a problem with Hoya spp. so much, but mealybugs can be huge, so it's important to pick your plant out very carefully. But mealybugs aside, you could do worse. This wasn't an exhaustive list, but, you know, we could be here all day. I hope there's something in there that's useful to you....See MoreI can't stand it anymore!!!!!!!!!!!
Comments (25)Let's go to Hawaii in our mind. Think of green palm trees, warm white sand under your feet, cool waves of water lapping on your ankles. Breath nice and slow and tell yourself this weather will pass and spring will be here soon. Go feed the birds some seeds, plan a spring event, and have a nice hot beverage you love. I hope the sun finds you like it has us although it's -3 (-24wc) outside. The wind is calming down which is a relief!! I'm thinking if I can finally drive out this afternoon I'll bring food to the community pantry. Then On Sat, I hope to drive up to Elkhorn to attend Grammahony's benefit meal/auction for her grandson Nathan. DD also has 3 basketball games this weekend I'm really looking forward too. Oh my, If it weren't for other activities this snow would make me crazy. I feel for you, since I'm pretty dang close to pounding my legs and arms too. Told dh yesterday I wouldn't have made it like the homesteaders had too. Looney comes to mind....See MoreHELP! new granite countertop - can't stand it
Comments (84)I wish I could change the name of this thread I started three weeks ago! I would call it "New countertop Loving it!" Its been ten days since I posted the first photos and revealed the identity of my stone. I got to enjoy it for only a few minutes on a gray day before the contractor enveloped it in butcher paper so work could continue around it. On Wednesday evening I prepared to celebrate Thanksgiving by unveiling the stone. Since then I have enjoyed many happy hours with it. NYC has been blessed with a sunny holiday, and the stone is even more beautiful in a kitchen drenched with sunlight. It also photographs better, though the green still looks washed out. Ive posted new photos, including some close-ups. Cloud_swift predicted I would be even happier with my stone after living with it a while. In fact, it grows on me by the hour. To walk into the kitchen now is literally thrilling. I never know what to expect, as it changes with the light, always surprising me with how blue it is, but sometimes more green, sometimes reminiscent of stainless steel, and as the light fades, quieting to a rich dark gray. Aunttomichael -- "soapstone lover" -- got it exactly right: the effect is both serene and intense (which I think is true of soapstone as well.) Before this experience I knew literally nothing about stone. Now I learn from Theresab1 that Im a member of the (very exclusive!) "Azul Macaubas Club" though I agree with Cloud_swift (she of the glorious azul do mar) who calls it the "Quartzite from Brazil Club." While my stone is indeed quartzite from Brazil, I, like Mindstorm, find it hard to believe it shares the same name as Theresab1s amazing stone, which Mindstorm describes as "almost onyx-like in its translucent whiteness with streaks of blue" As she notes, mine is nothing like that! Not at all white or even light-colored. Its predominantly blue with a lot of pale green. In a single slab, the blue ranges from a deep, rich blue to greenish-blue to pale blue to deep lavender a shade Cloud_swift noted in azul macaubas slabs she saw. The only photos Ive seen of anything similar were a variant called Azul Imperial. Theres a lot of interesting information at www.bluemacaubas.com. The most important thing Ive learned, though, is that you dont choose a stone by its name unless you are willing to settle for an arranged marriage!...See MoreFlooring for new house, Hallmark brand engineered wood ?
Comments (2)I know how you feel! I'm also going through the search, but have more time than you. To make a choice, you have to establish some criteria that you want or don't want. The top of my list is no Chinese made products, so I'm only looking at USA or Canadian sourced and manufactured engineered wood floors. That really narrows down the list quite a bit for me. I also have dogs and you just have to accept that scratches will happen and you will get some patina. It sounds like you want a lighter color, which should help with the the foot/paw prints. A matte finish is also supposed to show less of that, but I found the matte to be too dull looking for me. I am looking at some with a very light gloss, around 20%, which gives it just a bit of sparkle, but should have some of the benefits of less prints, compared to a high gloss floor....See Morearcy_gw
6 years agoJudy wear
6 years agoPatricia Colwell Consulting
6 years agoJAN MOYER
6 years agosheloveslayouts
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoauntthelma
6 years agosuzyq53
6 years agohollybar
6 years agoloonar29
6 years ago
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