Steve Andrews's Blog, page 5
June 10, 2018
Home Grown Exotics
Grow exotic houseplants from fruit and vegetables bought from the greengrocer
There are many fruit and vegetables we can easily buy at the greengrocer’s or the fruit and veg section of the local supermarket, that can be grown as unusual and exotic houseplants.
Pineapple flower
Homegrown Pineapples
The pineapple (Ananas comosus) is one of the best tropical fruits to try growing at home
There are many fruit and vegetables we can easily buy at the greengrocer’s or the fruit and veg section of the local supermarket, that can be grown as unusual and exotic houseplants.
Pineapple flower
Homegrown Pineapples
The pineapple (Ananas comosus) is one of the best tropical fruits to try growing at home
The Cacti of Iberia
Cacti of Spain and Portugal
Prickly Pears (Opuntia dillenii)
You will see cacti growing in many parts of Iberia, mainly types of prickly pear cactus, and in some places, such as the Canary Islands, they are so common that it is easy to assume they are part of the native species. They look just right for the semi-desert landscapes. But in fact, there are no endemic cacti in Spain or
Prickly Pears (Opuntia dillenii)
You will see cacti growing in many parts of Iberia, mainly types of prickly pear cactus, and in some places, such as the Canary Islands, they are so common that it is easy to assume they are part of the native species. They look just right for the semi-desert landscapes. But in fact, there are no endemic cacti in Spain or
May 26, 2018
The Endangered Trees of Sheffield and Other UK Cities
Save Sheffield's Trees
The endangered trees of Sheffield are a big concern for me, and a growing number of people from all walks of life. Not just local residents, but celebrities, such as Bianca Jagger and Jarvis Cocker, have joined the campaign to save the trees. Even Michael Gove, who is Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, spoke out and accused Sheffield City
The endangered trees of Sheffield are a big concern for me, and a growing number of people from all walks of life. Not just local residents, but celebrities, such as Bianca Jagger and Jarvis Cocker, have joined the campaign to save the trees. Even Michael Gove, who is Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, spoke out and accused Sheffield City
May 25, 2018
Here Be Dragons
The Mysterious Dragon Tree Produces Dragon's Blood
Dragon Tree (Photo: Pixabay)
The dragon tree (Dracaena draco) is a very weird-looking plant that grows to the size of a tree and can live a very long time. One known as the “Drago Milenario,” that grows in Icod de los Vinos in Tenerife, is said to be 1000-years-old or more, though other estimates put it at more like 650 years.
Dragon Tree (Photo: Pixabay)
The dragon tree (Dracaena draco) is a very weird-looking plant that grows to the size of a tree and can live a very long time. One known as the “Drago Milenario,” that grows in Icod de los Vinos in Tenerife, is said to be 1000-years-old or more, though other estimates put it at more like 650 years.
May 22, 2018
The Pride of Madeira
A Bugloss known as Pride of Madeira
Pride of Madeira in Sintra (Photo: Steve Andrews)
The Pride of Madeira is the common name for a spectacular looking shrub in the Echium genus of plants, many species of which are known as types of Viper’s Bugloss or “Taginaste” in Spain. Known to botanists as Echium candicans, the Pride of Madeira comes, as its name suggests, from Madeira, but it is often
Pride of Madeira in Sintra (Photo: Steve Andrews)
The Pride of Madeira is the common name for a spectacular looking shrub in the Echium genus of plants, many species of which are known as types of Viper’s Bugloss or “Taginaste” in Spain. Known to botanists as Echium candicans, the Pride of Madeira comes, as its name suggests, from Madeira, but it is often
May 21, 2018
Western Spadefoot Toad or Iberian Spadefoot rescued in a garden in Portugal
A Near Threatened Species
Western Spadefoot Toad (Photo: Steve Andrews)
The Western Spadefoot or Iberian Spadefoot (Pelobates cultripes) is an endangered species of amphibian. In fact its IUCN Red List Conservation Status is Near Threatened, so I was really surprised to find one living in the front garden of the house in Portugal where I rent the ground floor. One of my pet cats was
Western Spadefoot Toad (Photo: Steve Andrews)
The Western Spadefoot or Iberian Spadefoot (Pelobates cultripes) is an endangered species of amphibian. In fact its IUCN Red List Conservation Status is Near Threatened, so I was really surprised to find one living in the front garden of the house in Portugal where I rent the ground floor. One of my pet cats was
May 16, 2018
Where Does All The Plastic Go? is now a song
Where Does All The Plastic Go? is now a song
Where Does All The Plastic Go? started life as a poem I blogged about here, back in December 2015. Since then I have been watching the situation getting worse with plastic pollution continuing, and it appears from news reports that plastic is now found in every environment on the planet, from the frozen Arctic to the highest mountains, and even
Where Does All The Plastic Go? started life as a poem I blogged about here, back in December 2015. Since then I have been watching the situation getting worse with plastic pollution continuing, and it appears from news reports that plastic is now found in every environment on the planet, from the frozen Arctic to the highest mountains, and even
December 11, 2017
The Ancient Herbalists Assigned Herbs to Planetary Rulers
Why the Ancient Herbalists Assigned Herbs to Astrological Rulers
Nicholas Culpeper (Photo: Public Domain)
As far as we know, there are no more planets in this Solar System that have plants growing on them, though some people have suggested there may be vegetation of some sort on Mars. Ancient herbalists, however, had a system of assigning herbs to planetary rulers; in other words, they
Nicholas Culpeper (Photo: Public Domain)
As far as we know, there are no more planets in this Solar System that have plants growing on them, though some people have suggested there may be vegetation of some sort on Mars. Ancient herbalists, however, had a system of assigning herbs to planetary rulers; in other words, they
December 1, 2017
A day out in London exploring nature
A day out in London exploring nature
Magpie in tree in Regent's Park (Photo: Ashley Coates)
London is a massive and bustling city in the UK, but surprisingly, despite all its shops and streets, and traffic and buildings, it is a good place for exploring nature if you know where to go. As a matter of fact, as much as 47% of London is actually green space, though this may not be evident if
Magpie in tree in Regent's Park (Photo: Ashley Coates)
London is a massive and bustling city in the UK, but surprisingly, despite all its shops and streets, and traffic and buildings, it is a good place for exploring nature if you know where to go. As a matter of fact, as much as 47% of London is actually green space, though this may not be evident if
November 28, 2017
A day out in London exploring nature
A day out in London exploring nature
Magpie in tree in Regent's Park (Photo: Ashley Coates)
London is a massive and bustling city in the UK, but surprisingly, despite all its shops and streets, and traffic and buildings, it is a good place for exploring nature if you know where to go. As a matter of fact, as much as 47% of London is actually green space, though this may not be evident if
Magpie in tree in Regent's Park (Photo: Ashley Coates)
London is a massive and bustling city in the UK, but surprisingly, despite all its shops and streets, and traffic and buildings, it is a good place for exploring nature if you know where to go. As a matter of fact, as much as 47% of London is actually green space, though this may not be evident if
