My Home Improvement

Archive for January, 2012

American Futons – From Simple Frames To Modern Furniture

American futons have been around for about 2530 years. Futons actually started out in Asia as nothing more than a simple mat placed on the ground for sleeping. It was as American idea to build a frame then place the mat on top of the frame to be used as a sofa/sleeper. Many early designers would take this simple approach and create many of the innovations we see today in the futon industry that make an American futon what it is.

Original futon frames started out made from wood and were quite simple in design by today’s standards. Many of these futon frames were made to be close to the ground and had simple conversion mechanisms that often involved pulling out and pushing in wooden pegs during conversion. Later designs incorporated a built in mechanism to facilitate conversion from sofa to bed. Several futon manufacturers had different approaches to doing this but everyone can agree that the purpose was to make operation easier for the end user. The first futons were retailed in specialty waterbed stores which were still going strong in the 1980′s and would be displayed among waterbeds and casegoods.

The first futon frames were made unfinished in a variety of woods. Later futon frames would be made from a combination of different hardwoods like ash oak maple and poplar. Frame designs would also become more elaborate offering unique arm styles that could be both modern or more mission style in appearance. It should also be noted that design innovations like concealed arm storage magazine racks and flip up tables would also be included in many modern futon frame designs.

Today lt;a href=”http://www.futonsnow.com/FutonFrameswood futon frameslt;/agt; can be purchased in dark rich espresso or cappuccino colors. Or if you prefer more of a cottage look you can also choose frames in a satin white color. Lodge style frames made from hand sewn logs can also be purchased giving you a really interesting outdoors/nature look for your home or cabin. Of course traditional designs in medium and English oak colors are also available to blend in with home decors that use oak woodwork or have existing oak furniture.

Something else that is in the market are black metal futon frames. These are often made to hit a particular price point and can be found in many of the mass merchant stores. These black metal futon frames are made in Asia from tubular steel and are a good choice for a frame that can last several years. However wood futon frames surprisingly are a much better choice as many are made with real furniture assembly techniques which make them higher quality and a better choice for a long term investment.

Futon frames have slowly worked their way into our culture over the last 30 years. Starting from simple designs on the floor they evolved into automated operational frames by the user. These frames were consistently being built with newer innovations allowing for easier frame conversion from sofa to bed and back. They have also become more stylish representing both modern and traditional designs. Today’s futon frames carry on a legacy of innovation by the designers who created them over 30 years ago in many of the styles we see. Who knew that a simple wood futon on the ground thirty years ago would lead to the industry that developed into what we have today.

About the writer:  Phil Pendleton is a furniture professional with over 15 years experience. He has worked in furniture sales distribution and production. Phil continues to work with other furniture professionals to help promote new trends in furniture and futons.

Amaryllis Bulbs -The Secret To Getting Them To Re-bloom

Perhaps you received an amaryllis bulb as a gift for the holidays. No other interior flower can add such a volume of delightful color in a home during the long winters than the amaryllis. With so many colors to choose from white with streaks of red various shades of red orangeand yellow you will certainly want to take care of your plant to insure that it reblooms year after year. It’s not hard to do once you know the secrets.

Planting

The large amaryllis bulbs are often purchased in potted kit form with directions included. These potted bulbs require only watering and light to begin growth. Plants which are already growing are available at many flower shops.

If you purchase unpotted bulbs choose a pot or container having drainage only 12 inches larger in diameter than the bulb’s diameter. When planting the bulb there should be only frac34; to 1 inch of space between the bulb and the sides of the pot. Use a potting soil consisting of equal parts garden loam peatmoss and Perlite or sand. Packaged commercial potting soils having good drainage may also be used.

Plant the bulb so the top onethird to onehalf of the bulb is above soil. After planting water thoroughly and place in a warm sunny window.

Care After Planting

Water thoroughly when the container soil is dry to the touch. Excessive moisture can cause bulb rot. As roots begin to develop and fill the container the soil will dry more quickly and watering should be adjusted accordingly.
In several weeks a flower bud will begin to emerge. The bud will usually but not always appear before the foliage. Once the growth of the bud and foliage has begun rotate the container daily to prevent the plant from leaning toward the light. Plants will occasionally require staking to keep the flower stalk in an upright position. To do so gently insert a stake into the soil using care not to injure the bulb. Then carefully tie the stalk to the stake. Stakes may also be inserted at planting time.

If you’d like to prolong bloom try the following method. When the flower bud begins to open use tweezers to remove the yellow anthers inside the flower before they shed pollen. This may extend the flower bloom by several days. When the amaryllis is in full bloom the flowers will last longer if the plant is moved to a cooler room at night 5565 degrees and kept out of direct sunlight during the day. Large bulbs may send up two or three additional flower stalks.

After Flowers Fade

Remove the flowers after they fade. The withered flower stalk can be removed with a sharp knife near the neck of the bulb. Do not cut off any foliage because the leaves are needed for photosynthesis to replenish food reserves in the bulb. It is essential to keep the foliage growing vigorously because after flowering the bulb initiates flower buds for next year’s bloom.

How to Rebloom the Amaryllis

It can be challenging to coax an amaryllis to rebloom each year. It’s easily accomplished if certain procedures are followed. The key to rebloom is found in the plant’s native habitat. The amaryllis is a native of the tropics a region receiving nine months of rainy weather and three months of dry weather. The plant grows lush leaves throughout the rainy season but when the dry season approaches the plant enters a rest period or dormancy in which the leaves die down and the plant remains inactive. When the rainy season begins again the plant produces a rapid flush of growth accompanied by a flower stalk. Therefore the blooming time of the amaryllis is regulated by the moisture of the environment. After blooming in its native habitat the plant continues to grow throughout the remainder of the moist season. During this period the plant is storing up energy and forming flower buds in the underground bulb for next year’s bloom. Continue fertilizing twice each month. This outdoor growth period is critical. It is during this time that the amaryllis plant is storing up energy to produce flower buds inside the bulb for next year.

In late summer before frost take the plant indoors and discontinue watering but give it full light. Keep the pot in a cool 5060deg;F basement or upstairs room. The leaves will usually die down during this rest period which is like the dry season of the tropics. After the leaves die the plant may be stored in the dark.

In midwinter repot the bulb into a pot no more than 2 inches larger than the bulb’s diameter. Amaryllis perform better if slightly pot bound. Plant the bulb so that only the lower half or twothirds of the bulb is covered with welldrained potting soil. Use caution to avoid unnecessarily disturbing roots. If a total repotting isn’t needed simply remove some soil at the top of the pot and add fresh soil leaving the bulb intact.

In mid to late winter you’re ready to bring the plant into regrowth. Place the plant in a sunny south window and water well. Healthy growth should soon begin with either leaves or the flower stalk beginning growth first.

Pest and Disease Problems with Amaryllis

It is a rare plant that isn’t plagued by some insects and diseases. The amaryllis is no exception although its problems are few in number. The North Dakota Extension Service list the following pests and diseases and gives advice on how to control them.

Spider Mites:Reduce population by forceful spray of water. Control with an application of an approved miticide.

Thrips:Because of the scrapingsucking mouth parts thirps can be one of the causes for the amaryllis to fail flowering. Control by spraying with a forceful water spray and the use of an approved systemic insecticide.

Viruses:These cause a blotchy or mottled appearance on the foliage. Generally there is no recovery or cure for virus infections. It is best to dispose of the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants via feeding insects or handling.

Fungus Diseases:Seldom a problem with amaryllis in the home. To prevent avoid high humidity crowding of plants and splashing water on the foliage. Use of a labeled fungicide in the early stages of infection may be effective.

Failure to Bloom