Breathe Green

Breathe Green: In the late 80s NASA co-conducted a two year study titled

INTERIOR LANDSCAPE PLANTS FOR INDOOR AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT.

The full study link here: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19930073077_1993073077.pdf

The study was born out of data collected by the World Health Organization that estimated approximately 30 percent of all new or remodeled buildings have varying degrees of indoor air pollution. This phenomenon is named "sick building syndrome."

NASA interest in this research was born some sixteen years earlier when scientist identified indoor air pollution problems associated with sealed space habitats. Knowing that humans would someday be living in Space, NASA had a vested interest in identifying how to create an environment that would be less toxic and support life beyond Planet Earth.

For Earthlings the study produced research data that can be applied to how we can live and work and suggests that “If human move into closed environments, on Earth or in Space, we must take along nature's life support system.” The study is based on a simple thesis we all remember learning in Science Class that Plants “breathe” by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.

Around the planet Elementary School Children of the 21^st Century understand why rain forests are so important in maintaining the delicate balance of the earth’s atmosphere. So how can humans whether in Space or closed environments like offices or apartment building? Well NASA used tropical plants in the experiment and the research showed that these types of plants are particularly effective at processing gases and chemicals. Tropical plants have geneses in dense rain-forests with very little light and as such the evolved to be very efficient at photosynthesis, which includes the absorption of gases from the air. NASA found that the plants with a soil with an activated carbon component created a secondary effect that as plants transpire (emit water from the leaves), air is drawn down around the roots, where root microbes quickly adapt and begin “eating” the harmful chemicals that are absorbed. The plants used in the experiment have been generally accepted as reducing toxic chemicals in indoor environments. Result - clean air naturally!

Three (3) common houseplants Areca Palm, Pathos Plant and the Snake Plant (seen in the photo above L-R) can be found at No Ka Oi Nursery in Hanapepe and can be used use indoors to promote a cleaner environment at work or at home.

A home or office building is not the same as a research lab but having plenty of healthy interior plants leads to a healthier environment and is much nicer than artificial air fresheners!

Tips for finding a good landscape maintenance provider

Searching for a landscape service for your property? Here are few things that you should keep in mind - the first being not all landscape services companies are created equal.

We have an inside joke at NKO…”When you have been disappointed by the rest …call the BEST! NKO routinely get calls from homeowners and property managers who are dissatisfied with the results of their current landscape and often they are paying a fair amount for service.

Care for your property should be something to take seriously. After all, it provides enjoyment, beauty, effects property value and can save (or cost) you money on energy and water.

If you decide to hire a landscape service, make sure you get the right one for you. Different properties have different needs for their landscapes. Some simply want someone who will mow the lawn and fertilize it on occasion. Others want perfect yards with lush lawns and weed-free flowerbeds.

If all you are looking for is basic lawn mowing and maybe some leaf raking and debris clean up, then the neighborhood kid who mows lawns is probably landscape service enough for you. And that is just fine. It helps a young kid learn the value of working for her or his money, and you have an easier time of caring for your lawn.

If you like to have a nice yard, but do not want to do anything with it yourself, then a more full-service operation is probably what you need in the way of landscape maintenance.

When choosing who will take care of your landscape maintenance needs, the first thing you should do is seek out a reputable company. A reputable company is one that has reliable references, and one that has a satisfied customer base.

Another thing to look for in a landscape maintenance service is the equipment. Does it look to be in good shape? You want a company that takes good care of its equipment; that shows that they are more likely to take good care of your yard.

Do not necessarily go with the cheapest service. The cheapest may not always be the best deal. If you are habitually dissatisfied with the cheaper work that may affect you in ways that make it worth it to pay more for landscape maintenance that is of higher quality.

Find a company that cares about customer service. Companies that do not care about customer service will probably not do a good job on your yard.

You should look for a service that takes pride in its work. If the company says it specializes in lawn care ask if they guarantee their results.

Look for a company that has a “sustainable” approach to maintenance. The “right plant in the right place” is a way of looking at landscaping in a modern view. This approach will reduce the use of precious water, plant native to your climate and reduce the amount of additives to save money and the environment.

Shades of Green

You want to enhance your property with a gorgeous landscape, but the area is surrounded by shade. Some might suggest covering the land with mulch or turning it into a grand patio, but if you really prefer greenery, what can you do?

Shade tolerant grasses do exist. However, there are several things to remember when trying to grow grass in a shaded area. Even shade tolerant grasses need at least four hours of sunlight per day. You can improve the amount of sunlight to an area by trimming out tree limbs, especially lower limbs. As much as 35-40% of a tree’s limbs can be removed to improve the sun’s penetration without changing the aesthetics of a tree. It also helps to remove any fallen leaves and grass clippings, since they can further add to shade problems.

Once you’ve taken steps to improve sun exposure, you can facilitate the grass to thrive even further. Be sure to keep it one to two inches longer than grass that receives abundant sunlight. Limit fertilization and water deeply, yet only occasionally. Because shade prevents quick evaporation of dew and rain, it can lead to dampness, which encourages disease and inhibits growth.

It’s essential to understand that not all grasses labeled shade tolerant work well in the same environment; some are meant for warm weather climates, while others thrive in cooler climates.

Zoysiagrass is slow-growing, dense grass that is drought tolerant and best in warm weather climates much like Hawaii. El Toro, is a favorite varietal of zoysiagrass to us at No Ka Oi. Appropriately named after the bull, El Toro is pest, drought and disease resistant. El Toro is easy to establish and low maintenance and therefore, considered one of the most sustainable grasses available.

The low maintenance El Toro zoysiagrass; “the bull” is bullet proof and a perfect choice for your shaded landscape.

Xeriscaping - An Innovative Approach to Water Conservation

More than just an industry buzz word, xeriscaping offers an alternative to maintaining the island’s beautiful landscapes with minimal water waste. You can save anywhere from 30%-80% of outdoor water consumption through xeriscaping. If you are interested in turning your landscape into a xeriscape (or a partial xeriscape), there are several guidelines to follow.

The basic premise of xeriscaping is to take advantage of natural climate conditions to make efficient use of irrigation. It’s essential to include plants whose natural requirements are suitable to the local climate. For us in Hawaii, beach naupaka and yellow hibiscus are two examples of indigenous, or native, plants to the islands.

It is equally important to limit and separate grassed areas - that often require the greatest amount of watering - from trees, shrubs and flowering plants. This distinction allows each area to be irrigated individually. You may also consider replacing turf with low water-demanding plants or mulches.

Another fundamental principle of xeriscaping is regular maintenance. Xeriscapes can actually help reduce maintenance costs. By consistently pruning, weeding and properly fertilizing, you can realize even greater water savings. Finally, be sure not to over irrigate; always water according to plant needs.

So, if you’ve heard about xeriscaping, but you thought it meant having a garden full of cacti, you may want to reconsider this creative landscaping approach to conserving water.

A Plumeria By Any Other Name...

Did you know there are more than 300 named varieties of Plumeria? In India, the Plumeria is known as the Fragipani. We often see the Singapore Plumeria adorning Kauai’s landscapes, with it’s beautiful white flower and it’s deliciously fragrant bouquet. This variety is the only Plumeria that is not deciduous - meaning it doesn’t lose all its leaves in the winter - which is why it is so popular among resort landscapes.

While the Singapore Plumeria has become somewhat indigenous to the island, there are many selections that are just as lovely and aromatic. The Yellow Plumeria is another popular Hawaiian selection. It is most commonly used for lei making because it holds up so well and is most fragrant.

During this time of the year, all types of Plumeria are in full bloom, making it a very sensuous time to visit Hawaii. To visit Hawaii and inhale the Plumeria fragrance for the first time, is an experience you can never forget. We encourage all of our clientele to experience Plumeria at its best here on our glorious island.

The Season of Graduation

Graduation season is upon us throughout the Hawaiian islands. From late May through mid- June, commencement exercises will take place all across the State. High School Graduation is especially significant to the Hawaiian culture and preparing for the big event is a family affair, which includes planning and shopping for the graduation after party -- and the perfect flower lei.

Hawaiians have a long standing tradition of giving leis to the graduates to celebrate their accomplishments. Oftentimes, the leis are piled up so high that it can be difficult to distinguish the graduates from each other. While there are hundreds of combinations to choose from, some favorite traditions include maile, orchid and ti-leaf (believed to impart good luck to the recipient).

In addition to a traditional flower lei, some families get creative with other types of leis. Some craft a “money lei“, made up of coins wrapped up in colorful netting or dollar bills folded in the shape of a fan and intertwined with color-coordinated ribbon to match the school colors. Other styles include “candy leis” or handmade ribbon leis, which make for long-lasting, graduation memento. If you are celebrating a graduation this year with a family member or special friend, be sure to recognize it with a commemorative lei.