April’s Plant Questions Answered

Gloxinias from Seed

Question – I would appreciate information on how to grow Gloxinias from seed to bloom. WP, Indiana

Answer February or March is a good time to sow gloxinia seed. A porous soil mixture, such as 2 parts leafmold and one part each sand and peatmoss finely sifted, would do nicely. Use a shallow container and lightly press the seed into the soil. Cover with a pane of glass and keep evenly moist in a temperature of 70 degrees.

Keep the seedlings shaded from bright sun, don’t overwater and transplant as soon as large enough to handle. Transplant to a small flat 2 inches apart or directly to small pots. The soil should now be one part loam instead of peatmoss. Then, when wellrooted, shift to 4-inch pots and add a little crumbly old cow manure to the soil mixture. These gloxinias should flower in late summer.

Non-Blooming Peony

Question – Four years ago I purchased three peony plants, white, pink and red. The white and pink made rapid growth and bloomed profusely. The red is no larger than it was the first season and has never bloomed. Is it planted too deep? HW, Harrisburg, PA.

Answer Deep planting may be a reason for the red peony failing to bloom but the fact that the others did so well seems to point to another reason. The red might have been a poor division to begin with. Try a good handful of a complete fertilizer scratched in around it this spring. If it fails to respond with good growth during the summer, I’d discard it.

Begonia grandis (Evansiana)

Question – I have some Begonia evansiana that bloomed in the garden the first year with most plants doing well the next two years. They have dozens of “children” that live through the winter and grow some but do not bloom. Should they be transplanted in spring or fall and what kind of food do they like best? CL, Charlottesville, VA

Answer Your planting appears to be overcrowded. It would be best to thin and transplant in spring. The soil should be enriched with crumbly, good compost. A sprinkling of pulverized manure watered in when growth is active would be a good stimulant.

Coffee Grounds

Question – In what way may coffee grounds be used to advantage in the garden? EB, Martinsville, VA.

Answer Coffee grounds could be used as a soil conditioner and as a mulch. It’s been reportedly used also on sago palms (cycads) to help clear up Asia scale.

Night Blooming Cactus

Question – I have a night blooming cactus which bloomed two years ago and not since. Now it has little brown spots. Is that scale? HL, Philadelia, PA.

Answer Your cactus plant is probably an Epiphyllum, also known as Orchid cactus. It needs a well-drained container and a well drained soil mixture. During the summer it will take plenty of water and should be given some shade from the hot sun. Keep the soil on the dry side in winter but water now and then to keep stems from shriveling. No doubt the brown spots are scale. They may be removed with an old toothbrush dipped in a mild soap solution – NO hard scrubbing. Rinse off with water.

Scales on Boston Fern

Question – My Boston ferns were doing well until recently and now have some kind of bug that looks like little mounds. Is there anything I can spray with or is it the soil? MJ, Union City

Answer Spore cases, in regular pattern on the back of leaves, are sometimes mistaken for brown scale which is often troublesome on Boston ferns. Scale insects are easily removed with thumb nail or old toothbrush. If these are the little mounds on your ferns, spray with Neem oil – a natural insecticide/pesticide.

Ailing Christmas Rose

Question – I transplanted, three years ago, a Christmas rose from my grandmother’s garden where it grew for years with no particular care. It has bloomed each year since but both flowers and leaves get fewer and smaller. What can I do to stimulate it? SK, Utica, NY

Answer An old, long-established Christmas rose would be pretty sure to show a set-back after being moved and it may also be that the soil and location now are not so congenial. It does best in a partly shaded spot that does not get too dry in summer.

Dwarf “Ming” Trees

Question – I am interested “the secret of how to grow dwarf trees similar to Ming trees” but wonder if various trees can be grown dwarfed during my life time? RS, Centerline, Michigan

Answer Various evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs may be dwarfed by keeping them (from the beginning) severely restricted at the roots, making them subsist on a lean diet and growing them in small containers. The little, top growth made under such conditions may be pinched back if necessary to shape the plant and keep it dwarf.

Flagstone Planting

Question – I have laid a flagstone terrace (facing west and getting about two hours of sun daily). It has a sand base with topsoil in the joints. What kind of grass or other plants would be suitable for a good planting? CR, Norwalk, Conn

Answer Creeping red fescue is perhaps the best grass to use between flagstones. Other plants you may want to try are wild white clover, lemon-scented thyme, Arenaria verna (moss—like with tiny white flowers) and Mazus reptans (tiny creeper with lilac-colored flowers).

Calla Begonia

Question – I’ve been given a begonia with creamy, curled leaves that look like callas. The effect is lovely with its red flowers. Will you tell me its name and about its care and cultivation? AF, Arlington, Va

Answer – Your begonia is a form of Begonia semperflorens known as Calla Begonia. It is not an easy plant to grow well and seems to require north light and a moderate temperature with moist air. It should be kept just moist at the roots. Care should be taken not to splash water on its leaves.

Over 22,000 subscribers
GET our free email newsletter...
Sign Up Today: