[ad#promo-content-atf-200-left] Question I have lovely edgings of alternanthera along my walks. Is there any way to save stock so that I will not have to buy new plants every year? Answer Yes. Lift several plants, pot them up and place them where they will not freeze. In March take 2-inch cuttings of the ton growth […]
Archives for August 2009
Storing Gloriosa Lily Tubers
[ad#promo-content-atf-200-left] Question Should I take up my gloriosa lily tubers now to store for the winter? Answer I mulch mine heavily with straw and leave them in the ground. But in the upper zone of the South it would be better, perhaps, to dig and store them as you do dahlias.
Dying Caladiums
[ad#promo-content-atf-200-left] Question My fancy-leaved caladiums that I planted in April, seem to be dying. Shouldn’t they grow until late fall? Answer In my experience caladiums have a definite growing period of about six months from the date of planting. Yours are probably maturing naturally. If you want to enjoy these colorful plants during the late […]
Flowering Water Lilies and Dividing
Question For how many years will water-lilies continue to flower well without being divided? Answer Three years is about the limit, after which the roots should be lifted from the soil in which they were growing, divided and replanted in fresh soil. The ideal time for doing this is March or April.
Plant Tuberous Begonias
[ad#promo-content-atf-200-left] Question Is it too late (August) to plant tuberous begonias? Answer Yes, it is too late to start tuberous begonias from either tubers or seedling plants. But make a note now to start some tubers next March or to plant some husky seedlings in May.
Ground Covers Near the Seashore
[ad#promo-content-atf-200-left] Question: Can you suggest some plants to use for a ground cover near the seashore? Answer: Canby pachistima (Pachistima canbyi), a hardy, small-leaved evergreen shrub, will thrive in sun or shade in sandy situations. The creeping evergreen vine, bearberry (Arctostaphyllos uva-ursi), is also excellent for sandy soils in hot, sunny locations. Other ground covers […]
Dividing Lily of the Valley
[ad#promo-content-atf-200-left] Question: Is it advisable to lift and divide lily-of-the-valley periodically? Answer: If you want a greater amount of flowers, with larger florettes and longer stems, lifting and dividing is advised every four or five years. Do this in the fall, but before choosing the largest crowns and setting them just below the surface of […]
Sensitive Plant Mimosa Pudica
[ad#promo-content-atf-200-left] Question: What is the name of the annual that has leaves which fold together and drop when touched? Answer: This is the sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica). It has fine, locust-like leaves that fold together when touched, but reopen later. Called also humble plant, it is a member of the pea family.
Fruit Tree Spraying Schedule
[ad#promo-content-atf-250-left] Question: I have a small fruit planting of 1 pear, 1 cherry, 2 prune, 3 plum, 3 apricot, 4 apple and 6 peach trees. I have a 2-1/2 gallon spray tank. What do I do about spraying? AP, Utah Answer: Conditions vary so much in different parts of the country that the best advice […]
Grass Clipping Barberry Mulch
[ad#promo-content-atf-250-left] Question: Are grass clippings of any value as mulch on red barberry hedges? Will burying grass clippings in vegetable plot help or hinder the soil? LP, NJ Answer: Grass clippings may be used as a mulch for such stout growing plants as tomatoes and raspberries but I think would look untidy spread around red […]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- Next Page »