The Ask Mr. Greenthumb Gardening & Real Estate radio show #5. Stan DeFreitas Mr. Greenthumb and his son James DeFreitas discuss topics on Gardening and Real Estate and take live caller questions. Join Stan and James every Sunday Live from 7am – 9am on AM 860 The Answer. Call us with your questions: 813-289-1-860 or toll free 877-969-8600
This video is about the headache plant and it’s benefits. Stan explains how this natural remedy may help with headaches and other problems.
This video is about Propagation, Grafting, and Avocados.
This video is about the beautiful, yet tasty lemon balm herb, how to care for it, and suggestions on how it will thrive. Enjoy!
East Coast Home Show will most likely be in August 2018. And as always yours truly will be giving talks Saturday and Sunday. Please come out and support local businesses. Bring your soil samples as I will be doing free pH testing. If you would like more information please visit: https://www.tampahomeshow.com/
Talks on Saturday and Sunday are TBD.
4/25/16
Ancient Palms
Palm trees have been with us for a long time. It has been estimated that palms have been growing in our world for 80 million years. Palms also were mentioned 20 times in the Bible. The coconut and date palm have been food sources since man discovered them. No doubt without palms man’s early development would not have occurred as quickly as they did, or as successfully. There are thousands of species of palms and all are important. Early building in the Middle East was done with the use of palms. Although mainly thought of as large grass members, they are monocots. This means one seed leaf, a major division of the plant kingdom. Palms can be cold sensitive, and yet some palms can grow in quite cool areas even below freezing with the help of greenhouses and malls. Many of us have seen palms today in areas where they would not have grown naturally. Palms like all plants need nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and also seem to require extra manganese and magnesium. Newly planted palms need frequent watering until they become established. For a lush, tropical look in your garden, you cannot choose any plant more suitable than a palm tree. Palms are easy to grow and play a huge role in the world.
6/13/2015
Many people are familiar with the edible Ficus. They may not realize that this family predominates in the indoor arena. This family is one that has a number of species of the Ficus family. Many of these plants are used as indoor houseplants. The edible fig is somewhat interesting in that its flower is a fruit like cavity with an opening on the end. Once an insect pollinates the flower, the fruit forms around the inner flowers; this is the fruit that we eventually eat. For houseplants, often we have a number of species like the weeping fig, the fiddle leaf fig, and even the small little ficus pumila or creeping fig. These can be seen growing in malls and in dark halls because they are adaptable plants. This is also one reason it has become the most grown indoor plant. Remember most Ficus, and for that matter, other houseplants grow best when there is a fairly high light level. When the light level is too low, the plant is on a one-bean-a-day diet.
Remember, we get rubber from ficus and also shade. Some members of the large Ficus family have been known to travel up to a quarter-mile in distance. In South Florida, Ficus have often been used as huge trees that will be 80-90 feet across and reach 60-70 feet in height. Anything that grows this large will have a massive root system; because of this, I often encounter people and advice against planting Ficus too close to their homes. As an indoor plant, they are most popular. Occasionally, you will get some yellow leaves and dropping of leaves; this can be normal. If possible leave your plant in the same spot for best results, don’t play musical chairs with your indoor plants. Trees under stress will normally drop leaves as a protection mechanism. If you do see brown tips on the end of your Ficus leaves, it may be attributed to a water problem. Make sure the whole root system gets a good soaking and dries between the next watering.
One of the most important species for man, the Ficus was mentioned back in the first chapter of the Bible and has been found near the walls of Jerico. In other words, it has been hand-in-hand with man throughout history.
2/7/2013
Houseplants are part of American history. Everyone likes the idea of having houseplants in their homes for their soothing effects and the added benefit of ridding pollutants. NASA has done research to prove that ammonia and formaldehyde, and a number of other toxic chemicals can be taken out by some of our botanical indoor buddies. Indoor plants have been a part of our home for a long time, although plants in our homes are relatively a new thing. In the old days before glass windows were ubiquitous, people had to think of other ways to keep their plants safe from the elements. They would board up and/or use bricks to cover openings in their homes, and not until the early 16-century did people start developing glass windows for the masses; this shift caused folks to start growing plants indoors. What were they growing? Philodendrons, pothos, and sansevierias also called mother-in-laws tongue are easy to grow. Almost anybody can grow indoor plants. That being said I’m amazed at the number of people who say: “I kill every plant I come in contact with.” If you try these tried and true plants you’ll almost always have success.
Water is the key to life not only for us but also for plants. How often should you water? Well it depends upon the plant size, the larger the container the longer you can go between watering. If you’re not sure about the moisture content use a moisture meter or your index finger, if it’s dry you probably need to water again.
One other factor that’s keys to having successful indoor plant growth is the light level. Most plants need a good deal of light. So how can one tell? If you put your hand out and you can’t see the shade or the silhouette of your hand you probably don’t have enough light for the average indoor plant. Remember that most indoor plants need a good deal of light, so make sure your plants are within 2 to 3 feet of a bright window.
Fertilization is something everybody worries about and yet if you’re going to give it a water-soluble plant food during the warm months or in the growing months, use half strength once a month for your indoor plants. If you use a time-released fertilizer, which looks like little bb’s, these will feed for 3 to 6 months. No extra fertilization will be needed for your indoor plants. They truly are easy to grow. Just remember like your family and friends you will lose them on occasion, it’s a normal part of life, except it, embrace it, and move on.
Shaye H. wrote:
I have been growing pumpkin plants goin’ on now 1 month and the back of the
package it says harvest takes 3 months. So my question is are the plants
supposed to grow upwards? Mine are and of course I have tomato cages supportin’
them but I thought they were supposed to be a vine growin’ along the ground? Am
I messin’ up? By the way they are growin’ good so far…the plant that is. If I
take the cages out the stem will bend and the plant will fall to the ground, is
this good to do that?
Dear Shaye,
You can have the trellis, but ultimately the pumpkin plant will grow in the way they are meant to grow.
Often they will travel 10 feet from their original spot. As they start to put on fruit, some people place
a thin board or some straw underneath them to keep the fruit from rotting, especially if the ground stays
moist. It is fun to carve your own Jack O’Lantern and eat your own pumpkin pie during the holidays.
Keep me posted.
My Best,
Stan
Debby wrote:
I have an area that gets full sun in the summer and fall but is shaded by our
garage in winter/spring. I would like to maintain shrubs at 3′ that bloom.
Would it be wise to plant Ixora? Will they still bloom if they don’t get full
sun?
Dear Debby,
Ixora flower best in full sun as do most flowering plants. You might wish to
try more shade tolerant plants such as large-leafed begonias or possibly Azaleas.
My best,
Stan
