jeff douthat wrote:
how do i care for my hibiscus tree in north east pennsylvania, where is a good
place to plant it, will it survive the winter outside.
Dear Jeff,
I see a container in your future. When temperatures go below freezing, you must
bring it into a protected spot, possibly a bright east or south window. If the plant
can be kept alive, place it back outside. The hibiscus is a true tropical plant.
My Best,
Stan
Cassandra H. wrote:
How do I prepare for rose bush cutting?
Dear Cassandra,
You can take rose bush cuttings but there is a reason why most roses are grafted. This is due to
nematodes (micro-scopic eelworms) insects and diseases. If you do get cuttings to take, plant
them in a good potting soil in a sunny area. Good luck.
My Best,
Stan
PAT D. wrote:
clemantis tips on wilt?
Dear Pat,
If fungal infection is suspected, cut out all wilted stems back to healthy (non-stained) tissue
and promptly destroy the affected material to prevent it from contaminating the soil.
New healthy shoots may be formed at ground level.
My Best,
Stan
clueless garden grower wrote:
what roses would you recommend growing for the valley areas?
Thank You,
Clueless garden grower
Dear Clueless,
There are many valleys in the US and internationally. What area are you referring to in order
for me to be more helpful to you?
Many thanks
My Best,
Stan
Susan wrote:
Hello, I live in Vail, AZ. I planted some sweet potato slips in late May.
I’ve noticed that my vines are flowering and not looking real good anymore. How
do I know when they are ready to harvest and how do I do that? What is the
differance between a vining plant and a bush plant? Thanks so much for any help
you can give.
Dear Susan,
The sweet potato vine is an aggressive fine but can have problems with white flies
and fungal problems. Starting the plants off in a good potting soil is usually wise.
Some people like yellow sticky traps to catch white flies which you might find
available at local nursery/garden supply stores. Harvesting takes normally about
140 days from start to harvest. Rake up or pitch fork tilling up the soil where the
sweet potatoes have grown.
A vining plants tend to have long stems or tendrils that help them attach to either a
trellis or another structure. Bush plants typically stay compact growing in one area.
My Best,
Stan
Rhonda A. wrote:
How do I start a muscadine vine with seed?
Dear Rhonda,
Muscadine seeds should give you something close to the parent plant. Muscadines
by their very nature are a wild type growing grape with a thicker, chewier skin than
some of the more refined grapes. Take the seed and plant in a good potting soil
about 1/4 inch deep, keep it moist and plant into a container as they sprout and
grow larger.
My Best,
Stan
Dakota B. wrote:
What is the best way to start ginko seed? I am a highschool student who is
looking to grow this wonderful specimen, but am having difficulty finding the
seed. And the seed that I found is almost $2 for 4 or 5 seeds.where else could i
look to find the seed.
On another note where could I find some Plumeria seed, and are there any
tricks or things that they require to germinate.
Thank You for reading my message,
Dakota
Dear Dakota:
The gingko seeds are rare, so spending a few dollars for seeds is not uncommon.
You will not find these seeds amoung the cheaper or more common seeds at a nursery.
Plumerias should be cultivated from a cutting, this will make it true to the variety.
Most seedlings will not give you a plant that will grow like the mother plant.
Although after flowering, Plumerias will have large looking seed pods that will
contain numerous seeds. If you just want to be “Johnny Appleseed of Plumerias”
Happy growing with these.
My Best,
Stan
Joyce T. wrote:
My hibuscus bushes (verigated as well as regular ones) have been thriving;
however, some have now developed shriveled up leaves with black on them, as well
as some white stuff on them, which seems to be killing them. What is causing
this, and what can be done to treat it?
Dear Joyce:
No doubt the black is caused by scale. Might be mealy bug or cottony cushion scale.
This black sooty mold grows from the insects excretion. Find an insecticide that
labels itself for hibiscus. This may take a couple of applications used according to
label instructions.
My Best,
Stan
peggy s. wrote:
Ok…so I don’t have bees and I know I have to polinate the tomato plants. The
web video’s show how to, but not how often. Could you please let me know how
often I need to do this? Thank you
Dear Peggy:
If you wish to hand pollinate at least once weekly take a small paint brush and touch
gently from one flower to another. You may want to buzz like a bee to get into the
character. Happy buzzing.
My Best,
Stan
pam zelaznik wrote:
what are knockout roses? what re feeding requirements? can they be in same
fowerbed with daylillies
Dear Pam:
Knockout roses are a relatively new bush rose that have become very popular
partly because they are resistant to black spot. This is a major fungal problem
with roses. Like most roses they should be fed on a constant feed program
during the growing season. In general, this means a light application monthly.
Yes, they can be planted in the same bed as daylilies. Give them some space
between because the knockouts will grow larger than the lilies.
My best,
Stan
