Sandy Duncan wrote:
Stan
Years ago you did a soil analasys of my soil at which time you mentioned that a
large oak my have a disease because of a dark weeping substance from the trunk.
I failed to record what disease you diagnosed. Recently a limb twisted and fell
out of the center of the tree. What was the disease? Could the tree live longer
or should I have it drastically trimmed or removed?
Dear Sandy:
This must have been quite some time ago, although I do remember you.
I recommend getting a free estimate by Pinellas Tree Service and ask for Dale or John, who
are both Certified Arborist. Be sure to watch on CBS, Channel 10 WTSP on Sundays at 8am the
Ask Mr Greenthumb Show.
My best,
Stan
Millard Davis wrote:
My neighbor helped me put in my tomatoes this year as I have been ill. He
watered the leaves. I told him not to. This morning they are completely all
wilted. Can I save them?
Dear Millard:
Perhaps, the biggest problem with a lot of moisture on tomato leaves is the increase
chance of fungus problems. Treating with a general fungicide listed for tomatoes on a
weekly basis should help. Hope you feel better.
My best,
Stan
isaac wrote:
hi, mr. greenthumb! I wanted to know, how to transplant my houseplants into my
outdoor garden. I also wanted to know hot to use my seeds in a napkin and
watered it like yolanda vanveen said.
Dear Issac:
Depending upon where you live and what type of plant makes a big difference. Most indoor plants
that we have growing in a fairly bright indoor light need to be moved to a rather shady spot outdoors.
Often, indoor plants are left in the container so that when conditions become problematic, they can
be sheltered again inside.
Take the paper napkin, keep it moist. If the seed is viable it should normally germinate within a week
to 10 days for most plants.
My best,
Stan
Shaye Hobby wrote:
I’ve got a Jiffy Greenhouse with about 36 pods and I’ve got Basil, Rosemary,
Thyme, Chives, and Oregano growing. There going on there 3 week stage now and
wondered what in the world kind of fertilizer to use, what brand, and what
nutrients it needs? Oh by the way this is being done by “Container
Gardening” can’t do a garden have to plant them in containers or pots.
Thank you and I need your help a lot of time I’ve put into this.
Dear Shaye:
Use MiracleGro plant food. It has all the nutrients needed by the plant. Use it at
half strength at every watering. Hope this is helpful.
My best,
Stan
Dear Stan:
I recently watched your show airing on May 8th 2001. I have been in the
industry for over 40 years and am a graduate of the University of Florida B.S.
Horticulture. Sorry to be critical but the constant use of fertilizer as
“plant food” as you know is incorrect. There is plenty of incorrect
information with respect to gardening. So it is important that our home
gardners get the correct information when ever possible.
I hope you take this with the spitr it was written, let’s give them good
gardening information so our gardeners are better informed and succesfull.
Thanks,
Earl Poppell
Dear Earl:
I too have been advising people for over 40 years and respect your opinion. I
have, however, found more problems from under fertilizing than from over
fertilizing. I do agree that if you can build an enriched soil, compost and natural
organics, you can cut down or eliminate the need for commercial fertilizers.
In general, I find our Florida sand quite lacking in the nutrients healthy plants
need to grow to their full potential. Keep up the good work of advising our
fellow Horticultural enthusiasts.
My best,
Stan
George wrote:
i have alot of different colored rose bushes on my property and they are growing
great but for some reason ill plant a white rose bush and they always die on me.
do u have any suggestions on how to get them growing?
Dear George:
Some varieties of roses seem to be a bit more difficult to grow and last for a long time.
The white roses that I have tried in the past do not seem as hardy as some of the
standard reds and pinks. This being said, I have seen some very pretty white roses
that have grown and lasted for many years.
My best,
Stan
Bonnie wrote:
Are all sweet potato vines edible? There is an existing vine planted at our
house. I didn’t plant it. There are tons of potatoes in the ground. I’d like
to eat them if possible. Also, i read that you can eat the leaves. Can I eat
all vines and all leaves?
Dear Bonnie:
There are some varieties that are considered ornamental. But even ornamental sweet
potatoes are technically edible and I’ve heard their not as tasty as the varieties developed
as a food crop. I’m leery to tell you to eat any vine for some vines are not edible.
My best,
Stan
B. C. Crawford wrote:
yellow straight neck squash have A light greenish tent. Thry have no other
damage showing.
Dear B. C.:
Check the pH of the soil, make sure this is in a good growing range of 5.5 to 6.5. If you
are in the area I will be doing “free” pH testing at Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg Times
Home Show on June 10th, 11th, and 12th. Also, make sure you are using a complete
fertilizer, such as MiracleGro.
My best,
Stan
lynn wrote:
My hydrangeas bloomed beautifully the first 2 summers after being planted. The
last 2 I have not had any flower’s. I tried fertilizing as directed but still
nothing. They get about 3 hours of steady sun. Should I consider moving them to
a sunnier location? Should I trim the wood down? Thanks!
Dear Lynn,
Yes, plant them into an area where the hydrangea will receive at least 6 hours of sun daily. This also means increasing
the water. Trimming out the dead wood is highly recommended. Hope this is helpful.
My best,
Stan
janet loveless wrote:
Hi Stan, I have rose garden which I choose mostly for color, mostly Hybrid Teas.
I would like to graft to get multi color rose such as the J&P Perfect
Moment. I watched your video on grafting, is that the way to get multi color
rose? Thank You
Dear Janet,
You could graft a number of different stems from different cultivars onto the main plant, this would be called the root stock. Grafting
like so many projects, is one that will get better as you gain experience from the process. There is a very informative diagram in
my book, Stan DeFreitas’s Complete Guide To Florida Gardening, that you may find helpful.
My best,
Stan
