Q. My bearded iris looked big and healthy but barely bloomed. What could be wrong? — Melissa Eddy, Lafayette, Ind. A. Several factors may contribute to a lack of iris flowers. The most surprising is that the rhizomes have to be exposed to sun. They should be planted horizontally, with only the lower half in the soil. It’s easiest to dig a hole and then create a ridge for the rhizome to lay on. Cover […]
Tree topping is an all too common practice among homeowners, particularly when their trees become too tall and pose a possible threat to the house or overhead power lines. Some have the trees topped because they believe, or are led to believe, that topping is a good pruning practice. Obviously, some situations require the removal of large limbs for the sake of safety. But topping is a drastic step and ultimately endangers the tree’s life. […]
Q. For the last 5 years or so my zucchinis have failed to set fruit. They blossom prolifically, but show no sign of fruiting. I have tried different varieties, different environments (even planted one-half mile away) with the same result. No one seems to have heard of this problem. I have tried insecticides, no insecticides, lots of water, little water but still no results. I used to always have a huge crop. — Bill Michaels, […]
Q. I have a small greenhouse that I use to winter over plants and to start new ones from seed in the spring. Each year I get whiteflies. I have bought commercial sprays from lawn and garden departments, but even with repeated applications, the whiteflies seem to persist. What is the best method to rid my greenhouse of these pests? Is there a prevention I should implement? Are there certain plants that attract whiteflies? — […]
It’s that time of year when seed catalogs arrive just in time to cure the winter blues and blahs! Each season, plant breeders tempt us with better, healthier and unique new spins on familiar crops. Here’s a look at what’s new for vegetable gardeners in 2003. Bean ‘Heavyweight II’ sets a bountiful harvest of 8-inch pods on 18-inch, bush-type plants, ready to harvest just 53 days from seed. Available from Burpee Seed. Eggplant ‘Calliope’ is […]
It looks like cold weather is here to stay, so keep in mind that the typical household in winter is a hazardous place for houseplants. Although we grow them indoors, most houseplants are outdoor plants in their native climates. Tropical and subtropical species can be damaged by temperatures below 50 F, but being too warm in winter can also be a problem. The air in most homes becomes extremely dry as furnaces force warm air […]
Q. We decided to build a sunroom this winter. Unfortunately, this means moving some hosta. Can I transplant them at this time of year? Some others are planted where they will be run over by heavy machinery. Since they’re dormant, will they survive? — Jeff All, West Lafayette, Ind. A. Transplanting in the winter can be hard, cold work. If the ground is not frozen, dig up each hosta clump, and sink it in the ground […]
Q. My honeysuckle is pretty wild looking. Dare I cut it down this time of year, or should I just grin and bear it? — Jean Phillips, Lafayette, Ind. A. You won’t kill it if you prune it now, but the cuts are areas that could dry out during winter. It’s best to wait until spring, just before it leafs out, if you’re going to do drastic pruning. If you just want to tip it back a […]
Q. I am a resident of Orange County, just outside of Paoli. I recently noticed that my red horse chestnut tree, which had previously lost all of its leaves due to drought, has sprouted several red flowers. Some leaves are coming out and MANY buds are swelling. Many buds are not swelling, and I hope they stay that way. The drought tricked the tree into early dormancy, and now the recent rains have awakened the tree […]
Q. We need your expert help concerning our Stanley plum tree. We planted the tree four years ago. The catalog said it is self-pollinating. One year we had two plums. Another year we had none. This year, I found 10 on the ground. All were green and small. What is wrong? The closest other tree is an old persimmon, and it is always loaded with fruit. Do we need fertilizer? If yes, what kind? Did we […]