Q: I have hardy kiwi vines that have been planted for six or seven years. Last year they bloomed, but the blooms dropped off. This year they bloomed, and it looked as if little fruit set on. Then those fell off. What could the problem be? I was supposed to have both male and female plants. — Aldona Short, Valparaiso, Ind.
A: Several cultural factors can contribute to premature fruit drop. Unseasonable spring frosts often freeze and kill developing young fruits (or your flowers in the previous year), causing them to drop off. Stress caused by conditions like excessive heat, drought, cold or overwatering can make fruit drop. Finally, if the flowers are not pollinated, they may develop into pea-sized fruits, then fall off. Have your vines ever produced fruits? If not, you may not have the male and female plants you think you do! If they have borne fruit before, it’s likely stress or frosts caused the fruit to drop.
Q: For the last couple of years my tomatoes have had hard white spots under the skin. They are like that again this year. I’d like to know what is causing it. — Helen May, Solsberry, Ind.
A: Cloudy spots are irregular whitish spots just under the skin and are the result of stink bugs feeding. These insects overwinter in sheltered areas, so practice good garden sanitation. At the first sign of stink bugs or their damage, dust with carbaryl (Sevin).
Q: How is Russian sage (Perovskia) propagated? Can I divide the roots of my 3-year-old plant, or does it have to be started from seed? — Christine Wilkey, Greencastle, Ind.
A: Tip cuttings can be taken during the summer. Humidity should be maintained with a plastic tent. It can also be propagated by seed. Germination is often irregular and occurs over a long period. Chill the seeds at 35-40 F to enhance germination
Q: I saw your comment in the Electric Consumer about applying ammonium nitrate on red rhubarb. My question is: How do you mix it? Can you mix it with water, then apply? I also would like to know how you apply 12-12-12 fertilizer. If you have an information sheet on rhubarb, I would like to have one. –Jim Pemberton, Orleans, Ind.
A: Ammonium nitrate is typically applied dry and either mechanically incorporated into the soil or watered in. 12-12-12 is usually applied the same way, but is sometimes mixed in water first to create a starter solution for transplants. But the best answer to your questions is to make sure you read and follow the label instructions on any fertilizer you might purchase!
The handout on rhubarb is HO-97. Call your county Extension office for a copy. If you have trouble finding their number in the phone book, call (800) 872-1920 for assistance.
Q: My dad used to raise a little vegetable called the “garden lemon” that I sure did like. I want to raise some, but I can’t find one person who knows what I’m talking about. These garden lemons were just a little bigger than a lemon. They were yellow like a lemon and tasted like a cucumber and a tomato mixed together. They were not juicy and seedy like a tomato, though — they were more solid like a cucumber. They were not yellow tomatoes. — Ray Jones, Lamar, Ind.
A: There is a “lemon cucumber” that tastes like a cucumber with a hint of lemon, and it resembles a lemon. It is yellowish-green while immature, but matures to a bright yellow if allowed to stay on the vine too long. It is carried by Jung (800-297-3123) and The Cook’s Garden (800-457-9703).
If you’re interested in heirloom or unusual varieties, purchase a Garden Seed Inventory from Seed Saver’s Exchange. Write to 3076 North Winn Rd., Decorah IA, 52101.