Q.Planting A Tree - We have a Serviceberry tree that we would like to plant in clay soil. Any advice? Thanks.
A.They prefer a well draining soil, so you may want to add some amendments, if possible. If not, you can help drainage by planting it slightly above grade. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/serviceberries/growing-serviceberries.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/how-to-improve-clay-soil.htmRead MoreQ.My Indoor Jasmine Sambac Has New Growth That Keeps Dying – What Am I Doing Wrong? - There are also tiny white dots on the leaves of the plant which I’m not sure are an issue.
A.These are the classic signs of spider mites. If you look long enough, those dots on the underside will begin to move. These things absolutely DESTROY plants. I would opt for neem oil or its extract, azadirachtin. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/azadirachtin-vs-neem-oil.htmRead MoreQ.Why Is My Olive Tree Losing Leaves ? - I have a large olive tree in a pot outside that has been fine for several years. In the last ...
A.I think there are several factors, here. I do think that the ants are doing damage, but it shouldn't be that bad. What would cause this much decline would be that the tree is struggling to get water with such ...Read MoreQ.Why Is My Newly Planted Kousa Dogwood Tree Growing Leaves Only At The Base Of The Bark? - I planted the tree at the end of September 2023. It was purchased through the mail and seemed to be ...
A.Likely, the tree is stressed. You will need to check pH, nutrient levels (over-fertilizing can be detrimental to newly planted trees.) and moisture content. You may want to perform a scratch test, as well. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-nutrients-everything-you-need-to-know.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/growing-kousa-dogwood-trees.htm Unfortunately, it looks like you have shoots ...Read More
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Q.China Doll Leaves Curl Under - My China doll is happily thriving with new growth and no brown leaves. The only thing is the leaves curl ...
A.I would check the pH levels, and nitrogen to potassium and phosphate ratios. For vegetative growth, nitrogen is needed. pH needs to be Slightly acidic at around 6.5 is best. This will increase the availability of nitrogen, as well. Pruning is ...Read MoreQ.What’s Eating My Brugmansia? - Something has been eating the bark off the trunk and limbs of my Brooke Mancia. There are tooth marks. Possibly ...
A.It does seem like rat damages. Cages and baits can work, and that will be your best option. The only other thing that I would recommend is deterrents. They will be deterred by similar things as we would. Capsaicin, or ...Read MoreQ.Crawlies Infesting My Vegetable Garden - Since the last few weeks a few crawlies that look like a centipede are infesting my home vegetable garden patch ...
A.I see that your soil is very compact clay. They probably made their way in while being dug up. Generally, clay soil is not recommended because it is too compact and will not drain properly in container. Potting soil is ...Read MoreQ.Should I Treat My Bean Supports That Supported Beans With Blight Last Year? - Last year I lost most of my pole beans to bean blight. What should I do to avoid it happening ...
A.It sounds like you are taking all the precautions. You can clean the supports with a 10 percent bleach solution. Here is more: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/beans/bacterial-bean-blight-control.htmRead MoreQ.Grape Vines / New Growth Sprouting From The Ground Not The Canes. - Hi there. My home garden grape vines are now in their 3rd year. We are in zone 5. they are ...
A.It sounds like the grape vines were grafted. You've lost the part above the graft and are getting growth from the rootstalk (that was used to graft the scion). That means you need to start over with new vines if ...Read MoreQ.How Far Do Container Potatoes And Tomatoes Need To Be In A Garden Area? - I have all my tomatoes and potatoes in containers. I know you shouldn't plant them close but if they are ...
A.The rule of thumb if they are in soil is 10 feet. Since yours are in containers, they can be as close as you like since they aren't sharing soil. It's the soil-borne disease that is problematic. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/tomato/growing-tomatoes-with-potatoes.htmRead MoreQ.Identify Stalk In Mother’s Day Bouquet - 6-10 inches long, green, flatish, with white tulip shaped green tinged flowers blooming off of the stalk with their own ...
A.It sounds like lily of the valley but I am surprised it is used in floral bouquets because it is very toxic! However, it is popular in bridal arrangements. Here is more: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/lily-of-the-valley/growing-lily-of-the-valley.htmRead MoreQ.Help Identify These Small Items In My Garden - About twice a week in exactly the same location something is leaving these small orange items that look like animal ...
A.It could be squirrel poop. If you can get hold of a game camera, you can leave it running at night to capture the invader. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/get-rid-squirrels.htmRead MoreQ.Clematis Dying - Help please - I lost one of my 3 baby clematis(es?) this way last year . Base beginning to dry ...
A.Thank you so much - unfortunately I can't access these centres as I live in UK! RegardsRead MoreQ.Building Raised Beds Around Existing Rose Plants - Hi, I have 4 healthy rose plants in my garden boarder. But I need to build a raised bed due ...
A.I would, for the sake of the roses. Really, you don't want to cover the crown. Stressing that portion might result in shoots from the rootstock. These are usually more invasive than the grafted top. If these get out of ...Read MoreQ.Problem With Lemon Tree. - Any help for my poorly Lemon tree, grown from a pip, would be much appreciated. Suddenly turned unhealthy, yellowing leaves ...
A.It looks like spider mites have damaged the tree leaving it defenseless to disease. Neem oil, or its extract of azadirachtin will be an appropriate treatment. Fungicides will be necessary to control the resulting disease. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/spider-mite-control.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/lemons/how-to-grow-a-lemon-tree.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htmRead MoreQ.Why Have My Delphiniums Lost Their Buds? - My delphiniums have lost all their lower buds before flowering, only a few at the spiky top. Is it the ...
A.It definitely could be birds! There is a chance that it could be a nutrient imbalance or a pH issue, as well. Fortunately there are some things that you can do. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/delphinium/growing-delphinium-plants.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/birds-eating-flowers.htmRead MoreQ.How Can I Find A Horticologist In My Area (Greeley)? - I am helping my daughter and son--in-law who just moved into a new home to redo the raised beds around ...
A.Check with your local extension office for help. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/what-is-extension-service.htmRead MoreQ.I Was Given This Cymbidium As Gift. Many Of The Shoots Are Dead, Should I Repot? Same Size Pot Or Smaller? - It did produce a new shoot this spring. I’ve had it less than a year.
A.They prefer to be rootbound, so you could wait and concentrate on these growing tips. I see you have a pot within a pot. When you water, do you remove the inner pot to drain? If not, that will help. ...Read MoreQ.How Often Does The Black Locust Tree Bloom? - This tree and its many babies were here when me bought this place 20 years ago. It bloomed the year ...
A.They should bloom in late spring each year. I didn't see anything that said they bloomed sporadically. Here are care tips that should help and information about its invasiveness. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/locust/growing-black-locust-trees.htm https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/robinia-pseudoacacia/Read More