Q.Dracaena Stem Turning Black. - This is how my Dracaena has become. I have owned this plant for about 8 weeks and recently I have ...
A.This may be overwatering and your plant suffering from root rot. It's difficult to judge the size of the pot and the plant size from the angle, but suspect it is too large for the root system. Make sure you are checking ...Read MoreQ.Plant For Slope That Is Pet Tolerant - Our house that we bought a few years ago was professionally landscaped and the plants are all getting overgrown (10+ ...
A.Unfortunately the nitrogen in dog urine kills nearly everything it comes in contact with. My research shows that Clover or Wintercreeper groundcover is more tolerant of Dog Urine. This also means that it is invasive and you many need to ...Read MoreQ.Blight In The Garden - Each year our blight has gotten worse, until I finally learned that it was being caused by a fungus. How ...
A.You can solarize the garden beds. Here are some articles to help you.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/how-to-solarize-garden-beds-to-eliminate-garden-pests-in-the-soil.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/verticillium-wilt-treatment.htmRead MoreQ.Bottle Brush Tree - Are the flowers poisonous for dogs? My great dane has been eating some of the fallen blooms. Thank you.
A.The ASPCA lists Bottle Brush Tree has non toxic to dogs and cats. Read More
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Q.Papyrus Yellowing - My papyrus plant is yellowing at umbrellas. Rest of plant seems healthy. Not planted in bog or submerged. Is this ...
A.Your Papyrus may need more water. Ideal is submerged in water. With plenty of water, warmth and sunshine your plants are quite happy. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/papyrus/papyrus-plants.htmRead MoreQ.Camellia Buds Turning Brown - Camellia buds turning brown and when buds open the flower petals fall off the plant. Why? Buds are multiple at ...
A.Based on the symptoms, I think you should check for the presence of bud mites, which can only be seen with a magnifying glass. If you detect mites, you should spray them directly with either horticultural oils or insecticidal ...Read MoreQ.Transplanting Norfolk Island Pine Tree - Should I transplant my tree to a bigger container and what kind of dirt should I put, and also what ...
A.Repotting for a Norfolk Island Pine is generally every 3 years or so. If your plant is needing to be repotted, only go up 1 or 2 pot sizes larger. Here are some articles that will help you. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/norfolk-pine/norfolk-island-pine-care.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/norfolk-pine/norfolk-dropping-branches.htmRead MoreQ.Christmas Cactus - I have a Christmas cactus that is over 60 years old, probably older than that. It has slowly been dying, ...
A.I love stories of Heirloom plants! The plant does appear old, quite woody at the base and in general, not to healthy. The pot seems very large for what remains of the plant. The over sized pot can lead to over watering and ...Read MoreQ.Rubber Tree Plant - My rubber tree plant is getting spots on some of the leaves and it looks like something is eating the ...
A. Aphids, Spider Mites and Scale sometimes will dine on a Rubber Tree plant. Neem Oil is a good choice to treat these pests. Here are some articles to help you. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/rubber-tree/how-to-care-for-a-rubber-tree-plant.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/rubber-tree/leaf-curl-on-rubber-plants.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htmRead MoreQ.Dracaena - The stem of my Dracaena is becoming black. What's wrong with it? Am I doing something wrong?
A.Generally the leaves of the plant will show signs of distress before it reaches the stem of the plant. Do much direct light can cause the leaf tips to turn black. Your Dracaena needs evenly moist soil but never soggy. If ...Read MoreQ.Lavender - What is the best fertilizer to use on lavender?
A.Lavender needs very little fertilizer. You can feed it a light fertilizer in the Spring such as a 7-7-7 balanced fertilizer. A granular slow release fertilizer is a good choice. Scatter around the base of the plant and rake and water ...Read MoreQ.Hollyhocks - Last year I planted three hollyhocks that I purchased from a local garden center. The flowers were absolutely beautiful and ...
A.Here are some links that will help you. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hollyhock/tips-on-hollyhocks-growing-hollyhocks-successfully.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hollyhock/winterizing-hollyhock-plants.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hollyhock/tips-on-hollyhocks-growing-hollyhocks-successfully.htmRead MoreQ.Creeping Charlie - How to get rid of it?
A.Here is a link that will help you with this weed! https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/weeds/kill-creeping-charlie.htmRead MoreQ.Bitter Oranges - Can the bitter taste of my oranges be resolved?
A.Do you know the variety of Orange Tree that you have planted? There are bitter Orange's and nothing will change the taste. These oranges are used often for cooking jellies and jams. Here is an article with more information. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/oranges/different-types-of-oranges.htmRead MoreQ.Roses Infected With Witches Broom - I have removed all of the rose bushes that were infected and also removed the soil at the base. Should ...
A. Yes the rosebushes nearby could be at risk. I would buy a good miticide and spray the other roses and the old planting area with that. Apply it at least a couple times according to the label instructions. ...Read MoreQ.Lemon Trees In Pots - I have a Lisbon and lots of lemons trees in big pots. Have read about watering and fertilizing but what ...
A.Here are some articles that will help you. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/lemons/growing-lemon-trees-containers.htm https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/patiocitrus/containers.htmlRead MoreQ.Cutting Strawberries - I didn't cut any of the Strawberries plants prior to winter and now I have a bunch of dead leaves ...
A.It's always a good idea to do normal spring maintenance like clearing out dead leaves to give the new growth some room, and you DO want to pinch the blossoms and plant runners the first year. You shouldn't have to ...Read MoreQ.Grapefruit Seed Still A Seedling - The story of a non-green thumb, trying to grow things...Planted on November 3rd 2015. It is now April 2nd, 2016 ...
A.Ack! I had this in neat little paragraphs, what happened!?Read MoreQ.Freezing Temps - Our overnight temps here in midcoast Maine will be plummeting to the teens for the next few nights. My daffs ...
A.You can certainly cover your plants, and there are several options of material to use. You can find more information about how to protect your plants in a freeze here: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/frost-how-to-protect-your-plants.htm and here: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/protect-plants-in-freeze.htm Read MoreQ.Chard - Are Bright Lights and Rainbow the same?
A.Chard is also commonly called Bright Lights. Rainbow Chard is a colorful hybrid cultivator that is a mix of varieties that is often mistaken for a variety in itself. Read More