Q.Laburnum Tree - I have a Laburnum tree and have lived here for 20 years. The tree has always flowered, but this year ...
A.If you had an unexpected frost or freeze during late winter/early spring, this could have affected the buds. The soil could also be lacking phosphorus. Add some phosphorus-rich fertilizer or bone meal to the soil to help encourage blooming.Read MoreQ.Butterfly Bush - I planted 2 butterfly bushes last year and pruned them in late fall to about 1-2 feet from ground. So ...
A.This article should help determine if the bushes are still alive: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/how-to-tell-if-a-plant-is-dead-and-how-to-recover-an-almost-dead-plant.htmRead MoreQ.Large Black Spots On Azaleas - Large black spots on Azaleas with light green marshmallow looking things on azalea leaves. Some of the black spots are ...
A.The marshmallowey things sound like azalea leaf gall. This article tells you about prevention and treatment: http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/factsheets/azaleagall.pdf This article includes a section on leaf spots, and pictures of cercospora leaf spot, which may be your problem: http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/pests/plant_pests/shrubs/hgic2050.htmlRead MoreQ.Why Does Fig Tree Drop Fruit - My fig tree is dropping dry figs. Why?
A.This article should help with that: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/figs/fig-drop.htmRead More
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Q.Annoying Weeds - I have these tree-like weeds that are growing rapidly through my rose bushes and stunting their growth. They're extremely hard ...
A.Can you please send us a picture of your weed so that we can take a look and identify the weed? Identifying the weed will influence what recommendations we make regarding dealing with it.Read MoreQ.Too Much Fungicide - I sprayed my roses with fungicide for rust in March and about 10 days later all the new growth looked ...
A.It sounds like either the fungicide was mixed too heavily or perhaps the fungicide was old and some chemical interactions took place. Water the rosebushes well. The following night water each of them again with a large watering can that ...Read MoreQ.Sick Tree - I have 2 Filicium decipiens (Japanese fern trees). One of them is turning yellow while the other is beautiful and ...
A.Chlorosis (yellowing) is common in these plants and is often the result of an iron deficiency, but may be attributed to unseasonably cooler temps as well. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/leaf-chlorosis-and-iron.htmRead MoreQ.Wisteria - My wonderful wisteria of 17 years has been miserable this year and only half of it is in bloom at ...
A.If you are seeing ants, it is likely the plant is suffering from aphids. Ants don't normally bother plants unless there are aphids on the plant (aphids are like cows for ants - they maintain 'herds' to get food from ...Read MoreQ.Beans - My bean's leaves are white with a fungus but the beans are nice, big and plenty. Can I eat them, ...
A.Your beans could well have powdery mildew. This article has more information on common bean diseases: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/beans/information-on-common-bean-problems-tips-on-growing-beans.htm If it is powdery mildew, the beans are perfectly all right to eat. However, if you have any questions, take some ...Read MoreQ.Is Ericaceous Compost Ok For Planting Indoor Gardenia? - I wish to pot a newly acquired gardenia plant.
A.Yes, since gardenias are classed as ericaceous plants, compost (potting soil) mixed for acid-lovers should work. Gardenias grow best in pH of 5.0 - 6.0, you may want to do a simple pH test now and then. ...Read MoreQ.Mossy Growth On Crepe Myrtle Tree - What is the mossy growth on my crepe myrtle tree? It is also on some other trees also. How do ...
A.It is lichen, which is harmless to the tree. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/fungus-lichen/treatment-tree-lichen.htmRead MoreQ.Tomatillos - I have two tomatillo plants in my garden bed, both are full of flowers and both have set a few ...
A.It's fine for them to set fruit around the same time. As for cross pollinating, this is only a problem if you plan on growing the seeds from this year's crop the next year. Cross pollination does not affect the ...Read MoreQ.Using Steer Manure Compost - I'm setting my garden up in 4'x 4'x 7" raised beds. Each bed needs 8 cubic feet of soil to ...
A.Most Steer manure is available in two cubic feet (2 ft³) size bags. The following should help you determine how much Steer manure you will need in your application. One bag of Steer manure per 200 ft² (20'*10') at a ...Read MoreQ.Hosta – Dividing It - Our hosta has already come up and is fairly large. Can we cut it back and divide it now?
A.Most definitely and now would be the ideal time to do it, before it gets too hot. You can normally divide these plants anytime from spring through fall. Simply dig up the clumps you want to divide and split them ...Read MoreQ.Mint Indoors - How to successfully grow mint indoors. I potted it successfully but not sure how it could get more leafy/bushier, as ...
A."Pinching the plant back will help promote a bushier plant. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/pinching-plant.htm, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/making-herbs-bigger-through-pinching-and-harvesting.htm, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/mint/growing-mint-indoors.htm" Read MoreQ.Small Yellow Spots On Tomato Plant - I just bought some gardener's delight tomato plants last week. They were in very small pots and tended to top ...
A.If the spotting is affecting only a couple of leaves, remove those leaves as well as the yellow ones - it's nothing to worry about. If many more leaves become infected, however, you might have one of several ...Read MoreQ.Potted Hibiscus - I live near Houston, TX., so it is getting hot! I have an entwined potted hibiscus which continues to flower ...
A.The soil may have dried out (from evaporation) and is repelling water, especially if conditions are hot. Try soaking the pot in a bucket or tub of water overnight. Due to the excessive heat, the plant may also be stressed. ...Read MoreQ.Kumquat Trees - My Kumguat trees seem to be dying. They are 10 to 11 years old and were doing well, with the ...
A."I want to say it's either fungal or pest related. Many types of fungus affect these trees as do many insect pests, all of which can lead to symptoms like this. Generally, a liquid copper fungicide and removal of dead ...Read More
