Q.Japanese Maple - I have one half of my Japanese maple, which is a full grown, well estblished tree, that looks normal, with ...
A.It would be hard to diagnosis precisely without knowing other symptoms or being able to examine the tree, but it is likely a fungus. I would recommed treating the tree with neem oil, which will kill any fungus that are ...Read MoreQ.Holly Bushes Were Damaged During The Winter - Holly bushes were damaged during the winter. Brown leaves. How far down can I trim them and can I do ...
A.Here is an article about holly pruning that you might find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm You can prune back the branches to the live growth (green tissue), but you should wait until after the last frost date. Call your local Extension ...Read MoreQ.Seeds - I have grown my own broccoli and broccolini, letting some of them go to seed, and was just wondering how ...
A.The pods will eventually dry out. This is when they are ready to harvest the seeds. Don't wait for too long after they dry, as they will burst open shortly after they are dry and ripe. Here is more information: ...Read More
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Q.Is It Too Late To Prune Crepe Myrtle - We moved into a house with several crepe myrtles near the fence. We live in north TN. We have been ...
A.I would not prune this late in the year, as you will lose blooms if you do. The following article should be of some help to you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/crepe-myrtle/best-crepe-myrtle-pruning-time-when-to-prune-crepe-myrtle.htmRead MoreQ.Plum Tree Fruit Turns Yellow And Falls From Tree - Why does the fruit on my plum tree turn yellow and fall to ground when just coming out? I can ...
A.Premature fruit drop is normally the result of poor pollination or an insect problem. Peach tree borers can also affect plums. This article will help determine if this is a problem: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/peach/peach-tree-borer.htm This article may help as well: ...Read MoreQ.Rooting Wisteria - I broke off a couple of branches and pinched off a couple of the stalks of flowers. When you said ...
A.Yes, remove all the flowers. Soilless mix is a soil that has no dirt in it. Standard potting soil typically meets this description, so you can use plain old potting soil. Rooting hormone should be available in most garden centers. ...Read MoreQ.Satsuma Pest - I have a Satsuma orange tree which I planted as a 24-inch tree 4 years ago. The tree produced fruit ...
A.If you suspect birds, I would suggest hanging old CDs or pie plates around the tree. The movement and flashing tends to keeps away. You can also try bird netting. It is a very fine netting sold at garden store ...Read MoreQ.Leaves Chewed Around Edges - I have a Meyers Lemon tree which is now indoors by my kitchen patio window, which gets a lot of ...
A.It sounds like you may have a pest feasting on your tree. Though there are several pests that it could be, such as aphids, scale or mealybugs, they are all treated the same way - with a general insecticide. I ...Read MoreQ.How Do I Make Gardenia Have More Leaves - My gardenias are not full of leaves and they look terrible. I have been looking for ways to take care ...
A.I would not recommend this practice. While it does acidify the water, too much can hurt the plant. Vinegar is often used as a homemade weed killer as it is very acidic. Instead, stick with an acid-loving fertilizer (appropriate for ...Read MoreQ.Dried Out Hydrangea - I've got a wilted hydrangea...what have I done? We just bought a fully bloomed, five-headed hydrangea a week ago, but ...
A.Typically, in hydrangea, this is caused by a watering issue, though it could be a number of other things--over fertilizing, leaf scorch (if planted in too much sun), etc. Check the soil and make sure that it is damp, but ...Read MoreQ.Japanese Maple - We have freeze warnings for tonight. We have had warm weather and all my trees have leaves. Should I cover ...
A.While you don't have to cover the tree, it will not hurt to do so. This article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/protect-plants-in-freeze.htmRead MoreQ.Eucalyptus Trees - I planted a eucalyptus tree last Sept. in our backyard. It's a dollar tree. Now it looks dead. What should ...
A.These trees can survive cold spells for short periods with only leaf loss as damage. This article will help you determine if the plant is 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.What Vegetables Can Be Planted Close To Black Walnuts - What vegetables can be planted close to black walnut trees?
A.Most vegetables will not tolerate soil near black walnut trees but here are some vegetables that are tolerant of black walnuts: Lima beans, Snap beans, Beet, Sweet corn, Onion, Parsnip. There is also the threat of having the tree's toxic ...Read MoreQ.Why Is Outer Leaf Greener Than Inner - Why is the outer leaf greener than the inner leaf?
A.This really depends on the type of plant you're referring to, as it could be normal in some plants (such as with certain varieties or varietgated plants). An issue with light can sometimes cause inner leaves to become more pale ...Read MoreQ.Silk Tree - Should we cut very low branches near the ground? Will that help the top grow better?
A.Yes, pruning off the branches close to the ground should encourage more growth higher in the tree. For more information on the silk mimosa, here's an article; https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/mimosa/growing-silk-trees.htmRead MoreQ.Fertilizing - Concerning the heavy (plastic?) sheets used on beds around shrubs, etc., I assume water passes through that material, but I ...
A.I would say first determine what type of weed barrier you have - landscape fabric allows for both airflow and water (plus fertilizer) easily, while black plastic does not. If you have landscape fabric, then there shouldn't be an issue ...Read MoreQ.Yucca Plant - I have a yucca that's about 4 ft tall and lovely in our home, but my boyfriend trimmed some leaves ...
A.It is possible that the plant has either a fungus or root rot. This article will help you determine if it is root rot: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/treating-root-rot-gardening-tips-for-housplants.htm Treat the leaves with fungicide to kill any fungus that may be attacking ...Read MoreQ.Yucca - I have a very large yucca in my front garden which I'm going to prune very soon. Do I need ...
A.You do not need to cover the edge with wax. This can actually harm the plant as it can trap fungus and bacteria in the cut. I would recommend using potting soil instead of compost, or, if you want to ...Read MoreQ.Mulch Instead Of Dirt - Can I grow vegetables and flowers in mulch that I have put into pots instead of dirt?
A.While it is possible for many plants to grow in mulch, vegetables (especially those in containers) require specific nutrients that may not be present in the mulch alone. I would at least mix in some soil with the mulch. Of ...Read More
