Sign Up
Click on links below to jump to that question.
- Q.Plant Care - I've just moved into a house that has a large Phormium in the front garden. It has a faded flower ...
- Q.All Leaves Died Off My Phormium After Treating With Horticulture Oil For Mealy Bug - I discovered my 8 young phormium (black adder, special order, hard to find and replace) had mealy bug so I ...
- Q.Can You Help. Brown Marks Appearing On My Yellow Wave Phormiums - Hello A Gardener planted some yellow wave phormiums For us in a border at the front of our house.. In ...
- Q.Why Has My Phormium Lost Its Colour? - My phormium has lived happily in a ceramic container for years but over time has lost its lovely pinky-orangey leaves ...
- Q.Can Lomandra Grow In A Stormwater Planter? Can Phormium Tenax Grow In A Stormwater Planter? I Heard Phormium Tenax Plants Origin - ally came from swamps? We have stormwater planter approximately 4' wide by 42" in height. Soil will be well draining.
Asked by
Graylynne on
January 2, 2017
Wr5 3lxQ.Plant care
I've just moved into a house that has a large Phormium in the front garden. It has a faded flower spike on it. Do I need to cut this back, or should I leave it until the warmer weather?
Answered by
Alisma on
January 2, 2017
Certified ExpertA.You can optionally cut the flower spike back whenever you wish. Some gardeners find them attractive and leave them on the plant. However, once the spike produces seeds, they can drop and self-seed more Phormium in your yard, so you may want to remove the spike before the seeds mature.
Was this answer useful?00
Join Us -
Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!
- Asked by
Evelieb on
April 6, 2020
91320Q.All Leaves Died Off My Phormium After Treating With Horticulture Oil For Mealy Bug
I discovered my 8 young phormium (black adder, special order, hard to find and replace) had mealy bug so I sprayed each and every leaf fold with horticulture spray (called All Seasons) 6 are doing ok but 2 of them had leaves that dried up almost completely. I found that the leaves fell off easily if I plucked or even just moved them. The leaves felt dry except at the very base where they were still green. (About 1/4 inch at most) From these 2, one of them still has a few normal looking leaves, the other lost all leaves and I'm wondering if it will rebound considering the base shows some signs of life (green)
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
April 8, 2020
Certified ExpertA.With any oil based sprays, it is very important to follow all packaging instructions very carefully. Oil sprays are not meant to be used in hot weather, or in bright light. These conditions will cause the oils to burn the leaves. It is also very important to, only, test on a very small portion of the plant to make sure that it does not have a reaction to the oil.
I would try and force growth from the top, first. As long as the stems are not brittle they will likely leaf back out. If the top will not leaf back out, then you can allow any growth from the bottom to take back over.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/mealybugs-control.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/what-are-organic-pesticides.htm
https:/c/www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/natural-home-pesticides-organic-garden-pest-control.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
April 6, 2021Q.Can You Help. Brown Marks Appearing On My Yellow Wave Phormiums
Hello A Gardener planted some yellow wave phormiums For us in a border at the front of our house.. In October 2019. I have noticed browning/marks appear on them. Just wondered what this is, I hope they’re not dying? We recently (3 weeks ago) put slate down - and wonder if this has caused it.. They have only had one really good water (when planted) as the rain has done the rest and the gardener recommended they didn’t need to now.. I’ve text her.. and she’s not sure what it is.. But suggested a really one off good water / can you help shine a light on this - third image was when they were ok.. just after slate was put down.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
April 7, 2021
Certified ExpertA.Depending on the condition of the slate, how much of it, and how dusty it was, then there is a likelihood of the soil pH having been raised too high. This can be confirmed with a soil test, and pH test. These articles will help:
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
This article will give you more information on the care requirements of the plant:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/new-zealand-flax/new-zealand-flax-plant-care.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
May 24, 2021Q.Why Has My Phormium Lost Its Colour?
My phormium has lived happily in a ceramic container for years but over time has lost its lovely pinky-orangey leaves and is now mostly greenish. Should I be feeding it? I thought the initial instructions said not necessary but may have remembered wrongly. I have very acid soil, and think I would have planted it in something like John Innes No. 3 and have topped up occasionally with a good compost. Something I am doing is obviously wrong. Sorry, no photo as my digital skills not up to uploading from camera to this page.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
May 30, 2021
Certified ExpertA.It is not unusual for the plant to revert back to its parentage foliage. If this happens, cut the affected leaves back to the base of the plant.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/new-zealand-flax/new-zealand-flax-plant-care.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
January 12, 2024Q.Can Lomandra Grow In A Stormwater Planter? Can Phormium Tenax Grow In A Stormwater Planter? I Heard Phormium Tenax Plants Origin
ally came from swamps? We have stormwater planter approximately 4' wide by 42" in height. Soil will be well draining.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
January 13, 2024
Certified ExpertA.Lomandra can tolerate wet feet, especially in winter. New Zealand flax does not like boggy soils, but if it is well draining enough, it may work. The information below should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/lomandra/growing-lomandra-grass.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/new-zealand-flax/new-zealand-flax-plant-care.htm
Was this answer useful?00
Do you know a lot about gardening?
Become a GKH Gardening Expert
X
Join Us -
Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!