Q.Something Seems To Be Eating Our Houseplant Ctenanthe Oppenheimiana - What could it be? I can’t see anything on the leaves. How do I protect the plant?
A.I could see a few potentially pests causing this. Small rodents can sometimes feed straight across like this. If caterpillars have gotten in, then you may have one feeding on your plants. Snails and slugs could be the pest, but ...Read MoreQ.Why Are The Leaves On My Dwarf Lilac Bush So Small? - The Bush next to it is beautiful.
A.This is a difficult one. There are a few things that I could think of, though. There is a chance that the one next to it has a bigger root system, and it is out competing this one. There could be ...Read MoreQ.Poisonous Cranberry Hibiscus Barbs - Loved having my cranberry hibiscus growing like mad, amazing foliage, flowers, calyxes for teas. Harvesting, sans gloves, last December a ...
A.Every thorned plant carries these risks. I once had a thorn stuck in my foot for 2 years that I thought I got out all of the way. One day, I was messing with it and it came out. With that ...Read MoreQ.Should I Thin Out These Tiny Grapes Now Or Later ? - It’s an old grapevine that’s been neglected for some time. In a greenhouse, in Scotland.
A.I wouldn't, necessarily, thin the fruit. If it is fruiting poorly, then it probably needs a good hard pruning. This should be done in winter, or during dormancy. You may want to test the soil, as well. If it doesn't ...Read More
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Q.African Lily Not Thriving - I think this is an African lily. Should I be cutting it down in autumn or just cut out old/dead ...
A.It may not be hardy in your area, so it probably needed some winter protection. Cut back the foliage at the end of the summer. You can lift the bulbs and store them if you want to be sure they ...Read MoreQ.Watering And Fertilising - What is best water plants first Or fertilis (feed)first Michael
A.Unfortunately, this depends on the type of fertilizer. If this is natural compost, then it doesn't matter much. If this is a chemical fertilizer, then you will want to follow the instructions on the container. It will let you know ...Read MoreQ.I Have A Lemon Tree In Large And Heavy Pot. With Time, The Soil Has Receded Leaving The Top Of The Pot Empty. I’m Told One Cannot - cover the crown of the tree. What can I do to top up without damaging the tree? Tree is healthy ...
A.You can remove the top 1/3 of the soil and replace it as suggested in this article: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/how-to-refresh-potted-plants.htmRead MoreQ.Plant And Seed Patents? - I somewhat recently became aware that seeds and plants can be under patents. Now I'm trying to slog through and ...
A.Plant patents are only good for 20 years. After that, anyone can grow the plants. If a plant or seeds are patented, it will be indicated on the label, or you may see PPAF (Plant patent applied for). Here is ...Read MoreQ.Replacement Hollies - Fungus killed my Nellie stevens. Can I replace with Burfords Hollie’s?
A.You may want to choose a plant of a different species. Whatever killed your first holly could still be in the soil and could attack the new holly. Often, the pathogen is species specific. You also can sterilize the soil, ...Read MoreQ.Cyclamen Reblooming Before Going Dormant - My cyclamen stopped blooming at least a month ago. I have been watering it with a suitable fertilizer to prepare ...
A.If there was a disease present, then this could definitely be related. You mentioned noticing a disease in another plant, so it is possible that it has been transmitted through contact or soil. I really can't say much from here, other ...Read MoreQ.Perenials Planted In Pots,,brought Inside During Winter Need To Be Watered Or Are They Dormant? - Zone 6 NC
A.This depends on the plant, unfortunately. Some need a dormancy that is a real dormancy and do not need watering in the normal sense. Just enough to keep it barely alive. This will be 1 time per month. Some only ...Read MoreQ.What’s Eating My Hostas? - I would really appreciate any help you can offer about what is eating my hostas. If you are able to ...
A.This looks a lot like slug or snail damage. I can see what looks like a snail trail, which would indicate their presence. They feed at night, so you may not ever see them. Snail and slug baits are available, ...Read MoreQ.Need Some Help With These Two Seedlings I Grew At School! - Hello! During a club activity at school, I planted Ornamental corn and Cosmo seeds for fun without really expecting them ...
A.You could choose, either, containers for them or they can grow out in a prepared patch. The corn won't be too hard to transplant If you go with a container, then make sure it is at least a foot deep ...Read MoreQ.Best Way To Cut Back A Very Large Magnolia Tree We Have Gotten An Estimate Of $1000. To Cut Back 1/4 Of Tree - tried to sent picture but not skilled in tech. tree about 30 feet high and large circumference any advice would ...
A.Tree trimming is best left to skilled, bonded, and licensed tree trimmers. Arborists are best, but I know they can be expensive. In the case of magnolias, it's best not to prune mature trees unless absolutely necessary. Here is more: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/magnolia/pruning-magnolia-trees.htmRead MoreQ.Can You Please Advise The Name Of This Tree - It was already my garden, hence would like to know the nane
A.This is a type of yew. It is going to be difficult to know exactly which from this photo, alone. It is likely in the genus Cephalotaxus. It's care will be similar to Taxus yews. This article will give you general ...Read MoreQ.If A Female Flower Is Pollinated Correctly, Will It Go Into The Male Stage Which Is Next Or What Will It Look Like? - It is difficult to keep track of each flower I try to pollinate but I have had not success this ...
A.This really depends on the type of plant Plants that are self pollinating are extremely difficult to cross pollinate by hand. They must be kept in a very controlled indoor environment, and you must ensure that it receives little to ...Read MoreQ.What Is On My Lantana? - Leaves seem to have spots (bugs) and there are cocoon-like fuzz on stems? What do I do?
A.Those would be woolly aphids! They aren't usually too much of an issue unless there are some disturbances in its environment. You can treat them with neem oil. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/woolly-aphid-control.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/lantana/lantana-plants.htmRead MoreQ.How To Help My Herbicide Damaged Tree? - Im new to plants/trees. I have a new planted Eastern Redbud tree that was 4gal size. I sprayed a water ...
A.I think that it will depend on the type of weed killer that you used, and how long it stays in soil or on trees. The best course of action will be that you attempt to wash all remaining residue ...Read MoreQ.Should I Separate Crepe Myrtle Saplings? - I found a group of volunteer crepe myrtles under my very large crepe myrtle tree. I thought it was one ...
A.These sound like adventitious roots that are sprouting up. This clump IS likely one root system. If you can, it is better to separate them to make it easier to maintain shape. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/crepe-myrtle/crepe-myrtle-care.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/crepe-myrtle/crepe-myrtle-root-system.htmRead MoreQ.I Have Had This Pathos For Years And It Will Lose Leaves Because Of These Brown Spots. What Is Causing It? - It is in my bathroom, indirect sunlight. I water it when the soil feels dry about an inch below surface. ...
A.It could be on its way out! Their lifespan is about 5-10 years indoors, with some dying much earlier. The plant's ability to fight infections, or salt build up in the soil, decreases. This leaves the plant vulnerable to a ...Read More