Q.

IMPATIENS: Hello, I live in Fremont, CA. I got some Impatiens about 10 days back and I planted about 6 each in 2 window boxes. My first question is how much of sunlight do they require? My patio gets about 6 hrs of sunlight from 9am-2: 30pm. whenever I leave them in the sun they seem to be drooping. Also a couple of them died. Can I take them out and plant new ones? Also how much water do they need? I saw some of them at the store and had so many flowers. How do I keep the plant flowering all the time?

PETUNIAS: Regarding Petunias, my question is I got a jumbo pack and just transferred each of them to a bigger pot. As I was transferring I noticed that the roots seem to be tangled in one and other's. Some of them snapped even though I separated them gently. Will this cause any harm to the plant? Also I gave them Miracle Gro after some time. Is that ok? I also got one in Ultra Blue. That doesn't seem to be doing well. Although I treat all of them the same.

BEGONIA X TUBERHYBRIDA: I just got a yellow one recently. How long do they bloom and also do they come back next year?

Please do advice me on these. Thank you very much.

A.

Impatiens love water, they also like feed, they like slight shade so your sunlight pattern should suit them. Take out the dead ones and replant; the new plants will soon catch up. Your petunias should have suffered no harm over the roots, some colors of petunias display weak growth at first. Feed well and watch for aphids and snails, major pests on petunias. Your begonia dies down to a tuber, which can be saved for next year.

Q.

I have beautiful CLEMATIS in the front of my home and would love to start another one. I noticed a small shoot growing at the base of the plant but I'm not sure if I'd get any roots if I tried digging it up. Seems like it is attached to the root of the "mother" plant.

This clematis blooms in early June and is pretty much done blooming. My home is located in Minneapolis and I believe we are Zone 3 0r 4. We live close to downtown so I think we tend to stay warmer than the rest of southern Minnesota. Thanks for any advice you can give me.

A.

Most clematis are grafted onto a more vigorous rootstock, which is more disease resistant. The shoot to which you refer could be from the rootstock and if rooted would not give a satisfactory flower. Indeed these shoots should be taken off or they will overwhelm the chosen plant. If you wish to root a new plant, find a long new shoot slightly further up the plant and carefully bring the tip down to the ground and peg it down with a u shaped piece of wire about a foot from the tip. Cover the wire with a small mound of soil and by autumn you will have a new rooted plant, which you can then sever from the main plant

Q.

What is the correct way to trim a RHODODENDRON? I don't want mine to get huge and out of hand.

A.

Pruning rhododendron. The job must be done now; June. leave any longer and you will destroy next year's flowers.

If you want a rhododendron or azalea to be shorter next year or stay the same height, don't preserve the tip growth on the tallest branches. Clip into the old wood, eight or 12 inches shorter than you want that branch to be next year. Then water well and fertilize. New branches will pop out from the leafless wood.

Q.

I have three KUSA DOGWOOD tree/bushes that were planted at the edge of a paved patio in the fall of 2000. The first spring they were absolutely lovely with plenty of flowers. AT the end of last summer, they were beginning to look "tired" - kind of thirsty. I had a landscaper look at them and he told me they were fine. This spring there were not as many flowers but they remained healthy looking until the summer rolled in. Now they look as though each leaf is burned on the edges. I've looked closely at the leaves to see if there is some kind of tiny bug on it. The leaves do not look eaten by bugs and I don't see anything on them. My landscaper told me water them once a week with a trickle from a hose for 15 minutes. I've been doing that and still the leaves look burned at the edges. Any idea?

Also, in the centre of my patio is a Japanese split leaf maple that was also flourishing until this summer. Now the new growth comes out bright red and then it turns to green. This tree is no longer a red maple but an ugly green one. What should I do?

A.

The dogwood tree is a forest floor tree and needs this type of damp shaded condition replicated. Spread a generous amount of garden peat around each plant, and then keep this peat wet. Also feed with a high nitrogen fertiliser plus iron additive. In the wild, dogwoods have developed a symbiotic relationship with the Mycorrhizal fungi, which provides the tree with vital minerals, planted in the garden this fungi is missing. This fungi is available at garden outlets or by mail.

Try feeding your maple with garden lime and a tablespoonful of Epsom salts. It sounds as if the soil is too acid.

Q.

My neighbour is doing massive re-landscaping. A lot of soil is being hauled away. It stinks! Despite the removal of so much soil, all around the perimeter of the house and in the atrium there is a very unpleasant odour from the soil that's left. I can even smell it next door. What can be the cause, and what remedies are there? Thanks!

A.

This smell could possibly be rotted vegetation and other rubbish buried on a previous landscape job being exposed to the air. If this is the case a good shower of rain should fix it.

Q.

Hi.... Can you please tell me why all of my GERANIUM Plants have not bloomed at all this summer? They are all very hardy growing, with good green leaves, but not one Bloom in sight!! They are potted in containers, both indoors and outside in window boxes, fed organically with worm compost..Please help!!!Thanks Philip

A.

This sounds like too much nitrogen in the soil. Try a high potash low nitrogen fertiliser. Bone meal is excellent if organic.

Q.

Hello, I live in Washington State and love your website. I have a large yard and it is wooded. I have cedar trees and pine trees. I want to plant flowers and bushes in amongst these. What do you suggest would be good to grow? It is also mostly shaded. I would also like to know if it is okay to make a bench planter around a tree and fill it with soil to put plants in. would it kill the tree if the soil is up high on it?

A.

Suitable plants for your purpose are as follows; Vinca, Ferns, Gentian, Primrose, Smilacina, Omphalodes, Ajuga, Astilbe, Heuchera, Pulmanaria, Violas. Hosta. Heather's, Ivy, Kalmia, Hamamelis, Pieris, Hydrangea, Rhododendron, Iris, Foxgloves, Lilies.

A tree has a defined water line, a certain distance above the ground, corresponding to capillary action. Piling soil above the root level will interfere with the plant's growing system and kill it.

Q.

My husband has been given a CALAMODIN plant and it had no instructions with it. We do not know how to care for it and we do not know whether the oranges are edible. Can you help?

A.

Calamondin need warmth and light plus an acid soil and must be fed with an acid fertiliser as for azaleas, heather's, etc. if you re-pot use a mixture of peat and sandy soil. A yearly application of a tablespoonful of Epsom salts will correct magnesium deficiency, which is a major cause of yellowing leaves and fruit drop.

Spider mites, mealy bugs and scale insects are major pests. Place an insect sticky trap, widely available, within the plant foliage to catch them. The fruit is used in oriental cooking, where some other disciplines would use lemons or limes.

Q.

I have a WILLOW TREE in a large pot, but its leaves have turned brown and fallen off twice this year. It happened once last year so it went into a bigger pot, is this normal?

A.

Willow need vast amounts of water, in the wild, willows shed their leaves and grow new ones according to the level of the water table. Also willow is host to many pests, which hit the tree from time to time but are rarely fatal. So nothing to worry about, remember regular water is needed.

Q.

Dear Gardener, I normally have a black thumb, but I received a PHILODENDRON for Christmas and it was flourishing. I recently had back surgery and it's care was left up to my husband...big no-no. He left it outside overnight about 3 months ago and the temperature reached about 50 degrees. It survived but ever since then a few of the leaves are partially brown and wilted.

I thought they would fall off or something but nothing has happened. Should I remove the affected leaves? If so, how should I do it? The major problems the leaves are causing are purely cosmetic. I just used to have a beautiful plant and I want it back that way. Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated.

Someone told me that it may be a 'heartleaf' philodendron, but I am unsure of that. Thanks so much. Nikki

A.

You should carefully clip off the brown leaves, while doing so check for red spider mite, these tiny mites cause leaves to go brown on exotics. Sprays are available. Philodendrons should be treated like rubber plants, never moved, kept warm and damp and the leaves cleaned occasionally.

Some people use water, some use milk, or you can find a branded leaf cleaner at your garden outlet.

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Q.

I have an established area of PERIWINKLE (ground cover) - this last spring the number of blooms was far less than in previous years. Is there something I should be doing to encourage better blossom production? thanks, Shannon.

A.

Feed with a high potash fertiliser, with low nitrogen, potash promotes flower growth, plus some garden lime.

Q.

For the first time I have grown PUMKINS in my garden. Excuse me for bragging, but I have a nice crop. When do I harvest them?

A.

September is harvest time; the pumpkin is ripe when it is difficult to penetrate the flesh with the thumbnail. After harvesting, dry in a ventilated but rainproof area for two weeks, to cure. Then store in a frost-free area, if you wish to save for any length of time.

Q.

Thanks for your recent help regarding my cucumber plants. I have another question. I have a big MAPLE TREE in my side yard. I've lived in this house for 7 years, and the tree looks like it is in good condition. However, this year, I'm noticing the green leaves are falling already. The leaves appear to be healthy, not at all dry or brown. It seems early for them to be falling, especially since they're still green. Is this common? Thanks for you help. David.

A.

This could be caterpillars, if the leaves are damaged. If the leaves have a clean break, it could indicate that the water table has dropped and there is less water available to pass through the tree, therefore making some leaves redundant.

Q.

The lawn has turned brown, should I keep watering.........or just wait till September and let nature do the trick? Basically I want to know if it will come back or just waste water? Thanks Janet C.

A.

An application of high nitrogen fertiliser is often needed at this time of year to encourage green growth. Read the instructions. Cut back on water, for the moment. Feed again at the end of September with high potash fertiliser, (low nitrogen) to encourage root growth for next year.

Q.

I was watching Home and Garden TV and it was mentioned that flowers survive better living close to each other than people. I have approximately 20 roses along the south wall of my back yard.

In the past 6 months, I have been planting other flowers in between the roses such as marigolds, vinca and canna. Is this OK? Since I live in AZ, and the roses burn quickly, I wanted to have some colour. Do I need to feed more often? Will this affect the hardiness of my roses? Please advise.

I also have a flower garden in my front yard. It is planted among Bermuda grass with a cement enclosure. For the life of me, I cannot control the grass and weeds that sprout in the garden.

I have marigolds, mums and vinca planted there. Is there any type of weed killer I can use that will not harm the plants but kill the grass/weeds? I do not have the time to go out everyday to weed. Please help.

A.

Roses really need open space, if surrounded by other plants the rose leaves stay damp and develop mildew, which in turn will act as host for rose blight. Low plants are possibly all right but vinca will choke the roses.

The more plants there are the more the feed needed.

For your weeds you can mix a small amount of systemic weed killer and paint it on to the weeds with a paintbrush, carefully avoiding your chosen plants. Or let the vinca take over the plot and put a few plants in containers among the vinca for the summer.

Q.

Can you please advise me as to what to do with POTENTILLA bushes and spirea bushes that have had neglect and no care for the last 6 months!!

Also, are these bushes supposed to be pruned back in the fall? We just bought a home that has many of these bushes but they are full of dead wood and only have blossoms at end of the branches. Would appreciate any help you can give me on these bushes so I can make them look better!! Thank you... Sherry.

A.

Cut out as much dead wood as possible now. In fall cut both types back all over by about one third, this will encourage new shoots lower down the plant, which will fill in the shape.

Q.

I live in southwest Florida. I purchased a MAGNOLIA tree about a month ago. I have planted it in full sun, water is not standing on it it is not dry.

I put cow manure in the hole along with topsoil when it was planted. About a week ago I put liquid peters fertilizer on it. Before the liquid fertilizer it was looking poorly and this has not helped. There is nothing on the leaves but they are all turning brown. It keeps going downhill. Do you have any idea what the problem might be?

A.

Magnolia trees are best planted in late autumn, when water requirement is at a minimum. This allows the roots to establish themselves before summer heat. A tree straight from a nursery would have tender leaves from regular overhead watering not good for your conditions. Not much you can do now, the plant may survive.

Q.

I live in Indianapolis, IN, and want to plant some SWEET PEAS this year in a large pot with a trellis.

The directions say in a warmer climate to plant after October, in a colder climate plant in the spring when ground allows. Should I plant the seeds after October in the planter and leave out on my porch all winter long?

Should I do something different if I want them in a planter vs. in the garden? Thanks, Shannon.

A.

The ideal way to sow sweet peas is in February, in a glasshouse or under glass frames. Then plant out later. If you have no glasshouse then leave until spring, if you sow before winter in a planter, mice or other rodents will dig them up in winter for a tasty meal. Also in a planter the frost could freeze the seed though the sides.

Wherever or whenever you plant sweet peas beware of mice.

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Q.

I have two CUCUMBER PLANTS that have been doing well until the last week. They have been climbing up the trellis I put up for them. Then, in the last five days or so, they have been turning light colored from the deep green they were earlier.

Some leaves are laced with holes and others are turning light brown and dying on the vine. At this rate there will be no cucumbers this year. Do you think this is a disease or insect infestation? Is there any thing I can do to save the plants?

A.

This sounds like cucumber beetle, a major pest in Illinois. Some over winter in the state and attack the crop early, some go south and return early summer and attack as now. The eggs are laid at the base of the plant and the hatching grubs eat the roots, after pupating the adult beetle attacks the plant.

They also carry mosaic virus, which often kills the plant. You can spray against the beetle, but it sounds a bit late. They are a small striped shiny beetle; you can try picking any off the plants by hand.

Q.

Love your site. Hope you can help. We have three nut trees in our yard. They were planted over 30 years ago and are now producing nuts. However, we have attracted an infestation of squirrels.

They have taken over the trees and are constantly up on the branches dropping nuts, branches and eating as much as they can. They are now running across our roof on a daily basis. Help, what can we do to either stop the trees from bearing fruit or somehow stop the squirrels from eating them. We have never had even one nut from these beautiful walnut trees. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Helen.

A.

You have a problem here. GREY SQUIRRELS are classed as vermin, and can be destroyed by trapping or shooting, but what would your neighbours say?

There are sprays, both organic and chemical to deter the little pests, but you would have to climb into the trees to apply. Your local authority could be called in to trap and destroy the animals, if they become too big a pest. Again, animal rights will be after you. Just make sure they don't take up residence in your roof space and start nesting. Sorry that I can't help you.

Q.

First of all thank you so much for helping me with my yucca problem; it was very much-appreciated thanks again. Now I would like to know if it is possible to propagate roses from the actual plant itself, or is there another method. Again thanks in advance.

A.

You can propagate roses by rooting cuttings. Strip off some of the reddish new shoots about 3 inches long. Dip the base of the shoots in hormone rooting powder and plant in a plant tray containing sharp sand. Keep the sand damp; rooting should occur in about a month. The roses that you buy at nurseries are grafted onto a wild briar rootstock in order to resist certain soil borne diseases. Your plants from cuttings will be true to the parent but not have the disease resistance.

Q.

I read somewhere MORNING GLORIES do not bloom if nitrogen is too high in soil... Ours have lots of healthy leaves, but hardly any blooms...Is there some way to lower nitrogen so they'll bloom more?

A.

Morning glory like poor soil and are very flower shy in rich soil, so try less fertiliser. Tomato fertiliser is low in nitrogen if you feel you must feed.

Q.

Could you please explain the blossom issue as it relates to male and female blossoms of ZUCCHINI squash?

A.

The female flowers have a tiny fruit at the base of the flower, the male flower does not.

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