QUESTION.
My pumpkin plant is growing very well but has only had male flowers up too now, all on long stems. How can I encourage female flowers, is there something wrong?
Ryan.
Melbourne, Vic. Aus.

ANSWER.
You will have too be patient. It is normal for the plants to produce only male flowers at first. Keep the plants well watered; female flowers will be produced before long. If you want too hurry the process when the female flowers do appear, hand pollinate the female flowers in the morning by breaking off a male flower and dabbing the pollen on to the centre of the female flower. Remember, plenty of water and liquid feed as the pumpkins grow.

QUESTION
When is the time to feed my fruit trees with fertiliser.
Regards Ray.

ANSWER.
Now is the perfect time if the soil is reasonably dry, but not if you are still under snow cover. The main thing is to apply your fertiliser before the blossom sets fruit. Feed with a high potash, high phosphate, low nitrogen, fertiliser.

QUESTION
Good Morning: I have several well-established Spiraea along the front of my home. I want to prune them. I have heard EARLY Spring is the best time. My question is how severe can I be with my pruning without damaging the plants and should I not expect flowering this year if pruned?
Thanks, Earl

ANSWER.
The usual time to prune spiraea is after flowering, but only lightly, this can encourage new flowering periods. If you have spring flowering varieties the flower buds will be formed already and pruning now will lose the flowers, (Arguta; Bridal veil) for example.

If you have late summer, autumn, flowering varieties (Anthony Waterer) for example, you should still see flowers this year if you prune lightly now. If you wish to heavily prune your plants to get a good shape, the time to prune is November-December.

QUESTION
Hi, I was hoping you could tell me if any growers have produced a small magnolia bush, as I would like to plant one in the garden, but did not want the one that grew to big, and would I be able to plant in the space where I am going to take out a small apple tree?

What would be the best time to do this work? Thank you for any help that you can give me. Jill

ANSWER.
Hi Jill
Magnolia Liliiflora Nigra; about 10 ft max. Flowers are nearest in shape to the large magnolia, Soulangeana, but are of a reddish hue.

Magnolia Stellata; about 12 ft max. Have masses of star-like pure white flowers.

Magnolia Willsonii; about 13 ft max. Only looks a bit like a magnolia.

There are so called dwarf magnolias on the market, Little Gem and Coco, but they are evergreen and definitely not frost hardy, they need to be grown in a tub and taken indoors in areas where temp drops below zero.

QUESTION
I recently moved into a home and there is a Japanese Lace Maple (base of trunk is approx 8 inches around, tree is 2 ft high) in the back yard. The problems lies in that the previous owner planted the tree right next to the underground water pipes for the in-ground pool and I'm worried that the roots will end up breaking the PVC pipes. I'd like to move the tree and I'm interested in potting it.

My question is what kind of cares should I take when moving it and is potting it a good idea? If potting is ok what size pop should I use?
Thanks, Kris

ANSWER.
Maples are very slow growers, but roots of any tree can damage pipes, so it's best to be cautious. You can move the tree at the moment or pot it, but don't wait too long. You need to act before spring growth starts or the plant may suffer due to the roots not being established and unable to cope with water demand.

The rule of thumb is, the pot diameter should be one-third to a half of the height of the tree.

The choice of the growing medium is extremely important. It must have the ability too hold water, but it must also be porous and drain easily. We always use commercial potting mixes. The pot must have drainage holes.

Growing in a pot will dwarf the growth, but you will have to move to bigger and bigger pots as the tree grows.

QUESTION
When we moved into out new home it had some rose bushes growing outside. They had not been taken care of for about 5 years, but they are still alive. Someone told us that if we cut them down pretty short that they would grow back to have more roses and be healthy again. When is the best time to cut them back? We live is the very southwest corner of Oklahoma if this matters.
Brittany Miranda

ANSWER.
You can cut down your roses now, cut down to about 18 inches. Cultivated roses are grafted on to a wild rose (Dog Rose) root stock and after five years of neglect it is probable that some of the cultivated roses will have died off and you are left with wild roses.

As new growth starts, cultivated rose leaves are bronze in colour, wild roses are light green and have many thorns. Even on roses that are still the cultivated types there will be suckers growing from the wild rose root. You will need to pull off these light green wild rose growths from the root.

Feed with a dedicated rose fertiliser, now and late summer. Also apply a small amount of garden lime around the plants and water in. A mineral suppliment [available at garden outlets] would also be of benefit.

QUESTION
Hi, I live in the north of Scotland and silver birch trees are dying off. They were thick 25 to 30 ft high trees in for about 20 years but one by one they are becoming thin and leafless. We have cut down two but there are no obvious signs of disease either on the tree or in the soil around.

Any ideas to what could be causing this and is there anything I can do before I loose the other 4.
Maggie

ANSWER.
Birch trees in Scotland are now suffering widespread infection of 'Birch Die Back' [Anisogramma Vigulorum] a virus disease that seems to be gaining advantage from global warming. Most prominent signs of infection are dark brown patches on new growth then subsequent death of the branch.

There are also reports of boring beetles from foreign areas that have arrived in the country in the wood of pallets, packing cases, etc. that have not being treated with pesticide. These beetles are also benefiting from global warming.

You say that there are no obvious signs of disease, if this is the case another possibility is that the soil has become too alkaline.

Your best course of action would be to contact your local Forestry Commission office for further information and help.

QUESTION
What can I do to get rid of all the weeds that have those little round spurs (prickers) that get all over you and the dogs hair they inbed in. My yard is infested with them, its horrible. Someone advised me to put lime down is this true & if so how much? Please help....
I live in Central Florida, Eva

ANSWER
You can spray the offending plants with 'Roundup' Glyphosate based spray. This chemical spray is absorbed into the plant and kills the roots. Use a small sprayer and spray each weed plant or group of weeds individually.

But you must cover any plants that you wish to preserve, roundup is not choosy as to which plants it attacks.

QUESTION
Hello, I wonder if you can help me?
I have a small Eucalyptus tree, about 5 feet tall and the winds have played havoc with it and it is now sloping over rather badly. I have attached a post to it to help a while until the weather improves. I wondered if you could tell me when and if there is a good time dig it up and plant it deeper in the same position it is now?
I would appreciate your help.
Regards Claire

ANSWER.
If you replant the tree deeper it may well kill it, the plant has established a water line internally and now must be kept at that planting depth. Eucalyptus are notorious for a weak root system in the early years, but as they become established they anchor very firmly to the ground.

Plant a large firm post by the tree and if possible plant two more posts in line, each about 1 meter from the centre post and attach a rail across the 3 posts. Secure the tree to the centre post and this should cure the problem.

Be sure to loosen off the ties on a regular basis as the tree grows or the tree will be become strangulated and suffer.

QUESTION
Hello! I live in San Diego, CA where we have had some rare cold nights. My 2 year old king palms ( which were just starting to take off) Have been badly burned by the frost. What is going to happen next? Are they going to die? When should we cut the dead fronds off? I love kings, but didn't realize they are so delicate! I appreciate any answers you may have.
Thank you, Lori

ANSWER.
If your King palms have been subjected to 25 degrees Fahrenheit or lower they could well die, if just above this temperature they could grow out of the damage but still look a mess for some time.

Best to leave alone for the time being, the dead growth will help protect the rest of the tree from more frost. Just cut off any foliage that is rotting to prevent disease taking hold. You will then have too wait until new growth starts in spring and then assess the extent of the damage.

If damage is extensive it is better too replace the tree rather than spending time over a badly traumatised tree that may die later anyway.
Valecroft Nurseries

QUESTION
I have a pruning/thinning question about our "Grace Ward" Lithodora in the rockery garden. It blooms beautifully at season but underneath the cool green foliage is all this dry dead looking stems and leaves.

I have suspected not enough sunlight/watering (as the water tends to run off quickly in that bed.

Should I be pruning out the old growth underneath and how do I do that to maintain the health and beauty of the plant?
I will appreciate any help you have for that problem.

I just found your site today and have been reading some of the help questions and answers. It was so enjoyable and I look forward to further visits to your site.
Thank you, Carol

ANSWER.
Lithodora like dry conditions and slightly acid soil, there does tend to be dead foliage, being close to the ground there is nowhere for the dead leaves to be blown away. You can crumble up the dead leaves between finger and thumb during a dry period.

You say that there is plenty of green growth over the dead leaves so I cant see that you have a problem at the minute.

Sometimes this plant tends to die in the middle but continue to grow round the perimeter of the spread. You can then rake away the dead growth in the centre and plant a new plant in the central area.

QUESTION
Hello can you tell me when to prune a Photinia red robin tree

ANSWER.
If you are growing as a hedge, heavily prune in July and lightly in January but not during a frosty period.

If an individual tree, only prune any wayward growth whenever necessary to keep a good shape.

QUESTION
My red maples have been in the ground for (2) seasons this past fall.

Two separate locations fairly distant from each other on opposite sides of the house. First year, they did great
This year, when we experienced some drought type conditions in Aug/Sept – (I am in TN)

I noticed that the leaves looked brown spotty, kinda blotchy. I saw no indication of real damage to the leaves as would be left by caterpillars, etc. Even the new baby leaves were barely coming out before turning brown and curling up. I noticed webbing on the inside of some of these leaves, but no sign of insects.

I think that I would recognize signs of aphids, although I am not positive. I am thinking that it is possibly a spider mite. But I see no signs of red dots. The tree itself, branches, etc., appears very healthy. I treated these trees several times last year with only moderate improvement.

A couple of years ago, we had spider mites coming into our house around the window sills and had to spray inside. I am thinking that perhaps these mites are now living comfortably in my lawn and then getting on my red maples.

I would like to treat the trees and the lawn very early spring, if I only knew what I was dealing with, I am sure that I could remedy the problem.

Do you have any thoughts or suggestions. Can mites over winter in the buds as well?
Thanks- Robin

ANSWER.
This does sound like red mite infestation. The webbing you mention is the protective shield for the eggs which are very small and need a magnifying glass to see. In the right conditions i.e. hot and dry, the mites can go from egg to egg laying adult in 14 days or less.

Therefore you can have several generations over the summer, and there is overlap, so your trees are under attack all the time. There are chemical sprays available but their impact is limited. There are predatory mites available, but again success can be limited, a lot depends on conditions at the time.

The best approach is to spray insecticidal soap every 7 days both on top and under the leaves where the mite prefers to attach themselves to feed off the tree. Insecticidal soaps are available at most garden outlets and will wash off the mites and have some killing effect.

Read the instructions before use.

The main thing is to continue the attack over the summer period.

If the problem persists, your local university agriculture/horticulture outreach extension department can also help you with the problem. They can identify species and recommend treatment specific to your area. There may be a fee for this service.

Mites can over winter in the buds and in any dead leaves that are still on the tree.

QUESTION
I have a rhododendron (Alpenrose) planted in a container with the correct soil, in a sheltered position on a patio.

Some of the leaves have started to go brown, have you any suggestion as to what causes this, and the solution.

ANSWER.
I would suggest that the soil in the container has become alkaline due to the application of tap water. Scrape away as much of the growing medium that you can, without damaging the roots and replace with garden peat or ericaceous compost.

Feed with an acid fertiliser, sold for heathers, etc.

Valecroft Nurseries


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February   ------------

February is a difficult month in the garden, often very wet; it is often wiser to leave any sowing and planting until March. However for those who wish to carry on regardless there is much that can be done.

Moss in lawns can be attacked with rake or spray and a light dressing of fertiliser applied to start growth in March. If you ever thought of building a rock garden now is the perfect time, the area can be prepared and the stones laid out ready for planting next month. When landscaping a rock garden always try to arrange the rocks on a slope so that they appear to be jutting out of the ground.

Now is the time to get the builder in to build that decking that you have promised yourself for the last few seasons and the fish pool alongside the rockery and the pergola and the crazy paving. See, there is no end to the things you can do in the garden in February.

For the serious grower using heat, there are many tasks that can be undertaken in the greenhouse, with the days growing longer, fuchsia and geranium cuttings can be started off, early seeds can be sown in trays. But be warned this early production has its problems; seedlings and cuttings will damp off (go rotten at the base of the stem) in certain weather conditions and must be sprayed with a suitable fungicide. Many people buy part grown plug plants at this time of year, and to avoid damping off it is advisable to spread the plants out in your greenhouse so that fresh air can circulate.

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