One sometimes finds a wild plant or the representative of a wild species that is as beautiful as a garden hybrid. Depending upon the kind of plant under consideration, the purpose for which it is being used, and the taste of the person who is talking about it, one may find sharp differences of opinion … Read more
Why don’t my plants flower? Probably this plaintive question is raised oftener than any other that has to do with gardening. As likely as not, too, the complaining gardener will say that he gives considerable attention to fertilization, watering, and cultivation, but still, his plants do not flower as well as those in his neighbor’s … Read more
At the outset, if you make up your mind what your interest is in your garden or proposed garden, you will avoid confusion later. Is the garden merely to supply food as easily and cheaply as possible, or is it to provide vegetables of superb taste and texture which just cannot be bought in the … Read more
Question: I have been told that every house plant must have a resting period – some brief, some long. As the Christmas cactus blooms in the Winter and grows in the Summer, when does its resting time come? Answer: From the time the Christmas cactus is brought indoors in September until the first flower buds … Read more
Question: I’ve had a Christmas cactus plant for years – it always grows nicely until about August. Then large branches rot at joints near the main plant and fall. Although I root these branches and start new plants, I’d rather they didn’t fall off. What can be done to prevent this? Answer: At about the time you … Read more
The most important disease-causing problem for the Christmas cactus plant is caused by a fungus – Fusarium oxysporum. Stem lesions are water-soaked initially and rapidly enlarge to reddish-brown areas which appear sunken or mushy. The fungus spores love this environment, and it is easy to find the dusty yellow-brown covering of spores. Splashing water moves … Read more
Question: Will creeping Phlox do well in a shaded location? My elm trees shade the bed where I want to plant some perennials that would do well. Can you suggest something else that would be more satisfactory? KL, Kansas. Answer: Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) is quite versatile and will bloom under somewhat variable conditions. While it does best … Read more
Question: Should Iris Plants Be Mulched? Amy J, Miss. Answer: Bearded irises like the heat and “baked soil” of midsummer. They need no mulch in winter unless there is a danger that freezing and thawing will heave newly set plants from the soil. In Mississippi, mulching should be unnecessary in winter and even harmful in summer. During … Read more
Does sawdust, marsh hay, and straw make good mulches for strawberries? All are good, but if using sawdust it is advisable to increase the amount of nitrogen in the fertilizer given strawberries for the first few years since the bacteria use up the nitrogen as they break up the mulch.
Question: Which of the Spring flowering bulbs must be put in early, and which can wait until later? Answer: All the narcissi, species and varieties, and the small bulbs, such as crocus, snowdrops, scillas, chionodoxas, and grape hyacinths must be planted early – in September – or early October to make root development before cold … Read more