AboutC.L. Fornari Expertise Annuals suggested for specific situations (sun, shade, windowboxes etc) New or unusual annuals are a particular interest of mine, and I grow many of these from seed. I am happy to help problem solve, answer questions about maintenance, and guide you to sources of unusual plants.
Experience I am a garden writer/speaker/consultant and host of a weekly gardening radio program in the Northeast. I have been gardening all my life for my own pleasure, and started as a professional gardener and garden communicator 15 years ago. I work part-time at a garden center, selling and tending shrubs/trees/annuals/perennials...and doing some propagation and design work. I often think that all these professional activities serve to put a somewhat legitimate framework around a serious case of plant-lust.
Question I just potted a flower that my neighbour gave me. I know very little about gardening but thought I would give it a shot. However, my first crisis has occurred. The main stalk of my flower broke from the root system. Is there any way to save it?? Thank-you.
Answer Carol,
Without knowing what this plant is it's impossible for me to say. However, with most plants, when a flower stalk breaks off you can't re-root that flower stalk. The plant should, however, grow new stalks of flowers, but this depends on what type of plant you have. Put the flower in a vase and use it indoors as a cut flower. Water the remaining plant when it is dry (water deeply but then wait until the soil gets dry before watering again) and keep it in the appropriate amount of light - ask your neighbor where it did well for him/her. After a couple of weeks, if the plant isn't growing, give it a mild amount of a liquid fertilizer according to directions, or apply two teaspoons of Osmocote Plus time-release fertilizer.
