| Subject | Date Asked |
|
| Geranium Frostbite | 10/19/2009 |
Q: I left my geraniums out last night and we had a frost. I heard you could spray with water and it ...
A: It's that time of year again, gardeners (like me) head out for a game of Russian Roulette with their ...
|
| dahlia flowers | 10/13/2009 |
Q: i am planning to plant some big dahlia flowers this winter , what care should i take . 1.fertiliser ...
A: Dahlias need heat and sun. Above 88 degrees, and the Chlorophyll A stops working. Below 48 degrees ...
|
| New Guinea impatiens | 10/8/2009 |
Q: Can you suggest any way to save this poor New Guinea impatiens? A photo is attached; it was taken ...
A: I agree, Earth Juice sounds like fertilizer. The Messenger is patent-protected. You won't find it ...
|
| New Guinea impatiens | 10/5/2009 |
Q: Can you suggest any way to save this poor New Guinea impatiens? A photo is attached; it was taken ...
A: Fertilizer companies have programmed plantlovers to fertilizer at the drop of a hat. Fertilizer is ...
|
| Persian shield in zone 6 | 10/3/2009 |
Q: I bought a persian shield this summer and it is beautiful. Then I realized it will not withstand ...
A: Yes, it is true - there is no such thing as a true gardener who believes there is such as a thing as ...
|
| reseeding sunflowers from plants | 9/28/2009 |
Q: should you dead head sunflowers before or after a frost if you want to use the seeds for growing?? ...
A: Sunflowers are Burpee posts harvesting tips on its website: ...
|
| Persian shield in zone 6 | 9/27/2009 |
Q: I bought a persian shield this summer and it is beautiful. Then I realized it will not withstand ...
A: Be the first on your block to grow the tender, tropical, exotic Persian Shield ('Strobilanthes ...
|
| cuttings | 9/21/2009 |
Q: What part of the geranium plant are cuttings taken from? I don't know where to take the cut and the ...
A: Two Geranium problems here: (1) How to take cuttings and (2) How to get branches. First, let's go ...
|
| colius cuttings | 9/20/2009 |
Q: I've started pinching off my coleus leaves now to root them for next spring plantings. I've put ...
A: Coleus are incredibly easy to root, ranking with Impatiens as the cuttings champions. Good thing, ...
|
| green "fungus" on tree | 9/4/2009 |
Q: I have a dogwood tree that doesn't look very good this year...I had some firewood that had what ...
A: Sounds to me like you're looking at Lichens -- exotic, harmless organisms considered hypersensitive ...
|
| petunias | 8/13/2009 |
Q: What insect or bug kills petunias
A: Sounds to me like it is time once again for our annual Black Spots On The Petunias question. Insect ...
|
| Hydrangea | 8/9/2009 |
Q: I planted two hydrangea plants in two separate locations in sandy soil. With all of the rain we've ...
A: My friend, The solution to sandy soil is not to fertilize. The solution is to amend the soil - ...
|
| waterlogged petunias | 8/2/2009 |
Q: I understand that we must not over water container petunias, but our weather (excess rain) this ...
A: First, the pots have to be perfectly draining. If they're not, change that. Petunia roots can't ...
|
| petunias | 7/21/2009 |
Q: How do I keep my petunias from becoming leggy
A: When you buy them at the garden center, Petunias are almost exclusively rigged behind the scenes ...
|
| annual flower - impatients | 7/15/2009 |
Q: our flower garden was mulched last year with hard wood. Now my impatients will not grow in the ...
A: Interesting problem. Thanks for the additional information. For the record, Impatiens as a genus ...
|
| annual flower - impatients | 7/12/2009 |
Q: our flower garden was mulched last year with hard wood. Now my impatients will not grow in the ...
A: I'm reluctant to answer your question because of your nebulous description of the problem - your ...
|
| Growing Nasturtiums | 7/6/2009 |
Q: I am a beginner gardner and I have some nasturtium plants that I planted from seeds and they have ...
A: Depending on variety and weather conditions, Nasturtiums bloom anywhere from 35 to 80 days after ...
|
| Petunia problem | 7/1/2009 |
Q: My petunias have a sticky feel to the foliage. The blooms do not seem to grow as large or full as ...
A: The National Garden Bureau has a thing or two to say about this sticky problem you post: 'Petunias ...
|
| Petunia pests | 6/30/2009 |
Q: My petunias get small black spots on the leaves and the stems and leaves get very sticky. I have ...
A: The problem with bug killers -- and this includes organic bug killers -- is that they work on ALL ...
|
| Petunia pests | 6/28/2009 |
Q: My petunias get small black spots on the leaves and the stems and leaves get very sticky. I have ...
A: Time again for the Annual Black Spots On The Petunias question. As you may have guessed, this is ...
|
| petunias | 6/22/2009 |
Q: I planted white and dark purple petunias in a big pot about 1 1/2 monthas ago.I think they are ...
A: Color in flowers is a complex chemical mystery that yields new surprises every year. A scientist at ...
|
| Dying flowers/shrubs | 6/21/2009 |
Q: There are two,(and only two) places in my garden where nothing I seem to plant grows. They are in ...
A: I hate to say this, mainly because no one wants to be bothered, but the perfect solution to this is ...
|
| impatients | 6/19/2009 |
Q: What happened when one day your impatients are healthy and blooming (4 in a planter) and the next ...
A: Unfortunately this sounds like standard Fungus assault. If you are in the part of the country where ...
|
| starting annuals from seed | 6/18/2009 |
Q: I was wondering how to get the flowers I grow from seed to stay relatively short and have thick ...
A: There are special, costly chemicals that growers use to get the effect you are asking about. But ...
|
| Sunflowers with multiple flowers | 6/14/2009 |
Q: I have several yellow Del Sol Hybrid sunflowers. A few weeks ago the large sunflower at the top of ...
A: Sunflowers are just about the easiest thing in the world to grow. These are basically fancy weeds ...
|
| mulching a flower garden | 6/12/2009 |
Q: My wife planted some bulbs in our flower garden last weekend (she said about 1/2" to 1" of dirt over ...
A: What a great idea you have to spend your summer. Mulch does look beautiful around flowers in the ...
|
| annuals in hanging baskets | 6/10/2009 |
Q: should there be holes in the the bottom of the pot in an annual hanging plant?
A: You NEED drainage for these things. Without drainage, no air. No air, no aerobic bacteria. No ...
|
| Snapdragons | 5/22/2009 |
Q: I planted 10 full-grown, blooming snapdragons two months ago. They have soil rich with organic ...
A: Sounds like a soil-borne fungus amongus, Joanne. Water water everywhere? Cool weather -- perfect ...
|
| planting salvia | 5/20/2009 |
Q: I just finished planting a large number of salvia plants from a local nursery. They are quite large ...
A: Each 'entire flower spike' is at the end of a stem that will form sideshoots and branches and, ...
|
| planting salvia | 5/19/2009 |
Q: I just finished planting a large number of salvia plants from a local nursery. They are quite large ...
A: I don't know who came up with the idea of removing flowers to encourage new growth -- perhaps what ...
|
| gladiolus | 5/18/2009 |
Q: can they be left in the ground for the winter? and if not can i store them in the refrigerator for ...
A: Gladiolus -- officially -- are hardy to around zone 8. But there's that list of exceptions that ...
|
| Parade Rose | 5/17/2009 |
Q: however if it acts like an annual maybe it qualifies for this forum? Here is my question. I have a ...
A: The Nurserymen's Exchange in California and Florida owns the trademark, 'Bloom Rite'. They market ...
|
| flowering cabbage | 5/16/2009 |
Q: i planted flowering cabbage last summer and let it go all winter with no trimming(i wasn't sure i ...
A: Behold the Biennial Bolted Cabbages. Yes, your Flowering Cabbages have Bolted. You've heard this ...
|
| Dahlia | 5/11/2009 |
Q: ..I just purchased some beautiful Dahlia's from a plant stand they looked great at first but now the ...
A: Dahlias are really very easy plants, especially if you treat them as annuals and don't dig them up ...
|
| Wilting Petunias | 5/9/2009 |
Q: I am in Montana, today is very nice, 60's. I took my hanging basket outside for the second time and ...
A: Took me a little investigating to come up with this answer, but I don't often learn something new in ...
|
| Geraniums being hit by frost | 5/7/2009 |
Q: I left my newly purchased geraniums out overnight by accident. They were hit by frost. Is there ...
A: Geraniums - domestic Pelargoniums, that is, and not the wild genus that scientists refer to as ...
|
| petunias | 5/4/2009 |
Q: I would like to know how I know when I can plant petunias. I see they are just starting to sell ...
A: Petunias are comparatively cold-hardy. As long as they have grown accustomed to the cold, they will ...
|
| tidal wave petunias | 5/1/2009 |
Q: I have no experience with flowers before. I planted wave petunias from seed. After about a month ...
A: You can't go wrong with Petunias. Growing these from seed, however, on your first try takes a VERY ...
|
| tea | 4/25/2009 |
Q: would the Moon Flower(giant white), Evening Promise,Corpses(early sunrise),Columbine(blue ...
A: At least one of those flowers on your list -- Moonflower -- is potentially lethal, especially if you ...
|
| deadheading annuals | 4/21/2009 |
Q: I'm growing a number of annuals in a greenhouse and want to known what annuals need deadheading in ...
A: Ah ha! You are not deadheading, my friend. You are PINCHING. That is a very good idea. Note ...
|
| Petunias | 4/13/2009 |
Q: I bought a whole of petunias last year and they were beautiful until late Fall. Now it is April and ...
A: Petunias, sad to say, are annual plants. They do actually thrive in cool weather and will bloom ...
|
| deadheading annuals | 4/7/2009 |
Q: I'm growing a number of annuals in a greenhouse and want to known what annuals need deadheading in ...
A: Deadhead EVERYTHING, Chuck. Seed-making is exhausting for a plant. It takes enormous amounts of ...
|
| NEW GUINEA IMPATIENT | 4/6/2009 |
Q: I HAVE A NEW GUINEA IMPATIENT MY SON GAVE TO ME FOR MOTHERS DAY. IT HAS GROWN WELL UNTIL NOW. I HAVE ...
A: It is very hard to i.d. disease without the plant right there in person. Even a photo is not really ...
|
| What to plant | 4/4/2009 |
Q: I have a large traiangular corner of the yard flower bed. Until last year, it was a shady flower ...
A: With some exceptions, perennials are, unfortunately, rarely the answer to plant selection. Few ...
|
| amaryllis | 3/13/2009 |
Q: I have 4 amaryllis plants ,they put out flowers and the leaves turn yellow , but when i cut the ...
A: This is NOT an annual, my friend, and the annual experts don't like me to answer questions that are ...
|
| Lychnis Cardenalis Maltese Cross | 3/7/2009 |
Q: Good Morning!! I would appreciate any advice regarding the soil preparation and appropriate planting ...
A: Lychnis 'Maltese Cross' is a dependable, long lived perennial -- no fuss no muss. Autumn or Spring ...
|
| Genista Racemosa | 3/5/2009 |
Q: For the last two years my sweet broom "genista racemosa" has been doing great. Last year it grew ...
A: Genista Racemosa aka Cytisus spachianus aka 'Sweet Broom' is considered hardy to around Zone 8b -- ...
|
| Persian Shield Strobilan | 2/26/2009 |
Q: My plant does well in the summer, but in the winter the leaves fall off although I protect it from ...
A: Shade-loving 'Persian Shield' ('Strobilanthes dyeranus' to botanists) loses its leaves in North ...
|
| Petunias? Surfinias? | 2/23/2009 |
Q: Are petunias and surfinias the same plant? I thought all of the petunias hang. However, last year I ...
A: 'Surfinia' is a trademark owne by Japan's Suntory Limited (most famous here for its delicious, ...
|
| Searching for a flower | 10/22/2008 |
Q: My looking for the name of a small (one inch) rounded flower with small leaves, green long stems, ...
A: Anna, this is a very tough question. It is almost IMPOSSIBLE to find a flower from a description. ...
|
| Plants and Butterflies | 9/29/2008 |
Q: I live in Lasvegas,Nevada and today i just bought new plants Red, White,puple Petunias, an orange ...
A: I admit I am not THAT well versed in the Butterflies of Nevada --- but here's someone who is: ...
|
| sticky impatients with crystaline globules... | 9/8/2008 |
Q: I have had two wonderfully full INDOOR WINDOW BOXES overflowing with Impatiens. But recently I ...
A: I have a feeling you're not going to like this. This 'honeydew' you observe, this sticky, clear ...
|
| Lantana | 8/29/2008 |
Q: I live in Georgia and I've been told that my Lantana will come back year after year, despite being ...
A: Technically, the heat-loving Lantana genus is perennial. But it's often grown as an annual as far ...
|
| Annual Hibiscus | 8/22/2008 |
Q: After purchasing a annual Hibicus in bloom, should it be replanted in soil (garden) or do they ...
A: Greetings from the North Shore, neighbor. FYI: There's no such thing literally as an Annual ...
|
| New Guinea Impatients | 8/8/2008 |
Q: I have a hanging planter with this varitey of impatients. I've had them for about a month and last ...
A: Sounds like you wanted to do something nice for your plants, and accidentally burned them with the ...
|
| IMPATIENTS AND GERANIUMS | 8/4/2008 |
Q: , IVE BEEN CLIPPING FROM MY IMPATIENTS ALL SUMMER AND STARTING NEW PLANTS FROM THE STEMS IVE ...
A: Sorry, but there's no easy answer for this beyond what you are doing so competently already. ...
|
| pest on petunias | 8/2/2008 |
Q: I am growing petunias in pots on my terrace on the 25th floor in NYC. The flowers on one of the ...
A: Ah, the annual Black Dots on my Petunias question. This could be symptom of a couple of things. ...
|
| "pinching" petunias | 7/31/2008 |
Q: What do you mean by "pinching" petunias in a hanging pot? We've already made the mistake of ...
A: Pots too often hang from the ceilings of covered porches, where there is never enough strong ...
|
| geraniums | 7/29/2008 |
Q: I too live on the north shore of Long Island. I planted 4 pots with geraniums and they did ...
A: Geraniums ARE easy ... as long as you follow a few basic rules. Let me know if you've broken any of ...
|
| Droopy daisies updated | 7/20/2008 |
Q: I received your reply asking for more info on the what type of daisies I was dealing with after ...
A: Awesome. If you cut them down to the bottom or next-to-bottom set of leaves on the stalk, the plant ...
|
| bugs in the garden | 7/10/2008 |
Q: I live in Seaford and I would like to find a way to deal with the pests in my garden in an organic ...
A: The New York State Health Dept identifies Seaford as a Prostate Cancer zipcode -- rates 15 to 49 ...
|
| Trailing Petunias | 7/6/2008 |
Q: I have six hanging baskets of Trailing Petunias and they were beginning to flower nicely, in fact ...
A: CUT the dilapidated spent Petunia flowers and place the pots in a high Sun location to adjust. By ...
|
| dasies have black spots | 7/1/2008 |
Q: My Dasie's just planted last year, and was doing well last year and as well as this year until just ...
A: Depends on the fly. If you are referring to Thrips or Gnats, this could be a problem with the Soil. ...
|
| care of Petunias' | 6/30/2008 |
Q: Can you please tell me-I really wish you could show me how to encourage new bloom on Petunias'. All ...
A: Forget the Miracle Gro. Petunias don't need it. In this case, they probably bloomed IN SPITE of ...
|
| dasies have black spots | 6/27/2008 |
Q: My Dasie's just planted last year, and was doing well last year and as well as this year until just ...
A: There are about 100 pages of different plants that someone in the world refers to as Daisies, and ...
|
| PETUNIA | 6/25/2008 |
Q: MY PETUNIA'S IN HANGING BASKETS SEEM TO GET THIN NOT FULL AND THICK LIKE WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THEM,, ...
A: Petunias like most other flowering plants will grow straight out of the middle stalk, unless you ...
|
| impatiens | 6/21/2008 |
Q: Will impatiens grow well when the area where I am wanting to plant them will be getting about an ...
A: If you're taking bets on this, put my money on the big red YES answer. Reason being, no Sun is THAT ...
|
| Petunia wilt | 6/18/2008 |
Q: I thought slugs only ate leaves. Now many of my wave petunias that I have in pots are wilting. ...
A: Petunias are MADE to dry out. Over-watering is the kiss of death for them. A textbook case of ...
|
| Pansies | 6/17/2008 |
Q: I want to keep my pansies blooming as long as possible. We are in the mountains so heat is not a ...
A: Cut back ('pinch') to the bottom leaves and don't give up on them as Summer takes off. In Autumn ...
|
| Yellow climbing plant | 6/14/2008 |
Q: I just bought a few dahlias and wasn't sure if it was okay to put them in a clay pot. Will that dry ...
A: Don't water this plant every morning. Water it ONCE and give it LOTS of water. Make sure the water ...
|
| annuals | 6/13/2008 |
Q: I live in Vermont and just got my husband some flowers. Sonic orange impatiens, double impatiens, ...
A: Impatiens of all colors can most definitely be saved through the year -- but you may find it ...
|
| Plants not growing well | 6/11/2008 |
Q: I live in Benton, Arkansas. Ok, let me see if I can explain this problem we are having with our ...
A: Kimberly. Unfortunately I have to ask you a few more questions - and it may seem obvious to you, but ...
|
| Marigolds turning black | 5/30/2008 |
Q: Why are my Marigolds turning black. They are in large pots(outdoor) with other annuals??? Thanks, ...
A: Michigan State University Extension posts a page on one of the more common Fungi known to attack ...
|
| sunflowers | 5/26/2008 |
Q: Can I mulch my sunflower seedlings with pine straw? I have prepared the soil with peat moss, ...
A: Sunflowers are tough plants. They are also annuals. Give them too much of a good thing, and you ...
|
| change in blooms | 5/25/2008 |
Q: The hibiscus plant I purchased a month ago has been producing large deep colored blooms and very ...
A: I guess we can assume this is a tender, Florida-loving Hibiscus? A hardy Hibiscus would be going ...
|
| Calendula | 5/19/2008 |
Q: I bought the seeds as I'm looking forward to beautiful cut flowers on my dinner table. I'm in London ...
A: I have not grown Calendula myself from seed. So I checked to see what the sage, green-thumbed Marie ...
|
| New Guinea Impatiens | 5/17/2008 |
Q: I have bought 160 plugs of N. G. Impatiens, potted them up last week. Should I pinch out the centre ...
A: Sorry I have taken so long to answer to your question, Richard. I have been out with the flu for a ...
|
| impatients | 5/10/2008 |
Q: I HAVE A HANGING BASKET I JUST PURCHASED FULL OF BLOOMS BUT DUE TO THE COOL WET WEATHER I KEPT IN ...
A: The 'Cool Wet Weather' would have eliminated any possibility of Spider Mites, my friend, but by ...
|
| pruning hydrangea | 4/26/2008 |
Q: This will be my third summer in Lincoln NE. We have three hyrangea bushes that were planted by the ...
A: This is too risky to do right now. In a few weeks, when this shrub is covered with leaves, it will ...
|
| pruning/feeding hydrangea | 4/22/2008 |
Q: I have always trimmed back my many hydrangea (Nikko blue) in fall in our East Hampton gardens. This ...
A: Your Hydrangea situation comes up around this time frequently. Hydrangeas bloom on OLD wood. Many ...
|
| Primula | 4/7/2008 |
Q: I live in Rhode Island. My mom bought me a "Primula" plant for Easter. Can I plant this outside now? ...
A: Those pretty Primroses are technically hardy, but it is too early to put them outside right now -- ...
|
| growing under lights | 3/29/2008 |
Q: this is now my 4th year growing annuals for the summer under lights, and every year i get a slime ...
A: Botrytis is usually the pathogenic nemesis for growers of Summer seedlings. Slime mold attacking ...
|
| Ladybug's | 3/27/2008 |
Q: 000 ladybugs in honor of Earth Day. I thought that this would be a good project for an elementary ...
A: First of all, I think it's a wonderful idea. I am basically speechless on this - I am just so ...
|
| geraniums | 3/21/2008 |
Q: I have two flower boxes of geraniums. I live in Paris France - its been a wet winter. I do not ...
A: Wet Winter? Don't you get Snow in Paris? Seems your climate is similar to San Francisco, at least ...
|
| When to start?? | 2/23/2008 |
Q: I was going to try starting my flowers from seeds this year, so I could have more for a lower cost ...
A: Petunias are hog weather annuals that will not survive today's weather. Pansies are cool weather ...
|
| Petunia problems | 2/20/2008 |
Q: I have wave petunias in baskets outside every summer. The last 2 years, some of them have what seems ...
A: Malathion, Grant? Tsk, tsk, no dinner for you tonight. That Malathion is murder on people. What ...
|
| Commack, Long Island garden | 1/10/2008 |
Q: I have no gardening experience. (Unfortunately I have environmental allergies and lack patience.) ...
A: Step 1: Get a soil test. This is the step no one wants to take. Let's face it, what fun is it to ...
|
| what to plant | 1/8/2008 |
Q: I live outside of Nashville, Tn, zone 7. We lost our dog this winter, and wanted to plant something ...
A: Helleborus niger, the Christmas Rose, grows slowly, flowers in the snow, lives best in Sun that ...
|
| Bougainvilla and Freezing Tempatures | 1/7/2008 |
Q: I live in Florida and have a fairly new bougainvilla plant that I planted late Spring (May '07). It ...
A: Bougainvilleas are not Annuals, so I would recommend you get a second opinion over in the ...
|
| Petunias | 12/18/2007 |
Q: I live in northern VA (zone 7, I think) and have some petunias that have done amazingly well the ...
A: Petunias endure triple digit temperatures in the hottest days of Summer. But they can take freezing ...
|
| Flowers inside for the winter | 11/15/2007 |
Q: I have some Geraniums that still look great. Since we have had warm weather until last week I ...
A: Geraniums should be fine grown indoors in the sunniest window in the house through the Winter. ...
|
| Need plant ideas | 11/1/2007 |
Q: I live in the Philadelphia, Pa area. I would like to plant some plants on top of a 2 foot high ...
A: You can probably install some nice looking plants right up to Thanksgiving if the weather holds out. ...
|
| new guinea impatient | 10/29/2007 |
Q: My plant was a gift from my son ,is there away to keep it in the fall and winter?
A: Why certainly! Grow it on a windowsill, and make sure you prune it weekly. These are easy plants ...
|
| nasturnium seeds | 10/21/2007 |
Q: I enjoy picking the nasturnium seeds from my garden during early fall to late fall. My grandkids ...
A: Botanists harvest individual Nasturtium Fruits for research by soaking them for 5 minutes in a weak ...
|
| geranium | 10/18/2007 |
Q: I have a gorgeous geranium which I would like to keep for next spring. I have been told two ...
A: Do both. This is not the best time of year to be rooting cuttings. Stem tissue naturally sprouts ...
|
| Impatiens | 10/1/2007 |
Q: I was wondering if Impatiens do well in the house for the winter? How should I care for them, In the ...
A: Impatiens grow very well in a Sunny Window during the winter. Biggest problem is Spider Mites. ...
|
| bougenvillea | 9/21/2007 |
Q: I just bought 2 bougenvillea from a nursery and only few days later, I found that all the leaves are ...
A: First off, Cynthia, I am sorry this is something I could not get to sooner. I know you have been ...
|
| bougenvillea | 9/20/2007 |
Q: I just bought 2 bougenvillea from a nursery and only few days later, I found that all the leaves are ...
A: So we have here a case of 'drooping' vs 'dropping' -- my mistake. When a Bougainvillea, or any ...
|
| bougenvillea | 9/19/2007 |
Q: I just bought 2 bougenvillea from a nursery and only few days later, I found that all the leaves are ...
A: Leaf drop on Bougainvilleas can have several causes, and the answer here depends on where you are ...
|
| Morning Glories | 9/10/2007 |
Q: I have some morning glories currently growing. I live in Zone 5 (colorado) were I believe they are ...
A: Morning Glories are Annual plants by nature, and famous for being excellent reseeders. Clusters of ...
|
| Impatients or impatiens? | 8/28/2007 |
Q: I'm not sure which way you spell that. Mine come back every year and use to flower continually until ...
A: Impatiens balsamina and Impatiens wallerana are two commonly grown species of this incredibly ...
|
| Need instructions from scratch | 8/22/2007 |
Q: I am a first time gardener. So I'll need all the ABCs of growing annuals. I am planning to buy ...
A: Gardening Basics: Sun plus Water. That takes care of 99 percent of any Gardening you need to know. ...
|
| help!! | 8/21/2007 |
Q: I live in richmiond,va and a friend has a bunch of cali lilly's and we want to know when is a good ...
A: Calla Lilies are busy growing right now. Roots are active, Chloroplast cells are working overtime, ...
|
| Leggy Petunia's | 8/19/2007 |
Q: I have grown petunia's for years. This is the first year that they have gotten really leggy. Can I ...
A: Cut down to the first or second leaves on the stem and you'll help them branch out more and stay ...
|
| lobelia | 8/1/2007 |
Q: my lobelia looks great next day it looks like it's dying what's going on?
A: Is this the blue Lobelia groundcover you are asking about? It's easy to mis-water Lobelia. The ...
|
| Snapdragon | 7/31/2007 |
Q: I planted a bunch of snap dragon's but they are leaning over instead of standing up straight. the ...
A: Other Flowers may not need as much sun as your beautiful Snapdragons. Part Shade does not always ...
|
| nasturtiums | 7/25/2007 |
Q: My nasturtiums are very full, but the leaves are often yellow throughout the flower bed. do they ...
A: It is highly unlikely that your garden soil is so acidic your Nasturtiums cannot thrive there ...
|
| impatients | 7/20/2007 |
Q: I've been planting impatients for 15 years in the same spots- on each side of walkway. the past 2 ...
A: Impatiens stems are succulent and break easily. Your Impatiens may be suffering from several ...
|
| Snap Dragons and Gerber Daisies | 7/12/2007 |
Q: I would like to know the correct way to deadhead snap dragons, do I pinch off the blooms or the ...
A: Pinching Snapdragons will encourage branching and new spikes. If you deadhead after blooming, or if ...
|
| leggy impatients | 7/8/2007 |
Q: I live in North Haven,CT. Every spring, after Mothers day, I put inpatients in the railing flower ...
A: The term is 'pinching', my friend -- you need to 'pinch' your Impatiens to keep them stocky and well ...
|
| impatients | 7/7/2007 |
Q: For several years, I have planted impatients in a window box type area (it is made of stone and ...
A: My first thought is that the temperature in that stone container is getting painfully high. Pick up ...
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| Where can you buy Ladybugs? | 7/1/2007 |
Q: I too am on the north shore of Long Islandnd. In the past I always had a garden (out in the yard) ...
A: They make a serious effort to offer a broad selection of organic merchandise, but they sell it right ...
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| Impatiens with no flower buds | 6/27/2007 |
Q: I.G. - I seem to have the same problem as the person with the impatiens that are full and lush with ...
A: A few possible problems here with your Impatiens. One is that they are getting TOO MUCH sun. Too ...
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| Petunias | 6/23/2007 |
Q: I have 6 hanging baskets of petunias & they dont; seem to be doing very well this year.They are not ...
A: Impatiens are different from Petunias -- as you probably know. Petunias don't set flowers if you ...
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| Petunias | 6/22/2007 |
Q: I have 6 hanging baskets of petunias & they dont; seem to be doing very well this year.They are not ...
A: Most legitimate retailers will stand by their products and do what they can to keep their customers ...
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| impatiens | 6/20/2007 |
Q: I have a flower bed along side the length of my garage. It has daffodils in spring, along with a ...
A: Could be a few things. My money's on destructive root-knot Impatiens-attacking Nematodes: ...
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| iris's | 6/19/2007 |
Q: i planted 2 iris's last yr. they both bloomed. this year they got bigger, lots of leaves, but no ...
A: Your Irises are Bearded or Beard-less? Beard-less Irises thrive in soil rich in Nitrogen; Bearded ...
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| hearty ground cover for sunny area | 6/17/2007 |
Q: do you know any hearty ground cover I can get that will spread quickly, look pretty and grow in the ...
A: You left out low-maintenance -- oversight, yes? Low maintenance is the order du jour. Alchemilla ...
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| Petunias | 6/16/2007 |
Q: I have 6 hanging baskets of petunias & they dont; seem to be doing very well this year.They are not ...
A: Petunias sound like something you have been growing for several seasons, so you're an old hand at ...
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| impatiens | 6/14/2007 |
Q: I have a flower bed along side the length of my garage. It has daffodils in spring, along with a ...
A: How are these Impatiens dying, Elaine? Do they wilt before they turn Yellow? How many days go by ...
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| impatients becoming 'leggy' | 6/11/2007 |
Q: My impatiens get 'leggy' about July each year. How can I prevent this? If pruning is the answer, how ...
A: You've hit the nail on the head, my friend. 'Pruning' -- or, more correctly, 'pinching' -- will ...
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| petunia annual hanging plants | 6/10/2007 |
Q: why is my plant green and wilting with no flowers and why wont it bloom!
A: Hanging plants usually dangle from the porches they are decorating, shaded for the comfort of the ...
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| dying verbena hanging basket | 6/9/2007 |
Q: I live in Colorado. I purchased beautiful verbena hanging baskets in May. They were beautiful! ...
A: Are the leaves dry and crispy? As is the case with Roses, Powdery Mildew is one of those Verbena ...
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| Impatients | 5/28/2007 |
Q: I live in Ms. where the dirt is clay. I planted some impatients and used some miracle grow mixed ...
A: Have you done anything to lighten up that Clay soil before you put your Impatiens in? These are ...
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| ladyslipper | 5/27/2007 |
Q: Hello - I found a flower wich looks like a lady slipper = but was told it was not and is rare look ...
A: Ladyslipper is an Orchid. I cannot think of another flower that resembles this one. There are ...
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| Betulia | 5/25/2007 |
Q: I can't find this annual flower in my gardening books.Does it have another name?
A: We could have one of two possibilities as far as I can see here, Don. We could be talking about ...
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| Annuals-petuinas | 5/24/2007 |
Q: I have three hanging baskets of petunias on my porch they are all like wilting and dying. I water ...
A: Sounds like the soil is to blame. Is it very hard when dry? Petunia roots need to breathe like ...
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| Salvia | 5/14/2007 |
Q: I recently planted some "firecrackers" in a container and they are very skinny. Would they come back ...
A: Skinny = 1 plant? Thicker = 2? Do I understand you here, Susan? Just want to make sure I have ...
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| petunias | 5/13/2007 |
Q: How do you take care of potted petunias?
A: Put them in the sun -- on the roof -- water once a day and only if they are dry. Don't use great ...
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| Transplanting a large Camilia | 5/12/2007 |
Q: I live in Washington and I have just recieved an unwanted camilia tree. It stands about 7 feet tall ...
A: Plant it ASAP and retain as much of the rootball as you can possible hold. I know this sounds ...
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| Petunias | 5/7/2007 |
Q: My Petunias has become legging. Can I cut them? And if I can, how much should I cut. Should I cut ...
A: Take a nice sharp scissors and remove the dead blooms and the little furry green collar that held ...
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| Lilac bushes | 5/2/2007 |
Q: Two years ago we planted a lilac bush and it has never produced any flowers. Is there something we ...
A: Be patient. Lilacs require a minimum of 3 years, and often take 7 years, to bloom, depending on the ...
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| BEGONIAS | 4/23/2007 |
Q: What type of begonia likes full sun? What fertilzer do yall recommend for this begonia? 8b.
A: Begonias as a group are not full sun plants. They'll survive, but they'll be stressed. The common ...
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| verbena hybrida | 4/22/2007 |
Q: What fertilzer do yall use? How much water? Does it need sun? When the blooms fade away, Do you cut ...
A: Dr Jerry Parsons at the Texas Coop Extension has prepared a cheat sheet on this very popular genus. ...
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| impatients | 4/21/2007 |
Q: after planting my impatients, we got LOTS of rain. now the plants have white spots and some of the ...
A: Downy Mildew attacks Impatiens after long periods of prolonged moisture and humidity. Mildew can't ...
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| petunias | 4/12/2007 |
Q: Please tell me exactly how to cut back petunias? I have heard so many different ways what is the ...
A: Goodness goodness goodness, Kathy -- this is such a simple exercise and yet the stories I hear... ...
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| Morning Glory's | 4/9/2007 |
Q: I live in Denver CO. Zone 5. I planted some morning glories in jiffy pots about 3-4 weeks in my ...
A: Morning Glories are tender plants -- do not plant them before the absolute last possibility of all ...
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| dogwood winter | 4/7/2007 |
Q: I grew up on LI(!), Levittown, and now I live in Alabama (culture shock), and I have already ...
A: Roslyn Heights here. Home Depot in Westbury, Brookville Roses on 25A, Hicks on Jericho Turnpike are ...
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| Petunias Dying | 4/5/2007 |
Q: I had these 3 wonderful boxes of the Wave petunias mixed with the multiflora type petunias. They ...
A: Petunias in the tropix... this is something I can truly say I have NOT been there, NOT done that. ...
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| Petunias Dying | 4/4/2007 |
Q: I had these 3 wonderful boxes of the Wave petunias mixed with the multiflora type petunias. They ...
A: No problem, Alex. Those little white insects can be dispatched easily and overnight with a few ...
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| trouble with rabbits and squirrels | 4/2/2007 |
Q: These pests eat or dig up my annuals. I have a mixed sun/shade environment here in southern NJ and ...
A: Back in the 1850s, some unwitting Australians released into the Australian countryside a few cute, ...
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| Dusty Miller | 3/26/2007 |
Q: I was out of town yesterday and when I came home my husband had cut my dusty millers, all 25+ down ...
A: I wish I could see these, Sherrie. But I do want to walk over to your husband and give him a piece ...
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| what's best in hanging flower pots/containers? | 3/21/2007 |
Q: My containers are narrow and throughout the years I've put in petuna's - to no luck - they are dead ...
A: Robin, I think you should give Petunias another shot. But let's go over the procedures for ...
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| Geranium Tree | 3/13/2007 |
Q: I hope you can help me. A friend of mine gave me a Geranium Tree (that is what she called it) a few ...
A: It is my understanding that the ubiquitous Pelargonium, the "Zonal Geranium", is in fact hardy to 28 ...
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| re: hydrangas - cutting back potted flowers | 3/5/2007 |
Q: It is a macrophylia, pink in color. I think my zone is 5, live in the desert of Fernley, NV. Planned ...
A: You're perfectly right, Darleen -- This Hydrangea is the one that grows all over Nantucket Island; ...
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| re: hydrangas - cutting back potted flowers | 3/5/2007 |
Q: I bought a potted hydrangea, first time, didn't realize how much they needed to be watered. The ...
A: Potted Hydrangeas are under-potted to help force the flowers, Darlene. These are not terribly ...
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| moring glorys | 3/3/2007 |
Q: a couple quick questions. I live in Denver (zone 5) and want to know when to start these seeds. I ...
A: You can start both of them now if you have a soil cable to warm the jiffypots, but it would probably ...
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| Larkspur | 2/8/2007 |
Q: What is the difference between Larkspur and Delphinium? Is one more difficult or are they the same ...
A: I cannot say it better than Wikipedia. What is Larkspur? "The common name of two closely related ...
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| Annuals for Zone 7 | 2/3/2007 |
Q: I have a summer house that was purchased last year for just the summer. We don't spend time there ...
A: Some basic answers here - Annuals are fairly basic and undemanding. Most need a great deal of sun, ...
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| hydrangea | 1/30/2007 |
Q: can the above plant be transplanted, if so what time of year is best to transplant. thabks
A: You have missed the boat on the best transplant time for this shrub, unfortunately. But it would ...
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| Lilics | 12/21/2006 |
Q: I have cuttings from a lilic bush my mom had in Whittier, CA (L.A. area) I live in north eastern ...
A: Sorry to see this question so late, Dana, but I am just learning about the "experts pool" here. ...
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| Gazanias planted on a slope and gophers | 11/28/2006 |
Q: Good morning, We had our yard professionally landscaped about 3 years ago. Gazanias were ...
A: So your Gopher won't leave your Gazanias alone? Funny you should say that. Another family is ...
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| potted mums | 11/1/2006 |
Q: what can I do to keep my potted mums? do I plant them in my flower bed or what? I live in Indiana ...
A: We don't know the Latin name for our potted mums, do we Heather? Because there are hardy mums and ...
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| Impatients | 10/22/2006 |
Q: I live in Ft. Lauderdale and just bought a flat-box of impatients - please let me know what distance ...
A: Impatiens can grow into small shrubs if you have them long enough and grow them with a little care. ...
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| Watering house plants | 10/2/2006 |
Q: Does the temperature of the water I use to water my daises affect how fast they grow or how well and ...
A: Amia Marie, I'll try to give you a basic answer on this, but without more information about which ...
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| Morning Glorys | 10/1/2006 |
Q: I live in Zone 5 (Denver Colorado) I have heard that morning glorys are annuals in my zone & yet I ...
A: Steve, my best guess is that your neighbors are letting those annual morning glories self-seed every ...
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| winter over annuals | 9/27/2006 |
Q: Please give me instruction on how to winter over my New Guinea Impatien and my Fushia
A: Your Impatiens are a little easier to bring indoors. They are tolerant of dry winter heat and don't ...
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| Cosmos | 9/15/2006 |
Q: Most of my cosmos failed to bloom this season. The plants are green and healthy but have not formed ...
A: What a great disappointment, Randy, to wait all summer and not see a single bloom. Let's figure out ...
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| colius | 9/7/2006 |
Q: I bought a plant today and it is called burning bush. They told me it was a colius. Can you tell me ...
A: OK Kathy - I think we are dealing with a Coleus hybrid called "Burning Bush". Readers this spring ...
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| Impatiens | 8/31/2006 |
Q: My impatiens were beautiful, until last week. I returned from a 5 day vacation to find my impatiens ...
A: If your drainage is less than perfect, large amounts of water will drown them. Fortunately they can ...
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| Long Term Annuals - Marigolds | 8/22/2006 |
Q: I started a marigold in a 4" container from seed, it was a yellow small flowering type with uniform ...
A: I am so impressed with the size of your very green thumb, and your diligence, Kelly. Your ...
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| clamatis | 8/16/2006 |
Q: I have a clamatis that I planted 3 years ago, it has bloomed heavily the past two years, but even ...
A: First week in July? Feels like MONTHS ago, Bob! Several possibilities come to mind. One is spider ...
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| Irregular Incurve Mums (Yellow) | 8/9/2006 |
Q: I would like to purchase the above flower. They are absolutely beautiful. Are they perenials and ...
A: Leslie, I agree with you, they are "absolutely beautiful". Whe the rest of the world is snapping up ...
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| petunia disease or pest or what? | 8/6/2006 |
Q: I am a first time flower person. I have wave petunias and regular petunias planted in pots and ...
A: Samantha, I didn't get the impression you were rambling at all - a thorough description is key to ...
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| Impatiens | 8/1/2006 |
Q: I have a wonderful plant~a kind of yellow-orange color impatien. It is thriving; however it is ...
A: So you are growing yellow/orange Impatiens? Congratulations on your successful acquisition of one ...
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| impatients(no flowers) | 7/20/2006 |
Q: I have a couple planters with just impatients. They have grown and are full and lush, except they ...
A: Sounds like your watering schedule is just fine, Connie. Usually when a flower does not bloom, it ...
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| impatiens not blooming | 7/15/2006 |
Q: I planted impatiens in two flower boxes. THey get morning sun and afternoon shade. They started ...
A: ooops... I clicked too fast under the "sorry I can't answer that" -- I was just too too IMPATIENT ...
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| shade plants | 7/9/2006 |
Q: I have an area along my driveway that is mainly shade. I was considering putting something there ...
A: I would consider 3 completely different looking Hostas to group along your driveway, Pat. Along my ...
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| Lilies selection | 7/9/2006 |
Q: I was thinking of planting Lilies this year. The bulbs don't cost as much as the main flower that is ...
A: You are too late to plant this year's crop of Lilies. It is however time to make decisions and ...
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| larkspurs and annual poppies,too late to direct seed now in zone 5/6 ? | 7/5/2006 |
Q: is it too late to direct seed larkspur and annual poppies in zone5/6 massachusetts garden, right ...
A: Larkspur and Poppies doesn't narrow it down much, Heidi - I'll give you some basic details and you ...
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| Petunias not blooming | 7/4/2006 |
Q: I purchased some white petunias at Home Depot last month. They looked very healthy and were blooming ...
A: Biggest mistake people make with Petunias: Too much tender loving care. Leave them alone. Cut off ...
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| impatients | 7/4/2006 |
Q: Once impatients have flowered is it necessary to trim and or thin out ?
A: Impatiens are one of those care-free garden reliables that are a breeze. Buy, plant, and just add ...
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| Geranium blooms | 6/25/2006 |
Q: The buds on the underside never open up. They just eventually stay the same as the top portion is ...
A: Well we have a thorough treatise on the matter from Geranium Maven Faye Brawner, who actually is a ...
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| Geranium blooms | 6/25/2006 |
Q: What causes the underside or bottom of the geranium head or flower not to open up as only the top ...
A: Let me see if I understand your question, Judy. The lower florets on your Geranium are not opening? ...
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| Carnations | 6/19/2006 |
Q: I was wondering if carnation varities can be both perannuauls and annuals, and how can you tell the ...
A: Carnations that we see in the florist are actually tender perennials, Carol - they are "tender" ...
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| Pink Poppies | 6/19/2006 |
Q: I have gorgeous pink poppies blooming now in my garden that reseed themselves and come back on their ...
A: Gorgeous pink poppies - well, these could be 1 of 2 things. Oriental Poppies (Papaver orientalis) ...
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| Geraniums! | 6/10/2006 |
Q: LIG! First, let me say you've painted a wonderful picture in your profile. Congratulations on your ...
A: And it isn't even summer yet. I assume we are talking about "Pelargonium hortorum", the Geranium ...
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| Hydrangia | 6/9/2006 |
Q: . .just a quick follow-up . . . when you say cut off the bloom, where on the stem is the best place ...
A: Aesthetically speaking, you can cut the dead bloom off anywhere that looks right to you. The only ...
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| Hydrangia | 6/7/2006 |
Q: I recently planted a great "Endless Summer Hydrangia" and it's doing great here in California. I ...
A: This is a plant with its own website (endlesssummerblooms.com/en/home) so that alone is very ...
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| Annuals | 6/1/2006 |
Q: Good morning Expert..... Whenever one purchases an annual at a nursery the young plant usually has a ...
A: So, Stanley, you want to know the tricks of the trade that growers use to max out flowers before you ...
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| coffee grounds | 5/24/2006 |
Q: I have a friend who works at Starbucks who says she can give me their coffee grounds at the end of ...
A: Here it is, the Coffee-Lover's Guide to Gardening. Coffee is an acidic soil conditioner, as any ...
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