| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Avacado plant | 12/1/2011 | nick mccann |
| Q: We grew a avocado plant from the pit. The plant is in a container and it is about 4 inches high. ... A: ....try cutting it back an inch, this may stimulate new and stronger growth; once it has set a crown ... | ||
| Chicago Fig tree | 12/1/2011 | nick mccann |
| Q: Nick, You helped me out in July 2011. My fig tree is now about 1 foot tall with several healthy ... A: Julia, I am going to change my advice slightly here, for I just realized that we are dealing with a ... | ||
| Chicago Fig tree | 11/30/2011 | nick mccann |
| Q: Nick, You helped me out in July 2011. My fig tree is now about 1 foot tall with several healthy ... A: leave it on the balcony, after all the leaves have been shed, wrap the container with a heavy ... | ||
| Avacado plant | 11/30/2011 | nick mccann |
| Q: We grew a avocado plant from the pit. The plant is in a container and it is about 4 inches high. ... A: you may have potted it up too soon, but without more info, like how long it grew in water before the ... | ||
| winter and the potted fig tree | 11/10/2011 | nick mccann |
| Q: We have a potted fruit bearing fig tree we bought in May of 2011. It grew rapidly on our small patio ... A: It will naturally go dormant as the temps drop, but below 15 degrees will freeze, so take measures ... | ||
| fountain grass | 8/31/2011 | nick mccann |
| Q: I have purple fountan grass in urns on either side of my steps. I planted them about two months ago, ... A: without seeing them and having a detailed account of your planting procedure, it is difficult to ... | ||
| Yellowing leaves on Fig tree | 8/13/2011 | nick mccann |
| Q: Hey I have a brown turkey Fig I just bought, about 3.5 ft tall that i transplanted to a slightly ... A: Its more then likely just reacting to the transplant, Many plants go through what is known as ... | ||
| Pomegranate | 8/4/2011 | nick mccann |
| Q: Can I grow a pomegranate in a container or even in the ground in northeast ohio? A: They need a tropical location to be grown outdoors in the groound, you can however grow them in a ... | ||
| brown spots on tomatoes | 7/28/2011 | nick mccann |
| Q: I have patio tomatoes in pots. They only get the a.m. sun. Last year and this year some of them ... A: that is an affliction called Blossom end rot, essentially it is a Calcium deficiency in the soil ... | ||
| House plants | 7/19/2011 | nick mccann |
| Q: I have so many questions! I hope you dont mind because I am fairly new to all of this. I will start ... A: ...I suspect that the problem is in the soil base that they are in, it could be hard packed to the ... | ||
| peach fruit that does not ripen | 7/17/2011 | nick mccann |
| Q: I have a beautiful peach tree in the back of the house. It is 18 feet high with 4 large branches. ... A: first and foremost, you need to cull out about 75 percent of them,,and let the remaining ripen, ... | ||
| Fig Tree in Container | 7/9/2011 | nick mccann |
| Q: Nick, I just got a Hardy Chicago Fig via mail in tiny container (about 3" in diameter). The tree ... A: ,You will want to move it into a container about 6 inches across (for now..) and then you will be ... | ||
| Potted Fig tree | 5/23/2011 | nick mccann |
| Q: I have had an Italian Everbearing Fig tree in a container for 3 years. It has always been giving me ... A: Be patient, as long as the cambium layer is still green and the branches are still rubbery then it ... | ||
| Fig trees not recovering from winter | 5/4/2011 | nick mccann |
| Q: I planted 2 fig trees last spring in a very sunny spot, they were about 3 feet tall at the time. ... A: The fact that there is any new growth at all is paramount in importance, it means the roots are ... | ||
| Gardenias | 4/28/2011 | nick mccann |
| Q: I would like to know how to grow gardenias in container. I have heard that it's a hard plant to ... A: they like an acidic soil base, so mix about one third of the contents Peat Moss and fertilize once a ... | ||
| container gardening | 3/27/2011 | nick mccann |
| Q: I am new to gardening and have started growing a cauliflower plant and cilantro in containers since ... A: what you are seeing is indeed an insect, its called "Scale" and it is sucking the juices from your ... | ||
| sky pencil holleys | 2/24/2011 | nick mccann |
| Q: I have 2 sky pencil holleys in large containers, I live in zone 6, and the holleys got bent from the ... A: hard to tell without seeing the plant, but most will show cold stress from the ground level up,,and ... | ||
| evergreen in container | 8/27/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: I would like to know if I can plant an evergreen in a container and put it outdoors. My miracle ... A: ok, I found the perfect site for you,, google "growing conifers in containers",,,then click on the ... | ||
| evergreen in container | 8/27/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: I would like to know if I can plant an evergreen in a container and put it outdoors. My miracle ... A: if I give you the right answer will you put in a good word with our Lord?....lol....deal?...ok...of ... | ||
| Mme. Galen Trumpet Vine | 8/12/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: Can Trumpet vines be planted in window boxes? I live in an apartment and would like to grow the ... A: It will "exist" in a window box, but will be stressed and probably won't flower; this vine needs ... | ||
| Meyer Lemon Pollination | 7/27/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: My Meyer Lemon is three years old in a pot on my patio in Atlanta. This Spring it had four blossoms ... A: Meyers are self fruiting, meaning they do not need a cross pollinator; I suspect the problem is ... | ||
| Potted peppers | 7/19/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: I am growing red bell peppers in window boxes on my porch. They seem to be doing great at first ... A: it sounds like they are stunted, given the premature ripening; the containers you have them in are ... | ||
| venus flytraps | 7/13/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: I wanted to put my Venus flytraps in a terrarium, but read that is not a good idea. I now have them ... A: I would envelop the container with some type of mesh or wire, almost like a pool cage type ... | ||
| watermellons | 7/9/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: can you grow a watermellon plant in a large container A: Sure! the root system isn't that extensive on melon plants, but if you don't have room to let it run ... | ||
| Avocado Plant | 7/2/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: I have two avocado plants growing from seeds. One is about six months old and the other is around ... A: they are tropical, so they need to be brought in before the first frost, but move them in gradually, ... | ||
| growing tomatoes in containers | 4/27/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: This is the beginning of tomato growing season here. My main question is the potting mixture I ... A: The key to success with tomatoes in containers, is keeping the soil evenly moist without quick ... | ||
| Japanese Maple | 4/24/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: I have many seedlings that have taken root around my house. They have come from a Japanese Maple ... A: Once they have several leaves on them they are ready for transplant, the key here however is how you ... | ||
| information on potted foliage for decks | 4/20/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: Where can I go to find information about which plants do well in shaded areas and how best to plant ... A: I don't know your climate zone, but if you look up your local "Cooperative Extension Service" and ... | ||
| dahlias | 4/13/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: i planted dahlias in a container last year and was very successful. i was told they are hardy and ... A: lift them and see what condition they are in, they should have sent out growth by now; when you lift ... | ||
| Container garden in front of house | 4/13/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: I would like to plant some bushes right in front of my house, but the former owner told us that the ... A: your options are really limitless, any of the mentioned bushes would do fine, but keep in mind, if ... | ||
| Hot afternoon sun | 4/11/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: I have two whiskey barrels that get full sun, especially the hot, central Alabama sun. I am having ... A: I would research "Crown of thorns", there is a variety that has larger flowers then the standard ... | ||
| hydrangea | 3/31/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: I'm not very good with keeping house plants alive. So i was wondering if you could tell me know to ... A: keep it properly irrigated, watering it so the soil stays on the damp side, but not wet is a good ... | ||
| Brown Fig tress | 3/25/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: Noticed that you live in Charlotte County, Florida just as I do also. Do you know where I may ... A: I did see small ones (2 feet tall) at either the Port Charlotte Home Depot or Lowes (I am in them so ... | ||
| perserving raised garden wood | 3/18/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: what is the best thing to coat the outside of the garden frame with to keep it from rotting.it needs ... A: I wouldn't use anything that would preserve it, like paint, or stain, for it always has the danger ... | ||
| brown turkey fig | 3/17/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: I purchased a seven foot brown turkey fig tree last fall that has one central stem (trunk) with ... A: let it be for now, there should be an emergence of more leaves lower on the stem eventually; when ... | ||
| Meyer Lemon bushes in containers | 1/13/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: I have 2 Meyer lemon bushes in containers. I purchased them in August of 2009. One was purchased ... A: ....leave it be for now, taking the fruit off was imperative, but now it needs to rejuvenate itself, ... | ||
| Meyer Lemon bushes in containers | 1/11/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: I have 2 Meyer lemon bushes in containers. I purchased them in August of 2009. One was purchased ... A: Ok, first of all whenever you purchase a young Citrus tree from a nursery, they will always have ... | ||
| container-grown grapes | 1/8/2010 | nick mccann |
| Q: I was considering growing a table/juice grape on an arbor attached to the wall of my south-facing ... A: A plant will put its sources into survival first, and if growing conditions are not optimum, then ... | ||
| Steer Manure On Fruit Trees | 12/14/2009 | nick mccann |
| Q: I Have A Couple Of Fruit Trees That I Wanted To Put On Bigger Pots And My Question Was Can I Mix In ... A: I wouldn't put it in a container, for it will eventually begin to cause the soil to compact in the ... | ||
| geranium pest | 11/17/2009 | nick mccann |
| Q: My geranium leaves have holes in them and no longer bloom. They usually bloom almost continually ... A: I have been getting a lot of inquiries to damage being done to plant tissue, with no sign of the ... | ||
Top Expert on this page
I can give concise answers on growing plants in containers instead of the ground, why and how to plant them and how to maintain them.
Master Gardner in Charlotte County Florida,,with 10 years experience.
Organizations
Master Gardner Association of Charlotte County, Florida
Education/Credentials
Associates Degree
Past/Present Clients
I am currently also an expert in the Tropical Plant dept.

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