Frequently asked |
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Frequently asked |
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From: VICKI HARDING - Tennessee USA- Oct. 28, 1997
Problem: How do you grow and take care of shrubby potentilla?
Solution: Potentillas are very easy shrubs to grow and care for. They prefer a well drained soil that is neutral or slightly acidic. The need full sun and the least amount of shade will decrease flower product greatly. Lightly mulch in spring and fall to protect the root zone from frequent shifts in temperature and moisture. Potentillas need to be pruned yearly to promote a compact shape and improve flower production. The best way to prune is: remove one third of the plants oldest growth at ground level. This should be done each year in the mid spring.
From: Lonnie Kington - Columbus, Ohio USA - Sept. 26, 1997
Problem: My rose bushes grow like crazy, but do not bloom. What is the matter?
Solution: I guess my first question would be
what kind of fertilizer are you using and how often do you use it? If you are not using a
rose fertilizer then there is a good chance that the plant is not getting enough
phosphorous. Roses are very vigorous plants but they are extremely hungry when it comes to
phosphorous. Phosphorous is responsible for flower development and root growth.
Most roses should be pruned after the last frost just before new growth starts to emerge
or in early winter. But some older varieties (and a few of the newer) need last
year’s growth to set flower buds. What time did you prune last? If you have an older
variety and pruned first thing this spring or last fall you may have removed all the buds
from last year. For older varieties prune heavily after flowering and for types like
climbing, miniature and double-blooming roses prune lightly (1/3 of the plant at most).
Double-blooming is probably one of the more popular types of roses and should also be
pruned after blooming to promote the second blooms. I hope I haven’t confused you.
There are many types and varieties of roses with an equal number of ways to care for them,
it can be very frustrating. If you find out what type of rose you have and still have
questions, please e-mail me at jim@mrgrow.com
From: A.. Nott - Inverness, Florida - USA- July 25, 1997
Problem: I would like to know how to care for Texas Sage plants and if there are any problems with planting them around a swimming pool?
Solution: I do not have any hands on experience with Texas Sage, (having it as a featured plant of the month was an experiment where I could learn about a new plant as I made the page for others. However, I've learned that it is safer to feature plants I'm familiar with.) I do know that the plant is very suceptible to root rot from excessive soil moisture. If you have alot of children in the pool there might be the chance that the soil can become too wet from splashing. Also chlorinated water is not too good for plant growth. If you feel that there will be minimal splashing it is worth a try. For care instructions, follow the hyperlink a couple of sentences back. The basics are, full sun, very minimal fertilizing, and limited watering.
From: Mr. and Mrs Kenneth Wardlow - Southern USA? - March 10, 1997
Problem: We just planted 3 baby texas sage and they are about 1-1/2 ft. tall. We planted them on the south side of the house and we can't find any information about how fast we could expect them to bush out or get taller or bloom. Any little tidbit of information along these lines would be greatly appreciated.
Solution: The Texas Sage 'Compactum' is a slow growing shrub, you can expect about 2" maybe 3" of growth per year. Blooming will occur in a couple of months (summer). It is a low maintenance plant that will care for itself after some intial water supplements. It does not like artificial fertilizers, in fact the plant will bloom better if it is kept hungry.I wish I could help more but my speciality is Zone 5 (Ohio, Penn., Ind. Ill and Mich.)
From: Dr. F.D. Wilamoski - Grandview Heights, Ohio USA - March 3, 1997
Problem: I have a techical question for you about the bushes out in front of my office. Can I cut them way down to several feet so they will fill out in a couple spring/summer?
Solution: The bushes you are talking about are Taxus x media. Even though this plant does fine with severe shearing it cannot be cut past the point where there is no leaves. It is an evergreen and most evergreens have meristimatic tissue only at leaf nodes. Most decidious (drop their leaves every year) plants have that type of tissue in certain points through out the plants bark.Because your plants only have leaf mass 5" into the plant that is the most you could take off. I would suggest cutting half of all new growth from now on - or rip them out and put something different in.
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