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A selection of this month`s gardening problems -
September 2004
Q: Jane asks: I have been
trying to collect mint plants for homemade wine making, but my plants
keeping dying off on me what am I doing wrong? I have been growing the
plants in pot indoor in hopes of having the plants all year around.
A: Mint plants really like to
grow outdoors and their roots are runners from which new shoots grow. So by
restricting them to small pots you are killing them off. Can you plant them
in a sheltered outdoor place?
Q: We are considering
putting a cement fountain in our fish pond. We live in Minnesota. Do you
think there will be a problem in keeping the fountain in the water over the
winter? It would be pretty hard and heavy to remove.
A: It should be OK as these fountains
are made to go in water, but you can check with the manufacturer that it is
indeed frostproof.
Q: Joann wants to know: Is
there anyway a person can grow mint all year around? Like in a greenhouse?
A: You could grow mint all year round on a
windowsill or the greenhouse, but if
you are in the UK don`t expect great results as the days are so short, and
the lack of daylight will keep the plants small... Give it a try.
Q: Stuart says: I have
recently experienced problems with mature cherry trees. This year, the fruit
producing buds/flowers withered and the trees were left covered with plenty
of leaf foliage with fruit bearing buds. Also, I have
noted several areas on the tree stems producing large amounts of resin
- is this indicative of some cultivation problem or perhaps fungal attack.
A: Last year was an exceptionally hot
summer which seemed to kick-start all
flowering trees this Spring into producing a heavy show of blossom..
Unfortunately we then had a cold wet spell which knocked much of the blossom
off, so it might result in a poor year for fruit..
The resin production normally occurs when the bark has been damaged. Check
those sticky resin spots for any damage done by birds or other wildlife...
Check also for any OTHER signs of ill health on the trunk or leaves
Q:
From Mike: I'd like to grow liriope from seed. Do you just grow
it like fescue grass seed? I live in Georgia so we plant fescue in
September.
Keep it damp/moist for 3 weeks and it comes up like gangbusters.
Likes the cooler weather in the 60s and 70s.
Is growing liriope like this?
I'd like to have an entire yard with nothing but liriope. No fescue or
bermuda. Can I get your ideas and comments on that idea?
A: Not being
familiar with your climate and soil conditions, I have found you two
American websites (below) to look at, which seem to have all the necessary
cultural information. From the little I have read, it would seem that the
plants bruise and blacken when cut, so I imagine a whole yard of Liriope
would look a bit scruffy at times.
I have only seen Liriope planted in smallish swathes, which looks very nice,
but I wonder if planting up your whole yard might be a bit overpowering.
Without seeing your land, it is very hard to say.
The project might be more expensive than traditional lawn and may not be as
hard wearing, or long-lived, especially if you have children/grandchildren
or dogs..
If you want more details about liriope, go to:
http://plantsdatabase.com/go/1612.html
Q: From Alma: I have
hydrangea which was planted in the front garden in a South East facing
aspect two years ago, yet it has not flowered yet.
I moved into into a large container in a sheltered spot, again quite sunny,
it's thrived there, lots of growth but no flowers. Will it ever flower?
A: Hydrangeas flower on the
previous years growth and often an early autumn frost will kill the newly
formed flower buds. Many people prune these shrubs back hard each year,
which of course removes the forming flower buds..
Don't prune unless necessary. If you need to prune, remove any dead stems in
the spring. Any other necessary pruning should take place immediately after
flowering. Perhaps these could be the problems with your shrub.
Q: A common problem for Aileen: I
have a flowering cherry which is about five years old and has not flowered
yet. I have noticed red patches on the leaves which then turn into holes. I
have also noticed recently the new leaves are curled with small black
insects inside, which eventually die [the leaves]. I would be grateful if
you could maybe throw some light on the problem and maybe advise me on which
products to try to eradicate the problem.
A: Flowering cherries are
susceptible to many problems, including cherry virus diseases, canker, twig
blight, root rot, powdery mildew, bacterial and fungal leaf spots, aphids
and scale. Their bark is thin and easily damaged.
The small insects seem to be blackfly which will suck the sap from new
growth and weaken the leaves so they die.
It is difficult to make an accurate diagnosis without seeing the problem
first hand. I would be inclined to take a sample of an affected part,
complete with some of the insects (all sealed in a polythene bag) to your
local nursery or garden centre for an opinion and advice for a remedy..
Previous editions of your gardening queries:
Please e-mail me with your garden problems, comments, or ideas for
this section of laterlife.
Click here for previous
editions of Gardener`s Diary..
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