Gardeners Supply Plant Care & Gardening Advice/Tips/Secrets @ HortChat.com®

I live in NJ and want to grow freesia flowers so bad. I have tried for the last 2 yrs with no luck can anyone help me?

Freesia a native of So. Africa can be somewhat difficult to grow. In zone 9-10 where summers are dry and winter are cool and moist, they can be grown year-round outdoors but go dormant in the summer heat.
In the north (NJ) plant the corms in the spring in well-drained, sandy soil. Apply a 1/2 strength fertilizer every 2 weeks from the time they set bud to the end of flowering. They should bloom in 10-12 wks. (Hopefully before the hot, wet summer) They do best in daytime temperatures of 60-70 degrees and night temps of 50-60. When the sweet-fragrant flowers start to fade reduce watering and let the foliage die back allowing the plant to dry out, dig up the corms and store in a cool, dry place.

Freesia can also be started as a potted houseplant from late summer to early winter. Plant in well-drained potting soil, 2 inches apart. It should be kept in a cool, dark place and watered lightly until new growth start to show and then moved to a sunroom or greenhouse .

I am having a problem with the simplest of plants : Strawberries. I have been able to grow them from seeds and then transplant them to my garden. However, I can not grow them from dry root plants. I first tried planting them outside, they died. I then tried soaking them for a little while and then planting them in posts, they are dying. They do very well for about a week and then they wilt, the leaves curl in and they die.

There could be a number of problems with planting your strawberries: When buying plants, make sure they are certified virus-free. Protect plant roots from drying out until you can get them into the ground 1. wrap them in plastic and refrigerate or 2. “Heal” them in the soil – dig a furrow deep enough to cover the roots with soil and water. This will work for a few days.

Strawberries need well-drained soil and at least 6 hours of sunlight. When planting make sure they are set in the correct depth and fan out the roots before covering them. Crowns planted too deep will smother and die. Crowns set too high above the soil will dry out. Plant in the spring on a cloudy day or late afternoon, in rich composted soil that holds moisture. The shallow roots get all their moisture and nutrients in the top few inches of the soil. Water after planting – do not let the soil dry out, spread mulch, straw or shredded leaves to keep the soil moist and control weeds. Do not plant strawberries in low-lying frost areas or in wet soil or where solanaceous crops such as tomatoes and peppers have been grown for the last 5 years. This is a source for verticilium wilt which is a deadly disease for strawberries.

Strawberries can also be grown in containers like pots, barrels or growing bags.

The world of carnivorous plants consists of exotic flesh-eating plants that will peak anyone’s curiosity. The large family of 645 registered species are grown all over the world in diverse environments and come in different shapes and sizes. They are the Startrekkers of the earth. They grow where no other plant can grow. Carnivorous plants grow where nutrients are very low and therefore have evolved into flesh eating plants consuming insects and other animals for their food supply. Each species has a unique way of attracting and trapping its victims.

Venus fly trap (Dionaea muscipula) is one the popular snap trap species from this large family. This intriguing novelty grows only in the boggy coastal areas of North and South. Carolina and yet it is known all over the world. This plant grows in a rosette form and develops snap traps that get 1-1 1/2 inch long with sharp teeth and bristle sensor hairs inside each trap. In the spring it sends out a flower stalk with a cluster of small white flowers.

Emerging flower heads should be pinched off to conserve energy for plant growth.

Care
In order to grow a Venus Fly trap you must know what kind of environment it requires. It does well in an open terrarium where humidity and moisture can be controlled.
It needs wet, acidic (ph 3.9-4.8) soil, humid air (min 50%) and temperatures ranging from 55-80F degrees. Plant the tuberous perennial in 50% peat and sand or 100% sphagnum moss. Be sure to always keep the plant moist and never let it dry out. You can flood or soak the soil but then drain it so it doesn’t get water logged. When watering, use distilled or clean rainwater. Keep it in 1/2 day full sun and 50% shade in spring to fall with increased shade in summer. Don’t need to fertilize, for the most part they will feed themselves.

How the traps feed
The traps have 6 sensor hairs inside. If 1 hair is touched twice or 2 hairs are touched simultaneously the trap starts to partially close to determine if the object is edible. As the insect struggles to free itself more hairs are triggered causing the trap squeezes tighter then closing all the way releasing acidic enzymes to digest the insect. This process can take 5-12 days. If the trap is triggered by something else then it will reopen within 12 hours. Each trap can take 2-3 insects and then dies. Dying leaves and traps are part of the growing cycle and should be trimmed off.

Winter dormancy
VFT requires a 3-4 month dormant period. It should be dusted with a fungicide, wrapped in slightly moist spagnum moss and stored in a plastic bag. Keep it at 45-50F degrees. At this time it may loose all its leaves and die back. Trim any blackened foliage to avoid disease. Bring it out in March/April and repot in fresh meduim mix, place it in a bright light, humid area and water.

Be sure your Vft has been propagated vegetatively from clump division, leaf cuttings, tissue culture or started from seed and not removed from the wild as this species is threatened by extinction.

Rieger begonia (Begonia x hiemalis), Elator hybrids also known as Winter Begonia comes from a huge family of begoniaceae. It is a hybrid cross between tuberous and wax (fibrous) begonia that was developed by Otto Rieger (not Reiger), a German plant breeder. Some consider it a toss plant but with proper care and a little know-how it can bloom up to 6 months indoors and after a rest period be coaxed to rebloom.

Rieger begonia produces a reddish, fleshy stem with glossy, asymmetrical serrated leaves. At the end of each stem, it develops a cluster of 3 double rose shaped flowers; one large showy male and two smaller females. The male flowers will drop off within 2-3 days after opening.

Care:
R. begonia does not grow in hot humid regions. It prefers cool temperatures of 70F during the day and 60-65F @ night with bright indirect sun (east window); that’s why it’s a popular winter flowering plant. Grow it in well-drained peat/perlite soil mix or African violet soil and feed with ½ strength houseplant fertilizer every 2 weeks when actively growing. When watering, let it to dry slightly between watering but not too dry or too wet
Be sure to remove the spent flowers to stimulate new bloom.

Re-blooming  Once the plant slows down and stops blooming cut it back to several inches above the soil line and place in a cool, medium light area, keeping on the dry side or place it in the shade outdoors during the summer. When you see new growth, repot the plant to a larger container, move it to bright indirect light and start watering and fertilizing. Rieger begonia responds to short days and cool night temperatures (fall/winter) which stimulates it to bloom again.

Trouble shooting
-Direct sun will scorch the leaves
-Too much light will turn the foliage a copper color, then brown.
-Avoid getting water on the leaves as it can cause powdery mildew problems.
-Too much fertilizer will turn the foliage blue green and curled at the ends.
-Overwatering with low temps causes leaves to wilt and turn brown.
-Keep away from heating vents or cold drafts.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Common ginger, Cooking ginger is an exotic herb native to forest of tropical Asia. It is mainly grown for its aromatic, edible root that is used in cooking as well as medicinal purposes.

Edible ginger starts easily indoors and can be moved outdoors in warmer temperatures. This rhizome can be obtained at the grocery store in the produce section. Choose a firm, plump rhizome with ‘eyes’ (growing point). You can break up or cut larger pieces to 2″ size but be sure each piece has at least two or more growing points. Let the cut surface dry for a few days before planting. Place the rhizome horizontally 1″ deep just under the soil surface and plant in a large (12″) pot to allow extra surface space for the rhizomes to spread. Keep the soil warm and moist but not soggy. Cover the container with a plastic bag to maintain a humid greenhouse environment. Once the shoots emerge, remove the bag and move the pot to indirect light.

When night temperatures are above 55F take the plant outdoors. You can plant or bury the container in your flower bed. Ginger likes hot and humid growing conditions. Be sure it gets 2-4 hours of full sun (light shade), enough water and fertilize every 2 weeks. Since it takes at least 5 months to produce rhizomes an early start indoors will increase ginger root production. Plant it in April and it should be ready to go outdoors in May. The reedlike foliage can grow to 2-4 ft tall. In warmer climates, (zone 8-12) ginger can be planted directly into the soil. Shoots should emerge in May and can be harvested in Oct. /Nov. when the foliage turns yellow and dies back.
Don’t expect any flowers the first year, ginger needs to be 2-3 years old to bloom. Though rarely seen, it will produce an inconspicuous green spike with small yellow green fragrant flowers and purple edges when in bloom.

In cooler climates, ginger needs to be brought indoors before a freeze. Once the foliage dies, you can harvest some of it and save the rest for next year. Store the rhizomes in its container keeping it on the dry side or dig up the roots and store in a box filled with peat moss. Be sure the roots don’t dry out. An easier way is to buy fresh rhizomes in the spring.
Be aware that there are other types of tropical ginger some are edible and some are not.

Most Azaleas purchased from florists and supermarkets are greenhouse grown and are hardy in zones 7-10. They are grown in well-drained acidic peat soil ph (5.5-6.0) for good water retention.

Watering practice is one of the most important factors for extending the life of your Azalea. If the soil is allowed to dry out it is difficult to rehydrate and therefore should be kept evenly moist. Check for watering daily. When the pot feels light or top layer is dry, water your plant. Remove the decorative cover before watering to allow for drainage. Don’t let the roots sit in water this can lead to root rot. Sometimes we forget to water and if the plant wilts, it can be rehydrated by placing it in a dish and soaking it for a few hours. It will perk up but will have signs of damage such as wrinkled,dry flowers, brown leaf tips and eventual leaf drop. Deadhead any wilted flowers and prune after the plant is finished blooming.

Keep your Azalea in a cool, indirect sunny area away from drafts or heating vents and fertilize with 1/4 strength acid fertilizer (Miracle Grow, Muracid)

Azalea is one of the longer lasting indoor blooming plants you can buy. When choosing an Azalea, pick one with tight buds and healthy leaves which will extend your blooming time.

After blooming and when the weather warms up, it can be set outdoors in partial shade for the summer but needs to be brought indoors for the winter.

I bought a big, wonderful Fuchsia to hang on my porch which gets shade all day. It was doing fine till the last couple days when the weather got to the 80’s. It is going to get hotter, what can I do , the plant is never in the sun?

Fuchsias like cool days and cool nights. They are more suited to weather in the Pacific Northwest or highlands of Hawaii. They prefer morning sun and afternoon shade and cannot tolerate hot weather which causes them to wilt and drop their flowers. Continue to keep it in the shade and out of the drying wind until the weather cools down a bit. Water it enough to keep the soil evenly moist but not too wet. A misting will also be appreciated when the leaves get droopy. If it stops blooming, cut the plant back to a node and it should give off new growth within a month and rebloom from the new growth. When in bloom, feed it every two weeks with a 1/2 dose of a balanced fertilizer.

Eventhough fuchsia flowers are not fragrant their sweet nectar attracts hummingbirds.