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

I have beautiful, healthy Norfolk Pine that has grown close to 7 ft tall & about 6 ft wide. Can I trim off the top without causing damage to this tree??

Unfortunately, Norfolk Pine does not take well to pruning. The tip is the growing point of your tree and once you cut that off, your tree will still grow sideways but not upright. It will be misshapen and loose its pyramidal shape.  Sometimes a tree can send out another tip from a different growing point.  Cut only the lower dead branches.

My mum has been growing a pineapple plant for about 2 yrs now and it gets more and more leaves, but as yet it has not sent up a flower, she is worried that she’ll never get a fruit. Is there anything we can do to aid it?

                  

Sometimes pineapple plants are stubborn and need to be coaxed into bloom. One way is to place it in a plastic bag with a few ripe apples for a week. Loosely, seal the clear plastic bag allowing  for some air circulation and keep it in light shade (avoid direct sun).  The apples will release ethylene gas which will stimulate the plant into fruiting.
Another option is placing a small lump of calcium carbide (size of your little fingernail) into the center of your pineapple plant and pour a quarter cup of water over it. This will release acetylene gas which will force it to flower. Do this in the evening when temperatures are cooler. Calcium carbide can be bought in garden center, pharmacy or toy store.

After ”coaxing the pineapple to bloom”,  you should see the start of a flower bud in the center of the plant within 6 weeks.  If not try again.

Did you know that there are a number of flowers that you can eat?

Edible blossoms have been enjoyed as a culinary delight throughout history.  They were used to enhance the flavor and texture of foods when spices were not readily available or too expensive to use. Today, there is a resurgence in the use of edible petals.  A new trend in nouvelle cuisine includes them in teas, salads, entrees and desserts.

Here are some edible flowers that you can try: nasturtiums, roses, marigolds, viola, pansies, apple blossoms, calendulas, carnations, honeysuckle, tulip petals, tuberous begonia, lilacs, dianthus, hibiscus, violets, daylily, primrose, petunia including flowers of herbal plants such as rosemary, borage, basil, lavender and chives. Many are common flowers that you can grow in your garden. Each having a distinctive flavor and texture.

Before using any blossoms, there are some important factors to consider. Make sure that they have been organically grown or are pesticide-free. Do not eat the flowers you buy from the florist, garden center or supermarket, they may have chemicals on them. Specially labeled edible flowers are sold in the produce section at the grocery store. The alternative is to grow your own. For the best flavor, pick the flowers in the cool of the morning just when they are beginning to open. Remove the pistils and stamens, wash and dry on paper towel. Eat only the petals. Most important, know what you are eating. Not all flowers are edible – some are poisonous (azalea and oleander) and can make you sick. If in doubt – leave it out!

Chopped, wrapped, stuffed or tossed, flowers can add limitless creativity and interesting new flavors to your kitchen. Try them and see how incredible they really are!

Things to do      

Save money – start your own seeds

Starting your own seeds,  gives you a choice of  a large variety of  plants that may not be available at nurseries and garden centers.
Generally, seeds should be started 6-8 weeks prior to planting.  Some plants may take as long as 12 weeks. If you haven’t already-  Time to get started!

How to check your soil before you dig.
To see if the soil is workable-take a handful of soil and squeeze it.  If it releases moisture, then its too wet to work. If it form a ball that breaks up when you poke your finger into it, then it is ready to work.

Houseplants

It’s time to take a look at your houseplants.  After a long winters nap, its time to shake of the dust and give them a good spring cleaning.


1 Free Daylily with any order, code 1393
1 Free Rose with any order, code 1391
15 Free Freesias with any order, code 1392

I have an avocado plant that we started from a seed (pit).  What are its requirements – soil, water, light, etc. for optimal performance??

Avocado makes an attractive houseplant and a great project to try with the kids. Plant in well drained potting soil. When watering, soak the plant so that all the roots get wet and then allow the soil to dry before watering again.   You may have to water more often in warmer weather. It does best in partial shade (bright indirect light)  and will tolerate temps of 55-65F for a few months. Excessive heat, dry indoor air and excess fertilizer can cause leaf drop and marginal browning of leaves.You can increase humidity by placing it in a pebble tray or mist around the plant.   In  Spring start feeding it with 1/2 strength houseplant fertilizer that includes micronutrients(zinc).  If you can, place your avocado plant outside in the shade for the summer. It will enjoy the warm, humid air.  Once the stem reaches 12″ cut it back by half to a node to control the size and shape. It will not flower or bear fruit indoors but makes a great houseplant.  Hardy in zone 9-11

How to grow an Avocado plant from a pit.      

Choose a nice ripe avocado for guacamole and save the pit.  Insert 3 toothpicks evenly spaced, half way up around the pit. Suspend the pointed end up over a glass of water making sure the bottom touches the water and stays moist all the time.  If the water evaporates, add more and change it every two weeks.  In 2-6 weeks, you should see the pit crack  and a fleshy white root emerging from the bottom. If not, start over.  Once well rooted, carefully plant the pit 1/3 exposed into a 6″ pot in a well-drained soil mix and place in bright indirect light.  Keep the soil moist but not wet.  When the plant is 6 inches tall cut it back by 1/2 and  then again when it is 10-12″.  This will promote  fuller and healthier growth.  

Another way to start from seed. Cut off 1/4″ of the tip and place the rounded bottom into soil- deep enough so that only the flat end is showing. Water and keep the soil moist.

Plant tips
Low light will produce to a tall, lanky plant.
Leaves will yellow and drop in wet soil.
Brown leaf margins and leaf drop indicates that the soil is too dry
Brown leaf margins-fluoride damage
Brown tips- salt accumulation.

Bougainvillea, also referred to as Paper flower is a native of Brazil and belongs to the Nyctaginaceae family. This tropical climber is ideal for hanging baskets and grown in containers where it can cascade its vibrant blooming vines. The flower is unremarkable compared to the brightly colored, paper-like bracts that surround the flower. 

Bougainvillea do well in a tropical climate. They thrive in full sun and heat and bloom best when kept slightly stressed and on the dry side. They are heavy feeders and should be fed regularily with 1/2 strenght fertilizer to keep them blooming all season long.

WINTEROVER BOUGAINVILLEA

Bougainvillea are tropical plants hardy in zone 8-10. It will tolerate temperatures as cool as 30-40 degrees for a short time  but will need protection or it can freeze and die.

There are two ways to winterover your bougainvillea indoors,

1.  Treat it like a houseplant.  Keep it in the coolest, brightest room in the house (east or north window) with temperatures between 50-60 degrees. If it gets too warm, it will grow but look lanky and pale because of insufficient sunlight. Water less during the winter allowing the soil to dry out between watering and don’t fertilize. You can prune the plant to make it more manageable but major pruning should be done in the spring before new growth starts. It may drop its leaves during this time but the idea is to keep the plant alive till spring.

2. Force it into dormancy.  Bougainvillea can be stored in a basement, garage or dark closet at temperatures above freezing (32F) . Reduce watering, cut back it just enough to make it manageable. With no light and water, the plant will drop all its leaves and go dormant. Check the soil periodically during the winter, watering it a few times just to keep it from completely drying out.  Don’t fertilize during this time.  In early spring, repot the plant in fresh soil, water thoroughly and bring it to filtered light.