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10 comments to Seasonal Plant Tips

• Drenda

  November 14th, 2007 at 10:22 am · Reply

  I would like to know when red maple trees are suppose to turn red and how long do they stay red? I think someone sold me regular maple trees because mine have yellow and brown leaves that are falling off. thank you

  Hi Drenda
  Depending on the weather and temperatures, leaves can stay colored for several weeks. A hard freeze can cause leaves to drop earlier. Red maple (Acer rubrum) is so called because new growth – leaves and petioles are often red. It is one of the first trees to color in the fall-which can vary from greenish yellow to yellow to brilliant red. In order to assure good fall color you need to make sure that you have a cultivar of red maple such as “Autumn Flame”, “October Glory” or “Red Sunset”. These are known to retain their leaves and maintain brilliant fall color longer.

• Drenda

  November 20th, 2007 at 7:44 pm · Reply

  Hello again. I live in zone 8 and sometimes it gets below freezing. I’m not sure what kind of hibiscus I have. When they freeze I cut them back at the end of winter. They come back good, they grow fast and they get about 5 to 6 feet tall, they’re just not making many flowers. I really appreciate your help. Thank you

  Hi Drenda,
  You may have a confederate rose (Hibiscus mutabilis). Some reason that they fail to bloom is: too wet, too dry, too much nitrogen (the 1st number) and too much shade. U. of Florida recommends: fertilize lightly 4x a year with a 15-5-10 or 15-5-15 with micronutrients. For large plants spread the fertilizer slightly beyond the dripline, 1/2 to 1 lb per plant in early spring, after 1st flush of growth, midsummer and September.

• Nancy, Harvey's Lake, Pa

  May 1st, 2008 at 3:59 pm · Reply

  Hello, I need your help again. I had received a dwarf weeping peach tree. it is 5 or 6 years old. the height is the same… but I would like to know if there is a certain fertilizer you would recommend for the “limbs” or branches to grow on it. It still has the same amount of them as when I got it… Also when is the proper time to set out hanging geranium plants ?? thanks for you help..

  Hi Nancy,

  The recommended fertilizer is the same as for any other fruit tree. Apply a balanced fertilizer 10-10-10 in early spring. Before bud break is the best time. Spread the fertilizer 2-3 ft from the trunk and extend out beyond the dripline. Set out your geraniums when day temperatures are 65F and night temps at 55F. IF the nights get too cool bring them indoors. Have a great spring!

• Nancy

  July 8th, 2008 at 3:13 am · Reply

  Just trying to figure out what to do to make my hibiscus plant get flowers on it. It has wintered nicely. still tall and green. new leaves. but no sign of any buds. what could be the cause of this. and what do I do to make it produce flowers ??

  Hi Nancy
  Is it indoors or outside? It may need more sun exposure. You don’t mention fertilizer. Since it is putting on new leafy growth try a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) or a higher potassium fertilizer during the summer.

• Brigitte

  July 29th, 2008 at 5:17 pm · Reply

  Hi Kris, I got a thorn less Logan Berry Bush do I need one more for pollination? Thanks

  Hi Brigitte
  No, you don’t need another plant for pollination. Each plant will pollinate itself. The canes(vines) grow fast so be sure to train on on a fence or wall so they are easier to handle.

• Cindy

  October 4th, 2008 at 4:23 am · Reply

  A friend was going to dig up some elephant ear bulbs from her yard for me this fall. I live in Newnan, Georgia. Her son decided to help and pulled them up this week, October 1st and they are laying her yard for me to come pick up. Please let me know what to do now. I was going to prepare a bed and plant them this fall, can I still do that or do I need to winterize them or plant them in a pot, or can I just put them with leaves in the ground now? Please help.

  Hi Cindy
  Yes, you can plant them in your zone 8. It is marginal in your area so to be sure that your elephant ear will winter over well give them a 6″ layer of mulch after a freeze to protect it from the cold winter.

• Nancy K

  October 17th, 2008 at 4:58 pm · Reply

  I live in southern Nevada and I have been collecting several different catus/succulent
  plants and putting them in pots around my yard. Now that it’s getting colder, I would like to keep them outside..but it does sometimes freeze here. Can I put them under my overhang by my house and keep them outside all winter?
  (buy the way…I LOVE your site!)

  Hi Nancy
  How nice to hear from you. You can keep your cactii under your overhang as long as they some sun. The basic minimum temperature for cactii is around 35-40F which causes them to go dormant for the winter. There are hardier cactii that tolerate much lower temperatures. To prepare your cactus for winter, gradually water less in the fall. The cactii will shrink or shrivel slightly and can even change color. This will make the plant cold hardy. Too much water will produce “soft tissue” which will be susceptible to cold damage. To be on the safe side, if a hard frost (20’s) is eminent cover your plants with a blanket, newspaper (no plastic) for extra protection.

• Debbie D.

  November 4th, 2008 at 9:31 am · Reply

  I planted a bee balm in spring and I would like to know the best way to take care of it before winter so that I can enjoy it year after year. Thank you !

  Hi Debbie
  Bee balm (Monarda) doesn’t require too much care. You can either cut it down to about 3″ from the ground or leave it and let the birds enjoy the seeds thru the winter. In spring trim or remove all the dried stems and seed heads. Monarda can spreads easily and can become invasive in your flower bed, before you know it you will be pulling out clumps to give to your friends and neighbors.

• carmem

  May 1st, 2009 at 3:31 am · Reply

  I bought a bouganvellia that appeared dead, as it was dry, woody and brown with absolutely no green part to it whatsoever, however I was reassured that the plant would eventually bloom and that the appearance it had was completely normal (I live in the UK) for the time of year. Almost 2 months on and the plant has not changed at all. I suspect it is dead but perhaps I am incorrect or maybe there is something I can do to revive it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

  Hi Carmen
  Bougainvillea will not start to grow unitl the weather warms up May/June. If it doesn’t respond at that time then its dead.

• Judy

  July 22nd, 2009 at 3:38 pm · Reply

  Have several nice roses. Las Vegas, with day time temps above 110 and roses have stopped growing. Watering 5 days a week. Leaving for 2 months. What is recommendation to prep roses to best survive 2 months (Aut & Sept) of neglect? Leave water the same or cut back? Cut stems back to 6-12 inches? Leave stems long and with buds in place (theorize if they are making seeds they will not put energy into growing wild once the temps drop)? What’s a gardener supposed to do???? Thanks for any help you can give.

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