Query: Brilliant reddish flower spikes are growing on tall vegetation in just a few native landscapes. Would you realize the identify and is it one to develop?
Reply: Benefit from the summer season via early fall colour of the pagoda flower, one among various clerodendrons that develop within the hotter areas of Florida as pictured in an emailed photograph. It could develop to not less than 6 toes tall. Pagoda flower vegetation are thought-about evergreens however will be broken by chilly. Crops usually restart regrowth from underground runners in spring. These shrublike panorama additions can develop to eight toes huge and should develop into a bit invasive, so some annual trimming to maintain runners in bounds is probably going wanted. Plantings kind enticing accents for residence landscapes serving as background shrubs in full solar to calmly shaded places.
Q. Our tibouchina planted a few yr in the past instantly began to say no and appears like it’ll die. Can it’s saved?
A. Regretfully your tibouchina, additionally know as princess flower, is in a extreme state of decline as famous in an emailed photograph. Limbs and foliage are turning brown and wilting. It seems a brand new tibouchina is in your future. As you famous in your e-mail, root or stem rot is probably going the trigger for decline. Discover your subsequent plant a brand new location or take away little bit of soil as you replant. Make sure that the highest of the foundation ball is an inch or two above the soil line and hold the foundation ball moist however not overly moist. Additionally, it’s finest to solely mulch as much as the sting of the foundation ball.
Q. I wish to save a bit cash by rooting coleus from good-size vegetation in my yard. What ought to I do to get new coleus began?
Plant Physician: How a lot to prune off a gardenia that’s grown taller than you want
A. You have got picked an actual cash saver to begin with as new coleus vegetation value as much as $3 or extra at backyard facilities. Coleus root quicky from 6 inch tip cuttings set in small containers of potting soil. After you take away the tops of lengthy stems even the decrease parts of the stems bearing some leaves will be rooted. Take away decrease leaves from the 6 inch cuttings and stick the basal parts about 2 inches deep within the soil. Maintain the cuttings moist with frequent misting and positioned in a shady spot. Many wish to encompass clusters of cuttings of their containers with clear plastic to assist maintain in moisture. Slicing ought to begin to root in about two weeks and be prepared for bigger containers in a few month. Apply the primary liquid fertilizer after the cuttings have produced just a few roots.
Q. I’ve a number of 12-year-old crown of thorns vegetation of their authentic pots which have develop into tall and leggy. Can they be in the reduction of to make them extra compact?
A. Most gardeners select early to mid-spring as one of the best time to trim their crown of thorns vegetation. This fashion the vegetation have loads of time to regrow and flower through the hotter climate. However you may carry out wanted pruning anytime it’s heat. Attempt to make your cuts again to an angle the place the stems department or the place you’ve got leaves or buds rising. New stems and leaves then kind from under these cuts. Parts eliminated will be rooted after the cuts air dry for a day or two. Crown of thorns vegetation don’t thoughts rising rootbound of their containers however after 12 years it could be time for a brand new pot and soil. Choose one an inch or two bigger to provide your vegetation a bit extra root room. Use a free well-drained potting soil to keep away from overwatering and root rot issues.
Q. Our garden wants changing with St. Augustinegrass. Is one selection higher than one other?
A. All St. Augustine picks develop in full solar and are going to look very comparable. Varieties could fluctuate a bit as to leaf measurement, inexperienced colour and most well-liked mowing top. If they’ve been available on the market for just a few years and let’s say time examined, they’re more likely to do effectively in your yard. Floratam, a spread marketed for greater than 40 years, is the preferred being a standard St. Augustine with a number of vigor. It has one downside — Floratam doesn’t develop effectively within the shade. When shade is concerned, choose one other kind corresponding to Seville, DeltaShade or comparable that tolerates decrease mild ranges. Additionally it might be higher to delay sodding shady websites till fall as rains and irrigation throughout summer season typically causes rot issues in these areas.
Q. I planted tomato transplants in June however all I get are stems and leaves — no flowers or fruits. What am I doing incorrect?
A. Maybe you began this backyard a bit too early. A majority of tomato plantings develop good shoots and foliage throughout summer season however open few blooms or set fruits. Permit your vegetation to develop however don’t anticipate a lot fruit manufacturing till round October. Cherry tomatoes appear to do finest through the summer season however even these varieties produce fewer fruits. Some varieties are marketed for the warmer climate however Florida appears a bit too sizzling for even these. Now could be the time to begin seeds to supply the following transplants which might be added to gardens between mid-August and early September. These will be anticipated to flower and fruit when temperatures are extra average throughout early fall. Sow one seed to a cell or small container, hold it moist and in solar after germination to have transplants in about 4 weeks. Fertilize calmly and weekly after germination.
Tom MacCubbin is an city horticulturist emeritus with the College of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Write him: Orlando Sentinel, P.O. Field 2833, Orlando, FL. 32802. Electronic mail: TomMac1996@aol.com.
