Query: I want to plant a number of containers with colourful flowers for summer time. Any strategies?
Reply: Why not go pink, white and blue for the patriotic vacation arriving in just a few weeks. Could I recommend a combination of dwarf pink pentas, low-growing white flowered zinnias and blue spreading torenia. In the event you get it began now all must be in full bloom by the Fourth of July. Fill the containers with contemporary soil and add a slow-release fertilizer after planting. Hold moist and in a sunny location for a show that ought to final via summer time.
Q. Small white flies are hovering round my blue daze vegetation. Are they inflicting any hurt?
A. What you might be seeing could also be a fairly good infestation of whiteflies. That is the widespread identify of those bugs associated to aphids, scales and mealybugs. Populations of whiteflies are as much as no good sucking juices from leaves and stems of your blue daze vegetation. If left uncontrolled the vegetation most certainly are going to say no. By now you may additionally discover the sooty mildew fungus, rising on the excreta of whiteflies, producing a black coating on among the vegetation. Controls can embody software of pure pesticides together with horticulture oils and insecticidal soaps. You need to hit the underside of the leaves and stems to be efficient. Additionally, systemic pesticides might supply higher management as they’re taken into the vegetation and have an effect on the whitefly because it feeds. None of those pesticides management the winged and flying adults. You may attempt to entice them on yellow sticky boards. Observe all label directions when making use of pesticides.
Q. Firms are stopping by and wish to trim my palms. Can palms be trimmed right now of the yr?
A. Palms will be trimmed at anytime of the yr however not too harshly. Many wait till numerous lifeless or declining fronds accumulate after which have solely these eliminated. Depart as many inexperienced fronds as potential to provide vitamins palms used for progress and to take care of their vigor. As a normal rule prune palms to type of resembling the 9-to-3 face of a clock. Depart all fronds inside the 9-to-3 area. Residents can go away all of the inexperienced fronds they want. Simply keep away from leaving just a few fronds that many name a rocket reduce.
Q. I’m a bit behind in planting my spring backyard. Is it too late to plant okra seeds?
A. Spring via summer time is okra planting time. This crop appears to like the warmth and from seed to reap can happen in about 60 days right now of the yr. Right here is the one drawback with okra plantings — they’re nematode bait. These microscopic spherical worms, usually present in backyard websites, trigger root injury and there’s no dependable management. Attempt to discover a spot for brand new okra plantings the place root knot nematodes haven’t affected earlier crops. Then add numerous natural matter that appears to assist cut back nematode exercise. Different crops that gained’t thoughts the summer time warmth and humidity embody cherry tomatoes, southern peas, chayote squash, calabaza squash and candy potatoes.
Q. I’ve azaleas a number of ft tall and huge. Is it essential to prune the vegetation?
A. After three to 4 years of fine progress azaleas turn out to be bigger than desired and fill with older stems. Usually these stems begin to decline, which can lead to crown rot and loss of life of the vegetation. Instantly after flowering and by early June is an effective time to offer your vegetation a renewal pruning. Rejuvenate your azaleas by first slicing them again a foot or two under the specified top and width. Generally it is a few ft from the bottom. Additionally, take away very previous or declining stems again to wholesome trunks or to the bottom. After a fertilizer software, the place permitted, and with sufficient moisture your vegetation ought to start good progress and be engaging by fall. The extra extreme the pruning the longer it takes azaleas to come back into bloom. So count on some vegetation to want over a yr to be in full bloom throughout late winter or spring.
Q. Clusters of small bugs are forming on the trunk of my crape myrtles. Do they damage the tall shrubs which can be beginning to flower and what ought to I do?
A. Maybe they give the impression of being threatening however the bugs herding about on the trunks of your crape myrtles are psocids also called tree cattle and bark lice that trigger no hurt. Truly, the bugs are useful cleansing the trunks and limbs by feeding on moss, lichens, algae and related growths. Generally they create webs felt to be safety from predators. There is no such thing as a have to disturb or take away these bugs. If an excessive amount of of an annoyance, they are often washed off with a robust stream of water.
Q. Many colourful pentas are rising in my panorama. How can I begin extra to develop this summer time?
A. Begin as many new vegetation as you want by rooting 4- to 6-inch tip cuttings. Pentas root simply in trays or pots of coarse vermiculite out there at many backyard facilities. You might also wish to get hold of rooting powder to mud the reduce ends of the cuttings when they’re inserted into the containers of moistened vermiculite. Set the containers of cuttings in a shady web site and encompass them with clear plastic. Deliver the plastic up a foot or extra excessive of the cuttings. Then every day, mist the cuttings with water within the morning and afternoon. Most pentas root in six to eight weeks and are then able to develop just a few weeks longer in containers of potting soil earlier than including them to the panorama.
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. E mail: TomMac1996@aol.com.