NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665

October 22, 1998

Hortiscope

Ron Smith, Extension Horticulturist
North Dakota State University

Q: I cut down my apricot tree in July, and now it has a 2-foot-tall shoot coming out of the stump. Will this shoot grow up to be a good mate for the other apricot tree that I just planted? (Sisseton, S.D.)

A: There is every chance that the new sprout coming from your old tree will survive and make a good "yard-mate" for the one you just planted. At least give it a chance to see what happens!

Q: Can you tell me what products contain Dacthal, Betasan and Tupersan? I am looking for these to treat foxtail next spring. When is the best time to fertilize my lawn in the fall? I also would like to know why my onions didn't get very big this year and were soft? I have also enclosed a weed I would like identified. (Winner, S.D.)

A: The weed is broadleaf plantain. This, and other broadleaves, can be controlled with 2, 4-D type products, such as Weed-B-Gone, Trimex etc.

You likely had the wrong cultivar of onion. In our climatic region, select only long-day types. Sweet onions are the Spanish or Walla-Walla types. Sweet pickling types are `Silver Queen' and `White Portugal.' Onions need full sun, well-drained soil and ample moisture. The best onions I've ever seen (and tasted) came from a grower near Williston, ND.

The best time to fertilize the lawn is in the fall, with a slow-release material. You can still do it, as long as the soil isn't frozen.

Tupersan is sold as "Crabgrass Preventer and Weed Killer" by Bonide. Betasan can be sold as is or under the name Bensulide, by Green Light; and Dacthal is sold as DCPA by many companies.

Q: Can you please tell me what kind of flower I have enclosed? It kind of looks like a hollyhock, with flowers all the way up the stem. (Jamestown, N.D.)

A: Thank you for the great sample you sent! It is mallow (Malva alcea) and you were correct, it is part of the hollyhock family. They are an annual and will regrow from seed.

Q: Can you tell me what is wrong with my dogwood? (Cando, N.D.)

A: The dogwood sample you sent had a good dose of anthracnose and botrytis—both fungal diseases brought on by wet springs.

Clean up fallen leaf litter this autumn and spray next spring at leaf opening with Fore or Maneb.

Q: Could you please identify the enclosed tree? (Gwinner, N.D.)

A: I'm glad you sent a twig with a bud, as that was the only way I could "ID" it. Everything else was confetti or squashed (the fruit). Anyway, the plant is common buckthorn—Rhamnus cathartica—probably planted by birds.

Q: I read in your article about a person that was looking for a source for oxalis bulbs and I have a source for you: Henry Field's Seeds and Nursery Co., 415 North Burnett, Shenandoah, Iowa, 51602. The company advertises these bulbs in its 1998 Spring Catalog, Page 86, right hand column, second item down. A dozen bulbs cost 95 cents.

A: Many, many thanks for the information! I really enjoy this aspect of the column. What I don't know someone else is bound to know and is willing to share it with the readers!

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Source: Ron Smith (701) 231-8161 ronsmith@ndsuext.nodak.edu

Editor: Dean Hulse (701) 231-6136