NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
September 30, 1999
Ron Smith, Extension Horticulturist
North Dakota State University
Q: Our tomatoes had a problem this year. The first fruit was okay, but that was all. Will it affect the soil for future use? We do rotate our crops every year and we use a lot of compost manure on it. (Karlsruhe, N.D.)
A: The tomatoes are showing an advanced stage of late blight--Phytophthora infestans. This has become a somewhat common disease on tomatoes this year, thanks to our rainy season. Clean up your garden carefully this fall, and turn the soil over. Plant resistant cultivars and stake or cage your plants. And of course, plant them where no Solanum crop was grown (peppers, eggplant, potatoes etc.).
Q: A weed has been rapidly spreading and taking over my entire lawn. Would you please tell me what it is and what spray I can use to kill it? (Page, N.D.)
A: It is the infamous Creeping Charlie, otherwise known in distinguished circles as Glechoma hederacea. This is a member of the notorious mint family which has a reputation of producing aggressive perennial characters. This one is no exception, as I'm sure you've discovered!
This is its most vulnerable time--the fall--so give it a recommended shot of Trimec to take it out (you may have to do it twice).
Q: I was watching a home and garden channel on TV and they were showing a garden in Canada. There was a very pretty plant they referred to several times as a "gas plant." It had flowers and is a perennial. I can't find any plant by that name in my books. Can you please help me out? (Garrison, N.D.)
A: Gladly. The Dictamnus albus is a hardy perennial that once planted doesn't like to be moved. Enjoy!
Q: My American linden tree is 3 years old and has hardly grown up from its original 5 feet! It leafs out in the spring and then the leaves start to curl and it looks sick. (Reeder, N.D.)
A: Your tree is a little leaf linden--same genus, different species. Not an important distinction in addressing your problem. The symptoms your tree is showing is leaf scorch - brought on by a couple of environmental factors: windy exposed sites and high soil pH and soil salts. Both of these situations are not needed for this effect. These are beautiful trees with the investment in time and effort. Try spraying them with an anti-desiccant next spring after full-leaf expansion. A commonly available one on the market is Wilt-Pruf.
Q: I am wondering if there is any way to preserve trees after they have been cut down. We cut it into pieces and brought them in the house to dry, but they mildewed. I would like to paint a picture on them, but I am also not sure how to preserve them. (Carrington, N.D.)
A: Without knowing what size pieces you are talking about, I would suggest air drying -- out of the sun, but in a well-ventilated area. You may want to look up the process of decoupage. My parents took my diplomas from the University of Georgia and Ohio State and mounted them on wood and sealed them with something that has not shown a trace of breakdown in decades. Don't worry about the mildew; it can be cleaned off with Lysol.
Q: How do you get asparagus plants to grow? There are red berries on my plants now. Is that how they reseed?
I also have an umbrella plant that is about 11 years old. We cut the tops off of two of the stalks and now one sprouted out leaves about 6 inches from the bottom. If I cut them off and replant, will they grow? (Milnor, N.D.)
A: Yes, those asparagus fruits contain seed. Harvest after a good frost, and sow in a well prepared area next spring. The resulting plants will eventually be productive.
If you are referring the Schefflera, you will likely have cuttings that are too large to root. If you take the top 9 to 12 inches off and place them in a sand/peat mix (50/50), they will have a better chance of rooting. You will likely also get sprouts coming from the base of those canes as well.
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Do you have a gardening or houseplant question? Write to Hortiscope, Box 5051, NDSU Extension Service, Fargo, ND 58105 or e-mail to Ron Smith at ronsmith@ndsuext.nodak.edu .
Source: Ron Smith (701) 231-8161
ronsmith@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Dean Hulse (701) 231-6136