NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
January 6, 2000
Ron Smith, Extension Horticulturist
North Dakota State University
Q: I have two leaves from a plant with pink flowers, and I want to start the slips. Will they root in water? What kind of light do they need? How much should I water after they've been planted? Also, I have another longer leaf that I got from a friend whose plant is 45 inches tall. I replanted this leaf in a 5-gallon pail. I have it in a north window with medium sunlight. What are the names of these plants and how do I care for them? (Carrington, N.D.)
A: Your plants are, respectively, the hibiscus and the dracaena, which is commonly called the corn or dragon plant. Both plants are easily propagated: the hibiscus via woody cuttings taken in February when it normally gets pruned prior to a new surge of growth and the corn plant via cuttings laid horizontally in sphagnum peat moss.
For more information, refer to these publications available from the NDSU Extension Service: "Home Propagation Techniques" (NCR274) and "Interior Plantscaping with Large Houseplants" (H-1123).
Q: With seed catalogs arriving--and the last of last season's produce waning--we and our 85-year-old gardening cousin have a few garden seed questions.
First, are you aware of a seed which produces an acorn-type squash that's orange (like a pumpkin) on the outside? I had some of these among my regular green acorn squashes. I don't remember planting orange-skinned ones, and it shouldn't be a blend because I always start with new seed for squash. We like the orange ones. The inside flesh is similar to the green variety, but even better.
And second, do you know a place where we can purchase seed for the baby carrots that have become so popular in grocery stores? (Hoven, S.D., e-mail)
A: Concerning the baby carrots first, one firm I came across that carries them is the Vermont Bean Seed Company, whose telephone is (803) 663-0217 and Web address is www.vermontbean.com.
Another company that I found with baby carrots is in Johnny's Selected Seeds, which also offers a yellow acorn squash known as Table Gold. The telephone number for Johnny's is (207) 437-4395, and the company's Web address is www.johnnyseeds.com.
Q: I received a catalog from New Jersey that has blueberries. Can I grow them here in Brookings? I've heard that they take a special type of soil. Can the soil be modified? I also got some blueberry jam for Christmas and it was really good! That's why I am interested in blueberries. Or should I just buy the berries? (Brookings, S.D., e-mail)
A: It all depends on how much you like challenges. Yes, blueberries could possibly be grown in Brookings, but it would take major modification to make the soil acid enough. I would suggest getting some Canadian Sphagnum peat moss and literally making a raised bed with about 80 percent peat and 20 percent soil. While I enjoy challenges, I find it easier to simply purchase the berries when they are available at the store.
Q: What is causing the yellowing and dropping of the leaves on my hibiscus at this time? I noticed the same thing happening with other people's plants also. (Fargo, N.D., e-mail)
A: A number of things contribute to leaf drop of hibiscus and other houseplants at this time of year: low light, dry air, alterations in watering and natural resting cycles. Keep in mind that houseplants mostly originate in the tropics, which sees wet/dry cycles. Our summer/winter cycles have about the same effect--with our interior air down to about 10 percent relative humidity in the winter and the footcandle intensity of the sun's light generally less than 75. It's no wonder that we have troubles with our houseplants during this time of year.
My advice? Don't worry about it, but certainly don't overwater to compensate. Let the plant enter a resting stage and keep barely watered. Then, as spring moves in and new buds begin to swell, increase watering and the light intensity, if possible, by moving your hibiscus to another location.
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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