NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
June 29, 2000
Ron Smith, Extension Horticulturist
North Dakota State University
Q: The rabbits ate all the buds off the tulips so they didn't bloom and also debarked the honeysuckle bushes. What can I do to get rid of them? (Jamestown, N.D.)
A: Probably the best answer is to write a book titled "100 Favorite Rabbit Recipes." We have had problems with them as well. We trap them in a live trap and transport them to the country. Ro-pel (a commercial product), deodorant soap, human hair and predator urine (fox, wolf or dog) are all the other usual control measures.
Q: After admiring peony gardens in the neighborhood for several years I decided to start one myself. The nursery where I bought two young plants (in gallon pots) assures me it's OK to plant them now. However, when I searched the Internet for peony information, it seems everyone warns against planting peonies other than in the fall! Now I'm quite confused. I tried to find information specific to young, potted plants but so far haven't had any luck. Can you help? (Chicago, Ill., e-mail)
A: I think you are getting the terms "planting" and "transplanting" confused. Planting from containers is best done in the early spring; transplanting and propagation by division is best done in the early fall. What the local nursery likely has is a containerized plant that is actively growing and has flower buds ready to open.
What I suggest is this: Ask the nursery person to show you how to take your plants out of the containers for planting. He/she should be able to turn the container upside down and gently tap the plant from the pot. It should fall into his hand with an intact root ball. If the soil around the roots crumbles, then the bet is off on it getting established. Peonies generally do not like to be disturbed, and if the soil root ball has not developed sufficiently, this disturbance could set the plant back or kill it outright. Also, be sure the "eyes" or crown buds are no more than 2 inches below the soil surface.
Q: Last year our lawn was full of grubs. They were even in the gardens. The lawn had about five big areas where the grass was brown and dead. We treated it with diazinon granules and this spring the grass came back really nice, so we thought the problem was solved. Wrong. I dug up a new garden and found lots and lots of grubs--some near the top and others about 5 or 6 inches down. What can we do to get rid of them? (Ashley, N.D., e-mail)
A: Grubs are not easily wiped out. While diazinon will work somewhat, a better treatment would be Bacillus popilliae (Bp) a microbial biological control that creates what is known as milky-spore disease. This is a material you spread over the lawn and garden area. Bp is perfectly harmless to beneficial insects, as well as us humans, and it kills by making the grub sick when it eats the spores. They die and their decaying bodies help to redistribute the spores in the soil. Usually one application does the trick, but in your case you may want to make an application now and another again in the early fall.
Q: I recently planted creeping phlox. After a few days it began to turn brown and yellow. When I asked at the nursery where I purchased it, I was told that I should apply iron. I did this, and it is rapidly dying. Most of the 20 plants that I put out are three-quarters brown now, plus the mulch that I had around them has changed color. I followed the package directions on the iron. Is there any hope of saving these plants? (Windsor, Ill., e-mail)
A: It sounds as though the local nursery gave you a quick-fix answer without really diagnosing the problem. It could be that your phlox was going through transplant shock. Or it could be that you were given woodland phlox--a shade-loving species--and you planted it in the sunny location.
Generally, to get plants off to a good start we usually recommend Miracle-Gro for nonorganic gardeners and fish emulsion for the organic ones.
Based on what you are telling me, I suggest that you get back in touch with your nursery and see if they will split the cost of replacement with you. Creeping phlox is generally an easy plant to grow and well worth the effort. I have had some growing in my yard for more than 10 years.
###
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