March 7, 2002

Hortiscope

Ronald C. Smith, Horticulturist
NDSU Extension Service

Q: I am wondering what you can tell me about these pesky little flies. I have heard them referred to as brown flies, brown spotted and just spotted. It seems they are indigenous to old houses, but this year they have not gone away as they usually do. I am not from this part of the country so they are new to me. Are they just a nuisance or are they carriers of yucky things as are the regular flies. (E-mail reference)

A: These are just harmless pests. They are particularly pesky this year because of the early and long mild winter we've had. You can do battle with them via sticky tapes, insecticidal soap sprays, and any sprays for interiors that contain pyrethrins. Their life cycle is short, but their reproductive capacity is high, so persistence is necessary.

Q: I received a miniature rose bush for Valentine's Day. It came in a ceramic container. I was wondering if I could keep it the container and how to take care of it. (E-mail reference)

A: The track record for miniature roses is generally not too hot. I have no clue as to where you live from your e-mail, but if you live in a relatively warm part of the world where frosts are light and infrequent during winter, then get it outdoors ASAP. If you live in the north where winter weather is severe, you are better off bringing the plant indoors to overwinter, placing it in a sunny window with supplemental lighting. My experience with miniature roses has been that they are subject to powdery mildew and black spot and host to a variety of insects beyond what normal garden roses are. They need plenty of light -- direct sun if possible. If the ceramic container is not free-draining, then move it to another one that is; prune spent blossoms; fertilize with a rose fertilizer every two to three weeks during active growth. Enjoy the gift for as long as you can. You might want to select a flower that is partially open and press it between the pages of a book with a note memorializing who it came from. That will likely last longer than your plant will if history is any guide.

Q: We have a spider plant that my daughter almost killed. I brought it home and repotted it. It is growing slow and when it gets so far the ends of the leaves turn brown, I have never had flowers on it or babies. What is wrong? I have it in a sun room facing north. Please give me some ideas. (E-mail reference)

A: The brown tips are the result of the salts either in your water supply or from the media it is growing in. These plants are sensitive to both fluoride and chlorine in water. It is not lethal to the plant. Your plant will develop babies when it has stored enough energy, which it derives from the sun. I suggest moving the plant to an east or west exposure in your sun room. In time, it will produce the offspring that everyone enjoys.

Q: I am wondering if the berrys on the flowering crab are harmful to humans, birds or animals. (E-mail reference)

A: No! Some are tastier than others, but none are harmful unless a pesticide residue remains, and that depends on the pesticide used.

Q: I have a peace lily that was given to me after my aunt passed away. I read all the questions and answers about peace lilies, so I have a few ideas of why my leaves are turning yellow and then brown. My question is, should they be trimmed off? If so, when and where do I trim them? Also I have a lot of brown dead stems at the bottom of the plant. Should they be pulled out or left alone? I really don't want to lose the plant. To me it is a symbol of the life my Aunt shared with us. (E-mail reference)

A: Trim the leaves off as far back as possible. Keep in mind that the peace lily needs to go through a rest period, which it may be trying to enter into at this time. You might want to back off a little on the watering, move it to a warmer spot, and possibly move it to a spot where the light situation is better. They can tolerate low light beautifully but will respond even better in bright indirect light.

Q: In a recent Hortiscope column you named varieties of raspberries that would grow in a cold climate and also named sources where they could be obtained. I have lost that information and wonder if you could give it again. You suggested Thunderchild, Spring Snow and Red Jewel for crabapples. Are they resistant to rust? Also, can you suggest a place to buy ornamental grasses. I've found very limited resources. (Wessington, S.D.)

A: The hardy raspberries for your area would include Boyne, Latham, Swensen, Nordic, and Royality. The crabapples I listed are resistant to rust. Some sources for ornamental grasses are:

Ambergate Gardens, 8015 Krey Ave., Waconia, MN 55387 (phone: 612-443-2248)

Bluebird Nursery, Inc., P.O. Box 460, 521 Linden Street, Clarkson, NE 68629 (phone: 402-892-3457)

Prairie Moon Nursery Route 3, Box 163, Winona, MN 55987 (phone: 507-452-1362)

That should get you started. If you get nowhere with these three let me know. There are plenty more.

Q: Do you have a formula and procedure for using chlorine bleach or Lysol to sanitize planting trays? (Cando, N.D.)

A: Use either a 10 percent bleach or Lysol concentration. That would be nine parts water to one part of the chemical. Simply dipping them into the solution for a few seconds and allowing them to air dry does the trick. Good sowing!

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. Note to e-mail correspondents: please identify your location (city and state) for most accurate recommendations.

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Source: Ron Smith, (701) 231-8161, ronsmith@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Gary Moran, (701) 231-7865, gmoran@ndsuext.nodak.edu