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June 24, 2004 Hortiscope
Q: The leaves of my maple trees have multiple tiny little bumps on them. The bumps don’t seem to impair the growth on this or any other (varieties) trees on my grounds. Do you have any suggestions as to what this is and how to rectify it? (e-mail reference)
Q: What can you do with a bleeding heart after a hard freeze? It looks like it has been cooked. (Stanley, N.D.)
Q: Why would oriental lily bulbs planted a month ago not be emerging by now? I dug one out and it still looks exactly like when I planted it. (Grace City, N.D.)
Q: I read that Trimec is good for killing dandelions. The dandelions at my place are interspersed among the tulips. Would Trimec bother the tulips?
Q: My first question is about our chokecherry trees. We have a grove of about 10 thin, tall trees. They have been here for at least 10 years (probably more). About three or four years ago we thinned them out so grass would grow. The power company also trimmed the tops of two of them a year or two ago. Last year they leafed-out in May, turned orange by June, lost their leaves by July and produced no berries. This year, almost no leaves are growing except on a few lower branches on one or two of them. Are they dead? Is there any hope? We use spectracide on our lawn several times a year to kill creeping Charlie and a pre-emergent weed/fertilizer in fall and spring, but we have done that every year. Did we do something wrong? Should we cut them down or give them time? Please answer soon, as the tree trimmers are coming for another tree before long. My second question is about my pea plants. I have tried several varieties, but every year they grow I get yummy peas for a couple weeks and then they get a white powdery coating all over them, turn yellow and dry up. Why does this happen, and is there anything I can do? I love fresh peas and it makes me so sad every year. (Moorhead, Minn.)
Q: We want to purchase arborvitae to screen a storage area and would like some advice as to the best type. We would like it to grow wide, but not terribly high. One store has emerald and techny, but the techny costs slightly more. Is there another variety you would recommend? We have one on the other side of the yard, but don't know what it is. We would like to match it if possible. (Minneapolis, Minn.)
Q: Something is eating
my hostas. Whatever it is, it sometimes starts in the middle and eats
holes and other times it starts on the outside edges. I thought maybe
it was birds, but I have never seen any near them. Is there anything I
can spray to keep away whatever is eating them?
Q: I have two lilac bushes that are relatively close to my house so I try to keep them small and under control. However, I constantly get suckers coming up from the roots. How can I get rid of these suckers without hurting the bush? (e-mail reference)
Q: A week ago I was helping my aunt plant a cactus plant. I accidentally grabbed the cactus and tiny spores got into my hand. I tried to pull them out, but some broke off in my hand and are still there. What can I do to get them out and are the spores poisonous? (e-mail reference)
Q: I have a yellow tame rose that has lots of dead branches in it. Can it be cut down to the ground this fall or should I just cut out the dead parts? How can I start new bushes from the old? There are lots of sprouts coming up around it. (Redfield, S.D.)
Q: I planted about 15 golden privit three years ago, but they do not look good. Several shoots are dead and more are dying. They are planted under a couple of rather large oak trees, so it is shaded quite a bit. If shading is a big problem, what type of hedge can I plant that will grow four to six feet tall? (e-mail reference)
Q: I have a ficus tree that is about six years old. It is doing well except on the root base and trunk where large brown knots are forming. Would you please let me know if these knots are a problem? (e-mail reference)
Q: I bought a dieffenbachia about six years ago. Lately it has developed about eight pods. I want to collect the seed but I am not sure how long I have to wait before the seeds are ready. (e-mail reference)
Q: I planted a lilac shrub two years ago. This year a large piece broke off just as some buds were starting to open. Is there anything I can do to save this piece? (e-mail reference)
Q: We are in the process of planting emerald green arborvitae. What kind of mulch would you recommend? (e-mail reference)
Q: I have two apple trees that could be 60 to 70 years old. Ninety-five percent of the interior of one tree trunk is gone. All that remains is the bark and an inner layer about one inch thick. The other tree is not much better. They have been this way for 18 years (when I moved in). They still flower and fruit, and the only care I give them is to occasionally remove dead branches. How long do apple trees normally live? (e-mail reference)
Q: I have a lilac bush that is growing nicely, but the blossoms never fully bloom. Someone told me that you must have a male and female plant for them to bloom. Is this true? (e-mail reference)
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.
Source: Ron
Smith, (701) 231-8161, ronsmith@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
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