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October 26, 2006 Hortiscope
Q: A client has ant problems in his carrots. The ants ate his red and orange carrots, but left the yellow carrots alone. One could say just plant yellow carrots, but I don't think that's the answer he wants. What can be done to prevent this from happening again? (e-mail reference)
Q: As a Hortiscope fan, I thought I might ask you what I can do with a date palm. I love the dried fruit during the winter. I never thought that the handful of pits I tossed into a planter would sprout, but they did! There are four spears standing anywhere from 4 inches to 16 inches tall. Who knows, maybe more will sprout! I tossed the pits into the planter thinking they might compost and help the rather poor soil. The spears appear healthy and vigorous. I hate the thought of destroying anything tough enough to sprout like this. I'd appreciate any advice you can provide. (Ashton, S.D.)
Q: My geraniums bloom, but the flowers dry out in the center. Is there something I am doing wrong? (e-mail reference)
Q: Even though I'm
not from North Dakota, your Web site came up when I searched for answers
on fertilizing strawberries. I read through the page and appreciate the
information. One of the questions I often saw dealt with squirrels, deer
and other furry invaders. I offer this solution, which seems to work well
for me. I purchased a couple of pounds of ground cayenne peppers. I took
an empty jar, put the cayenne in and then drilled 1/8-inch holes in the
lid. I then sprinkled this liberally around the perimeter of my strawberry
beds, fruit trees and sunflower plantings. This ended the furry pilfering.
I reapply after a heavy rain. I also mixed 1/2 cup of cayenne powder and
an equal amount of Vaseline. I spread a thin layer of the mixture on the
top rail of my chain link fence. It works like a charm. The squirrels
are still around, but leave my garden alone.
Q: I have a few American elm that have leaves coated with sap and tiny aphids under the leaves. I don't know what Dutch elm disease looks like and there is no forester around to help. The sap coated the leaves of my flowers under the canopy of the tree. (Benedict, N.D.)
Q: I will be moving out of my home this fall. I have many bulbs that I want to dig up while I still can find them. Can you tell me a safe way to dig them up? I’m sure that some of them will be too small to bloom, but they could be planted and cared for at the edge of a garden so they bloom in a year or two. Many of the larger bulbs should bloom next year, if they receive the proper care. What are the optimum conditions for storing bulbs until planting time? When is the best planting time? (Minot, N.D.)
Q: I have planted impatiens in the same flowerbed for a number of years. The last couple of years, I have had problems with parts of some plants suddenly wilting and dying. They appear to have been cut at the stem. Sometimes the whole plant dies. Is this a fungus or insect problem? I have some planted in a window box that never has had this problem. (e-mail reference)
Q: I found your Web site and I've done some other research on the Internet, but I'm still having trouble figuring out what exactly is on my ash tree. I noticed some dried, curled leaves a couple of days ago. Upon close examination, it looked like tiny, white larvae or secretions were on the underside of the leaf. Do you know what this could be? I'm wondering if I need to be concerned and take some action. (West Fargo, N.D.)
Q: Can peony bulbs be stored? If so, what is the proper method? (e-mail reference)
Q: I have some scotch pine trees planted in sandy soil. I noticed the interior needles are browning and falling off. During the summer, the edges of the leaves on my quacking aspens turned brown and developed a slight curl. Also, I had a large portion of my yard turn brown and die. Are these symptoms the result of disease or the dry conditions? (Carrington, N.D.)
Q: I have two bushes that bloomed, but had dark spots all over the leaves, branches and blooms. Any insight as to what this might be? I trimmed both bushes all the way down. Should I treat the plants with something so that this does not happen again? (e-mail reference)
Q: My mother, who lives in south-central North Dakota, has a pear tree. It is very old and is probably 40 feet tall. It produces delicious, abundant pears each year. I also would like to start a pear tree. Can I take a cutting/branch from this tree and start a new one or do you know of a hardy pear tree that will grow here in North Dakota? (Jamestown, N.D.)
Q: Should I cut down my hydrangeas? They did not do well this year for some reason, so I am not sure what to do with them. Also, is now the time to cut my mock orange? If so, how far from the ground should they be cut? There have been a couple of light frosts, but they still have a lot of green leaves. My husband says I should wait until the leaves fall off, but then we never will get it done. Will it hurt to trim my evergreens a little now? I have one more question. In your column, you listed something that could be used to kill grass in a flower bed, but won't kill the flowers. I could not find it around here and now I lost the name of the product. (e-mail reference)
Q: I have four, small arborvitae. I assume it is too late to plant them this fall. Would I be better off to try to keep them in the garage and water them through the winter? (e-mail reference)
Q: I bought a beautiful hybrid cyclamen at a horticultural show last fall. It flowered until the spring. At that time, the leaf stalks became limp and I thought it was heading for a rest. However, before the old growth died down, a new crop of dark green leaves emerged. Soon after that came masses of flower buds. The plant now has 30 distinctive red and white flowers, but the leaves are pale. Is this chlororis and would it benefit from a shot of chelated iron? (e-mail reference)
### Source: Ron
Smith, (701) 231-8161, ronsmith@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
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North Dakota State University |
