Submitted by: agcomm,  Thu Dec 18 12:35:24 1997


Hortiscope
 
Ron Smith, Extension Horticulturist
North Dakota State University         
 
Q.   I apologize for the condition of this, but the frost got to
     it before I did. Anyway, I hope it arrives in a condition
     that is identifiable. Don't know how it got in my garden or
     how long it will stay. Will it come back next year? It has a
     very sturdy stalk and bushy.            
 
     Love your column. Have enjoyed it so much and received much
     help from it. Thank you. (Jamestown, N.D.)
         
A.   The sample was of artemisia, a wormwood, and a very stout
     weed indeed! It is a biennial, which means it will complete
     its life cycle next year, unless you decide otherwise.
              
         
Q.   I have bittersweet vines growing and a chokecherry tree and
     would like to plant the seeds in a different location. Have
     tried planting and sprouting seeds but get no results. These 
     are wild and have produced seeds the last two years. How
     would you go about getting new plants to grow? Thank you.
     Menahga, Minn.)
         
A.   While seed propagation is possible, the task can be
     completed with asexual propagation(stem cuttings)much easier
     and faster.
          
     Basically, I suggest taking hardwood cuttings and rooting
     them in a sand/peat mix 50/50. Keeping the mix moist and yet
     well-drained for 4 to 6 weeks should show some root
     development at the end of that period. If you can, get some
     Rootone or other rooting enhancer to move the process along.
          
     A publication called "Home Propagation Techniques" provides
     more information.  This publication can be obtained from any
     office of the NDSU Extension Service.           
 
  Thanks for writing.
 
       
Q.   I have a begonia plant. It stands almost 6 feet high. I
     planted it by seed, and it is a beautiful tree. The leaves
     from the bottom up about a foot and half are turning yellow
     and dying off. Can you give me some help? I want to save
     this tree, if possible. Thank you. (Parkhill, N.D.)
         
A.   I assume you mean bougainvillea, which is normally a vine,
     full of thorns and beautifully colored bracts. If I am
     incorrect in this assumption, please let me know and, of
     course, disregard the following advice. Bougainvillea needs
     good drainage, full sun, a regular supply of water and warm
     temperatures all the time.
          
  Thank you for writing.
         
         
Q.   I was really invaded with webworms on my fruit trees this
     year. Practically stripped them bare of leaves. Can you tell
     me what kind of animal lays the eggs that produce such      
     worms and whether there is something I can do to get rid of
     them? Thank you. (Minot, N.D.)
         
A.   As far as insect pests go, the fall webworm is relatively
     easy to control. By monitoring your trees through the
     summer, you can catch the beginning of their webbing
     activity toward the end of July or into August. When nests
     are seen at the branch ends, simply cut off the end of the
     branch and burn.
          
     Traditional summer sprays to control coddling moths and
     apple maggots (Sevin or Diazinon) will also help control
     this pest.
         
         
Q.   In the Oct. 17 issue of the Farm Forum, someone asked about
     crabgrass in gardens. You said to spray with Treflan. I was
     wondering when to spray and will garden seeds grow after the
     garden is sprayed? Thank you. (Corona, S.D.)          
 
A.   Treflan is one of the oldest pre-emergent herbicides in use,
     doing an excellent job of controlling mostly grassy weeds,
     but many broad-leaved weeds as well.            
 
     There are several labels for this product which will give
     application procedures and rates. If you follow label
     instructions, a successful vegetable garden crop can be
     grown after the application of Treflan.
         
         
Q.   I am having problems with my houseplants. My prayer plant is
     doing well, but the edges turn brown and get brittle. The
     spider plants do the same. I water regularly on Tuesday      
     and Saturday if the soil on top is dry. I have other plants
     and they are all doing well and have no problems. What am I
     doing wrong? Would appreciate hearing from you. Thank      
     you. (Morristown, S.D.)
         
A.   It just happens that both the prayer and spider plants are
     sensitive to fluoride and chloride ions in the water and
     show it by this marginal leaf burn.           
 
     You can reduce and possibly eliminate this on future leaf
     growth by using distilled or deionized water.
          
         
Q.   I would like to know what is wrong with my raspberries. They
     dry up at ground level. I give them Miracle-Gro three or
     four times a year. They bear well, but dry up. I live on     
     sandy soil. (Dent, Minn.)
         
A.   From the samples you sent, I am not sure there is anything
     wrong with your raspberries.  The vascular (water
     conducting) tissues look good, and there were no outward     
     manifestations of disease.
          
     Are you sure that what you are witnessing isn't a normal
     senescence of your canes after bearing?
                                 ###
NDSU Agriculture Communication
Source: Ron Smith (701) 231-8161
Editor: Barry Brissman (701) 231-7866