Query: I want to plant a number of containers with colourful flowers for summer season. Any options?
Reply: Why not go purple, white and blue for the patriotic vacation arriving in only some weeks. Might I counsel a combination of dwarf purple pentas, low-growing white flowered zinnias and blue spreading torenia. When you get it began now all needs to be in full bloom by the Fourth of July. Fill the containers with contemporary soil and add a slow-release fertilizer after planting. Maintain moist and in a sunny location for a show that ought to final by way of summer season.
Q. Small white flies are hovering round my blue daze vegetation. Are they inflicting any hurt?
A. What you’re seeing could also be a fairly good infestation of whiteflies. That is the widespread title of those bugs associated to aphids, scales and mealybugs. Populations of whiteflies are as much as no good sucking juices from leaves and stems of your blue daze vegetation. If left uncontrolled the vegetation almost definitely are going to say no. By now you may additionally discover the sooty mildew fungus, rising on the excreta of whiteflies, producing a black coating on a few of the vegetation. Controls can embrace software of pure pesticides together with horticulture oils and insecticidal soaps. You must hit the underside of the leaves and stems to be efficient. Additionally, systemic pesticides could supply higher management as they’re taken into the vegetation and have an effect on the whitefly because it feeds. None of those pesticides management the winged and flying adults. You may attempt to entice them on yellow sticky boards. Observe all label directions when making use of pesticides.
Q. Corporations are stopping by and wish to trim my palms. Can palms be trimmed presently of the 12 months?
A. Palms may be trimmed at anytime of the 12 months however not too harshly. Many wait till numerous useless or declining fronds accumulate after which have solely these eliminated. Depart as many inexperienced fronds as potential to provide vitamins palms used for development and to keep up their vigor. As a basic rule prune palms to type of resembling the 9-to-3 face of a clock. Depart all fronds throughout the 9-to-3 house. Residents can go away all of the inexperienced fronds they want. Simply keep away from leaving only some fronds that many name a rocket minimize.
Q. I’m a bit behind in planting my spring backyard. Is it too late to plant okra seeds?
A. Spring by way of summer season is okra planting time. This crop appears to like the warmth and from seed to reap can happen in about 60 days presently of the 12 months. Right here is the one drawback with okra plantings — they’re nematode bait. These microscopic spherical worms, typically present in backyard websites, trigger root injury and there’s no dependable management. Attempt to discover a spot for brand spanking new okra plantings the place root knot nematodes haven’t affected earlier crops. Then add numerous natural matter that appears to assist scale back nematode exercise. Different crops that gained’t thoughts the summer season warmth and humidity embrace cherry tomatoes, southern peas, chayote squash, calabaza squash and candy potatoes.
Q. I’ve azaleas a number of toes tall and extensive. Is it essential to prune the vegetation?
A. After three to 4 years of fine development azaleas develop into bigger than desired and fill with older stems. Typically these stems begin to decline, which can lead to crown rot and demise of the vegetation. Instantly after flowering and by early June is an effective time to provide your vegetation a renewal pruning. Rejuvenate your azaleas by first reducing them again a foot or two under the specified peak and width. Typically this can be a few toes from the bottom. Additionally, take away very outdated or declining stems again to wholesome trunks or to the bottom. After a fertilizer software, the place permitted, and with enough moisture your vegetation ought to start good development and be enticing by fall. The extra extreme the pruning the longer it takes azaleas to come back into bloom. So anticipate some vegetation to want over a 12 months to be in full bloom throughout late winter or spring.
Q. Clusters of small bugs are forming on the trunk of my crape myrtles. Do they harm the tall shrubs which are beginning to flower and what ought to I do?
A. Maybe they appear threatening however the bugs herding about on the trunks of your crape myrtles are psocids also referred to as tree cattle and bark lice that trigger no hurt. Truly, the bugs are useful cleansing the trunks and limbs by feeding on moss, lichens, algae and comparable growths. Typically they create webs felt to be safety from predators. There isn’t a have to disturb or take away these bugs. If an excessive amount of of an annoyance, they are often washed off with a robust stream of water.
Q. Many colourful pentas are rising in my panorama. How can I begin extra to develop this summer season?
A. Begin as many new vegetation as you want by rooting 4- to 6-inch tip cuttings. Pentas root simply in trays or pots of coarse vermiculite accessible at many backyard facilities. You may additionally wish to acquire rooting powder to mud the minimize ends of the cuttings when they’re inserted into the containers of moistened vermiculite. Set the containers of cuttings in a shady website and encompass them with clear plastic. Carry the plastic up a foot or extra excessive of the cuttings. Then every day, mist the cuttings with water within the morning and afternoon. Most pentas root in six to eight weeks and are then able to develop just a few weeks longer in containers of potting soil earlier than including them to the panorama.
Tom MacCubbin is an city horticulturist emeritus with the College of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Write him: Orlando Sentinel, P.O. Field 2833, Orlando, FL. 32802. E-mail: TomMac1996@aol.com.