texts: I have generally seen that cherry trees require full sun (6-8 hrs). However I was wondering if there is any difference in the sensitivity to the amount of sunlight between varieties such as generic sweet vs tart types.


texts: What should I do with the flowering bulbs I didn't plant this spring?

texts:
I live in Minnesota, I have bulbs I dug up last fall. This spring was so wet and I was so busy, I couldn't get them in the ground. I realize it is really too late to plant them now. But what should I do with them? Some of the sprouted in the bags I was storing them in. Would they be okay for next spring? Should I plant them?

I did miss a couple last fall and they sprouted beautifully several weeks ago. Should I just plant them so they can grow next spring?


texts: What is this bean-like plant in a forest on Vancouver Island, British Columbia?

texts:
I found a plant near my house in Malahat on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. It seems to be some sort of bean.

It is a vine and has pods that are about an inch long and the seeds are about 2 mm across; they are brown with tiny black spots.

Could anyone identify it for me?


texts: How to maintain PH level 4.0-6.0 to avoid root disease in pepper cultivation?

texts:
Friends, we are doing pepper cultivation. we are getting good profit when three years back in that pepper making process.

this is one kind of disease we are facing in its leaves

The problem is nowadays our climate changed, there is no usual rainfall.   don't know the reason some of my peppers plants are dead. later, after find its roots are dead. I got some information from agricultural farms. but the problem still exists.

some other trees also going to dead. how to avoid that. I heard in website, if we want to cultivate we need to maintain pH level 4.0-6.0.  how to maintain it and how to avoid root dead?


texts:
We live in Pune, India which has a dry climate.
We see these aphids or mites on the leaves of our bamboo.
The round cocoons are on the under side of the leaves. (Is cocoon the correct word?)

The whole plant:

An Infected Leaf:

Here are some photos and a video taken using iPhone 7 + 60x-100x Pocket microscope:

We applied Neem oil to the underside of all the leaves, then wiped off the spores using a wet cloth (if that is the correct word?). It is, of course, a tedious job and it is impossible to clean each and every leaf completely. A few days later, we observed some damage to some of the leaves - probably due to application of Neem Oil . Here is a photo:


texts: Should I stop adding fruit and vegetable seeds to my compost

texts: I put all my fruit and vegatable scraps in my compost including seeds. This spring is my first time adding my own compost to my garden. Now all those seeds are germinating. I got a good chuckle but now I want to know what I'm doing wrong. I figure it's the obvious thing and I shouldn't be mixing seeds into my compost. Or maybe the less obvious that I didn't manage it correctly and the seeds weren't sterilized. Or something else entirely. What do other people do with seeds and compost?


texts: Can you cross-pollinate between different families of plants?

texts: I know you can cross-pollinate between species, such as the tangelo tree, but could you do it between different families, such as a cactus and an avocado (that is just an example)? What would I need to do to mix two different plant families to create a new species between families?


texts: Vegetable garden plant identification: white tuber, tall leafy growth

texts:
My garden is a shared garden, and the plot I have was gardened by someone else last year.  I have no idea who it was, so I can't ask them the following question.

What is this plant in the picture below?  When I was prepping my garden plot I noticed some sort of white radish/carrot-like root or tuber that had started growing leaves.  It had been cut by a shovel or the tiller about two inches from the top so I have no idea how long the original root/tuber was.  I was curious and decided to plant it in my garden; now it is thriving quite well.

Links to other websites that would allow me to figure out myself what this plant is will also be appreciated.

I live in New Jersey.


texts: I was in my garden today, and noticed that I'm getting small holes in my tomitillo husks. Should I do anything about it?


texts: Need identification on this growth on cherry & possibly plum trees and possible remedies

texts:
It's what I like to call

The Alien Fungus,

the plants don't seem to be happy about it, but they do give fruit - it grows in continental Croatia, Europe, typical yearly temperature range -20 to 40 and high humidity with heavy clay (surrounded by an old forrest).

Some of the affected trees are a bit weak and tend to fall under the snow more often, they do give fruit but not as much as one would expect.

I'm also looking for a remedy for this, if possible (as much as is possible):

non-toxic
natural
can be applied during fruiting/flowering

UPDATE this good answer seems to have ID-ed the brown thing and that it feeds on dead wood (ie wood already dead)- but it seems now that the blueish-whiteish growth is a separate growth and is possibly killing the wood, does someone recognize it?

UPDATE the same answer as above ID-ed the blue-white thing as lichen - not harmful


texts: Over the course of 5 days I suddenly have this brown patch in my front lawn. There are no grubs when I dug up the grass and the roots seem strong. I haven't fertilized since the spring. The only other thing I can think is that we just had roofers out at our house and they ran a gas air compressor. Maybe the hot exhaust was blowing on it? Any guesses of what could be causing this? I live in Denver as well, incase that helps. Thanks for the thoughts!


texts:
I am a proud new owner of my very first Venus Flytrap (I came into the store to get some cute flowery plants, but I came out with this beauty instead :D)

I am not sure if this is only one plant or three  (to my inexpert eye, it seems three plants in the pot)

So, my question is if I should repot it to separate the three of them in individual pots.
I've heard that repotting Venus Flytraps is dangerous for them, so I am quite scared of doing it and kill the plant(s).

Aside from that, I've learn that Venus Flytraps like light and sun. I live in the east of Spain and summer is coming, so we are currently having like 33 degrees Celsius (and rising). I think that, even if Flytraps like hot weather, this is SO much hot, so I keep it inside the house (where it's cooler), but I put it in direct sunlight when the sun is going down and weaker. Do you think this is ok?

About watering it, to be honest I haven't done it still (its soil seems slightly wet still), but I've read that putting the pot in some distilled water about once a week can be the best option. Do you agree?

Thanks a lot in advance!  I would really really like to keep this lady alive and growing!

Edit:
More clarification and questions after @Dalton  answer:

Ok, so I can leave the pot "as it is" for now, and check again in a few months (after dormancy period) and repot to separate them if they have grown too much. I've checked about the substrate needed, and I am pretty sure I can get the "ingredients" in Amazon, so it shouldn't be a problem.

I purchased my plant from Ikea, I don't know in what kind of soil it's planted , but to me it looks like regular potting soil. I've read here (http://www.sarracenia.com/faq/faq2160.html ) that if the plant is alive, I'd probably should not repot.

The pot they are currently in is not really tall, so this is why I think on putting them into water regularly (maybe once or twice a week, when they need it) instead of let them always in a tray of water. Tap water where I live is horrible and super hard (lots of calcium carbonate) and it hardly ever rains, so I think I'll buy distilled water.

I live near the sea, so there is humidity but usually not too much (it depends on the day, and where the wind is coming from). So I asume that keeping the plants in my north-facing balcony (making sure the soil doesn't dry) should work. I have another potted plants outside (cypresses, and other not identified trees I sowed from seeds) that seem to be quite happy with all the heat and light, so I hope these Venus Flytrap are not the exception.

About the dormant period, winters are actually quite mild here (temperature rarely drops below 5C/41F). Should I just leave the plant in outside, just watering it less?

And finally, about feeding them. I gave the plant a house fly that my cat had just hunted (that's what I call "team work" haha), but a couple of days later I found out that the plant had caught a couple of flies by her own. Good work!


texts:
I live in Redwood city California. We bought this small lemon tree a year ago. About few weeks ago, it started flowering and new leaves coming. But then the new leaves started to curl. I thought it was lack of water, so I watered it more. But now the leaves are turning brown and dropping. Any ideas on what could be going on. I used to water it once a week, is that too little? Should I fertilize it now?

The plant is placed in a very sunny spot. We have been getting a lot of rain, but it is a sheltered spot.


texts: I just came across this fly in my compost bin, I suspect it to be a BSF that would have hatched. Can anyone please confirm it.


texts: What is this houseplant with leaves that grow in a circular pattern?

texts: Does anyone know what kind of plant this is? Note that it will most likely bloom, something I've never seen it do, and I've had it for many years!


texts: Should I trim back sun-damaged parts of my bamboo?

texts:
I recently moved house and brought a bamboo plant with me in a pot. The plant spent a couple of hours in a car on the hottest day of the year and the top 1ft got burnt by the Sun.
It's doing great in the new garden and has grown several new shoots and leaves near the bottom, but the top still looks very brown.

Should I chop off this burnt section?


texts: Help! I'm trying to find a plant that I only remember from childhood. It was in SC, i remember it was soon after frost because I was eating persimmons. The plant I'm looking for smelled very much like pepper, I can't remember much on what or looked like except that it may have had white/speckled tiny flowers?  It was about 2-3 feet high I think. Again this was years ago so my memory is probably screwed, I just really remember the strong pepper smell. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!


texts:
I have 2 baby tamarind trees for almost 3 months. I am watering them only if the soil seems dry none the less. I have noticed that on the leaves they have some stains which is worrying. I don't know what to do.I normally keep them next to the window only if there are sunny days like today. Also i am thinking to feed them. I don't know if I should do that now. Can you please give me some tips or any advice.
Looking forward to your reply.
Kind regards,


texts: Bartlett pears are all shaped like apples this year

texts: This year for the first time all the pears on my 13 year old Bartlett pear tree are in the shape of round apples I am in South Carolina. Is this some sort of a deficiency. The tree looks normal. And the fruit has always been pear shaped until this season. What is wrong?


texts:
I have been growing an Italian sourced zucchini called Zucchino Romanesco in a brand new no-dig raised bed, and I have been getting quite large plants and fruits

though the ones pictured are looking a bit odd since I've been away so have not been able to water regularly

But one of the plants has spread out of the raised bed and is now growing on the lawn.  And I'm now seeing globular fruit.

I've never seen that happen before and am wondering what exactly is happening!


texts: I was told by someone that fish fertilizer is good for the lawn; just use 3 tablespoons in a gallon of water and apply it to the lawn.  But how many gallons should I use for a lawn that's about .3 acre?  There really wasn't any instructions for that, other than to apply it every 6 weeks.


texts:
I bought these three ferns at the same time. They came in 10cm pots so I planted them in 20-30cm pots. They are in a shady location with a limited amount of sunlight for some of the day.
I water them once a week just a little bit as the soil seems to stay damp for a while. I make sure the soil isn't waterlogged.
They grew a little when first planted, but since then they haven't grown at all, and the new growth seems to die or be generally unhealthy.


texts: Will using reflective aluminum foil start a fire?

texts:
I have a balcony garden where I get a ton of sunlight on my wall, but not much on my plants beneath this wall. I planned on using a reflective panel made from cardboard and aluminum foil to reflect some light down.

Will be effective? Will it be safe? I don't want to start a fire on my balcony!


texts: Can I save a male pumpkin flower for later pollination?

texts: I have a pumpkin that's been putting out male flowers for about 3 weeks with no females yet. I'm worried I might not have any male flowers open when the females do bloom. Can I save some male flowers in the fridge or freeze the flowers/pollen for later use?


texts:
I used neem oil spray on a succulent that had mealybugs. 5 days later, This fuzzy, stringy white mold appeared all over the soil. It stunk, and I hated it. I sprayed the mold with neem oil, and the next day there was more. The succulent died because of the mold 3 days later so I got rid of it. I thought, "end of the mold, right? Whew." Well, I was wrong. 8 days later, tiny bits of the same mold started appearing on another succulent that was healthy and never had mealybugs. The succulent was about 5 feet away from the one that first had mold, and it was on a different surface, which was 3 feet lower than the one that first had the mold. The succulent was healthy, and it was not over-watered. When the mold first appeared on this second succulent, the soil was completely dry, so I'm not sure why the mold is there. 3 days later, I saw the mold again on another succulent that was right next to (but in a different pot) the succulent with mold right now (the second one to be spotted with mold). I was about to go nuts. That succulent also was healthy and had not even bee sprayed with neem oil, so that must not have been the cause. it was also dry soil when the mold appeared, same as the other one. I have not watered either succulents in 14 days, which is before I saw the mold. In other words, I have not watered the succulents at all since even before the mold appeared. These succulents have not had any previous issues. There was 6 other healthy succulents each in separate pots next to those two, so I immediately separated the two infected succulents. Why is it there, will is spread to my other healthy succulents, and most importantly: How do I get rid of them? All of these succulents are not over-watered and are houseplants, in my house. I tried neem oil but that made it worse. I need a solution that doesn't involve destroying and/or getting rid of the plants, and that does not involve re-potting the soil, since that hasn't shown to do anything. I need a way to kill it permanently without harming the plant and that will work near-instantly, because this mold has shown to kill my succulents in 2-5 days.
Warning!: The following images are extremely gross and may leave viewers discomforted or grossed-out. Please refrain from viewing the following if you are sensitive to these gross things:

The white dots that are slightly ovular in those images are parts of the mold. I don't know what part or what it is for, but I know it is the mold because they weren't there before..
...and what in the world or the white dots? It really yucks-up the whole scene. It also makes the mold look more hazardous to the plant. Are these germination bulbs or something that generate spores? Or is this the mold anamorphing?


texts:
Leaves of my peace lily are turning black starting from a brown tip.
I water them once in 6 days unless water comes out of drainage hole, temperature is consistent on more or less 35° C . Humidity is arourn 35% .
What wrong i am doing?


texts: Is there any cure or treatment for a queen palm tree diagnosed with fusarium decline?

texts:
A "certified arborist" looked at the tree (>20ft high) and determined that this was the cause.  Some of the fronds in the tree seem frozen in place, while most have actually drooped down completely (but not fallen). The arborist said that it was a lost cause, but I wanted to get other opinions.

Also, what are the odds that this pathogen will spread to other nearby palm trees?


texts: My pilea is developing large dark patches. No evidence of mites or root rot

texts:
This happened practically overnight on two lower leaves only. I wait for soil to dry between waterings. It's been happy for the few months I've had it growing babies etc. I checked the roots and they seem fine.
The patches seem to be starting at the centre of the lower leaves and spreading outward.
I want to stop whatever this is from spreading to my, otherwise healthy, plant.


texts: Patching the lawn by adding seeds and then soil over the bald patches - when?

texts: When is the best time to put seeds in your lawn to fill in the bald patches? Now (November) or in spring (March-April)?


texts:
This is the current state of my baby bonsai. I live in Istanbul. I put this in front of my window facing north. This is a 3 years old bonsai grew from the seed. This issue started 3 weeks ago, I started watering more but didn't help.
in March I pruned the roots, and gave a little vermicompost.
Do you think that caused to this? I need help asap.


texts: I have a few hazelnuts. How do I germinate them? What should I pay attention to? I would appreciate it if you could help.


texts:
Related: Tiny Yellow spots on Dracaena Reflexa Pleomele. What I am doing wrong?

I am having trouble taking this plant out to examine the roots. I have used some technique to take it out but it is not helping much. I watered it with at least a litre of water and let it be for 30 minutes so the soil softens up. The water quickly drained and the soil is now completely wet. When I tried to scrape the soil from the edges, the roots were damaged while scraping. The roots are all red and hollow and very soft. When I broke it, I found a very thin white root(or whatever.) Here is the pic(can upload more pics if required):


texts: Is it safe to cut or shave the roots of a Norway Maple tree?

texts: My deck was built 30 years age around a Norway Maple. Now it has grown to the point that the roots are lifting parts of the deck. It is safe to cut or shave the roots that are lifting the deck?


texts: Can air plants grow in closed terrariums?

texts:
I have lots of air plants (Tillandsia) and I would like to place them in a closed terrarium. Will this type of plant survive the type of humidity and moisture that comes with a closed terrarium environment?

And can I just place this plant in some sand or can I place it in soil as well?
The reason I ask is because I'd like to place the air plant alongside some ferns inside the terrarium. Hence, if I could just place both plants on the same soil bed, it will be very convenient.


texts:
I just heard about the american beautyberry, and was wondering What zones can I grow it in?

It sounds very intriguing, and would love to try having different foods for me to eat.


texts: Prickly Pear Cactus is growing what looks like rot (need help)

texts:
Prickly Pear Cactus is growing what looks like rot (shown in the attached pictures) where it's getting a yellowish color in the place these things appear.

Is this normal? Is it dangerous?

What is this and what can I do about it?
Are the infected plant's fruits edible?

Please help.


texts:
My jade plant has these white fuzzy balls forming on its roots. Not sure if this is some type of mould or insect eggs?

I don't currently use any pesticides on my succulent... can anyone recommend how is best to get rid of these white balls?

This happened a few months ago and I cut away all the roots which seemed to have this stuff on them (was left with barely any roots) but they seem to have come back so it must not have gotten rid of whatever it was.

UPDATE: I have removed all the soil from the roots and sprayed them with isopropanol alcohol. Fingers crossed they stay clean]1


texts: Please, could You help me identify this plant?

texts: It's quite a hardy plant with thick leaves that was in my home for a couple of years and it's growing like crazy. It grows small roots on its stems as You can see on the pictures and takes root in pots near it if not taken care of. Doesn't need a lot of water or sunlight, I don't think it ever bloomed but I might be wrong. Do You know what this is?


texts: What is a good variety of pomegranate to grow in Pennsylvania (US Hardiness Zone 6b/7a)?

texts: I'm in south-central Pennsylvania and I've heard of hardy varieties of pomegranates that will grow in zone 6b/7a.  What are some of the hardiest varieties that folks have successfully grown and fruited in a similar climate?


texts: Why are my neighbor's front yard sprinklers causing a large water build up on my front lawn?

texts:
Whenever my neighbor's sprinklers go off it leaves a huge amount of water on my lawn. How come this is happening?

See large puddle around the tree:


texts: what is the yellow/tan thin crust on both of ceramic pot holding an indoor palm plant

texts:
I have a large palm plant in my office in a ceramic pot which drains into a matching ceramic dish.

Recently, a thin yellow or tan crust have formed on the planter right at the bottom. I can remove it with a cloth.

Is this from overwatering, the soil or the water I am using?


texts:
My wife regularly orders seeds online. When these beans showed up they were labeled "star fruit," which is clearly wrong. She planted the beans in a raised bed and they did very well. The bean pods radiated from the stalk in a spoke-light manner, which is probably where the "star" moniker came from. Here is what those plants looked like. They were maybe two to three feet tall when we started harvesting the beans when they started to dry out.

Here are what the dried beans look like. They are an off-green color with a white stripe.

I am reluctant to eat them without knowing what they are. What type of beans are these?


texts: Are walnut tree chips suitable as mulch?

texts: I had to cut a large number of branches from a walnut (its crown started mixing with electric wires). If those branches are chopped (by a machine), can resulting peaces be used as mulch (given juglone content of any walnut)?


texts:
I would like to install some drip irrigation in a plant bed in the front of my house. Getting it tied into the sprinkler system is not an option here for reasons I won't go into. However, we do have a hose bib fairly close by but there is a concrete walkway between it the plant bed. We are going to be replacing the walkway soon so we will have an opportunity to run the hose over to the plant bed. I'm thinking I'd like to install some kind of sleeve under the new walkway to make a tunnel for the hose. That way maybe I can replace the hose in the future should the need arise.

We're not talking about a great distance here, maybe 5 or so feet. The material would have to be flexible enough to bend under the walkway but rigid enough to hold its shape under ground.

Does anyone know of a product or material that would work here? Maybe a thin walled PVC pipe?


texts:
I can't seem to save my rubber plant for some reason! Would really appreciate all the help I can get please :)
I bought a rubber plant last year and it has been okay ever since I moved it from the hallway (little light) to the living room (brighter). I've been having a constant problem with yellow leaves which is apparently due to over watering so I left it for 2-weeks but the yellow leaves were still coming! I also experience brown/dried leaves (they are still there now!) I am not sure with the reason why this is happening. The main thing I am concerned with is one of the stems.
This single stem has lost all its leaves and the stalk started off floppy and was drooping a few months ago. I read online it was because of over watering but the other 2 stems were absolutely fine! I tried not watering it for 2-3weeks and no improvement. It just appeared to be this problematic stem :( I am unsure what happened since right now, the other two stems seem okay but this single stem is dying.
Please may someone shed light onto this problem!


texts: Could anybody identify this plant for me?

texts:
!Hi
I found this big leafed plant growing out of a bucket that I had planted pumpkins, so I'm not sure if this is the pumpkin or a invader plant.


texts: We're looking to freshen the mulch on our property and our pest control company is asking us to only use termite-resistant mulch. The closest alternative the landscaper has is a top grade bark mulch. Will that help termite resistance?


texts: Why does my tree have splitting bark, dripping sap, and dead branches?

texts:
Our builder planted this tree, and I have no idea what kind it is. The bark seems to split and a lot of sap runs out of the tree.  Since I don't know what kind of tree this is, I haven't been able to find out if this is normal or not.  A lot of the branches have been dying as you can tell from the pic.  It also appears that they planted it in a burlap sack. I only staked the tree because it is really windy here in Oklahoma City and I thought the root ball was moving around a little too much.

Here are my questions:

Can anyone id the tree from the pics?
What should I do with all the dead branches? Cut them off or leave them as is?
Is the bark splitting off and sap leaking a normal behavior of this tree, or is it needing something from me?

Let me know if you need more info!


texts: How to prune 2 year old dwarf apple tree

texts:
I have recently planted this dwarf (M27 rootstock) apple tree.
It said it was a 2 year old tree.

Could anyone give me a good reference or video, or just detailed instructions on how to prune it this winter in order to have a good fruiting season next year?

I am totally new to fruit growing, therefore I would benefit from a detailed explanation. Thank you!


texts: Are there seed pods growing on my Ficus benjamina?

texts:
I've had this Ficus benjamina for some time. It recently grew several small round objects on its stem. I have no idea if these are indeed pods/seeds or something else (see attached image).

If they are seeds, what do I do next?


texts: How long will my air-layered lemon tree take to produce fruit?

texts:
I air layered a branch which is at least 1 year old (between 1-2 years) from a lemon tree which is very mature, over 15 years old and fruits profusely.
It developed a decent root system (not heaps of roots but also not too few) and I’ve just now planted it into a large pot.
How long will this likely take to produce fruit? (I did 3 individual air layers). The size of these plants are between 50 and 80 cm, and about 1/2 to 3/4 inches in diameter.


texts:
I have planted this bonsai one year ago, I bought the seeds from wish and they were labeled as white japanese pine. and I have a few questions

When I take a look at youtube videos about this plant, the leaves dont look like this one, so maybe its mislabbeled bby the seller, is this really white pine?
I moved it 6 months ago from the original location (just a normal pot with soil), to this pot, as you can see there are 2 trees in the same pot, is that ok? or should I remove one?
Do I need to cut leafs at some point? I havent touched it since 1 year ago.
And finally, I just learnt about sustrate, should I replace the soil with sustrate ?


texts: How can I use rockwool for indoor gardening?

texts:
So, I decided to do research on using rock-wool for my indoor panting needs, rather than the potting soil I obtain from the local stores here. Reasons are
1. I have some rock-wool leftover after insulating my arctic.
2. It is extremely light to handle
3. Less dirt indoor
4. Makes for easier examination of plant roots, and transplanting.

Now, even though this is what I intend to do this winter, I am not 100% yet about the idea, nor do I have a setup to handle watering, preventing fungi, algae from growing in the rock-wool containers over time. So I would appreciate some suggestions on how to make this work for me this winter.

Thanks in advance


texts: I have a very large Cotton Wood tree in a low area (3-4 feet lower than surrounding ground)behind my house. I want to fill in that area but keep the tree.  How far from the tree trunk should a retaining wall be? I want to build a box retaining wall around the tree to raise ground level. Someone told me that if the wall is too close it will kill the tree.


texts: What is this plant? (it looks like arrow-wood or boldo)

texts:
I've been using that app PlantNet but none of its suggestions really looks like my plant.
It is still young (about 1 or 2 months old).


texts: Do I have to bring my potted plants inside during the winter?

texts:
I live in zone six. The coldest it gets in the winter here is something like -10 degrees.

I have a couple plants in pots that will need to make it through the winter. They're all cold hardy plants, so they should be fine outside. But I was thinking that since they're in pots, their roots will be more exposed to cold, as opposed to if they were in the ground.

Is this something I should worry about? Do I need to bring potted plants inside during the winter to keep their roots from getting cold? Or is there something I can do to protect them outside?


texts: What color are Commiphora Myrrha flowers?

texts:
Commiphora Myrrha is the tree species that is used to obtain the resin Myrrha. It is easy to find photos of the flowers of other Commiphora species, such as Commiphora Habessinica (Abyssinian) -- which this site claims was used to get the Biblical myrrh (as well as this site).

This diagram has two white flowers (2. is male, 3. is female), but they look like buds opening up, so I don't know if that's what they look like when fully open, in color or shape. So I'm really looking for photos of the Commiphora Myrrha flowers, and quite frankly I'm unsure if it or Commiphora Habessinica gives the biblical myrrh.

[And this site (better version here) only mentions that the bracteoles are pale brown but doesn't go on to say what color the petals are, in the otherwise great Botanical Description it gives, where it gives an in-depth description of the the bark and leaf colors.]


texts:
I have a 4year old avocado plant which is about 5 feet tall. Recently I cut the roots in attempt to thicken the stem, but I think I took way to much off and now it doesn't look too well. Stem is starting to scrump together, leaves slowly dried off following tips of the branches. One sad leaf is all that remains.
What can I do? Should I prune it down? Try with rooting hormones?
Have I just killed my plant or is it possible to save it?


texts: Is it safe to hard prune my basil plant?

texts: My basil plant has lost all the leaves 12-14 inches from the the bottom. The plant is looking leggy. I want to make it look bushier and short. Would it be safe to prune it by cutting it into half or 2/3rd?


texts: This tree has just recently got these marks on all the leaves and there's no new growth this year. I'm afraid it's dying but is there anything I can do?


texts: How to root basil cuttings without putting them in water?

texts:
I tried several times to multiple my basil using the cutting method, however they don't root and rot everytime, even if I put a piece of charcoal in the container fil with water.

So, is there other alternatives such as using peat, compost for example?

Thanks!


texts: Why are the edges of my avocado plant leaves turning brown?  It is kept indoors near a window with indirect light.  Should I cut it back to restart new leaves?  Could it be root bound?


texts: Can blossom end rot appear on side of pepper?

texts:
Some of my bell peppers have rotting spots that look like blossom end rot, but in each case, the rotten spot is high on the side of the pepper, nearer the stem than the end. Could this be blossom end rot? Or is it some other problem?

The weather has been perfect for causing blossom end rot (hot and dry, followed by days of heavy rain).

Update: See photo.


texts: best method to divide tufts of ornamental grasses

texts: How and when is the best method to divide tufts of Festuca glauca and other ornamental grasses like Stipa tenuissima or Carex?


texts: What are these brush like blue wildflowers on long stems in this mountain picture?

texts: I saw this image on tumblr and after attempting searches for variations on "blue flowers that grow in the mountains" I have found nothing. The photographer did not list where it was taken either :/, I have asked if they know but have not gotten an answer yet. I will update if i am able to gather any new information https://www.instagram.com/p/BhYp--JDEbu/?taken-by=_starrush


texts: Do subterrannean termites like composted leaves?

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I was thinking about composting leaves in my back yard this fall and using the composted leaves as fertilizer around my house in the spring based on other recommendations on this site. I am in Northeast Ohio.

However, I do not wish to provide any attraction for termites to a wooden fence that sits about 5 feet away nor to the garden beds around my home if there are some bits of not fully decomposed leaves that would potentially be an attractant for termites.

Note: I no longer mulch in the flower beds against my house because of a recent horror story about extensive subterranean termite damage to a relatives home where the termites were most likely attracted to the home by the mulch she put out every year.


texts:
I bought a mason bee house from gardener's supply and I am wondering when should I hang it up?
I am in Berks county, PA.
Here is the link : http://www.gardeners.com/Mason-Bee-House/37-481,default,pd.html

Thanks.


texts:
We've recently bought this geranium, but I can't for the life of me find its type. Does anyone know? (Google Lens says it's a moth orchid...)

Also - we worry a bit about the dried up leaves. The plant is watered every day and the florist assured us it's a plant that thrives best outside in a pot.


texts: I came across this tree many times in Zurich but I wasn't able to find the name. Any suggestions?


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I just bought a peach tree about a little over a week ago. It's still in the container as I haven't had a chance to plant it. It seemed fine when I got it, but in the time I've had it the leaves have started drying up and the edges flaking of or leaves completely falling off.

The spot where I have it is currently on a raised deck where it is pretty windy. It doesn't get terribly cold though. Could the wind cause this?

I got the tree from Costco so it probably had been indoors for a bit. Could it be that it's not acclimated to the sun?

I'm in the San Francisco bay area, in the hills. It is a bit cool here, but not extreme. Days lately have been in the 80s and evenings in the 60s maybe.

There was some pest damage to the leaves (holes in the leaves) when I bought it.

Here are some photos of the leaves.


texts: Parlour palm has gone pale and tips are brown

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My parlour palm was nice and green for a few weeks but its leaves have recently turned pale and some of the tips have gone brown. Some of the leaves also seem to be curling.
Some of the stalks and leaves seem to be dying altogether.
I have it in a light room but away from the window.
I am worried I have overwatered it. Will it come back to life if I don't water it?


texts: i have dark green clumps in my yard that look like grass but when pulled there are bulbs attached almost like little onions. The green part and bulbs do not have any distinct fragrance.


texts: Why are the leaves on my annuals turning purple?

texts: I've got a bunch of annuals and they aren't doing very well. The leaves and flowers are turning brown and purple. Any ideas?


texts: Should I trim my conifer hedge with shears or an electric trimmer?

texts: Are there reasons to select hedge shears vs electric trimmers when trimming a conifer hedge? I have about 30 meters to trim, and haven't purchased either of these yet. Which option would you choose for this situation?


texts:
I've rooted many roses and more recently, some some Eureka lemons. But have no luck with Persian limes. They want to grow fruit rather than roots. I have three cuttings right now, one with eight buds and one with four and one that looks like it's not doing anything. This is not the first time I've tried rooting limes and they've always either died or tried to produce fruit rather than leaves or roots. Is that common with limes?

If I snip off the tiny fruit buds, will that help them root?


texts:
I live in zone 9b, South Texas. For two springs in a row, I've been having an issue whereby patches of my Zoysia grass starts turning red. Over time, the grass flattens and loses density. The blade tips themselves seem to lose their green and turn red. I'm fairly certain it's not rust fungus. There is no powdery substance on the blades and nothing "comes loose" when rubbing the grass. I've performed numerous troubleshooting and am at a loss for whats causing it:

Ensured proper water coverage. Not only tested with cat food cans, but also drummed up a map and calculated water coverage. I do one deep water a week. No more. Also use a smart irrigation controller which automatically adjusts based on weather conditions.
Mow every 7 days, never taking off anywhere near 1/3 of grass blades.
Aerate and top dress with compost/sand once a year. I follow an organic fertilizing program. This year, I'm trying Milorganite. Last year did Medina/Milorganite mix.
I've only used pre-emergent herbicide twice in 2 years. Otherwise I only hand pull weeds.
The only insecticide I use is Grub-Ex. Haven't spread it yet this year.
Tried spraying Ferilome Fungicide last year. It didn't work.
I've even taken soil samples to ensure what my deficiencies are. Soil stats:

pH 8.0
Low N, P. High K
High Mg, S, Zn
Normal Mn, Cu
Extra high Ca
Extra low Na

I know my soil stats aren't the best, but I also have Bermuda grass and it never has this red bladed issue. Solely isolated to my Zoysia.  Any ideas on what's happening would be greatly appreciated.


texts: Looking for a Full Shade Vine to Grow in Zone 10 using a Trellis on Stucco

texts: I'm completely stuck as to which vine would be ideal for a trellis on a stucco wall in full shade in South Florida (Zone 100. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!


texts: I have absolutely no idea what’s wrong with my aloe. It started getting these patches of light brown spots a few weeks ago and appears to have spread. Any advice on what it is/how to treat it?


texts: What is this plant, growing in Utah, USA; called?

texts: This plant is growing in Utah, USA. Here are two pictures of it:


texts: Poison Ivy-like house plant identification?

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I inherited this house plant a long while ago, and I am not sure what it is. After some research online, I think it does look quite a bit like poison ivy. I am not really sure, but it's the closest match I found.

Can you please help me identify this?

Thank you.


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Is there a recommended spacing when planting new trees so they do not interfere with each other's growth? I want to group a number of the same tree species together as densely as possible while still allowing sufficient sun so they grow almost as if each tree were alone in a field. Essentially, I do not want to create a forest of trunks with leaves only at the top.

Is there simple rule or formula for this? As a made up example: Minimum distance between trees should be 1.5 times the expected height or 2 times the expected crown spread (whichever is larger) for typical trees in the species.

If there is not a general rule of thumb for all species, I would appreciate recommendations for spacing between white dogwoods.


texts: What is the name of this plant and can it grow without sunlight?

texts: Hello Can anyone tell me what is the name of this plant ?


texts: Why is the foliage turning yellow on this climbing indoor vine?

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I've had this plant in water until it grew enough roots and a few more leaves. I'm not sure what kind of plant this is, but its starting to grow longer; when it was only one little leaf when I rescued it.

I've noticed a couple of yellow streaks a few weeks ago. But now there's more and the yellow spots are getting wider. I water once a week. I've only fertilized once with Miracle-Gro Fertilizer. I give it morning sun until the sun goes down.

I thought I was taking good care of this plant, what am I doing wrong?


texts: Can I add new soil on top of existing lawn without trouble?

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I have a very uneven back yard, from a combination of settling, bad maintenance, and a very enthusiastic dog (digger) that a previous owner kept out there. As part of a large backyard landscaping project, we will be flattening this lawn and growing clover instead of grass.

My current plan is to fill in the low spots and spread a couple inches of soil over the whole area (~75' x 35'). I'll cut the grass as low as I can, but will there be problems from leaving the root systems in place? I've considered renting a tiller or power rake, but I'm worried about destroying a rented tiller, and I'm not sure how deep a power rake is going to get. There are plenty of mid-sized rocks and hidden concrete pavers out there.

Update: my big concern is what will happen to the soil itself with a layer of dead grass underneath. I'm not as concerned with some grass growing up through the new top layer.


texts:
Simple question, really. I am trying to bring on this oak sapling, which self-seeded a year or two ago.

This year, the new leaves have just opened up, but they are looking brown on the edges. Is this OK for new leaves, or indicative of problems?

April was very dry. I did water occasionally (at least once a week). We've since had plenty of rainfall in the UK.


texts:
I live in Columbus, Ohio.  Dormant overseeding worked very well for me this last year as the wet Ohio springs are perfect for this method.  My lawn is so much thicker than last year.  The home was a foreclosure and the lawn was a wreck.  I am now getting compliments on it already and it has only been one year.

Unfortunately with this method, it pretty much takes using a pre-emergent weed chemical off the table.  The lawn is very thick so it is choking out most crabgrass and other weeds, but clover is still germinating.  I also have some poa annua that I don't want to keep dropping seeds year after year.  Overseeding in fall would allow me to use pre-emergent control in spring, but what kind of results could I expect in doing so without a lawn irrigation system?  Is there enough moisture in the soil during the fall months in Ohio to make it worth while?


texts: When designing an agroforestry project what is the proper way to design heights of different plants to work together?

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I'm building an agroforestry (food forest) area in the yard, and was wondering how to exactly lay out the plants so they work well together.

I'm putting in:
Aronia X2
American Persimmon X2
Red Colossal Gooseberry X2
Red White Blue Currant X1 each
Adams & John Elderberry X1 each
Darrow Everbearing Blackberry X3
Russian Mulberry X1

Considering:
paw paw tree X2
Goumiberry X2


texts:
Please edit away the title to anything more suitable; I am not a native English speaker.
Now to the point. An apartment in temperate climate. A garden of about half a cubic meter of soil spread in pots. My dream is to transfer this into about 2 cubic meters of "one-big-pot" resulting in a home-owned forest clearing with grass one can sit on and some tomatoes/beans/lattices/etc to marvel at.
My first idea was a rubber pool liner inside a ytong-constructed cube. After some experiments with carefully watering plants in a no-drainage pots I concluded that as absurd.
The next modification is a 20cm layer of coarse stones, wrapped in stainless mesh on the bottom of it and a small pipe to allow drainage.
How does that sound?


texts:
We live in the Caribbean and I have several potted plants in my rooftop. One of the plants is a small citrus plant.

The problem is that the climate here is so hot (over 90 degrees in the morning) and there's so much sunlight that it's really hurting the plant. It doesn't matter where I move it, it will receive the same amount of sunlight and heat. I know that this lemon plant thrives in the sun, but I had to move it downstairs because the sun was just too strong.

My question: is there anything I can put over the soil so that the soil doesn't receive the full force of the sun?

This may be a dumb idea, but I have several of these types of outdoor chairs that I have to throw away. Can I use the mesh from these chairs to cover the pot? It will give the soil some shade, and since it's a permeable and breathable mesh, water and air can go through it.

I want to move it back upstairs because it's not doing great downstairs either.


texts: How can I remove this dangerous insect from my garden?

texts:
There is an insect in my garden that I would like to remove. It lives in a garden covered in pine bark. My location is Miami, FL. It can deliver a sting/bite that can last 5 days or more:

Given the severity of the bite I want it removed from all my gardens, as opposed to the "just wear gloves" solution . What should I do?

Remove all the pine bark, do "something" to the soil, put in new pine bark? What about using cypress mulch?


texts: it has dark green leaves with tiny white spots on it and has berries too, small green ones which eventually turn dark red.


texts: Is this image shows my strawberry plant have Leaf Scorch fungus infection?

texts:
I have brought new strawberry plants, they seem to have black dots even for green leaves. I can see a lot of dead leaves with these marks, is this a fungus infection?

Based on my research is Leaf scorch is caused by the fungus Diplocarpon earliana.
Will be great if anyone can confirm this or share any useful points.


texts:
I have this plant growing in my garden. I am wondering what plant it is
It's not tall. probably like 1-2 inches. The roots are not deep. But it's almost like a creeper.


texts: What kind of grass is this? On the side of the road in SC


texts:
I had the following date palm just installed and I have a few questions I'd love to get some expert options on:

It came tied up as I expected and the place that sold me it said I should leave it tied for a month. I read up to 2 months online. What would you recommend? The tree seems to have a lot of frond and not a lot of trunk.
Do the roots look too exposed to you? Would you add some more soil around the roots or do you think it's fine the way it is?
How often would you water the palm given that it's just been installed? And how often after it's been here a while?
How would you set up the irrigation for it? I was going to do dripline irrigation in a circle around the palm? Would you add a drip emitter as well or something else entirely?

I'm in Sacramento, CA so it faces a long hot dry summer.


texts:
I've just moved a neglected grape vine plant to a place where I want to espalier it properly. It's summer at the moment (Australia) so I know I can't do any heavy pruning at the moment.

However, I want to begin tying the plant up and training it properly but am unsure of where to start.

There are three main branches/arms coming off the trunk. Each of the three have healthy full growth on them with multiple smaller branches, plenty of green leaves and heaps of sprouts. The middle one which ideally should've been trained upwards is bent over.

Ideal scenario is for this to grow one main branch upwards and have three arms coming off in each direction (6 arms in total, or three stacked T-shapes).

How would I go about approaching this over summer and then again once winter has ended? How would I select which branch to bend to train upwards?


texts:
My quince trees have just started flowering. For the past 7 years I've not been able to eat a single one because of insects stinging the fruit. The fruit is always full of worms.

Obviously I need to wait for pollination to have occurred before doing anything.

What is the best thing to do?
Do I spray an insecticide?
When do I spray?
What non-insecticide alternatives are there?

I am aware of the plight of they honey bee, so I would prefer something that deters the insects from coming to the tree, rather than something that kills them. And the insects are only a problem when there is fruit on the tree. Of course, they are needed for pollination.

I'm not able to provide photos of the actual problem right now. I'm trying to prevent it from being a problem this season.

I have three trees, they're about 3m tall, about 1.5m in diameter. They're quite bushy, almost hedgy, but that's because they've not been pruned properly. They bare fruit about the size of apples, so it's not the ornamental variety.


texts: How long can the runners on mint plants be?

texts: I have a chocolate mint, currently in a container. I have a small patch of soil surrounded on four sides and am thinking about moving the mint to there, but I do not want it to escape into the lawn. Three sides do not concern me, but on the fouth side the space is bordered by a narrow cement walkway. How wide would the walkway need to be to keep the mint from invading the lawn via runners?


texts: What is a good distance to keep grapevines from the house when using them for shading?

texts:
I am eying some of the fox grapes that volunteer in my yard as a solution for a brick & wood south wall that heats the house up a little too much in the summer. The intention would be to shade the 1st story brick, running vines near the top of the brick. The 2nd story wood siding is already mostly shaded by a 2 foot roof overhang.

How far from the wood would I need to keep the vines & their trellis (or thin arbor) to avoid creating pest & moisture problems? I live in southeast Michigan.


texts: Purplish discoloration on the leaves of solanum torvum

texts:
Recently my Solanum torvum started developing purplish discoloration on the leaves

It is visible primarily on the top surface of the leaf, and lower, older leaves are more affected than the top ones.

The plant is a few months old, and is kept indoors, on the south side of a building.

What can be the cause of that?


texts: I have a group of these beetles on my dill plants. They might be black lady bugs, but seem too small at only 5mm. A positive ID would help be know whether to let them be, or remove them.


texts: Do you have any idea what this is on my oak tree?  We are in the middle of a drought in Central Illinois and I've been seeing this on the back of my leaves.


texts:
Years ago, hiking in the Malibu CA region, I saw this very unusual inflorescence that looked like a dandelion but isn't like any that I've ever seen before or since.  The yellow flowers in the corner of the picture might give a hint as to what plant this is from--but it's also possible that those are from a different plant.  If anyone can help identify this plant, I'd really appreciate it!

OOOOOH!  Could it be Achyrachaena mollis ("blow wives")?

Or maybe it is Uropappus lindleyi, aka "silver puffs".  I think this is a better match (an image search for A. mollis shows very different seed head morphology).


texts: Help me identify this bug with red belly hanging around garden pots

texts: I have these bugs crawling around my vegetable pots - mostly pepper plants. I've never seen these before. I'm new to this area of central Texas and need help identifying them. I'd like to know what they are and if they're pests or beneficial for the garden.


texts: What is the best light timing for an indoor ficus bonsai in both the winter and summer?

texts:
I recently got an indoor ficus bonsai and it's doing well. I bought a grow light for it and I put it on a timer, but I'm not sure what the best light timing is for the plant. I'm having trouble finding the yearly growth cycles for a ficus and what they expect so I'm kind of winging the light timing. Right now I have it on for 8.5 hours a day to mimic more of a winter lighting. I was planning on slowly increasing it to 12-13 hours a day over the course of the spring into summer then back down in the winter to 8-8.5 hours. Does this make sense for the tropical plant or am I giving it too little light right now? Does a ficus have a winter dormancy or some sort of winter lull where it doesn't grow as much? If so how do I replicate it? In the summer and spring how much light should I be giving it?

The light I'm using is a 26 W full spectrum light bulb if that helps. Thanks for any help.


texts: How should I eradicate or control mugwort without herbicides?

texts:
There is an area of approximately 6,000 square feet that is full of mugwort. We would like to restore some native vegetation, but as the area is adjacent to a pond, I don't want to use herbicides in controlling the mugwort.

We are at the eastern end of Long Island in New York. Although we do not have a detailed land use history, most of the area was farmed until the past 30 years or so. Soil in the area is a silty loam.

We plan to till and overseed with a warm season native grass mix, but expect mugwort to come back in. What are some things we can do to prevent that?


texts: Self-clinging climber that will not damage a concrete fence

texts:
I am looking for an evergreen climber to screen an ugly pre-cast concrete stone-effect fence. I cannot change the fence (it's concreted into retaining structures). The fence consist of 6ft upright posts with multiple panels slotted one on top of the other between them. This means that there are lots of gaps that climbers can get through (ivy does). The problem is that as their stems increase in size they will prise the gaps apart the fence. Are there any evergreen climbers that won't do this? I don't really want to have to fit training wires as I do not want to have to drill into the fence.

I'm based on the southern edge of the Cotswolds, England, so it'll be exposed to mild, wet but blustery south-westerly weather. The aspects that need covering are east and west facing, but they get a lot of sun. We get some frosts, but temps rarely drop below -5°C. Soil is free draining, over limestone.


texts:
Somebody gave me this cactus and I noticed that the base is getting white.

Is it normal?

Other information:

I live in Canada
The cactus is indoor and facing the sun all day
I used soil for cactus that I bought at Canadian tire
I don't water it (I don't know if I should or not)

Thank you


texts: What is this presumably parasitic plant in an Oak Hickory forest in Eastern Long Island, New York?

texts:
This small, skinny, plant was found at the Eastern end of Long Island, New York, USA. It was in an Oak Hickory forest.

I believe it's parasitic, meaning it has no chlorophyll and requires a host to reproduce.

Which species is this? Might it be some species of Orobanche?


texts: What's this? Found in Eastern Europe/ Poland


texts:
Help! My peace lily is dying. Can anyone please tell me what's wrong with it? I just don't understand why the leaves continue to darken around the edge and then fall off. I only water it once a week. I let the water sit out a day or two before watering. What could be causing this?

Thank you for the welcome. I have not changed anything with the plant. I've been watering it the same way since I have gotten it. I received the plant at my grandmother's funeral about 9 months ago.
The pot is not a self watering pot. I water it myself once a week. I water the plant every Monday. The plant usually began to wilt a little before watering it.  I guess I will take the plant out of the pot and replant it to see if it's root rot.

Here's my other peace lily. It isn't in as bad of shape but it's not doing well either. I just trimmed all the dead leaves off it last week and I woke up today to more dead leaves. The tip of brand new leafs brown. Then on other leaves they turn brown and it's like it eats the leaf until I have to cut it. New leaves are growing but I'm constantly cutting off the dead ones.
Do you guys think a smaller pot would help?
As far as the pot they are in now goes, the bottom part of the pot is for extra water to go into if there's any. You can also water the plant by putting the water in the bottom part of the pot and the Plant should suck the water up.
However I water from the top and leave the bottom attached incase I ever over water there not a mess.
I'll attach more photos of my other plant

Here's another photo of the leaf yellowing and browning.


texts: Should young citrus (kumquat) seedlings be kept under direct sunlight or indirect sunlight?

texts:
After the seeds have sprouted, should the initial stem and cotyledons be kept under direct sunlight or indirect sunlight, assuming watering once a day?
At what stage should they be moved to direct sunlight, if at all?


texts: How Can I Get a Watertight Seal on my Drip System?

texts:
I'm very new to gardening and am attempting to set up my first drip system for a potted plant I have on my deck since I travel quite a bit and want to make sure it's getting water.

Here is my connection (I should note too that my pieces are all of the 'Raindrip' brand):

Faucet -> Hose -> Filter Washer -> 3/4" Hose Anti-Siphon -> 3/4" Preset Hose Pressure Regulator -> Filter Washer -> 3/4" Hose Swivel Adapter (to 1/4") -> 1/4" tube with 4 0.5 GPH drippers in the line -> End with tube clamp

It's super leaky, to the point where water is spraying out particularly hard at the 3/4" Hose Swivel Adapter (where the hose is converted down to a 1/4" tube). It's not just dripping, it's spraying everywhere. I thought the pressure regulator would fix it because it would keep the water from flowing too strongly but it only helped a little bit.

I've Googled and can't seem to find any suggestions on this.


texts: Is this just a weed? If not, what is it?

texts:
I had gotten a few mixed plants at a yard sale. Most were succulents, but this (pictured) was included. It wasn't doing well indoors, and caught some type of pest, so I sprayed it with a cayenne and garlic mix and transplanted it in a small pot outdoors, on my "full sun" porch.

I'm curious if it's a weed because it's had a complete turn around rather quickly (see before and after pics) AND it's thriving in a shallow dish. If it's not a weed, I'd like to identify it so I can give it the proper care it needs, and would love to know if it's something that will flower.


texts: I noticed some brown leaves on my box plants and thought it may be blight. A week later I was watering close to the biggest, 7feet topiary trimmed, specimen when I noticed a rotten farmyard odour. On inspection I noticed an infestation of caterpillars. I understand there is no treatment for this problem. I am in the process of digging up all of my box plants, some almost forty years old. Is t worth keeping the cutting which I took some weeks ago or is the problem with me forever. I have destroyed many of the caterpillars but have noticed the moths flying about so it looks like other local box plants are in for an infestation.


texts:
My plants have this condition that it is covered by a spider web all over my plants like a film. Are these spider mites? Where do they come from and how do I get rid of these?

Close up:


texts: Is there an issue with this Laurel tree?

texts: I have three Laurel trees that were planted about 5 months ago but I’d say they’re maybe three years old, they’re about eleven feet high and lately I’ve noticed on the lower branches the leaves are a bit curly. Also there are some yellow leaves on the plant. It has sprouted flowers but they haven’t bloomed yet. Nearby trees of the same variety have blooming flowers and don’t display the curled leaves or yellowing. I’ve attached pictures. I’ve watered each plant twice this week with 10 litres per plant each time but it hasn’t made a difference. Should I feed them?


texts: Is a skylight enough light for tomato seedlings?

texts: I have a 2' x 4' domed skylight on a pitched roof, facing southeast.  If I build a shelf so the seedlings sit a foot under this dome, will it be enough light to prevent leggy plants?


texts: Can poinsettia be propagated by cutting?

texts: During a party an entire stem of a poinsettia complete with several leaves ended up being snapped off the main plant. I put it in some water and put it in a temperate and indirect light part of the house but haven't done anything with it since. To my amazement even though the main plant appears to be going dormant and shedding its leaves, this broken stem is growing new leaves and retaining all its existing red ones (though some green ones fell off). It doesn't appear to have put any roots out and I haven't done anything other than top the water up. Is there anything I can do to encourage it to root?


texts: What is this columnar evergreen tree with yellow-green foliage?

texts:
I need to buy some more of these for other places around the garden.

What are these called?


texts: Type of lights needed for desert terrarium

texts: What type of lighting would work best for a desert/drought plant set up in an 8x8x8 terrarium without a top?


texts:
This lavender was somewhat dry (although still green) when I bought it in a supermarket one week ago. I put it in a bigger pot and watered it, but it's not getting better. The soil is still moist, so I stopped watering it.

Is there still any chance to save it and if so, what can I do?


texts:
This is the first time I bought tulip bulbs and I kept them inside, beside the window.
Recently I got flowers.
But, the flowers are there for only 2-3 days before they started drying up.
Is this normal ? Or, am I doing something wrong ?


texts: What species of aloe is this young start?

texts:
Someone mailed me a small aloe start, with the label 'Aloe aculeata marlothii ssp. marlothii' (yeah, I have no idea what that was about). Here's a picture:

Looking up plants this young online, there seems to be a lot of variability in each species, and they look similar. A. ferox also looks similar. I have a very similar looking plant that was labeled 'Aloe marlothii', pictured below:

Now, being in Pennsylvania, I don't see many species of aloe growing. I do not know what the characteristics of these species are, or how to differentiate between them at a young age like this. Can anyone enlighten me?


texts: What is the white residue spreading across my dracaena and how do I treat it?

texts: I have a white residue spreading across my dracaena at home. I tried wiping it with wet sponge when it was on one leaf only but its come back and spreading across now 50% of the plant. Some of the leaves are turning brown as well. The white residue doesn't move to naked eye. When I looked through jewellers loop they look like grains of rice. Soil looks clear - but they are on the stem as well as leaves. Please help! Can I save this plant? Should I cut off any browned leaves?


texts:
Can anyone please identify this bush/shrub? Is it ok to burn in fire pit? Giant bush is like a tree. Can anyone else confirm Honeysuckle?

Can you identify this bush or shrub?


texts: Epiphytic(?) Cactus Identification Needed

texts:
Epiphtye-like cactus
Got it while picking up a Moonglow graptoveria at a local greenhouse. This sad little epiphytic guy  looked way out of place among the golden barrel seedlings.
Unfortunately there weren't any flowers on it and it was being sold with an "assorted succulent" tag like the rest. Doesn't really look like any of the orchid or Thanksgiving/Christmas/Easter ones I've seen before, however.

It's kinda wilted and beaten up, but I think it stands a chance as it perked up after a little water.

Edit- typo


texts: What is this daisy with narrow white petals and a yellow center, that the local deer won't eat?

texts:
This daisy popped up wild. It has narrow white petals and a yellow center. The local deer don't like it.

It's located in the central California coast. The ground is dry, rocky and semi-shaded.

What daisy is it?


texts: What insect is it? It always attacks indoor plant and annoying!

texts:
This is the closest photo shoot I could get before the insect flies away or gets murdered by my hands.
Could anyone identify what insect is it?
Why does it attack my plant?
How to prevent that insects from coming to my house?


texts: Transplanting established Wisteria from pots to ground

texts:
I have two Wisteria Brachybotrys, each growing in a 1200 litre tub, on either side of a gazebo.  They are young, purchased in the spring, but have already entwined the trellis walls and the roof of the gazebo.  They are each some 2.5m tall.  The location is southern England and the location is in full sun from mid-morning to dusk.

Looking to the future, I want to know how long these plants can sensibly be kept in these containers before becoming potbound.
The RHS guidelines indicate that container growth is possible but don't indicate a timeline.

If the expected life in pots is only a few years, I would expect to try to transplant them into the ground.  To do this would require cutting the plants out of the trellis, which, if I must do, I would want to do soon, before they become too entwined.

This is something of the inverse of this earlier question

Should I leave these plants alone?  They're quite healthy and, given the size of the pots, transplanting them will be quite an exercise.


texts: How should I care for my Dutch Iris plants?

texts:
With the help of this question I identified that I have Dutch Iris (Iris X hollandica) in my garden.

As described there the plants came out last autumn (we had a quite warm and dry autumn, following a super-dry spring in the same year). Over the winter the long thin leaves which came out survived (coldest day was -15 C) then some weeks ago some of the plants (6 of ~25) produced a stem where now the flower can be admired.

I have a couple of questions regarding the handling of these:

1) Is it normal that they already come out in autumn? Can I cut those ugly/partially dead leaves in early spring/late winter? (see picture below (taken in autumn))

2) What can I do to encourage more flowering?

3) When is the right time to multiply the plants (dig out the bulbs, stocking them, splitting them)? When do I need to put them back into the soil?


texts:
I read about how air pruning can help your roots, because it stops the roots from growing when they reach the edge of the pot.  I also read that roots need oxygen in their soil, in order to breath.

Can someone give me an explanation as to why in one case, air stops the roots from growing, but in the other case, air is good for the roots?

My guess is that air pruning stops roots because of the "dryness" of the air, and it's not the actual "air" that's stopping the growth?


texts: Is this parsley plant too advanced to be salvaged for use with cooking

texts:
Have a parsley plant (in its second year), and I think it has 'bolted'?, so it not really producing lush green stalks that I can use for cooking.

Can I salvage it? Or is it too far gone?


texts:
Why is the new growth on my snake plant losing color. I have one in garden soil and the other in potting mix. The older leaves color remain vibrant but the new leaves are not.

They are on my balcony where they receive indirect sunlight.


texts: Tomatoes turned light green with purple on leave edges

texts:
I’m growing tomatoes in big pot. Some of them turned light green with a little purple on edges of leaves. They do not look healthy like the dark green ones. They are producing tomatoes, we are in a heatwave and I water daily.
What should I do to help them?


texts: Why does the tree trunk grow in diameter?

texts: Why does the tree trunk grow in diameter even though you cut the roots and tips of branches?


texts: What flower is this with long numerous white and purple petals?

texts:
Can someone please help me to identify this lovely flower.

Thank you


texts: What is this serrated-leaved plant with white-yellow flovers?

texts: Pictures taken at night, sorry. Zone 7a, continental Europe. Height 1m 20cm.


texts: How much sunlight for rooting grocery store mint?

texts: I am planning to root some grocery store edible field mint (with most leaves removed and bottom and top cut) in 3 and 4 inch plastic pots. My question is, is keeping them in 2 hours of direct sunlight okay? Or should they be kept in complete shade? Last time the ones planted in 12 inch pots with 6 hours direct sunlight did very well but the 2 hour ones dried up. I don't have transparent glass tumblers for rooting in water.


texts:
I am experimenting with muskmellons this year.

Starting from seeds I kept from a melon I bought last year I was having 3 nice seedlings by the end of April. Putting them outside in May (and hoping that the weather will be warm) I had to witness 2 of them dying. But one of them is still there and now it starts flowering.

I'm sure that there are no other mellon plants nearby - hence my question: Are muskmellons self-fertile? Will I get fruits from my lonely plant?


texts:
The plant in question is Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum.
It was producing bigger leaves but now the plant is producing very pale and tiny leaves for its color and size. The plant is in Indirect bright light. The soil is a good mixture of vermicompost, compost, construction sand, soil, Turface, wood chunks and coco peat. I am watering it well.
This was the last green it produced.

At first I thought the compost was bad lacks in nutrients. But my other plants are lush green using the compost.

What could be the reason for such pale and small leaves? I also inspected the roots when I potted it in this bigger pot and they were white and healthy.


texts: What is this tall tree with needle-like leaves?

texts: Somebody saw this tree in a park (in Galicia, in northwestern Spain) and asked me to try and identify it. Here are 3 photos of the tree (click on each to enlarge):


texts: Transplanting an oak that has rooted through bottom of a pot

texts: I need to move an oak tree that has rooted through the bottom of the pot and stands about 8-10 feet tall. It is way too close to the house and must be moved. I know this should be attempted in its dormant state but that is not an option right now. Luckily, this is the Pacific NW, so the weather isn't very warm yet but the tree is leafing prolifically already. I will only be able to dig just a bit larger than the diameter of the pot which is approximately 2 ft. I know we need to handle the tap root with extreme care, and transplant into larger pot, fertilize, water well for months. Anything else?


texts:
5 times water per day
Each time =3 minutes
Can someone help with that
Thank you !


texts: I keep getting differing answers to this cucumber question

texts: I was always told to remove the male flowers from a cucumber plant or the fruits will be bitter, I then read "female flowers need to be pollinated with the male flowers or the fruits will not set", then I read "only outside growing of cucumbers need to be pollinated by the male flower". I grow mainly in the greenhouse and the vine grows well to 4ft and cucumbers form all the way up, but then only the top fruit starts to swell and the rest shrivel and die. I also read "remove all side shoots as like with tomato growing leaving just the cucumber". So, is there an outdoor and indoor Seed, as I buy seed every year and nothing on the packet denotes Garden or Glass house. I also tend to buy female only F1 variety, but on the whole if I get three cucumbers over the season I am lucky, but I see on youtube or television they get over a dozen fruits. Where am I going wrong?


texts: What is the right type of rake for oak leaves, twigs, acorns on a Zoysia lawn?

texts:
I haven't had a lawn to speak of in my current home, but am having it sodded with Empire Zoysia in the next couple of weeks. I'll need to clean up oak leaves, twigs and acorns in the front yard on an ongoing basis.

Paul Tukey's Organic Lawn Care manual suggests a bamboo rake for dethatching, but I'm not sure that is appropriate for this. I'm wondering what a bamboo rake offers that is different than, say, a plastic fanned rake, or a metal one for that matter (I already have a metal one).

What type of rake is appropriate?

I'll have to go out of my way a bit to get a bamboo rake, but I'll happily do so if that is the right tool; I just want to know why.


texts: my neighbor moved across the country and gave me this palm along with a few other plants and starts. I really know absolutely nothing about them the condition that They are in now are the condition they were in when they were given to me two weeks ago. The second picture is the middle of the plant that had a thick hard type of something that was covering the whole part but I took small pieces off curious as to what it was I hope I didn't hurt it. Any help Is greatly appreciated (https://i.stack.imgur.com/HvBXg.jpg)


texts: What is this flower? My mother grows it in her garden. We live in Belarus and the flower was found here. Sorry for bad quality.


texts: What kind of beetle is this? Beneficial or Pest?

texts: This beetle was found on napa cabbage.  It doesn't look like it's feeding off the napa cabbage.  Not sure if I should let it go to backyard where the veggie beds.  Is this a beneficial or pest?  Thanks!


texts: What is the best way to prevent animals from eating my garden without a fence?

texts:
We have a raised bed garden that does well for the most part.  For aesthetic purposes, my wife will not let me put a fence around the garden.  Most of the veggies and herbs do well and do not get eaten by the various critters.  But sometimes they do, especially the peppers and cucumbers.  I have seen deer eating the garden, but there could be others as well i suppose.  We live along the edge of deep woods in the country (NE Ohio).

What are some good techniques to keep them away?  I do not care too much about being earthy, so pesticides are an option if there are no other alternatives.

Things in there this year are: basil, oregano, chives, peppers (bell, jalapeno, banana), broccoli, eggplant, cucumbers, and tomatoes.


texts: Tomato plants with light spots on the leaves

texts:
I’m new to growing tomatoes and noticed these spots. I’m not sure if it’s due to watering issues, a fungus, or something else.

I am currently growing them inside and place them in the window when the suns out and substitute with grow lights when it is not. I water enough to keep the soil moist and have ensure the pots drain well.


texts: How should I care for my multi-variety apple and pear trees?

texts:
I am a novice gardener living in the San Francisco Bay Area.  When I created my vegetable/fruit garden, the landscaper recommended grafted fruit trees (ones which produce 6 different varieties of fruits).  As a result I have one pear tree which should be producing 6 different varieties of pears.  I also have one apple tree with 6 different varieties.  The trees were planted about 4 years back.  So, I have a couple of questions:

Should I be pruning the extra branches that have been growing every season down to what the original tree looked like (on step, 6 branches)? - see picture of what is looks like today
What else should I be doing to get a good fruit crop this summer?  I guess I should fertilize them, but is there anything else?


texts: What are these small yellow bugs that are attacking my eggplant, and how can I stop them?

texts:
Our Eggplant got infected by some yellow pests (see image).

Can anyone identify what they are? I try to avoid using pesticides whenever possible. What can be possible solutions to get rid of these pests without causing an environmental hazard? I reside in Lahore, Pakistan.

The Eggplant says Thanks in advance.. !


texts: This summer I planted pepper plants and noticed that these other plants have popped up after it has reached the end of its season. I think they are bell pepper plants but am unsure if they are since the original bell pepper plant died at the start of fall. Would appreciate some thoughts on if it is a bell pepper plant or not.


texts: What are these 3-foot tall plants in southwest Florida?

texts:
At our new house in southwest Florida, we have a few bushes growing outside one side of our pool cage. Each plant has a single main trunk/stem, which looks like a tree or bush trunk, and they are about 3 - 3.5' tall. The leave sprout out at the top of the plant (so the bottom 2/3 are just trunk).

I haven't noticed them recently around here to purchase, so I am not sure what to ask for when I'm shopping. Having only been here since May, we haven't noticed any flowers, just the leaves.

What could thy be?

Pool Plant http://www.unkfrank.com/images/StackExchange/Pool_Plant.jpg


texts: Dracaena reflexa? Does care requirement same for other dracaenas?


texts: Can spots on leaves of pea seedlings indicate under- or overwatering?

texts: I'm growing peas in a coffee tin.  I noticed some discolorations showing up on the leaves.  Can I get an early indication of over or underwatering from this feature, or is it entirely natural?


texts: Can I overwinter a banana tree on an unheated sun porch?

texts:
Can I overwinter a banana tree that is growing in a container in an unheated sun porch in zone 5?

Do I cut it back, water it just enough to keep it from drying? Should it be exposed to light? Would it help to mulch the roots in the pot in case it gets below 30 degrees?

The porch is unheated and the temperature may drop to the 30's.


texts: Is it possible to recycle a Jack-o'-lantern into compost?

texts:
Since pumpkins are organic material, I'm assuming it would be okay to add them to a composting pile.

Is there any reason as to why pumpkins shouldn't be composted?


texts: Pepino gold has white spots (not edema, not midlew) and I’m clueless

texts:
My pepino gold melon developed some tiny white spots on leaves, first it was just the leaves and looked like edema caused by overwatering (which I know can happen for peppers) so I cut back the watering.

But since then it spread to new leaves and now to the stems too. On the leaves it looks like grains of salt at the bottom side and causes white spots at the top (over time). On the stems it looks more like a fungus or dry spots.

I do not see any bugs or flies and it also does not look like a mildew and I just can't find what could be the problem.


texts:
So I've been slowing pushing back on some poison ivy on my property using Round Up Poison Ivy Plus Tough Brush Killer. I normally try to go in two times a year, once in the spring and once in the summer and spray whatever I see growing. All the big growth seems dead now and I'm basically working on small shoots that I miss each time. This year I've been a bit behind the times and just am getting around to it. Will it be effective to spray poison ivy in the fall? Or should I just wait until next spring. The leaves on these plants are starting to orange. (I'm in New Hampshire and its October if that matters) This is what the website says but I'm not sure if they are still growing around now:

  WHEN TO APPLY Apply when weeds are actively growing. For best results,
  apply during warm, sunny weather (above 60�). Spray when air is calm
  to prevent product from drifting onto desirable plants. Rain or
  watering within 30 minutes of application will NOT wash away
  effectiveness.

Also as a side question in a few years I plan on cutting down the other brush in the area and converting it to grass. How long do the vines from poison ivy need to dead before I don't need to worry about getting the rash from them?


texts: What is special in commercial off-the-shelf liquid nutricient mixtures?

texts:
I discovered there are bottled off-the-shelf liquid nutricient mixtures available to buy. Is there some special factor in them (a.k.a. secret magic) or is this just mumbo-jumbo and there are just basic plant nutritions in different quantities?

  the primary macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K)
  the three secondary macronutrients: calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg)
  the micronutrients/trace minerals: boron (B), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni)

Not to mention super dumb names "ORGATREX","Magic Green", "Amino Root", "Root Complex" etc.


texts: A bear pushed over my apple tree; can it be saved?

texts:
I came home tonight to find a beloved apple tree lying on the ground. I suspect a bear because I saw one yesterday climbing the same tree trying to get the apples.
The tree appears completely unbroken, except for being horizontal. The roots are a bit pulled out of the ground, but otherwise seem intact.
If I can find a way to raise the tree back to vertical, is it possible to save the tree?
Update
I took a close look and indeed the roots are pretty broken:

It's hard to imagine a break this bad ever mending, but is it possible?


texts: I have grown an avocado tree from seed.  The roots have broken thru the large pot and rooted into the ground. How can I remove it from the ground and replant into a larger pot without damaging the tree.


texts: How to halt the growth but leave the tree?

texts: I have a twisted /contorted / japanese/ willow tree (it is I'd say about 20ft high at the moment )next to my small garden pond. My son planted it (from a cutting) over the resting place of a deceased pet 14 or so years ago. It has grown very fast has no main trunk but four main parts, predictably perhaps, growing outwards rather than straight up. It has now been pollarded back twice. I am now wondering as the garden is small whether I ought soon to think of cutting it down and somehow stopping the root growth (chemically?) but I would prefer to retain the body of the tree in order to; a) to install a platform- balcony affair where I can sit, and b) thus to provide some shade and cover for the pond and it's inhabitants. Is this even possible?


texts: Is the moisture sensor reading correct in my self-watering vase?

texts:
I have an hydrangea in a «self watering» vase (a Lechuza Cube) and I use a Parrot Flower Power to monitor soil moisture.

The soil moisture level sensor stays constant (17%-18%), watering the vase generates a peak for a very short time, but then the moisture level drops to the usual value (17%-18%)

A similar sensor  works as expected in a «normal» vase.

The Parrot Flower Power application is continuously telling me to add water, as the action has no effect on the measured moisture level.

Are similar values normal in a self watering vase?
Is the soil too dry for an hydrangea?


texts: Broad leaves. Growing under a Cleyera tree in complete shade.


texts:
Long story short, I have stale ground coffee (whoops vacation whoops) and two spider plants growing in pure water. Can I combine the two, or is that too acidic? I know that spider plants like acid, but... perhaps that's too much. Or perhaps there's not enough in the ground coffee to feed them?

For context: I am a student living in university housing, so I can't easily access potting soil.

[EDIT] To be clear, I mean to use the coffee in lieu of soil, not as a liquid growing medium.


texts: Problems with my Pieris shrub - has it been frostbitten?

texts: have two pieris shrubs which were looking lovely. Suddenly noticed the new foliage is brown and shrivelled. Is this frost damage, and how should I treat them?


texts: How can I stop vine borers from killing my squash?

texts:
A few of the squash plants in our garden started wilting for no discernible reason late last week. We lost three sweet meat squash plants before we figure out that vine borers were attacking the squash.

At this point, most of the squash plants have signs of vine borers. The zucchini, spaghetti and acorn squash plants all show signs of vine borers - holes in the base of the vine and wilting leaves. The butternut, Hubbard, and pumpkin plants seem to be unaffected, but I'm not sure if they're resistant or just haven't been hit yet.

Is there anything that can be done for the plants that are already affected? I tried cutting open some of the stems lengthwise and pulling the vine borers out, but I'm afraid I did too much damage to the plants, and I know I didn't get all of the larvae out.

What about the plants that don't show signs yet? Should I wrap the stems in foil?

Side note: We're trying to do everything organically. So far we've been spraying weekly with neem oil, and occasionally spreading diatomaceous earth.


texts: I don't know if this is a shrub or a weed?

texts: Can anyone tell me if this plant is a weed?


texts: My Sago Palm (Cycas Revoluta) has weird-looking clumps in its roots. Is it a Phytophthora root rot infection? If not, what is it?


texts: I have 3 of these on my property.  They were here when my parents bought the property in 1974.  They are not Kaffir limess because the do not have the double leaves.  The fruit are mostly small and medium in size with very rough bumpy skin.  Very juicy, many seeds, tastes is excellent lime flavor!  Pulp is whitish to clear.  Any ideas?  Thanks.  Oh, I live in Miami!


texts:
I've got this tree down in my back yard and I cannot figure out what type it is. The bark looks like Oak but the leaves I'm not sure about. There have been no nuts/acorns drop from it that have been noticeable the past year.

Any idea?


texts:
I grew some volunteer cantaloupes in pots this summer, but they got hit hard by what I believe is Xanthomonas, a bacteria which causes angular leaf spot.

I tossed the diseased plants, but I'd like to use the old soil to pot up some pepper plants so I can bring them inside for the winter.  Is this a risky move?  Can whichever species of Xanthomonas that hits cantaloupes (a curcubit) infest my peppers (a nightshade)?  Or, is this disease specific enough to its host that it won't harm plants in other genuses?


texts: How can I make indoor composting a success?

texts:
I live in an apartment building and would like to have an indoor composter (not vermicomposter). This idea is not addressing drainage, this looks promising but expensive and Bokashi mixture is not sold in my area.

I have once tried a window box flowerpot, but the contents dried-out pretty fast.


texts: A 12" square catch basin collects water from my driveway and transports it under the lawn to adjacent stream about 150 ft away via 4" corrugated buried pipe. They used corrugated covered w/stone (vs pvc) (20 yrs ago) so as to also collect surface water from the poor-drainage yard. The drain pipe is down to a trickle due to tree roots that infiltrated the 4" pipe. In a downpour the basin overflows. In the past (2X) it was cleared by a roto rooter type power auger. This time it can't get through and they are suggesting that a hi-pressure jetter could do the trick (maybe) at a cost of $600-800. A lot of money but much less than excavating, digging up & replacing the 150 ft pipe. Does the jetter stand a a chance or am I throwing money away? It could also possibly damage the existing pipe but that might not matter if the pipe needs to be replaced anyway. Would appreciate any comments and perhaps alternate approaches to this problem. Thank you.


texts: How can I tell if a seed coating contains pesticides or fungicides?

texts:
I purchased some Dichondra seeds online to plant in my large reptile's enclosure. There was no mention of the seeds being treated - but when I received them I noticed that the seeds were coated and listed as pre-inoculated.

I'm not generally one to be overly paranoid about pesticides & fungicides but reptiles tend to be pretty sensitive to such things so I absolutely can't risk planting treated seeds. Is there any way to tell if the seeds in question are fungicide/pesticide treated? The seller didn't know, and while I'd assume there are some labeling laws for treated seeds I can't find any information on what those are. Does anyone have any idea as to what the seed coating is and whether or not it poses a risk to my lizard?


texts: How do I go about planning the layout of a sprinkler network for my lawn?

texts:
There are several great questions and helpful guides on lawns and lawn-repair on this site. Since it's the lawn laying season now, I've started thinking about laying a sprinkler network prior to sodding because it's easier to do so now than after the lawn's established.

Here's a generic drawing of a front yard and the green dotted area is where I want the lawn to be. How do I go about planning a sprinkler network for my lawn and what factors should I keep in mind? I'd like to be such that no water (or as little as possible) falls on the kerb/curb or the driveway or into the neighbour's property.

In order to keep it general, I haven't listed any dimensions. Do not worry about calculating the exact locations or worry about the curves in the pathway. Also, do not worry about having to cut through the pathway to get the pipes to the other side. I'm looking for qualitative answers that explain how to approach the problem.

The answer I'm expecting is something that addresses these questions (see figure below) or any others I haven't thought of.

Do I need to use different kinds of sprinklers in the corners so that they're constrained to not cross into the kerb or the neighbour's yard? If so, can such sprinklers be adjusted to move between different angles as desired?
Should I choose a sprinkler with the biggest radius for the center? Can the radius be adjusted or is it fixed for a sprinkler?
If there are small patches that aren't covered by the sweep of any sprinkler, should I spend the money on getting another one to cover it or should I just water it manually? (see the small radius sprinklers in the left and the right parts)
How deep should I lay my pipes? Would it be helpful to have additional outlets at certain distances along the layout?
The most cost efficient way would be to lay the pipes along the shortest distance from a central point to each sprinkler (see right). However, if I want to have a flowerbed along the edges in the future which might need a drip system, should I plan for a layout like in the left?
Are there sprinklers that will let you tap out water optionally?


texts: Trees for southern Idaho/northern Utah mountain environment

texts:
My goal is to find trees that would survive in the fairly harsh climate of the mountains of northern Utah/southern Idaho (near Bear Lake). Being in the mountains, it is around 7,000 feet. The trees need to be able to withstand cold temperatures of roughly -20 degrees Fahrenheit as well as be drought resistant. However, we can water them once or twice per week in the summer. What kind of trees meet the bill?

We have had some success with aspen trees and some, but less, success with pine trees.


texts: What is this common western Idaho spiny weed?

texts: This weed is very common in western Idaho, but I have yet to find out what it is. I haven't seen it online in any weed database I've searched. Yes, as large as it is, it's growing in a crack in the cement patio. It's been in the area for as long as I can remember (probably since at least the 80's). It can get a lot taller than this (maybe 7 feet tall or so). If you break any part of it, white latex leaks out. It's an annual. I think the seeds are cottony. It's one of the first weeds to grow in the spring, and it's around up until at least the first frost. The stems are spiny. The edges and veins of the leaves are spiny.


texts: What is this large plant that came up when I turned my soil?

texts: I turned my soil recently and this huge plant started to grow. I have put my hand there to show the size. It does not seem to be a weed so I would really want to know if this is some kind of vegetable or fruit plant. Can someone help me identify? Thanks.


texts:
So this year I started two 4'x 6' (~1.2m x 1.8m) raised garden beds and am growing lots of vegetables there as well as in a handful of containers.

My question is what are the things I should do to prepare for next Spring /next full growing season. I'm in zone 5 - southern Ontario.

Should I be saving the dead plants (once I remove them). Starting a compost pile? Saving yard trimmings or raked leaves? Do I put anything over/on/in the beds once the first frost comes?  What are your pro-tips and tricks?


texts: If I grow petunias from a seed are the flowers safe to be used as food decoration. Can they safely be eaten?


texts: Is the end of June too late to harvest and plant seeds from a Hellebore in zone 6a?

texts:
I live in Massachusetts, zone 6a. A month ago I found a plant in my yard, which my friend identified as a perennial shrub called Hellebore. It has pastel green and pink flowers on stems gently bent over in such a way that almost only the backs are visible. I picked one, which is shown in the picture below. A few days ago I checked, and found that the Hellebore has grown significantly, and most of the flowers now have pods filled with small white seeds.

Is it too late in the season to plant the seeds somewhere else in the yard?  If so, are they ready to be harvested now, or should I wait for something to happen to the pods, such as drying out, splitting or falling on their own? Also, since there are so many seeds, can I also store some for the winter, using the same method as my annual flower seeds?

Update:
After having read @Stormy's answer, I think I'll try to cultivate a new one vegetatively. The current plant is in a mostly shady area. Is that an important consideration in choosing a location for the new one?

click on pictures for full size


texts: Is it true: plants, that keep snakes away?

texts:
Someone told me, that there is a plant, that keeps away snakes and other lizards. All you have to do is plant it near the fences and the house.
Is it true and if yes, what is that plant?

Thanks in advance


texts:
I bought oregano seeds from IKEA a few months ago and after a while, it started to look really good and healthy:

Since there were a bit too many plants, people here suggested I should reduce the amount of plants, which I did. Also, since the direct sunlight was very one-sided and not reliable, I bought some plant lamps to provide my herbs with artificial light during daytime.

Now, a bit after I trimmed the plants and added the light, my oregano seems to be turning red:

Does it get too much light, or what could be the problem here? The other herbs do not get the same red colour.


texts: Remove turf before laying weed membrane around fruit bushes?

texts:
I planted several fruit bushes in my small orcharda couple of years ago and left the grass in place for aesthetic reasons, thinking it would look nice... But this is probably the reason they are struggling in hindsight.
I plan to lay a membrane to prevent anything growing too close to the plants and I'm wondering if it's worth the extra work to cut up the turf first, or whether it will simply die under the membrane and I might as well leave it?


texts: What is the succulent with small opposite red-tipped leaves in this succulent group?

texts:
Could you please identify succulent H in the following picture? It has really nice red tones, and I like its shape. What is its hardiness zone? Would it survive the coldness of zone 5, if left outdoors in the winter, while keeping it in its current container and arrangement?

This question is based on another (closed) question.


texts: How to move my avocado seedling from state to state?

texts: I am moving across several states and I have an avocado seedling that I have not planted in soil yet. I am wondering if I take the seedling (which is quite large) and wrap it in damp paper towels, if it will make the trip. I think it will be about 3 to 4 days.


texts: What are the basic directions to planting leafy greens?

texts:
I'm planning to plant some leafy greens for a tortoise I'm going to get soon. I want the basic directions for planting and caring for the greens provided I have attained the seeds. The greens I'm planning to plant include endive, mustard greens, bok choy, and kale. I am a complete beginner to planting so if planting some of these is rather challenging then please notify me. I'd also like to know if some would only grow at a specific time of the year. Our weather here is Mediterranean.

I'm planning on separating the greens from each other. My basic idea for the enclosure would be a large container into which I put smaller containers I fill with sand and plant in, all of the same height. I'd like to know what kind of soil is preferably used (it seems to be that calcium rich soil discourages the excess presence of oxalic acid, oxalic acid can bind up calcium, adversely affecting the tortoise's shell strength.) I also want to know how much soil I should have, and if possible, a rule of thumb to how many seeds per quantity of soil (size of container). I'm also wondering how often I should water it (Perhaps in relevance to temperature conditions), provided the plants will get sun exposure. I also want to know the time they're expected to take to grow.


texts: Why is my cilantro turning a yellow purple color?

texts:
This cilantro was planted from seed using Pro-Mix seed starting mix on February 22 and the photo was taken today, March 28; 5 weeks later.

The pot is under timed T5 florescents (16h on, 8h off) and gets watered every 2-3 days as the soil dries.

I'm new to gardening and don't know why my once flourishing, vibrant green plants are now starting to slow down, turn yellow and then purple. I've read that if the plants don't get enough light or get too hot they can prematurely bolt, but these plants don't look overly crowded to me.

Any ideas?


texts: How early should I start pruning Western Red Cedar planted as a hedge?

texts:
I planted a row of Thuja plicata somewhat over a year ago as a boundary hedge. It's quite shady so they have not grown much but they are surviving and growing.
They're about 3' (1m) tall but quite spindly, should I already be pruning them, if not when? There's not a lot to prune but I don't want to miss the opportunity especially as I want to keep growth as low down the trunks as possible.
What is the right pruning regime for these, given I want to keep them about 8 feet high (2-3m) eventually as a dense hedge?