Q: I have a year-old container planting with cannas in the center and ivy on the sides. Cannas bloomed last year. The leaves are beautiful now, but the flowers are not blooming. Is this the time when canna flowers bloom?
A: It is expected to bloom soon. Canna plants typically go semi-dormant during the winter, giving them time to develop growth that will replenish the nutrients they need for flowering. The normal flowering period is from mid-spring to summer. Your canna rhizomes may be crowded and need to be divided. Overcrowding can inhibit or delay flowering. It may be time to remove the canna, divide it, and replant it. There may be enough new rhizomes to make more plantings.
Q: My 25-year-old Mamei tropical fruit tree, which I grew from seed, has turned brown due to the freeze. Is there any hope that it can be played?
A: Many residents who grow tropical fruit trees such as mango, avocado, lychee, carambola, and guava are asking the same question. Unfortunately, much of Florida was exposed to sub-zero temperatures for more than 10 days. Temperatures in many parts of central Florida fell below 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Your tropical trees, including your mamay, probably had their branches and trunks completely frozen. Many will never recover. In some cases, new shoots may come out from under the graft near the ground. Since your tree was grown from a seed, the sprouts that grow can grow into the tree you remember. Grafted trees may not grow the variety you desire. Scrape the lower bark and ground level to see if there is any life on the tree. If you don’t find any, a new tree is in your future.
Botany: What’s yellow or red and all black? Baby eastern rubber bugs eating up your garden
Q: The pines on Norfolk Island were damaged by the February freeze. There was a lot of brown and eventually we saw hundreds of pine branches falling to the ground. Who would have thought that pines would freeze? What happens?
A: The plant’s name can be a little misleading; what you have growing in your landscape is not a true pine, but a tropical conifer that can be damaged by cold weather. The Norfolk Island pines will probably survive, but they will lose many of the small needle-filled branches and branches along the trunk. This usually leaves large areas without greenery or growth. These trees often lose their beauty, but new buds may sprout along the trunk, but it can take many years before they are filled with new buds. It is highly likely that the upward growth will continue in the future.
Q: The cold weather has killed most of the bougainvillea that I had growing along my chain-link fence, so for the past few weeks I’ve been cutting off the dead branches and stuffing them into the four bins I’m allowed each week. I have already donated a pint of blood to St. Bougainvillea because thorns become even more thorny when they die. Is there a better way to do this?
A: I sympathize with you, but you’ve joined the crowd of gardeners who have pruning scars on many of their arms and legs. Wearing durable clothing may be the solution to your problem. Dress up like a cowboy with a leather shirt and pants. Also, wear sturdy boots. But if you’re like me, you’ve probably skipped the protective cover and kept getting caught in thorns, twigs, etc. when clearing debris from your garden. One thing you must do is wear eye protection. These are valuable parts of your body.
Q: The potatoes I planted in my garden a few months ago are forming underground potatoes and the plants are starting to decline. Should I harvest my crops?
A: Some gardeners remove some potatoes in hopes of harvesting more potatoes as the green plants grow. However, when the plant turns yellow and begins to decline, it is definitely time to harvest. Carefully remove the potatoes from the ground and let them air dry in a shady area for several days. Then remove any loose soil and store in a cool, dark place until use.
Q: I need small trees or tall shrubs that grow 10 to 15 feet tall along my fence for added privacy. We initially considered a ligustrum or bottle brush. What other types are freeze-resistant?
A: Tree-shaped plants are good for blocking views, and both spruce and bottlebrush would be good choices. Bottlebrush can be damaged during harsh winters, but it survived this February’s cold. Other suitable privacy-friendly viewing obscurants include edible olive, pineapple guava, Simpson’s stopper, Walter’s viburnum, podocarpus, and clumping bamboo. All require regular care to become established and are cold hardy, making them durable plants suitable for landscapes.
April in Central Florida Gardens
Q: There are many palm trees in the garden. What is the best care to keep them healthy?
A: With so many diseases affecting the palms, proper care is more important than ever. Use 8-0-12-4Mg for Palm, developed by the University of Florida, according to label directions, starting with a fertilizer program once in March, May, and October. Similar palm fertilizers are also sold at local garden centers. Next, don’t over-prune your palms. It’s okay to leave dead leaves alone. This is often called a “petticoat”. Otherwise, leave as much greenery as possible to allow the palm to produce the food it needs to maintain the plant’s vitality. At least leave the leaves that form the 9 to 3 shape of the clock face. You can also remove parts that bear flowers or fruit. Another tip is to avoid applying nitrogen-rich lawn fertilizers near palm trees unless you plan on applying extra potassium. Also, disinfect pruning shears between your palms to prevent the spread of disease.
Tom McCubbin is an emeritus urban horticulturist for the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Write to Orlando Sentinel, PO Box 2833, Orlando, FL. 32802. Email: TomMac1996@aol.com.
