Question: Our gardenias are a little taller than we hoped, and have finished blooming. Is this the best time to prune?
Answer: Gardenias often produce sporadic flowers during the summer, but if they have finished their big blooming, it’s time to trim. Usually, only modest pruning is required to shorten the bound shoot and control growth. Use a hand puller to return each chute to a few inches beyond the desired length. Try leaving the shoot with leaves as it will help gardenias to resume growth. Moisten the shrub, maintain mulch and apply summer fertilizer if permitted.
Q. There are mango trees that bloom from late February to March, and develop small marble-sized fruits that disappear within a few weeks. The tree was about 15 years old and was grown from very productive tree seeds. We fertilized it in an unhelpful way as directed. Any ideas?
A. Unfortunately, you will probably need a new tree of the named variety. Seedlings are very diverse when it comes to production. It sounds like you provided good cultural care, and after 15 years the tree is not responding as expected. It is doubtful that it is harvesting crops before it approaches maturity. The disease may be affecting flower stems and young fruits. In this case, fruiting may be useful as per the application of copper fungicide during flowering and label instructions.
Q. My desert rose shows grey spots on the stem. Is this a fungus?
A. Yes, as depicted in the photo in the email, the stems of the desert stems live together with fungi and algae. But the good news is that they do not harm. Living in symbiotic terms with the water and nutrients deposited on the stem. There’s no need to do anything for what is known as lichens. These combinations can accumulate when the plant is not growing as actively as it should. Make sure that desert roses have moist soil and are fertilized monthly during warm, growing months. If necessary, the stems can be sprayed with copper fungicide to slow the growth of the lichen according to the leaf plant’s labeling instructions.
Plant Doctor: Leave plenty of growth rooms for the gorgeous Poinciana trees
Q. My tomato plants are not fruitful, but they look good. What should you do for the plants? Would I leave them or remove them?
A. When it comes to prolonged tomato plants, it’s time to decide. Plants can decrease as summer rain and heat promote pest problems. In my garden, I remove all old tomato plants, healthy or not, and start with fresh transplants in mid- to late August. Some gardeners are lucky and continue to plant until summer, seeking good harvests towards autumn. Unfortunately, you are not sure if a virus or similar disease can be transmitted to the plant by summer feeding insects. Make sure to have some ports available for replacement if necessary.
Q. Our housing contractors suggest that we keep the tallest branches of our crepe myrtle away from the grooves and eaves to prevent the rats on the roof that are in question. My lawn service is currently trimming, but it’s too far for my wife and daughter. What is the recommended minimum trimming?
A. There is no minimal trimming suggested by many gardeners. As in your case, pruning is not necessary for the growth of a good crepe myrtle, unless you have a specific problem. Rats, squirrels and similar creatures can jump, so it may be necessary to cut Myrtle’s limbs to come back a few feet behind the house. Ants and other insects also do not mention the use of their limbs as bridges to buildings. In most cases, you should trim at least once before spring growth and during summer. Be as kind as possible and don’t put crepe meator back to nubbins every year.
July in the gardens of Central Florida
Q. Something is chewing on the blade of our St. Augustineras and I think it’s a grass bug. What should I do?
A. Only the moth larva stages such as the St. Augustine Blade to the Lawn Ghost Feed. Chewing damage is the first hint of nighttime feeding larvae, but hidden underneath during the day. It is visible near the soil line between the part of the grass blade and the runner. You may see some green flashes, which will result in small, curled grass bugs of gray. Once you’ve been convinced that these are night critters, you can apply insecticides discovered at the local garden center for lawn insects following the instructions on the label.
Q. Our bushes are full of little moths this morning. Do you have any ideas about why and what to do?
A. No good or simple controls for Moth, so go back to reading your good gardening books. Oh, I think you can use a fly swatter or a butterfly net to reduce the population, but usually it’s too much. At this time of year, these are probably the adult stage of SOD WebWorm. However, there is no need to try to control insects on this grass until the larvae feed the grass. In addition, natural control often affects laid eggs and young grass insects before feeding is noticed. So, if possible, ignore moth, as it only exists for a few weeks.
Tom Maccubbin is an honorary urban gardener at the University of Florida Cooperative Expansion Services. Write him: Orlando Sentinel, PO Box 2833, Orlando, Florida. 32802. email: tomac1996@aol.com.
