Question: Anthuriums are my favorite houseplant, but I don’t like growing them in planters or vases. Do you have any recommendations?
Answer: Gardeners who want their houseplants to bloom for a long time should consider anthuriums, also known as flamingo flowers or pigtail plants. The waxy spatula-shaped flowers, which can be red, pink, purple, or white, can last for more than a month. The plants can be used as accents in your home or as outdoor flower beds. The trick to making your plants last longer is to avoid direct sunlight and store them in a humid place with bright light. Anthuriums prefer soil enriched with organic matter. Keep the plant moist but not wet. Make sure there is good drainage from your indoor plant container. Fertilize houseplants with a container fertilizer labeled for houseplants once a month or as directed. Some residents place their plants in trays of moist pebbles and mist the leaves several times a week. If planting in the ground, use a slow-release fertilizer. Remove old flowers as needed and protect from frost and freeze.
Q. I think my amaryllis isn’t getting enough sunlight because its leaves are weak and droopy. Can I cut off the leaves now and move the bulb to a sunny spot?
A. You’re probably right that amaryllis isn’t in an ideal location. The outer leaves can be fluffy everywhere, but most should be fairly upright when grown in full, filtered sun. Now is a good time to move the bulb to a brighter area. Cut off the leaves and plant the bulb with the neck above the soil. Be careful not to keep them too moist, as the bulbs will become somewhat dormant in the cool months. Perhaps some have formed flower buds and are ready to grow and open in late winter.
Plant Doctor: A little neglect can cause bougainvillea to bloom.
Q. When should I put my Christmas cactus in a dark place? Last year I did it on December 1st, but it must have been late since there were only a few blooms. Is it necessary to water even in dark places?
A. Moving cacti for Christmas and other holidays to a dark place is an old tradition, but it’s not a good thing. All the plant needs is short days to bloom. This means that night lights are prohibited between dusk and dawn. Place the plant in a bright spot that receives sunlight. Avoid exposing it to light at night. Avoid flickering or even flashing light. Normal flowering should continue as it benefits from daylight light. These short days or nights without light should begin in mid-October as plants bloom for the holidays.
Q. I need a new lawn. Is there still time to install a St. Augustine lawn or should I wait until spring?
A. Residents can install new lawns year-round, but the best times are fall and spring. The next few weeks are the perfect time to add new grass before a possible freeze that may affect your growing lawn. If you miss this period, choose late February to early May as a good time to sow your lawn. St. Augustine prefers to grow during warm climates where water can be managed and fertilizers can be applied.
Q. We have added new Ixora plantings. When is the best time to fertilize plants and what should I use?
A. Ixora really provides great summer color and many gardeners have added new plants. If your recently arrived plants are green and healthy enough for planting, they should have enough fertilizer for late fall and winter. Initial feedings begin in March, with follow-up applications in May and early October. If approved, you may apply in August. If your soil has adequate acidity, use a common slow-release landscape fertilizer that is low in nutrients. If not, you may need an ixora-specific product. Ixora prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Soil above 7.0 is too alkaline and will result in poor leaf color. Take a soil sample to your local garden center or University of Florida Extension office to have it tested. If necessary, treat the soil as recommended to create the best conditions for Ixora. Plants growing in less variable alkaline soils may also need the application of trace amounts of nutrient products.
Q. We like beets. How can we grow good crops in our garden?
A. Take advantage of the upcoming cooler weather and start harvesting beets. Planters prefer temperatures in the 60s to 70s to grow edible leaves and roots. For those who have never had beet tops, beet tops taste like spinach. Sow this crop in single rows or squares about 1 inch apart. Since beet seeds are in capsules, you can expect to see multiple seedlings in one spot. Then, thin the seedlings to about 3 inches apart. Keep the soil moist and fertilize monthly with a common gardening product. The crop will be ready to start harvesting within 50 to 60 days.
Q. I have a lot of fallen leaves that I want to compost. What is the best way to build a compost pile?
A. The easiest way to create a compost pile is to pile up leaves in an inconspicuous area of your landscape. Over time, they decompose and form soil-like organic matter that can be added to landscape plantings and gardens. However, if you want to keep things a little tidy, make containers for the leaves out of cement blocks, used pallets, wire fencing, or similar materials. Cover the leaves with a few inches of soil and sprinkle with fertilizer or compost to speed up the composting process. Make sure the pile is damp, but not too wet. If you want to speed up the decomposition process even more, turn the pile every month until the required compost is ready.
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.
