Question: Over the years, my curinum lilies have developed red spots on some of their leaves. It makes the plants a little unsightly. Are there any good controls?
Answer: Red and green make a beautiful combination, so your lilies may be popping out their holiday decorations a little early. But in this case, I think it’s a bit unsightly by the fungus of red blotch. Unfortunately, some of these spots appear to be present in the leaves and bulbs of Clinum and Amaryllis. A little bit of fungi is acceptable and is usually present in older plants. If possible, prune affected plants such as leaves. If the plant is heavily infected, some gardeners suggest removing them from their collection. Red mass is the worst when plants are growing in areas with inadequate air circulation or when they are kept excessively wet. Newer fungicides, especially whole-body products, appear to give them some control. If diseases are prevalent as indicated on the label, they should be applied frequently. There may be some red spots that are always present.
Q. I have problems with the growth of parsley, dill, sage, thyme and other herbs. Basil works pretty well. Is it too hot here?
A. Good growth weather is ahead of you for all popular herbs. Things like basil, oregano, rosemary and mint work pretty well during the summer, but most others struggle at best as they can’t withstand heat and humidity. October begins to have a nice herb growth weather that is supposed to last until May. Some favorites you’re already trying to grow, plus borage, chives, lavender, tarragon, etc. – are ready for planting. Many gardeners like to keep herbs in containers so that they appear in landscapes and patio areas as needed. Others grow herbs in more traditional ground beds in prepared garden soil. They moisten them, bloat each month, and produce a lot of plant parts to store using fresh ones.
Q. This year, caterpillars overtook horny while leaving town. When we are at home, we try to find them early and apply controls. What can I apply to prevent them?
A. Maybe if you just leave town for a short time to apply controls, the caterpillar may not affect your azalea until you return. But if you’re more than a few weeks to a month away, you might be able to check plantings with friends and handle them if necessary. Caterpillars affecting azaleas are usually the immature stages of moth flying to lay eggs that hatch and begin feeding. Pesticides control this feeding stage and are effective for a few weeks to a month. So, just before you leave, you might try applying one of the natural pesticides, such as a torso or a product that contains spinosad. One whole body pesticide can also give extended control, and some can be applied to the soil. Check your feathers when you arrive at home as seasonal weather can affect the insecticides applied to planting.
Plant Doctor: Sowing Hollyhocks Now for a Tower Blooming in Spring
Q: It has a very tall, wide hedge. Can I trim my hedge now or should I wait until spring?
A. Use the next few weeks to reconstruct the overgrown Bible Run hedge. This gives the plant plenty of time to make new growth that should mature before frost or freezing. While typical Weibrunn hedges are strong, they can be susceptible to damage if they produce younger shoots. Also, we expect damage to the leaves that were previously hidden from the sun, but don’t worry. This will be the shape of brown spots on the leaves. If you need to do measure pruning, return the shrub to the desired height and width and complete it for now.
Q. My yesterday, the Todai and Tomorrow shrubs are almost flowering, growing in the morning and drooping sun. How can I produce more flowers?
A. My experience is yesterday’s Todai and Troro shrub, also known by their scientific name Brunfelsia. Plant guides suggest that morning sun and afternoon filtered sun are best for good growth, but these places seem to have fewer flowers. Make sure the shrub has at least the morning sun. And the afternoon sun is fine. Apply landscape fertilizer slowly release once in March and again in May. Too much fertilizer can promote growth if there are fewer flowers. Moisten the plants when they are dry.
Q. Pineapple plants produced fruits. Can I get another pineapple from the plant?
A. Expect the next harvest of pineapple fruits in a year or two from the side shoots that develop at the roots of the parent plant. Pineapple plants, like other bromeliad relatives, slowly fade after flowers and placing fruits. By the time the mother plant began turning brown side shoots, it grew to hide degraded leaves. Take great care to get more fruit from your planting for several more years.
Q. Citrus trees are grown in a 5-gallon container. How long can I store it in a container?
A. Place as many citrus trees as you like in a container, but the larger the tree, the larger the container you need. The trees depicted in the email photo are ready for containers of the next size, over 15 gallons. Of course, there are limits to the manageable size of the container, but in the end you’ll need a container of 50 gallons or more. The trees in the container need to pay more attention to water and fertilizer. Daily watering may be required while it is hot and dry. Also, follow the instructions on the label to use slow release fertilizer with small nutrients made for container planting.
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.
September in the gardens in Central Florida
