Question: Our new blackberry lily clumps died during the winter. What remains are clusters of leaves near the ground and dead buds. What should I do?
Answer: In about 2-3 months, you will need a flash of new flowers, but you will need to prune a little first. Blackberry lilies are true perennials and are decreasing during cooler months. They get their names from fruits that form after flowering, similar to blackberries. Remove any dead or decayed parts, including brown leaves and long, old flower stems. Leave all green leaves at the roots of the plant. If necessary, now is a good time to split plants, expand your collection, or share it with friends. Keep it moist and apply spring fertilizer applications.
Plant Doctor: You can get Azaleas in central Florida, but they’re going to work
Q: I would like to grow grapes to eat fruit during the summer. There are grape plant packages in the store. Is this the perfect place for local planting?
A: Get ready to enjoy some amazing fruits for a fresh meal, for use in desserts, or for making jelly. However, you need to make sure that the plant you buy is a Florida variety. Researchers at the University of Florida have spent years developing growing grapes locally with relatively pest free. Get a list of recommended varieties from your local University of Florida Extension Office. The plants sold in the package may not be the right variety for planting in Florida. Often what you want is in a container obtained by the garden center from local grape growers. Training new grape training on trellis to get fruit from the second year. You will also get breaking news on the types of grapes you choose to learn the fertilization and pruning techniques you need.
Q: We reduced the number of red Ti plants. Which fertilizer should you use and what can you do to promote growth?
A: Expect attractive new growth from the TI plants when the weather is consistently warm. Normally, new shoots form along the base and remaining stems. At the end of May, apply the slowly release landscape fertilizer over and over. Apply the last annual feeding in early October. Make sure there is 1-2 inch mulch on the planting site and moisten it twice a week during dry seasons. During the growing season, some light pruning may be required to keep the plant compact and eliminate entangled shoots.
Q: Some of my St. Augustine lawn weeds are not controlled by recently applied herbicides. Do you want to create another application or switch products?
A: It’s time to identify unwanted invaders if weed growth does not respond to herbicides. Take permanent weeds at your local Garden Center or the University of Florida Extension Office and learn what’s growing among St. Augustine Las. You may need to choose a new herbicide to get the necessary weed control. If the appropriate product is placed, follow the instructions on the label carefully to prevent damage to the lawn.
Q: My fig tree is a few years old and is only 4 feet tall. Do you need special fertilizer?
A: Increased fertilizer can cause growth, but there may also be some underlying issues. Try our monthly fertilizer application from September to September. Many people like to use composted fertilizer at speeds of over 5 pounds per 100 square feet of bed area. Another option is to use garden fertilizer or slow release products as directed on the label. They also dig the surface soil a few inches deep to look for nematode activity described as swollen roots. If it’s excessive, you may need a new fig tree planted in another area. If root damage is minimal, in addition to increasing feeding, maintain a 2-inch mulch layer and moisten the soil during dryness.
Central Florida Garden April
Q: This is my first time growing onions. When are they ready to eat?
A: Maybe a good question is, how do you like your onions, as this crop is always ready? If you like green onions and fresh onions, harvest what the plant needs when you get the size it likes. Many grow onions from seeds and transplants, and grow them a few inches apart to harvest everything else during the growing season. The remaining plants are left to grow and form bulbs. Onions begin to swell in the bulbs in late March and mature in May. Crops can be harvested anytime, but most leave bulbs on the ground, with the top flops diminished.
Q: Our Lantanas are tall and creepy. There isn’t much new growth. Is it time to prun?
A: Wait already to give Lantana the necessary pruning. Plants outside of control can be cut within the feet of the ground. Unfortunately, not all lantanas have a good recovery, but heavy pruning is the only way to update the plant. After pruning, moisten them and apply landscape fertilizer.
Q: I planted a banana a year ago and now I have two plants, but no fruit. How can trees help produce bananas?
A: New banana plants are not quick producers. In most cases, it takes about two years to grow 1-2 mature plants and then settle for flowers and fruits. Your banana plant has been on the ground for more than a year, so it should send flower stems right away. This is fortunate as the cold will feed the fruits before the plants affect next fall. Plant moist fertilizer every month with vegetable-type products and maintain mulch on the root system.
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.
