Q: My crinum leaves are damaged. How far should I prune?
A: At this time of year, Crinum lilies undergo renewal pruning. Mother Nature may have helped with the trimming by sending a freeze that caused many leaves or parts of the leaves to wither. These large bulb-forming plants with white, pink, or white and maroon flowers are hardy and will continue producing new growth when warm spring weather returns, even if the top freezes quickly. Use this time to return the frozen leaves to the bulb. This is also a good time to cut out diseased or damaged leaves.
Q: My container of caladium has produced many bulbs. Is it time to divide the bulbs and replant them?
A: Many caladium bulbs (actually tubers) are starting to grow. Therefore, hurry up with the necessary splits. Most gardeners are surprised by the number of new tubers found in last year’s caladium pots. Similar amounts of caladium can be found in ground plants. Now is a good time to divide and replant all those tubers to grow your collection or share some with friends.
Botanist: Transplanted dahlias popular with northerners have local challenges.
Q: There is a wide range of weeds growing in St. Augustine’s lawns. Is now the time to recalibrate these areas? If so, how should I prepare?
A: Start this renovation project by raking or digging out the weedy area. Next, till the soil to a depth of several centimeters. It’s a good idea to test your soil for acidity and apply pH-adjusting treatments throughout your lawn if necessary. Form a straight edge in the prepared area and add new grass. Place the new lawn area adjacent to the edge of the old lawn. This is important to prevent weed seeds from germinating. Keep the new lawn and soil moist and apply the first fertilizer after 4 weeks. The lawn should be watered daily for the first week, every other day for the second week, and every third day for the third week. By the fourth week, regular watering is possible. Additional watering may be required if weather conditions are very dry. Also, spray a fungicide in the second week.
Q: I was told to wait before fertilizing my Shiva lawn. Is now the time?
A: We received good advice, especially after a cold winter, as Shiba lawns are slow to start growing in the spring. Early fertilizer applications will be wasted and can stress your Shiba lawn. Typically, by early to mid-April, Shiba’s lawns will start to green up again and are ready to be fertilized. Use slow-release products that can nourish your lawn for several months. This may be the only fertilizer application needed until fall.
Q: I have several large crape myrtles. Can I thin it out and prune it a little using a chainsaw?
April in Central Florida Gardens
A: Feel free to use power equipment to do the necessary pruning, but make sure this doesn’t turn into a “chainsaw massacre.” Most crape myrtles grow to a very pleasing shape and size with little pruning. Use a saw to remove the criss-crossing branches to make it a little thinner. If the tree is too tall or wide for your property, prune the branches toward the antlers or trunk. Be sure not to cut it out and leave any stubs. All seed pods and short stems can be removed if desired. Crape myrtles can be grown very successfully without any pruning.
Q: My carambola plants were severely damaged by the freeze and are full of dead leaves. Do you think it will grow again?
A: Severely damaged carambola trees, also known as star fruit trees, are very sensitive to cold and often lose parts to the ground when frozen. Scrape the bark to determine the extent of damage. Look for green and damp areas under the bark to determine what is living. Unfortunately, your tree may be completely frozen, but there’s good news. Carambola usually grows from or near the ground to create a tree that looks more like a shrub. If you don’t like the look of multiple trunks, you can retrain them into a single trunk.
Q: I would like to grow polar beans. What is the cheapest way to build support?
A: When I was little, my father would take us to the wooded area of the farm and find 8- to 10-foot-tall seedlings to cut down and use as bean props. These may not be available to most people today, but bamboo or wooden stakes found at garden centers and lumber yards can be substituted. Consider building a teepee or similar structure to save space and send your climbing bean plants on a rope grid.
Q: I have a somewhat weedy St. Augustine lawn. What weed control and fertilizer program is appropriate for this lawn?
A. Feed as soon as possible with weeds and feed labeled for St. Augustine. This helps control unwanted greenery and provides nutrients that promote spring growth. Make a second fertilizer-only application at the end of May, as many counties do not allow summer feeding. Choose a slow-release fertilizer that will nourish your lawn for several months. When you can fertilize again in October, feed with weeds or, if the weeds are no longer bothering you, feed with lawn fertilizer. Persistent weeds and weeds that grow at other times can be controlled using liquid products according to St. Augustine label directions. Please note that some St. Augustine types are excluded from treatment with certain products.
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.
