Question: I noticed a stromas plant in the heart of the garden. Can I plant them in the landscape?
Answer: Landscapes can glow with red and white leaf stroman plants. They grow best in warm heat to hot seasons, spring to autumn months. Stromas doesn’t like cold winter weather and can decrease if it doesn’t grow in protected areas. Add the plants to the stunned garden soil in the position of the sun where they were filded. They don’t like direct sun burning leaves. Moist and fertilize in spring and early autumn. In really cold weather, you might consider keeping the plants on the ground in a container that can be moved to a warm place.
Q. I notice many slugs and snails in my landscape. They eat my plants and I don’t like them. What is natural control?
A. Slimy slugs are not my favorite either, but they can withstand hard shell snails. However, both damage the leaves of plants such as beans, begonias, and lilies. Either can be tolerated, and they help reduce garden debris that feeds decomposed organic matter. If slugs and snails get out of control, try one of the natural baits containing iron phosphate. They are usually sold as food for slugs and snails. They have very low toxicity, but still apply as directed by the label. Another control is a shallow tray of beer that allows creatures to crawl and make them happy. But I’m worried that it’s a waste of good beer.
Plant Doctor: Like many others, lychee trees take a break from the fruits of occasional fruit
Q. My 3 year old grapefruit tree hasn’t grown a little. What should I do?
A. Sitting in one place and doing nothing can be a waste of time. Perhaps your tree was tied up with planting or set deep on the ground. Your tree may eventually start to grow, but perhaps there’s no time soon. During the fall, dig up the trees and reset the root ball to the ground a little further apart. Place the tree so that the top of the root ball is 1-2 inches above the soil line. Keep it moist and apply light autumn feeding with citrus fertilizer. Lifting and resetting is a bit dangerous, but it’s worth trying to get a fresh start to the tree.
Q. St. Augustine’s lawns have developed a yellow look and cannot be fertilized until October. Is there anything I can do to regenerate my lawn?
A. Unfortunately, this has become a common concern for residents of fertilizer-restricted areas. The grass is beginning to look from bright green to yellow. In most fertilizer-restricted areas, iron or micronutrient treatments are allowed to boost your turf. To learn the rules for your area, check with your local University of Florida Extension Office. You only have one more month to wait for fertilization, so why not try an iron application? Granule or liquid products with iron or micronutrients are available from your local garden center. Follow the instructions on the grass label.
Q. I made a pile of garden debris and compost for kitchen scraps. Do I need to turn the mountains?
A. It is clear that I would like to quit my job making compost. But I don’t blame you because it’s hot outside in the scenery. For years, gardeners have piled up the remains, causing them to rot and form the soil-like components of the garden. The compost pile does not need to rotate, but it takes time to break down. Also, if you’re adding kitchen scuffs, it’s best to ensure that they’re buried in the pile and prevent the creature from feeding your landscape. By passing the mountain every few weeks, every month and adding a little fertilizer or fertilizer, you can speed up the decomposition process. With an over-rimmed pile, you can make compost that can be used in a few months compared to a year.
Q. When I walk down the grass, moth flies off. I’m sure they’re grass bugs. I’ve handled it twice and still have problems. Do I need to spray it again?
September in the gardens in Central Florida
A. moth is an annoying and you may want them to disappear, but they may not harm the lawn or surrounding decorations. These brown dim stages of SOD Webworm allow eggs to lay grass-raising larvae. This is good news. Most loose eggs and hatched larvae become food for beneficial insects and do not affect the lawn. Spraying is only effective if webworms fed into the lawn are found. If necessary, you can find both natural and traditional pesticides at your local garden centre. Even if there is damage to lawn insects, the lawn can recover quickly with normal care.
Q. My poinsettia has grown 5 feet tall. Can I still give this plant trimming?
A. The start time for flowers that produce colorful bracts is approximately one month away. This is not time for heavy pruning, but you can cut 4-6 inches from the end of each chute. The plant still has enough time to bring about growth that adds color. Moisten and fertilize the plant if allowed with a generic landscape product with slow release, as indicated on the label. Under most rules, poinsettia grown in containers can be fertilized if necessary.
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.
