Question: Our peach trees produced good crops this year. When is pruning necessary and what kind of care is required to continue to produce well?
Answer: Congratulations on a wonderful fruit crop. Early flowing peach varieties often give the best harvest that is often avoiding insects and diseases that can destroy this flavor treat. Often, the tree needs a spray that seemed to be able to skip this year.
Peach trees are pruned in January or early February, just as new growth and large flowering begins. The tree center will remain open, removing up to a third of the previous year’s growth. Some grooming to remove false limbs and buds can occur during the growing season. It is then fertilized in garden or fruit products. It will be applied multiple times in May and mid-August. Unfortunately, the tree is short-lived and gives a harvest of about 10 years before insects and diseases cause a reduction in the trunk and limbs. If necessary, spraying before and after fruit production will help ensure good crops and tree health. Get Peach Tree Care Breaking News at your local University of Florida Expansion Office or online to learn more about the care you need.
Q: Many plants in our landscape, including lilyops, ferns, and lilies of peace, have brown hints. What causes brown? And how can you control it?
Plant Doctor: Don’t give up on dead blackberry lilies
A: Several factors may be decaying the edges of the leaves, and the first factor is insufficient water. Ferns and lilies of peace are particularly susceptible to water shortages. They consistently like moist soil. Brown tips can become more common when present in areas with plenty of wind or dry air. Some shaded areas are best for these plants. Liriope plants also need moisture, but can withstand dry conditions and the complete sun. Moisten the soil when dry and maintain 1-2 inch mulch to the bottom of the chunk. All three plants require fertilizer. Choose a slow release product with mild nutrients, as indicated on the label. Container-grown plants require fertilizer more frequently than ground plants. Test the soil of the above-ground plants and adjust the pH to the appropriate level.
Q: I just bought a blue delphinium plant grown in a container that has finished blooming. Do plants continue to grow and produce more flowers?
A: Even in cool climates, delphinium is often considered a short-lived perennial. Locally, the plant continues into spring and decreases between summer heat and rain. Some say your plants resemble small dolphins, but they should have produced some very attractive tall flower spikes. After the first bloom fades, the flower stems are removed and short coloured spikes usually occur. The plant can last until early summer. You can continue with the delphinium plants in the container or plant them in the ground for a little more fun.
Central Florida Garden April
Q: I have some mature camer shrubs with flower buds that never open. What causes this to happen?
A: Defeating the lack of colorful flowers in the variety and the lack of colds. Some camellia selections never receive the cold needed to fully flower locally, but need to go a little further north. Camellias appear in mid-season, early- and late flowering varieties. Early and midseason varieties do their best in Central Florida, and open the most flowers by the end of January or early February. Aside from during the extremely cold winters, poor performers may not be able to make the flowers they expect.
Q: I recently purchased a groom nun orchid. Do I need to put it in a container or can I plant it on the ground?
A: Enjoy this easy-to-grow evergreen overland. This means that it grows in the soil rather than the bark and fiber used in many orchids. NUN orchids produce tall flower spikes between the end of winter and spring, then leave the remaining greenery of the year. Keep the plants in containers or add them to the Sun Filtered Garden Site. Plants need organic soil. Keep it moist during warm months and fertilize either with a container or a slow release landscape fertilizer as directed on the label. Add light mulch to planting on the ground. If you want to have some fun, or increase your nun orchid collection, remove the long flower stems when the flowers become thin. Cut them to the length of the legs and place them flat on a soil tray. Keep it in a moist place. After several months of care, the new plant can sprout from the root stems. Once established in the soil, the stems can be further divided and the plants can be grown in individual containers.
Q: In November, we added a small red maple tree to the landscape. So far, there have been no flowers or leaves. Is this normal?
A: Red maple is the first tree to produce new year’s growth at least by the second half of winter. Sometimes new trees are established late and leaves and bud production can be delayed. Make sure the tree has enough water and perform a scratch test along the outer chute to find greenery within the stem. If you have a moist green tissue, your tree is just a starter. If only the brown stem is at the top, proceed down your limbs towards the bottom of the tree. Hopefully you can find greenery and growth potential. Most new trees in decline will not die completely, but growth may need to arise from the lower trunk. In this case, we recommend considering replacing the tree.
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.
