Not All Apples Do Well Here, but Try These
QUESTION: Four years ago I planted a McIntosh apple tree in my yard. While the tree has grown and appears to be very healthy, it has never produced fruit. Why?
ANSWER: Some of the popular apple trees, such as McIntosh and Red Delicious, don’t do well in most areas of the Southland because the weather does not stay cold long enough here for the trees to produce fruit.
The following apple trees don’t require long chilling periods and should produce well in most Southern California growing regions: Anna, Dorsett Golden, Gordon, Early Dawn, Fuji, Beverly Hills, Pettingill and Winter Banana. Of this group, my favorites are Fuji, Anna and Dorsett Golden.
If you purchase an apple tree, check with the nursery where you bought it as to whether it requires another tree planted in close proximity for proper pollination. Some varieties require cross pollination while others don’t.
Juniper Good Shrub for Swimming Area
Q: Can you suggest an ideal shrub to plant in the landscape surrounding my swimming pool--a shrub that is evergreen and not messy?
A: The various junipers are evergreen, attractive and fairly litter-free. They are one of the most practical shrubs for a pool area. Since there is a huge selection of juniper cultivars, you might check with your local nursery to select the best variety for your particular needs regarding size, shape and so on. --B.S.
Book May Have Recipe for Pie-Shaped Garden
Q: I have a wonderful pie-shaped spot for a garden. It receives full sun. The trouble is I’m a novice gardener with little imagination. Can you recommend a book that would have plot-plans for gardeners? I envision a cottage garden effect.
A: A book called “The Home Landscaper” by Ann Reilly and Susan Roth (Home Planners, Inc., $10.95) features 55 detailed plot-plans including some cottage gardens. In addition, there are easy to follow instructions on garden installation and tips on landscape design. --B.S.
Ornamental Pear Requires Full Sun
Q: Will an ornamental pear tree do well in an area of my yard that receives only three or four hours of sun daily?
A: No. Most ornamental pear trees (Pyrus) require an area of the landscape that receives full sun. While the trees will probably survive with limited sunlight, they will never reach their full potential. --B.S.
Blood Peaches Do Well, If You Can Find Them
Q: Do you have any information on blood peaches--whether they will grow in Southern California--and where to obtain the trees?
A: By “blood peaches” you are probably referring to a variety called Indian Blood Cling. It produces peaches that have red skin and yellow flesh with red streaks. It is an old variety that was developed in California.
It will produce well in many areas of the Southland because it doesn’t require a great deal of winter chilling. It does, however, require another peach tree planted nearby for pollination.
As to where to obtain the trees, I don’t know. They should be available, but after checking with a number of nurseries that specialize in fruit trees, I was unable to locate a source.
Perhaps a reader will know of a source and let me know. If so, I’ll pass it on to you. --B.S.
Wait Until Spring to Plant Bougainvillea
Q: I want to incorporate bougainvillea into my landscape. My local nursery did not have the plants and the nurseryman said I should wait until spring to plant bougainvillea. Do I have to wait until spring, or did he just say that because he didn’t have the plants in stock?
A: The nurseryman gave you proper advice. Bougainvillea is a very frost-sensitive plant. In your area of the Southland, wait until at least April to plant it. --B.S.
Fruitless Dwarf Lemon Needs Some Nutrition
Q: I have a dwarf lemon tree in a large container. For the last two years it produced lots of lemons. This year it didn’t produce any fruit and has lots of yellow leaves. I water it regularly. Can you tell me how to save my tree?
A: It sounds as if the tree is not getting the proper nutrients. I suggest you feed it with time-released fertilizer tablets. These tablets release the primary nutrients slowly and, if used according to directions, will not cause fertilizer burn, which is often a problem in container-grown plants.
In addition, I suggest you feed the foliage with a light application (one-half recommended strength) of a liquid fertilizer that contains iron, zinc, copper and manganese on a biweekly basis until the tree regains its health. --B.S.
Overwatering May Be Causing Yellow Leaves
Q: The lower leaves on many of my plants have been turning yellow and dropping to the ground. I am careful to water and feed my plants regularly. What’s wrong?
A: It may be that you are watering your plants too often or that your soil drainage is poor. The yellowing and dropping of the lower leaves is often symptomatic of over watering. Try watering your plants less often. --B.S.
Fungus May Be Cause of Spots on Hydrangea
Q: What causes the brown spots on my hydrangea leaves?
A: It sounds like a fungus leaf-spot disease. Remove the infected leaves and dust the rest of the foliage with a light application of dusting sulfur. --B.S.
Fall, Winter Best for Planting Potatoes
Q: What is the best time to plant potatoes in Southern California?
A: Fall or winter is the time to plant potatoes in the Southland. However, the problem with trying to plant them in the fall is that there are seldom any seed potatoes available. Seed potatoes, or seed potato eyes, start showing up in local nurseries in January. That is a good month to plant them as potatoes require cool weather to grow satisfactorily. --B.S.
Want the Answers? Try Sunset’s Guide
Q: We are recent arrivals from the east coast. What is the best book to use as a gardening guide for Southern California?
A: The Sunset Western Garden Book is probably the most commonly used garden book in the Southland. It’s the book nursery personnel usually turn to for information. It is commonly available in local nurseries, garden centers and bookstores. --B.S.
Questions should be sent to Garden Q&A; in care of the Real Estate Section, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles , Calif. 90053. Questions cannot be answered individually.
