Good Pruning Should Restore Lemon Tree
QUESTION: I have an old(15 years) and beloved lemon tree that is deteriorating. It used to produce loads of fruit and now it produces only a few lemons. Is there anything I can do to save it?
ANSWER: Yes, actually 15 years is not old for a lemon tree. The trees will live and produce for twice that long, or longer. I suggest you give it a thorough pruning to remove all the dead wood. You will find that this will rejuvenate the tree. After pruning, give the tree a feeding of a citrus food and water it thoroughly.
Tulip Bulbs Need to Be Chilled Before Planting
Q: The tulips I planted last year had small, misshapen flowers and some didn’t even bloom. I planted several different types and they all turned out this way. Why?
A: You probably didn’t chill the bulbs before planting them. In Southern California, after you purchase tulip bulbs in the fall, you should store them in your refrigerator at about 40 degrees F for six to eight weeks before you plant them. This makes up for the chilling they would normally receive in colder regions.
Pumpkin Patch Can Grow in Container
Q: Recently, I read about giant pumpkins raised from Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds. Can it be done with the plant in a pot and the vine allowed to trail along a cement porch (or an upstairs apartment) with good southern exposure?
A: No. Not with the Atlantic Giant variety, as the pumpkins may reach 100 pounds, or a lot more, and require huge amounts of water and nutrients. However, you could grow a smaller variety if you used a large container (half barrel size) and watered and fed the plants often. A new pumpkin variety called Baby Bear (2-pound pumpkins) would be good for growing in this manner.
He Pines for Trees That Grew at Home
Q: I miss the pine trees that grew in my yard in my old home state. Can you suggest a type of pine tree that will do well here? I would like a tree that will grow fast.
A: There are a number of good pines for Southland growing conditions. For rapid growth and ease of growing, I would suggest the Monterey pine and the Aleppo pine. Both should be in good supply at local nurseries. Don’t plant either close to buildings or walkways as the roots can be invasive.
Mint Is Hardy and Easy to Transplant
Q: A friend has a type of mint that has an unusual, delightful flavor and aroma. She has offered to give me some plants from her mint patch. How do we go about transplanting it so that we don’t damage the plants?
A: Simply take a trowel and remove some of the plants along with the soil they are growing in. Keep the plants and soil moist and transplant them into your garden or container. Mint is a tough plant and will survive the transplanting process with ease.
