What to Do With Hole After Rooting Out Tree
QUESTION: I had a huge old magnolia tree removed from my front lawn, and the hole was filled with the displaced soil and chips from the ground-out root, leaving an approximate six-foot-diameter mound. Will this settle, and how long before something can be planted?
ANSWER: As the chips gradually decompose, the mound will settle; it may take up to two years or so for the mound to stabilize. In the meantime you may safely plant annuals and perennials in the mound, if you feed them regularly. The decomposition process requires nitrogen, one of the main components of plant food. If there isn’t enough nitrogen available in the soil as the chips break down, any plants growing there will die of starvation. But with proper feeding, it can be a really beautiful spot in your garden. Then after about two years, it will probably be stable enough to support a lawn or more permanent shrubbery. Depending on the amount and type of material put into the mound, it may remain a mound (which you could leave or level out), or it could sink to a lower level, which you will want to fill with compost or a good soil mix.
What to Do With Potted Poinsettias
Q: Now that the holidays are over, I’m wondering what to do with our potted poinsettias. they still look good. In past years we planted them in our yard, but they always died soon afterward. I have seen other poinsettias growing outdoors. What should we do so ours will grow outdoors?
A: You can have good success transferring your plants outdoors by following these guidelines:
--Keep the potted plants in a well-lighted location indoors, near a window; or put them in a protected spot outside, under a covered patio or porch. They are not cold-hardy, and young plants will usually die completely if exposed to freezing temperatures. (More mature, established plants may suffer frost damage but will usually recover well in our Southern California valley areas.)
--Poinsettias need ample water when you first bring them home. But after the leaves fall off, you must reduce watering to a minimum and let the soil dry out. Then water only sparingly to keep them from wilting.
--When the colorful bracts fall off, cut back the stems to two buds each.
--After all danger of frost is past (usually by mid-March), you may plant poinsettias outdoors in a sunny location. Remember that they will need at least 14 hours of darkness each night in the fall to bloom well; therefore, either avoid planting them in areas that are lighted at night, or starting in October, cover them at night so they can get the required dark period.
--They also benefit from applications of high-nitrogen fertilizer and occasional pruning out of spindly branches. In fact, every March they may be pruned down severely, almost like roses. Although it’s difficult to keep a potted poinsettia happy after the initial season, you should have thriving bushes outside if you follow these steps.
Getting Rid of Fuzzy Pests on Cactus Plants
Q: My nopal (cactus) has white fuzzy spots, and when rubbed they exude a red liquid. What can I use to get rid of these? I eat both the large flat pads and the fruits; therefore I need something that will not be toxic to me. Thanks.
A: The white fuzzy spots on your nopal (a type of Opuntia or Prickly Pear cactus) most likely are either “woolly aphids” or “mealybugs,” both of which look like white cottony blobs.
Woolly aphids generally exude more color when injured than mealybugs. These pests attack many cacti and other plants, including house plants. They are a genuine nuisance, and the mealybugs seem especially difficult to control at times, mainly because their waxy “fuzz” acts as a water-resistant shield.
However, don’t despair; they are easily controlled. The Reader’s Digest Illustrated Guide to Gardening recommends spraying with malathion; however, although Malathion has been thoroughly tested and found safe for use on many ornamental and edible crops, it is not specifically registered for use on Opuntia cactus that is to be eaten.
Here are two alternative controls that work but may be a bit tedious: spray the bugs with a mixture of one teaspoon liquid dish soap plus one teaspoon vegetable oil in a quart of water (shake to mix well); for mealybugs, using a cotton swab, dab each one with rubbing alcohol. That will kill them. Then rinse with lukewarm water. Before preparing your nopales for eating, no matter what you use to control the pests, be sure to thoroughly wash them with soapy water, and rinse them well.
What Is the Secret to Growing Parsley in Pot?
Q: Is there a deep, dark secret to growing parsley in a pot? I know I should be able to do it, but mine is pathetic. I would surely appreciate any help you could give me.
A: Here’s the way to guarantee success with parsley in containers: buy quality, current-season seed; use a fairly large container (5-gallon size or bigger) with drainage holes; use a soil mix rich in compost; keep it in full sun; water regularly, but do not allow the soil to get soggy; and feed periodically with a dilute fertilizer. It’s wonderful and very pretty.
It’s rose pruning time. Order a copy of the easy-to-understand demonstration video, “The Care and Pruning of Your Roses,” from Jack Christensen, c/o Rose Pruning Video, P.O. Box 1231, Ontario, Calif. 91762. Enclose a check for $18.99, including tax and postage. Delivery in 7-10 days.
