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July - 2009 Questions &Answers Compiled by David Rodriguez County Extension Agent-Horticulture Bexar County

Special thanks to Forrest W. Appleton and volunteers of the "Master Gardener Hotline" in support of the weekly gardening questions and answers.

Question:
I have tomato plants growing in a 30 gal container with holes drilled at the bottom. I water every other day. My highly intelligent neighbor says, "I should only water once a week." Is my neighbor really intelligent about tomatoes?
Answer:
I wouldn't know about your neighbor. If the tomato doesn't need watering more than once a week, then he would be right. However, you cannot put a time on this. You should water your plant thoroughly (until water runs out the bottom of the container) and then do not water again until the soil feels dry to the touch when you stick your finger in it about 2 inches in depth.

Question:
There are clusters of seed pods hanging from my Mountain laurel tree. Do I remove them or let them remain? What about the seed pods on my Esperanza plants?
Answer:
The only advantage to clipping off the mountain laurel seed pods is ascetics. They will persist on the tree for a year or more and the tree looks better without them. If you do clip them off, put them in your garbage for disposal as they are toxic. You should keep the bean pods clipped from the Esperanza as this will promote more blossoms throughout the fall season.

Question:
I have 2 flower beds in which I want to remove the Asiatic Jasmine ground cover and replace with rock. What is the best way to remove the jasmine without damaging any of the other trees or shrubs in these beds?
Answer:
The Asiatic Jasmine has a shallow root system. This plant is very difficult to kill with herbicides because of its waxy leaf. The best way to remove it is to take a square spade, sharpen the edge like a hoe, and slip this just under the soil surface and cut the jasmine roots. You can then roll it up like an old rug to dispose of it.

Question:
Is there a variety of St Augustine that is very shade tolerant? I have a very shady yard but would like to have some grass in it.
Answer:
All cultivars of St. Augustine grass have more shade tolerance than other available turf grass choices for your area. However, none are tolerant to heavy shade.

Question:
Where is the best place to plant my two Fire Bush plants and how should I plant them?
Answer:
A spot in full sunlight is the best for the Fire Bush. Just dig a hole, plant the Fire Bush at the same level as they are currently growing and back-fill with the soil you removed from the hole you dug. Water thoroughly and then do not water again until the soil in the root ball feels dry to the touch when you stick your finger into it about an inch deep.

Question:
For the last three years, I have tried in vain to get help for our St. Augustine grass! The grass has grown fairly well except it tends to grow stalks in some areas rather than healthy blades. I have taken stalks to local nurseries for some explanation but no one has been able to help! It looks great right after it's mowed but within days the ugly stalks return.
Answer:
I'm not sure what these stalks are but I suspect that they are seed heads. Sometimes St. Augustine grass will produce these seed heads. They are not all that common and I had trouble even finding an image of them. If this is what you have, I know of no way to prevent them. Perhaps more frequent mowing would keep them from being so offensively visible.

Question:
Why is the bark on my Live Oak trees sloughing off in large pieces?
Answer:
The sloughing of the bark is a tell tale symptom of the fungal disease called hypoxylon canker for which there is no cure. This disease only attacks stressed trees and drought stress is the most common.

Question:
I'm looking for a good plant that will not die and I will not have to replace each year to plant in two whiskey barrels. I planted a Purple Fountain grass last year, which I loved, but it did not come back after winter. I need something with about four feet in height when fully grown.
Answer:
Why don't you consider a rose such as 'Belinda's Dream.'

Question:
I have a 20 year old crape myrtle that did not produce any leaves this year. I planned to cut it down, but as I was trimming away, I saw that the main trunk and branches have green bark and the branches are supple. Only the last 12-24 inches of twiggy branches are totally dry and dead. Is there any hope for this tree to survive the summer and re-sprout next year?
Answer:
Where there is green wood there is a glimmer of hope. However, the fact that it hasn't leafed out would indicate that the tree is badly stressed from the drought. Even if the tree survives, it will be marginal and complete recovery could take years.

Question:
My four sago palms have always sprouted new growth at the same time. This year three have sprouted new growth but the largest one has not. Is this telling me that there is a problem?
Answer:
I don't think so. It may be developing a flower instead of putting on a new flush of leaf fronds.

Question:
We have six Fire Bushes planted here at my workplace and three of them look as if they are dying or have some kind of disease. I noticed an unusual looking insect on the healthy bushes and what seems to be a sticky substance. There is also a sticky substance on the diseased bushes. Is there some kind of mite that may be infesting them? Can you recommend a spray that may help? I would hate to lose these plants which are usually very hardy and attract a lot of butterflies and hummingbirds.
Answer:
If you will closely check the underside of the leaves new growth, you will find many small insects called aphids. It is their excrement that is the sticky substance on the upper side of the leaves below them. Spraying with most any insecticide will control them. You may need to do it several times to completely rid the plants of them. Be sure to direct the spray to the underside of the leaves. Your favorite independent nursery/garden center certified personnel can recommend a brand.

Question:
Do English cucumbers have male & female flowers on the same plant, or two separate plants?
Answer:
All cucumber members (Cucumis sativus) have both male and female flowers on the same plant. Many times they will begin flowering with flowers of only one sex but will soon have both.

Question:
Do insects pollinate tomatoes? I always thought it was the wind that would help pollinate the tomatoes. The tomato plants have a lot of showy flowers. Should we be attracting bees to the tomato garden? Dr. Sam Cotner's book, The Vegetable Book, gives no reference to pollinators being involved in poor fruit set.
Answer:
The bees are needed in the garden but not for the tomatoes. The wind and/or gravity do the pollination. View the article at
http://www.plantanswers.com/garden_column/apr03/4.htm on tomato and pepper questions.

Question:
Are Four o'clock flowers uncontrollable after you plant them?
Answer:
Four o'clock flowers are controllable. But you have to be persistent in pulling up all of the seedlings that you do not want as that is the only way they can spread.

Question:
My Aloe Vera plant has grown too big for its area. Is it ok to put the plant in the compost pile? The plant produces 15-20 pups and they free to anyone who wants them.
Answer:
There is no reason why you shouldn't put the Aloe Vera plant in the compost pile. You will have to do your own advertising for free plants. Maybe place a sign in the front yard?

Question:
What is the best way to prune (take off the top) of a Norfolk Island pine. If you have a video that shows how to prune a Norfolk Island pine, I would like to borrow it.
Answer:
There is no best way. The Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) grows naturally with a single trunk with the growing point at the top. If you cut off that growing point, it will cause the pine to put out growth that is going to grow more horizontal than vertical and will forever look very unnatural. If it has outgrown its location, I recommend that you donate it to someone who can use a taller plant and start over.

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