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October - 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:
Why are my huge cucumbers turning orange? Not all of the fruit are doing this?
Answer:
You have left them on the vine far too long. The only thing those orange or yellow cucumbers are good for is the compost pile and, in fact have probably caused the vines to quit producing any other new fruit. Cucumbers should be picked when they are much smaller and green. It is not a vegetable that is grown for size or weight. Since I don't know the variety that you planted, I cannot tell you at what size you should harvest, but they are ready to eat at any size--until they turn color or when the seed gets so hard that you cannot cut them with a sharp knife. The next time you are in the super market take a look at the size of the ones they are selling. You should harvest yours before they get as big as the ones they have for sale.

Question:
Can 2-3 inches of compost take the place of cedar mulch? I have been using cedar mulch on my beds for the past 6 years and feel the soil underneath is not holding moisture well and seems, for lack of better terms, lifeless. Would it be at all beneficial to remove the current mulch and replace it with compost or should I move the mulch, top dress with 2-3 inches of compost, spade it in, and then return the mulch? It seems like a lot of work, but am willing to do it if that would bring long term results.
Answer:
Compost on the surface acts as a mulch and isn't going to do much good as a soil conditioner unless it is incorporated into the soil. Since you are going to have to go to the trouble of removing the cedar I recommend that you till at least 4 to 6 inches of compost into your soil. You can rent a small tiller from one of the equipment rental places and do it much easier than hand spading it.

Question:
When is the proper time to prune my pyracantha?
Answer:
You can prune them at any time without harming the plant. However any pruning done after early spring, before the commencement of new growth, will cut off your blossoms or berries.

Question:
Is the Vitex a drought tolerant plant? Is it a tree or bush?
Answer:
The Vitex is drought tolerant after it is well established into the landscape. It can be grown either as a shrub or a small tree.

Question:
Every year I try to grow zucchini, I get just a few squash before the leaves start yellowing and the plants gradually die off. Two of the four plants that I planted this fall finally died; the two that are left have grown one fruit each, which turned yellow and shriveled at the ends. I've been cutting the leaves off as they yellow.
Answer:
Growing squash in South Central Texas is a challenge. The squash vine borer, which I am sure is your problem, gets into the vine and kills it before you can harvest fruit. The best solution is to plant it as early as possible in the spring or late summer and hope it produces before this occurs. If you check the stems near the ground you will, most likely, find holes in them and if you cut them open you will find a white grub like larvae in there.

Question:
I am a college student who recently moved into a house after living in apartments for a few years. The house we moved into has been vacant for about 2 months in this past summer heat. Therefore, the grass has been pretty neglected. There are still a few areas of green but some of the grass is very dry and yellow. In the front yard we have partial shade and in the back there is very little shade so the grass is pretty scorched looking. My question for you is how to bring back to life a neglected lawn? Even though we are renting the house, I would still like the yard to look good. What is the best approach as far as fertilizing goes for my situation and what time of year is best?
Answer:
If you look around, you will find that the condition of your yard is similar to very many (in fact most). It is lack of water which has been brought on by the continuing drought that we where in. You don't say what your grass is but it is probably St. Augustine and rainfall is what is needed most. Lawns are normally fertilized in the spring (mid April) with a slow release lawn fertilizer with numbers like
19-5-9 and in late fall (late October) with a "winterizer" with an analysis like an 18-6-12. In case you are not aware of it, lawn watering with sprinklers is currently allowed one day a week depending on the last number of the house address between the hours of 3 am - 8 am and 8 pm - 10 pm.

Question:
I live on the west side of San Antonio and my yard has somewhat of a rocky soil. I would like to plant a hedge around my back yard for privacy, instead of building a wooden fence. I'm interested in a plant that would grow to 6' tall and not require a great deal of watering or maintenance. Could you offer any suggestions?
Answer:
You don't give any width parameters. However, holly such as regular Burford holly (Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii') is good. If you have room for about 10' width, primrose jasmine (Jasminum mesnyi) is even better.

Question:
How much damage to a buildings exterior can be expected from fig ivy growing on it? How about jasmine?
Answer:
Fig ivy clings to the surface on which it is growing by small rootlets which will not damage the surface. The rootlets would be left behind, if, or when you remove the vine. Jasmine is a twining vine that would have to have something to twine on. Only the weight of the vine could damage whatever it is twining around.

Question:
I'm trying to get Asian jasmine established on a slope in my front yard. I placed my 2" jasmine pots and set them on 16" centers and watered every evening. Their growth seems to be slow. I have also set them in some 6" plants among the smaller plants. I fertilized them with 4-2-2 organic plant food. I expected more vigorous growth from this ground cover. Am I expecting too much, too soon? Is there a time frame when these plants just don't grow?
Answer:
Yes, you are expecting too much. The 2" pots will give you the slowest growth and on 16" centers may take up to 3 growing seasons. Also remember that with organic fertilizer you are going to need to put at least 3 to 4 times as much as you would an inorganic one with a high first number.

Question:
I just returned from a visit to Santa Fe, New Mexico and was impressed with the Russian Sage that was blooming all over town. To make a long story short, I bought 2 small plants. So what are the chances it will take in San Antonio and would be the best time to transplant them.
Answer:
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) should do fine here. In fact it will spread rampantly if it likes its location. I would keep it in its containers in a shady spot until it cools off some and then put it in the ground in a sunny location.

Question:
What is the proper way to prepare a bed for pansies?
Answer:
Add manure, leaf mold or compost to soil and turn it several times. In lieu of manure, blood meal can be worked into the soil. Pansies are gross feeders and need a rich bed. They like sun and prefer loose, organic soil.

Question:
What is causing edges of leaves on pansy plants to turn brown?
Answer:
Probably over or under watering. Look at the root system. It is some type of cultural problem.

Question:
Will pansies and kale survive 8 degree freeze?
Answer:
Pansies will probably be ok if watered and well mulched. Kale probably won't make it without losing most of leaves. Suggest protecting the same as pansies.

Question:
While visiting Texas A&M University campus last spring, I noticed a bed of maroon flowers that resembled bluebonnets. Is there a maroon colored bluebonnet?
Answer:
Retired Extension Horticulturist and Professor Dr. Jerry Parsons in conjunction with John Thomas have selected a line of bluebonnets that have a true Aggie maroon color. These seeds should be planted in the fall as they over-winter as a small rosette plant, which will then encourage a mass of blooms for the following spring. Most independent nurseries sell them in small seed packages or they could be purchased direct from the Wild Seed Farms in Fredericksburg.

Question:
Is amaryllis hardy in our South Texas landscapes?
Answer:
The Hippeastrum Johnsonii selection which has a dark red flower color will survive mild winters outdoors.

Question:
Can I grow butterfly weed from seed and, if so, how?
Answer:
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is easy to grow from seed. For the quickest flowers, start seed in late August. Fresh seed requires a period of cool, damp stratification. Provide this by placing the seed in a bag of moist peat moss and keeping it in the refrigerator for ten to twelve weeks. Older seed will not require this cold period to break its dormancy. Direct seed outside or grow the seedlings in a nursery bed until the plants have five or six leaves, at which time, it should be moved to its permanent location. Give the seed proper attention while it’s germinating. Although the mature plants will tolerate somewhat dry soils, the seedlings need to be kept moist until established. Fall grown plants will provide moderate bloom the following year with improved bloom in successive seasons.

Question:
What needs to be done to promote the blooming of snapdragons?
Answer:
Watch for cutworms, get rust-proof varieties, plant in sun or semi-shade in the fall, apply even moisture, fertilize, pinch terminal growth for fullness, and productivity. Feed often.

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