Question:
We have two tapioca plants in two gal containers and I was wondering if I could trim them back and keep them in the garage for the winter?
Answer:
I recommend that you just take them in if freezing weather is predicted and moving them back out between freezing periods. Just keep them moist but not overly wet. In the spring when you move them out for the summer, cut them back to the ground. They should put out new growth from the crown.

Question:
Is it too late to apply pre-emergent herbicide for this winter?
Answer:
Many of the winter weeds have already come up following the great rain we had about a month ago. However, if you apply Amaze now, it will prevent other weed seed from germinating.

Question:
I over fertilized my Crown-of-Thorn plant and all the leaves fell off. Will my plant come back? What can I do to encourage leave and flower growth?
Answer:
If the fertilizer was a granular type which you applied to the soil, I recommend that you flush as much as possible from the soil by allowing water to run through the soil and out the drainage holes. If the fertilizer was a liquid that you applied to the foliage, the plant should put on new leaves soon. If that’s the case, do not water until you see new growth.

Question:
I have little patches of Bermuda grass in full sun that weeds have been taking over. We have all kinds of weeds. I know we should put something to kill them as well as prevent weeds for next year, but what? I know this is common question but every time I ask at nursery, I get different answers.
Answer:
Early September is the time to treat your lawn with a pre-emergent herbicide if you want to prevent winter weeds. Apply Amaze, XL, Balan, Betasan, or other herbicide granules to prevent clover, henbit, bedstraw, dandelions, annual bluegrass, rye, rescue grass, and other winter weeds from germinating. Read the label to pick the pre-emergent that best controls your worst pest. Some are more effective against grassy weeds, while others prevent broadleaf weeds best.

Question:
What is the reason for all of the runners that are showing up on top of my St. Augustine grass? Some months will have more of these then others. Does it need more water, or need more fertilizer?
Answer:
Sometimes this happens with all St. Augustine grass. Compacted soil, excessive thatch, and perhaps letting it go too long between mowings could be causes. You can go through it and pull up the offending runners or clip them off with shears. Also, next spring before it starts its new growth, you should lower your mower and catch the clippings. You can use them as mulch or compost them.

Question:
I have purchased a small Vitex which I would like to train into a tree form as I have seen them in that form and found them to be very attractive. But from everything I have read, and the nurserymen tell me as well, to cut them back every winter and let them come out again in the spring. Is it not possible then, to grow it into a tree form with a single trunk?
Answer:
The reason for cutting them back (as explained at http://www.plantanswers.com/vitex.htm) is to keep them short enough to be able to clip the spent flowers and promote more blossoms. There is no reason why it cannot be grown as a single trunk, small tree. Just remove all but the strongest trunk and keep any new sprouts cut off at ground level.

Question:
Could you tell me the name of the mint plant that has purple stems?
Answer:
There are many mints that have purplish stems. Probably the most common is peppermint (Mentha × piperita).

Question:
My crown of thorns has been in the ground for six months and looks nice and healthy, but has not bloomed. Should I use some Miracle-Gro fertilizer on it?
Answer:
Since the plant is in the ground, it is probably putting all of its energy into establishing a good root system and vegetative growth. Any fertilizer would just encourage it to do more of the same. If not killed by the winter, it will eventually bloom.

Question:
I have planted strawberries in a container that can be moved. Do I need to move them to the greenhouse when it freezes?
Answer:
Don’t worry about protecting plants during the winter because they won’t freeze.

Question:
My Belinda rose gets plenty of water and sun, but the blooms are pointing downwards. What could possibly be the problem?
Answer:
If this has only been happening with the fall blossoms and the rest of the plant does not appear to be wilted, it is probably just the nature of the plant. If the entire plant appears to be wilted, you could be over watering it, since the plant has not needed as much water as it did during the heat.

Question:
When should Plumbago be pruned and how much?
Answer:
If it freezes, killing the vegetation on the plant, you can cut it back to the ground any time after that. If, however, it does not freeze I recommend that you cut it to the ground each spring before it commences new growth. If you do not do this it will become sparse, woody and unsightly.

Question:
What kind of fertilizer is recommended for a Jatropha plant and how frequently should it be done?
Answer:
If it’s in a container it should be fertilized monthly with a water soluble, balanced fertilizer such as Peters 20-20-20. If it’s in the ground, any of the high quality lawn fertilizers will be fine. Apply about a cup spread around the plant in early spring, mid-summer, and fall

Question:
My Belinda rose gets plenty of water and sun, but the blooms are pointing downwards. What could possibly be the problem?
Answer:
If this has only been happening with the fall blossoms and the rest of the plant does not appear to be wilted, it is probably just the nature of the plant. If the entire plant appears to be wilted, you could be over watering it, since the plant has not needed as much water as it did during the heat.

Question:
When should Plumbago be pruned and how much?
Answer:
If it freezes, killing the vegetation on the plant, you can cut it back to the ground any time after that. If, however, it does not freeze I recommend that you cut it to the ground each spring before it commences new growth. If you do not do this it will become sparse, woody and unsightly.

Question:
What kind of fertilizer is recommended for a Jatropha plant and how frequently should it be done?
Answer:
If it’s in a container it should be fertilized monthly with a water soluble, balanced fertilizer such as Peters 20-20-20. If it’s in the ground, any of the high quality lawn fertilizers will be fine. Apply about a cup spread around the plant in early spring, mid-summer, and fall

Question:
I have two Honeysuckle vines that are very tangled and need to be pruned. I was told I could cut them back to the ground and “untangle” them that way. I do need to prune them and get rid of a lot of mass, they are pulling down the trellis, but I don’t want to damage the plant. What should I do?
Answer:
You can prune this plant as much, or as little, as you wish and you will not kill it. If you cut it back to the ground it will put up new growth.

Question:
I want to plant a privacy screen that will be in full sun, sandy loam, and exposed to cattle. The native junipers do very well and get quite large. I was thinking of either trying some cuttings from them or purchasing young Thuja Green Giants to set out. My concern is which is best when taking the cattle into consideration. Will the cattle eat them or allow them to grow unbothered.
Answer:
I do not think that cattle will bother the Thuja. I have seen them planted as wind breaks in areas where cattle had access to them. Propagating your native Juniper may be a problem.