You asked a pro—he answered. Citytv's gardening specialist Frank Ferragine has solutions for our readers' green-thumb conundrums. Have a question that you don't see below? Don't worry; Frank will take more questions each month. Submit yours today.
I have the same problem every summer regarding my flowers and I hope that you can help me out.
I plant my flowers (regular petunias, dahlia,…) in large pots or planters that we hang on the balcony. I always use new soil. The first few weeks, the flowers are blooming very well; then start to die. The plant first looses leaves then dries out. I sprayed pesticide on the leaves but this did not help since the plant seems to die from the roots. The only plants that can survive are geraniums and even they are just doing OK. Do you know what kind of bugs are killing my flowers and what I can do to get rid of them?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely, Mylan
Hi Mylan,
Yellowing leaves is definitely a sign of stress on a plant. Stress has many causes from lack of fertilization, too much water, not enough water, sun scorch and the list goes on. Seeing that the geraniums are doing okay this leads me to the assumption that water and fertilization is the real issue.
The rules to a successful container garden include proper watering and fertilization. Small pots in full sun dry out rapidly thus instead of having a bunch of small pots I always recommend fewer larger pots. Large pots have more soil mass and are a little more forgiving when watering.
Hopefully you are using a potting soil and if you are, fertilization is key. Potting soils are soilless mixes meaning they have no nutrients and regular fertilization is necessary. I recommend bi-weekly water-soluble applications such as fish emulsion or 20-20-20. With proper soil, proper watering and regular fertilization your container should be blooming soon!!
Good luck!! Frankie
Hi Frankie,
Could you let me know if there is something that I can do so the ants won't be attracted to my Peony Bushes?
Thanks, Tracey
Hi Tracey,
Ants and Peonies are partners, meaning they need each other. In order for a peony to open an ant needs to be there to help it along. So if you like peonies you are going to need to get used to ants or at the very least learn to live with them!!
Frankie
Hi Frank,
We live in a subdivision where the houses are very close together. The one side between the two houses has a garden that receives only a bit of sunlight in the morning, but is mostly shaded by the houses. I would like to find low maintenance plants and shrubs that are hardy and different shades of green. I already have many varieties of Hostas and a few Hens and Chickens, oh, and a rock...
Please Help! Sincerely, Lesley King
Hi Lesley,
Good shade-loving selections include a whole host of Ferns such as painted ferns and ostrich ferns, Solomon's seal, Coral Bells and every leaf colour from purple to green to rust, Bleeding hearts, Astible, Lungwort, just to name a few. The list goes on and on, I would suggest going to a local garden centre and asking about shade-tolerant perennials. My other tip is to pay attention to mature heights when planting, that way you can always see the full glory of your garden.
Frankie
Hi Frank,
I have been trying to locate a place I can buy ascetic acid, aka horticultural vinegar. No luck thus far from hardware stores, gardening centres, drug stores and a health food store. Do you have any advice?
Thanks, Helen
Hi Helen,
Many natural non-selective herbicides are made from ascetic acid. An example of this would be Scotts Eco Sense Non-Selective Weed Control. I would suggest contacting a local garden centre or greenhouse grower for further options. Also, check out this link that I found on line for further information: http://www.natural-care.ca/vinegar2.htm
Frankie
Hi Frank! We have a bug problem; the shrub/brush in trouble is a blue muffin bush (verbenia); the infestation is a small grub-like bug that is stripping the leaves of the bush. We had this same problem at our last house, but it was a high bush cranberry that was devastated. Soapy water sprays do nothing. Do you know what the name of this grub is, and how to stop the damage that it is doing? Thanks in advance...Scott Hi Scott, Anyone who grows viburnum has encountered these guys! The bug causing the problem on your Blue Muffin Viburnum is known as the Viburnum Leaf Beetle. Here is the University of Guelph's recommendation for control: "Examine the twigs in late spring prior to the swelling of the buds and prune out those with egg laying scars. The beetles readily drop to the ground if disturbed, so beetles can be collected by shaking the branches onto a sheet spread beneath the shrub. Dump any beetles collected into soapy water." Due to the current restriction of pesticides you may have to learn to live with these guys but your Blue Muffin should refoliate and be fine. Frank
Hello Frank,
I just have one question. My local garden center told me that putting black mulch around my vegetable plants would be good for both keeping the weeds down and the moisture in. Can you advise if this is a good idea?
Thank you, Brenda Flatley
Hi Brenda,
The recommendation is a good one as any mulch will reduce weeds and help retain moisture. My only concern with some coloured mulches is the type of dies used to colour the mulch. It is always important to do a little research into this as you don't want the die to impact the food you will harvest from the garden.
Frankie
Hi Frankie,
When we moved into our house a couple of years ago, we were told that the cherry tree in the yard had not produced any cherries for years. Last year the tree produced so many cherries we could not pick them all. My husband cut off some of the dead limbs and a few good ones that were hanging over our pool. The tree has no cherries this year and I want to know if it is because the tree was pruned and if so, will the cherries come back next year? We love the cherry tree and want it to be healthy.
Thank you in advance, Christina from Bolton
Hi Christina,
Pruning can impact the production of fruit; the key is to prune just like your husband has done, but also to insure the timing of pruning is right. The best time to prune a cherry tree is during the growing season in late August. I would suggest you do some maintenance pruning this season at that time. I would also recommend a dormant spray in early spring before the buds crack open. As long as the cherry is getting adequate light and proper fertilization the rest is up to Mother Nature.
Here's to more cherries next year!!
Frankie
Watch for Frank Ferragine's Q&A column in The Epoch Times on the first Thursday of every month, and catch Frank on "Frankie Flowers," a weekly edition of "CityOnline" airing every Friday at 12:30 p.m. EDT on Citytv Toronto and CP24 for more great gardening tips.
Submit your questions today to AskFrank@epochtimes.com or by fax to 416-298-1299, Attention: Frank Ferragine, or mail to Frank Ferragine c/o The Epoch Times, 103-201 Consumers Road, Toronto, Ontario M2J 4G8.
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