cedar trees

QuestionWe have several large cedar trees on our property and I had thought they were eastern red cedar. The seed pods however are not blue but bright orange in colour. The pods have drapes of soft fring

Early White Bush Scallop Squash

QuestionQUESTION: The squash are only growing to about 2 in diameter (should be 4-6 inches according to seed packet) before they begin to rot. Am I watering too much? Not watering enough? I am usin

Poppy propagation

QuestionI dug up a poppy from a relatives yard and would like to grow it in my yard. A flower has bloomed. Do I just save the center until the fall and than scatter the seeds? Will it require any s

How to germinate a peach seed...

QuestionFrom your previous posting...do I need to crack the outter shell of the peach seed (exposing the pit) before planting in the pot? OR can I store the seed(s) in a plastic bag in the refrigerator over the win

cottonwood seed dispersal

Questionokay, this is going to sound weird...but...weve been watching our cottonwood tree disperse seeds this year for the last two days. at between 4-5PM...the seeds that resemble a snowy blizzard all day...c

Seedpod identification

QuestionSeedpod QUESTION: Do you happen to recognize this particular seedpod? I havent been able to identify the plant. I missed seeing the flower. Thanks for your time - Rex ANSWER: Hi Rex, Thanx for your

Jacaranda Propagation by Clippings

QuestionI have fallen in love with the Jacarandas Towering high Flowering Beauty! Those delicate and graceful bunches of purple flowers. I long to have a few of my own to trim, dwarf, and have as househo

apple seedlings

QuestionI read your respose about growing apples from seeds vs grafting from clippings and the fact that store bought apples produce seeds of lesser quality through hybridization. On my property I have several

blue berrys

QuestionQUESTION: hi i would like to know how to raise blue berry plants from seed? and any other info such as from leaf cuttings or stem cuttings thank you ANSWER: Hi Sonny, Thanx for your question. Unless y

sweet peas

QuestionHi, Ive plants some sweet peas from seed. They have germinated and grown to 3 inches tall. I read somewhere. that to encourage more growth and vines (viney-ness), one should pinch off the tops of these swee

planting a peach seed

QuestionI have read the story regarding planting of a seed from a peach just eaten from your website. I have a peach seed I have kept till bought the house where we wanted to plant it , but it has been quite sometim

yuka problem

Questionmy outdoor yuka has been healthy for 3 years and is 5ft tall.now all the leafs have dropped and lifeless and brown.how can i get it healthy again.thanks phil AnswerHi Phil, Thanx for your question. If

petunias

QuestionHay Tom...I have trouble growing petunias in my yard...I have had them in hanging baskets and in flower beds...they will look great for a while but after about a month they start to either turn yellow, becom

clematis reproduction

QuestionQUESTION: I saved the seeds from a favorite clematis last fall and have tried all spring to get them to germinate but no results, I am now trying stem cuttings dipped in rooting hormone. any suggestions? WHY

Opening Bismarck Seeds

QuestionI have lots of Bismarck palm seed that are on the ground. I was wondering how to break them open to get the seeds? What would you recommened doing in this situation. Thanks, Tony AnswerHi Tony, Thanx for yo

Japanese Maple leaves drying or not appearing at all

QuestionHi, I bought a Bloodgood Japanese Maple tree from a local nursery in Dec. 09 and planted it in the ground. I followed the nurserys directions explicitly when preparing the soil and planting the tree. I used

Germination and transplanting persimmon plant

QuestionQUESTION: Hello, Ive received many persimmon seeds from which people bought fruits from the market in an Asian country. So i am sure it must be an Asian persimmon. As i live in France near Paris, i had put s

iris pods

Questionthis was first time seeing green pods on my iris, not knowing about leaving until turning brown I picked them. will they still dry & turn brown? AnswerHi Beverly, Thanx for your question. Yes, t

Propagation of Hydrangea and pruning

QuestionHow and give me details on how to propragate a hydrangea and when and how to prune a hyrangea. Also when can I move a small hydrangea bush that is getting too much sun. I live in North Carolina.

willow

QuestionAn odd story to lay the foundation for my question: My aunt died several years ago. One of her funeral bouquets was given to my mother who then dried it out. One year after drying it out almost to the day sh