Question: In our northern gardens we planted pansies in the fall. When can they be added to Florida gardens and containers?
Answer: Pansy time is finally here. These flowers with smiling faces and others of a solid color in the viola family need the cool weather and can even withstand a freeze. November through early February is the best time to add them to gardens and containers. Actually, the earlier the better as violas of all types decline in March when the consistently warm to hot weather returns.
Q. We lost some of our lawn this summer due to chinch bugs. Should we add sand or composted manure to the ground before resodding?
A. What probably does the site and new turf the most good is tilling the soil a few inches deep before resodding. Loosening the soil mixes the upper layers of sand and organic matter together to give a uniform planting site. It may also help disperse pest problems. Adding sand would only be needed if you need to level the soil or fill ruts. It won't hurt to add organic matter such as composted cow manure or similar to typical Florida sandy sites but it is going to decompose very quickly. Perhaps the organic matter could help keep the soil moist and supply some nutrients for a short period of time but it's normally not needed.
Q. Our pest control company is having trouble controlling chinch bugs due to what they are saying are pesticide resistant types. Is this true?
A. Regretfully, chinch bugs are out of control in some areas. Right now the University of Florida and local pest control companies are reporting small areas of these pests. In recent years there have been areas of pesticide-resistant chinch bugs and switching pesticides has given control. But lately this has not worked in some areas. University of Florida researchers and pest control companies are working with different forms of insecticides to gain control. Products that control the growth of chinch bugs and others that discourage their feeding are being used. Some may require more frequent application and are more costly. No chinch bug resistant St. Augustines are available at this time.
Q. We just planted a new crape myrtle. When should we apply fertilizer?
A. Delay the next fertilizer application for all crape myrtles until mid to late February. These shrub and tree forms are entering a dormant period when we do not want to encourage growth. Crape myrtles producing new shoots and foliage are susceptible to winter cold damage. Just before new growth begins in late February or March apply a slow release landscape fertilizer following label instructions. Then make a repeat application in late May.
Q. Our gardenia was beautiful this year but needs a little pruning to restrict growth and round out the plant a little. Am I too late to do the trimming?
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A. You are late and pruning at this time could affect spring flowering. Best pruning is performed after flowering and until early October. If there are a few out of bounds shoots or limbs in the way of plant care they might be shortened or removed. Otherwise it is best to enjoy the spring booms and then do more restrictive pruning.
Q. In late August I started eggplant seeds and have nice looking plants. Someone said they only fruit during the spring. Is this true?
A. Eggplants grow and fruit like their relatives tomatoes and peppers. They produce good-looking plants then flower and fruit both spring and fall. These vegetables are restricted by temperature to a few months of good fruit set. Production is best when temperatures are in the 55- to 85-degree range. Your plants should be flowering now and you can expect fruits to harvest in a month or so. The plants are also affected by frosts and freezes, which cause them to decline
Q. I have an overgrown split-leaf philodendron. Can the plant be cut back and expected to keep growing new shoots?
A. Once the main shoot is removed your philodendron should send out several new ones. Leave at least a foot or so of stem to start the new growths. Depending on how far back the plant is pruned, a month or two may be needed to mature and open the new buds. If you wish the top portions can be rooted. Many gardeners are successful sticking the stems in the ground or in a container of soil and keeping them moist to grow more philodendrons.
Q. There appear to be lots of mushrooms in lawns even though we did not have that much rain. Is this unusual?
A. Rainfall has been variable late spring through early fall but all areas seemed to receive enough moisture to stimulate the production of mushrooms. These above-ground structures are the fruiting bodies of a fungus that has been growing underground. Often the fungus grows on the rotting residual roots of trees or shrubs that were once in the area. The mushrooms can also grow from any underground source of organic matter. As the fungus becomes well-established it sends up greater numbers of fruiting bodies during the warm to hot and damp months. As long as the organic matter exists the fungus could keep on growing, often for years. These fruiting bodies may be poisonous so they are best removed when noted in areas where children or pets frequent.
Tom MacCubbin is an urban horticulturist emeritus with the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Write him: Orlando Sentinel, PO Box 2833, Orlando, FL 32802. Email: [email protected].