The English-Gardener

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FREQUENTLY ASKED GARDENING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q . I hear experts say ''just take a cutting''. How do I do that?
Many of our customers ask how they can increase the numbers of their favorite plants inexpensively. One of the easiest and most effective ways is to take root cuttings. Both plants and shrubs may be propagated in this manner.

You will need a bag of coarse cut vermiculite, a bottle of "Rootone" (rooting hormone), a container (wallpaper trays work great), and a pair of very sharp scissors or a knife.

Place the vermiculite into the container and add water until the vermiculite is moist but not soggy. Select a cutting 3-6" long from a part of the plant that has new growth. Using sharp scissors, cut the stem from the main plant one-quarter inch from a leaf node.

Remove all flowers and flower buds so that all of the plant's energy will go to root development instead of flower production. Next, remove the bottom set of leaves so that the foliage won't touch the rooting medium. Dip the cut end into the rooting hormone. Using the end of a pencil, make a small hole in the vermiculite and place the cutting in the hole. Gently press down the vermiculite around the cutting so that it stands upright. Continue in this manner until you have as many cuttings as you need.

Not all of the cuttings will root so it is better to have a few more than you plan to use. You can always give the extras to friends. Place the container in a warm area of your house. I've placed my container on the top of the refrigerator and had good results. Check the container daily to make sure the vermiculite remains moist.

In approximately 2-4 weeks roots should begin to develop. Be patient! Some plants take longer to root than others. Once the cuttings have developed roots, transplant them into individual containers filled with a soil-less mixture such as Pro-Mix. They can now be moved to a bright location. Avoid placing them in the direct sun. Remember to keep them watered. Within a month they should be ready to transplant out into your garden.

Q . How can I keep my beautiful flower bed looking like the professionals beds''?
The blooms are beautiful, and your garden is a sight to behold! Doing a few extras will keep the flowers going strong for the rest of the season:

*Stake any tall flowers that may be falling over (or have the potential to fall over). Delphiniums, hollyhocks, or even foxgloves will appear more stately with a strategically placed stake giving them support.

* Deadhead the spent blooms! The whole reason a plant makes flowers is to produce seeds. If you prevent the plant from making seeds, it will try even harder to do so. Thus, more bigger and better blossoms. Just cut dead flowers off at the stem. Depending on the type of plant, you will see better results next year or more flowers this season.

* Give your plants a dose of fertilizer. Roses, for example, need to be fed monthly. Water-soluable fertilizers or granular (10-10-10) are both good types of general energy boosters.

* Start watching for Japanese beetles, spider mites, or other insects that will be lured to your tasty flowers. Beetle traps, insecticides, or natural methods should be employed at the first signs of damage.

* Water deeply during hot weather and enjoy!

Q . Japaneese beetles drive me crazy...help !!
If you haven't noticed, those brown, crunchy Japanese beetles are back. Now is the time to get the beetle traps out and strategically placed(June-July).

A word of caution, however. Do NOT put the traps in the middle of the garden or shrubs which you are trying to protect. The traps should be 10 feet away from plantings because they will attract beetles to the foliage if placed closer. Hang the traps on posts 3 to 5 feet above the ground on the upwind side of the areas you want protected. The beetles will smell love in the air and know just where to find those traps!

Another good tip is purchase ''Milk spore'' at your local garden center and generously spread this on the lawn. This is where the litle buggers hide over winter and one treatment can last up to five years. (It kills the grub at larvae stage and thereby prevents reproduction.