10-26-2010-Thursday - Wise County Messenger

ALL AROUND WISE, Decatur, Texas, Thursday, October 28, 2010 9OutdoorPink caladiums looking greenBy NEIL SPERRYDear Neil: What causescaladiums that are supposedto be mostly pink to turn outmostly dark green with onlya bit of pink?There are at least threepossible causes. If you growcaladiums in extremelyheavy shade they’ll losemuch of their foliage color.If you apply a high-nitrogenfertilizer to stimulate productionof more leaves, it oftencauses the leaves to losemuch of their variegation.Also, it’s also possible thatyou got a different variety.There are so many types,all with different color patterns.Dear Neil: What is the reallyshort weed with milkystems, and will 2,4-D kill it?That’s spurge, and, yes,weedkillers containing 2,4-D will kill it handsomely.You’ll have to hand-treatear desirable broadleafedlants, however. You mightven try a glyphosate maerialspot-treated onto thepurge if it’s growing inare-ground areas.For the record, spurge islmost through for this seaon.You probably shouldjust address things earliernext year. Actually, scrapingit out with a hoe isn’tall that difficult. Follow thatwith a 1-inch layer of mulch,and your problems shouldbe minimal.Dear Neil: My Arizonaash has lost its leaves in anunusual manner this fall.Half the tree wentbare in early September,and theother half is turningyellow now,at a more normaltime. What mighthave caused that?Very likely ithas borers. Theytunnel throughthe wood of thetrunk, cutting offsupply lines to theleaves. When theyget bad enough, part or allof the tree will die. Arizonaash trees’ life expectancy inTexas, unfortunately, is lessthan 10 years. Some treeswill live much longer, butothers will die very youngbecause of the borers.You can try a borer preventivespray on four weekintervals next growing season,but it probably won’tmake a lot of difference atthis point. For the record,it’s also possible that thereis some type of injury to thetrunk or root system. Take acloser look.Dear Neil: What shouldI do with a moth orchid?I was given one for my anniversary,and I don’t wantanything bad to happen to it.How much light and waterdo they need, and what do Iuse to fertilize it?Phalaenopsis orchids dobest in bright indoor light(near an east window, forexample). Keep it in a porouspotting medium so thatits large, fleshyroots won’t staywaterlogged. Usea diluted, watersolubleorchidspecialty fertilizerwith each watering.Gardener’sMailbagThey bloomabout the sametime each year,with many typeshitting their peaksin the springtime.Still, you’ll findthem offered in full bloom ingarden shops at other times,too. The best news is that it’sone of the easiest and prettiestof all the orchid types.Dear Neil: Will you pleasetell me how to get my trumpetvine to bloom? I have severalDecatur, TX3936 South Highway 287, Suite 4940-626-8032plants, and this is the secondyear with no flowers.Trumpet vines need fullsun, rather impoverishedsoil (avoid any nitrogen fertilizersnear them), and amplemoisture. Avoid heavypruning that would promotestrong regrowth at the expenseof flowers.Dear Neil: I have a mulberrytree that came up volunteerin my yard severalyears ago. It produces quantitiesof delicious fruit everyspring, and the birds flock inby the score. Are there anydrawbacks to it in my landscape?Fruiting mulberries areactually very nice trees, solong as you can plant themwhere they won’t stain patios,walks and driveways.Otherwise, just take normalgood tree care of it, andit should last you for manyyears.Dear Neil: I am frustratedwith my bromeliads. They’rethe broad-leafed type withvariegated leaves and exoticpink and lavender flowers.For 15 years now they havegrown well, but no blooms.What am I doing wrong?I have them indoors overthe winter and on a shadedporch during the summer.By now you probably havea good many plants fromthose original parents. Whydon’t you try giving some ofthe plants more light thanNOWOPEN!DOGGIE BOUTIQUEHOME DECORBABY BOUTIQUEthey’ve been getting. Mostfolks find their bromeliadsbloom best when they’rekept in morning sun most ofthe year. Many types bloomin late winter and spring,so yours may have been seriouslydeficient in light atthat very important time.!Have a question you’dlike Neil to consider? Mailit to him in care of the WiseCounty Messenger, P.O. Box149, Decatur, TX 76234 or e-mail him at mailbag@sperrygardens.com.Neil regretsthat he cannot reply to questionsindividually.The Update is just a wcmessenger.com/updatesimple click awayINSPIRATIONALWOMEN’S CLOTHINGWESTERN DIVAComing Soon: Teen Department.120 E. Main • Decatur(Across from the Post Office)940-627-3808Hours: Tues - Fri 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Sat 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.SEE ALL OUR PRE-OWNED AT KLEMENTCJD.COMJEEPS, CARS, DIESELS & MORE!06 WRANGLER XSoft-top Jeep 4x4. #P142308 COMMANDER 4X4Biggest, roomiest Jeep. #P139610 F-150 CREW4X4Ultimate Ford Lariat! #10298A06 NISSAN MAXIMA3.5SE with 56,000 miles.. #11003A07 PT CRUISERConvertible with 32K miles. #P143209 PONTIAC G8Very sporty sedan. Leather. 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