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Hello,
We have some great holiday articles this week and Ellen answers more of your questions.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's Tips and Articles
| Grow Your Own Mint
Like mint tea? I do. And I drink it all day if I want to. If you don't like to pay the high price of it at the store, save $200 for just 2 or 3 hours work. I was able to collect 3 lbs of mint and it lasts me 6 months. Grow mint in a 3 ft by 5 ft garden. If you don't want to start it from seed, it grows all over. Believe me, you see it in your neighbor's yard and they usually want to get rid of it. If they have not used chemicals, I go and harvest it there. And then I transplant two or three uncut plants into my own garden because I can have fresh mint for other things like salad. Just make sure you dig up enough of the root. Harvest before blooming, winter or ANY TIME AT ALL! I use a curved vinyl flooring knife to cut the stem of mint above the ground and gather the cuttings in my hand at the bottom. Then when I have a handful, tie them together and hang them in a dry place in the house or shed (where there are no smells). Let the leaves dry out until they are brittle. 1 hour of work so far. I collected half a bale in 1 hour. You can cut some every week in 5 minutes, hang them up and have some every week. Later, strip the leaves off the branches into a big clean galvanized pan or bowl. Throw away the stems and save the leaves. Put the dried leaves in a blender and chop them into a coarse powder. Put them in a airtight container and save for your favorite tea time. Use only 1 teaspoon to make two quarts of tea. It is concentrated because there is no junk or stems in it so "1 teabag" go 10 times further than store bought bags. By cd4life from DFW Texas Related:Post Feedback: Click Here |
Old Blue Spruce Tree Is Dying
Question:My beautiful 50+ year old blue spruce is dying from the top. It's over 50 feet high and it's slowly turning brown and dead from the top down. Is this a natural death? It's about 10 feet from my neighbors' driveway and they use a lot of lawn and other chemicals and leave their trucks idling in the driveway. One of my lilac bushes nearby has already died, from the exhaust fumes, I suspect. Help, please.Hardiness Zone: 5a Shirley from Kenosha County, WI Answer:According to the University of Minnesota Extension Agency, when grown in our Minnesota (zones 3 and 4), the Colorado blue spruce " grows fast, lives hard and dies young" (at the ripe old age of 30). If yours tree is 50+ years old, I would say it has lived a wonderfully full life. Still, you're in zone 5 (like parts of Colorado), so it's possible that your tree could expect to enjoy a longer lifespan (up to 200 years in some cases). Your description of needle death from the top down doesn't sound like any blue spruce diseases I'm familiar with.That said, there is some new mystery disease showing up in black, blue and white spruce tree across Minnesota and Wisconsin this year. Needle drop and chlorosis (lightened needle color) are two of its symptoms, but I'm unclear as to whether of not the disease progresses from the bottom of the tree to the top (as happen in most cases), or if the reverse is true. You might want to take a picture, and if possible snip off a portion of a dying branch and submit it to the University of Wisconsin Extension Agency for testing. http://www.uwex.edu Like animals, all trees do eventually grow old and die. As they get older, they become more susceptible to storms, disease and pests, which ultimately take their toll. Unlike animals, vital functions are not controlled by a central nervous system. Instead, vital functions in trees are decentralized. This means that a large part of the tree can die off (and routinely it does), without the entire tree being killed off. My best advice is to call in a professional arborist. Contact your country extension agency for recommendations. Good luck!
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Struggling Peace Plant
Question:This question regards a houseplant. It is a peace plant that I have had for about seven months. It was repotted after several months. It looked healthy and beautiful for a long time, but somewhere along the line, I started over-watering it. Now, it is on its last legs. I removed all the old, dead growth underneath, replaced the top layer of soil with fresh potting soil in hopes that it would absorb some of the excess moisture, and punched holes in the soil to aerate it.Is there any hope of reviving it? Hardiness Zone: 4a Thank you,
Answer:Barbara,I would like to think there's always hope. For the time being, it sounds as though you've done all you can do to correct the situation. Your peace plant's survival depends primarily on how much damage its roots sustained before you made those corrections. About all you can do now is wait. Don't feel bad; it can be difficult to determine when peace plants are getting too much water. This is because tend to drink a lot of water and usually like to have their compost slightly moist all of the time (except during winter months). When a houseplant (or any potted plant) becomes too wet, it's best to take the plant and the soil out of the container it was sitting in. Holding it will lots of support, carefully place it onto a thick stack of paper towels. This is the best way to soak up any excess moisture. Check the roots for signs of fungus, and let the plant sit and drain on fresh paper towels for the next 12 to 24 hours. The plant can then be placed back into its container, with fresh potting soil added around the top as necessary. Let the soil dry out before watering it again. Good Luck!
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| Buying A Christmas Tree
By Ellen Brown For many people, Christmas trees are the focal point of decorating a home for the holidays. The very act of selecting and buying the tree is a special part of the season and another great opportunity to make lasting holiday memories. Before heading out to buy your tree this holiday season, follow these practical tips for selecting and buying the perfect Christmas tree. View This Article: Click Here |
Brown Scale on Crape Myrtle Leaves
Question:I have several Crape Myrtles in which the under side of the leaves have a light to medium brown suede type scale on them. Almost the entire underside of the leaf is affected. The affected leaves have a tendency to invert showing the underside to the sky. Any idea what this might be?Hardiness Zone: 9a Sincerely,
Answer:Steve,It sounds like your trees have scale. These sap-sucking insects are relative of aphids. They look like small, rounded or elongated, brown, black, yellowish, or white bumps on stems and undersides of leaves. These bumps are shell-like or waxy in appearance and can be easily lifted or scraped off. Take a look around the leaves and grass below the trees. Is it sticky? Like aphids, scales exude a sticky substance called "honeydew." In the case of severe infestations, stunted or poor growth may result and in some cases, the entire plant can die. The honeydew also attracts sooty mold, which covers the leaves with a unsightly black soot and helps spread plant disease. Because mature scale insects are protected by their waxy shell, they are difficult to control with insecticides, and insecticides may harm beneficial insects. However, an application of dormant oil during the winter may smother scale. Also, immature crawler scales can be killed with the application of horticultural oil or insecticide in spring before they develop their shells. Beneficial insects, such as parasitic wasps and lacewings help to control scale insects. If this description doesn't sound like your situation, you may just be looking at insect eggs of some kind. In that case, snip off a few small braches with the leaves attached and send them to a nearby university horticulture department or take them to a nursery and see if they can help you identify them. Good luck!
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| Relax And Breathe Easy With Houseplants
By Ellen Brown Over the years, different types of houseplants have come in and out of fashion. In the mid-70s it was all about ferns and foliage. In the mid-80s it was orchids, and in the 90s, short-lived flowering houseplants seemed to be the rage. Trends always have a way of coming back around. Today's consumers are looking for ways to live a healthier lifestyle, and that includes creating quality, indoor air and reducing stress. Because of calming effects and purifying properties of certain houseplants, once again, it's all about the green. View This Article: Click Here |
How do I stop a pine tree from dripping sap?
Question:How do I stop a pine tree from dripping sap?Hardiness Zone: 6b Isap from New York, NY Answer:Isap,Short of cutting it down, which I don't recommend, you can't stop a pine tree (or any species of tree) from dripping sap. Several internal and external forces, including internal water levels, time of the year, air temperature, disease and physical damage suffered by the tree, regulate sap flow in trees. Sap flow is simply the tree response to any one of a number of natural processes. If the sap is seeping from an area that was recently pruned, it will stop eventually. If the needles or tops of the tree look brown, dripping sap may be a sign that the tree is in trouble. I would suggest calling in a professional arborist to diagnose the problem. If sap is dripping onto your car, I've heard of people using mayonnaise or butter to dissolve sap on car paint without hurting the finish. I can't swear that it works because I've never personally tried it. Still, it might be worth researching. Ellen Post Feedback: Click Here |
How does epsom salt affect plant growth?
Question:How does epsom salt affect plant growth?Hardiness Zone: 1 Young City from Augusta, GA Answer:Young City,This is a great question, because although Epsom salt can be beneficial to plants, it isn't always in the way that gardeners think. Usually Epsom salts are sold as a fertilizer component or used as a tool to change soil pH. Here's how it really affects plants: Epsom salts contain two elements important for plant growth-magnesium and sulfur. Magnesium helps form chlorophyll in plants and is essential for photosynthesis. Magnesium is present naturally in the soil and is also found in organic fertilizers. Sulfur helps activate many plant proteins and enzymes needed for growth. It helps plants resist the cold, assists in root production and seed growth. Sulfur is often delivered to plants in the form of rainwater. The claim is often made (at least by the folks selling it) that plants are usually deficient in these two elements. Not so. Some plants, like chrysanthemums and gardenias for example, do sometimes carry high levels of magnesium in their leaves, and can benefit from having high levels of magnesium in their soil. In the case of most plants, however, soil usually contains enough of these elements that adding Epsom salt is unnecessary. Soils that lack magnesium tend to be acidic. Epsom salt is actually considered a neutral salt, meaning it has very little effect on a soil's pH. In cases where a soil is acidic, it's better to add dolomitic lime if you want to increase the pH. IF it turns out that the soil is deficient in magnesium but the pH is fine, THEN it's better to add Epsom salt to increase the magnesium levels because adding it will not alter the pH. Epsom salts are a good way to deliver sulfur and magnesium to plants. If your plant is low in either of these nutrients, adding Epsom salt can be beneficial. In most cases, however, low magnesium goes hand in hand with soil acidity. In these cases dolomitic lime is more appropriate than Epsom salts as a way to add magnesium, while raising soil pH. It's best to test your soil before adding Epsom salts or you may end up wasting your time, or even making things worse. Ellen Post Feedback: Click Here |
Burning Bush Does Not Turn Red
Question:I have a burning bush that does not turn red in the fall. Any suggestions on how to make it turn red would be appreciated.Hardiness Zone: 6b Thanks,
Answer:Sue,I've dealt with this problem myself in the past. I bought three burning bushes several years ago and planted them on the north side of my house. They were young shrubs when I purchased them, around 12-15 inches high, and I could hardly wait for them to turn red in the fall. It never happened. Some of the leaves developed a slightly red tinge to them, but I never got them to produce the brilliant red color I was hoping for. Despite the fact they were on the north side of the house, I felt they were getting ample amounts of sun in the location they were planted. Apparently I was wrong. Two years ago I moved them to full sun on the south side of my house. I applied mulch around the base of each shrub and watered them regularly, but never fertilized them. The first fall after I moved them the leaves turned a dull red again, and it was quite late in the fall before I saw any color. It may have been weather related. This past fall they finally turned the brilliant color I was hoping for. They also produced tiny orange-red berries and they've nearly doubled in height. I would advise you to take a good look at their sun exposure. Are any nearby trees or buildings casting a shadow on them for even part of the day? All day sun will get you the best color. Ellen Brown Post Feedback: Click Here |
| Caring For A Christmas Tree
By Ellen Brown Nothing says Christmas quite like walking into a room filled with the fresh scent of pine needles. To keep your holiday tree fresh and looking its best throughout the New Year, follow these simple tips for Christmas tree care. View This Article: Click Here |
| Selecting and Caring for Poinsettias
By Ellen Brown Since the 1920's, the poinsettia has become synonymous with the holiday season. Here are a few tips for selecting and caring for this year's poinsettia, as well as some advice for getting it to bloom again next year. View This Article: Click Here |
How can I grow moss?
Question:How can I grow moss? Without having to use my wife's blender...Thanks,
Answer:Thenus,Too bad about you can't use a blender. It's a super easy way to grow moss. However, as your wife may have told you, this method is a good way to ruin a nice blender. Here are some alternatives: The best way to gross moss is probably to remove a small "mat" (patch) of already established moss and relocate it to a shady, humid area in your garden. If you're collecting the moss from property that is not your own, make sure you obtain the proper permission first, and then remove only a small, un-noticeable amount to get started. Carefully cut under the moss mat using a sharp knife and slowly pull it away from the soil. Put it in an airtight plastic bag with a moist paper towel until you can get it home. If you don't have access to wild moss, you can also order moss spores online, or purchase a small starter pot at a local nursery or garden center. The first three weeks after transplanting moss are the most critical. During this time, the moss should be kept consistently moist. Some gardeners have found that spraying around the edges of moss patches with stale beer encourages it to grow and spread more rapidly. Other do-it-yourself gardeners swear by a concoction made from 1 quart of buttermilk, 1 Tbsp. of corn syrup, 1 cup of beer and two cups of finely chopped, freshly harvested moss. You don't need a blender to do this; you can chop yours by hand and use a stiff whisk to blend all of the ingredients together. Use a paintbrush to apply a thick layer of moss soup over the surfaces you want it to grow on. Still another method is to use a paintbrush and apply plain yogurt to the surface of your choice (wood, rocks, etc.) Then take a piece of the moss of your choice and rub it on the pot making sure to get the spore dirt on the pot. Good Luck!
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| Pulp vs. Petroleum: The Debate Over Artificial Christmas Trees
By Ellen Brown I know people who struggle with cutting down live trees for Christmas, because I'm one of them. I can't stand the thought of cutting down a gorgeous tree just to uphold a holiday tradition. In the past I've attempted to avoid this self-imposed "tree guilt" by decorating artificial trees, displaying potted "living" trees or by decorating the trees in my front yard. Lately, I've been going Christmas "tree-less" altogether. So when people ask me which is a more environmentally friendly option, cutting down a real tree or buying an artificial one, I have only one answer: A real tree, of course! View This Article: Click Here |
Gnats in Potting Soil
Question:Has anyone ever had problems with gnats in their potting soil? I recently opened a bag of potting soil and used it to sow some spinach seeds in a pot indoors, and now little tiny gnats are all over the place. I tried spraying the top of the soil with insecticidal soap, but that didn't kill them. I spend a lot of time squishing them with my finger. Help!Hardiness Zone: 7a Kathy from Canton, NC Answer:Kathy,The little gnats you're seeing are probably fungus gnats. They seem to suddenly (and mysteriously) appear out of nowhere soon after watering plants or after opening a fresh bag of potting soil. Adult fungus gnats like to lay their eggs on moist soil. Soon after they are laid, the eggs hatch into larvae, which feed on fungus growing in the damp soil. After a short period of feeding, the larvae pupate and hatch into adult fungus gnats and the cycle starts all over again. In the case of gnats showing up in potting soil, I suspect that the eggs get laid in the soil before it's packaged at the plant. The moisture, the nutrient-rich soil and a lack of air circulation combine to create the perfect conditions for growing fungus. It's either that, or we all have adult fungus gnats in our homes that fly about undetected until we open a fresh bag of potting soil. Seeing as how gnats have such a short life span in the first place, it's hard to imagine that they would wait around for us to open up a new bag of potting soil. In any event, the good news is that without food (fungus) to feed on, the gnats cannot develop into mature adults. One way to help halt (or at least disrupt) the fungus gnat reproductive cycle is to let the soil dry out a bit between watering. It also helps to make sure the top layer of your potting soil is exposed to plenty of sunshine and fresh air. I once had a huge crop of fungus gnats hatch inside a terrarium I planted. When you first plant a terrarium it's easy to add too much moisture. Sometimes it takes a few days to figure out the right amount of moisture needed to create a self-sustaining environment for the plants. Although I didn't see any visible signs of fungus growing on the fresh potting soil, I soon had dozens of fungus gnats flying around the inside of my terrarium and getting stuck to the water droplets running down the sides of the glass. The whole project looked terrible and I was understandably horrified and mystified as to where the gnats came from. I ended up taking the terrarium outside to let the gnats escape. For several weeks after that it seemed like they kept right on hatching anyway. I guess they ran out of fungus, because eventually their reproduction cycled stopped and they all died. Ellen Post Feedback: Click Here |
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New Requests
| Growing Asiatic Lilies in a Pot
I was lazy and now my bag of mixed variety asiatic lilies (sitting outside the garage door) did not get planted this fall. I would like to plant them in a pot. Can I still do this and leave the pot outside in the New England winter, or should I wait till spring? Post Feedback: Click Here |
| Homemade Aloe Vera Juice
I want to know how to make aloe vera juice at home, and how often I should drink it. Post Feedback: Click Here |
| Frost Damage on Mint
I have mint plants and they almost got frozen last week. Some stems died Are they evergreen or should I just harvest them now before they go dormant? There is no indication except for the frost damage that they would go dormant. Post Feedback: Click Here |
| Transplanting a Euonymus Shrub
How and when can I transplant a Euonymus Shrub? Post Feedback: Click Here |
| Willow Tree Near Our Homes Foundation
I have a willow tree about 12-15 feet from the house and the base of the trunk is about 12 inches. I understand the roots can enter water systems, but can they also impact house foundations? To prevent any potential damage I am uncertain whether it is best to remove the tree now or to just manage its growth. Post Feedback: Click Here |
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