Calling J501

[Becky Davis]

Hi John, Now that I have successfully started some gardenias, I have another question for you.
Can I root that mandevilla in water? It seems like a hard little vine, so didn't know.
Also, wanted to get a bouganvilla for a Father's Day gift. The nursery here did not have any in bloom. The vine had thorns on it. I didn't know they did. Am I looking at the right thing. What kind of care do these require? Full sun, etc.
I started one of those vines, we think is a cardinal vine. The lady I got it from said someone told her it was a cypress vine, but I like cardinal better. Anyway, it seems to like full sun, but is only a couple of inches tall.
I only have a small area of good earth to plant. The rest is rocky and rooty. I was so proud of the way my herbs took off. They looked so pretty. Then the dog decided to make a bed in there. Dug them all up. Maybe I just need to grow things on the fence, huh?
I went to a docs office the other day. He had rosemary growing in a bed around his front door. Is there anything more delicious smelling?

[sweetness&light]

Just the garlic bread to go with it.

[jf501]

Don't forget the olive oil and pasta to go with.

Glad to hear about the gardenias!

I am not sure about requirements to propagate mandevilla, I will look it up for you though. They are a great seasonal plant up here and not sure if you can perennialize it there. I have had people take them inside over the winter and successfully grow it indoors until weather conditions allowed them to take it back outside.

Bougainvillea is hearty in subtropical climates and some species will grow to become large shrubs and small trees, but all are thorny and used widely for privacy shrubs in Arizona and south Texas, Good to keep undesirerables off your property (lol).
They love full sun as do mandevilla!

If your father likes blooming plants and doesn't have the greenest of thumbs I would suggest the 'carefree' rose. It is classified as a ground cover rose, grows to about 2' in height and will spread 10x's it height, has a pinkish/white bloom and blooms all summer long, very hearty and disease resistant.

Hopefully this helps Becky, if you need to you can email me at jf501@aol.com ( don't tell anyone my email address it's a secrete) or call 253-TREE (8733), I am usually there in the early morning and late afternoon!


[This message has been edited by jf501 (edited 06-16-2002).]

[Becky Davis]

Thanks John. As always, you are a big help and a world of information.

[jf501]

You are very welcome Becky, anytime I can help.

It is turning into a very interesting growing season with all the rain and extreme weather conditions we have been seeing. A lot of disease and insects this year that we haven't dealt with in the past several years.

The biggest problem of recent is simply 'Water log plants', or as we refer to it in our industry 'WET FEET', this is due to, to much water from all the rain we have been receiving.

The best thing you can do for this is cultivate the soil and fertilize. Try not to work the soil when it is to wet as it will add to the compaction. Adding a good agricultural gypsum will help too.

Aphids and grass hoppers have been our biggest insect problem in the garden, we have several products to help with those. I prefer ‘NEEM OIL’ for the aphids, it is also labeled as a fungicide which we have found very good for black spot on roses.

Diatomaceous earth works great for grass hopper and other crawling insects

[Becky Davis]

I have a ninety four year old little friend whose flowers I take care of. She has miniature roses that have done beautifully. But lately I notice spotty yellow leaves around the bottom. I have been cutting them off, but wonder if this is what you are talking about? Also what are those bugs that look like little pieces of cotton? And when you spray them, they fly all over the place?

[sweetness&light]

Sounds like white flies. The other little cotton ball looking ones usually found on houseplants are mealy bugs and a real nightmare. If you have the time and inclination, you can dab each one with an alcohol soaked Q-tip until they turn a rust color.

After that exercise, I medicate myself with 100 proof white lightning, just in case I might be infected.

[jf501]

Sounds like S&L nailed the insect problem.
Don't light a match around her she may explode with all that alcohol.

It sounds like wet feet on the roses if you guys have been getting the rain we have had. Usually when you see yellowing leaves near the bottom of the plant it is due to to much water.
You can pull them off as you are doing, I would fetilize them as well either with an organic one or Fertilome makes an excellent rose fertilizer/systemic insect product, it is called 'rose care'.

[Becky Davis]

New question. What are those beautiful trees that have pretty blossoms, beautiful fall foliage, but produce no fruit.
Is it a flowering pear and is that what I would call it?
Is that what the bank in front of Hart's has?

[jf501]

Yep!

Those are bradford pears, we recommend the 'capitol' or 'aristocrat' instead of the bradford due to hardiness from bore insect and they set bloom buds later so they won't get frozen out by late spring frost.
I love the fall color most of all.