You asked a pro–he answered. Citytv's gardening specialist Frank Ferragine has solutions for our readers' green-thumb conundrums. Have a question that you don't see below? Don't worry; Frank will take more questions each month. Submit yours today.
Dear Frank, I live in a condominium apartment in Toronto. A few years ago a friend gave me a Ponderosa Lemon cutting which I grew into a small tree. It has born lovely fragrant flowers several times a year. It even had a large lemon on it. The plant lived for almost six years then died. I had transplanted into larger pots every few years. It was in a 12" pot when the branches started drying up and turning brown. Before it died I took a cutting from it, dipped it into rooting hormone and grew it into another plant which is currently about 1 foot high. This plant is in a six inch pot and doing well, so far. I am scared that this plant, too, will die on me. I take very good care of it. I am sure there are no bugs or insects on this plant. I feed it regularly with liquid fertilizer and even wash the leaves every few months. The plant remains indoors all the time. It is at a window facing east (that is my only exposure). It gets in direct light most of the time. My question is should I be grafting a cutting of my Ponderosa Lemon onto a citrus plant grown from a seed? Thank you for your advice. Respectfully yours, Elijah Grand Toronto, ON
Hi Elijah, Lemons are one of the easiest of all citrus' to grow from a cutting. The good news is grafting is not necessary with Ponderosa Lemons. The main reason why your previous lemon has died is most likely due to too much kindness and too much water. You must remember that Lemon and most citrus plants like to dry out in-between watering - especially during periods where there is minimal daylight due to the shortness of days (Winter: October to March). During this time, the best thing you could do for your Lemon is adding a humidifier to the room. I hope this helps! Frankie
Dear Frank, I always have problems with keeping slugs off my beautiful hostas, although I have already tried everything imaginable. I read somewhere that there is a powder that we can mix in the ground now, to kill the eggs.
Would you have the name of this product or can we mix something ourselves?
Thanks ahead of time,
Mrs. Johanne Nolan Toronto, ON
Hi Johanne,
One of the best ways to reduce the damage done by slugs, is to water only in the morning…this will drastically reduce the number of slugs. Second, in terms of powders, there are several. However, I know of none that is authorized in Canada to kill eggs. A great powder that is organic and you can use to control slugs, is called Diatomaceous earth, a fine powder also known as silicon dioxide, consists of microorganisms found in the sea. Once the slugs or snails crawl over the fine powder, their outer protection is scratched, causing them to dehydrate and die.
Here's to a great slugout!!
Frankie
Dear Frank, We have a grafted Maple Tree that is about 20 years old. The bark is falling off areas near the base as well as a few areas on the upper branches. No insects apparent. Majority of the tree looks healthy other than where the bark is peeling off. We are worried that we could lose this tree. Is there anything we could do to save it? Thank you, Ed Loft Midhurst, ON.
Hi Ed, A bark split or a bark drop can be due to several reasons; including, insect damage, sunscald and/or frost cracks. Quite a bit of research has been done on closure of tree wounds. These investigations have indicated that tree wound paints are of little value in helping a tree to callus over. For this reason, do not paint or try to seal a split with paint or tar. Virginia Tech University leads this research and they suggest cleaning the edges of the wound, known as "tracing". Do not enlarge the wound any more than necessary to clean the edges! With a sharp knife, starting from one end of the split, trace around one side of the wound, no more than one-half to one inch back from the split bark. Stop at the other end and do the same procedure on the opposite side of the split. Knives should be sterilized between cuts by dipping for several minutes in a 1:10, bleach-water solution or a 70 percent alcohol solution to avoid contaminating the cuts. Carefully remove the bark from inside the traced area. I would also suggest trying to reduce the amount of stress on your maple by making sure it's watered well during drought periods and fertilized on occasion. Frankie
Dear Frank,
This may be a silly question but I am very curious about this. I have noticed people cutting their lawns in an angle instead of from side to side and have often wondered if there was a reason for this, or is it just cosmetic?
Just curious, Ana Bolton Barrie, ON.
Hi Ana,
The main goal of cutting your lawn is to create an even and maintained look. While mowing on angles helps to achieve this cosmetically, there is some purpose to this as well. Every time your mow your lawn you should Alternate mowing directions. This will help to reduce compacting soil, and it helps keep grass growing upright, which makes for a more even cut. For best success many avid and anal mowers suggest trying mowing at a 45- or 90-degree angle to your last pattern.
I must admit the world of lawns amuses me! It seems like it's a total residential competition to have the greenest lawn!
Happy Gardening! Frankie
Hi Frank,
Can you suggest some herbs to grow that will reproduce after being harvested so that I can enjoy them throughout the season?
Thank you, Tanis Vos Barrie, On.
Hi Tanis,
Basil, Parsley, Dill, Oregano, Thyme, and the perennial favorites Chives or Mint, but be careful where you plant mint as it has an aggressive root system!!!
Good Luck, Frankie
Watch for Frank Ferragine's Q&A column in The Epoch Times on the first Thursday of every month, and catch Frank on "Frankie Flowers" a weekly edition of "CityOnline" airing every Friday at 12:30 p.m.ET on Citytv Toronto and CP24 for more great gardening tips.
Submit your questions today to AskFrank@epochtimes.com
or by Fax: 416-298-1299 Attention: Frank Ferragine or mail to: Frank Ferragine c/o The Epoch Times, 103-201 Consumers Road, Toronto, Ontario M2J4G8
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