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Question
I have noticed (and I think because we are having some warm days) an
increased number of lady bugs around the front of my house, near the
bushes and windows. Some have even made it inside. I don't mind insects
outside, but once they make their way in, I have a problem. Do you have
any suggestion how I can get rid of these??????? Thanks in advance.
Answer
Lady Bugs are harmless and beneficial. I wouldn’t spray; it’s not worth
the danger to your health. I suggest you just vacuum up any that get
inside your house. The lady bugs will survive the trip down the hose and
into the vacuum cleaner. If you empty the bag out of doors, they will fly
away.
Question
I would love to try and grow an indoor orchid but need to know how hard
this would be and how much light do they need. Love your radio show.
Thanks for your help.
Answer
I suggest a moth orchid (phalenopsis) for starters. They are very easy;
whereas many other orchids are much more difficult. Moth Orchids will do
in "African violet conditions”. Morning sun in an uncurtained east window
or a west window with sheer curtains are both ideal. Nighttime cold can be
harmful if you turn the thermostat too far back at night.
Moth Orchids
are one of the most reliable and spectacular of the easy-to-grow flowering
house plants. And, they bloom for a long time. The first crop of moth
orchids is usually available in early December.
Question
I had a pin oak tree that was struck by lightning. It was 4 plus feet in
diameter at the base and probably 70 plus feet tall. All the bark was
blown off for about 20 feet from the ground. Two tree people looked at it
and said it was going to die, and since it was close to the house they
recommended removing it. This was done and I have a big pile of sawdust
from getting rid of the stump. Is that material suitable for using as
mulch around other trees and plants or would it damage the plants? Should
I just get rid of it?
Answer
The stump grindings are suitable as a one inch deep under-mulch, covered
with an inch of seasoned mulch. Be sure to fertilize your plants
appropriately for fall before using this "green" mulch. Un-composted mulch
robs nitrogen from the soil as it de-composes. I would not use this mulch
in foundation plantings around buildings. Even if covered, the danger of
artillery fungus is too great.
Question
I have several mums people have given me in pots. I want to know if I
should plant them in the ground now. I guess if I leave them in the pots
they will die. Will they make it if I plant them in the ground and come
back and bloom next fall? Some of the Single Apricot mums that Carroll
Gardens planted for me in 2001 are asking to be divided. The plants are
huge, and made it through last winter to bloom this fall, but there is a
deep cleft in the middle.
Answer
The mums stand a much better chance of survival if they are planted now.
Choose a spot in full sun that is well-drained. Even so, they may not make
it; many varieties are not winter hardy—no matter what the tag says. Mums
get divided in early spring; however
Single Apricot rarely needs dividing and
will do fine without division for years. Division is indicated by smaller,
less profuse blooms in the center.
The cleft was
probably caused by the cloudy, wet season. Your mums will be more compact
if they are cut back by two thirds around Memorial Day and then again by
one-third around the 4th of July.
Question
You kindly answered my question by phone last week regarding whether it
was OK to plant some really old peony bushes I was given. Could you now
help the family who gave them to me? They are building a patio and need to
move about 3 dozen bushes, some of which are more than 50 years old. There
are so many they are unable to replant theirs now. Is there some way to
over-winter them without planting them in the ground? Thank you
again.
Answer
The peonies can be laid on top of the ground and covered on the sides and
tops with 3” of mulch. Check frequently for rodent damage. The peonies
will deteriorate badly if you try to store them dry and/or warm. A
basement will not do. A shed is a possibility if you put them upright in
baskets and cover them with mulch and keep them moist. As soon as it
starts to warm up in the spring, you must move the baskets outside so that
growth does not begin (If growth begins, a hard frost will kill the tops.
Peonies do not have a second set of leaf buds; so they will either perish
or recover very slowly and weakly if the tops freeze off).
In short,
because of the danger of early spring growth in the shed, I feel storage
outside, on top of the ground, buried in mulch, is a much better choice.
Question
I lost a Bradford Pear tree in a storm last summer. The tree was 15 yrs
old and provided privacy and shade to my deck. The area is in complete
sun. There is about 15 ft. between my deck and my neighbor's deck. What
would be a good replacement tree/shrub to use in this area? Since my deck
is about 6ft. up off the ground, it will have to be something tall
growing. I have thought about a crab apple, but do not want one that bears
fruit. Will appreciate any suggestions?
Answer
There is a crab apple that is virtually fruitless -
Spring Sensation. But it only grows to 8
feet tall. I suggest you consider
Rutgers Hybrid dogwood, a
kousa (Chinese) dogwood, a Japanese Red
Maple, a
Styrax (Japanese Snowbell) or a
Japanese tree lilac. Incidentally, you
can still plant this fall. We can show you pictures and trees at the
store.
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