Question: We remember the fields and gardens with California poppies when we lived on the West Coast. Can we grow them in Florida?
Answer: Beds of lovely orange blooms can be growing in your yard from sowings of California poppy seeds. Plantings with red, yellow and pink blooms can also be selected. California poppy seeds are best started during the fall but can be continued early into the new year. Seeds can be scattered over the surface of prepared flower beds or in containers. Possibly the best way to start the seeds is in small pots or cell packs. The young plants are cold sensitive and when in containers could be protected during the winter months and then transplanted to the landscape in late February. Treat as an annual flower providing full sun, a moist soil and fertilizer every three to four weeks.
Q. We would like to trim our crape myrtles that have lots of seed pods and twiggy growths. Is it too soon and when is the best time to do the pruning?
A. Better wait a little longer, until late January or February, to do needed pruning of crape myrtles. We want to keep these shrub and tree forms as dormant as possible until warmer spring weather arrives. Crape myrtles won’t begin new growth until April or even May. Pruning too soon can encourage growth that is susceptible to cold.
When pruning time arrives be kind. Most crape myrtles need very little trimming. Feel free to remove the old seed pods and small twiggy stems. Also, remove growths from the base of the plants. There is no need to cut crape myrtles way back. Let them grow as naturally as possible to have the best-looking shrubs or trees with maximum blooms.
Plant Doctor: Enjoy colorful camellias during the cooler months
Q. I received a kalanchoe for Christmas. How do I care for the plant?
A. Chances are, with good care during the holidays, your red-, orange- or white-flowered kalanchoe is still in bloom. It can continue to flower through much of spring. Like poinsettias and mums, these plants flower under short days. So, until the days lengthen during spring the plant could continue to develop flower buds. Keep it in a bright area and water when the soil begins to dry to the touch. Most likely it needs water once or twice a week. As flowering declines the kalanchoe can be relocated to a porch or shady area outdoors. Keep moist and fertilize monthly. Trim to keep in bounds during spring and summer. Starting in late October or November flower buds should appear to be in bloom for the holidays.
Q. I have several tomato plants loaded with green fruit. Will they ripen in this cool weather?
A. Waiting to harvest the cool weather tomato crop may require considerable patience. Both short days along with lower day and night temperatures slow the ripening process. But don’t worry, they will ripen if the fruit-laden vines are protected from freezing. Hope for warm winter days that can keep the tomatoes on schedule. Also, provide normal care of monthly fertilizer applications and watering to keep the soil moist but not wet.
Q. To save on shipping and get some good deals I recently bought a year’s worth of vegetable seeds. How should I store them for my spring and fall plantings?
A. Your question brings back memories of my dad sharing with me seed he stored in a lower-light area of the home which maintained a cool room temperature. Some were a year or two old. Amazingly almost all gave good germination and harvests. Perhaps the best way to ensure good gemination from saved seed is to store the packets in the vegetable compartment of a refrigerator. The packets of seeds are added to a sealable plastic bag or a jar with an air-tight lid. Some gardeners add a desiccant with the seed packets to reduce moisture levels. Normally seeds stored under these conditions remain viable and able to germinate for several years.
January in the Garden for Central Florida
Q. I obtained seed potatoes and was told they should be cut into pieces before planting. How many pieces do I make from each potato?
A. A few gardeners have reported growing their next potato crop from thick food preparation potato peelings that have sprouted, but the most successful start with seed potatoes. A potato is a modified stem known as a tuber that contains many buds often called “eyes.” These buds grow new shoots and roots. Each seed potato, which is a certified disease-free and true-to-type potato, is cut into chunks with one or more buds. One seed potato is cut into four to six pieces each bearing the buds that can grow new plants and a crop to harvest. They are planted about 3 inches deep and 8 inches apart in a prepared garden site. Potato pieces can also be planted in a similar manner in large containers filled with potting soil.
Gray and brown blotches on magnolia leaves are known as algal leaf spot and cause little harm. (Courtesy of Tom MacCubbin)
Q. Our magnolia tree has gray and brown blotches on the leaves. Are they harmful and can they be removed?
A. No matter how horrible the blotches look on your magnolia leaves, they cause little harm. In fact, if your tree does not have a few it’s probably not normal. These blotches are fairly plant friendly and produce what is known as algal leaf spot. They are formed by algae living on the surface of the magnolia leaves. There is really no reason to become too concerned as magnolias hold their leaves for about two years then drop them along with the algal leaf spots on the surface. If you cannot stand the spots,or they are becoming too numerous, a copper fungicide can be applied following label instructions to prevent further growth.
Tom MacCubbin is an urban horticulturist emeritus with the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Write him: Orlando Sentinel, P.O. Box 2833, Orlando, FL. 32802. Email: TomMac1996@aol.com.
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