Q. I have a huge, beautiful fruitless plum tree. I’ve never pruned it but it’s time. When is it a good time to prune it? Thank you! Cher - Burbank, California
A. The time to prune it is after it finishes blooming in the spring.
-- HG
Q. I loved the video on planting elephant ears. I have mine in a big clay pot on the patio but need to know how to care for it. So I dig it up after the frost and keep it in a cool dry place but do I separate any new thingabobbers from it now or when I get ready to plant it next spring. Or can I just leave it in the pot for winter. We have some below 0 temps here in Southwest Va. so I don’t want it to freeze on me. Thanks Janet Tester - Tazewell, VA
A. Thanks Janet. Glad you enjoyed my video segment on Elephant Ears (Colocasia esculentum). You can over-winter the elephant ears either way. I usually just pull mine into the sunroom and they grow slowly during the winter. I slow down watering and reduce fertilization as well. If you have a very sunny window where it could fit this could be an option. I think it is easier to overwinter them in their pots and if you want to repot them do it in the spring when you are ready to take them out of dormancy. They key if you put them in a cool, dry, dark place is to make sure the soil in the pots are dry as well. The Elephant Ears have a tendency to rot if they are kept to wet in storage.
-- HG
Q. I have a mass cane dracaena plant and my dog ate all the leaves off of it and I was wondering if they will grow back or is there something I can do to help them grow back ? Thank You So Much ! James Rotondella - Clemmons, NC
A. If the plant has not been under stress up to this point your mass cane will likely sprout new leaves within he next few weeks. Once you see the new growth you can add some additional fertilizer if you do not already regularly fertilize. This will compensate for the nutrients that were removed by your herbivorous canine.
-- HG
Q. I have a Jatropha Multifida planted near the foundation of my home, it does beautifully during the winter, however, at present it is turning yellow. what are the soil requirements for this small tree? Could it be too wet? I have several succulents in the same location and they are doing great.thanks, Chris Riefstahl - Punta Gorda, Florida
A. Coralbush is a is in the euphorbia clan and is tolerant of dry soil so it should have similar watering requirements as your succulents. Tolerant doesn’t mean you shouldn’t water during the summer. Just make sure the soil dries out slightly between waterings. They will appreciate regular watering during the summer and less water in the winter which will mimic it’s natural habitat in Mexico. They do not tolerate salt spray so this may also be a cause of the problem since you seem to live near the gulf. You should also test your soil with a soil test kit to see if you have any deficiencies in the soil (like nitrogen).
-- HG
Q. Hello I’ve just moved into a new home with amazing cedar hedging but I have never taken care of this type of tree before could you give me some tips on maintaining them I’ve been told they can take over can I trim them in September or will I shock them? Please help, thank you Charlotte - Abbotsford BC
A. Cedar hedges can be pruned two times during the year. The main pruning should take place in late spring/ early summer as soon as the new growth stops and begins to harden. If you need additional pruning to keep it in check you can do it in late summer / early fall so September pruning is fine. Cedars do not respond well to drastic pruning and will not look good if they are.
-- HG
Q. I have English Laurel in clay soil. Two are doing well, but the other nine trees, the leaves are turning yellow and the plants are not growing. What should I do to save these laurels. I need them for screening. Thanks, Lisa Swan - Franklin, TN
A. I have two suggestions. I would suggest you should have a soil test performed. Contact your county agent or Master Gardener Program http://mastergardeners.tennessee.edu/ to find out how. Also since these are very fast growing plants they can often become root bound in the pot. If you did not tease the roots before you planted them there is a chance they may be wrapping around themselves (girdling) which would cut off water and nutrients. If this is the case you should first examine the roots by pulling away some soil from the surface. If this is the case you will need to lift the plants again and loosen or remove girdling roots.
-- HG
Q. I planted 3 Angel Lace Hydrangeas in 2005. They have not bloomed, and I’ve found that they are hardy to zone 6 - I’m in zone 5. Is this the reason that they haven’t bloomed? They are green and healthy looking and have probably doubled in size since planting. Can you give some advice on what to do with them? Erin - Pittsburgh, PA
A. This Lacecap Hydrangea is botanically from Hydrangea macrophylla and therefore is a hydrangea that blooms on previous season’s growth. What will likely happen with your hydrangea is that although it may survive your winters you will loose the flowers on the old wood and it will not bloom, at least not regularly. Not every year provides a zone-defining winter and so some years you may have flowers. You may consider providing additional protection for the winter to protect the old wood. Building a chicken wire cage around the shrub and filling it with leaves or straw would provide this kind of protection. Needless to say you would also want to make sure you prune your hydrangeas after they bloom and not wait until later in the season.
-- HG
