Transplant Shock from Repotting When a plant suffers from wilted leaves after repotting, along with a host of other symptoms, it’s usually caused by the way it was treated during the transplant process. One of the worst culprits is repotting the plant at the wrong time. Plants are especially vulnerable right before they begin to bloom, so always avoid transplanting in the spring. Other causes for transplant shock from repotting are using a different type of potting soil than the plant previously lived in, placing the transplanted plant under different lighting conditions after transplant, and even leaving the roots exposed to air for any length of time during the transplant process....

Trimming Star Jasmine You love your star jasmine but it’s expanded too much and is growing out of control. Don’t worry. Cutting back star jasmines isn’t difficult and the plants recover quickly. You may want to start cutting back star jasmines on an annual basis to keep the plants within bounds. If you inherit a neglected plant, you may need to do severe pruning to get it back on a better track....

Weeping Cherry Info A weeping cherry tree is a small ornamental tree with a weeping, or umbrella form. The branches hang down dramatically, creating an elegant form much prized in landscaping. Weeping Pink Snow Showers (Prunus x ‘Pisnshzam’ syn. Prunus ‘Pink Snow Showers’) is just one variety of weeping cherry, but it is a showstopper. This variety will grow to about 25 feet (8 m.) tall and 20 feet (6 m....

How to Grow Weigela As with any shrub planting, learn the mature size of the bush and allow room in the landscape for its full growth. Roots need room to grow and only so much pruning for size is effective. Weigela Florida grows to 10 feet (3 m.) in height and 10 feet (3 m.) across and around, so leave that much room when planting the small shrub from a 2 gallon (8 L....

What are Garden Symphylans? What are garden symphylans and what do they look like? Garden symphylans are small– no more than a 1/4 inch (6 mm.) typically. They will be white or cream, almost translucent in some cases, with relatively long antennae. They may have up to 12 legs, but may have less. They will be flat and segmented, like a centipede would be. In fact, they look so much like a centipede, that they are frequently called ‘garden centipedes....

What Is a Bird of Paradise Shrub? The Gilliesii bird of paradise is a little tree that rarely gets above 15 feet (5 m.) tall. It is a standout for its attractive yellow or red flowers with long, eye catching stamen. It is so easy to grow that it has escaped gardens in the southwest and naturalized in states from California and Nevada to Oklahoma. If you are wondering whether the Gilliesii bird of paradise is related to the other plant commonly called bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae), it is not....

What is a Japanese Black Pine? Introduced from Japan, Japanese black pine trees (Pinus thunbergii) tolerate sandy, salty soil and salt spray much better than native species. This makes it a valuable asset to coastal landscapes. If you’re growing it in an inland setting, give it lots of room because it grows much larger. The average height of a mature tree is about 60 feet (18 m.) but can grow up to 100 feet (30....

What is Bark Lice? Many people raise an eyebrow when they think of a lice infestation. Bark lice is not the same as parasitic lice found on humans and animals. Bark lice are minute brown insects that have a soft body and are similar in appearance to aphids. They are not really lice at all and have probably acquired that name only because they are so tiny and hard to see....

Symptoms of Eggplant Phomopsis Blight On seedlings, phomopsis blight of eggplant causes dark brown lesions, just above the soil line. As the disease develops, the lesions turn gray, and the stems eventually collapse and the plant dies. Blight in eggplants on established plants is evidenced by gray or brown, oval or round spots on the leaves and stems. The center of the spots lightens in color, and you can see circles of small black, pimple-like dots that are actually the fruiting bodies, or spores....

Plants That Prefer to be Root Bound Some plants that are happier as root bound houseplants include: Peace lily Spider plant African violets Aloe Umbrella tree Ficus Agapanthus Asparagus fern Spider lily Christmas cactus Jade plant Snake plant Boston fern Why Some Plants do Better as Root Bound The reasons some houseplants perform better as root bound houseplants are varied. In some cases, like with a Boston fern or African violets, a houseplant does not transplant well and transplanting the root bound plant will be more likely to kill it then help it....

Picking Indigo for Dye Indigo plants have lovely flowers, but it is the leaves and branches that are used for dye. Although there are many varieties of indigo, it is true indigo (Indigifera tinctoria) that has traditionally been used for dye. Note that neither the leaves nor the stems are blue. The blue dye comes out after the leaves are treated. When to Pick Indigo Before you jump into harvesting indigo, you have to figure out when to pick indigo plants....

Using Worm Castings in Container Gardening Worms create spaces for water and air as they tunnel through the soil. In their wake they deposit rich manure, or castings, that look a lot like coffee grounds. How do worm castings in containers help your potted plants? Worm castings are rich in nutrients, including not only the basics but also substances like zinc, copper, manganese, carbon, cobalt, and iron. They are absorbed into potting soil immediately, making nutrients available to roots right away....

Choosing Vines that are Evergreen Why pick vines that are evergreen? They provide year-round foliage and vertical appeal in your backyard. Evergreen vines for zone 9 add a permanent and imposing feature to your garden. You’ll want to be certain that the vines you are selecting are zone 9 evergreen vines. If they are not hardy for your planting zone, they won’t last very long no matter how well you care for them....

Acacia Koa Information Where do Acacia koa trees grow? Acacia koa is native to Hawaii and is found growing naturally on most of the islands. It is also the largest native tree in the state. The wood of the tree is prized for furniture and crafts, but it is hard to come by and is mostly used from remnants or harvested in pasture areas. These trees grow naturally in the upland forests of Hawaii, and when grown in yards and gardens are prized for shade and screening....

Amaryllis Seed Propagation If your amaryllis plants are growing outside, they may be naturally pollinated. If you’re growing yours inside, however, or you just don’t want to leave things to chance, you can pollinate them yourself with a small paintbrush. Gently collect the pollen from the stamen of one flower and brush it onto the pistil of another. Amaryllis plants can self-pollinate, but you’ll have better results and more interesting cross-breeding if you use two different plants....

Technically, caraway is considered a biennial, but in some climates, it can be grown as an annual. What’s the difference between annual and biennial caraway, and how long does caraway live? Read on to learn more. Biennial Caraway Plants Caraway is primarily a biennial. The first year, the plant develops a rosette of leaves and may grow tall enough to resemble a small, feathery, bush-like plant. Caraway generally doesn’t produce flowers the first year (unless you grow it as an annual....

Don’t give up on your Southwest garden in August, but always save energy-draining tasks for early morning before the heat of the day. Here is your garden to-do list for August. August Gardening Tasks in the Southwest Water cacti and other succulents carefully. You may be tempted to provide extra water when the temperature soars, but keep in mind that desert plants are accustomed to arid conditions and are prone to rot when conditions are too damp....

Banksia Information Banksia (Banksia spp.) is a stunning plant with unique leaves and stunning flowers that bloom nonstop. This diverse plant family contains a variety of forms that include 6 to 12 foot (2 to 3.5 m.) shrubs and full-size trees that attain heights of 30 to 60 feet (9 to 18 m.). The tiny blooms, arranged in round, oval or cylindrical clusters, come in a range of colors such as yellowish-green, brown, orange, pale yellow, cream, and red....

Beach Cherry Information Beach cherry trees (Eugenia reinwardtiana) are known as A’abang in Guam and Noi in Hawaii. In these tropical areas, the plant grows as a small to medium-sized tree with hard, durable wood frequently used in local construction. The trees are native to the Northeast tropical areas of Australia. You can find them thriving on the beach, which is where the tree gets its common name. They can also grow as shrubs....

Growing Tomatoes in the Shade Although it’s not easy to grow a garden in the shade, tomato plants are fairly adaptable. Many varieties of tomatoes for shade gardens will produce quality fruit, but gardeners often experience smaller yields. Cultivating more plants can help overcome this obstacle. Higher rates of diseases can also be experienced when growing tomatoes in the shade. Trellising and pruning tomato plants increase air circulation. This helps dry moisture on the leaves and stems, which makes the foliage less inviting to disease....