THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 6, 1996 TAG: 9610040083
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G3 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: GARDENING
SOURCE: ROBERT STIFFLER
LENGTH: 69 lines
Eight years ago, I transplanted a 3-foot magnolia from a wooded part of my property to my front yard. The magnolia is now 15 feet high, in full growth and appears healthy. But it has never made a blossom. Is there anything I can do to encourage it to flower?
Arthur S. Pawling, Exmore
Virginia Tech's Dan Milbocker says you need to give the magnolia more time. Many plants require seven years to bloom, but transplanting any plant sets it back a year or two. Also gardeners should remember that seedlings, such as was your magnolia, are slower to flower. This is especially true of wisteria, which makes many seedlings, but takes forever to bloom.
In reply to a question in May about whether paper coffee filters decompose, I put them with the coffee grounds in my compost a couple of years ago. Even with diligent management, the filters did not break down. I have since found out they are not just paper but have another fiber in them, which probably accounts for the fact that they seem to last forever. I hope this helps.
Diane F. Fleming, Norfolk
There's nothing like experience in solving a garden problem. All who put coffee filters on a compost pile now know that they will last forever.
Please identify the tree from which the enclosed sample leaves were taken.
J. Lawson, Virginia Beach
Your sample is from vulgaris Privet. It's a common native plant. It sheds its leaves in winter and somewhat resembles ligustrum. The golden cultivated variety is often grown for its yellow foliage. Privet makes a good hedge if you don't mind its losing leaves in winter.
Enclosed are leaves from three rose bushes out of 25 I have. Up to five bushes have this problem in varying degrees, for the second year in a row. They are otherwise vigorous and bloom normally. I fertilize with Ortho systemic and spray with Ortho Isotox, adding a fungicide for two of the sprayings.
Peggy Passaglia, Exmore
Your rose leaves are heavily veined with yellow. This can result from several causes. It could be herbicide damage from a weed killer used nearby or one that blew onto the roses. Isotox also has been known to damage foliage. Some rosarians won't use systemic fertilizers, because they say it damages foliage. I am not sure whether that is correct, but it's a possibility. Some plants get a virus that causes yellow leaves and yellow veining of leaves. Camellias as well as tulips often do this and there is no cure. It does not seem to damage plants. Virginia Tech authorities say that often a plant will outgrow such a problem. I hope yours will.
We are familiar with the summer poinsettias and the Texas hibiscus plants mentioned in an earlier letter from Cecelia Baum of Wanchese. Our summer poinsettia seeds were given us by my sister who lives in Kansas. They do well in pots or in the ground, where they reseed themselves. Our original seeds for Texas hibiscus were given us by a friend from Texas. They're easy to grow in full sun and are beautiful as a backdrop in any garden. We've had them reach 8 to 9 feet in height. We've read that this plant is also called ``Shooting Star'' or ``Blazing Star'' hibiscus. Once the bloom is gone, a seed pod appears and once dry, drops lots of seeds.
Don and Elaine Proffitt,
Virginia Beach
Thanks for an informative letter. ``Blazing Star'' hibiscus was very popular 10 years ago but has lost some of its glory for two reasons. I know gardeners who've been raided because it looks like marijuana when growing. It also makes many seedheads that spread over your garden, so you're forever pulling up seedlings. Seeds of both plants are available in many seed catalogs. MEMO: No gardening questions will be taken over the phone. Write to
Robert Stiffler, The Virginian-Pilot, 150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk,
Va. 23510. Answers will be published on a space-available basis. For an
earlier reply, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope. by CNB