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Question – Jennifer of West Allis:
I just received an indoor cactus. What is the best way to take care of it?
Answer – Melinda Myers:
Find a cool sunny location for your cactus in the winter. A south facing window is the best. Supplement the low light of winter with artificial light for better results. Water thoroughly but only when the top few inches of soil are dry. As the days lengthen and temperatures warm you will need to water more often. Some gardeners move their cacti and succulents outdoors for the summer. If you decide to do so, gradually introduce the plants to the sunnier conditions outside. You will need to water cacti growing outdoors frequently. Check them daily. Look for insects and adjust your watering schedule when moving the plants back inside for winter. Many gardeners find it less stressful to keep the plants indoors year round. The cacti will grow fine either way.
Question - Jeannine:
I am looking for suggestions of annuals or perennials that will work well in late day sun. The area is shaded most of the day - but gets direct sunlight in mid-summer from about 4pm on. Shade plants wilt. Sun plants don't perform well. Thanks.
Answer – Melinda Myers:
This is one of the toughest locations to successfully grow flowers. Try mulching the soil with shredded leaves, evergreen needles or other organic matter to help keep the roots cool and moist. Test a few partial shade plants each year until you find those that thrive in this location. Here are a few plants you should try. Sun loving coleus and bronze leafed wax begonias may work. Just keep the soil moist. Purple Heart (Setcreasea purpurea), Pentas, and four o’clocks are other annuals to consider. For perennials try dwarf Mexican petunia (Ruellia), liriope, daylilies, and speedwell (Veronica).
Question -Renee of Kewaskum:
What is the best way to permanently eradicate a large area of poison ivy growing on my property and after the plant is dead, how long does it take the "poison" to leave the roots so we can plant trees in that area?
Answer – Melinda Myers:
Always wear long sleeves, pants and gloves when working in and around poison ivy. NEVER burn the plants, alive or dead, or clippings as the fumes can cause an allergic reaction, throat swelling and a trip to the emergency room for you and your neighbors. There are several products labeled for controlling poison ivy. Check the label and see if it matches your particular situation. Or cut the tall plants and vines to ground level. AS the roots resprout paint Roundup or another total vegetation killer on the leaves. Repeat until the plant is dead. This method contains the plant and I find reduces the risk of accidentally damaging or even killing nearby plants when treating the poison ivy with a total vegetation killer.
Question - Judy of Wauatosa:
We had a large Silver Maple removed from the center of our front garden; the tree was about four feet in diameter. We did have the stump ground to about 16 inches below the surface of the soil. What else should we do before we can plant over this area? How long before we could plant another tree in this spot? We do not have much room to relocate a tree other than the spot where it was due to closeness to the house and not in the center of the garden. Or should we just give up on planting a tree and go for a bush or some other type of perennial. Thanks for the help! See you at a garden tour soon!
Answer - Melinda Myers:
Hello Judy, I always look forward to the Wauwatosa Beautification Garden Tour each summer. As for your Silver Maple, you can plant a new tree in the same area. Consider adding some low nitrogen slow release fertilizer to the planting hole to help speed up the decomposition of the wood debris that is still in the soil. This will reduce the risk of short term nitrogen deficiencies. Consider adding the fertilizer this spring and plant the tree in fall. Fall is a great time for planting trees, shrubs and perennials. Hope this helps.
Question - Cindy
A friend of mine has had a Crown of thorns plant for many years. This is the first time I have ever seen one so I'm not sure what they are supposed to look like. This plant is tall and has several very long stems sticking out. Is there a way to replant this or to cut and root any of the stems to make the plant fuller? The plant is now in my care and I would appreciate any information on care, replanting, tips you could give me.
Answer - Melinda Myers:
Succulents and cacti like the crown of thorns have to be appreciated for their form and texture as opposed to the lush foliage of our tropical indoor plants. Grow your crown of thorns in a sunny window. Keep it in a cool room for the winter and water thoroughly but only when the soil dries. As the days lengthen and the light intensity increases you will need to water more often. At this time leaves should appear. It is common for this plant to drop the leaves during the winter and replace them during the sunnier times.
Question - Dianna of Waukesha
I received a greenhouse azalea for Valentine' Day. I have never had good luck with these plants, but I'd like o try again. I have it in bright light (room with maybe 10 large windows) but few feet away from the windows. The room is cool...68 degrees, cooler right now near the windows. I am planning only to water when soil feels dry...? Care, feeding, watering, light are concerns.
Answer - Melinda Myers
You are off to a good start. Azaleas like bright light and cool temperatures. Keep the soil slightly moist but not wet. Wait until the plant stops blooming or shows signs that it needs a nutrient boost (pale and stunted leaves). Then use a dilute solution of a flowering plant fertilizer for best results. SO don't give up. I have had great luck keeping mine alive and blooming sporadically throughout the year.
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