Comments for Gardener Report

Comment on How to Grow and Care for Lavender ‘Phenomenal’ by Archie Hayley

Archie Hayley — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 16:29:44 +0000

Mark I’m looking to plant this down the roadside of my place. Will the Phenomenal Lavender reseed and spread onto the rest of my place. I’m thinking it want but want to make sure. Thanks for your advice!
Trying to put a hedge of something to catch my neighbor’s trash from blowing all over my pasture.

Comment on How to Water Yucca Plants Indoors by Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 01:37:28 +0000

Hello there, thanks for letting us know about a Yucca. I actually found a Yucca in our garbage type shed at my apartment. It had the stem on it still and most leaves were yellow. I’m always up for a challenge with a plant.
I cut the few leaves left on the stem and had to discard the stem as it was pretty hollow. I put the carefully cut leaves that were left into water.
Grew roots, can’t recall how long that took.
Placed it in miracle grow soil, which had fertilizer in it.
I placed it in a big container 10 inches I believe, as I wanted this to be her forever home. This plant just took off crazy. New leaves are growing as I write this and it’s winter. I’ve never had a yellow or brown leaf and no root rot as I don’t water it much. I can go almost a month without watering her. I knew to drench her with each watering.
She faces South East. I’ve had her about 2years and my question is, how long does it take for that woody stem to appear ? Do I need to know the genus type she is ? Will one appear at all ?
Being a plant parent is not an easy task, no matter what I’ve been told or read. There are so many variables with each plant.
Reading your article I was surprised you didn’t mention a water meter. Fingers cannot tell you if the roots are good or not. This meter is my number one tool I would recommend to people.
It has saved me every time.
Thank you for your time

Comment on Lemon Tree Losing Leaves? (How to Save it) by Kelly Windus

Kelly Windus — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:51:29 +0000

Thank you for your article! I have learned a lot from growing indoor lemon trees ( mostly what not to do). And, yet, my current lemon tree tells me I have much more to learn!

After losing my last lemon tree I purchased a soil tester which gives a reading on dryness, pH, fertility and temperature.

If the soil is dry and reads dry I water well and if fertility is low I add the citrus fertilizer.

I also spray it periodically with some Neem and rainwater or water that has been left out to de-chlorinate ( I have found my tap water tends to turn the leaves yellow).

I have it placed at a sliding glass door that faces S-SW ( mid-day to afternoon sun is what is available).

I recently noticed healthy leaves falling. I suspect it might be a lack of sunlight and cold ( I usually close the drapes at night as it does help a little with the chill ).

Another thing I noticed is that I do have several small lemons coming in but it is starting to show blooms again. Last year it did that and when I finally moved it outside when all the frost chances were gone it dropped all the tiny lemons. If you have any tips to prevent this I would greatly appreciate them!

Thanks Much!

Comment on How to Save a Spider Plant with Brown Leaves and Leaf Tips by Kallie Domagall

Kallie Domagall — Sun, 09 Feb 2025 19:55:13 +0000

Beyond grateful!

Comment on How to Care for Indoor Miniature Roses (10 Tips) by Theresa Myers

Theresa Myers — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 22:10:02 +0000

Hi my name Theresa Jo aka TJ I bought my father a indoor/outdoor rosebush. When I bought it the guy who my dad boarded to cut the biggest stems off not even on a slant I paid 40 bucks for it for father day two years ago. It doesn’t seem to hurt the other ones from blooming but I do not understand why he would have done that cause I can’t see how he can get it to re-root. I’m getting into quite a green thumb and hoping to buy a house this year and I want to build a Rock garden and my dad wants to have outside rose bushes so I have recently been into this green thumb idea and I have only ever grew indoor plants so I would love to get some learning advice by you.

Comment on How to Save a Succulent That is Turning Yellow by Erica

Erica — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 18:00:48 +0000

Hi Mark,

I saw there is an offset growing between the stems(top right). I have two Aloe Veras are like that, is that normal? And what should I do with it?

Thank you.

Comment on Hydrangea Turning Green? (3 Reasons) by Val Maine

Val Maine — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 03:07:13 +0000

I moved house in March 2024 to a nextdoor suburb. My ten year old blue and pink hydrangeas whose colours were vivid bloomed with a paler rendition of previous colour and then early January turned green. They still look healthy but never before have lost colour so early in summer. Reason I think is previously, I kept them completely outside in partially shaded conditions whereas now I have them on a deck roofed in transparent plastic. I thought this would be perfect, but it has drained colour.

Comment on How to Revive a Dying Money Tree by Denise Benner

Denise Benner — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 17:29:20 +0000

Thank you, Mark, for great info. My money tree is wilting…dropping leaves, as you said due to sitting in water. It’s about 5′ from roots to top of tree. I’ll open up base to air out and move to better suited location.

Comment on Why is My Honeysuckle Dying? (How to Save it) by Greg

Greg — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 12:38:59 +0000

Good to get a better understanding of the Honeysuckle requirements. I have 2 plants that I am trying to grow along a fence. Thet have struggled from the start. I water regulary. I have a sandy soil that is fairly high in PH. Around 7.5. I have added compost and leaf mould but the plant is struggling.

Is the high PH a concern? I recently tried adding Iron Sulphate and I am waiting to see if there are any improvements.

Comment on Sunflower Dying? (How to Revive it) by ggadu

ggadu — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 10:46:59 +0000

Thank you for the amazing tips!

My sunflower has recently suffered from bouts of heatwave, and the once-blooming flower is now wilted and dried out. The stalk and leaves are still green and standing tall, but I need urgent help on how to keep it healthy.

It is currently located in the corner of the backyard, where it receives 6-8 hours of sunlight. Considering the temperature, would it be better to move it indoors so it won’t suffer from the heat?