Plants’ growth out of control
Q: I have several spotted pink begonias. They are still blooming profusely. My problem is that they are looking leggy with a new growth center emerging in the pots. Should I trim them now? What action, if any, should be taken to avoid the leggy look?
A: It’s a fine idea to cut begonias back often enough to keep their growth compact, and there is no reason to wait until spring to do it. It may be that more light can help with this issue going forward, and a change in fertilizer may be a good idea. If you are using a balanced formula, such as 20-20-20, try using one made for flowering plants. Its lower nitrogen levels will slow the stems’ progress.
Q: For the last two years my tomato plants have grown beautifully and then started to wilt like they weren’t getting enough water (that isn’t the problem). This slowly spreads from tomato plant to tomato plant. Do you have any advice that can help me prepare to avoid this problem?
A: Several factors could be at work here, including your choice of variety, soil drainage and others. It sounds like the problem spreads from plant to plant, as with insects that bring in the wilt disease on their feet. Usually, but not always, they are flea beetles and easily missed. Once you know to expect them, most effective will be a series of sprays with pyrethrin made at eight-day intervals when you first see them.
But another possibility lies in the soil: If you grow tomatoes in the same soil two years in a row, two problems can occur — nematodes and soil pathogens. When you pulled up the dead plants, if they had knots along the roots, it’s the nematodes. If the plants started out with spots on their lower leaves and the damage spread upward, it’s early blight. Both can become apparent one plant at a time and build up in the soil to very damaging levels after only one season. Rotation works to avoid both.
Q: I have peonies and crape myrtles that need moving. Can I do that this fall, or should I wait until spring?
A: After this cold snap, you can move the peonies, but it’s also fine to wait until early spring. It’s wise to move crapes after the leaves fall off but in time to prune them while they’re still dormant — November to February. Pick a day that is not windy and when the soil is not too wet to dig.
Send questions to The Clarion-Ledger, Box 40, Jackson MS 39205-0040 or email@example.com. Neal advocates for gardening 24/7 at her website, www.gardenmama.com.