Question:
What do I need to do to keep my Poinsettia plants from dying? They seem to wither away so quickly each year.Answer:
- Poinsettia leaves turn yellow, curl, and shrivel quickly because of warm temperatures. You would think that with all the advanced breeding techniques we have today, this perennial problem would be corrected, but it hasn’t.
- Poinsettia likes to be kept in a cool room, preferably under seventy degrees, and that’s a problem in many homes. They need to be kept away from heater vents, operating fireplaces, and drafts, especially in doorways, as sudden changes in temperature can cause problems.
- I’ve successfully displayed Poinsettias on a protected porch where the overnight temperatures were around forty degrees.
- Also, the flowers and leaves of the Poinsettia plant collapse when the plant is excessively wet. They like to be kept uniformly moist.
- Before displaying them, water them? Now all the plants have the same moisture level.
- Before watering again, stick your finger down an inch in the soil. If it feels moist to the touch, then skip the watering.
- After watering, always dump the excess water that collects in the saucer and punches a hole in the decorative foil so the water can drain away.
Question:
I purchased a Crape Myrtle nine months ago, but it hasn't grown at all. I've fertilized it twice and watered it weekly. The plant is green with some leaves turning red, but it's still not taller than the stake I used for support. The nursery suggested I dig it up and replant it. What could be going wrong? I expected more growth.Answer:
- The information you received is correct. Here’s what’s happening: new plants that struggle to grow are often planted to deep.
- This is the main reason why plants fail to thrive in clay soil. The dense nature of clay soil can suffocate the tiny root hairs, and frequent watering can cause the root ball to become overly saturated.
- As a result, the plants may not produce new growth because there are not enough new roots to support them. Over time, this can adversely affect the larger roots, leading to root rot and, ultimately, the plant's death.
- This process can take several growing seasons to develop.
- To ensure healthy growth, the top of the first root should be positioned about half an inch above the soil surface to allow for settling.
- To protect exposed roots from the intense summer sun, apply a two-inch layer of mulch that extends from the trunk out to the drip line.
- This practice helps drain moisture away from the plant's crown, preventing it from remaining overly wet for long periods. You can undertake this now, but there’s no need to rush. You could
- You wait until next March or April. After replanting, I recommend fertilizing the plant about three weeks later to encourage new growth.