Rhonda A. wrote:
How do I start a muscadine vine with seed?
Dear Rhonda,
Muscadine seeds should give you something close to the parent plant. Muscadines
by their very nature are a wild type growing grape with a thicker, chewier skin than
some of the more refined grapes. Take the seed and plant in a good potting soil
about 1/4 inch deep, keep it moist and plant into a container as they sprout and
grow larger.
My Best,
Stan
Linda wrote:
How do I know which are the suckers; on a tomato plant?
Dear Linda:
No commercial grower worries about taking out suckers and you
shouldn’t worry about it either. Every branch has the potential to
flower and thus, produce more fruit for your table. The only time
I have ever taken a sucker off was when I was teaching Horticulture
and I wanted to show my students how you could take off a branch
inbetween a branch and then root it to show them how easy tomato
plants could root.
My Best,
Stan
Linda wrote:
What causes my tomatoes to get black on the bottom before they rippen?
Dear Linda:
This is called blossom end rot. It is a calcium deficiency. You will need to add a quick
acting source of calcium. Look for a product called blossom end rot spray which will
be poured or drenched over the plant according to instructions on the label.
My Best,
Stan
Jennifer Vreeland wrote:
Hello, New at starting our own tom. plants from seed in the house under lights
then into own 3inch pots in the green house. there about 4 inchs tall and had
been doing great,until last night it was gonna get real cold outside so we added
a little gas heater in the g house. temp was at about 78 thru out the night and
when i went out in the morning to check everything the majority of the leaves
were turning down ward looking wilty any suggestions as to what might have
happened over night? please help as to we have put alot of time and money and
patiance into these plant and would love to save them? thank you
Dear Jennifer:
Sorry it has taken so long to get back with you. Do make sure that you have an ability to vent
the gas by-product from your heater. I agree, you need to keep the tomato plants above freezing,
but some gas heaters give off deadly gases which is the same reason we don’t use them around
people in an enclosed area without proper ventilation.
The process of growing plants is certainly one that most of use the trial-and-error system.
My best,
Stan
Craig wrote:
We have some tomato plants we are trying to grow from seeds indoors. They have
grown to about 3″ to 4″ high and we transplanted them into their own
containers. The problem we are having is that just about half of them have
died, they just have fallen over and died. Is there something we are doing
wrong. We have a spotlight style grow light above them and about 20 other
plants. Just wondering if it’s just not warm enough for the tomatoes. Any
advice would be helpful, as we are brand new to this. Thanks!
Dear Craig:
Starting seeds inside is a good technique. Make sure the soil is sterile (a peat/perlite combination). MiracleGro makes an excellent starting soil.
At the 3 inch stage, try moving the plants into an area with natural light, if temperature permits. Tomatoes must be kept above freezing. Moving them
outside, sometimes called hardening-off. It is not uncommon for some seedlings to die. Those tomatoes that do live should give you a strong, sturdy plant.
Also, at this stage give a feeding with a good water soluable fertilizer, such as MiracleGro plant food. Remember, seedlings should not be kept in soggy
soil, or to get bone dry. Just like youngsters, tomatoes demand constant care. At 5-6 inches, put them into their final move into a large container or
directly into the ground. Tomatoes are in the Solanaceae family which means “sun lover”. Tomatoes should get 6-8 hours of bright sunlight daily.
Fertilize on a weekly basis and happy picking.
My best,
Stan
Langston wrote:
Where do you get your Dwarf fruit trees?
Dear Langston,
Your local nurseryman could possibly order some through a wholesaler that he is purchasing his fruit trees. Most dwarf varieties are associated to the root stock or base of the fruit tree. Again in case people aren’t familiar or wonder why you might want these trees in place of their larger cousins, it’s because most folks don’t like breaking out the ladder to harvest their fruit. Furthermore it also means that you will get less crop yield thus less wasted fruit drop that you can’t eat.
Hope this is helpful.
My best,
Stan
Question: Stella cherry tree about 5 years old had lots of blossoms and fruit last year. This year did not blossom wonder why?
There are many reasons why a cherry tree may not blossom. The amount of chilling time, a minimum of a couple of a hundred hours below 40 degrees will give it sufficient time to bloom well. This will vary with the variety. Also, check the pH of the soil and adjust if not slightly acidic. Fertilize with a peach/cherry type or bloomer fertilizer in the spring-summer and fall. Some years will naturally do better than others.
Question: We have a Peach tree growing in our back yard and we wanted to know when it will start bearing fruit ? It is about 2 feet tall and has beautiful leaves on it .
Is this a grafted tree or raised from seed? If it is from seed, it may take 10 years and may not be a great producer. If it is a grafted tree it should produce in the next couple of years.
Question: Black sooty mold grows on my citrus and gardenia. Is this a problem?
Black sooty mold is a red flag indicating insects that feed and excrete on the leaves of your plants. It sometimes has a varnished appearance to the leaves, followed by the black mold that grows on the honeydew made by the excretion of the insects. Try spraying with a soapy water solution (1 tsp. mild detergent to a gallon of water) or use Neem oil according to label instructions.
