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Greg Quinn's thought for the day: If a man says something in the woods and there are no women there, is he still wrong?

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Dear Greg: I just found my message I sent the other day and it looks like the first part of the message got lost. What I was asking about is something called artillery fungi which is appearing all over my garden. It is a small brownish/red dot about the size of a pin head. It is on my plants, house, side walk, rock wall and now our cars which are parked near the garden. What I have found out about it is it grows on wooden mulch and is naturally occurring on decaying wood. What I can't find out about this fungi is how to kill it. Do you have any information about this artillery fungi? Jean I

Dear Jean, Sphaerobolus stellatus also known as artillery fungus grows on dung and well rotted wood such as tanbark and wood chips used as foundation bed mulches. It prefers open areas with little shade and sufficient moisture. Because no fruiting bodies are produced above 77 degrees F, the problem is limited to spring and fall. The spherical fruiting is approximately 2 mm in diameter and produces spores internally. When mature, it splits radically from the apex, forming 4 - 8 teeth along the outer rim of the now cup-like structure. Unfortunately, fungicides have not been evaluated for control of this fungus. For those locations plagued with the problem, an alternate form of mulch for foundation beds may be in order. Yearly addition of fresh, treated tanbark or wood chips may lessen the problem if all the old mulch is completely covered. However, scraping glebal masses from windows and walls will possibly re-infest beds because the spores contained in the glebal masses have been reported to be viable for up to 11 years.

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I have lilacs that have never (planted about 12 years ago) gotten flowers. I fed them for the first time this spring realizing that I would have to wait at least until next year for a bloom. Should I feed them again before winter hits and what precisely should I feed them? I read your Bio on the website. You have accomplished a tremendous amount for a twenty year old; tell me your secret, please :-)

I feed my lilacs with a 5-10-5 fertilizer in April and the end of November and make sure they are getting full sun. Why, hours spent in the garden, of course!

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Hi Greg, I would like to know if you know if there is a bug thats just a tiny black dot.I have these black dots all over my plants outside and also stuck to the windows where the plants are. I have never seen this before.I put my plants outside every summer and this has not happened before. Thank you for your time, JoAnne

Hi JoAnne, Sounds like you might have "artillery fungus." See the response to Jean's letter a few questions earlier.

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Hi Greg. Love listening to your program on Thurs. mornings with Mike and Ed. I have a hibiscus (?) plant which was in a large pot on my deck all summer. I would like to bring it in for the winter and set it near my sliding glass door with a southern exposure. Will it make it through the winter?

Probably. I am guessing that this is the tropical hibiscus and if so southern exposure is good. Keep it always damp and feed with a liquid 15-30-15. Good luck.

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Hi, I have a Rose of Sharon bush/tree that I planted a few years ago and it is growing well. Too well...I don't want it to get too tall. Can I keep cutting it back to keep it the size of a small bush?

Hi, Actually the Rose-of-Sharon or hardy hibiscus benefits from cutting back. Be sure to cut it in the spring before the new growth begins. Enjoy!

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I have a huge ash tree in my backyard...over 150 feet tall with a diameter of 8 feet, girth of more than 25 feet that has been slowly dying over the last several years. Its losing branches and has smaller leaf density. I suspect that it is dying of that ash blight affecting NYState. I have contacted a tree trimmer who estimates that it will cost thousands of dollars to take the tree down since it is so large. Are there any government funds available to try to save the tree since it is so old? How would I find out if any monies were available? I live in Orange County. Thanks.

The White Ash have been dying in the Northeast for over a decade now from a fungal condition called 'ash decline.' There is no good cure and no good control and consequently no government funds to save individual trees. Similar things have happened with the chestnuts, elms, dogwoods and others over the years. It's an unfortunate fact of nature.

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I live in Buchanan and I have overgrown yews that are now above the window level on two sides of my home. I want to know if I can prune them back drastically (below the green growth level) and if I do, will they push green growth next year? Or, would I be better off just pulling them out and planting new ones? Should a clematis be cut back to grow bushier? If so, when and how much? P.

Hi P. Taxus (yews) can be cut back drastically with great success. They will almost always come back better than ever. It may, however, take several years to look good so you have to decide if you can live with the "chopped" look in the meantime. Cut them back as far as you want in April and feed with a 10-6-4 fertilizer. I prune my clematis back by 50% each year in the early spring.

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I have some shrubs that are over grown ie. too tall. When and how should I prune them to attain a 4 foot height. They are now about 6 feet tall. Tk's for your comments,

Jeff I need to know what kind of "shrubs" they are. They all have different properties.

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Hi Greg, I finally had some time to visit the WHUD website and to finally put a face to the your voice. I planted a barberry bush in my perennial garden to have some color in the fall. It's now the 3rd year and has grown pretty wild. When is the best time to cut it back and also rose bushes, when can I cut those back? Back home(Jamaica) I was able to circompose rose bushes and replant when the area got roots? Can I do that here in Orange county New York and if so when can I start?

Hi, Your Barberry and roses can both be pruned back in April. I'm afraid I don't know what you mean by "circompose." Sorry.

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Hi Greg, I have some spruce trees in my back yard that were bent over from Floyd. Once these have bent will they straighten up on their own? If not, if I can slowly push them up will they stay that way? There are two that are bent near the base and I can work on them easily. There is a rather tall one that bent over about ten feet up and I'm not quite sure what to do with it. Any suggestions? I really enjoy listening to your advice in the morning and thanks for any info you can provide. Susan Jungkvist North Salem, NY

Hi Susan, Thanks for the compliment. The best way to handle the situation is to stake the trees. Drive a solid cedar staking pole (available in nurseries) into the ground at a 45 degree angle. Pull the trees up straight and tie a good stout rope in a figure 8 around the trunks and your staking poles. Do not tie the rope around the trunk tight like a noose. Leave it open. They should re-root in that position in about a year.

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Greg: Hi I have this year old hibiscus which has doubled in size this summer. I was wondering what I can do with it this winter. If I bring it inside where would be the best place for it. The leaves and so beautiful and deep shiny green there are also a few buds on the plant. Please give me you best suggestions. Thank you. Carol

Hi Carol, I am guessing that this is the tropical hibachis and if so, southern exposure and or bright light is good. Keep it always damp and feed with a liquid 15-30-15.

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Greg, Hi. My problem is with the deer eating my tulip tree. I know that you suggested we find deer reciepies, but that's not my answer. Ha.ha.ha. The tree was planted two years ago, it is about 6 years old now, and only 2 feet tall. Every time the deer walk by it on their nightly walk through my front yard they nibble at it. The tree is now sprouting from the sides, because the insides are all chewed down to nothing. I want desperately to save this tree, my friend planted this for me two years ago after I saw the monster tulip tree they had in their yard. It was the most beautiful tree I have ever seen in bloom, and that they dug up this seedling and cared for it and even planted it here for me, was so special. Do you have any suggestions on how to protect it? We have tried putting out smelly soaps in onion bags, moth balls around the area, and even croaking frogs when something approaches to scare them away. Nothing works. Should we wrap the tree in burlap and maybe fence it in? I don't want to hurt the trees new growth. Now that fall is here, I can't tell what is good and what is dead. Any suggestions? Thanks for your help. Gina Lown

Hi Gina, The only good method for your tulip tree is to build a wire cage around it 5' high. Keep it just far enough away from the tree so that they can't nibble it through the fence and not so wide that they can jump in. Tulips grow fast so in a few years of unmolested growth the foliage will be beyond the reach of Bambi and the gang!

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GREG , SEVERAL MONTHS AGO YOU WERE TALKING ON WHUD ABOUT NOT MIXING WILD TIGER LILLYS WITH EXOTIC LILLYS SUCH AS ASIATIC OR ORIENTIAL LILLYS. PLEASE GO INTO MORE DETAIL. WHAT ABOUT SOME OF THE FANCY DAYLILLY VARIETY ? THANK YOU BOB KELLEHER

The reason for not mixing garden lilies with the tiger lilies is that the tigers have a disease that does not affect them but can wipe out your prizes. Daylillies are not a true lilly (lillium) but rather a hemorocalis and as such, not a problem.

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Greg Quinn's thought for the day: A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station...

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Greg-- I have a trumpet vine which has plenty of leaves and vine but it has not bloomed. This plant has been on the east side of my home and gets sunlight for approximately six hours. I have had it in this place for two years. What do I need to do to get blooms? Thanks for your help. Shirley Coughlin

Hi Shirley, Feed your Trumpet with a 5-10-5 this November and again in April. Then water it with Miracle-Gro throughout the summer and it should sound like Wyton Marsallis!

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Dear Greg, I have had my house sided this summer and had to remove all my shrubs from the front of my house. I have a raised ranch with an overhang and a wide roof overhang also, therefore the area gets very little water. What shrubs and plants can I plant in this area that will survive such little water? Thanks, Linda

Dear Linda, You can try Taxus because they are deep rooted but I would recommend a simple watering system in that area which will allow you to plant a beautiful and varied selection.

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Hi Greg, Thanks for answering my last question about my perfect miniture roses, I'll do everything that you said. I have 2 questions this time. One, I have several ficus house plants of various sizes. They did great all spring and summer, new growth and got nice and bushy. Is it normal for the leaves to start turning yellow and dropping from the plants at this time of year. Everyday there are more and more. Your advice, please. My second question is that in the early spring I made a large container plant of several miniture evergreen shrubs, including one azalea. They did very well and I kept them neatly trimmed. Now that winter is approaching what can I do with them, so that I can enjoy them again next year. Your expert opinion is welcome. Thanks alot Greg, Pat Laughlin, Shrub Oak, NY

Hi Pat, I love it when someone does "everything" I say! 1)Ficus are a temperamental lot. When they are moved or when the angle of the sun changes, they throw a tantrum and drop their leaves. Don't worry, give them a little liquid fertilizer and they'll regrow. 2) I assume this is outside. The biggest problem will be the roots above ground freezing and thawing over the winter. This can sometimes do them in. Try to pack the outside of the container with straw or some other insulation, not to keep them warm but to cut down on the fluctuations.

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Hi Greg - Thanks for all the good tips. We have lost a lot of ash trees due to the blight and would like to replace some of them with walnut trees. What grow well around here and how long until we can expect to see any nuts? Thanks. Nancy

Hi Nancy - Black Walnut trees grow well in this area. When you get nuts depends entirely on the size trees you buy. The larger the sooner. Keep in mind that Walnut trees give off a toxin from their roots that can inhibit the growth of many plants from that area. Also, Walnuts don't drop leaves in the fall but rather long fronds that many people object to. They're beautiful but not without their baggage.

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Hi Greg -- I listen to you on Ed and Mike all the time. I have a small ( 3 ft) Maple ( I believe it's a Japanese.. green leaves that turn to red in the fall). I would like to transplant it from the south side of the house to the north side. Can I do that now? The leaves have not completely turned yet. Or should I wait until spring? The deer keep eating ot !! Thanks a bunch.Mark Baumgarten

Hi Mark, If you can wait, the best time would be in April. Try screening it until then.

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When should i put my pointsettia in a dark place so that it will flower?

I start the 12 hours on 12 hours off cycle on my poinsettia September 1st.

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Hi Gregg, You three make me laugh on thursdays. I got great tips from you over the years.With this time of the season I find myself carving alot of pumpkins and have a lot of seeds. Could you recomend a way of storing and when to and where to plant seeds for a harvest next year. Also watering recomendations. Thanks Ken.

Hi Ken, Thanks. Pumpkin seed are easy to grow. Just remember that each seed can produce many pumpkins. Store them in a cool, dark, dry place for the winter. You can start them indoors the end of April and put them in after the 15th. Extra seeds can be roasted in the oven and eaten with or without salt. Enjoy!

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Dear Greg: Thank you for your expert advice which resulted in a bountiful harvest from my "urban garden" this past season! I have only 1 problem left: I bought a "skeeter plant", or citronella plant, in July. It has been outside, in a large pail -- it has grown quite large, with thick branches. For the winter: do I take it inside as a "houseplant", or can it survive the winter outside? If outside, will it grow back each year? Please advise -- Thanks!

You're welcome. I would bring it in. Many varieties are not hardy around here.

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WHEN IS IT TIME TO TRIM UP THE BUTTERFLY BUSHES. HOW FAR BACK TO YOU CUT THEM? THANK YOU.

I prune my budleia back in April and you can cut it back as much as 50% if needed.

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Hi Greg. I live in Monroe, New York and have a large Yucca plant in my garden. It was there when I purchased the house. What do I do to winterize it? In particular, do I cut down the large stalk in the middle? Thank you for your help. I enjoy listening to you on the Ed and Mike show.

You may cut the stalks of your yucca when they are brown. Otherwise it need no care other than an occasional feeding of 5-10-5. Thanks for the compliment.

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Is there any way to get rid of woodpeckers? Or is this a good nuisance to have around? thank you

One of the most effective of getting woodpeckers off your house is to tie a shiny, helium filled Mylar balloon on a string long enough to float in the vicinity of the activity. You may have to move it once or twice but it usually works.

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Hi Greg!! I'll get to the question's. I have an Aloe plant and it gets black spots. It looks like rot. Is it? What can I do? Also, When do I prun my Gardenia plants? I had them outside during the Summer in containers and I have brought them in for the Winter. How often should I water and feed them? Last but not least... I have four Russian Cypress. Two are in the ground and two are in containers still. The ones in the ground are turning purpleish brown as are the other two. Is this normal? Can I plant the two in containers in the ground still? What & when do I feed them? I read through your e-mails and did not find the answers to these ?'s. Thank you.

Your Aloe is probably getting too much water. I would prune your Gardenia now. Feed them regularly with a water soluble fertilizer according to label directions. Yes, that is normal for your Russian Cypress. I would put them in the ground ASAP and feed them all with a 10-6-4 the end on November. You're Welcome.

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Dear Greg, Hi! My name is Joey and I am 12 years old. I love to grow vegetables in my garden, especially "Big Moon Pumpkins." I know it's not growing season but can you give me some tips on how to grow the pumpkins big for next spring? Thank You, Joey Hi Joey, The size of the pumpkin has to do first with the variety. If you want giants, you have to plant the giant variety. Make sure you have lots of compost in your soil and fertilize with a 5-10-5 fertilizer once a month during the growing season. Good Luck!

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I would like to plant a fast growing, juicy-red apple tree in front of my house. When to plant? Do I need two trees of the same kind? What tree would you suggest? Thanks so much, Mary in Cortlandt Manor. Hi Mary, There are so many types of apples it really depends on your taste. Check out the "Miller's Fruit Tree Catalog" for good descriptions. Plant a dwarf variety and most apples actually need a "different" variety to cross pollinate so plant at least two kinds.

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Greg, During the last month I have seen 50 plus patches of mushrooms on my lawn. What is happening, and what can I do to prevent this thanks bob&rose

Hi Bob and Rose, There isn't much you can or have to do. They grow from spores and will pop up after heavy rains. Just cut them down when you see them.

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Hi Greg,I have a very large gardenia in my kitchen. I have had many blooms on my gardenia for the past 2 years-it blooms from January to April. Should I trim this gardenia? If so, how should I do it, and when is the best time to trim it. I just love this plant, and everyone is amazed that I get all these flowers on it-because I don't have a green thumb.Also, the plant is about 7 years old. Thank You, love to listen to you, Eileen

Hi Eileen, Thanks for the compliment. Sounds like you do have a green thumb. You may trim it back now a little and fertilize with a water soluble 15-30-15. If it's doing well, don't change a thing!

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Greg-I have harvested a variety of seeds from my garden, both annual and perennial types. How important is it to chill or freeze the seed before planting and is there a way of determining which seed types require this technique? Is this something that should be done with all seeds? I would like to start them indoors under lights around February, so when would be the best time to do this and for how long? I would appreciate your advice. Thankyou, Judy

You have to do a little research. Generally seeds fall into two categories. Those that have to be stratified (chilled) and those that have to be scarified (scratched). I wouldn't have the time or space to list them all here but you might try contacting Cornell Cooperative Extension in your county for info. Good luck.

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Hi Greg - Look forward to your segment on WHUD (just haven't had the nerve to dial in). My question is in regard to a lilac bush I've planted in my back yard. The bush has tripled in size in a short time but has yet to bear flowers. The bush is in complete sunlight and I must confess, I do not water it, other than rain water. Any suggestions? Thank you very much.

Thanks for the compliment and you don't need nerve, I'm a nice guy. It can take up to 7 years for some lilacs to come into bloom. Feed it April, July and November with a 5-10-5.