Page 11

Greg Quinn's Thought For the day: So what's the speed of dark?

* * * * * * * * *

Hi Greg. You advice is invaluable. Recently I was given 2 black walnut seeds(?) from a friend that has them on his property in Maine. I'm not sure, however, of the proper way or time to plant them. Do I take them out of the shell? What about planting them in pots as opposed to outdoors? Thanks.............Chris

Hi Chris, If my advice is invaluable does that mean I shouldn't get paid for it? Black Walnut seeds must go through stratification which means a cooling down period of a least 60 days. Store them in a brown paper bag on the bottom shelf of the fridge and that should work fine. I would also take a file and "wound" the shell in several areas. You can start them in pots in the house in a cool, well lit area and then plant the seedlings outside in the middle of May. Plant a lot of them in case some don't germinate.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Greg - Recently on WHUD, you told a listener that while the tubers are packed away for the winter, they should be dampened. Can you explain that a little? Thanks. I really enjoy listening to you on Thursday mornings.

You're welcome! I simply "spritz" the peat moss with a spray bottle until it is very damp about once a month.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Greg, I love listening to you on Thursday mornings. However, I can never get through! Anyway, I have 5 (3 out of the 5 are HUGE) snake plants. Is there any way of pruning these plants? They are nice when they are small, but these snakes are getting out of hand. I don't have a green thumb and I am always forgetting to water my plants, so most of the time they die, but not these!!! If I can't even kill them, is there a way I can get them to look nice, decent height, and straight instead of tall and bent over? If none of this can be done, would you like some snake plants? Barbara

Barbara, Let me get this straight. You're complaint is that you have plants that won't die and are growing too well??? It's a nice change! Seriously, There is no good way to prune Sansiveria (snake plant). You can, however, train them to grow upright using stakes. I'll bet there are a lot of places who would love a donation. Check with nursing homes and long term health care facilities first. Many of these folks would love a plant to take care of. Thanks for the compliment.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Greg, I have a three foot maple tree. It forks into two main growths about 4 inchs off the ground. Should I cut one of the main sides so the other will grow fast??? And if I cut it - When do I do it??? Gene Gene, You may cut one of the two leaders if you wish to shape the tree in that way. While it will grow a bit faster, maples usually grow pretty fast anyway. The best time to do it is now...

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Hi Greg.... Enjoy your segment with Ed and Mike....how about a daily spot ??? My problem is: With the weather being warmer than usual, I am beginning to notice my lawn being dug up I presume by skunks. Could they be looking for grubs ??? or could it be due to some sort of ant digging a spiral hole in my lawn..?? I have been getting some weird looking flying things this past month. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks .....Bob Have a great holiday.....keep on hoe-hoe-hoeing!!!!!!!

Bob, Thanks for the compliment. I'd love a daily spot. All it takes is listeners telling the management. Skunks will indeed dig holes in the lawn looking for grubs. They are usually 2 inches across and as deep. There aren't many grubs around this time of year so I'm not sure what's going on. Of course with this crazy weather, who knows. As far as the weird looking flying things....were they saucer shaped with blinking red and green lights? I think I saw them too!

* * * * * * * * * *

Hi Greg, I have an indoor palm tree, I need some advice on how to keep the leaves from turning brown, also the tips of the new shoots are dry before they even sprout. I also noticed that it gets spider webs on the tips of the leaves and down the stem. The palm tree is in a room next to a window but does not get direct sun light and it is in a 15 inch pot. Thank you for any advice you can give me. Eddie Hi Eddie, You have spider mites on your palm. You should do battle with a good miticide from your local garden center. They are tough little critters so be prepared to use several applications according to label directions. Once you control them, it will perk up and should be fine where it's at.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Hi Greg - thanks for taking the time to read so many questions! I'm sneaking this in at work under someone else's screen name. Do you only post answers or do they get sent as replies also? The job I am writing from has planted a dogwood tree in memory of one of our co-workers. It is now about 7' with multiple trunks. It needs a major pruning - many crossed branches, no real form, etc. If I don't mind losing the blooms from whole sections, can I prune now (mid-December?) Thanks in advance - next month I start my last class at NYBG for a Landscape Design certificate - sorry I missed being able to be in one of your classes! Thanks.

It's a lot of work but I really enjoy hearing from and helping everyone. Unfortunately I don't send personal replies very often because there are just too many. Now is the perfect time to prune the dogwood (mid-Jan) . Cut out all the crossed branches and suckers. It'll do much better. Congrats on your completion of the NYBG courses and your up coming career.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Greg: Every time I catch you on WHUD I learn something New! I have the Organic Gardener's Encyclopedia and was dissapointed that I could not find out about transplanting my Lilac Bush in the book. The Bush (tree) is too close to my garage door and needs to be moved. It is about 10 to 12 feet tall and has about 4 main trunks about 11/2 to 2" in Dia.. How and when can I move it? Best Regards, Joe Segar Danbury, CT.

Hi Joe, You can move your Lilac in March before any new growth starts. Dig up as large a root ball as you can handle and prepare a new hole about twice as large. Backfill part of that hole with compost and soil mix and a couple handfuls of bone meal. You may need to stake it for the first season and keep it well watered if we run into a dry spell.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Greg Quinn's thought for the day: Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

how can I get the right amount of forget-me-nots in my brain garden so I don't forget my wife"s birthday and our anniversary?....hi, Greg....just checking this thing out...glad you came to our Christmas party...hope all is well at "the farm"...can't wait for the annual Pamal summer picnic up there...talk to you soon...Jake

Jake, There is a great botanical remedy to improve the memory of older folks but I can't remember what it is! I enjoyed seeing everyone at the holiday do. Thanks for having me. It's always a treat to see so many introverts in one room!

* * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Greg, During last summer's drought, our two Blue Spruce (shaped like domes) suffered a good deal of needle loss. The lower half of the plants have branches which are mostly bare. Probably, the major cause was that these plants are relatively close to the patio and walkway so that watering by hand was not very effective. Can these plants be salvaged or should we replace them in the spring? Thank you for your advice, Kevin S.Haraki Suffern, NY 10901

Hi Kevin, Spruces, as well as many other evergreens, usually will not refoliate from the bottom once the foliage is gone. You may have to replace them or you may want to consider planting little ones of the same specie around the bottoms to fill in the bars spots.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

HI GREG. I HAVE A JADE PLANT THAT I'VE HAD THREE-FOUR YEARS. IT HAS DONE WELL UNTIL NOW. I HAVE A WHITE, SCALEY DEPOSIT ON THE LEAVES AND THE NEW GROWTH HAS DRIED UP AND LOOKS DEAD. THE WHITE STUFF DOESNT MOVE SO I DONT THINK ITS SOME KIND OF BUG. WHAT IS IT. WHAT TO DO. AND HOW TO AVOID IT IN THE FUTURE. CAN I SAVE THIS PLANT. THANKs

You do in fact have either mealy bugs or scale, both of which are insects. One method of control is to take a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol and touch each spot. Do this as often as you see them and soon you'll have your Jade plant back.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

I just found out that the lilac bushes my husband planted 3-4 years ago have been pruned (ALL OVER - even the top!!!) every year. I have never seen 1 bloom on these bushes and now I know why!!! How long do I have to wait to see flowers on these lilac bushes? By the way, I listen to you every Thursday morning with Ed and Mike and think you're all great! Hope you catch up on your e-mails soon. Still waiting to hear about my other question. Barbara Hi Barbara, Thanks for the complimentary words. You may want to retain a lawyer. I think pruning lilacs from the top is still a capital offense. It may take 2-3 years of no pruning before you see the first blooms. Feed your lilac this spring with a 5-10-5 fertilizer to speed up the process.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Greg Quinn's thought for the day: Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Hi Greg, enjoy your spot on WHUD. I have a question about my minature Japenese maple tree. It is four years old and about 3ft tall. In December it was eaten by deer and reduced to twigs. Will this tree survive this and return to its beautiful colors come spring. It normally had four different shades of color depending on the season. Thank you for your time and knowledge. Sincerely, Joe

Thanks! It's hard to say. They have eaten all the buds that would have been the new leaves this spring. The tree still has a lot of food reserves in the root system so it may push another growth. If it does it will be severely depleted. If it does come back and is eaten again that may be the end of the story. Feed it in March and again in May with a 10-6-4 fertilizer according to label directions (do not over feed). Good luck.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Greg, I'm looking for a bush that I had in a yard of a house we once rented. It drops it's leaves and has red berries in the winter. The branches are tangled and it has thorns. In the spring it has red flowers on it. It was a lovely way to start the spring and a great draw for the birds in the winter. do you think you could identify it for me? thanks, leslie hotchkiss

Hi Leslie, It sounds like you are describing Barberry. It comes in many varieties all with thorns and red winter berries. The are several red foliage species such as the Red Pygmy cultivar which are extremely attractive.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Hello...my husband and I enjoy your segment...especially that spring is coming and the seed catalogues are arriving. Now the question, for house plants what type of pots do you recommend: plastic or clay? Ruth Scott

Hi Ruth, For house plants, either is fine. The plastic weighs less and is, therefore easier to move if you have to. Conversely, the weight of the clay or terra cotta is better suited to keeping tall plants from falling over. For outside plants I prefer the clay.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Hi Greg, I have some peonies that I separated and replanted a few years ago and they are thriving. The question is - when should I cut them back. I trimmed the flowers after they died, but still have the stems and leaves. Thanks, Wendy

Hi Wendy, You can prune back any dead branches and make sure to clean up any dead leaves because they contain the botritus virus that will infect next year's plants. Other than that, I leave my peonies alone.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

How can you have been born in CT 20 years ago, and have as many years experience as is recorded on your webpage?! Is there a 'youth plant' the rest of us don't know about?

Yes, and I'm not telling!

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

How can I discourage my "old" feline from using my indoor tree as a litter box?

Try sprinkling the hottest hot dried pepper you can find on the soil. It's worked for me (I mean my cats).

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

I live in Dutchess County, and have an outdoor oil burner. My question is. do you have any suggestion on what we can plant to hide it from view year 'round? It is in a mostly shady area, about 4 feet high. A good evergreen of some sort?? Thanks, CM

Hi CM, One of the few evergreens that will do well in the shade is the hollies. There are many varieties and all can be pruned to any shape or height you want. Check with your local nursery to see what they have available.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Greg Quinn's thought for the day: You know you're getting old when you stoop to tie your shoes and wonder what else you can do while you're down there.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Hi. The good news: My husband brings home flowers once-in-a-while. The bad news: My cats loves to eat the flowers, so I end up arranging the flowers, and then putting them on top of the fridge -- out of the cats' reach. And who can see and admire flowers way up there!!?? My question; what flowers are definitely not toxic to my kitties? Thanks - love your show in WHUD, and love Ed and Mike, too!

Julie Many flowers are toxic. That does not necessarily mean deadly but rather a substance that will give them an upset stomach. Either way, try to condition them not to eat the flowers. Try covering a large piece of paper or cardboard with double sided sticky tape and place the vase in the middle. Puss will wish she had boots when she steps on the sticky surface and won't come back. After a few vase fulls of flowers, they will loose interest in their floral diet. Tell your husband he has to bring flowers home much more regularly because you are training the cats. You may be abel to get away with this for many months.

* * * * * * * * * *

Were you really born only 20 years ago?

I know what you're getting at. I wasn't born yesterday you know!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Could you tell me how I locate the information on your web site? Thank you! Pam Thanks for asking, Pam. As soon as it's up I'll be letting every one know.