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Flowers
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Question:
What are some of the Award winning new flowers
for 2002?
Mort's
Answer: Cleome , Sparkler Blush, Geranium , Black
Magic Rose, Pansy , Ultima Morpho, Petunia Tidal Wave
Silver, Rudbeckia, Cherokee Sunset, Vinca, Jaio Scarlet
Eye and the Ornamental Pepper, Chilly Chili, are the
All -American Selections for 2002. The Pansy is the
first with blue and yellow bicolor blooms. This F1 hybrid
Pansy is heat tolerant and will bloom in extreme heat.
The pastel blue and yellow against a green foliage is
a treat for the eye. Ultima Morpho will take 80 days
from seed to flower. Chilly Chili has two inch fruit,
is not pungent and is edible. Peppers are yellow, orange
and red. This sweet pepper will thrive in hot temperatures.
Cherokee Sunset Rudbeckia is an annual with yellow,
bronze, mahogany and orange 4 inch flowers. The flowers
are double and semi-double. Plants will grow to 30 inches.
Cherokee Sunset will flower in 20 weeks from seeding.
Jaio Scarlet Eye Vinca has a white eye on a Scarlet/
Rose two inch flower. This vinca grows to a foot and
flowers in 70 days. One of the latest Wave etunias,
Tidal Wave Silver has a silver-white flower can grow
to 3 feet high, if planted 8 inches apart. It also can
spread three feet apart, if planted two or more feet
apart. Like all the Waves, it makes an excellent hanging
plant. It takes 90 days from seed to bloom. Black Magic
Rose Geranium has dark chocolate leaf centers with green
edges. This zonal geranium is easy to grow and an excellent
candidate for containers. The flower is bright rose
with a white eye. It takes 80 days to flower and grows
10 inches high and 14 inches wide. Sparkler Blush Cleome
is a pink that does not need staking. It grow to three
feet high and three feet wide. It only takes 11 weeks
to flower and will bloom in a small six inch pot.
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Question:
What are some of the new flowers that have
been introduced for 2002?
Mort's
Answer: New petunias include Avalanche, which blooms
in white or Lavender, is excellent for containers; Double
Madness Satin Pink is a floribunda three inch bloomer;
Explorer Rose Pink starts early and finishes late flowering,
series includes white, coral and lavender; Frillytunia
Rose has large ruffled flowers; is compact and early
to bloom; Ramblin Peach Glow crawls two to three feet.
It likes full sun and does well as a hanger. New salvias
include Marble Arch Mix with pink, white and deep blue
blooms from July to early September; Sahara is a compact
salvia with vivid red color; A new ranunculus is the
Bloomimgdale Series with bicolor shades of rose pink,blue
and orange in large three inch full double flowers.
Two new scabiosa are Nana and Salmon Pink. Nana is a
dwarf blue that blooms until frost; Salmon Pink is excellent
for cutting with flat quilled flowers; Two new snapdragons
are Crown Red and Solstice Mix. Solstice Mix has burgundy,
orange triclor, pink purple and yellow flowers; Crown
Snaps are semi-dwarf with good secondary branching and
is also in yellow. Vintage Antique Mix is a Stock that
blooms early; prefers cool temps and blooms in peach,
yellow and copper. This stock grows to 20 inches A new
dwarf Sunflower F1 is Double Dandy. It grow to a maximum
of 3 feet with 4 to 5 inch velvety wine red blooms.
Two new vinca include First Kiss Ruby and Garden Leader
Cascade Beauty. Garden Leader Cascade Beauty thrives
in heat grows 6 inches high and spreads 18. It bloomss
in salmon,rose eye and purple; First Kiss comes in seven
colors and a mix including a wine red. April in Paris
is the new Sweet Pea for 2002. A soft primrose cream
ith a lilac edge that deepens with age is matched with
an intense scent. It is long stemmed and prolific. Two
new Violas are Cottage Mix and Sorbet Series. Cottage
Mix is an ultra mini with abundant flowers. Sorbet Series
are FI hybrids with excellent vigor. Black Duet Viola
has black upper petals with deep purple sides and bottom.
Babyface White has a deep purple-blue center.
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Question:
What are some of the new flowers for 2001?
Mort's Answer: All American bedding plant, Margarita
Rosita Portulaca, has 1.5 inch semi-double rose flowers.
It is heat and drought tolerant and grows to 14 inches.
Two new petunias include Kahuna White and Summer Sunrise.
Kahuna White spreads to 3.5 feet and can reach a height
of 2 feet. Summer Sunrise has a hint of pink in a bright
yellow large flower. Forever Blue Eustoma has large
2.5 inch single blue flowers with a dense growth pattern.
This All American is a heavy bloomer. Three new ornamental
peppers include Explosive Ember, Explosive Ignite and
Explosive Blast. Ember is a conical purple to dark red.
Ignite goes from a narrow ivory to yellow green to bright
orange in a low bush growth. Blast is compact with conical
yellow-green to red conical fruit on top. Ring of Fire
Sunflower is a gold petal edge on a red 5 inch flower.
It could take 120 days for the bicolor. Plants grow
to 5 feet. This All American sunflower spreads 2 or
3 feet. Profusion White Zinnia has a 2.5 inch flower
grows to two
feet in the sun and is mildew resistant. This All American
is a profuse bloomer. Another All American is Avalon
Bright Pink Nicotiana. Pink star blooms adorn heat tolerant
one foot Nicotiana. Mount Hampden Mixture phlox is a
tightly compact semi-double that is disease resistant
and long flowering. North Shore Sweet Pea is a violet-blue
with sweet perfume. Gemini Purple and Yellow and Gemini
Purple and White Violas make excellent 8 inch baskets
of color. Heatwave Vincas include a Lilac/blue, a Cherry
and a Raspberry flower. All have white eyes and grow
to 15 inches.
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Question:
When is a good time to transplant peony?
Larry, Taylorville, IL
Mort's
Answer: Peonies are very finicky but can be transplanted
more easily in the fall. They do best in partial shade.
Your new hole should contain rich well drained soil.
Below the hole (about 2¼ down) you can put aged
manure and 5-10-10 fertilizer. On top of the manure
and fertilizer, you can add your soil. Make sure that
the roots will not touch the manure. By the time the
roots reach the manure, it will have rotted. Peonies
do not like to be moved or even cultivated. It would
be wise to put down a wood or grass clipping mulch to
keep out the weeds. You can also transplant in the spring.
Another option is to dig the root up in the fall and
store the root in sawdust in a cool dry place for the
winter. Definitely, do not move them in hot weather.
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Question:
My poinsettia has been in the garden all
summer. It has already started to turn red at the top.
Should I cut it back? I just brought it back into the
house. Rod, Newport, RI
Mort's
Answer: Since the fall equinox on September 22,
we have been getting twelve hours of darkness each night.
This is exactly what the doctor has ordered for changing
the color of the upper leaves on the poinsettia. If
you cut the plant back, you will lose the benefit of
having your poinsettia red for Thanksgiving. Indoors,
the plant¼s nighttime darkness can not be interrupted.
Since your poinsettia has already started to change,
this will only slow the process. In your case, it is
not a factor. My only caution is that the temperature
be kept above 65. Remember it is a cactus. It needs
strong south facing light through the coarse of the
day to do well. If the plant was not brought indoors
early enough, it may go into dormancy. This often occurs,
when poinsettia are purchased without a wrap in the
cold winter. If your plant does this within the next
few days, then you can cut it back. You will know, when
the leaves start to curl and eventually defoliate. I
doubt this will happen because the temperature change
has been gradual outdoors.
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Question:
When should I bring my Poinsettia indoors?
Yoland, Mystic, CT
Mort's
Answer: Poinsettia is a tropical plant that flourishes
in heat and sunlight. I would take the plant indoors
ASAP. Put the plant in a sunny location, where the darkness
will not be interruptedat night. This time of year we
get at least 12 hours of darkness until December 22.
This will induce the red bracts to come to color. If
the darkness is spoiled by a night light, a TV, a street
light or a lamp, then the Euphorbia pulcherrima will
not become the beauty that the name implies. Pot the
poinsettia in a mix of potting soil and a third sand.
Fertilize lightly with 5-10-10. Water thoroughly and
let it go dry intermittently.
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Question:
Our poinsettia died right after Christmas.
Can we save it? Steven, Deep River, CT
Mort's
Answer: Your poinsettia probably went into dormancy.
Poinsettia that have experienced cold temperatures at
night in stores or were exposed in cold automobiles
before entering the house were starting dormancy. The
affects become apparent after a few days. Leave the
plant alone. Do not over water or fertilize the plant.
If the leaves appear very moist to the touch, move the
poinsettia closer to the sun and cut the plant in half.
Water very lightly once a week to keep it alive. Because
the plant is in dormancy from the cold shock, it will
not take up the water into the leaves. When and if new
leaves appear in a month or more, Repot the poinsettia
into a two inch larger clay with a mix of a third sand
and two-thirds potting soil. You can plant the poinsettia
in the garden in late May or June in your area.
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Question:
When is the best time to prune Rhododendrons?
Frank, Oakdale, CT
Mort's
Answer: The best time to prune most flowering plants
is after the blooming has dried. In zone 6, most rhododendrons
have finished their bloom in August. You can selectively
take out the taller stems down to the next joint. Do
not hack off the tops or sides. Although the native
rhododendron, Maximum, can survive flat top scalping,
it takes a lot of energy to recover from such a massacre.
Your can do this over a two or three year period until
you have cut down the plant to a manageable size.
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Question:
My hybrid T roses have been in plastic pots
on the patio. Do I need to plant them or can I take
them into the barn for the winter? Pat, Brunswich, GA
Mort's
Answer: Rose growers in New England put their roses
in cold storage for the winter in barns for spring delivery.
Just keep them moist enough to survive. Before brining
them indoors, cut them back to 3 or 4 main canes about
18²-24². The cuts should be just above a bud.
Planting them in the garden at this time of year may
leave them too vulnerable to the winter wind and not
allow sufficient time to root this fall. Next year,
you can plant them in the garden in October, if you
decide not to bring them indoors again.
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Question:
My rose buds wither on the bush before blooming.
They are healthy otherwise. What can I do? Jean, West
Lebanon, NH
Mort's
Answer: Excess nitrogen from manures and fertilizer
will produce great leafs but leave a lot to be desired
in the bloom and stem development. You need a higher
proportion of phosphorus, calcium and magnesium to have
great roses. Give each plant a half cup of epsom salts,
a half cup of bonemeal and a tablespoon of Borax. These
elements should be a solution to your budding problem.
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Question:
My roses are still in bloom! Flo, Middletown,
RI
Mort's
Answer: Aquidneck Island is protected from the
cold air by nearby land masses and warmed by the ocean
currents. Viva la rosa in November. My miniature roses
are turning yellow. We have them outdoors on the patio.
Excessive water from rain will rot the roots. I would
repot the roses in a 50/50 mix of coarse sand and potting
soil. Be careful not to break the root. If you see roots
that are black or brown, shave them with a sharp knife.
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Question:
My potted miniature rose has yellow leaves.
I watered regularly this winter. What is wrong? Betty,
West Point, NY
Mort's
Answer: Your plant could have root rot from excessive
watering. Remove the pot from the soil and check for
brown mushy roots. Cut them out and repot in a clay
pot with a soil mix of 1/3 coarse sand. Your rose needs
a rest every winter. Water only when soil is dry.
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Question:
My 6 foot tall Rose bush has had hundreds
of blooms in past years. I fertilized with a soluble
fertilizer three weeks ago. Since that time buds have
appeared but have not opened. Could this be the problem?
Julie, Waterford, CT
Mort's
Answer: If you do not see any sign of insect or
rust, you are correct in your concern. Rose growers
do not like to use inorganic fertilizers. If they must
enrich the soil, they will use a granular fertilizer.
Your soil is probably rich enough in nitrogen. There
is plenty of phosphorus in New England soils although
it may not be readily available in some soils. There
is no need to fertilize, if you were getting hundreds
of blooms. Excess fertilizer has created an unbalanced
nutrient content in the roses. I would add some hydrated
lime to the soil under the roses to release the nitrogen,
which is overloaded.
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Question:
I have large hybrid roses that are very healthy
looking but do not produce the large yellow flowers.
We use a popular liquid fertilizer regularly. What can
we do? Ed, New London, CT
Mort's
Answer: Roses do not appreciate artificial fertilizer.
The yellow rose of Texas prefers a warm breezy bed with
good additions of manure and/ or other organic material
in the soil. Green manures of grass clippings, shredded
leaves can be added each spring and fall. Roses should
be spaced 4 or 5 feet apart with plenty of air circulation.
They do very well in elevated beds. Heavy pruning in
the fall will minimize winter damage. Cut the bushes
back to 3 main stems that are 3 feet high. Plants over
5 years can be cut back to 5 main branches each fall.
If you can protect the bushes with burlap teepees each
winter, you can do the pruning in the spring. Some dieback
may occur in the spring. Cut off the blackened ends,
if his occurs in the spring.
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Question:
Can I grow Rosa rugosa from seed? Ann Marie,
North Stonington, CT
Mort's Answer: You can but it would be easier
from cuttings. Another method is to take runners from
the mother plant. This naturalized rose now grows wild
from Maine to North Carolina. Rhizomes grow laterally
and develop their own roots. These shoots can be cut
and transplanted in the fall or early spring before
the leaves arrive. Rose hips from the plant make excellent
tea. Those hips contain the seeds. You would have to
dry the hips to collect the seeds. This is a slow and
tedious method compared to using the rhizomes. Cuttings
of 6 or 8 inches placed in sand in the spring will root
without hormone. You can plant the rooted cuttings in
the fall.
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Question:
My roses are yellowing. I have watered them
sufficiently during the dry season. What could be the
problem? If you don¼t see any sign of insects.
Arlene, N.Attleboro, MA
Mort's
Answer: It could be a number of things. Yellow
can be too little or too much water or a lack of usable
iron. I would suggest using epsom salts to free up the
iron in the soil. If that doesn¼t work, then
you can get a fertilizer with chelated iron. Roses do
well in dry weather. It just might be too much water.
I would also work on conditioning the soil with aged
manure and bonemeal. Roses love to be cultivated. They
enjoy an organically rich soil. Another possibility
is grubs or nematodes munching on the roots. This fall
dig around the roots. If you see insects, add dursban
or some other grubicide to the soil.
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Question:
How far back can I cut climbing roses? Robert,
Newport, RI
Mort's
Answer: I cut back climbers to five or six feet
each late fall or early winter. My roses are still green
this time of the year in zone 6.
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Question:
I have black and brown spot all over my roses.
What can I use to get rid of it? Mary, Providence, RI
Mort's
Answer: Black Spot or Black Tar fungus is difficult
to get out of the garden. You have to cart away all
the debris from the leaves. It is a good idea to pull
off all the affected leaves as they appear. You can
spray with Benlate fungicide . Follow directions on
the label. If there are maples in the area with the
same fungus,the debris from the maples will have to
be carted away to the dump as well.The affected maples
will have to be sprayed with a power sprayer.
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Question:
We have run-off from our neighbors herbicide onto
our roses . The hybrids are not doing well. The
smaller roses do not seem to be affected. Is this a
problem? Catherine, Wyoming, IL
Mort's
Answer: Hybrid tea roses are very sensitive to
soil chemistry. The accumulated affect is yellowing
of the leaves. You might consider moving the roses.
I would let my neighbors know of the conflict. If you
raise the beds to cause the run-off to by pass the roses,
you could resolve the problem yourself. Do not use any
synthetic fertilizers on your roses and keep them cultivated.
Aged manure and bonemeal are your best nutrients for
your roses.
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Question:
When can I prune Crepe Mrytle, Japanese Maples and
roses? Mary, Providence, RI
Mort's
Answer: Roses can be pruned in the fall. Larger
hybrid teas can be cut back to 5 main2 ft. high main
branches Clean off the sides. Less than three year olds
can be cut back to 3 main stems. Climbing roses can
be cut back six foot canes. Red Maples can be pruned
at this time or earlier in the summer. I like irregular
shaped trees, so I only remove dead branches. Cut the
branches back to the next joint. Do not cut maples in
the early spring. Crepe Mrytle can be cut down to the
ground the first three years. Late summer or after the
bloom is dead is the best time to prune Mrytle unless
you are cutting them back to the ground. You can ground
them in the late fall. Crepe Mrytle can be trained to
be a one trunk tree or an upright shrub. They make excellent
tall hedges. Usually Lagerstroemia indicais not hardy
in zone 6, where you live. You should cover mrytle with
a burlap tentthe first 5 years.
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Question:
I transplanted a Rose of Sharon last week.
It is starting to wilt. What can I do to save it? Joseph,
Southport, NY
Mort's
Answer: Deciduous shrubs and trees need to be defoliated
before the roots can be disturbed. As Caesar said, ³The
die is cast.² You need to cut the plant in half
to conserve the energy from the roots. Water thoroughly
for four days in a row. After that you can cross your
fingers. Do not water after that time, unless we are
experiencing a drought. You don¹t want to rot the
roots. Do not fertilize. Next time you Œll know
better. Evergreens have a resin that seals the leaves
and restricts transpiration of the water. Any deciduous
plant can be planted any time, so long as it was dug
during defoliation. It can not be dug, when it has leaved
out. Good luck. It might survive.
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Question:
Can you suggest some plants for the seashore in
Connecticut? Can we leave out Scavola MCC, CT
Mort's
Answer: Bulbs and grasses, some shrubs and trees
will do well along the shore. Japanese black pine, birch,
linden, spruce and Japanese and Norway maples are some
of my favorite trees. Rhododendron maximum, Mountain
Laurel and Skimmia are excellent shrubs. You will need
a male and female Skimmia. Pretty near all grasses and
perennials will do well. Coneflower, Joe pye weed ,
irises, foxglove, astilbe, and daffodils are good candidates.
Ameria maritima or Sea pink is excellent. Rosa rugosa
Hansa is the hardiest rose for the salt air and
winds. Scavola is a recent introduction as a house plant.
It is worth trying to let it survive, if you can spare
a plant. Be sure to cover it with leaves or sand for
the winter.
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Question:
I have a large 2 foot white lily plant with
6 points that I have found in my woods. I transplant
a few every spring to my garden. The flowers only last
a day, when they bloom in the garden. What are they?
Can I get a longer flower in my garden. Gerry, Florence,
AL
Mort's
Answer: They are probably an Amazon or some other
naturalized lily. The Amazon looks similar to a Amaryllis
and it is native to Columbia. It could possibly have
brought here by birds or humans. Eucharis grandiflora
or Amazon lily is quite fragrant and is popular in Florida.
You can extend the flower by resting the bulbous root
each winter. Remove them in the fall and store them
in new sawdust or peat in a cool dry place for the winter.
Plant them in a cool shaded area and replicate the soil
conditions in your garden that are in the woods. I suspect
that the soil is organically rich and slightly moist.
You can add some bonemeal each fall to the soil to help
hold the flower.
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Question:
We planted Sweet William this spring. Will
it come up next year? Mary, New London, CT
Mort's
Answer: Dianthus barbartus a.k.a. Newport Pink
or bunch Pink is grown for its compact and sweet scented
flowers as a biennial. Usually seeded in the preceding
fall, it rarely succeeds in returning the following
year. Sometimes it seeds itself, but the progeny can
be tall or short annuals and perennials. It's a crap
shoot.
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Question:
We have 500 tulip bulbs that we did not plant
this fall. Can I just store them? Bill, Portsmouth,
RI
Mort's
Answer: It would be better, if the tulips were
run through the cycle. You could put them in a bed of
peat or sawdust in the cellar for the winter. They will
sprout but not turn green. I would suggest that you
put them in pots instead. Each 6 inch pot will take
6 plants. The mix should be 50% sand and 50% soil (potting
soil or loam). The bulb top will be just below the surface.
Water them once and cover them with 6 inches of sand
(outdoors). In March or early April, remove them from
the sand cover. Place them in a sunny location and they
will produce flowers. They may not be as pretty as greenhouse
grown but they will be ready for storage for the summer.
Allow the potted plants to go to full bloom or plant
the budded plants in the garden. Whether they are planted
in the garden in the spring or left in the pots to bloom,
remove them from the soil after they are finished blooming.
Cut the stems off and the fibrous roots below the bulb.
Clean off all the soil and let them dry in the sun for
a day. You can now place the bulbs that went through
the cycle into a bed of peat or sawdust for the summer.
If you decided to put the bulbs in peat for the winter
instead of through the cycle, remove these bulbs from
the peat or sawdust in late spring. You will eed to
clean these bulbs and remove the stems and roots. All
bulbs, whether stored for winter or summer should be
inspected for mapping, black , gray or brown spots on
the shell. If there is any sign of disease, throw out
the affected plants. You will be ready to plant them
next fall in 6 inch holes that are filled with a third
sand. Unfortunately, tulips do not survive as well as
other bulbs, if left in the ground over two years. You
will have to repeat this cycle every two years but preferably
every year.
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Question:
My trumpet vine has yet to bloom. What can
I give it to bring flowers? Al, Warwick, RI
Mort's
Answer: If it is in the sun, it should bloom with
the help of 5-10-10 granular fertilizer.
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Question:
I have a two year old Wisteria that is growing
very well but it has no flowers. How can I bring it
the bloom? Terri, Preston, CT
Mort's
Answer: If you have a grafted wisteria, it blooms
the first year. Wistaria chinensis is a high climbing
vine that has fragrant blue- violet flowers. It rarely
blooms in the first few years but it is worth the wait.
Few wisteria seedlings will bloom the first three or
four years without a very organically rich soil.
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