Dear Dahlia,
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How can I keep Gerberas from wilting quickly when placed in oasis? I've tried straws, and wire around the top, but it still seems to be chancy as to whether or not they will last as long as cuts in a vase.
Dear Jeannie,
Your question does not have a simple answer. Some professional florists have a similar problem. The problem of Gerberas wilting in oasis is usually caused by bits of the oasis breaking loose as the stem is inserted and blocking the stem. Gerberas are more susceptible because the internal composition of the stem is less dense than many flowers so it is easier for bits of debris to get in there. One solution is to make the hole in the oasis with a pen (or other object with a similar dimension to the gerbera stem) before you put the Gerbera in. I must caution you that if you choose to use this method, you must make sure that the bottom of the stem actually makes contact with the oasis or your gerbera will die of thirst!!
How do I plant Trilliums? - Anna
Trilliums require acid soil and prefer a moist, shady environment. The growth from bulb is slow, planting into a well prepared peat bed is better than regular repotting over several years as well, which repeatedly disturbs the roots. Trillium bulbs are best stored in a slightly moist environment. Try bark, peat, shredded wood or a similar material. Look at this site for more information on Trilliums and many other plants www.sierra.com
Why do the heads of my roses droop over after just a couple of days? - Pansy
Roses are very susceptible to stem blockage which prevents the water from traveling all the way up the stem to the head. If the head of the rose does not receive water then you get droopy heads.
There are a number of causes and it's hard to tell which one causes your problem but there are a number of steps you can take to help the situation.
First. always bleach your vases after you remove old flowers from them.(The bacteria left behind after flowers die is not removed by soap and water and it is residual..it will still be there the next time you put a flower in it and that bacteria is very bad for all flowers, especially roses.
Second...if your rose has been out of water for any length of time, the bottom will callous over (much like your skin does when you cut it and the blood begins to harden). If this callous is not removed, the rose will have a lot of trouble trying to pull water up through the hardened skin. Always be sure to give your roses a nice fresh cut, preferably with the stem underwater, before you place it in its CLEAN vase.
Third....the more breaks in the skin of the rose, the more difficult it is to draw water and the more places there are for bacteria to get in. Inspect your stem for damage and do not cut all the thorns and leaves off. The leaves help with the water up take and the removal of thorns will leave holes in the skin.
Use the floral preservative that came with your rose. It really does work and it is especially good if mixed to the proper proportions.
Bloomin' Right,
Dahlia
I have a problem with my columbine, there seems to be a small green worm that eats all the leaves of the bottom of the plant then heads up to the flower. It is not just one worm, there are hundreds on this one plant, but they don't seem to bother anything else.
Some options might be utilizing one of the following: systemic insecticide, dimethoate with CIL Leafminer Killer,or Green Cross - CYGON2E. These insecticides will work well if it is a leafminer. If your pests are Waile Leaf try carbonyl, malathion, or insecticide soap.
How do I treat whitefly?
Try using one of the following:
- Household insecticide containing PERMETHRIN, try CIL Garden Insect Killer.
- Insecticidal soap spray, try Safer's Soap.
Both according to instructions on the label.
- Or try, yellow sticky card traps if indoors.
When should Dahlia bulbs be dug up?
Dahlia bulbs can stand the first light frost that only kills the foliage. They should be dug up before the first hard
frost, before the ground freezes.
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