ASK AND ANSWER FLOWER QUESTIONS

By Bob:is it normal to have three different shads on one stem as this in the pics kind.

Answer By The Flower Expert:The older glad bulbs sometimes change their color. Its a little bit rare thing, but sometimes happens.

By Some One:I live in Orange County, CA and have an 10 year old Spathodea about 25 feet high which has never bloomed.

Answer By The Flower Expert:Probably the soil where the African Tulip Tree, is standing is high in nitrogen as that would help grow only the green foliage but not flower buds.

Try using Vermiculite and perlite which are commonly used, and are natural products.

By Valerie:My Sunflower Heads Started Turning Brown, What Should I Do?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Give sunflowers at least 1 inch of water a week. Do not over water or over fertilize.

You need to fertilize sunflowers monthly with a 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer or a handful of compost mixed into the top 1/2 inch of soil.

Did you observe any type of white powdery mildew or any pests as such near or on the plants.

By Susanne:My Marigold bud stems are elongated and do not open like they used to.What could be the cause of the flowers to stop blooming?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Are the plants in darkness for a few days.

Because if the plant sits in darkness strong stem elongation, but no flowering happens.

By Shezell:My daughter planted some marigolds this year.Is there anything I can do at all to save the flowers?

Answer By The Flower Expert:Once the flowers and plants fade away after the flowering finishes, then nothing can be done to save the flowers. They get naturally wilted after few days. Try the plants some water, if they come up then its fine.

Reused coffee grounds are a great for gardening plants.

Try putting the coffee grounds, but i dont think they may survive.

Coffee grounds can be used for Acid loving plants like marigolds,roses, azaleas, gardenias, ferns, rhododendrons, lily-of-the-valley. You can use them.

If you have marigold seeds then try them, as they sprout quickly and come up very soon.

By Izzie Cooper: I have a jasmine now about 8 years old, she has just finished flowering and is getting a bit out of hand, very bushy on the fence but chucking out extra bits all over the place, could you please advise the best way to keep her in trim. I have lost her name card but i call her Jazzie, she has bright limish green leaves and is absolutely beautiful. When can i trim them.

Answer By The Flower Expert: You can trim the jasmine plant in late spring.

By Guest: I am wondering if morning glories are poisonous to dogs?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Yes, Morning glory is a poisonous flower. It is poisonous to dogs. Stomach upset, halucinations. AYes, Morning glory is a poisonous re seen among dogs.

By Frustrated Chuck: My Spath plant looks great, but the blooms turn brown, NOT the leaves. It's a variegated Spathiphyllum. What am I doing wrong, what's happening, to make the blooms only turn brown?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Probably the variegated Spathiophyllum flowers have faded after blooming thus showing the color brown flowers. This idea can be reached because of the healthy foliage.

By Guest: I need to arrange the flowers on Friday and deliver them on Saturday. How can I keep them cool without refrigeration so they don't wilt. I thought about keeping them in the basement where its in the high 60's right now. What else can I do?

Answer By The Flower Expert: You did not specify the names of flowers to be kept cool without refrigeration. Though, it is also seen that if we keep flowers and put them in ice water, they will last longer than if you put them in luke-warm water. The water should not be too cold, though, you could damage the stem. The water should reach the correct temperature. Then you can keep the flowers in the basement as you said to remain fresh.

By Jeni: What would cause my jasmine not to bloom? They are growing fine but have not bloomed since I first planted them in May. They did have blooms when I planted them.

Answer By The Flower Expert: You can feed your flowering jasmine plant with a liquid fertilizer that's low in nitrogen while the plant is actively growing. Feed bi-monthly when the plant is resting. Then it flowers well.

By Lila: I have three large, lush morning glory plants in different areas of my yard. None have any buds or blossoms. Why?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Give a little compost or a slow release organic fertilizer mixed in with a quality soil to your Morning Glories. If you give too much fertilizer, you'll get lots of green and very few flowers.

By Guest: My magnolia bush blooms every spring before the leaves show. This year however it is blooming again from mid july thru the first of august. Do magnolias normally do this?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Some magnolia flowering plant flowers right at the start of spring before even foliage appears. But some varieties start flowering in late spring and early summer.

By Mark Johnston: This is my first year growing daffodils. My state is Louisiana and this is May getting hot and the leaves are looking like they have had enough. I am wondering if it is ok to mow the tops and still get blooms next year.

Answer By The Flower Expert: If you remove the leaves prematurely, the bulb will suffer and blooming will decrease or stop altogether. So, wait until the foliage turns yellow.

By Pat: What is the best time of year to transplant established iris? After blooming and before fall?

Answer By The Flower Expert: Though, the best time to transplant established Iris is 2-3 weeks after they finish blooming.Usually, Irises need to be cut back in late July or early August. Cut them back to 4-5 inches tall. By this act, the leaves continue to feed the roots but makes your garden look neater. Remove any spent or damaged leaves.

By Barb: I'm not sure what fungus looks like on plants but the stems are definitely brown and I haven't seen any insects. Lots and lots of ants this year though. I'm hoping they'll come back next year and that I won't lose them all or you might see a grown woman cry! Thanks for your help.

Answer By The Flower Expert: There can be various types of fungus on plants. Like mildew, which may appear on houseplants, garden vegetables and other vegetation. This fungus can retard plant growth or even kill the plant.