Texas A&M experts answer Houston garden questions about esperanza, hibiscus

Satisfaction of Barbados (Caelsalpinia pulcherrima) is thought of a substantial shrub or modest tree, developing up to 12 ft in this place. But it also can conveniently be pruned in later on winter to 6 inches tall to build a much more compact shrub. We have lower ours later in spring for this rationale, but it is just tall by mother nature. You will lose flowers, but some had time to rebloom.

Q: I want to get extra than one particular flush of blooms on my hardy hibiscus (H. moscheutos hybrids). Can I do this by pruning them by at the very least a third after the very first flush? Normally, they create scattered blooms just after the 1st show.

A: While deadheading is not needed for hibiscus, it can hold the plant searching neat and encourages new blooms. While some counsel a gentle shearing soon after the initial bloom for much larger stands of hibiscus, it could backfire on you by not furnishing plenty of time to increase new wooden and flower. You may well check out deadheading to see if it offers your plant a for a longer time, additional reliable bloom time. The flower can be pruned or gently snapped off, with treatment to not disturb other buds.

Q: I have bluebonnets blooming in my flower mattress in October! Is that normal?

A: Effectively, it definitely is early. Commonly, bluebonnets germinate in September/October, then expand during the winter season until eventually they go on show in the spring. It could be that the soaked temperature we had this 12 months encouraged earlier enhancement. Enjoy and distribute extra seeds!

Brandi Keller

Q: I had an infestation very last yr of twig girdlers on my 1-inch caliper pecan tree, which experienced been in the floor for four many years and for the most aspect surviving on its individual. I picked up and disposed of all the branches that fell. Will they appear again, and need to I nonetheless go in advance with spraying?

A: These bugs seldom do any really serious damage to trees and are typically a nuisance. Spraying with a chemical insecticide is not encouraged for managing twig girdlers in a household predicament. As an alternative, acquire and wipe out clipped branches.

Q: My peace lily leaves are turning black and withering. Please help. The property thermostat is held at 71, but it was in a 90-degree temperature setting. The plant receives 8 hrs of direct sunshine.

A: The plant is in a transplant/new environment shock. It is employed to lower light-weight concentrations, and the eight several hours of immediate solar are as well much. Check out reducing the blinds to supply filtered sunlight this will assistance with the blotches on the foliage (it should really hold new types from forming). The most effective way to identify if the plant needs drinking water is by lifting the pot. A nicely-watered pot will be weighty and not need to have any supplemental water. When the pot is gentle and simple to raise, it is time to h2o.

Q: Our Meyer lemon tree was ruined by the ice storm. Nevertheless, many shoots have now emerged (and are developing speedily). What ought to I do about all these new shoots? There is 1 shoot that seems to be the dominant just one. Ought to I lower off all the shoots and go away one to develop? I recognize that this new tree might not develop fruit as right before.

A: It depends exactly where these shoots are originating from. If the shoots are beneath the graft web-site, then you should slash and take out them considering that they are developing from the rootstock. If the shoots have emerged higher than the graft, allow all of the shoots to carry on to mature. In the spring, you can slender the weaker types and allow the dominant shoots to set up.

Paul Winksi