Ask the Experts

YES, INCLUDE NATIVES AND NON-NATIVES IN YOUR GARDEN

Question: I have a neighbor with Hosta, Bearded Iris, and Orange Daylilies in her garden. I was going to ask if I could have a few of each. It seems that they are all originally from Asia. My question is, is it all right to plant more in my yard or should I just plant Kansas natives?

Answer: I love this question. There is a growing movement and rightfully so to plant more native plants. I think by now most people know the many advantages of native plants. They are more tolerant of environmental conditions and often benefit pollinators. But does it have to be all or nothing? Some purists would say yes, only plant natives. But for most like me there is a place in the garden for both natives and non-natives. The goal would be to have the backbone of your garden include a diversity of natives and non-natives that coexist for a healthy garden. Plant what you enjoy but don’t overlook the importance of natives and their benefits.

ANOTHER BROWN ARBORVITAE

Question: Help, my arborvitae turned brown this summer. What happened? Is it dead?

Answer: There are several species and varieties of arborvitae we grow in the landscape. The one we get the most questions on is Emerald arborvitae. Emerald is the narrow upright variety often used for screening or narrow locations. It is a problem solver.

Unfortunately, this plant has issues. Emerald arborvitae is not heat AND drought tolerant. This plant has a shallow root system and the combination of hot and dry can be deadly. July/August weather patterns were not good. It can survive hot, but it must have good soil moisture. A number of these plants turned brown and died in late August. This plant needs to be kept moist during hot weather or better yet never consider it fully established. Water deeply and thoroughly even under mild dry periods.

The other common arborvitae we grow is Green Giant, a larger conical tree form. It has better drought tolerance, but much like Emerald during periods of heat and dry weather supplemental watering would be recommended. I also noticed these failing this summer.

Christmas cactus

Hosta Poison ivy

switched labels at the retail outlet. I have witnessed people pull tags to read and not replace, or even kids switching labels when parents were not looking. Chalk it up to a mistake and don’t let it ruin your gardening fun. Hopefully you had a good harvest and enjoyed the smaller fruit. Granted it would be disappointing not to have the yummy slicer for a BLT.

WHY IS MY TOMATO SHAPED LIKE A PEAR

Question: I planted a Celebrity tomato this spring. The plant grew great but when the fruits were ripe, they were small, and pear shaped. What happened? What did I do wrong?

Answer: My hunch is the plant was mislabeled and you did nothing wrong. There are several varieties of pear-shaped tomatoes on the market. Plants don’t just magically change! My take is either the grower mismarked, or someone PROCESS FOR INDUCING BLOOM ON HOLIDAY CACTUS

Question: What do I need to do to get my Christmas cactus to bloom?

Answer: Proper temperature and light are required for Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus to bloom. Average household temperatures are usually fine for growth and flowering but avoid temps below 50°F, as cooler will prevent flowering.

Holiday cacti are triggered into bloom with long nights and short days. Usually requiring 25 consecutive long nights for flower initiation. Nights must be greater than 12 hours long, which usually begins around the Fall equinox, September 22nd.

If your plant is receiving natural sunlight, and no artificial light during night hours, your plant should bloom naturally. The 25-day requirement will be met about October 17th. If your plant does not naturally get long nights place in a dark place, such as a closet, for more than 12 hours each day to induce flowering.

During the day, these cacti prefer bright, indirect light. Too much sun may cause leaves to turn yellow. Their preference is constantly moist soil but avoid overwatering and waterlogged soils. Keep them a little pot bound.

After all the requirements are met, it takes another 9-10 weeks for the flowers to develop and provide blooms for the holiday season.

POISON IVY, OAK OR SUMAC, WHICH GROWS HERE

Question: Settle a debate please. I have learned that we only have poison ivy in the Kansas City area. Others keep telling me I am wrong, and that we also have poison oak and poison sumac. Who’s right?

Answer: I am in your camp as that is what I have learned, only poison ivy. If you look at USDA maps the information does not support us. Poison ivy is defiantly in the Kansas City area. By the maps both poison oak and poison sumac are in the states of Missouri and Kansas. But here is where we need to split hairs. If the plant is found in just one location by the maps than the entire state is labeled having the plant. In Kansas poison oak is found in extreme southeast Kansas. Not in the Kansas City area. My understanding is both plants are in southern/eastern Missouri, not in the Kansas City area. If I am wrong, well it is not the first time nor will it be the last time.

DENNIS PATTON Horticulture Agent

Dennis Patton is the horticulture agent for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. For free information fact sheets, visit www.johnson.ksu.edu, or call the Extension office at 913-715-7000.