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Gardening Q&A: August Edition
Plant Care Questions and Expert Answers
Our gardening experts are here to answer your questions every month. Here are some of the questions they tackled in August:
Reviving Dehydrated Potted Hydrangeas
If your potted hydrangeas are looking wilted and sad, don’t despair! Here’s how to bring them back to life:
- Water deeply and regularly: Give your hydrangeas a thorough soaking and keep the soil moist.
- Provide shade: Hydrangeas prefer partial shade, so move them out of direct sunlight if they’re getting too much.
- Prune away dead leaves: Remove any brown or yellow leaves to encourage new growth.
Understanding Loam
Loam is a type of soil that’s a mixture of sand, silt, and clay. It’s ideal for gardening because it drains well but still holds moisture. To improve your soil, you can add loam to your compost.
Controlling Black Spot on Roses
Black spot is a common fungal disease that affects roses. If you don’t want to use sprays, try these natural methods:
- Plant resistant varieties: Choose roses that are less susceptible to black spot.
- Improve air circulation: Prune your roses to allow for good airflow.
- Water at the base of the plant: Avoid getting the leaves wet, as this can spread the disease.
Other Gardening Questions
- Why have my runner beans failed? Could be due to poor pollination, lack of water, or nutrient deficiencies.
- Why have my brassicas grown without a center? Could be caused by boron deficiency or excessive nitrogen.
- How often should I water my dahlias and sweet peas? Dahlias need daily watering, while sweet peas need less frequent watering.
- How to control powdery mildew on plants? Use neem oil or a baking soda spray.
- When is a good time to take cuttings from leggy pinks? Take cuttings in late summer or early fall.
- Why are my vegetable plants producing only leaves? Could be due to lack of sunlight, overwatering, or nutrient imbalances.
- What to do with long, non-fruiting stems on summer-fruiting raspberries? Cut them back to the ground in late winter or early spring.
