ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, June 30, 1996 TAG: 9607020024
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: DEAR JOHN
SOURCE: JOHN ARBOGAST
Q: I have two magnolia trees, both over 10 years old and have new leaves. One is on the southeast side of the house and the other on the northwest. The northwest magnolia, which is slightly older, sheds lots of leaves that are brown or splotched with yellow and brown while the southeast magnolia sheds plenty of leaves that are brown or green. Both shed all through the year, seldom bloom, keep the yard looking unkempt and cause continuous raking and hand cleanup. Is there anything that I can do to reduce that shedding, and will these magnolias ever bloom? P.A.J., Roanoke:
A There are different kinds of magnolias, but I'm assuming that you have the Southern Magnolia, which is also called Evergreen Magnolia, and is known for its leathery leaves. This tree does tend to shed its leaves. Your severe loss of leaves might be because of poor quality soil, which could be anything from shallow topsoil to very rocky or severely compacted soil, or an inability of your area to retain adequate moisture.
It might help to water your magnolias deeply once a week during dry times, using soaker hoses. There's not much that can be done about the other possible problems.
As for the blooming problem, I have read that Southern Magnolias grown from seed will take 15 to 20 years before they will flower well. Also, I understand that the slowness to flower is related to the variety.
Q: I would like to know if there is any place I could obtain either seeds or plants of the Bird's Foot or Crow's Foot Violet. I used to pick them in Eureka Park and on Westside Boulevard, both in Northwest Roanoke long ago! M.R., Roanoke
A: Rich Crites of the biology Department at Virginia Western Community College said that the Bird's Foot Violet, botanical name Viola pedata, is still fairly common. He suggested the book "The Wildflower Gardeners Guide" (Garden Way Publishing) by Henry Art for its long list of suppliers, as well as for its information on native plant societies that you may contact, such as the Virginia Native Plant Society, P.O. Box 844, Annandale, Va. 22003. That group's president is Frank Coffey, Box 137, Concord, Va. 24538.
The Blue Ridge Wildflower Society, P.O. Box 20385, Roanoke, Va. 24018, is the chapter in our area.
You may call Crites at Virginia Western at 857-6305.
Q: Recently, I bought equipment for grafting deciduous trees. In this were several rubber bands, about 1/4 inch by 3 inches. I need your help since I don't know how to use the bands. T.L.C., Christiansburg
A: These rubber strips are used to tightly wrap a new graft so that the parts joined will stay together and become a successful graft.
Send short questions about your lawn, garden, plants or insects to Dear John, c/o the Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. We need your mail, but this column can't reply to all letters. Those of wide appeal will be answered during the weeks that the subject is timely. Personal replies cannot be given. Please don't send stamps, stamped envelopes, samples, or pictures.
Gardener's checklist
Jobs for early July:
Feel the soil of container-grown vegetables and flowers each day and water thoroughly if needed.
Inspect roses and annual flowers for spider mites, tiny pests that love the hot weather and suck out the juices from leaves and buds; remove severely infested plants and spray those with medium infestations with Kelthane.
Continue to cut faded flowers from ever-blooming roses.
Harvest vegetables as they ripen and remove weeds.
LENGTH: Medium: 69 linesby CNB