Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 10, 1994 TAG: 9404110185
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
One solution to the confusion is to take soil tests now. If soil pH corrections are begun through lime or sulfur applications, many lawns in our area likely already have adequate nutrients for decent spring growth.
There's no assessing the need for lime without a soil test. Lime applied "just in case" can be damaging because it can drive the pH higher than desired if the soil already has near neutral pH.
Soil test boxes, instructions and information forms to be filled out for each box are available at all local Virginia Extension Offices. Owners must mail their sample along with form and payment to the Virginia Tech Soil Testing Lab. The address and fees are listed on the form.
Q: When the fruit on our apricot tree gets about thumb size, it all falls off. Is there a spray that sets the fruit? Mrs. J.P.C.
A: This sounds like typical early spring weather injury to apricots. It probably occurs to apricot trees in most areas of the state. That's why the trees are not recommended for planting in Virginia.
The fruit and flower buds of the apricot varieties currently available begin to open with the first warm days of early spring, then frequently are killed by later frost or low temperatures. The formation of tiny apricots that then fall off indicates pollination was not possible because of bud injury. Without pollination and vigorous flower parts, fruit development cannot progress.
Because this is a weather-related problem rather than something caused by insects or diseases, no sprays are recommended.
Q: I planted a beautiful rhododendron last spring. It bloomed beautifully. Early this year I noticed that the leaves had brown spots and some leaves had turned brown and fallen off. A couple of small branches are wilted. I mulched it with pine needles this winter. Please tell me what is wrong and what I can do. Mrs. R.J.F., Buena Vista
A: This description sounds like winter injury to your rhododendron. I noticed some of the same symptoms on one of my newer rhododendrons in a bed with a few other rhododendrons that came through the winter just fine. Variabilities between rhododendron sites, particularly the amount of winter wind and/or sun received, as well as differences in vigor of individual rhododendrons can explain why some plants show winter injury while others don't.
Pine needle mulch is normally great for rhododendrons but could have caused the injury you described if it was more than three inches deep. Excessive mulch keeps soil too wet and reduces oxygen in the soil underneath.
Here's what you should do:
Remove excessive mulch if this pertains.
Check damaged branches for signs of life and prune weak-looking but living rhododendron stems to stimulate new growth. If there are plump flower buds on the ends of rhododendron stems bearing injured leaves, wait for those flowers to open and then prune just after the flowers fade.
The sun becomes more intense in the spring. If that damaged rhododendron is receiving direct sun at midday or in the afternoon, do what you can as soon as possible to provide more shade.
Ensure that the weakened rhododendron has weekly soakings during all dry spells this summer or fall.
Send short questions about your lawn, garden, plants or insects to Dear John, c/o the Roanoke Times & World-News, 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 each week. Personal replies cannot be given. PLEASE DON'T SEND STAMPS, STAMPED ENVELOPES, SAMPLES OR PICTURES.
Lawn care field day
Let Extension show you how to have a great-looking lawn. Attend the Lawn Care/Water Quality Spring Field Day in the shelter of Fishburn Park Saturday morning from 9 until about 11. Topics to be covered include "Mowing for Great Quality" and "Backyard Composting with Clippings." There is no admission charge.
Gardener's checklist
Jobs for mid-April:
To ensure the dahlia tubers you intend to plant as soon as danger of frost is over have survived their winter storage, bring them into a warm, lighted spot to sprout. For early flowers, start dahlias growing in pots.
Circle your calendar for April 30, which is the AVERAGE date of the last frost here in Roanoke. Tender garden plants, such as tomatoes, peppers, and many annual flowers, can be safely planted outdoors after that, although protection may still be needed from unexpected late frost.
by CNB