Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 12, 1994 TAG: 9406140337
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: John Arbogast
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
\ The second group is made up of jungle cacti, which includes the orchid cactus or hybrids of Epiphyllum, Christmas cactus and tiny flowered mistletoe cactus. So, if your question is about one of those, keep in mind that jungle cacti need diffuse light, somewhat more water and a humus-rich potting medium, not sandy as for desert cacti.
\ Gardeners' checklist (Jobs to be done in mid- to late June)
Early summer is a good time to give annual flower beds a "side application" or "side dressing" of fertilizer to promote continuous vigor and to support ongoing flower production.
If no fertilizer has been applied since planting, use a balanced granular garden fertilizer now like 10-10-10 at the rate of three cups per 100 square feet of flower bed. Gently brush the fertilizer granules off the flower foliage. Water the fertilizer into the soil with a long, gentle soaking. Future rains or waterings will cause nutrients to enter the soil where the flower plant roots can use them.
Alkaline soil can cause leaf yellowing of some shade trees. If you suspect alkaline soil to be the cause of leaf yellowing on one of your trees, have a soil test done to determine soil pH. Pin oaks are especially susceptible.
Prune rambling and climbing roses immediately after blooming.
\ 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, Virginia 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.
by CNB