Find Your “I just recently figured out what kind of plant I have; it’s a peace lily. My roommate left it behind when he moved and didn’t give any information. My peace lily has tons of brown and dead leaves. I know that pruning the dead blooms, you cut the stalk at the base of the plant because it will only bloom once. My question is, does the same rule apply to the leaves of the plant? Do I trim the entire stalk or just the dead leaf and if I leave the stalk will it sprout more leaves or just die?”-Amanda
Help! My Peace Lily is Suffering
January 15, 2013 by
Why Is My Sansaveria Turning Yellow?
January 12, 2013 by
Ask the Expert: I just moved to Southern New Mexico with my large sansevieria. I was covering it outside, but because of the temperature I brought it inside. Seems there is damage on the tips and I don’t know whether to cut them or wait. If you need more info please let me know. I am freaking out about what is happening. -Dena
Help! Why Are There Spots On My Avocado Tree?
December 11, 2012 by
Ask The Plant Expert:
Hello, I bought a 2 year old avocado tree and transplanted it to a larger pot about 3 months ago, and the plant looked perfect. Now 3 months later I am getting these spots on the plant…
It is planted in a large pot and on one of the pictures you can see where the main middle stalk has died, but the other stalks off of the main are alive. It is potted (extra large pot) in miracle grow moisture control soil and I water once a week. No rain since the issue began. I live in Houston, Texas and the temp is high 79° and low of 46° right now. I am presently spraying Bonine copper fungicide, and Bonine neem oil on the plant once every 7 days. The moisture has been extremely high at night and foggy. Can you possibly tell me what this is? -Michael
What Is Causing My Plant To Drip Sap?
November 14, 2012 by
Ask the Plant Expert:
I am finding odd brown colored fluid dripping on the sides of my outdoor potted plant. What is causing it, and how can I get rid of it? I can’t see anywhere on the leaves where it could be coming from. Thank you. – Lisa
Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:
It looks like you might have damage from borers. Did you happen to see any ants climbing up the trees? Ants aren’t a problem, but they often indicate that borers are in your tree. Borers are a problem. Borers are a larvea, usually placed by a type of beetle into the trunk of trees and plants. The borers cause damage from the inside out, often creating a hole in which the sap of the tree is released. What kind of plant/tree is it?
Your local garden center nursery will have the right chemical to kill the borers.
What is Wrong With My Schefflera?
November 8, 2012 by
Ask the Expert: Please help me identify the problem with this plant!
A dear friend of mine gave me a cutting off her HUGE and prolific plant about 1.5 years ago. Around the same time, I believe I brought some insects in with some bad potting soil. I have sprayed with Bayer Natria Insect, disease & mite control as well as another Bayer insect killer. After I treat, I usually find dead insects around the plant which look like fruit flies. The plant seems to put out new growth but looks wilted.
I forgot to tell you this plant usually lives on the windowsill facing south of our house which has blind-filtered light. I have moved it to other areas such as by a room with north and east facing windows with filtered light and a north window. The mother plant lives in a north-facing sliding glass door and is a prolific grower to say the LEAST! I have repotted twice in the 1.5 years. I water only when the surface soil seems dry.
Can This Yellowing, Umbrella Plant Recover?
November 7, 2012 by
Ask the Expert: Can this plant recover?
The plant shown in the picture is turning yellow; it was ok until recently. The soil is hard, and I can’t tell if I’m watering it too much or too little. Some parts seem healthy but others seem to be unhealthy. Please also let me know what the plant is. Thanks for any help you can offer. Paul
What’s Wrong With My Split-leaf Philodendron?
October 17, 2012 by
Ask the Plant Expert:
I have been in charge of caring for a heart-leaf philodendron for a worker who passed away earlier this year. The plant was growing rapidly & bearing big, beautiful, green leaves. I water it on Fridays before the weekends & make sure it is not in direct sunlight.
Last Friday when I went to water it, I noticed there was standing water that the plant was not soaking in. Come Monday, the plant had an odor to it. I figured it needed the next size pot since it had grown so much. So, I re-potted it with Miracle-gro, and there’s no smell, but it looks sick. Please help. – Beth
How Care For Crimson Mandevilla During Winter?
October 11, 2012 by
Ask The Plant Expert: I have a flower and the name of it is Crimson Mandevilla. I was wondering how to care for it during the winter. The spelling of it may not be exactly right. Can you help? Rhonda
Plant Expert Reply:
Rhonda,
To over-winter Mandevillas, it depends on where you live. Mandevilla (formerly the genus Dipladenia) splendens is hardy in zone 9-11. So if you live in parts of Arizona, California, Texas, Louisiana or in Florida, you can simply leave them outside and water as needed.
Preparing Mandevillas For Overwintering
However in other places, you will need to pot the Mandevilla and bring it indoors. If your plant is not already in a container, be sure to prune the plant back by a 1/3 to compensate for any roots lost during the transplanting process.
Be sure to clean the plant and check for insects before you bring the plant indoors. Remove all dead foliage and check the back of the leaves for insect eggs and larvae. I recommend wiping all the leaves and stems off with a soapy wet rag (make sure the rag is damp not dripping with water). If you find a large infestation of insects, treat the plant with an insecticidal soap before you bring it inside.
Overwintering Tips
Once the plant is inside, keep the soil moist to slightly dry, do not fertilize, keep the temperature above 60° and place it in a bright filtered light exposure. Hope this helps!
The Meaning of Lucky Bamboo Numbers
October 3, 2012 by
Lucky bamboo is a favorite houseplant to give to someone to say “good luck!” It could be just before a test, for a grand opening, or just for fun. These little shoots make fantastic companions because they are so tolerant and easy to care for.
Meanings of Lucky Bamboo Numbers
Use various numbers of bamboo to cause different types of effects. Here are a few popular 
groupings:
- 1 Stalk – simplicity, meaningful life
- 2 Stalks – best for luck in love and marriage
- 3 Stalks – happiness (Most popular)
- 4 Stalks – almost never given. (Four could draw negative energy, according to Chinese culture)
- 5 Stalks – academic achievement, creativity
- 6 Stalks – blessing
- 7 Stalks – health
- 8 Stalks – luck in wealth
- 9 Stalks – good fortune and over all luck
- 10 Stalks – completion or perfection
- 21 Stalks – all-purpose blessing
Lucky Bamboo & Feng Shui
How To Care For A Crinum Lily in Germany
September 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Ask the Expert: What sort of crinum is it on the photograph?
I found in 2008 in Daytona, FL a seed in the shape of a potato under plants with long sword-shaped leafs and flowers like the photograph shows. Put into earth, a plant grew for now 2 years without showing blossoms. A specialist of the Tuebingen University told me, it should be some sort of crinum. Can you give me the name of it and hints how to care it, so it will bloom? We live in Germany and have winters with frost onto – 20°C.
So it must be kept in the house during winter – but where there? Thank you for answering – Joerg Ekert in Kusterdingen, Germany
