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Where To Plant Azaleas – Sun or Shade?

May 22, 2012 by

Ask the Plant Expert: Where can you plant azaleas?

Do azaleas need full sun when planted outdoors? John

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

John,

According to the Azalea Society of America, azaleas should be planted in partial shade. In fact, most people claim that azaleas do best with morning sun and afternoon shade. However, it really depends on the type of azalea and where you live. Most azaleas will take sun to partial shade exposure.

Deciduous Azalea 'Admiral Semmes"For example, I have an azalea called Sunglow that gets hot afternoon sun. These azaleas bloom beautifully every year and their dark rich foliage is always attractive. The deciduous azalea (Admiral Semmes) that I have in my perennial garden gets sun all day long and does very well. My neighbors have ‘Herbert’ Azaleas in a morning sun only exposure and they do fine.

The garden center where you purchased the azalea should know which exposure it will do best in your area.

The greater concern would be the soil type that you are planting the azalea in. Be sure to plant it in loose, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH.

Hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if I can help with anything else.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: , ,

Help! My Anthurium’s Red Blooms Are Now Small & White

May 15, 2012 by

AnthuriumAsk the Plant Expert:

Hi, I have an Anthurium for approx. two years. When i got it, it had one bright red flower. Since then the flower developed, suffering at times, due to my poor care. After learning how to properly care for it, it started to grow ( lots of healthy, big  leaves) and then it flowered. Right now it has three whitish flowers, smaller than the initial one. Is it possible to revert  the plant to the red  color flowers? – Corina

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Corina,
When you say white, do you mean the blooms are faded or are truly white in color.  High temperatures (90°) can cause the bloom color to fade or wash out.  Although it doesn’t occur often, if the pH of the soil is high, the bloom color can become lighter.  Anthuriums are best when the soil pH is 5.5 and a well-balanced fertilizer with Ca, Mg and other trace elements that are used during the non-flowering cycle.  During the flowering cycle, you should use a fertilizer with a slightly higher phosphate content like a 20:30:20 or 6:14:7 blend.

As for the smallness of the blooms, your plant may be getting too much light.  High light concentration can cause the blooms to be smaller in size. Hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if I can help with anything else.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: , , ,

Is My New Croton Okay Around Kitty?

May 9, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Ask The Plant Expert:

I got a plant for Mother’s Day. It’s name is Croton, it’s a black waxy leaf with red veins in it. I went online and on one web site it stated that it is highly poisonous to pets and people. I have it on my enclosed patio and my cats go out there all the time. So i was wondering if i should return it? If you could please email me back asap, cause I’d  like to keep the plant, but I love my cats and myself more. Thank you for any help, or if your not sure if you could maybe have any ideas on who i could contact. Thank-you, Anneke

Colorful Croton HouseplantFlower Shop Network:

Yes, the croton house plant is toxic for plants and people, but only if it’s digested. If you’re cat has a habit of chewing on plants, you may want to try a different plant. However, the plant tastes terrible, and accidental poisonings are rare.

If any part of the croton is ingested, it would cause vomiting and/or diarrhea, and in large doses could be fatal. It is also a good idea to wear gloves when pruning, and wash your hands after touching the plant.

Although crotons are toxic, they are a beautifully colored house plant that requires little care to maintain. As long as you leave it alone and teach kitty to not crave croton salads, you can live happily with your new plant. However, if you think your cat is prone to chewing on leaves, you might consider a different plant. Be sure to check the FSN House Plant Toxicity List for help.

Filed Under: Plants & Pets Tagged With: , , , , ,

Had This Cactus For 10 Years & Just Now Bloomed! What Is It?

May 5, 2012 by 2 Comments

Ask The Plant Expert:

I was given a cutting over 10 years ago. I don’t know what it is, so its never been fed, it just gets water, in a clay pot. I have another in another room in a plastic pot, different window direction. The plant’s been moved around till I thought it liked a spot.they have grown. the one in a south/west window has surprised me with a flower; today it opened!!! It’s very large. There’s another blossom on same stock. How long will it last? What is the plant’s name? Need info; lots of info. It’s soooo beautiful!!!!! help!!! – Tina

Red Orchid Cactus Red Orchid Cactus

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

I believe it is a type of Epiphyllum or Nopalxochia.
Possibly a Epiphyllum ackermannii or Nopalxocia ackermanii, sometimes know as the red orchid cactus.

Not sure how long the bloom will last.  Typically they last for 3 or 7 days.

They do not like temperatures above 100 degrees. The blooming cycle usually occurs between late winter and early summer. They grow best in a cactus mix potting soil in bright filtered light with moderate humidity.

During the growing season, apply a diluted water soluble fertilizer once a month.  Keep it well watered except in the dormant season when it needs to be kept on the dry side.  Growing season is some between late winter and the beginning of fall.  Watch for mealy bugs especially in the spring.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if I can help with anything else.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: , ,

Can You Use Pine Tags Under Soil For Flower Pots?

April 30, 2012 by

Hibiscus BloomAsk The Plant Expert:

Can you put pine tags under potting soil in flower pots? Will it damage the plant? I put a large hibiscus plant in a large pot. I filled the bottom with pine tags to help fill the pot. Then I put potting soil on  top of the pine tags and covered the root of the plant with potting soil. Will the pine tags damage the plant? – Ann

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert reply:

No, the pine tags should not cause an issue with the hibiscus. I don’t know of any problems that pine tags will cause other plants. If you are concerned about pine tags making the soil too acidic, you can always test the pH of the soil. However, I doubt that the pine tags would be able to change the pH and most potting soils have a neutral pH. Hibiscus prefer an alkaline soil.  You can use a pH meter to test the soil.  You will want a reading between 6.5 to 7.8.  Although I have seen hibiscus do okay with a soil pH of 5.5.

Hopefully this information was helpful.  Please let me know if I can help with anything else.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: , ,

Help! What Is This Plant & How Do I Propogate It?

April 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Ask the Plant Expert: What kind of plant is this? It was given as a gift, and has really grown. I wanted to know what kind of plant it is and how to take starts off of it. -Katy

Pothos House Plant

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Although it looks like a type of philodendron, it is actually a plant that goes by the common names: Pothos, Devil’s Ivy, Golden Pothos, Silver Pothos.  The botanical name for it can be either Scindapsus or Epipremnum.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Plant Propagation Tagged With: , , ,

What Is This Plant That Popped Out of My Mulch?

April 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Ask The Plant Expert:

I have these two plants in my front yard where I just recently laid new mulch. I am wondering what the name of this plant is.

Mystery Plant Mystery Plant

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

I do believe it is a sedum, most likely Vera Jameson.  At this stage it is a little difficult to tell exactly.  If it is Vera Jameson sedum the foliage will turn more purple and it will start blooming mid-summer with pink flowers.

Hope this information is helpful.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: , ,

House Plant Identification – Help!

April 11, 2012 by 8 Comments

Ask The Plant Expert:

I have inherited several houseplants, but I don’t know what kind they are.  I have attached pictures of 4 plants, any help would be much appreciated! – Jenny

Schefflera Schefflera Tradescantia Zebrina Sansevieria

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Plants 1 & 2 are Schefflera (care tips also at this link), sometimes referred to as Octopus plant or Umbrella plant.
Pant 3 is a Tradescantia zebrina, sometimes reffered to as Wandering Jew.
Plant 4 is a type of Sansevieria.

Hope this information was helpful.  Please let me know if you need any culture information on the plants.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: , ,

What Kind of Palm Tree Has Artichoke-like Fruit?

March 28, 2012 by

Ask The Plant Expert:

What kind of palm tree has artichoke-like fruit? Trying to figure out what it is. Comes from a palm tree in central FL (Sarasota area). – Alicia

Screw Pine Fruit

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert:

Because I am not completely familiar with Florida palm trees, I contacted the Plant Sciences Department of the University of Florida to confirm it’s identification. Here is what they said,  “Looks like the fruit of a Screw Pine which is not a pine (Pinus) it is in the genus Pandanus.”   The Pandanus genus are palm-like shrubs (although not closely related to palms). Hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if I can help with anything else.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: , , ,

What Are These White Spots On My Eleagnus?

March 24, 2012 by

Ask The Plant Expert:

What are these white spots on my eleagnus? Are these harmful and how do I get rid of them.  Thanks!!

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Lisa,

What you have is an infestation of an insect called scale.  You will need an insecticide to get rid of it.  I recommend Malathion.  Your local garden center & nursery may have an insecticide specifically for scale. Whether you use Malathion or another insecticide be sure to follow the directions for eliminating scale.

Hope this information was helpful.

Filed Under: Insect Identification, Plant Care Questions Tagged With: ,
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