Ed Hume Answers Your Gardening Questions
Ed Hume cannot answer all of the garden questions he receives, but questions
of general interest will be answered here every month. Email your questions
to HumeSeeds@aol.com. Please
note: we do not accept attachments.
Before submitting a question, be sure to check the index
of previous questions and answers or search our
site using key words. Many questions have already been answered
here on the site.
Other December Links
 When can we expect an online
order form? Downloading, printing and faxing instead of entering info online
is more work than some of us can do. I don't have a printer (or a fax machine)
but would love to order some of your items. Instead, I must go to the local
store to buy them. Any hope of this happening?
 The secure online ordering
is up and running. There are links to order for each individual item or you
can go directly into the Hume
Seeds Store for more of an overview. You can, of course, still
order by FAX or mail.
If you live in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Utah or Washington, it may be well
worth your while to check out your local store. Many of them will put
our seeds on sale at some point during the season for as little as half price.
You can find stores that carry our seeds near you
here.
I have multiple plants in
my home. I have three different species of Jades, an aloe, and 2 other
succulents, as well as about 6 cactus. One of my Jade plants has always had
this strange white mold-type stuff on it. Today I realized that 2 of my Jades
and some of my cactus have this too. Do you know what this is? And how do
I get rid of it, or will it not hurt my plants?
That's difficult to answer
without seeing the condition. A cottony substance on the leaves can indicate
the presence of mealy bugs, cottony scale or cottony aphid. A crystal like
substance can indicate the build-up of salts, from fertilizers, chlorine
or fluorides. You might want to take one of the plants to a Nursery or Greenhouse
firm that specializes in houseplants and has a 'Certified Nursery-person'
on staff, so they can make an on the spot diagnosis.
I have been searching all
the online catalogues for seeds I would like to order but have noticed that
almost all of yours (you say) can be direct sowed. Of course I like that,
but why are the same plants listed as indoor from seeds in other catalogues.
IE: Thompson and Morgan. Oh and I imagine you are in the USA. I am in southern
Ontario zone 6b (slight micro climate) would the ones you say are perennial
be hardy in my zone?
Keep in mind there are
many types of plants have varieties that are houseplants, some annuals and
others are perennial. None of the perennials we list are houseplants. Most
are hardy to zero, but do vary by variety. Yes, we are in the United States,
but sell tens of thousands of seed packets (every year) in cold climates
like Alaska.
I am curious about a certain
wildflower. In a song written in 1860, "I'll Twine Mid the Ringlets", better
known today as "Wildwood Flower", the flower "aronatus" is mentioned. It
is described as ".....the pale aronatus with eyes of bright blue". Do you
know what that wildflower is?
No I don't. Suggest you send
a stamped-self-addressed envelope to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington
Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11225 (they appreciate a small donation) and ask them.
My Hortus, Exotica and wildflower books do not list this plant. They list
Aronia, which is 'chokecherry'.
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