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 January Links
 Are your seeds true
non hybrids? and if so, many that you say are do not specify that on their
packages. Is there a reason for this?
 Ninety percent of
our seeds are non-hybrids. Because of this, we specify which varieties are
hybrids on the packets. You can view every packet on our website individually
(at the Seed Rack) or click on the link for
non-hybrids to see the list. (Note that none of
our flowers are hybrids.)
How do I know I'm getting
a true non-hybrids seed. I'm looking for good quality seeds that I can save
some seeds from those plants I grow to replant the following year. Will I
be able to do so with your seeds.
Yes, our seeds are
from the current year's crop (they won't even be completely packaged till
January) so they have the highest germination rates and the non-hybrids will
stay true to type when saved.
Can you store your
Non-hybrid seeds over a year if stored properly?
This varies from variety
to variety. Most varieties will hold their germination for many years. Some,
will not last an entire year. (Examples: Beans, Corn, Pumpkins and
Squash will often have good germination for 6 to 7 years, Onions might
not germinate well next year.)
What would be proper
storing method?
This also varies from
variety to variety. Most just need to be kept cool and dry and not exposed
to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. A few like to be refrigerated
or frozen.
Don't exclude hybrids from your decision making process. Most of them can
also be saved for many years and it is possible (contrary to popular belief)
to save the seeds from hybrids that you've grown. The only negative is that
you probably will not get exactly the same results from saved seeds. Hybrids
often revert to their parent strains, so saved seeds might not result in
plants that are as disease resistant or large etc.
See Also: Why I like hybrids
I planted some daffodil
and iris bulbs about 6 weeks ago. I must not have buried the bulbs deep enough
because they've already started sprouting (yikes!). The daffodils are about
3" tall and the iris' are about 1". What should (or can) I do to stop the
growth and/or protect them until early Spring?
There's not much you
can do to stop the growth. If the weather turns really cold all of the sudden,
cover the tops with some sort of cloth material. Then, when the weather moderates
(hopefully in a few days) remove the covering completely. Cover again if
it gets cold again. Bulbs will take fairly cold temperatures before it will
affect them.
we purchased norfolk
pine and would like to know if it can be transplanted outside? we live
in zone 4. if so, any special treatment? if not, how do i care for it inside?
Norfolk Island Pine
is only hardy to 32 degrees F. It is native to Norfolk Island off the coast
of Australia. Inside it needs humidity and bright light, but not direct sunlight.
Feed only during the spring and summer growing season.
I have 6 Cherokee
Chief Dogwoods about 7 ft. tall that I put in about 3 years ago. My problem
is that they do not bloom in the spring. New foliage comes out fine, but
no blooms. What's up?
Dogwoods are rather
slow to bloom, so don't be discouraged. Feed the trees in about mid-February
with a rose type fertilizer that contains micro-nutrients like iron, magnesium,
sulfur, boron, etc. It will not help for this year, as the dogwoods have
already set their buds for the coming spring.
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