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 May Links
 I have one fairly large lilac
tree and behind it 2 smaller ones. The smaller ones don't bloom. I'm assuming
its because of not getting enough sunlight, therefore I would like to transplant
these. When and how would be best?
 They are easy to transplant,
during the winter dormant season months of November, December, January or
February. Lack of sufficient sunlight will keep Lilac's from flowering. Just
dig and replant the lilacs, they can be transplanted, bare-root if it is
done during the winter months as outlined above.
Something is eating on my
Hosta & I have been putting Deadline around them for the Slugs ,but,
something is still eating on the leaves. Do you think it could be Strawberry
root weavil?
If they are eaten along the
edge of the leaves it could be 'cutworms' or 'root weevils'. Take a leaf
into a 'Certified Nursery-person' at your local independent garden center
and have them make an on the spot diagnosis.
My Rhododendrons are getting
way too big. How can I prune these so they will still bloom, but reduce the
size of the shrub significantly? I was told that I could just cut them down
drastically after them bloom started to fade. Is this true? If I cut them
down to about 2-3 feet, all of the foliage will be lost. Will it resprout?
That's quite severe pruning.
It is best to prune them moderately after bloom. It you need to reduce the
size, by say 2 or 3 feet, prune back one third of the growth to 5 or 6 feet,
then next year prune another one third and then the following year prune
back the remaining part of the plant. By using this method, over a three-year
period, you will get the plant down to the size you want but it should still
have flowers each year. If you severely prune the plant it will not flower
for at least a couple of years. If you severely prune them they usually will
re-sprout, but who knows???.
When your Iris Bulbs stop
blooming, and you want to replace them into another place how do you do this.
Depends upon the type of Iris.
Rhizome (bearded type), simply dig, separate rhizomes, cut foliage 6 to 8
inches in teepee shape and replant so rhizomes are right at ground level,
the same depth as before. English or Dutch type Iris , you allow the foliage
to die-back then dig and replant. Mix compost, processed steer or other forms
of organic humus with the new planting soil.
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