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 February Links
 At one of your lectures, at the Garden Show last spring,
you mentioned fertilizing bulbs in late winter. I have forgotten the exact
timing and method you suggested? Can you give me additional information?
 The best time to feed the bulbs is when the new foliage
growth is about two to four inches high, in late winter or earliest spring.
And, a second application should be made just after the bulbs finish flowering.
Use a liquid type fertilizer, such as fish, Peter's, Rapid-Gro, Miracle-Grow,
etc. Apply to the new leaves and surrounding ground. Use according to directions
so you do not burn the tender new growth. These feedings are made to help
build strength into the bulbs, for future flowering. This type of feeding
is sometimes especially useful for bulbs that have been in the ground for
a number of years.
Is it too late for me to prune my Grapes and Kiwi
vines? I usually do it earlier in the season, but have not had a chance
due to the rain in early January and then family matters.
Yes. However, this is one job that you should do
as soon as possible. In fact, Kiwi specialists say the vines should be pruned
by Valentine's Day. If they are pruned after that time the vines are apt
to bleed profusely. The Grapes vines will also bleed, if cut too late.
Why is it that my African violets will not bloom?
The leaves are healthy and beautiful, but no flowers. Some of these plants
have not flowered for two or three years. I try to follow the directions
on the labels that are in the pots, and have tried to follow suggestions
that friends have offered, but to no avail. What do you suggest?
I have found that if African violets do not get enough
light or are given too much care they tend to grow, but not flower. So if
you are being to kind to them, by feeding too much or watering too generously
then that could be the problem. On the other hand if they are situated in
spot where they only get moderate light, then that may be the problem. They
need about fourteen hours of bright light a day. So sometimes it is necessary
to provide additional light for them, by using a Gro- light above them,
especially during the winter. Keep it about ten to fifteen inches above the
plants. If you are being a little heavy-handed with watering or feeding,
cut back and stress the plants a little. Also, the use of a bloom setting
fertilizer like 0-10-10 may help. Apply it according to label instructions.
When can I start seeding my flowers and leaf vegetables
inside? Each year it seems like I am either too early or too late? I would
like to get the plants started early so I can have my own seedlings to set
outside later in the spring when things warm-up.
Most of the commercial growers start their annual
flowers and leaf vegetables in late February or early March. Zinnias, Asters,
Peppers and the warm-weather crops are started even a little latter. The
key to starting any of these seeds indoors is finding a bright light spot,
where the temperatures are about 65 to 72 degrees. If you use soil
from the garden, be sure to sterilize it first. One method of steriling
the soil is to bake it in the oven at 170 to 180 degrees for about two hours.
Vermiculite or commercial potting soils are probably the best mediums
to use for starting seeds.
See Also: Starting Seeds Indoors
Return to Library - Back
to Home Page |
