Boardash: ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Monday November 2, 2009

Sunday, November 1, 2009

ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Monday November 2, 2009

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Gardening Daily Tips
For You
Monday November 2, 2009

Phlox, Tall (Phlox paniculata)
Q&A: Germinating Wildflower Seeds
Q&A: Pruning Perennials in Warm Climates
Tip: Fertilize Winter Annuals
Wine and Dine Daily Video
Reader Photos

Phlox, Tall (Phlox paniculata)

Today's Featured Plant
Phlox, Tall (Phlox paniculata)

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Q&A: Germinating Wildflower Seeds

Question: I have trouble starting wildflower seeds I have collected, including milkweed and meadow rue. What do you suggest?

Answer: Many of the wildflowers (and perennials) seeds require a cold period in order to germinate. If you try germinating them at room temperature for several weeks with no results, try chilling them at between 25 and 40 degrees for between several weeks and several months. You can chill the seeds in packets or in pots of soil. Another method some gardeners use with great success is to sow the seeds in pots in late summer or fall and leave them outdoors in a sheltered spot until they germinate in the spring. (If you do this be sure to protect the pots from rodents and other animals.) Milkweeds generally require 3 months of cold stratification; most rue (Thalictrum) need about three weeks.

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Q&A: Pruning Perennials in Warm Climates

Question: Last year I moved from the midwest to San Jose California, where the winters are mild. My coreopsis and Marguerite daisies do not freeze back or die down in the winter and they are getting way too big. I don't know when or how far to cut them back to control the size of the plants next summer. I'm used to a hard winter climate and have never had perennials that grew right through winter!

Answer: Marguerite daisies are treated as annuals in other gardening regions, but can become woody perennials in southern California (as you've discovered!). It's best to pinch and prune the plants while they're young to keep them in shape. Since yours are overgrown, it make take a full growing season to gradually reduce the size of the plants without causing undo stress. Wait until early spring, just as new growth begins, and remove about one-third of the length of the stems. This will force new growth from below the cuts. During the growing season remove spent blooms and take some of the stems, too. This will encourage bushy growth and will keep the height and width of the plant under control. You can reduce the size of your coreopsis in a similar manner. To keep the plants looking attractive, cut back the stems after the flowers are spent and new flowering stems will be produced lower down on the plant.

Enjoy your southern California climate!

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Tip: Fertilize Winter Annuals

In warm winter areas, give pansies and primroses a dose of fertilizer to encourage growth and flowering. Apply a complete fertilizer such as 10-10-10 that contains a nitrate form of nitrogen that's easily absorbed by plants in cool soils.

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Wine and Dine Daily Video

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-- From the ArcaMax editors

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Sincerely,
ArcaMax Editors