Boardash: ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Thursday January 21, 2010

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Thursday January 21, 2010

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Gardening Daily Tips
For You
Thursday January 21, 2010

Primrose, English (Primula vulgaris)
Q&A: Rejuvenating Neglected Orchard
Q&A: Leyland Cypress a Good Screen?
Tip: Winter Amaryllis Care
Get Healthy in 2010
Reader Photos

Primrose, English (Primula vulgaris)

Today's Featured Plant
Primrose, English (Primula vulgaris)

Read the full profile of this plant at ArcaMax.com.

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Q&A: Rejuvenating Neglected Orchard

Question: I just bought an old house with two equally old apple trees, an old pear tree, and an out-of-control grape vine. These trees and vines probably have not been pruned in more than ten years. Can I prune these over the next few years to restore health and order, or should I give up and start with new plants?

Answer: It depends on what you're hoping to achieve. It is possible to rejuvenate old trees with a program of pruning, soil enrichment, and pest management. On the other hand, if you are hoping for a predictable harvest, you may be better off starting over with new trees. If you decide to keep your venerable old trees, plan to prune over a three year period. Do the pruning in late winter or very early spring. You can safely prune out up to a quarter of the crown of your tree; any more than that and you will simply encourage a flush of new growth. You can prune your old grape vines right back to the ground; the roots will send up new shoots. Choose 3 of the most vigorous shoots to grow the first year; the following year, cut back to the one best shoot and keep that one properly pruned each year by checking the diagrams on grape pruning in books at a local library (it's hard to describe without a picture).

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Q&A: Leyland Cypress a Good Screen?

Question: I'm looking for a tree to give us privacy in our backyard. Our neighbor cut down trees and now we can see one another's decks. We miss the privacy. We're looking for a fast growing tree, maybe something like a christmas tree to plant now.

My local nursery suggested a Leyland cypress. I'm researching this and wanted to ask you as well. Also, do you ship?

Answer: Leyland cypress is Cupressocyparis leylandii, a plant famous for its rapid rate of growth. It makes a superb specimen plant, or as part of an informal or formal screen. It takes well to hard pruning, thrives in full sunshine and adapts to most any soil.

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Tip: Winter Amaryllis Care

Once your amaryllis have finished blooming cut the bloom stalk off and place the plant in a bright window. Feed the bulb with a time-release fertilizer such as Osmocote, keep the bulb well watered and pest free.

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Get Healthy in 2010

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-- From the ArcaMax editors

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Sincerely,
ArcaMax Editors