September 01, 2003
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Nursery School September 2003 FAQ's
San Diego, Ca. - Nursery School More answers to the questions most frequently asked at nurseries.
Q. Can you recommend any fertilizers that I can spray directly on my plants that won’t burn them?
A. Any commercial liquid fertilizer should be safe to use as long as you follow the directions. And it’s the roots you have to worry about burning, not just the plant itself. Liquid fertilizers soak down through the soil, into the roots then leach away quickly, and therefore must be reapplied frequently.
Q. I bought several climbing roses and have been disappointed in the blooms – they only produced once in the spring. Is it me or the plants?
A. Perhaps a little of both. If you picked the plants, you may not have picked roses suited to your climate, or you may not have planted them in the proper location. Roses are relatively easy to grow and are typically prolific bloomers. Check with your local garden center to determine the variety you have and its growing requirements. You may need to replace your roses with a different variety.
Q. What plants can you recommend that will flower in the fall?
A. For great color variety you can’t beat chrysanthemum. With more than 160 species of chrysanthemum available, you’ll find a variety in just about any color and shape that will bloom well into the fall. Late summer and early fall are the natural bloom time. They are easy to grow and a pleasure to look at – from big fluffy blooms to delicate, spidery styles, to mock daisies, you can fill your fall garden with color and variety.
Q. I have created an “oasis in desert” using careful shading and placement of sprinklers. What can you recommend to add pizzazz?
A. Damp soil and partial shade are wonderful for tropical plants. For height and interesting shape plant some horsetail. Reminiscent of bamboo, horsetail’s slender stems grow in clusters and reach up to 4 feet high. The bright green color and unusual shape will add the pizzazz you want. But be sure to root prune often, for like bamboo, horsetail can overwhelm its environment.
Q. How large can I expect my giant bird of paradise to grow – and how fast?
A. Strelitzia nicolai can soar up to 30 feet tall, so be sure you allow plenty of room for it to grow when planting. These dramatic plants have long lasting blooms and long leathery leaves and will create a tropical attitude to your garden. Growth rate is medium.
Miramar Wholesale Nurseries is Southern California’s leading supplier of landscape plant material and supplies. MWN grows a wide variety of perennials, shrubs, and trees at each of its three locations for projects in and around the region. The fully stocked will-call facilities in San Diego, Irvine/Lake Forest, and San Juan Capistrano serve the needs of commercial properties, institutions, property managers, and commercial landscapers. For additional tips on plant care, see your nursery professional or refer to the Sunset Western Garden Book, available at all three MWN locations.
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