Tom MacCubbin: Force poinsettia leaves to turn red

December 11, 2010|By Tom MacCubbin, IN THE GARDEN

Q: I have two poinsettias saved from last year that look very healthy with green leaves. How do I get them to produce the red leaves?

A: A little red paint might work or you could do what growers and many gardeners do — make sure the poinsettias have no nighttime light. This effect of light on plants was discovered almost 100 years ago by two USDA researchers. They found giving some plants short days caused them to flower. In North America this occurs naturally during the fall months. If the plants receive any nighttime light, starting in mid-October, your plants may not develop the colorful leaves, called bracts, or the color formation may be delayed.

Wait to prune blueberry plants

Q: I have blueberry plants in large containers that are about 6 years old and they are getting leggy. I have read you prune them between January and March. What is your recommendation?

A: Wait a lot longer to give your blueberry plantings their next major pruning. In Florida we may do pruning a little different as the blueberry buds that produce the next crop have already formed and are waiting to bloom during the winter and spring months. A pruning in January or March would remove much of your next harvest.

Most Florida pruning is performed immediately after fruiting usually in early summer. You can cut the blueberry plants back some and remove an older cane or two. The objective of good pruning is to encourage new shoots on which the flowers and fruits are produced. Only if over production that would harm the plants is expected is light grooming performed during the winter months.

Can grapefruit tree be saved?

Q: My grapefruit tree of 20 years has smaller fruits and white sort of round spots on the trunks. My husband wants to cut it down. Can it be treated?

A: Husband, please spare that tree. A bunch of smaller fruits is not all that bad and the white to gray spots are likely harmless lichens. Instead, how about a good care program? Try keeping the soil moist and making feedings in March, May, August and early October with citrus fertilizer. You might also trade the ax for hand pruners to remove dead and declining limbs. Then apply a copper fungicide if needed to help reduce fungal problems and keep lichens from growing on the trunk. Some years you get lots of small fruits, so why not eat two?

Tips on gathering tomato seeds

Q: I have an ugly tomato fruit I grew from seed. How do I save seeds to plant next spring?

A: Time to start your next tomato seedings for spring is only about one month a way so you won't have long to wait. Remove the seeds from the tomato fruit and let them air dry for a few days on wax paper or similar surface where they can be easily removed. Then gather the seeds and place them in a plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator. Sow the next crop in cell packs or small containers around mid-January to have transplants for the March 1 garden.

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