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Pineapple plants can put premium on patience

Question: Many of my neighbors are harvesting pineapple fruits but mine has not bloomed. How long do I have to wait?

Answer: Most likely your pineapple is a youngster and more patience is needed. Normally these plants require two to three years to mature, flower and fruit. Most local pineapple plants flower in March to produce fruits that ripen in August. They can be manipulated into flowering earlier but who wants a small fruit on a small plant? It is best to let the plant grow to a good size and fruit naturally.

Give pineapple plants good care of monthly feedings during the warmer times of the year and waterings during the dry times. Slow-release fertilizers can be substituted for the monthly feedings following label instructions. Plants do grow and fruit in light shade but best production is in full sun.

Q: I applied a weed and feed twice to control the weeds in my St. Augustine lawn and they are still growing. What else should I do?

A: Grab a bundle of those persistent weeds and head to your local University of Florida Extension office or nearest garden center to have them identified. Regretfully, weed and feeds may not control all the unwanted greenery in lawns.

Some weeds may be herbicide-resistant broadleaf, grassy or sedge types needing special control products that can be recommended by the local experts. And for some, the only answer is to dig them out or spot kill them with a nonselective herbicide, following label instructions.

Q: My St. Augustine lawn was green through spring but is turning yellow in spots for the summer. I applied a fertilizer and it seemed to yellow even more. What should I do?

A: Join the many residents seeing yellow spots in their lawns. As long as this is a uniform yellowing without the brown, we can probably rule out pest problems. Most likely what you are seeing is the result of an iron deficiency, which can be intensified by extra fertilizer.

Obtain a liquid or granular iron product for use with turf from your local garden center and apply as instructed on the label. Minor nutrient products that contain iron plus other elements like magnesium and manganese are also available and can be substituted. Stay away from nitrogen containing products that could make the yellowing worst until it is fall feeding time.

Q: We have a tall holly hedge that is blocking our view. Can it be pruned at this time?

A: Healthy hedges won’t mind heavy pruning from spring through early fall as there are several months left to make new growth. Do expect some yellowing to browning of the leaves that until this pruning have been sheltered from the sun. New growth should follow in a few weeks, so keep the soil moist but not overly wet and apply a slow-release fertilizer.

Q: We have what is sort of a gangly plant with thick, flat, green leaves that open white flowers at night. Can you name this plant?

A: Maybe you would like to give this plant a family name to make it feel at home but the most common name is orchid cactus. The plant is in the Epiphyllum genus and is a true tropical cactus without the thorns. A close relative is the night-blooming cereus with leaf-like stems that are three or more sided with thorns. Both have similar attractive blossoms that open at night.

Your white-flowered orchid cactus is easy to grow and freely produces flowers during the summer months. Keep the plant in filtered sun and provide a moist but not wet soil during the warmer months. Apply a slow-release fertilizer. The plant can grow out of control and may need periodic trimming. Besides white, there are red-, pink-, orange- and yellow-flowered types but the white seems to do best locally.

Q: Our hibiscus has a white, wax-like covering on the stems and buds at the tips of the stems. What is this and what control is needed?

A: Mealybugs are on the loose and living in the tips of many shrubs and foliage plants. These piercing, sucking insects seem to like the summer weather and multiply quickly, producing the waxy coatings. If left to feed they cause leaf drop and gradual plant decline.

Natural controls of insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils are available from local garden centers. Follow label instructions and hit the clusters of insects with the spray. Repeat applications are likely to be needed. Newer systemic insecticides, also available from garden centers, control mealybugs as they feed. They are applied to the foliage or soil, following label instructions. Each of these controls needs a few weeks to reduce the infestation.

Q: My gladiolus bulbs have finished blooming and the leaves are brown. When is the best time to move them?

A: When you are ready, the gladiolus bulbs are probably also ready to be dug and either stored or given a new location. Gardeners often leave their bulbs in the ground for a year or more to form clusters that eventually need dividing. When needed, wait until their tops turn brown then dig the bulbs any time before new growth begins. Remove old shriveling bulb portions then keep the new bulbs and small bulblets to grow the next flowering plants. Dug bulbs can be immediately added to a planting site or stored for a few months in a cool, dry spot.

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