Norfolk Island Pines Messy Outdoors


Too Hot For Kiwis

June 9, 2000|ROBERT HAEHLE

Q. My potted Norfolk Island pine has black spots on the leaves. What can I do to control them? -- Eva Morava, Boca Raton

A. It sounds like your plant has scale on the needles. Take the plant outside in a shady location and spray it with a systemic such as Orthene. Follow label directions exactly and re-treat in 10 days.

Q. My Norfolk Island pine is dropping needles and is watered three times a week. What can I do to stop the needle dropping? -- Jean Dillon, Delray Beach

A. Norfolk Island pines are naturally messy, and watering schedules do not affect needle drop. Spring is the time for evergreens to drop their leaves/needles. Plant some `Macho' ferns under the pine to absorb the needle drop. That will eliminate lots of raking.

Q. Can kiwi be grown here? -- Betty Howe, Pompano Beach

A. Kiwi will grow in North Florida. We do not have enough winter chill for them to do well here.

Q. I plant my Easter lilies outside after the flowers die off. The plants grow to 5 to 6 inches tall, but they do not bloom. I plan on to put all in a pot and use a special soil and fertilizer. What do they need? -- Marie Gioconda, Pompano Beach

A. Easter lilies need full sun and good drainage for blooming success. They are better in the ground than in a pot. Use a bloom special to encourage flowering and transplant them if they are in the shade.

Q. My passion flower has lots of buds but no blooms. The plants are well-watered, fertilized and are planted in a partly shaded spot. -- John Claggett, Boca Raton

A. They bloom better in the sun. Thrips are probably affecting the flowering. Systemic Orthene would get rid of the thrips but would kill caterpillars and butterflies, the reason most people grow passion vines. Think about why you are growing the vines before you spray.

Q. My basil has leaf spotting. It is grown on an open terrace in full sun. What can I do to cure this? -- Al Lazar, Coconut Creek

A. Leaf spotting is caused by a leaf miner. Grow basil in a sunny window inside where the leaf miner moth can't reach the plant.


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