Quick Questions
Why does our wonderful peace lily now look so poorly?
Janet Fisher, Wragby, Lincolnshire Peace lilies (spathiphyllum) are houseplants that are tolerant of both shade and the dry atmosphere of domestic homes. While they can be put outside in summer in a shaded spot, I think you’ve left yours outdoors for too long as night time temperatures have been decidedly chilly. Trim off the worst foliage and place in good light indoors. Feed once a month over the winter with a houseplant fertiliser.
Where I’ve deadheaded my roses the stems have browned. Is this a problem?
Una Hilliard, by email Ideally, deadhead roses using secateurs to remove the whole stalk. If you’re pushed for time the simplest way is to break the faded flower off. This is usually fine but either due to hot weather or wet weather the stalk can die back. Simply prune these back now.
Will all parts of our runner beans rot down in the compost heap?
Gill Hawkins, Luton If the main stems have started to dry out, you may have to put a few buckets of water on the heap to moisten them. Chopping the stems either by hand or by puing them through a shredder will help as well. Alternatively, spread them on grass and go over them with a rotary mower. Any grass clippings collected will help the composting process, as they contain nitrogen that the microbes in the heap will use to break down the carbon in more woody material.