HEAT STAGNATION
Patience and vigilant care can protect delicate tomato plants from the hot weather
Q: Why aren’t my tomato plants growing tomatoes? — F.G., Albuquerque A: It’s the heat. Well, at least that’s what I’m thinking.
I was taught that once the temperatures get and stay above the mid- to upper-90s, most tomatoes will sort of stand still. With this ridiculous heat wave we’ve suffered through lately you can bet your tomatoes are in survival mode. Yes, they are keeping themselves alive, but the thought of blooming and setting fruit is not in their best interest, so they wait.
You could create some sort of shade structure that would offer relief to the plantings from brutal southern or western sun exposure and see if that helps. I wouldn’t fertilize at all until the heat abates a bit because you certainly don’t want to force growth or run the risk of a fertilizer burn while it’s this wickedly hot. Until the weather breaks the tomatoes are going to stand still. Your aim is to keep them maintained so when it does cool they’ll get back in sync, bloom, set fruit and bring it to harvest.
Right now patience and vigilant care will be your goal.
Q: We’re so excited that we have hummingbirds coming to the feeder we hung and want to keep them happy by planting some flowers for them. What plants do you recommend? — E.B., Albuquerque
A: Since hummingbirds are such specialized feeders, you’ll need to find plants that have tubular or bell-shaped nectar- rich flowers. The list of plants is quite varied, too. Everything from shade dwellers to full sun lovers, ornamental trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals can be had to promote a varied diet for your hummers.
In a shady area consider coral bells (Heuchera), columbine and ajuga to attract the birds. In a fairly shady protected spot grown in a hanging basket try your hand at a fuchsia plant. The remarkable bubble-petaled flowers are a favorite of hummers. Just know the fuchsia can be fussy so you need be very consistent with their care.
For plants that can take quite a bit more sun consider foxglove, bee balm (Monarda), salvia greggii (autumn sage), red-hot poker (Kniphofia), Agastache (hummingbird mint), Zauschneria (hummingbird plant) and lots of Penstemon varieties. All of these plants have blooms perfect for hummers to feed from. I’ve found lantana, red blooming annual salvia, and geraniums on some lists of hummer attractors, too. The lovely mimosa tree, with its powder puff pink blooms or the desert willow (Chilopsis) is visited by hummers. There is a smallish tree-shrub, desert bird of paradise that when in bloom can attract them, as well. Several vining plants offer flowers the hummers love. Scarlet runner bean, coral honeysuckle and trumpet vine when in bloom offer feeding stations galore for your birds.
I know that my suggestions are not all encompassing either. There are lots of plants that have trumpet- or bell-shaped blooms out there to offer your hummers a varied and healthy diet. Enjoy searching them out.
Q: What is that shrub that has those dark electric blue flowers that are everywhere in town right now? So much color! — L.C., West Side
A: The visual marvel you’re noticing is called vitex, or chaste tree. The spike-shaped blooms that are worn by the vitex can come in several colors, too, not just the vibrant electric cobalt blue you’re asking about. You can find the vitex wearing bright white blooms, some a pastel light purple and others come in a pale blue color. Lots of color blooms to choose from. I like the cool gray foliage, too.
Crushed, the scent of the vitex leaf is unmistakable. It is a clean almost astringent scent. A favorite of mine. If you can get up close and personal to a vitex, be sure to pet it and enjoy not only the visual delight of the blooms but the scent. Happy Digging In!