Christmas cactus offers second bloom
Q: My Christmas Cactus bloomed a second time this winter. Is this unusual?
— Kincaid, Illinois
A: It is not unusual for Zygote Cactus to bloom all winter. If you can have the plant in an area that has cool temps at night around 45 to 50 degrees, the buds will continue to form all winter long. You can start the process outdoors in October by leaving the plant outdoors every day unless you expect a frost. The best spot indoors is a bedroom that has the heat down, if you have an electric blanket.
Q: My gardenia is yellowing. I just got it a few months ago. I water it regularly. What could be the problem? — Joan, Middletown, R.I.
A: Unfortunately, regular watering is not good for plants. I suspect that you are watering too often. Yellowing could also be a lack of iron in the soil mix. When the days do get longer and the plant begins to bloom, it does require more frequent watering. Although gardenias prefer to be moist, you can rot the roots with too much water. I would repot the plant in a two inch larger pot and use a third of coarse sand with the remainder standard potting soil. After the plant has established itself in a east or west window, add a tablespoon of 510-10 fertilizer with chelated iron to the surface of the soil.
Q: My Norfolk Island Pine is all bare at the bottom. It is in a 12-inch pot and does not show any sign of insects. It has been in the same pot since I purchased it 5 years ago. It is now 5 feet tall. What can I do to make it fill out? — Marge, Westerly, R.I.
A: You first priority would be to put it in a 14-inch pot. Mix potting soil with a third sand for the additional soil. If there is any black or brown root, cut it off. Scarify the old soil to prevent a barrier between the old and new. You can cut some of the lower branches at the tips. Eventually, the new shoots will begin to come back on the lower branches. Add a tablespoon of fertilizer to the top of the soil in three months. This will allow the roots to acclimate to the new pot and soil. When the new shoots appear, you can cut the rest of the lower branches at the tips. Araucaria excelsa requires cool temps and partial shade to do its best.
Q: Can I plant my cyclamen, outdoors? — Carol, Aberdeen, Maryland
A: Cyclamen, gloxinia, primrose and many other houseplants can be planted in your garden or put in larger pots or urns on your patio for the summer. Your cyclamen will probably need to rest. After it finished blooming, it will show signs of deterioration. Only water lightly at this stage. The plant is going into dormancy.
Many folks think the plant is dying and will throw them out. Let the plant dry out and store it in a cool dry place for at least 30 days. After it has started to sprout again, then you can start watering more often and start fertilizing with a light liquid solution of 5-1010. In zone 7, you can probably put the cyclamen outdoors in a shady area in the beginning of May depending on the weather.