Unplanted bulbs can still survive winter
Question: I purchased some daffodil bulbs with the intent of planting them at our cottage near Crivitz. The driveway and landscaping are not finished and I will have to wait until spring of next year to plant. The bulbs are currently in the refrigerator. How do I successfully over winter them so that I can plant them next year?
Answer: You have several options. Plant the bulbs in containers, water and place in an unheated garage. Set them on a board and surround with bags of packing material, potting mix or other material if you feel additional insulation is needed. Water the pots whenever the soil is thawed and dry.
Or, pack the bulbs in peat moss, place in a perforated plastic bag and continue to store them in the refrigerator. Keep them away from apples and other fruit that give off ethylene that can negatively impact the bulbs. Then plant them in the spring as soon as the construction is completed.
Q: I have had a peace lily for about 3 years and recently the tips of the leaves are drying up and turning black. Do you know of any reason for this?
A: Peace lilies prefer moist well-drained soil for best results. The plants will wilt if the soil is allowed to go too dry between watering. They will recover the first few times, but brown tips may develop and if this continues the plant may not recover.
Watering too often or allowing the plant to sit in excess water that collects in the saucer can cause leaves to turn yellow and eventually black. Adjust your watering schedule if these seem to be the problem.
If not, check to see if the plant is pot-bound. Slide the plant out of the container. If the roots fill the pot and encircle the root ball, you need to move it to a slightly larger, about an inch more in diameter, pot. Loosen the roots before moving it into the new container.
If you recently transplanted your peace lily into a much larger pot, that may be the problem. The excess soil holds more moisture and can lead to root rot. Remove any slimy rotten leaves and move the plant into the proper size container if needed.
Q: I want to apply imidacloprid to my hawthorn to control leaf miner. It is in a planting bed and I am not sure how to dilute the product given the planting location.
A: Hawthorn leaf miner is an aesthetic problem. The insects overwinter in the soil, emerge in spring, lay their eggs on the leaves and the larvae begin feeding inside the leaf. They finish feeding early in the season and drop to the ground to complete their life cycle. New leaf growth masks this early-season damage.
Treatment is generally not needed, as it is a cosmetic problem that does not threaten the life of an otherwise healthy tree. In addition, there is concern with using this and other neonicotinoid pesticides on flowering plants. Research indicates these insecticides are harmful to our native and honey bee populations.
Email questions to Melinda Myers through melindamyers.com, or write her at P.O. Box 798, Mukwonago, WI 53149. http://melindamyers.com/