Landscape chores
50. Many plants produced late summer growth; prune to remove out-ofbounds shoots.
51. Major pruning time is over for azaleas, bougainvillea, camellias, gardenias and poinsettias.
52. Shield poinsettias and holiday cactuses from nighttime light starting mid-month.
53. Shrubs, ground covers and perennials are ready for a final fall feeding.
54. Use a slow-release fertilizer that can feed in-ground and container planting for months.
55. Most ornamental and shade trees do not need a special feeding
56. Give palms a final feeding of the year with an 8-0-12-4mg fertilizer or similar product.
57. Palm diseases are
prevalent; clean and sterilize pruners between palms.
58. Be kind and only remove the brown fronds and flower stems from palms.
59. Give hedges a final trimming.
60. Remove suckers and low limbs from trees.
61. Weeds are plentiful in ornamental plantings; hand pull or spot kill to prevent seeding.
62. Whiteflies and mealybugs are major pests; systemic insecticides offer good control.
63. Drier weather lies ahead; water when the surface soil begins to dry.
64. Most established trees and shrubs can go a week or more between waterings.
65. Trim away limbs and weeds affecting the operation of sprinkler systems.
66. Check container plantings for plugged drainage holes; repotting may be needed.
67. Maintain mulch under trees and shrubs; start the mulch several inches from trunks.
68. Determine tree needs and plant smaller growing wind-resistant species.
69. Check tree and palm supports to make sure they are secure but not damaging the plants.
70. Add fall plants to hanging baskets and container gardens.
71. Edge sidewalks and plant beds.
72. Replace soil in problem flower beds and planters.
73. Replant flower beds with cool-season annuals and perennials; delay pansies until November.
74. Divide perennial and bulb plantings.
75. Give water lilies and bog plants a monthly feeding.
House and foliage plant care
76. Plants reduce pollutants and create a pleasing atmosphere when added to homes and offices.
77. Foliage plants are often a good buy at garden centers during fall; replace the declining plants.
78. Many foliage plants have grown too large for their containers; repot as needed.
79. Groom outdoor foliage plants and begin moving them to a warm location.
80. Most foliage plants need a bright light location but out of the direct sun.
81. Feed plants in bright light monthly; less often in low light.
82. Control insects on plants before moving them indoors.
83. Begin forcing amaryllis and paperwhite narcissus for indoor displays.
84. Reduce watering of holiday cactuses to when the surface soil dries and discontinue feedings.
85. Make sure indoor poinsettias, holiday cactuses and kalanchoes receive no nighttime light.
Tom MacCubbin is an urban horticulturist emeritus with the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Write him: Orlando Sentinel, P.O. Box 2833, Orlando FL 32802. Email: TomMac1996@aol.com. Blog with Tom at OrlandoSentinel.com/tomdigs.