Gardening Q & A

Jun 22 2008 Carolyn Spray

Flowers

Q The fronds on my kentia palm are turning brown. I water and feed regularly. Any idea why this is happening?

A Most houses are centrally heated and the dry air causes the edges of leaves to desiccate and die. Try to add moisture to the air with a humidifier.

Q My lilac bush has only produced one flower this year instead of the usual good display. Any tips to improve it?

A Last season's wet summer caused soft growth and the unripened wood did not set flower buds. Apply sulphate of potash or rose food to help ripen the wood.

Q I have a lovely fuchsia thalia and wondered if it is perennial?

A All fuchsias are tender perennials. If growing outside you will need to give it frost protection.

Q I bought a bottle brush tree (callistemon) which has flowered well. Should I cut it back?

A Tip it back each year after flowering.

Q I have a standard photinia red robin that is losing a lot of leaves.

There are a lot of ants around. Could they be the cause?

A Ants are unlikely to be to blame. Photinia loses its mature leaves each spring as the new ones develop.

This leaf renewal is normal and as the new leaves expand, it will soon lose its spindly shape.

Q My dog has left brown patches all over my lawn from urinating. How do I restore the grass?

A The brown area will have to be resown or returfed.

Q I planted tomatoes in a polytunnel. One hot day the leaves went brown at the ends. Why?

A The tunnel may be poorly ventilated and heat may have built up so high the roots couldn't pull enough water from the soil and the leaf tips died. Open the doors on sunny days or install a fan.