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| CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN EVERY HUE ARE WAITING TO BE PLANTED | |
| Published: September 02, 1997 | |
Early planting requires extra wateringQ:Now that Ive had to pull out my petunias, Id like to replace them with other flowers. Can you suggest some other sun-lovers that can be planted now?A:Have you seen the gorgeous chrysanthemums that are available in the nurseries? These can be planted now, according to Denyse Cummins with the Cooperative Extension Service. Early plantings, she cautions, will need extra water until the usual fall rains begin.Grow chrysanthemums in full sun in well-drained, fertile soil. This popular perennial blooms in fall and spring; however, gardeners who have limited space often buy and plant the budded transplants in early fall and discard or give them away after fall bloom is over. I often replant in pots for spring bloom in sunny spots on my patio. Other good bedding plants for early fall bloom, according to L.C. Cambre, are vinca, lantana, penta, and blue daze. Also available but not recommended for planting until cool weather are petunias, dianthus and snapdragons. Construction forces September transplant of treeQ:Due to a kitchen construction project, I find that one of my pecan trees must be moved. The tree is approximately seven years old with a trunk diameter of six inches. I would like to move the tree myself in mid- to late September as the construction must be started at that time. Can you give me any hints on doing this without destroying the tree?A:Under ideal conditions, you would be able to wait until December when the tree is dormant and you could move it bare-root. As it is, youre taking a risk. Denyse Cummins suggests that you root- prune the tree now, cutting in a circle about two feet from the trunk, to a depth of a shovel length. This will force the tree to form new roots closer to the trunk.Dig a hole at least two feet deep and two feet wide where you want to replant the tree. Retain the soil from the hole. No amendments or fertilizers will be required for replanting. Two days before the moving project, water the tree well to help the soil adhere to the roots to form a root ball. Dont do this the day before as youll make a muddy mess and defeat your purpose. On moving day, dig a trench two-feet deep and about 18-inches to two-feet from the trunk. From this trench, cut under the ball of the tree, retaining as much soil as possible in the root ball. Turning the tree to one side, slide a tarp halfway under the root ball, then turning the tree to the other side, work the tarp the whole way underneath the root ball. Lift the root ball out by the tarp. As soon as possible, move the tree to the previously prepared planting hole. Fill in with the original soil. Add no amendments or fertilizer. Water well at planting-time and throughout the fall. Avoid drought stress by watering regularly for the rest of the year. Good luck! Identifying Angelonia agustifoliaQ:We bought a small shrub identified as Angelonia agustifolia Blue Pacific at a nursery in Ponchtoula, and now would like to find out more about its culture. The nursery has no information on it. Please find out if it is an annual or a perennial and whether or not it is hardy.A:Angelonia agustifolia is a woody perennial herb, a native of tropical America. Set out in the spring as a bedding plant, it should grow to one and one-half feet. Blue Pacific produces long, pointed, serrated leaves and violet to violet-purple flowers. There is also a white cultivar. They are both hardy with protection in this area. That means to give them some covering during hard freezes. |