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HYACINTH BEAN VINE BLOOMS AND BLOOMS AND BLOOMS |
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Published: September 30, 1997 |
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Still spectacular, hyacinth bean vine puts on a show
Q. Please send information about growing hyacinth bean vine.
A.
The lovely purple flowers of Dolichos lablab are followed by large, glossy, red-violet pods. Grown in gardens since at least the 1880s, this vine can reach 15 feet or more in a single growing season. Good news for us: it loves hot weather.
What are the directions for growing HBV? If you have several seeds, plant one now in full sun where there is a fence or other support. I think there is time for it to germinate and bloom before frost.
If you have only one seed, as did many of us when we first started growing them in Lafayette, wait to plant it after danger of frost next spring. No special care is needed other than full sun and a support for the vine to grow on. No fancy planting directions. Just stick your finger in soil, drop the seed in the hole and cover it.
This fabulous flowering vine is truly a sight to behold. I planted mine (one seed) last February and it germinated immediately but didnt bloom until September 1. Two seeds that I planted in April also germinated immediately, but didnt bloom until, (guess when?), September 1. It (or they) have covered my wrought iron fence with vine(s) flowering in shades of pink, lavender and white.
I believe that I cut the vine down last year in early December, saving the seed pods, and allowing them to dry in a place protected from rain and frost.
Sago palm slow to recover
Q. I have a beautiful sago palm about eight-feet tall and about 18-years-old. It is planted in the ground in the small covered entry to my home. Because the entry is covered overhead, the palm gets no rain, which means that we have to water it regularly. Every summer it turns a sickly yellow color and develops mildew. When we spray it with fungicide and cut back the damaged fronds, it puts out fresh ones which look fine for winter, but the cycle starts again. Is there any preventive treatment so we wont have to go through this every year?
You could start spraying with funcigide every 7-10 days in early spring and continue through the summer. If this doesnt work, transplant your valuable plant to a spot where it will get full sunlight and good air circulation. It sounds as though it has outgrown its little corner and needs open spaces.
Louisiana Select and All-American Selections: Outstanding plants
Every year the Louisiana Association of Nurserymen and the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service recognize and actively promote outstanding plants for our landscapes here in Louisiana. We are just now reporting the 1996 selections which were New Orleans Red coleus, mayhaw, Watchet azalea, Homestead Purple verbena, Telstar dianthus and Henrys Garnet Virginia willow.
Recipients in 1997 so far are bald cypress and New Wonder scaevola, with nominations to follow.
All-American Selections, a non-profit organization for evaluating new seed-grown flowers and vegetables from around the world, has selected the following plants which will be available in 1998: Impatiens Victorian Rose, Petunia Prism Sunshine (yellow); Lemon Basil Sweet Dani and Swiss Chard Bright Lights.
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