Thomas asks…
What’s the difference between a dwarf and semi-dwarf fruit tree?
I just realized that we ordered DWARF fruit trees (apple, peaches, plums) from an online garden supply. Will these trees have a long life and produce a lot of fruit? I dont want to invest time in fruit trees that are more ornamental.
GardenersCardiff answers:
M
The rootstock the tree is grafted onto will control the size the tree will grow to .There are other rootstocks but the ones I have put here will cover your question.
M.27 Malling 27: A very dwarfing rootstock. Unless the central leader is supported, the tree will be very small. Often only used as an intermediate stem piece on MM.106 or MM.111. If handled and spaced properly, it can be a very productive stock for a vertical axe system. Trees can be grown three to four feet tall and produce about 45 fruit, roughly 2 pecks, depending on fruit cultivate.
M.9: Very dwarfing – Reaches a height of 8 to 10 ft (2.4 to 3.0 m), coming into fruit after 3–4 years, reaching full capacity of 50 to 65 pounds (23 to 29 kg) after 5 to 6 years. It will grow under average soil conditions, but needs a good rich soil to thrive. A good choice where space is limited and fertility is high. Permanent staking is required, as is routine feeding and watering. Trees on this rootstock always require leader support. The rootstock is very susceptible to fire blight and can develop burr knots.
M.26: Dwarfing – Similar to M9 in effect, although somewhat more vigorous and generally stronger, with a higher expected eventual yield of 65–75 pounds (29–34 kg) and height of 8 to 10 ft (2.4 to 3.0 m). A good choice where soil quality is average and compact growth is required. Comes into fruit after 3–4 years, reaching full cropping capacity after 5 to 6 years. Staking needed for first five years of its life. It is susceptible to collar rot and fire blight and should not be planted in a wet site. Certain varieties when grafted onto this rootstock may exhibit signs of graft union incompatibility(i.e., the union breaks).
MM.106: Semi-dwarfing – Sometimes referred to as semi-vigorous, this is the most widely used of rootstocks. It is probably the best choice for the average garden under average conditions, being tolerant of a wide range of soils, and producing a tree with an eventual size of 14 to 18 ft (4.3 to 5.5 m). Trees on this stock begin producing fruit within three to four years, and yield 90 to 110 pounds (41 to 50 kg) after some seven or eight years. MM106 is very suitable for use with weaker varieties that would produce under sized bushes with more dwarfing rootstocks. Can be trained as a half standard tree, but is rather too vigorous for cordons unless the soil is poor. Requires staking for the first five years or so of its life. Trees on MM.106 are highly susceptible to collar rot especially when planted in soils that remain wet(poor percolation).
Helen asks…
What can we right off on our rental property in canada?
We just purchased a second home that we are renting out. We are renovating the lower level as a second rental apartment. What can we write off on our taxes next year against this property? We live in Ontario, Canada. Can we right off garden supplies as well?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Landscaping expenses are deductible to the extent that they are not personal expenses. If you also live on the property, only the share of expense that applies to the rental part of the property is deductible.
See the complete list of allowable rental expenses on the CRA website here:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/tpcs/rntl/bt/rprt/xpns/menu-eng.html
Mandy asks…
What is that fragrant species of iris called?
Every time I’ve gone to a greenhouse/nursery/garden supply looking for irises, none of the ones available have any fragrance at all. Specifically what species is it that gives off that pungent fragrance that smells something like purple grape candy? I know they’re purple or bluish-purple in color, but I don’t know their name. Also, when are they in season?
GardenersCardiff answers:
I had one once that smelled like grape kool aid. I didn’t plant it so I don’t know the variety.
Some that are supposed to smell like grape kool aid or ‘Cardinal’, ‘Grape Kool Aid’, ‘Princess Beatrice’ and ‘Grape Situation’. They are German or Bearded Iris so they bloom early summer/late spring
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Mary asks…
What am I doing wrong? (roses)?
I’m in my first house, first time gardening. I don’t know a lot but I like it and am trying to learn.
I made a rose garden in the early spring and bought six bare root roses from the nursery.
The lady suggested them as being easy and good for beginners. I don’t remember all of the kinds but one was called a Chicago Peace.
Anyway, I read about pruning, watering and feeding etc. and everything was going fine. They all started blooming in early May and they were gorgeous. The blooms were so nice and perfect they looked like ones at the florist.
Now, all the new buds and blooms are tiny and “duds”. They aren’t even opening before they wither and die. The plants themselves look healthy.
Please tell me what I am doing wrong or not doing.
I am in Zone 7 if it matters.
Thank you!
GardenersCardiff answers:
If the plants look healthy without any spots etc then look to see if there are and teeny tiny bugs below the flower buds. They might have aphids which will cause the symptoms you are talking about.
Betty asks…
PRETTY EASY RIDDLES!?
SOME SHORT RIDDLES
1.What is as big as you are and yet does not weigh anything?
2.What ends everything always?
3. You can hold it without using your hands or arms. What is it?
LONGER RIDDLES
1.There once was an evil wizard. He took 3 woman from their homes and turned them into rose bushes that looked exactly alike. He put them in his garden. One of the woman had a husband and children and begged the wizard to let her see them. He agreed. At night, he brought the woman to her house. In the morning he came and took her home. One day the husband decided to go rescue her. So he snuck into the wizard’s garden. He looked and looked at the 3 identical rose bushes trying to figure out which could be his wife. Suddenly, he knew the answer and he took his wife home. How did he know which rose bush was his wife?
2.I can sizzle like bacon,
I am made with an egg,
I have plenty of backbone, but lack a good leg,
I peel layers like onions, but still remain whole,
I can be long, like a flagpole, yet fit in a hole,
What am I?
GardenersCardiff answers:
Short riddles
1 Your shadow
2 The letter “G”
3 Your breath
Long riddles
1 – The wizard brought the rosebush to her home at night and returned her to the garden in the morning. Therefore, she was the only plant without dew.
2 – a snake
Carol asks…
Would these plants work in San Diego and when should I plant them?
I am a beginner gardener. I recently put grass in my back yard and have made it so that I have an 8ft flower bed going around the edge. My hope is to have a wildlife friendly garden with a butterfly garden at the sides and hopefully (in the near future) a vegetable garden at the back. I have a three year old son and am hoping to get him involved in some of the planting, maybe sunflowers and herbs to start.
I have gone on a gardening web site that will deliver bulbs and potted plants. I am considering buying the following but I need to know if these are the right choices for my location and beginner skills and what I should do to the soil before I plant them:
plants. These are preplanned gardens from the web site….
Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden
1 Black Knight Butterfly Bush
1 Keys of Heaven
3 Mixed Monarda
1 White Obedient Plant
1 Maximillian Perennila Sunflower
Easy-Care Beginner Sun Garden
1 Black Knight Butterfly Bush
1 Pink Coneflower
3 Blue Fragrant Lavender
1 Super Shasta Daisy
1 Little Business Daylily
1 Black-Eyed Susan
I also chose these because they do well in sun:
3 – Gay Butterflies Butterfly Weed
3 – Border Dahlia Mix
3 – Hardy Blue Passion Flower
1 – Apricot Princess Rose
So that’s what’s in my cart! I have not placed the order yet.
I live in Zone 9-10, San Diego. About 10 miles back from the ocean. I have mostly full sun but some partial shade areas.
What should I get? How do I prepare the soil? When do I start planting?
Any advice would be greatly appreciate.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Good Morning LondonLou,
Boy did it rain last night. I hope you got some. Like your son, I was taught gardening at the age of 3 by my uncle in the hills of Kentucky. That was sixty years ago. I do not use any pesticides or chemicals in my garden. Believe it or not, I can taste the chemicals in grocery store vegetables.
It is impossible for any one to know all the thousands of flowers that grow. Therefore, this report is what I truly know. First, I hope you have a gardener other than Nathan. For a beginner you have taken on a lot of work. This is okay, except a beginner will sometimes fail.
Your question: Flowers more than any other plants need their own ph levels. If you want to have maximum blooms from your plants, buy yourself a ph soil testing kit. They cost about $6 at Home Depot. The web site below will help you with the best ph levels per plant. This website is very important if you wish to have a yard full of beautiful flowers.
Good soil ph level will also draw earthworms. Earthworms are very important to plants. They take nutritions deep into the soil to the plant roots. Soil ph level and earthworms
go hand and hand. The worms made your job easier. These two things are the secret.
Http://www.gardenersnet.com/atoz/ph.htm
I use chicken manure for my plants. It is natural and the best all round fertilizer. You are talking about a lot of land. Therefore, you should consider making or buying yourself a good compost bin. It will save you money in the long run. If you decide to make a compost bin, hit my profile page. I have answered at least three questions on making a good compost bin.
Test the ph level of your soil now. Put down your fertilizer now. The rain will help soak it into the soil. Till (3-6 inches deep) and plant on/ or anytime after the full moon of February 28th.
Most of your flowers look okay except two. The Black Knight Butterfly Bush has been banned in Oregon for being invasive. I would check this out before purchasing.
The Hardy Blue Passion has very pretty flowers, but do you know it is a vine? Also, after the flower you get these pods which look something like a pear. They will be filled with thousands of feather like seeds.They fly all over the place. I have one along my back fence. I would not plant it in an open area.
I will repeat. I think you are in for a lot of work. Something to consider: I have nine fruit trees. You may want to consider planting a couple dwarf fruit trees. Four of my trees are planted between the house (about six feet) and my driveway. My dwarf Satsuma Mandarin Orange tree is over 20 years old. It is about six feet tall. It stays green all year. It does very well in Southern California. I also have a dwarf new improved Meyers Lemon, a three way plum, and a apricot tree. They will only get six feet tall. Hummingbirds love them, and these trees will require less up keep. We have our flowers around and in between the trees. Just something to consider. Believe me, it will come out beautiful.
One other thing before I sign off. My favorite plant is a “Bird of Paradise.” They do very well here. It will stay in bloom four months out of the year if planted in a sunny location. It is a slow grower and very easy to maintain. Cut flowers will last for weeks inside your house.
Http://Flowers.vg/flowers/paradise01.htm
Good luck little (smile) new gardener. Tell your helper hello. You and your family have a great New Year, from Los Angeles.
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