Q I have some growths above ground in my potato patch. They are growing on the potato plant, and they resemble tomatoes. What are they?
A I get this question from time to time. Some people think it is a cross between a potato and a tomato, but it is actually the true fruit of the potato plant. Potato plants flower with a small purple bloom, and most often, the flowers dry up and fall off the plants without setting fruit. But when conditions are right, a few flowers do produce fruit. They look like a cherry tomato but they are not edible. You can save the seeds from them, but it is much easier and quicker to grow potatoes from seed potatoes, not true seeds.
Q We have a Southern magnolia in our backyard. It has two trunks, with the split very close to the ground. The tree is only about 8 feet tall now. Should I remove the second, smaller trunk and let the main trunk grow, or leave it alone and have a two-trunk magnolia? Removing the smaller trunk would take away about half the tree, but what would be left would be a single straight trunk. Or does it matter?
A It matters only if there is not enough room for both trunks to continue to grow. If they are so close together that they compete, eventually one is going to have to be removed, and the sooner it is done, the sooner the remaining trunk can fill in.
Q I am fairly new to gardening and have a slight issue with my tomatoes. The leaves are all green and healthy and some plants are tall and already have healthy-looking fruit. But the leaves on some of my plants have been curling downward toward the ground. No pest or discoloration — they are just curling down. Is this because of all the rain we have had?
A If the leaves are green with no spots or disease symptoms, it is more than likely the plants’ reaction to weather. Leaf roll (curling of the leaflets) is a physiological condition that occurs most commonly when plants are trained and pruned. Any type of stress can cause leaf roll. It does not affect fruiting or quality, and it is not a disease. Some varieties are more susceptible to it than others.
Q I have a huge tree in my front yard. It is an evergreen, pine tree like, with small-size pine cones that form in clusters. We were told some people call them monkey trees, but I am not sure if that is correct. I am concerned that it was planted too close to the house, and my husband wants to cut it down, but I love old trees. I am wondering what species it is and how old it might be.
A I agree that this is an old tree. From the picture I can’t quite tell which tree it could be. I suspect it is a Cunningham fir or China fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata), which is very similar to a monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana). The monkey puzzle tree is a bit more open in its growth form and normally has a lot more debris under it all the time. It is close to your house and quite large, but I think you have it limbed high enough that the branches are not interfering with the roof. If it is healthy and happy, I don’t know that it needs to be removed. If you are concerned, you might ask an arborist to come inspect it to see if it is sound.
Janet B. Carson is a horticulture specialist for the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Write to her at 2301 S. University Ave., Little Rock, Ark. 72204 or email her at
jcarson@arkansasonline.com