Q I have had a camellia — don't know the variety — for at least 12 years. It was given to me by a friend here in Sheridan. It is probably 12 feet tall. It sets tons of buds every year, but before they open they fall off. It is planted on the northeastern corner of our house. I have driven past the other bushes like it here, and they all seem to open.
A Camellias can abort flower buds for a variety of reasons, from too much to too little water, improper pH and unfavorable weather. However, the fact that the plant is growing and setting a ton of buds every year and none of them open is very unusual. I would suggest you do some research, including having your soil tested to determine pH (camellias like an acidic pH). Cold weather can cause bud drop, but we don't have cold weather at bloomtime every year. If you still have any buds, take a sample of the stem and buds to your local county extension office. They can send it to the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service disease diagnostic laboratory for a complete analysis that could spot a disease or insects. Study the soil test report and the diagnosis from the lab to see if anything can point in the right direction.
Q We bought two palm trees several years ago, and they are not growing at the same rate. One is about half the size of the other one. Any suggestions on how we can get the smaller one to catch up? Also, should we prune them? Thank you for your advice.
A The two plants are planted in different areas. The soil they are planted in and the site make a difference. Take a pint of soil from each site to your county extension office for soil analysis. Also, compare the sites. Is one wetter than the other? Are both palms planted at the same depth? Are fertilization and the amount of water they receive the same? Do they get the same amount of sunlight? All of these conditions do factor into the growth of a plant. Usually the only pruning to do with palms is to remove any fronds damaged by winter weather.
Q I'm sending photos of two "Sunshine" ligustrum we have had for two years in Hot Springs Village. They have done very well, until this late fall and winter when they began dropping leaves. They did not do that last winter. There was some leaf spotting similar to the red tip fungus I remember. The bare branches are still green in the center, and they seem to have stabilized somewhat. My landscaping guy said he believes it was caused by the abundant rainfall we have had and to give them until mid-April to bounce back. Any advice?
A Sunshine ligustrum are the new yellow-foliaged privets. They have been doing very well here. Even though they are a privet, they do not bloom, and so there is no seed set, and so they are not invasive. They should have bright yellow foliage. I noticed in your pictures that they are green. I wonder how much sunlight they are getting, as they color up best in full sun. They also don't like wet feet, so if your soil stays waterlogged when we get lots of rain (which we have had) that could be a factor. They are evergreen plants and so should not shed over half their foliage as yours have done; but ligustrums are a fairly tough plants. I would consider moving them to a sunny location in a well-drained spot and cut them back a third. See what happens as spring growth kicks in.
Q Can I successfully transplant a small forsythia now or should I wait until fall?
A The transplant season is November through February, which corresponds to the dormant period. It is an easier transition for a plant to be moved while it is dormant. However, if you can get it moved immediately after bloom and are diligent about watering all summer, I think it is safe to move it now. Forsythia plants are tough and should survive a move now.
Retired after 38 years with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Janet Carson ranks among Arkansas' best known horticulture experts. Her blog is at arkansasonline.com/planitjanet. Write to her at P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR 72203 or email
jcarson@arkansasonline.com
HomeStyle on 03/23/2019