Q: I found some cottonseed meal to put around my blueberries. When and how much should I use? Should I use 10-10-10 on them too? Howard Fowler, email
A: One of the great things about using organic fertilizers like cottonseed meal is that nutrients are released only when the soil warms up. If you put 10-10-10 on your plants now, the first rain will dissolve the chemicals and they will be wasted if the plant roots are cold. Organic fertilizers, on the other hand, depend on soil bacteria to decompose them and release nutrients.
There is a lag time between when roots are able to absorb nutrients and the time bacteria fully digest and release the nutrients from organic materials. You can get around that by putting a 1/4- inch layer of cottonseed meal under your blueberries in February and then scattering a half cup of 10-10-10 per 100 square feet over the area in late March. In this way your plants will get “breakfast” in March and a”big dinner” in April-May.
Q: I've had John Creech sedum in my full sun perennial garden for four years and it's never once bloomed. It looks healthy and grows tight to the ground. I do divide it throughout the growing season to fill in bare spots. It gets plenty of water and great soil. Vince Josaphs, Johns Creek
A: Todd Guilmette, president of Unique Environmental Landscapes, says he's grown 'John Creech' sedum for several years but hasn't had a flower either. Many tropical plants bloom best when crowded or environmentally restricted. My guess is that your sedum has grown so vigorously that it hasn't been stimulated to bloom. Sedums have evolved to take advantage of any good conditions they find, blooming only when their survival is threatened. Lay off the watering and fertilizing and see what happens next summer.
Q: I recently planted five Golden Goddess bamboo plants seven feet apart and about the same distance from the fence line as a privacy barrier. What kind of growth should I expect from them? Adam Alexander, email
A: 'Golden Goddess' is a clumping bamboo and it spreads slowly, so your neighbors won't come banging on your door in a few years accusing your plants of invading their yard. It grows eight to 10 feet tall, and in the right conditions it makes a good screen. I'd give it four years to reach full screening potential. The main shortcoming of this bamboo is its cold susceptibility. I predict big damage if temperatures around it go down into the teens. We're due for a cold winter, so prepare beforehand to have coverings that go over your plants down to the ground on all sides.
Q: Have you ever hear of "Dew Anner" fertilizer? My daddy used it at planting time. Jerry Traylor, email
A: I'm pretty certain your father was referring to guano, often pronounced "gu-anner" by country folk. Although true guano is simply mined bat or bird dung, some farmers would refer to all fertilizers as guano. Bat guano is available online and at small garden centers. It's a fine organic fertilizer.
