Q: One of my potted plumerias has dime-size red mushrooms on the soil. The plant has been on the decline for the past couple weeks. Is there anything I can do to get rid of mushrooms? — Steve D., email
A: In my experience, mushrooms growing on potting soil means that it's too soggy. The plant's decline might be caused by incipient root rot in wet soil. Take the plant out of the pot, dump the soil somewhere in your landscape, and make sure the bottom drain hole is not clogged. Cover the hole with a piece of screen and refill the pot with fresh potting soil. Replant the plumeria and support the pot off the ground with three large pebbles. Keep your plants outdoors until frost is predicted, then bring them inside for the winter.
Q: What is the best grass to plant on a grave in northwest Georgia? I do not want to use gravel. It is in full sun with no water. — Annette Brown, email
A: I think bermudagrass has the best chance of succeeding but it will have a hard time germinating initially under your no-water conditions. Look for a product that mixes grass seed with water-absorbent mulch (Pennington 1-Step, Scotts EZ Seed, etc). Late next April, listen carefully to weather forecasts. The day before rain arrives, go to the cemetery and scratch the soil with a hard iron rake. Scatter grass seed/mulch at the rate indicated on the bag. Do not apply more than the label instructs. Press the material into the soil with the back side of a hoe. Keep your fingers crossed, visit the site again in a few weeks, and let me know your results.
Q: Is this a good time to fertilize six-month-old dogwood and redbud trees? — Don McNew, email
A: No. My general recommendation is to fertilize plants in early spring, before green growth begins. I think organic, slow-release fertilizers (Holly-Tone, Milorganite, E. B. Stone) work well for newly planted trees. After you apply fertilizer, scratch it into the soil with a rake and apply enough water to make the soil slightly soggy. The very best thing you can do for your young trees is to cover the soil underneath each one with mulch. Pine chips or pine straw deter weeds, preserve moisture, and reduce competition from lawn grass. Mulched trees grow almost twice as fast as those not mulched, even without added fertilizer.
Q: We planted two kiwi plants at opposite corners of our pergola and they have succeeded in sending vines up and starting to cover it. But we are now noticing that the plant's leaves are turning yellow and falling off. What's going on? — Randy Mayne, Dacula
A: Kiwi vine is a deciduous plant: It drops its leaves every year, beginning in early fall. I think the yellow leaves might simply be the beginning of normal leaf drop. I'd leave the vines alone until next spring. Pruning them at this time of year makes kiwi vines less winter-hardy.
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