Q: My Encore azaleas didn't bloom a second time in either of two seasons after planting. They get afternoon sun. Mel Wilinsky, email
A: It is not unusual for azaleas to fail to bloom as expected for at least a couple of years after they are planted. Many times they will bloom nicely the first year after planting because they were well cared for in the nursery. During the second year in a garden however, their energy is directed toward root growth and not toward flower bud formation. Fertilize in March with an organic fertilizer such as Milorganite, Holly-Tone or EB Stone and your azaleas should begin their normal bloom cycle this year.
Q: I will be moving in March. I want to dig up and take hostas, lilies, and hydrangeas. Would I be better off digging them now and potting them until I move, or waiting until the last minute before I dig them up? Richard von Burg, email
A: I think the later you wait, the better off the plants will be. March is a fine time to move plants if you water them regularly in summer.
Q: I've been trying to get rid of lacebugs on my azaleas for years. Sprayed with insecticides, to no avail. I think it's because the bugs are on the underside of the leaves and it's difficult to get the spray on them. My azaleas are slowly turning white! Marc Cochran, Snellville
A: I agree that lacebug control is difficult with sprays. The best solution is to use a systemic insecticide that contains imidacloprid (Bonide Granules, Bayer Tree and Shrub, etc). This will make the azalea sap poisonous to insects. You'll likely get control for two years.
Q: I bought a Meyer lemon in October and planted it in a 16-inch wide pot. I brought it indoors in late November. It is now blooming profusely and dropping perfectly green, healthy leaves at the same time. Steve Preston, Decatur
A: My bet on why the leaves are falling is that it's getting much less light than it had outdoors or at the nursery. Like a ficus tree, a citrus tree's response to light depends on how much illumination it receives. If they don't get enough light, they drop leaves. All you can do is add fluorescent lights closely around the tree.
Q: I have a beautiful, lush, green fescue lawn that has turned yellow/tan over the past week. It was planted in fall of 2014. My maintenance company has fertilized three times so far. It was green before this last cold spell. Is there anything I can do to prevent/ correct this? Angel Tedder, email
A: I think you have eliminated the possibility of the grass being too young, since it was planted a couple of years ago. We’ve also eliminated lack of fertilizer, since your company has fertilized properly. In your case the only explanation left is simply cold damage from temperatures a couple of weeks ago. See if the grass greens up after this week of warm weather.
