Q: I need to repot my anthurium. Do I need to put a layer of stones in the new pot? — Alene Grier, e-mail
A: There is no need to put stones in the bottom of a pot. In fact, you harm the plant a bit by doing this. Soil in a pot has three zones of moisture from top to bottom: too dry, just right and too wet. A layer of rocks decreases the amount of potting soil in the pot and thus decreases the zone of appropriate moisture for the plant. All you need to do is cover the drain hole with a pot shard or a coffee filter, to prevent soil from escaping.
Q: This spring, after planting the garden, we heavily mulched with fresh shredded material the power line maintenance crew brought us. It has been a total bust. The tomato plants were dwarfed, the cukes were disfigured and I only had a couple of eggplants. Did the mulch cause this? — Gloria Dugger, Coweta County
A: It’s possible the mulch did the damage, especially if it contained walnut tree chips. As you probably know, walnut wood contains chemicals that injure garden plants. But even if there were no walnut chips, a thick layer of fresh mulch could contain enough raw sap to harm plant roots. This year’s garden may be a bust, but the chemicals will dissipate with time and next year’s garden should be fine.
Q: I have a mature Japanese maple that has generated lots of seed pods. How do I store and germinate the seeds into seedlings. — Bob Vineyard, e-mail
A: Although maple seeds nominally require three months of moist, cold conditions, I’d plant a dozen seeds in a pot filled with potting soil now and put it in a shady spot to see whether any germinate quickly. Keep the rest in a dry, cool place indoors.
In October, plant the seeds an inch apart and a half-inch deep in a shady area and cover with chicken wire to keep squirrels at bay.
Lots of seedlings will appear in spring. Transplant the strongest ones 12 inches apart in a place that gets morning sun and afternoon shade. In October, choose the best-looking ones to move to a permanent home.
Q: We had a large oak tree removed and the area underneath sprayed to control English ivy. I would like to plant a vegetable garden in that area next summer. How long does it take weed killer to dissipate? — Brenda Chafin, e-mail
A: Most weed killers are gone within six months. You can test whether there are any lingering effects by tilling your plot and planting radish seed in a few shallow rows. If the radishes seem to sprout normally, your vegetables should be fine.
Listen to Walter Reeves from 6 to 10 Saturday mornings on AM 750 and now 95.5FM News/Talk WSB. Go to www.yoursouthern garden.com for details on his TV show or visit his website, www.walterreeves.com.
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