Q: We have been waiting for the right time to prune our peach tree and I know you recommend March for that. However we just noticed that they seem like they will bloom very soon. Should we still wait until March? Martha Zamorano, North Fulton County
A: The tendency of peaches to bloom in January is the reason to wait until March to do your final cuts. Only in March will you be able to assess if any freeze damage has been done to flower buds or to branch tips. In March it will be easy to see the difference between brown, crumbly frozen buds and the slightly pink good buds that will give you peaches this summer. A second reason to wait is that pruning in January will initiate hormone movement in the peach branches, which will make the remaining buds less tolerant of upcoming cold weather.
Q: Many leaves on my 20-year-old peace lily are turning brown. I repotted it ten years ago. It stays in the window of a cool room, and I water it once every other week. How do I make it healthier? Rhonda Ward, Henry County
A: I think it is way past time to repot your plant and change the soil. Potting soil naturally decomposes over time. It becomes harder for roots to grow through it as the soil particles become smaller. Take your plant out of the pot and wash all of the soil off the roots. You might find that you have multiple plants growing in the pot now. Use a sharp knife to separate them. Each one can be planted in its own pot for your future houseplant enjoyment or to pass on to your family.
Q: I am considering getting a small backyard greenhouse but I am concerned about it getting too hot. Jeff Laszlo, Smyrna
A: A greenhouse is fun to have but sometimes you have to learn by experience what it takes to cool and heat it properly. Venting can help cool a greenhouse in the summer but a better way to do it is with shade cloth spread over the roof. Another idea is to locate it where deciduous trees shade it partially during the summer but give the greenhouse lots of sunshine in winter. Heating is a little less complicated because you can use an electric space heater in cold weather. More details at bit.ly/GAgreenhouse.
Q: How soon after planting can a peach tree be given its first pruning to develop the wine glass shape desired? Darrell Pippin, email
A: The first pruning is usually done a few minutes after the tree is planted. Many growers cut the entire top of the tree off at their own belt level. Doing this forces the tree to sprout three or four limbs near the pruning cut. These limbs are trained to grow outward a few feet during the first year and then are allowed to grow upward. This forms the wine glass shape that promotes optimum peach fruit production.
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