Q: Can bittersweet vine be grown here? I want some for decorative purposes. — Sherry Warner, DeKalb County
A: There are two kinds of bittersweet. Oriental bittersweet, Celastrus orbiculatus, has attractive berries, but it climbs over everything that gets in its way. Use the berries and vines if you find them, but put them in the garbage after using them. On the other hand, American bittersweet, Celastrus scandens, is an innocuous vine with equally pretty berries. American bittersweet has a smooth stem, but Oriental bittersweet bears thorns. The Georgia Native Plant Society (gnps.org) has sources of native plants on its website.
Q: I grow hydrangeas, azaleas, rhodendrons, camellias and ferns, plus my lawn. I notice that fertilizers offer different percentages of the three major nutrients and most plants have a "favorite" blend that is recommended. For example, grass likes high nitrogen, 24-0-11, while roses like a 23-11-8 blend. What is the downside of using 10-10-10 or 13-13-13 for most plants, except a lawn? — Bill McNiff, Ball Ground
A: The downside of using any of the fertilizers you describe is that, unless you've had your soil tested, you don't really know what your plants want. Grass does indeed like high nitrogen products. Since most Georgia soils are adequate in phosphorus, the 24-0-11 would be fine (as would any other branded lawn fertilizer). There's more downside to using 10-10-10 everywhere else. Again, most soils don't need phosphorus, and the shrubs and ferns you name really prefer slow-release organic fertilizers (Milorganite, HollyTone, E.B. Stone, etc.). Soil testing is cheap, only $7-$15. You might be wasting most of your fertilizer dollars if you don't know what your plants desire. See georgiasoiltest.com.
Q: I am ordering vegetable seeds. What is the difference between tolerance and resistance in terms of plant disease? — Ann Shirra, Lake Claire
A: "Tolerance" means the plant can produce vegetables if the disease infection is mild. You might not get as many, but there will be some for you to eat. "Resistance" means the plant actively fights infection by various means. Maybe it has thicker leaves, stronger cell walls, a more open leaf canopy, or a better internal way of detoxifying a fungus. Disease resistance is best, but tolerance is not a bad choice, either. Research your choices online to get an idea how the vegetables will fare.
Q: Is there someone you can recommend that cuts down pecan trees to use the wood and make furniture? — Jim Ouzts, Fayetteville
A: Your pecan likely is not worth anything. The time, effort and liability exposure are too great for a hobbyist woodworker to consider cutting it down. The wood would have to be milled into planks and carefully dried to prevent cracking. This can take years. Can you guarantee that your tree is completely free of nails so the woodworker won't be injured when sawing it? I hear that pecan firewood smoke smells like roasting pecans!
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