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1 week ago | 
orlandosentinel.com | Tom MacCubbin
Question: We received a flowering nun's orchid. Please advise on the care needed when the flowers are gone. Answer: Tall spikes of blooms are a nice feature of this terrestrial orchid that blooms during the early spring months. Unlike many of the epiphytic orchids at garden centers and in home collections, this one grows in soil rather than chunks of bark or fibers. If the plant has filled its container, give it one a bit larger filled with potting soil that has added organic matter.
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2 weeks ago | 
orlandosentinel.com | Tom MacCubbin
Question: I would like to plant several containers with colorful flowers for summer. Any suggestions? Answer: Why not go red, white and blue for the patriotic holiday arriving in only a few weeks. May I suggest a mixture of dwarf red pentas, low-growing white flowered zinnias and blue spreading torenia. If you get it started now all should be in full bloom by the Fourth of July. Fill the containers with fresh soil and add a slow-release fertilizer after planting.
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3 weeks ago | 
orlandosentinel.com | Tom MacCubbin
Question: I have noticed lots of attractive plantings of wax begonias. How well do they during the hot wet summer? Answer: All begonias like the hot moist weather of summer. They also do best in the shade to filtered sun locations. Wax begonias don't like to stay constantly wet. So, if you make a planting, locate it in an area with filtered sun and good air movement during the day. If given good conditions, the plants can last through summer and into fall.
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4 weeks ago | 
orlandosentinel.com | Tom MacCubbin
Question: I recently added several bush daisy plants to my landscape that wilt everyday. I water and they perk up. Is there a problem with the plants? Answer: Young plants frequently wilt during the heat of the day due to their limited root systems. Everyday watering is likely to be needed for several weeks if the dry weather continues. Water by hand and wet the base of the plants to moisten the root balls and surrounding soil.
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4 weeks ago | 
orlandosentinel.com | Tom MacCubbin
The AlmanacAverage temperature: High 91, Low 72Rainfall: 7.35 inches1. Moon phasesFirst quarter: June 2Full moon: June 11Last quarter: June 18New moon: June 252. Moon sign planting datesAbove-ground crops: 2, 3, 7, 8, 25, 26, 29, 30Below-ground crops: 12, 13, 17, 18, 21, 22Control weeds: 14, 15, 16, 23, 24Prune trees and shrubs: 1, 9, 10, 11, 19, 20, 27, 28 Time to plant3.
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1 month ago | 
orlandosentinel.com | Tom MacCubbin
Question: Pods have formed at the top of some of my amaryllis plants after the bloom declined. It looks like they are full of seeds. Can they be used to start more plants? Answer: Increase your amaryllis collection using the pods that are likely full of waferlike seeds. Usually they grow plants just like the parent, but every so often you do get amaryllis of different colors. Use a potting mix to fill large, but fairly shallow, containers to contain the seeds.
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1 month ago | 
orlandosentinel.com | Tom MacCubbin
Question: We have recently started planting daylilies, and as the name suggests, the blooms only last a day. How long do the plants keep producing new buds and when can they be divided? Answer: Fortunately your plant is likely loaded with more shoots and a lot more buds. Expect the daily flower displays to last a month or more. How well the plant performs depends on the amount of care. One grower once told me daylilies are almost aquatic plants. What he meant was they need lots of water to flourish.
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1 month ago | 
orlandosentinel.com | Tom MacCubbin
Question: I am looking for some good summer color. What would you pick to add to a flower bed? Answer: While many colorful plants are available for summer, two that seem to survive the best and into fall are pentas and coleus. Pentas form bushy bedding plants opening white, pink, red or purple blooms depending on the variety. They grow best in full sun to light shade. Coleus offer foliage of many colors that produce plants about 3 feet tall and wide depending on the variety.
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1 month ago | 
orlandosentinel.com | Tom MacCubbin
Question: My Easter lilies planted in the garden a year ago have small buds in the tops of the plants that are not near open while the ones in the stores are in bloom. Are mine of a different type? Answer: Growers can time their lily blooms to open for Easter where your home planting depends on Mother Nature. We have to remember Easter arrives on a different date each year and growers plan their plants to be opening buds about a week prior.
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2 months ago | 
orlandosentinel.com | Tom MacCubbin
The AlmanacAverage temperature: High 88, Low 66Rainfall: 3.74 inches1. Moon phasesFirst quarter: May 4Full moon: May 12Last quarter: May 20New moon: May 262. Moon sign planting datesAbove-ground crops: 1, 2, 6, 7, 11, 12, 29, 30Below-ground crops: 16, 17, 20, 21, 25, 26Control weeds: 18, 19, 27, 28Prune trees and shrubs: 3, 4, 5, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, 31 Time to plant3.
