Questions & Answers with Larry
In this blog I will be answering questions submitted by you! I will give my best advice based on knowledge and experience that I have acquired throughout 52 years of working in this field. It should not be taken as the final word or the only answer as there are many factors to take into consideration when answering questions such as this. Not having all the facts will certainly muddy the outcome. Just remember that plants, like people, need certain conditions to thrive. Not special, just what they need.
Let’s start with question #1.
1. Do you have any insight on caring for an indoor desert rose? Leaves are growing, but are browning and falling off soon after.
The Desert Rose is botanically named “Adenium Obesum”. It is a succulent and a deciduous plant that should be a good choice for house use. With any potted plant there are problems with care that can affect the overall health of that plant and simple mistakes happen to all of us. That’s because, like our pets, they are unable to tell you what is wrong aside from the symptoms that present themselves - like browning leaves and the dropping of those leaves prematurely. The obvious reasons are too much water, too little water, and not enough light. Not fertilizing or over fertilizing or too much fertilizer in strength.
These plants will benefit from being outside during the summer months, but be careful not to overdo the exposure. They like full sun, but if grown inside they will react to being put in full sun so slowly expose over a few days. I suggest keeping a short log of care to check to see if your habits are consistent and regular. Leaf droppage is normal to some extent but the browning indicates some environmental inconsistency. They need to dry out between waterings, so, whatever environment they are growing in, adjust to their preference. As far as leaf dropping, remember this plant is deciduous so dropping is normal just not the browning. I don’t know what it is planted in and how long it’s been in the same soilless mix. Repotting every couple of years is advisable as the mixes get exhausted of nutrients, if there are any in them to begin with. Fertilizing should be every 10-12 days or at least once a month depending on how much sun it gets.
2. Do you have any tips for styling a perennial garden?
This is a very open question and there are a lot of different answers I could recommend. First, your choice would certainly involve your taste and style. Perennial gardens are designed to have your input as to colors, scents, location or setting, etc. The English love a free-flowing style with many layers. This produces a wide variety of selection which, again, boils down to taste. The main object of a perennial garden is for a year-round display that provides interest throughout the seasons. They are all rated for zones to be grown in, so you need to know what zone you are in before searching for good plants to select from. Perennials are plants that grow, bloom, and grow on until the season is over. The length of bloom time varies with each selection so please take that into consideration. Light exposure is important to perennials. If they need full sun, give them full sun. If they need part shade or full shade, give them that. These plants will grow to different heights, so when planning it is important to figure out what goes where. I know you are probably looking for a styling guide, so I will give you a few to reference.
https://www.homestratosphere.com/perennial-gardens/
https://www.gardendesign.com/perennials/
https://www.thespruce.com/english-garden-designs-4588055
You must understand that most perennial plants that were once thought to be hardy, blooming every year, now have little hardiness and, on common, will not bloom after the first year. Digitalis, Monkshood or Delphiniums, and Hollyhocks have had so much hybridization that they are no longer trusted to bring a true perennial sense. In other words, they have changed most of these once great perennial plants into more like an annual type of growth pattern. So, research is invaluable. Planning is most of your work. If you have any specific questions about plants to suggest, please submit them to conestoga@ecklindevelopment.com.
3. What’s your favorite perennial, annual, shade plant, and sun plant?
The perennial I just fell in love with is the Aralia “Sun King”. It has a vivid chartreuse color and really stands out in a bed. It’s hardy to Zone 4 and performs dramatically in the garden. The annual I like is the Candlestick Plant or lollipop plant (Botanical name: Pachystachys Lutea) or sometimes called Yellow Shrimp. I don’t know why I love this yellow plant, but it tickles me somewhere in my brain. My favorite shade plant is the “Solomons Seal” – Polygonatum. I also like Hardy Orchids as shade plants. There are a lot of types to pick from.
4. Is there a website or book that you refer to for plant information?
This is the wonderful thing about the internet, there is no one stop or single book that gives you enough information. It can also be the most frustrating, so be patient and know that there is a ton of information out there. You must refine your search to get the answers you are looking for.
5. How do you know so much about the history of Conestoga House?
I love history and I love museums. I was around when the Steinman’s had a local historian research the property for their book “The Steinmans of Lancaster” in the early 1980’s. I have done my own research of the Hershey family as well as objects that are still here on the property that led to information that helped me understand the past of Lancaster County and the early residents of the property. You must understand, I have been here 52 years, that in itself means I have been exposed to more information than most people.
6. If you had to choose one indoor plant that everyone should have in their house, what would it be?
Plants grown inside are hard to keep healthy due to low light, low humidity or dry air, and dust. Plants were meant to be outdoors. For this reason I would at least recommend giving your house plants a stay outdoors during the summer months so they can grow some before bringing them back in for the winter. It is nice to have a healthy plant to fill an area in your house if you have room. Windowsills are good for small plants like Orchids, Pothos or Ivies, and Succulents. Ficus varieties are used a lot in pots on the floor and Philodendrons tolerate most conditions inside. But beware, they will get leggy because of low light and are prone to diseases and insects if you happen to buy them infected. Check them closely (magnifying glass)!
7. I want to grow a potted lemon tree. Where do I start?
They are selling more and more citrus plants to homeowners than ever before. These citrus trees need sun to thrive. Select a potted plant from a quality Garden center. Check, as I said above, for insects when buying. They get mealybugs and experience mite problems easily. Reference what these insects look like online. Lemon trees like consistent care with moist soil, but not sopping wet - drying between waterings. Good drainage is key. They need a granular fertilizer that is specific to citrus plants. Without this organic granular fertilizer, they will get yellow leaves and look anemic overall. Wintering over will have its challenges, especially if they go into a dark setting. Hopefully you have a window that they can get some sunlight during their winter stay. Typically, they will drop leaves during this period, but if given enough light, will bloom late winter/spring, start those small lemons, and grow throughout the summer for a nice harvest. Consistency in care is essential for a healthy plant. Misting the leaves will be beneficial.
That’s all I have for now but keep the questions coming. I am really enjoying them! As always, all questions can be submitted to conestoga@ecklindevelopment.com.
Until next time,
Larry