{"id":264,"date":"2010-06-25T09:09:56","date_gmt":"2010-06-25T13:09:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mymontys.com\/wordpress\/?p=264"},"modified":"2010-06-25T09:09:56","modified_gmt":"2010-06-25T13:09:56","slug":"ask-montys-for-62210","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/?p=264","title":{"rendered":"Ask Monty’s for 6\/22\/10"},"content":{"rendered":"

Question:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cMy caladiums are beautiful this year and I\u2019d like to propagate more to put around other parts o\"\"<\/a>f the garden. How do I do this as I know they are tuber-rooted?\u201d<\/p>\n

Heather,<\/p>\n

Buckhorn, Kentucky\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Answer:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Propagation is done by dividing the tubers and this is usually done after their dormant winter period in the spring just before you plant them.\u00a0 Cut the tubers into pieces with at least two buds, or \u201ceyes,\u201d per piece.\u00a0 Plant them only about an inch deep and make sure you water them frequently to get them started. When you transplant them, you can also make a solution of one ounce of Monty’s 4-15-12 in one gallon of water; let the tubers soak while you are preparing their new home.\u00a0 This will help provide them them with some added nutrients for germination and eaarly vigor. (Once they are up, add one ounce of Monty’s 8-16-8 per gallon of water applied to keep them vibrant and growing.) They like their soil temperatures warm, so don\u2019t expect results until the spring weather warms the soil adequately.<\/em><\/p>\n

Question:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen shopping for planters I\u2019ve noticed that many do not have drainage holes in the bottom. I thought you always had to have drainage holes to make sure the plant\u2019s roots won\u2019t rot. Which is the most preferred?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jordan, Bonanza, Oregon<\/p>\n

Answer:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Planters with or without holes in the bottom for drainage really depends upon what you\u2019re going to plant in them, your own personal watering habits and where the plant is going to live.\u00a0 Houseplants usually get pots with drainage holes in them simply because they do not have to brave the dry elements of the outside environments such as wind and sun that dries plants out quickly.\u00a0 Pots without holes in them can also be layered on the bottom with small gravel and sand which will serve the same drainage purpose.\u00a0 I almost prefer this to the holes in the bottom of the planter, particularly for my houseplants, so I don\u2019t have to worry about water seeping out of the bottom and onto my furniture.\u00a0 Another practice I\u2019ve adopted for my outside plants is that I use planters with solid bottoms and line the entire pot with a garbage bag to keep the plant\u2019s moisture in longer.\u00a0 This way they don\u2019t dry out so fast. It seems like during the summer you can\u2019t over water an outside plant.\u00a0 So basically, by experimenting with both kinds of planters you\u2019ll develop your own preference as well.<\/em><\/p>\n

Question:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI have small mushrooms growing all over my lawn, is this normal? Will it harm my lawn? We\u2019ve had a lot of high temperatures and more than average rainfall in our area.\u00a0 Would this have contributed to all these mushrooms sprouting up?\u201d<\/p>\n

Murph, Davenport, Iowa<\/p>\n

Answer:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

No doubt about it, mushrooms like damp, humid conditions and it sounds like you have had the perfect environment for growing them.\u00a0 Once the sunlight hits them for a few days they should dry up and dissipate. Otherwise, just rake them out.\u00a0 They\u2019re not damaging to your lawn or other plants. Myself, I like to get rid of them as soon as possible because I had a dog that used to like to eat them and I\u2019m never sure which are poisonous and which are not.\u00a0 Mushrooms, as you know, are fungus in the ground which is breaking down dead organic matter and sprouting because of this decomposing.\u00a0 In some parts of the country \u2013 such as Georgia – where the soil is clay and acidic, you will see a prevalent amount of mushroom growth.\u00a0 Lime is recommended to add to the soil, which neutralizes it and helps prevent mushrooms from growing. If the musrooms are really a problem for you, you might also consider using some Monty’s Liquid Carbon it will help break down some of the organic matter in your lawn rapidly as well as help to balance the environment in your soil and allow for improved drainage.\u00a0 One application in the spring and\/or one in the fall should be sufficient to help improve most lawns.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Question: \u201cMy caladiums are beautiful this year and I\u2019d like to propagate more to put around other parts of the garden. How do I do this as I know they are tuber-rooted?\u201d Heather, Buckhorn, Kentucky\u00a0\u00a0 Answer: Propagation is done by dividing the tubers and this is usually done after their dormant winter period in the […]<\/p>\n

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