{"id":409,"date":"2011-06-13T14:43:03","date_gmt":"2011-06-13T18:43:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mymontys.com\/wordpress\/?p=409"},"modified":"2011-06-13T14:43:03","modified_gmt":"2011-06-13T18:43:03","slug":"ask-montys-for-61311-broccoli-calla-lillies-roses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/?p=409","title":{"rendered":"Ask Monty’s for 6\/13\/11: Broccoli, Calla Lillies, Roses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ask Monty\u2019s:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve planted broccoli for the first time this summer.\u00a0 How do I know when it can be picked?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Samantha\u00a0 – Apple Valley, Minnesota<\/p>\n

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

Broccoli can be eaten at a couple of different growth stages.\u00a0 Some people eat the unopened flower buds.\u00a0 As the weather gets warmer you\u2019ll want to pick it before the flower heads bloom.\u00a0 So harvest the buds when they are about the size of a match head.\u00a0 Samantha, one mistake common among home growers, especially first timers, is that you keep waiting for the heads to get to the size of those in the super market.\u00a0Don\u2019t expect your home grown broccoli to get the size of supermarket broccoli heads, as their growing environments are much more controlled to achieve the size they get. What they lack in size, though, they will make up for in flavor and nutritional value.\u00a0 Using Monty’s 8-16-8 will help.<\/p>\n

Ask Monty\u2019s:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI plant roses because I love how they look and also because of their smell and the diversity of smells they provide.\u00a0 Bleeding hearts are also quite fragrant.\u00a0 Are there other more fragrant flowers to consider?\u00a0 I know all have their own degree of fragrance, but I\u2019m looking for strong smelling flowers to entice the senses when you walk in my garden.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rose – Knierim, Iowa\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Brugmansia, or \u201cAngel Trumpet\u201d comes to mind immediately for year round outdoor growing in zones 8-11, although in your climate you\u2019ll have to make it a patio plant that you can take indoors in the winter.\u00a0 The same is with a Gardenia, \u201cPassion Flower,\u201d jasmine, nicotinia (flowering tobacco) or lemon and limes.\u00a0 Sweet Alyssum, Moonflower and 4 O\u2019clocks are also great smelling plants.\u00a0 Unfortunately, none of these plants are perennials for your Iowa climate, but they can be grown in your greenhouse or as patio plants that can all be moved inside over the winter.\u00a0 All have overwhelming fragrant qualities. Honeysuckle and magnolias are also fragrant favorites particularly in the south.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

O, and since you asked about roses, don’t forget to check out the latest videos on roses from our founder and noted rosarian Monty Justice.\u00a0 You can find them on youtube, or here<\/a>.\u00a0 You can also check out our rose care <\/a>calendar to make sure you are getting the most output from your roses.<\/p>\n

Ask Monty\u2019s:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cMy Calla Lily never blooms.\u00a0 I thought these plants required low maintenance and even bloomed in diffused lighting conditions.\u00a0 What am I doing wrong?\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Blaine -Cold Springs, Nevada\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

There are a couple of reasons that come to mind as to why your Calla Lily is not blooming.\u00a0 Although they really are low maintenance, they do prefer bright indirect sunlight, with morning and late afternoon light as their preference.\u00a0 So if you have them in any less they simply aren\u2019t getting enough light.\u00a0 If you are using a fertilizer, make sure it is low in nitrogen, which encourages green, leafy growth.\u00a0 Too much nitrogen will overpower the phosphate a plant needs to make blooms.\u00a0Monty’s 2-15-15 is a great fertilizer to use if you are looking to encourage more, and longer lasting, bloom. Read more, here.<\/a>\u00a0Another reason a Calla Lily will not bloom is if the bulbs are simply getting too old.<\/p>\n

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Ask Monty\u2019s: \u201cI\u2019ve planted broccoli for the first time this summer.\u00a0 How do I know when it can be picked?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Samantha\u00a0 – Apple Valley, Minnesota Samantha: Broccoli can be eaten at a couple of different growth stages.\u00a0 Some people eat the unopened flower buds.\u00a0 As the weather gets warmer you\u2019ll want to pick it before […]<\/p>\n

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