{"id":514,"date":"2012-02-17T14:03:37","date_gmt":"2012-02-17T19:03:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mymontys.com\/wordpress\/?p=514"},"modified":"2012-03-14T08:29:47","modified_gmt":"2012-03-14T12:29:47","slug":"ask-montys-indoor-gardening-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/?p=514","title":{"rendered":"Ask Monty’s – Indoor Gardening Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Christmas<\/a>

Christmas cactus<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pruning a Christmas Cactus<\/strong>
\n\u201cWhen is the best time to prune my unruly Christmas cactus? It’s budding out and will have tons of beautiful flowers on it before it is done blooming, but I’d like to shape it up better as it’s very out of control at this point.\u00a0 I’m a little hesitant though because I don’t want to risk killing it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nicollettel, Paden City, West Virginia<\/p>\n

Nicollette:
\nThe best time to pinch, prune or shape a Christmas cactus is when the new growth begins in March or early April. In addition, the best time for repotting a cactus is in February, March or April. However, keep in mind the plant will flower best if it’s kept in a container where it’s pot-bound.
\n________
\n <\/strong><\/p>\n

Pruning a Christmas Cactus to Add Volume<\/strong>
\n\u201cMy Christmas Cactus has quit blooming finally and I noticed it looks kind of leggy.\u00a0 How can you get a Christmas Cactus to fill out more?\u00a0 Is it even possible?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dean, Woolwine, Virginia<\/p>\n

Dean:
\nSure it is!\u00a0 And it\u2019s easy!\u00a0 Give the plant a few weeks of rest then just cut off a few segments from each stem \u2013 which you can easily determine.\u00a0 Don\u2019t let the fleshy segments scare you off.\u00a0 This pruning, like any other plant, will help the plant become bushier and fuller next year.\u00a0 You can also plant those cut off segments to propagate new plants very easily, so don\u2019t pitch them in the garbage!<\/p>\n

When propagating any plant from cuttings, don\u2019t forget to give it the nutrition it needs to help establish those early root systems.\u00a0 By mixing Monty\u2019s 2-15-15 at rates as low as 1 drop per cup of water you can provide the nutrition it needs to root and begin growing successfully. You\u2019ll soon have enough plants to give starters to your friends, just don\u2019t forget to give them a little Monty\u2019s when you do.\u00a0 That will be the gift that keeps on growing!<\/p>\n

One last reminder, pruning \u2013 even during dormancy \u2013 can still be a form of stress for the plant. Make sure you help your plants deal with this, and any other, stress by providing the nutrition they need.\u00a0 One ounce per gallon of water of the appropriate Monty\u2019s plant food for the current growth stage will help your plants and landscape perform at their peak.
\n_________<\/p>\n

Saving your Poinsettia<\/strong>
\n\u201cI still have my Poinsettia from the holidays and it still looks very nice overall.\u00a0 I always repot them right after I buy one because it seems like the water runs right through the soil, which seems to be the norm for retail Poinsettias.\u00a0 Regardless, my plant lives on a window sill in bright, indirect sunlight, but some of the leaves are developing black marks on their leaves.\u00a0 What could be causing that? I know they are not getting sun burned.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cailley, Greendale, Indiana<\/p>\n

Cailley:
\nThe leaves are probably touching the window itself and the cold is damaging the leaves.\u00a0 You are right on about the bright, indirect sunlight, but make sure it is away from cold room drafts, heaters or anything hot or cold that can come in contact with the plant.
\nOne last note, anytime you repot a plant, \u201croot dip\u201d the plant in a solution of Monty\u2019s 2-15-15 at a rate of 1 oz. per gallon of water.\u00a0 Once transplanted, you can water-in your plant with any remaining solution.\u00a0 This is true whether you are repotting, or transplanting potted plants to a more permanent home in your landscape.\u00a0 This one step will go a long way toward eliminating transplant shock.
\n______<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Dracaena<\/p><\/div>\n

Spots on Dracaena<\/strong>
\n\u201cWhy does my Dracaena have whitish brown spots on the leaves?<\/p>\n

Kristin, Black Diamond, Washington<\/p>\n

Kristin:
\nSounds like you have some direct sun hitting the leaves of the plant and burning them.\u00a0 Take notice of how the sun is coming in through the window and move your plant accordingly.\u00a0 Even a light sheer on the window will help too.
\n________<\/p>\n

Signs a Plant Needs Repotting<\/strong>
\n\u201cHow do you know when a plant needs to be repotted other than the obvious signs of seeing more roots exposed in the pot than dirt that should be covering them?\u201d<\/p>\n

Caren, Lombard, Illinois<\/p>\n

Caren:
\nThere are actually three pretty obvious signs that will tell you when a plant needs to be repotted \u2013 and you can see it through their leaves.<\/p>\n