Big Timber News

Question by XYZ: I recently moved to a condo with land, how can I keep my trees/plants alive in pots?
So I am inlove with my garden from my older condo, but sadly I had to move [since June 2009]. I had tons of plants in the ground that I had/wanted to dig up and bring with me, sadly I had to leave my Flowering Almond bush behind ( maybe it’s for the best for the bush ).

So far about five of about 25 plants died, but I still have tons of plants I want to care for and want to have them around with me forever. [ Here's hoping I get a place with planting ground soon. ]

Sad part is they’re mostly trees and bushes that “shouldn’t” remain potted.
This spring I saw tons of blossoms from them though and they’re all leafing out at the moment and looking healthy- except for my flowering peach that I’m trying to find what its illness is. ( so if anyone can also help me with that, I’d appreciate it a lot. )

The plants I am most concerned about would be :

All trees
-(Prunus Serrulata) Flowering Cherry
-(Prunus Blireiana) Flowering Plum x Apricot
-(Prunus Mume) Flowering Apricot
-(Prunus Cerasifera) Flowering Plum
-(Prunus Persica) Flowering Peach

I’ve seen some of these as large bonsais before, Is it possible to grow them in a pot for now? Maybe for another five years? 10? I don’t know when I’ll be able to get a new place WITH planting ground again.

What do you guys suggest?

Thank you.

P.S. Sorry if my story is confusing. I have a feeling my grammar is off tonight.
I meant to say “without land”

Best answer:

Answer by Kathleen
The things I would look at first would be issues such as making sure you have the right size pot. You can find information on the size of pot you should be using here: http://www.indoor-bonsai-tree.net/indoor-bonsai-tree/bonsai-pots-for-the-indoor-bonsai-tree . These are referring to indoor bonsai trees, but the same hold true for outdoor trees in pots. Also make sure your pot has drainage holes.
You also need to look at the soil and fertilizer you use, as well as the correct watering techniques.
You want to use a soil that does not retain a lot of moisture as this will cause the roots to rot. You also want to fertilize once a week during the growing season, when you water with a water soluble fertilizer. You can find information about soil, fertilizer, and watering here: http://www.indoor-bonsai-tree.net.

Good Luck!

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by Katie M: Do you know if these are Monocot or Dicot?
1. Hymenocallis liriosme (Spider Lilies)… monocot?
2. Eustoma grandiflorum (Bluebells)…Monocot?
3. Fouquieria splendens (Ocotillo)…Dicot?
4. Echinocereus enneacanthus (Strawberry Cactus)…Dicot?
5. Opuntia lindheimeri (Prickly Pear Cactus)…Dicot?
6. Lupinus texensis (Bluebonnets)…Monocot or dicot?
7. Lygodesmia taxana (Skeleton Weed)…Monocot or dicot?
8. Aster pratensis (Asteraceae)…Monocot or dicot?
9. Cirsium horridulum (Yellow Thistle)… monocot or dicot?
10. Lithospermum incisum (Puccoon)… monocot or dicot?
11. Calylophus Hartweggii (Yellow primrose)..monocot or dicot?
12. Ranunculus carolinianus (Buttercups)…Dicot?
13. Asteraceae (Daisy)… monocot or dicot?
14. Baileya multiradiata (Desert Marigold)… monocot or diot?
15. Yucca torreyi (Yucca)…Monocot?
16. Berlandiera lyrata (Chocolate Flower)…Monocot?
17. Chrysactinia mexicana (Damianita)…monocot or dicot?
18. Magnolia grandiflora (Magnolia)…monocot or dicot?
19. Cornus florida (Dogwood)…Dicot?
20. Cnidoscolus texanus (Bull Nettle)…monocot or dicot?

Best answer:

Answer by wart
dude, nobody is going to google all that for you.

Give your answer to this question below!

Question by plant man: does a cornus florida tree blooom first or leaf out first?
flowering dogwood is not leafing out yet.

Best answer:

Answer by goofinoff
More flower than leaf, to start, but in Ohio mine has both now.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Question by J: Do bonsai ume (flowering apricot, Prunus mume) trees bear fruit?
All the websites say so, but they only say so with the exact same text. Has anyone had fruit grow from one of these in their own experience?

Best answer:

Answer by DJK
The easy answer is yes they do.

But it’s more like, yes they can, if you give them near perfect conditions to grow, can keep the flowers on and healthy long enough, and the tree is large and healthy enough to sustain the stress of supporting the fruit until it is ripe. There are a few different cultivars of this tree as well, some easier to fruit than others.

At any point from flower bud to ripe fruit the tree can abort the process due to any, some or all of these reasons.

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by roadkill773: What type of plants go with Cornus florida?
Urgent!
Im looking for 5 plants: 1 deciduous plant, an evergreen, 2 perennials and a groundcover that go well aesthetically with the Cornus florida (flowering dogwood). All plants must be in USDA zone 5.
Thanks

Best answer:

Answer by glenn t
redbud,azalea,sneezeweed,aster,mondo grass

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by Platypus: My dogwood (Cornus florida) has not flowered for two years. What can I do?
I think my neighbor’s use of commercial fertilizer on his lawn is causing my tree to go directly to leaves.

Best answer:

Answer by Daniella
A few years ago, my wisteria wasn’t blooming. I dug into the roots a bit w/a spade (I’d read that advice in a gardening book), and it worked. You could give it a try w/your dogwood.

Give your answer to this question below!