Roadside wildflowers can be planted at home, too
Q: No matter where I drive over here I see these cute purple flowers on the sides of the roads, but when I get to my home there are none in my community. What are they? Am I allowed to go and scoop some up or are they protected? I would love to start a patch on my own property. Will they survive to grow again next year?
— Susan Just, Dunnellon
You are referring to garden phlox (Phlox paniculata). These are wildflowers that are spectacular this time of year and can be found in colors of pink, pale blue, violet, bright red or white. They are not protected flowers and you can easily purchase seed from any seed company (Burpee, Park Seed, etc.) or garden center. They reseed themselves if allowed to mature on site. The foliage of phlox is a food for the larvae of some butterfly and moth species. Phlox species are also a popular food source for groundhogs, rabbits and deer. Enjoy their beauty while they last.
Q: Over the last five to six years, I've planted caladiums in various spots throughout the yard, some in bulb form and others from 3 1/2-inch pots. Some of them will come up every year, some, it seems, every other year, and about 50 percent never come back. Are some caladiums perennials and some annuals and some something else? Or is it just me?
— Jim Bailey, Glenwood
It is not you. It may be several things that may include such things as nematodes, soil-borne fungal pathogens or the lack of chilling hours (some caladium varieties require this). These are common problems in Florida. It is very important that you rotate your annuals, bulbs and other landscape perennials. The pathogens build up in the soil and the plants seem to "melt."
Most caladiums thrive in the partial shade and only need two to four hours of direct sunlight per day. Although there are new cultivars that have been bred to grow in direct sunlight, minimal morning sun is ideal for caladiums and then shade for the remainder of the day. When grown in the shade, the leaf colors tend to be more vibrant than when grown in full sun. There are few plants that will grow in shade and still provide a powerful amount color, so the caladium is an excellent option for shade gardens.
Plant caladium tubers in soil that is at least 70 degrees; cool soil will result in tuber rot and slow growth. In Central Florida, plant caladium tubers in the ground in March. When planting tubers, place the knobby (puckered area in the center) side up, and plant them 2 inches deep and 8 to 12 inches apart from each other.
Soils with high moisture and adequate drainage are preferred. Caladiums should never sit in dry or saturated soil. The soil should be moist to the touch and watered frequently. To retain soil moisture, mulch around the plant after the leaves have emerged. These plants are heavy feeders so regularly fertilize them with a soluble fertilizer, for prime foliage growth. Caladiums' leaves can burn if fertilizer is applied directly to the leaves, the plants are in direct sunlight or there is a lack of water.
Enjoy the flourishing leaves of the caladium throughout the spring, summer and fall. As fall temperatures cool, caladium leaves will begin to decline, but are back again the following spring.
Q: Can you tell me when and how to harvest vinca seed so I can assure myself of propagation in new landscape spots in the future?
— Don Newman, DeLand
Look for the seed pod on the stem directly beneath the withering blossom. Seed pods are about 2 inches long and turn light tan when they are ready to harvest. Pull the pod off the stem. Collect as many pods as necessary for the desired amount of seed stock, as there is one seed per pod.
Slit open the pod along the side, using a knife or the point of a pair of scissors. Pull open the pod to reveal the seed inside. It is about one inch long and elongated like the pod. Spread the seeds out on a paper towel to finish drying. Place the towel with the seeds in a warm, dry room for two weeks. Label a paper bag with the plant name and the year harvested. Place the seeds inside and fold the top over to seal it. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place until ready to plant in spring.
Seeds germinate better when older than shortly after harvesting. The optimal temperature for seed storage is 45 degrees. Store the seeds in an unheated room or in a jar in the refrigerator.
Q: My crape myrtle trees are becoming covered with Spanish moss and some other type of air plant that is very small and is tightly bonded to the tree limbs. Both are very ugly and the trees appear to be failing. Is a spray available that will kill the plants? I can remove the moss but removal of the smaller type looks impossible.
— Bob Powell, DeLand
What you probably have are lichens in addition to the Spanish moss. They will not hurt the tree. You will need to increase sunlight to the tree, open up the canopy with light pruning and lightly spray with one tablespoon of baking soda in a spray bottle filled with water. In time, it will flake off.
Karen Stauderman is a Volusia County commercial horticulture extension agent. Reach her at 3100 E. New York Ave., DeLand, FL 32724-6497, 386-822-5778 or email kstauderman@co.volusia.fl.us.