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Huge bluebonnet plants prompt bright wildflower forecast
By Kathy Huber | February 24, 2012
Photo By Melissa PhillipLate fall and winter rains could make for a colorful bluebonnet season.
Late fall and winter rains could make for a colorful bluebonnet season.
Photo By Deanna KrausePrune miniature roses such as 'Magic Carousel' in February.
Photo By Deanna Krause'Magic Carousel' is a miniature rose with a pink and white blend.
Q: I have seedlings that look like giant survivors from last year's bluebonnets. The leaves have the same blue cast, but the plant is quite a bit larger than last year's plants.
A: The leaves in your photo look like bluebonnets. The rain and warm temperatures have pumped your seedlings up. Thanks to fall-winter rains, some experts are forecasting a colorful wildflower season. Officials report plants the size of dinner plates at the Lady Bird Wildflower Center in Austin.
Q: My plants are acting as if it's March or April. The Confederate rose has leaves. Even the bluebonnets are blooming. What's going on?
A: Plants are responding as they often do after especially mild winters. With little down time or dormancy, warm temperatures and rain, leaves and flowers are emerging early. Spring has simply come extra early. Wouldn't it be nice if summer is late?
Q: When and how do I transplant my hibiscus from a large pot to the garden?
A: Hibiscus expert Pat Merritt says now is a good time to transplant. Prepare the hole and have a bag of good soil mix and compost handy. She suggests a bag of Happi-Grow Landscape mix and a bag of Happi-Grow compost, mixed together.
Dig a hole just a tad larger than the root ball but only as deep as the plant was planted in the pot. (The soil should not be piled up against the trunk when the hibiscus is in the ground.)
Pull the plant out of the pot and with a claw or your hands and seriously rough up the root ball, removing some of the soil and loosening the roots.
Place the plant into the hole and fill with the Happi-Grow mixture. Tamp the soil and water well.
Stake, if necessary, to prevent winds from rocking the plant, therefore disturbing the roots. Keep the hibiscus watered (if no rain) for at least a week.
Q: When and how do I prune my miniature roses?
A: You should prune miniatures when you prune other roses, around Valentine's Day. But now is OK. Some rosarians prune to about 1 foot. Try to cut just above outward-facing bud eyes.
Note: C.D. of La Porte offered this organic solution to last week's suggestions for keeping cats out of garden beds: "I added rough bark mulch, scattered pine cones, and tossed my lemon and orange peels on top. That did the trick."
C.B., Cypress, suggested spreading sweet gum balls in beds to discourage the animals. Others reported good results with Critter Ridder, a commercial repellent.