1. Rachael C. Allen
Any organic fertilizers you recommend?
Answer: My newest favorite is the Dr.Earth line, made with all organically based ingredients, based on fish bones, so the Calcium levels are incredibly high - excellent for tomatoes.
2. Rena Losik-Prengel
What do you do after the irises bloom and shrivel? Cut them or leave them alone?
Answer: I was sad about my own Irises. They went into flower the same week that we had that 85-90 degree weather and finished in just 5-7 days. It is best to cut the spent flowers off, so that energy goes back into the tubers. I at least got a nice photo when they were at the peak.
3. Ruth Upham
What can you do for carpet roses that the leaves are turning yellow and falling off?
Answer: That is one of the symptoms of a fungal disease called Black Spot. The best prevention is to spray with a fungicide to protect the newly emerging leaves. There are 2 types, 1 is a contact spray that is sulfur based that must be re-applied if it rains. The other is a systemic that stays in the leaves that have been sprayed for 14 days even if it rains; called Immunox. Fertilizer will help the plants to recover from the cold, wet soil conditions that we have had this spring.
Chalet Nursery
3132 Lake Street
Wilmette
chaletnursery.com
