LANDSCAPING

WATER SHORTAGE WARNING

TO ALL BUTTERFLY ENTHUSIASTS

Do you have a “COONTIE”? A member of the Cycad family, Coontie plants are considered native to Florida and a larval source, in fact the only larval source for the very rare Atala butterfly. At one time believed to be extinct, a small, but growing number of Atalas have been sighted in the past few years. The Atala is on the list for State protection. In order to prevent this beautiful butterfly from becoming extinct in our lifetime, the University of Florida along with all local Garden Clubs and the City of Coconut Creek (Butterfly Capital of the World), is asking all butterfly lovers to keep planting Coonties.

The Atala will also need a nectar source so be sure to plant along with your Coontie at least one of the following: Wild Coffee, Butterfly Bush, or Lantana. Sabal Palms and Avocado trees are also nectar sources.

TROUBLESHOOTING AND SOLVING
HOUSE PLANT PROBLEMS

I’ll try to get hints out to all of you House Plant lovers each month which will make taking care of your indoor plants less mysterious.

Interestingly, House Plants are all hybrids or species of plants which grow wild somewhere in the world. If we could match the environment from where they originated, success would be ours. You may not be able to match every criteria for your plant, but every step you take towards your plants comfort will be a giant leap towards keeping your friend healthy.

Leaf edges brown and dried – most often too much heat, lack of humidity. Keep room cooler – sacrifice a couple of degrees.

Rapid defoliation – rapid changes in temperature or light (plant taken from bright light to low light), possible over watering or exposure to drafts. Keep moving of plants to a minimum.

Failure of blooming plants to flower – Insufficient water or light, over fertilizing. Too much fertilizer is as bad as none at all.

Watch for more hints on HOUSE PLANTS each month.

TRIMMING YOUR ROBELEINI PALM (PYGMY DATE)

Remember a palm is a Monocot and cannot regroup an area that is wounded or dead. The fronds of palms are their only food pantry. If you remove a green frond from a Robeleini or from any palm for that matter, you reduce its ability to obtain nourishment. The best way to keep your Robeleini trimmed is by looking at the 9 and the 3 on your watch. If your fronds appear to be within the 9 and 3 area, your palm is properly trimmed and should thrive. Cuting above this mark and/or cutting off green fronds will cause your palm to be stressed. The biggest problem ensuing with the palm will then be nutrient deficiencies resulting in “frizzle-top, yellowing along older fronds (Potassium), or possible loss of one stem of a multi-stemmed Robeleini. Robeleini Palms are a lovely addition to any landscaped area. They survived our 2004 and 2005 Hurricanes with little damage. To keep your Robeleini strong and lush, avoid over pruning, feed twice annually and attend to any deficiencies as quickly as you notice.

SUMMER ANNUALS THAT CAN TAKE SOUTH FLORIDA
ZONE 10B

Here are some summer annuals that have proven themselves viable through high temperatures and humidity – generally April 15th to October 15th. If you have found other summer annuals to be successful in your garden, how about sharing? Please add to my list of:

CALADIUMS

TORRENIA (Summer Pansy)

MARIGOLDS

PURSLANE

PORTULACA

MOSS ROSE

SALVIA

VINCA (Periwinkle)

PENTAS

FOR ANY GARDENING OR LANDSCAPING QUESTIONS, OR IDEAS YOU WISH TO SHARE, PLEASE E-MAIL NANCY, A BROWARD COUNTY MASTER GARDENER, AT: Landscapers email/contact??

HAPPY GARDENING!

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