Question Answer Gardening Tips and Plant Care

Got a question about growing vegetables, caring for houseplants, or fixing lawn problems? This Q&A section shares quick, practical answers from real gardening experiences. Learn how to keep roses blooming, stop pests from eating your lettuce, and choose the right soil for potted herbs. Whether you’re curious about composting tips or need help reviving drooping leaves, you’ll find simple, step-by-step advice here. Each answer is designed to save you time, prevent mistakes, and make gardening more enjoyable. Explore topics for every season, from spring planting to winter plant care, so you can grow healthier, more beautiful plants all year long.

Recent Question Answer - Plant Care Tips

Can Vanilla Grow in Malaysia?

Yes, vanilla can indeed grow in Malaysia, as the country's tropical climate provides many of the essential conditions required for its cultivation. Malaysia offers the high humidity, warm temperatures, and consistent rainfall that vanilla orchids (Vanilla planifolia) need to thrive. While not a major global producer, successful commercial and small-scale vanilla farming is possible with proper management, particularly regarding pollination and shade.
Can You Eat Yellow Spinach Leaves?

Generally, yes, you can eat yellow spinach leaves, especially if the yellowing is mild, affects older leaves, and the overall plant is healthy. The primary concern is that yellowing often indicates a nutrient deficiency or plant stress, which can diminish the nutritional value and flavor of the spinach. However, if the yellowing is due to disease, pests, or rot, or if the leaves are mushy or have a foul odor, they should be discarded for safety. The key is understanding the cause of the yellowing.
Does Ortho Groundclear Kill Ivy?

Yes, Ortho GroundClear products are designed to kill a wide variety of weeds, including ivy, but you must use the correct formulation and understand its non-selective nature. Ortho GroundClear is a powerful total vegetation killer, meaning it will not only kill ivy but also any other plant it touches, and many formulations prevent new growth for an extended period. Therefore, its use requires extreme caution and should be limited to areas where you want absolutely no plant life.
How do You Care for a Sundew Carnivorous Plant?

Caring for a Sundew carnivorous plant involves meeting its very specific needs for water, light, humidity, and growing medium, all of which are tailored to its carnivorous nature and bog habitat. Unlike typical houseplants, Sundews cannot tolerate tap water or nutrient-rich soil. Providing distilled water, abundant light, and a specialized peat/perlite mix is fundamental for their health and ability to produce their characteristic sticky "dew" that traps insects.
Are Roses Sprayed with Pesticides?

Yes, roses, particularly those grown commercially for cut flowers or landscape nurseries, are very frequently sprayed with pesticides (and fungicides). Roses are highly susceptible to a wide range of pests and fungal diseases, and commercial growers often rely on chemical treatments to maintain pristine, blemish-free blooms and foliage, as well as to ensure high yields and marketability. However, home gardeners and organic growers can employ different, less chemical-intensive approaches.
Are Dieffenbachia Plants Poisonous to Cats?

Yes, Dieffenbachia plants are definitely poisonous to cats (and dogs, and humans). Ingestion of any part of the Dieffenbachia plant can cause immediate and intense irritation due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals. While rarely fatal, it can cause significant pain, swelling, and discomfort, making it a plant to keep strictly out of reach of curious pets.
Does Spinach Contain Magnesium?

Yes, spinach absolutely contains magnesium, and it is considered one of the best dietary sources of this essential mineral. Spinach is a powerhouse of nutrients, and its high magnesium content is a key reason it's recommended for a healthy diet. In fact, magnesium is crucial for the spinach plant itself, as it forms the central atom of every chlorophyll molecule.
Do Maple Trees Grow in Washington State?

Yes, maple trees absolutely grow in Washington State, both natively and as popular ornamental plantings. Washington's diverse climate, particularly the moist, temperate conditions of Western Washington, is highly hospitable to many species of maple. The Bigleaf Maple is a prominent native species, and numerous cultivated maples, including Japanese Maples and various shade tree varieties, thrive across the state.
Do Chilli Plants Grow Back Every Year?

Chilli plants (Capsicum species) are technically perennials, meaning they can grow back every year, but their ability to do so depends entirely on your local climate and how you manage them. In their native tropical and subtropical habitats, they live for several years. However, in most temperate climates with cold winters, they are typically grown as annuals, dying off with the first hard frost unless carefully protected or overwintered indoors.
Are Redwood Trees Red?

Yes, redwood trees are indeed red, primarily referring to the distinctive reddish-brown color of their bark and heartwood. This coloration is one of their most defining characteristics and the origin of their common name. While their needles are green, the bark, especially on mature trees, has a deep, rich reddish-brown hue, often with deep furrows that reveal even more of this striking color.