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 You Put Devils Ivy in a Fish Tank?

Yes, you can put Devil's Ivy (Epipremnum aureum, commonly known as Pothos) in a fish tank, but it's crucial to understand that only the roots should be submerged in the water, while the foliage must remain outside the tank. This popular houseplant is remarkably effective at absorbing nitrates and other waste products from aquarium water, benefiting fish health and water quality, but its leaves are toxic if ingested by aquatic inhabitants.
How do You Store Tomato Paste in the Fridge?

To store tomato paste in the fridge after opening, the best method for short-term preservation is to transfer any unused portion into a clean, airtight container, then cover the surface directly with a thin layer of olive oil. This creates a barrier against air and helps prevent mold growth, allowing the paste to remain fresh for 7 to 10 days. For longer storage beyond a week, freezing is a superior alternative.
Are Arborvitae Plants Deer Resistant?

No, arborvitae plants are definitively not deer resistant; in fact, they are one of the most frequently browsed and preferred food sources for deer, especially during winter months when other food sources are scarce. Despite their popularity as hedging and screening plants, arborvitae (Thuja) are highly susceptible to deer damage, which can severely disfigure or even kill the plants. Gardeners in areas with deer pressure should anticipate protective measures or choose alternative plants.
How do You Get Rid of Cochineal on Cactus?

To get rid of cochineal on cactus, you need a combination of mechanical removal and targeted treatments, with consistency being paramount due to their protective waxy coating and rapid reproduction. Begin by physically dabbing off visible clusters with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab, then follow up with applications of insecticidal soap or neem oil. For severe infestations, a systemic insecticide may be necessary.
Do Hydrangeas Multiply?

Yes, hydrangeas do multiply, but not in an aggressive or invasive manner like some other plants. They primarily multiply through sexual reproduction via seeds (which typically results in offspring different from the parent) and, more commonly and predictably for gardeners, through various vegetative (asexual) propagation methods such as layering, stem cuttings, and division. These natural tendencies and propagation techniques allow gardeners to increase their collection of these beloved flowering shrubs.
How do You Store Fresh Garden Zucchini?

To store fresh garden zucchini, the best method for short-term preservation is to keep them unwashed, whole, and unpeeled in a perforated plastic bag in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. This approach maintains their crispness and flavor for up to 1-2 weeks. For longer-term storage, zucchini can be frozen, dehydrated, or canned, but these methods require specific preparation steps.
How do Nemesia Plants Grow?

Nemesia plants grow as delicate, bushy annuals or tender perennials, producing a profusion of small, often fragrant, two-lipped flowers in a wide array of colors. They thrive in cool-to-moderate temperatures, full sun to partial shade, and well-draining soil, blooming vigorously from spring through early summer and often again in fall. Their growth habit is typically compact and mounding, making them excellent for containers, borders, and hanging baskets.
How do You Get Mold Out of a Dehumidifier?

To get mold out of a dehumidifier, you need to thoroughly clean its key components, especially the water reservoir, air filter, and coils, using a solution of white vinegar or a mild bleach solution. Regular cleaning, at least once a month during active use, is essential to prevent mold and mildew growth, ensuring the appliance operates efficiently and doesn't recirculate harmful spores into the air. This process restores hygiene and improves air quality.
Do Termites Live in Mulch?

Yes, termites do live in mulch, or more accurately, they readily build tunnels and forage through mulch layers, often using them as a protected pathway to more substantial food sources like your home. While mulch itself is a cellulose material that termites can eat, it is primarily the stable moisture and sheltered conditions that make mulch an attractive environment for subterranean termites, the most destructive type. Drywood termites, in contrast, rarely bother with mulch.
Are Ribosomes Found in Animal and Plant Cells?

Yes, ribosomes are found in both animal and plant cells, unequivocally. They are fundamental and universal cellular organelles essential for all known life, playing the crucial role of protein synthesis. As both animal and plant cells are eukaryotic, they contain ribosomes in their cytoplasm, on the endoplasmic reticulum, and even within specific organelles like mitochondria (and chloroplasts in plants).