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

Do Onions Grow from Bulbs?

Yes, mature onions are botanically bulbs, and these bulbs are the primary edible part we cultivate and consume. However, when it comes to growing onions, you don't always start directly from a fully formed bulb. Instead, onions can be grown from seeds, small immature bulbs called "sets," or even from transplant seedlings. The growth cycle culminates in the formation of the large, fleshy storage bulb.
Do I Need to Remove Aloe Pups?

You don't always need to remove aloe pups, but it's often highly beneficial for the health and vigor of both the mother plant and the pups, and it's essential if you want to propagate new aloe plants. Allowing too many pups to grow around the mother plant can lead to overcrowding, competition for resources, and reduced growth for all involved.
Can You Grow Lime Trees in Florida?

Yes, you can absolutely grow lime trees in Florida, and in fact, Florida's warm, subtropical climate is highly suitable for their cultivation. Lime trees, along with other citrus, thrive in the state's mild winters and abundant sunshine. Many Florida homeowners successfully grow various lime varieties in their backyards, enjoying fresh, homegrown fruit.
Does Bamboo Grow in the North East?

Yes, many types of bamboo can grow in the Northeast, particularly cold-hardy varieties of clumping bamboo and some running bamboo species. While bamboo is often associated with tropical climates, certain varieties are surprisingly resilient to the cold winters experienced in the northeastern United States. However, choosing the right type and managing its growth are crucial for success in this region.
Which Leaf Drop Works Best for Rubber Plant?

There isn't a specific "leaf drop" that works best for a Rubber Plant; rather, leaf drop in a Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) is almost always a sign of stress or improper care, which you want to prevent. A healthy Rubber Plant should retain its leaves for a long time. The "best" scenario for leaf drop is when it's minimal and confined to older, lower leaves as part of natural aging, not a sign of distress.
Does Heavenly Bamboo Kill Birds?

Yes, the berries of Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica) can indeed be toxic to birds, and there are documented cases of bird deaths, particularly among cedar waxwings and other fruit-eating birds, after consuming a large quantity of the berries. While the plant is beautiful and widely used in landscaping, its potential toxicity to birds is a significant concern for gardeners interested in wildlife-friendly yards.
Does Christmas Cactus Bloom at Easter?

No, a Christmas Cactus typically does not bloom at Easter; in fact, if it does, it's likely actually an Easter Cactus or Thanksgiving Cactus. While all three are popular holiday cacti, a Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi or S. truncata) is genetically programmed to bloom around late fall and winter. Blooming at Easter is the characteristic behavior of a true Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri or Hatiora gaertneri).
Can You Grow Dahlias in Raised Beds?

Yes, you can absolutely grow dahlias in raised beds, and in many situations, raised beds provide an ideal environment for these magnificent flowering plants. The controlled soil conditions, improved drainage, and warmer soil temperatures offered by a raised bed perfectly cater to the specific needs of dahlias, leading to healthier plants and more abundant blooms.
Are Apple Peels Good for Plants?

Yes, apple peels can be good for plants, primarily when properly composted or incorporated into the soil, as they contribute valuable organic matter and a range of nutrients. Directly burying raw apple peels around plants, however, is generally not recommended due to potential issues like attracting pests, molding, and slow decomposition that can temporarily tie up nitrogen. Their benefit lies in how they enrich the soil ecosystem over time.
Can You Grow Cucumber All Year Round?

Yes, you can grow cucumbers all year round, but it requires significant effort and a controlled environment, especially if you live in a region with distinct seasons. Outdoors, cucumbers are warm-season annuals and typically only grow during the frost-free months. To achieve a year-round harvest, you'll need to move your cultivation indoors into a greenhouse or dedicated growing space with supplemental lighting and temperature control.