Question: 410-3410
My Bird of Paradise plant is 40 inches tall and is 7 years old. It hasn't bloomed yet. What can I do? Julie, Waterford, CT

Mort's Answer:
You are taking too good care of your tropical plant. It needs to have the temperature drop in the winter to 40 for at least three weeks. Without the dormancy, you are unlikely to get the flower to set. In southern California and Florida this occurs naturally. As an indoor plant, we need to assimilate the natural environment as closely as possible to insure the plants vigor. I would also recommend that you change to a clay pot, if it isn?t in one. Use a two inch larger pot and add one-third coarse sand to the new soil. Within a month after the plant has taken hold in the new soil, you should add a tablespoon of bonemeal to the soil.

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Question: 7-5201
We have an Abutilon that we have just planted. Can I keep that outdoors through the winter? Marie, Brunswich, GA

Mort's Answer:
Flowering Maple is hardy from zone 8 south. Since it gets rather breezy on the isles, I would recommend covering the plant with burlap in the winter. There are several good Abutilon with pinkish purple, yellow or white trumpet flowers. A. hybridum varieties include Boule DeNeige and Golden Fleece. A..pictum has a yellow or orange flower with red veins. A. theophrasti is basically an annual weed.

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Question: 12-5201
My Aloe Vera houseplant that I purchase a 3 weeks ago is mushy in the center. What could be the problem? Marie, Pawtucket, RI

Mort's Answer:
Too much water will turn a succulent into mush. I would take it back to the store and ask for a credit. Unless is you watered every day since you purchased it, the damage was done at an earlier time.

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Question: 13-5201
My amaryllis bloomed for three to four weeks. There are balls at the top of the stem. What are they? Ann, Bosra, CT

Mort's Answer:
Those are seed pods. You can dry them out and start new plants from the seed. If you want to continue to grow the amaryllises as a houseplant, you will need to rest the bulbs in a cool dry place for the summer. Place them in new sawdust or in a brown paper bag. You may find that the bulb has split in two. This will double your pleasure this coming winter.

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Question: 14-5201
I just purchased an Amaryllis . Will it bloom in time for Christmas? Shirley, Brownsville, TN

Mort's Answer:
Your bulb requires strong light and moderate fertilizer when you water. It usually takes 6 to 8 weeks to bloom. It is possible that it will bloom sooner in ideal conditions. After it has bloomed let the bulb dry out. After it has dried, you can split the root from top to bottom in tow and plant in a soil with 1/3 sand. Eventually two new bulbs will develop. Remover the new bulbs and store them in a cool dry place until Halloween. Then, you start the whole process again.

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Question: 15-5201
My Arboricola is getting some leaf drop. I have been fertilizing and watering regularly. There are no signs of insects. What could be the problem? Layla, Stonington, CT

Mort's Answer:
As we approached December 21, plants got a lot less light. Some go into dormancy. Ficus, some palms and the Schefeleras do this quite regularly. It is not a good idea to continue fertilizing these plants in the winter. You should always reduce the amount and frequency of water during the winter. I move these plants closer to the light source during this the winter. If you are already as close as possible to a south facing window, then you have no choice but to do as the plant wishes, let it coast without growth for whatever time it wants. Eventually they will start sprouting new growth and you can increase the water and start fertilizing at that time.

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Question: 440-3510
I have a bamboo in water that is yellowing. How can I bring back the color in this house plant? Marie, Norwich, CT

Mort's Answer:
The Umbrella plant (not to be confused with schefflera) is not a true bamboo. Cyperus alternifolia is a plant that does better in gravelly soil. This is often sold as bamboo. Mix potting soil with 50% coarse sand with a double pot or large saucer. It takes a lot of water. A true Bambusa is best planted outdoors in a wet area. Pogonatherum paniceum is a minature bamboo that is a grass. P. paniceum is best planted in regular potting soil. Unlike the Umbrella with a few leaves at the top of leafless stems, this grass has many leaves.

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