Acadiana Gardening: Crepe myrtles can produce a second bloom

Tag : Water-Soluble Lace
Plant Container-grown trees, shrubs and vines. Keep new plantingswell-watered during the summer months. Tropicals including allamanda, amaranth, bougainvillea, caladium,clerodendrum, copper plant, croton, desert rose, hibiscus, lantana,mandevilla, plumbago and plumeria Bedding plants for fall color, including ageratum, balsam, celosia,cleome, cockscomb, coleus, dusty miller, dwarf dahlia, gazania,impatiens, marigold, morning glory, ornamental pepper, pentas,periwinkle, heat-resistant petunia, portulaca, purslane, salvia,strawflower, sunflower, verbena, wax begonia and zinnia Prune and pinch Remove faded flowers on annuals, roses and other flowering plantsto encourage re-bloom Removed flowers on caladiums to promote better foliage Groom azaleas by trimming unsightly shoots back to the stem.
Do not prune as the plants are now setting their buds for spring.Trim overhead tree branches if needed to ensure sufficient filteredsunlight for bloom. Prune other ornamental shrubs lightly in July and August if needed. To promote fall bloom, cut back leggy plants to half of presentheight, including begonias, dahlias, geraniums, impatiens,marigold, petunias and salvia. Pinch 3 or 4 inches as needed on chrysanthemums, coleus, copperplants, and other annuals and perennials. Pinch chrysanthemums nolater than August 1. Remove stems of irises, daylilies, amaryllis and agapanthus afterbloom, retaining healthy foliage.
If desired, foliage of Louisiana irises may be cut back when itbegins to yellow or droop. Mulch rhizomes heavily to avoidsunscald. Water regularly. Cut poinsettias back about one-third in early July to encouragebranching. To encourage a second or third flowering of crepe myrtles, removeflowers after the first bloom has peaked. Flowering will cease whenseed pods are allowed to form Prune freeze damaged citrus trees. Remove water sprouts. Cut raspberry and blackberry canes to ground level after fruiting. Fertilize Shrubs (except azaleas and camellias), vines and ground covers witha summer application of a complete fertilizer such as 8-8-8, if notalready done Summer-blooming perennials, bulbs, tropical plants and beddingplants monthly with a granular product or twice-monthly with awater-soluble fertilizer such as 20-20-20. If using Osmocote orother timed-release granular product, apply somewhat morefrequently than package label states. Flowering plants in hanging baskets and other containers weekly ortwice monthly with a liquid fertilizer such as 20-20-20. Dilute theproduct for ferns. Shrubs, trees and vines in outdoor containers monthly with a liquidfertilizer Established roses monthly with commercial rose fertilizer or otherrecommended products Pest control Inspect roses weekly (or daily) to remove and collect in a zip-lockbag leaves affected by fungal diseases. Burn the leaves to preventspread of disease. If needed during humid weather, continue a regular spray programevery 5 to 7 days to prevent black spot, powdery and downy mildew,and botrytis on roses, using a non-toxic product such as SaferGarden Fungicide. For severe fungal disease, spray with a fungicidesuch as Funginex every 7-10 days. Alternating weekly with a secondor third fungicide is also recommended. Prevent or control lace bugs on azaleas by spraying with Ortheneaccording to label directions. Cultivate soil only when foliage is dry to reduce spread ofdisease. Inspect ajuga and violets for crown rot. To control, removediseased plants and surrounding soil. Before adding new plantmaterial, drench soil in bed with Terraclor or a similar productaccording to label directions. Treat chlorosis (yellowing between the veins of new foliage becauseof iron deficiency) in azaleas, camellias, gardenias, etc. byapplying a chelated iron compound according to label directions. Control slugs and snails by sprinkling commercial bait at the baseof tender plants.
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