Give laurel time to put on a show

Question: I have a mountain laurel that is 5 or 6 years old that has never bloomed. It is planted in good soil in full sun. Any ideas?

S.F., Dallas

Answer: Mine hasn't bloomed the last couple of years because of late freezes injuring the flower buds. Just enjoy the beautiful foliage and celebrate the flowers and their fragrance when they finally come.

Question: I have hostas that have gotten too thick. When is the best time to divide and replant?

J.K., Dallas

Answer: Fall is the best time, but do it now if they need to be divided.

Question: I'm trying to clean a historic cemetery that is covered with Christmas cholla cactus.

I saw your recent note about cutting off prickly pear cactus and covering it with dry molasses to make compost and then enhancing the soil with fertilizer, compost, etc., to keep the cactus from returning.

Does this method work on the cholla as well? The area that I'm working with is about 40 by 60 feet, and almost every inch is covered with these spiny plants. G.N., Dallas

Answer: I think the procedure will work as well on cholla as it does on prickly pear.

I am putting you in charge of conducting this experiment.

Take photos (digital if possible) and give us a report as soon as you can on how the technique works.

Question: I have been listening to your radio show for as long as I can remember and have used many of your suggestions.

One time, you said a silver leaf maple was the worst choice anyone could make when it came to trees.

I wish I had heard that before I planted one in 1984. I had the tree removed yesterday and would like your suggestion for a replacement.

Would a red oak work? The city of Weatherford planted about 40 red oaks along the drive near the First Monday Trade Days, and they really look nice.

B.W., Weatherford

Answer: Texas red oaks are great even though they are sometimes hard to get established. Other superior native trees include bur oak, pecan, chinquapin oak, Texas ash and live oak. Maples that do well here include bigtooth, Caddo and Shantung.

Question: Last year, I missed the deadline for applying corn gluten meal for weed control. I would like to know exactly when to apply it.

I have had the best crop of all kinds of weeds this past year. J.T., Dallas

Answer: The timing for applying corn gluten meal for pre-emergent weed control is just before the weeds start to germinate. We usually guess that to be Feb. 15 through March 15.

Question: I have a landscaped area behind my office that is covered mostly with Asian jasmine, and there is a cedar fence directly abutting the area where the jasmine grows.

The area stays fairly moist, and I have noticed wet spots on the bottom of the fence. There also is some fungal growth creeping up the fence (4 to 5 inches).

What can I do to kill the fungus without harming the jasmine? I water only when necessary.

C.S., Dallas

Answer: Spraying potassium bicarbonate, orange oil or cornmeal juice will stop the fungus, but it will come back unless you solve the drainage problem. It sounds as if you need to install a French drain, reduce the amount of watering or both.

Question: We have well water that is slightly salty. Does this affect trees and shrubs?

E.L., Dallas

Answer: Salty water sprayed on foliage can cause burns.

Organic soil treatments can neutralize the salt problem. Inject compost tea, Garrett Juice or liquid humate into your irrigation system to eliminate the burn.

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