Submitted by Susan from Homestead

Q: I read your articel about the pineapple and just now after 3 years I am growing a small pineapple. I am very excited about this.I grew it fom the top of an eatable pineapple. Will I be able to eat this pineapple and how will I know if it has reached the right size and is ready to be cut. Thanks for your answer. Susan

Answered 04/25/08 16:10:46 by Georgia Tasker

A: Your pineapple will be edible, and when is enlarges and turns from brown to yellow-brown, you can cut & eat.

Submitted by nina shepard from richmond heights, fl

Q: Lately I have been hearing some birds singing all night. What are those?

Answered 04/25/08 16:09:13 by Georgia Tasker

A: Mockingbirds may sing quite early, but I don't know about all night. I'll set the alarm.

Submitted by Debbie Harrison from Marathon, FL

Q: I am wondering when you will be publishing your article on Susan Nuegent's book "Women Conserving the Florida Keys"? Thank you.

Answered 04/18/08 12:50:56 by Georgia Tasker

A: Look on Monday, April 21

Submitted by Rawls from Parkland, FL

Q: A very small black bug us eating the new growth of my established ficus privacy-hedge. The leaves fold closed and the tiny black bugs are inside. What are the bugs, and how can I treat the hedge to permanently protect it? Thanks. Rawls

Answered 03/25/08 17:43:32 by Georgia Tasker

A: Thrips are usually found only on Ficus retusa (Cuban laurel), and I'm guessing you have Ficus benjamina as a hedge. However, the University of Florida says when Cuban laurel thrips are abundant they may be found on several other ficus species. There are lots of natural predators of thrips, but you also can use insecticidal soaps, Ortho Systemic Insect Killer, and others. For a link to chemical controls go to: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG327

Submitted by Arch Sturaitis from Fort Lauderdale

Q: Hi Georgia: We live in East Fort Lauderdale and we have been overrun lately by a black centipede-type bug, about 2" long which rolls into a ball when touched. They congregate on our exterior doors and walls and their numbers are multiplying. I thought that they were seasonal, but they seem to be increasing in numbers in cold or hot weather, rain or shine. How do we get rid of them? I can send a photo if you wish. Thanks. Arch

Answered 03/25/08 17:37:06 by Georgia Tasker

A: You are noticing an increase in millipedes. They like leaf litter and mulch, and can be found beneath stones & flowerpots, areas that are damp. When they come inside, they usually die from lack of moisture. To control them, make sure your doors & windows are tightly sealed so they can't crawl in, sweep back mulch or leaves from your foundations, remove old boards that may be around the house or yard. Diatomacious earth around the front steps or back door may help deter them, but not in rainy weather. Talstar, Ortho Home Defense, Sevin are products for outdoor use only.

Submitted by jeffrey Newkirk from North Miami Beach, Florida

Q: Hi, I'm posting to ask what decorative plants there are that resist wind. The entrance way of our condominium building is consistently breezy. Our most recent experiment involved two bouganvillas [sp?] which do resist the wind, but not enough to flower. The spot faces South East and gets morning sun. Most appreciatively, Jeffrey Newkirk

Answered 03/25/08 17:19:17 by Georgia Tasker

A: Try crown of thorns; fiddle-leaf fig; kalanchoes; jade plants; pony tail plants; Sansevieria,or snake plant. You could use a tall fiddle-leaf fig and group containers of crown of thorns around it. Jade plants make striking sculpture-like plants when they're old enough. Pony tails can be kept in containers for a very long time.

Submitted by Mario from miami, fl

Q: My lawn has more weeds than grass (floratam). When its that bad is it best to start all over? The soil has always been a bit moist (even without irrigation) and thus its full of dollar weeds and a huge array of other weeds.

Answered 03/17/08 13:30:10 by Georgia Tasker

A: You have to correct the irrigation problem first. Dollar weed is indicative of too much water and you can aerate the soil. With water restrictions, this should correct itself. A weed and feed product could help, followed by careful attention to proper mowing & fertilization.

Submitted by Bianca from Miami

Q: I've let my yard grow freely without mowing the grass for about two months. I have an abundance of different plants. One has a yellow flower, another has a blue-purple flower, and I even have a few fern like plants. How can I find out what type of plants are growing in the yard. P.S. I think a tree has even begun to grow

Answered 03/17/08 13:27:03 by Georgia Tasker

A: Miami-Dade County's Cooperative Extension Service has a guide to weeds; go to http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/Pubs_LnG2.shtml#weeds The Journey to a Bulletproof Lawn by Bob Imbrigiotta has some photos of common weeds (you can Google this & find it for sale on Amazon); A landscaping service called One Two Tree has some weed photos online at http://www.onetwotree.com/treetip-7.html You may be able find a weed guide in a bookstore.

Submitted by Barry Block from Aventura, florida

Q: I live in a community which depends on ficus hedge for privacy and beauty. Would it be prudent to prophylactically treat these plants with pesticide drenching or wait to see if the fig whitefly attacks. I am talking of spending thousands for treatment.B Barry 2/26/08

Answered 03/14/08 15:43:10 by Georgia Tasker

A: You can treat with a drench of Bayer's Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control as a preventive measure.

Submitted by marilyn from coconut grove, FL

Q: We have a 35 foot "junk tree" in our side yard which sends out shoots in different places. We continuously cut these out when they crop up. We have found roots coming from the 'mother tree' traveling to the other side of our property. the roots are not deep. we've cut out sections when we find them, but will they continue to grow? We are going to try to get someone to take out the large tree, but what about the remnants?

Answered 03/14/08 15:41:58 by Georgia Tasker

A: I asked the folks at the Department of Environmental Resources Management, and here's a recommendation: Use 100 percent Roundup (nondilute) if you have enough of the stump showing to recut. Or, use Brush-B-Gone, which can be sprayed on the trunk. Neither of these products will contaminate the ground water.

Submitted by curtis from coconut grove, fl

Q: sections of my yard appear to be rising up. is this caused by underground root activity? if so, what is the best way to get the ground level again?

Answered 03/10/08 14:20:23 by Georgia Tasker

A: If the ground appears to be rising in the rootzone of a large tree, it is indeed the roots. To avoid cutting out roots or smothering them with extra fill (both of which may kill the tree) you can remove the grass and create a mulched bed. Ferns, bromeliads or aroids would grow nicely without disturbing the tree roots. You will save on grass mowing and the mulch, as it decomposes, adds nutrients to the soil.

Submitted by Anne from Miami, FL

Q: Hello, I need a tall dense privacy hedge from the bottom of the plant till the top. It would be better if it was narrow plant. I read about a tree called Polyalthia longifolia. I live in Miami, FL. Would it be adequate? How close together should they be planted? If you think some other plant would be better please advise. Thanks, Anne

Answered 02/25/08 22:47:35 by Georgia Tasker

A: Polyalthia longifolia grows straight up and has weeping branches. I asked Larry Schokman, former director of The Kampong, about the tree since it is used in his native Sri Lanka as a street tree. Larry believes several might work as a hedge if you take some precautions: plant in a zig-zag fashion so that sunlight will reach all portions of the tree from top to bottom to prevent loss of lower limbs; keep the trees pruned at about 10 feet. It might be interesting for you to be a pioneer in this undertaking, he said. Alternatively, snail seed, Cocculus laurifolius, might be a useful alternative. It is used as a hedge quite often. It has pretty dark green foliage and grows to about 13 feet. (Leaves are poisonous.)

Submitted by Cindy from Ormond Beach, FL

Q: We transplanted 2 large Queen Palms courtesy of a nice neighbor. We've been watering them feverously. When should I fertilize?

Answered 02/18/08 17:23:57 by Georgia Tasker

A: There is an excellent paper on transplanting palms by the University of Florida. I have copied the following information from it: "Newly transplanted specimen-sized palms should not be expected to produce a great deal of new top growth during the first year after transplanting; much of the palm's energy reserves will (and should) be channeled into root growth. Drenching the root zone two to four times during the first few months with a fungicide labeled for landscape use on soil borne root fungal pathogens is recommended for high value palms. A light surface application of a slow-release "palm special" granular fertilizer can be banded at the margins of the root ball three to four months after transplanting. A foliar spray of soluble micronutrients may be beneficial during this period, since root absorption activity is limited. Foliar fertilization is an inefficient way to supply macronutrients such as potassium and magnesium because the relatively high amounts required by the palms. When the appearance of new leaves indicates that establishment has been successful, a regular fertilization program (three to four times per year optimally) can begin."

Submitted by Sheila Revell from Coral Gables, FL

Q: The Water lily begonia looks wonderful. I would love one for my garden. Where in Miami-Dade County can it be purchased?

Answered 02/12/08 23:27:36 by Georgia Tasker

A: Try Palm Hammock Orchid Estate, which specializes in begonias. Here is the information: 9995 S.W. 66th Street Miami. 305-274-9813. Tim Anderson is the knowledgeable owner.

Submitted by Joyce Scott from Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160

Q: How can we find a landscaper for our condo which is located on the ocean. We need someone who understands the problems of salt spray, etc. Also want native planting which requires less watering. We need someone who will be able to utilize present plantings (transplant?) and work within a budget. Our condo is Ocean One, 19333 Collins Isles Beach.

Answered 02/07/08 22:39:59 by Georgia Tasker

A: http://online.asla.org/scriptcontent/index_find_firm.cfm?Country=&MSA=5000&Specialty=&city=&company=&state_province= This link will take you to 28 landscape architecture firms in the Miami area. I suggest you interview at least 3, discussing your needs, the budget and time frame for the project.

Submitted by Barbara from MIAMI, Fla

Q: My 15 ft ficus hedge is getting large bald spots where all the leaves fell off. Could that be from lack of watering due to the restrictions or is it caused from something else?

Answered 02/07/08 22:25:03 by Georgia Tasker

A: The ficus or fig whitefly is the culprit. The new pest has been spreading through Miami-Dade County, causing trees and hedges to drop their leaves. You can use Bayer's Advanced Tree & Shrub Insect Control as a drench around the base of your hedge, following the directions on the package. Also, for updates, go to to http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/

Submitted by marilyn from coconut grove, florida

Q: i'm looking for a fast growing tree/plant/palm to plant next to a chain link fence to ultimately provide privacy. with current water restrictions in mind, what varieties can be planted to provide such a screen (not intereted in ficus). thank you

Answered 02/01/08 19:44:57 by Georgia Tasker

A: Vines may be an answer to your problem if you are looking for something fast. Once established, such vines as queen's wreath and jade vine are hardy. You also have some leeway with watering newly planted lawns and landscape plants for the first 60 days after planting. See www.broward.org/waterservices/faq.pdf for guidelines. While the vine of your choice grows, you can plant something more long-lasting that doesn't grow as rapidly. I suggest native trees or shrubs, which are able to take our seasonal droughts and rains better than many exotics. I used 3 different kinds of stoppers -- small understory trees from our native evergreen forests -- along a chainlink fence. Then, planted wild coffee in front of them. After 3 years, the combination has filled in and provided privacy.

Submitted by Barbara from Salt Springs, Florida

Q: How do I find the care and maintenance for a Sweet Viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum)? When to plant, spacing and type of fertilizer. I am using this for a privacy screen on the dirt road side along a fence. Thank you

Answered 02/01/08 19:31:54 by Georgia Tasker

A: Transplant Viburnum in winter (Dec. thru Feb); plant container plants any time. A mature sweet viburnum can measure 15 ft. tall by 8 feet wide. Controlled-release fertilizers are most suitable for Florida landscape plants because they are not released all at once to the roots, resulting in feast/famine for the plant and chemicals in the aquifer. Or, use a composted manure. If your soil is sandy, add compost to the planting area, which should be no deeper than the rootball but wider if possible.

Submitted by margaret from miami gardens, fl

Q: I recently purchased and planted the plant imperial blue plumbago about a month ago. I am now seeing little holes on the leaves, some bug is eating this plant. What can I spray on this plant to get read of this bug and save it?

Answered 01/31/08 20:34:11 by Georgia Tasker

A: I also grow plumbago and have never seen it attached by insects. However, it is the host plant for the Cassius blue butterfly and the tiny larvae may be making their presence known. Don't spray anything on it or you'll kill the butterflies. The shrub is pretty hardy.

Submitted by papayagirl from Palm Beach County, Florida

Q: I live in Palm Beach County and bought an old piece of property with a few very large staghorn ferns some almost 4 feet by 4 feet. We want to sell a couple. I have been searching for months to figure out how to charge properly..(local pick up- not by mail!) Do you have any tips or ideas on how I can price these beauties?? Thank you

Answered 01/25/08 21:57:15 by Georgia Tasker

A: You can find the common staghorn (Platycerium bifurcatum) priced on the internet from $9.99 on up, depending on size. They are not unusual, and carting away a 4X4 fern would require some doing, so I wouldn't price your ferns too high. However, the Tropical Fern and Exotic Plant Society meets Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, and you might want to ask a member. If you cannot make the drive, you can call the society's information phone number & ask for a contact: (305) 666-0219.