Extension Communications
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
4/19/04
Contacts:
James Romer, Horticulture, (515) 294-2336, jromer@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Yard and Garden Column for the Week Beginning April 23, 2004
Ring in Spring with Dr. Grow-It-All
By James Romer
Extension Horticulture Specialist
Iowa State University
Dear Dr. Grow-It-All,
Last summer my wife Marilyn and I visited relatives in southern Ohio. Their next door neighbors had the most beautiful dahlias I've ever seen. Dr. Grow-It-All, the blooms on some plants were as big as dinner plates! Inspired by their size and beauty, I made a trip to my local garden center this spring and purchased a bag of dahlias. The bags of dahlias have clusters of roots. Do I need all of those for one plant? Also, the package had little information on the planting and care of dahlias. Doctor of growing it all, can you help me out?
Needing Guidance to Function in Columbus Junction
Dear Needing Guidance,
Dahlias perform best in full sun and well-drained soil. They often rot in wet, poorly drained soils. Tuberous roots radiate out from the dahlia crown like the spokes of a wagon wheel. Viable tubers must have an eye originating from the crown portion, plus a neck that connects the crown to the body of the tuberous root. Carefully divide the dahlia crown with a sharp knife.
For earlier blooming dahlias, plant tubers indoors in 8-inch diameter pots in mid-April. Fill pots about half-full with a commercial potting mix or make your own by combining equal amounts of sphagnum peat, perlite and pasteurized soil. Place the tuber horizontally on the soil mix, cover with 1 to 2 inches of additional material and water thoroughly. When growth emerges, place pots in a sunny window or under fluorescent lights. Plants can remain in pots or be transplanted to the garden after danger of frost has passed. Frost can damage or destroy the plants. Wait until May 5 to 10 in southern Iowa, May 10 to 15 in central Iowa or after May 20 in northern Iowa to transplant.
Before planting, drive a sturdy support, such as a metal fence post or wooden stake into the ground. Doing this prior to planting ensures the tubers will not be damaged. To plant tubers, dig a hole about 6 to 8 inches deep on either side of the support. Place the tuber horizontally in the ground. Then place the soil back in the hole. The dahlias should emerge in about two weeks. By mid-summer, I'm sure you'll be the talk of the neighborhood!
Dear Dr. Grow-It-All,
I found this unique vining plant growing on the side of my garage last fall. Its foliage was bright red in color. Dr. Grow-It-All, it was beautiful! Recently, on a warm spring day, dripping with anticipation, I headed out to the side of the garage. I carefully dug up the plant and transplanted it to a more visible location. Dr. Grow-It-All, that night I started to itch and haven't stopped since then. Since transplanting, the vining plant has begun to leaf out. Its leaves consist of three leaflets. Could my lovely plant actually be poison ivy?
Itching in Hard Scratch
Dear Itching,
I think someone wrote a song about your plant. It even had medical advice, "You're gonna need an ocean . . . of calamine lotion." You may have found a plant that I try hard NOT to grow. Your plant description leads me to believe it is poison ivy. Poison ivy plants can be destroyed by carefully digging them up. They can also be destroyed by cutting off the plant's stems near the ground and applying glyphosate (Roundup®) with a foam-type paintbrush to the cut surfaces. Make sure to wear gloves. Also, do not burn the plants. This makes matters worse by introducing the harmful chemicals into the air where it can be inhaled. Seek medical advice from your physician to cure your rash. Remember, to be safe. If leaflet in three, let it be!
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Editors: There is no photo for this week's column.