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PLEASE NOTE: In the autumn of 1995, we hatched the idea for a free, local gardening publication. The following spring, we published the first issue of Michigan Gardener magazine. Advertisers, readers, and distribution sites embraced our vision. Thus began an exciting journey of helping our local gardening community grow and prosper.
After 27 years, nearly 200 issues published, and millions of copies printed, we have decided it is time to end the publication of our Print Magazine and E-Newsletter.

Trumpet vines won’t bloom

November 7, 2009   •   

I have a trumpet vine about 5 years old that has never shown a hint of blooming. It does not seem to adhere to a trellis, but grows along the ground until I attach it to the trellis. It gets sunlight for about one-half the day. I also have another trumpet vine that gets full sun, but it has the same problems.

As far as the trumpet vine goes, you could try a couple different things. The first thing to look at is fertilizing. Be sure that you are using a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus (the middle number when you are reading a fertilizer label, such as 0-20-0). Also, avoid a excessive nitrogen fertilizer, which is a high first number (15-3-3). This may mean that you have to watch out where your lawn fertilizer is being spread, since lawn fertilizer is high in nitrogen. Be sure to avoid your trumpet vine when you fertilize your lawn. Also, moderate stress on the plant may induce flowering, so only water as needed and do not overfertilize.

Another way of inducing flowering from your trumpet vine is to do something called root pruning:

1) Cut a circular slit in the ground that is centered around the stem of the plant. The circle should have a diameter of two feet for every one inch of trunk diameter. Use a sharp, pointed shovel to make a slit by plunging it into the ground as far as possible, then rock the handle back and forth slightly to create a V-shaped cut. Proceed around the plant until the circle is complete.

2) Sprinkle bone meal or superphosphate into the opening at a rate of 1 cup per inch of stem diameter.

3) Use a gentle stream of water to wash the powder downward.

4) Once the water has disappeared, use your foot to lightly push down on either side of the cut to close the opening.

5) Replace the mulch over the worked area and water thoroughly to settle the loosened soil.

Filed Under: Ask MG

Difficulty getting hibiscus to bloom

November 6, 2009   •   

Next, I have a 7 to 8 foot hibiscus tree that is about 4 years old. It gets sunlight all day. The buds are so plentiful that the branches droop to the breaking point, yet it has never blossomed. I tried Miracle Gro this season (as I did with the trumpet vine) and got 3 blooms out of about 300 buds. Help!

As far as the hibiscus tree goes, I’m not sure if you are referring to an indoor hibiscus tree or a rose of Sharon, which is an outdoor tree with Hibiscus syriacus as it’s Latin name. I am going to assume that you are referring to the rose of Sharon, since the trumpet vine you mentioned is also an outdoor plant. Since the tree receives full sun, let’s concentrate on its fertilization. The two main things to do are fertilize with a high phosphate fertilizer and reduce the amount of high nitrogen fertilizer, as mentioned above with the trumpet vine.

Filed Under: Ask MG

Office paper, newspaper and composting

November 6, 2009   •   

Can I use shredded typing paper (today’s inkjet paper) for composting and a mulch? Also, can I use newspaper (with ink) for composting and a mulch?

It is alright to use typing paper and newspaper within your compost pile. They aren’t recommended to be used as a mulch without being composted first, mostly for aesthetic reasons. Also, they will not stay in place for too long without being blown away.

Filed Under: Ask MG

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