Reviving Violet Geraniums and Propagating Evergreens Successfully

Reviving Violet Geraniums

If your violet geraniums have become half dry with brown leaves despite adding fertilizer, the likely culprit is overwatering. Geraniums thrive when allowed to dry out between waterings. In summer, they only need water every two to three days, and only after the soil has been dry for a few days. Remove any drain trays beneath the pots to prevent standing water, which leads to root rot. Repotting into fresh soil can help, but only if you also adjust your watering habits.

Propagating Evergreens from Cuttings

Your propagation plan is mostly sound: take diagonal cuttings of new growth, dip in rooting hormone, and place in a peat-filled tray under a humidity dome with bottom heat. However, standard rooting hormones like Rootone may be too weak for many evergreens. Visit hormex.com for stronger formulations tailored to specific species. Be patient—evergreen cuttings can take up to a year to root. Keep the tray in a cool, unheated garage over winter; excessive warmth can kill the cuttings. Light is not critical during rooting, but bottom heat helps. If you're near Fort Wayne, Indiana, local experts can offer hands-on guidance.

Follow-Up: Mysterious Growth on Fir Trees

Round, brownish growths on fir trees could be developing cones, which are natural as the tree matures. However, if they appear tumor-like and cause branch dieback, they may indicate a pest or disease issue. Photos would allow accurate identification. In the meantime, avoid adding anything to the soil until the cause is known.