corn plant budding

QuestionHave had this plant for some 15 years and healthy. One shoot is about 10 tall, two others around 4-5 ft. For the first time we are now getting a shoot of buds from the top. Can these be cut and potted and ho

amaryllis seeds

QuestionI have some very OLD solid white plants in my garden that the neighbors call lillys but are really Amaryllis bulbs. they put off these enormous seed pods along the ground. there are hundreds of seeds... stra

Rusty leaf problem

QuestionI have a Rubber Plant that has rust colored spots all over the older leaves. I have new ones coming on but the older ones just turn brown and fall off. What kind of pest or disease am I up

Aloe Vera Houseplant

QuestionHello Will, I have an Aloe Vera plant, approx 2 -3 feet tall,and approx 4yrs old, which flowered for the first time last December. I am concerned as I dont know whether I should just leave the long sho

Aglaonema(Silver Queen)

QuestionHi I take care of many of these plants for a local hospital. They have salt like crystals on the stems and are very sticky. Is this a disease or a characteristic? Thanks Sandy Answ

Flowering plants - scientific explanation

QuestionHi Will, Why is it that indoor flowering plants need to be rootbound to bloom whereas in nature they are dont? Lisa AnswerHi Lisa, That is a good question and one that I am not sure I have a precise scie

Insects on my palm plant

QuestionI have two palms in my home, and both have been developing white, soft, powder-like substances on the lower parts of the stalks. I was told it could be mealybugs, but when I looked up mealybugs online,

Maidenhair ferns

QuestionI have tried growing Maidenhair ferns a few times with little to no success (the plant croaks) after a month or two in. I was wondering if you could provide me with more lively instructions for growing, su

Pineapple Palm

QuestionI have what I have been told is a pineapple palm. I have had it two years now. I have had it send new shoots out twice now only to have them die. It is in a window with some morning direct light

plalnting a rubber tree

QuestionHi. i have a rubber tree plant about 2ft tall and need to be repotted due to roots comming out of it. Is the size of pot important or any large sixe pot will do and can it survive indoors with little

Indoor Bird of Paradise

QuestionQUESTION: Hi - I have a beautiful BOP and live in Los Angeles. It however is turning brown at the edges and curling up. My apartment faces East - so it doesnt get alot of direct sunlight. I have installed a

peach seed

QuestionHow long do I let a grocery store bought peach seed dry out before planting? Can I start this seed in a flower pot? AnswerYour Peach Tree -- Prunus persica to Botanists -- is hardy to Zone 7. If

Musty smell

QuestionMy Swedish Ivy is growing very well but has a strong musty odor. What should I do? AnswerHi Bonnie, The smell is coming from the soil. If you used garden soil or compost or some other soil-based potting mi

aloe plant turning brown

QuestionQUESTION: i have two small aloe plants and they are planted in the same pot. recently i have noticed the leaves turning brown even though its in a sunny window. do you have any idea what i am doing wrong? th

cheffelera (pruning and repotting)

QuestionI am moving two and one-half hours away. My cheffelera needs repotting and probably pruning. When is a safe time to do this? How can I safely move the plant with some stems as tall as three to fo

Rebound from a Scheffelera Break

QuestionPart of a scheffelera plant broke off (long stem with seven leaves)in our office. I would like to save the stem and start a new plant. How can I go about this? If I put it in a small cup of water will roots

Elephant ear plants

QuestionHi, i have 2 questions for you. How do you propagate them? and , How long does it take to produce a leaf? Thanks. AnswerAdditional website: http://www.emilycompost.com/elephant_ear.htm Brian, http:

where can i find it?

QuestionQUESTION: Hi some time ago i was given a purple passion plant that looks like a purple butterfly i looked it up and its a purple passion foliage plant i dont know the actual scientific name but i know it is

Need to find the name of a plant

QuestionHi, I know this is a hard question. Someone told me about a plant, but did not know the name of it. The only description I have, is that the plant is not the most beautiful, and its possible for the plant to

plant leaves

QuestionCould you please tell me what to use to make the leaves of a plant shiney without hurting it. Mainly a corn plant and ficus tree. AnswerHello Jackie, There are a number of products you could try, such as