Watering Potted Trees: Reservoir vs. Top Watering

Is Bottom Watering via Reservoir Good for Potted Trees? A gardener asks if watering an outdoor potted tree through its reservoir (saucer) is beneficial or harmful. Expert Answer Nick says reservoir watering is only for

Getting Bougainvillea to Bloom Indoors in Canada

Why Wont My Indoor Bougainvillea Flower? A 4-year-old bougainvillea in Canada refuses to bloom despite bright light. Secret to Color Nick reveals bougainvilleas bloom best under drought stress. Water very little, fertil

Drip Irrigation Schedule for Tropical Plants in Fresno

Balancing Water Needs for Mixed Tropical Plantings A Fresno, CA garden has bananas, queen palms, birds of paradise, and sagos on a single drip system. The owner asks how long to run it daily. Customized Watering Advice

Ponytail Palm Decline from Overwatering

Why Is My Ponytail Palm Turning Yellow and Leaning? A 2.5-foot ponytail palm declined after a 5-day vacation. The owner watered thoroughly before leaving, using a saucer that filled completely and was left for hours. Ro

Angel Trumpet Not Blooming: Brugmansia vs. Datura

Why Wont My Angel Trumpet Flower? A 2-year-old mail-order angel trumpet has never bloomed, twice lost all leaves suddenly, and the owner worries about toxicity of fragrance. Critical Identification Needed Nick asks: Is

Nursing Cold-Damaged Potted Plants Back to Health

Spring Recovery for Plants Left Out in Winter Various indoor/outdoor potted plants lost all top growth in a cold winter but show budding at the base. The owner clipped dead growth to 4-6 inches and asks how to boost reco

Reviving a Leggy, Overwatered Zebra Plant

Can a Zebra Plant Recover from Root Rot? A zebra plant lost all limbs to rot from overwatering in a small pot. After repotting, it grew a tall stem with two large leaves that are now browning. The owner wants to know if

Protecting Adonidia Palms from Nocturnal Pests

Stopping Nighttime Crown Damage on Adonidia Palms Something eats the center stalk of Adonidia palms at night—likely a climbing rodent. The owner hears them jumping to neighboring yards. DIY Barrier Solution Nick shares

Sago Palm Frond Loss After Transplanting

Why Are My Sago Palms Dropping Fronds? Two 5-foot sagos transplanted last summer started losing fronds in winter—first green, then yellow. Only a few fronds remain. Expert Assessment Nick finds green fronds falling off

Best Potted Tropicals for Morning Sun in San Diego

Choosing Container Plants for a Sunny Entryway A San Diego homeowner has two large pots flanking a front door with only morning sun. Majesty and pygmy palms failed. They want a tropical that thrives in containers with mo

Banana Stalk Management After Fruiting

Should a Spent Banana Stalk Be Removed? A banana stalk that fruited last year isnt leafing out this year while others are. The owner asks if it should be cut at ground level or removed with roots. Expert Advice Nick exp

Foxtail Palm Freeze Recovery in Louisiana

Will My Foxtail Palms Survive a Hard Freeze? Two large foxtail palms in Louisiana turned brown after a freeze. The owner cut dead fronds and sees 1-2 new spears emerging but they appear greenish-brown and stalled for mon

Identifying a Mystery Broadleaf Plant

Can You Identify This Plant Without a Photo? A 5-foot tall broadleaf plant with fanning stems and 12x18 inch leaves needs identification for proper care. General Care Guidelines Nick explains that without a photo, exact

Pygmy Palm Cold Damage: To Prune or Not?

Handling Frost-Bitten Pygmy Palm Fronds After a cold snap, a pygmy palms fronds turned brown. The owner cut off the brown ends, but a friend advises removing all fronds. The owner worries about added shock. Expert Verdi

Anthurium on Lava Rock: Wilting and Root Issues

Why Is My Anthurium Declining on Lava Rock? An anthurium growing on lava rock in an office with indirect light shows soft, browning leaves and dry, peeling roots. The owner waters daily and mists, unsure if its too much

Rescuing Queen Palms Buried by Landscaping

When New Soil Covers the Trunk Base Four queen palms planted two years ago declined after a landscaping project added soil and built planter walls, burying the trunk-root junction. Fronds wilted and yellowed. The owner a

Troubleshooting a Browning Banana Plant in Orlando

Why Are My Banana Plants Leaves Browning at the Tips? An Orlando grower has a banana plant (possibly ornamental) near an open window, watered weekly when soil feels dry. Leaves show brown tips. Diagnosis and Fix Nick id

Majesty Palm and Ivy Care: Indoor and Outdoor Tips

Growing Majesty Palms Successfully A buyer in Moss Landing, California, purchased three majesty palms and asks about indoor vs. outdoor placement, light, and watering. Also, a 4-year-old root-bound ivy needs repotting ad

Separating and Repotting Clustered Washingtonia Fan Palms

Can You Divide a Multi-Trunk Fan Palm? Three Washingtonia fan palms have grown together in a ceramic container for years. The owner wants to know if they can be cut apart and how. Expert Instructions Nick confirms separ

Saving a Ponytail Palm After Animal Damage

Can a Ponytail Palm Recover from Severe Crown Damage? A 30-year-old ponytail palm lost all but two shoots and suffered a 6x3 inch gouge in its trunk, likely from a puppy. The owner asks if the plant can be saved. Expert