Reviving an Underwatered Australian Tree Fern

Quick Action for a Dried‑Out Fern Brandys newly potted Australian tree fern wilted after a week on a sunny porch. Expert Rescue Move to a shady location immediately. Keep soil evenly moist (not soggy). Mist fronds freq

Cutting and Replanting a Tall Tree Fern (Dicksonia)

Risky but Possible: Trunk Cutting on a 7‑Foot Tree Fern Matthew wants to cut a 7‑foot in‑ground tree fern halfway and replant the top to reduce height. Expert Caution Tree ferns have roots along the entire trunk. Cuttin

Crepe Myrtle Recovery After Late Frost in North Carolina

Cold‑Shocked but Alive Lindas 10 crepe myrtles leafed out, then endured four frosty nights. Eight show dead leaves, but bark reveals green cambium. Expert Outlook The trees were cold‑shocked and defoliated, but the gree

Rooting Mandevilla Stem Cuttings

Simple Tip‑Cutting Method for Mandevilla Bob wants to know how and where to take stem cuttings from his Mandevilla. Expert Steps Take 3–5 inch tip cuttings (softwood). Dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Plant in a ste

Getting Bougainvillea to Produce Colorful Bracts

Stress Equals Color for Bougainvillea Howard wants his bougainvillea to have the vibrant colored bracts it had at the nursery. Expert Tips Bougainvilleas bloom best under moderate stress: limited water, minimal fertili

Indoor White Bird of Paradise: Humidity and Light Fixes

Why Leaves Brown and Curl in a Texas Living Room Gingers White Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) in Midlothian, TX, developed brown patches and curling leaves after moving it farther from a window. Expert Diagnosis

Growing Musa basjoo (Hardy Banana) in Salt Lake City (Zone 6)

Alkaline Clay Soil and Winter Protection Matt in Salt Lake City (Zone 6) wants to grow Musa basjoo, which tolerates −20 °F with protection. Hes concerned about heavy alkaline clay soil and planting time. Expert Advice

Recovering an Ethiopian Red Banana After Accidental Stem Damage

Banana Resilience After Cutting the New Shoot Tracy accidentally severed the emerging central shoot of her Ethiopian Red Banana while removing old leaves, leaving a 6‑inch base. Expert Reassurance Bananas are survivalis

Growing a Brown Turkey Fig Over a Pergola in the UK

Root Vigor and Container vs. Ground Planting Peter in the UK wants to train a Brown Turkey fig over a pergola near a patio. He asks about root vigor and whether to plant in soil or a large tub. Expert Advice Roots: Fig

When to Remove Spent Flowers on White Bird of Paradise

Deadheading for Appearance and Future Blooms Dale asks if the actual flower of White Bird of Paradise should be removed and when. Expert Answer Remove the flower once it turns brown and dries up. You can also remove it

Hardy Banana (Musa) Corm Rot and Pup Management in Zone 7

Reviving a Mushy Banana Corm and Controlling Spread Donna in central Virginia (Zone 7) found her hardy banana mushy at the crown. After cutting it back, a 3‑inch shoot appeared nearby. Shes concerned about pups spreading

Reliable Propagation of Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) by Division

Why Cutting Off Shoots Without Roots Fails Marilyn wants to propagate large Bird of Paradise plants by sawing off basal shoots, but they lack roots and often die. Expert Method Bird of Paradise grows from an underground

Dealing with White Worms in a Pygmy Date Palm Pot

Soil‑Borne Pests in Container Palms Jill found white worms crawling out of the bottom of her 6‑week‑old Pygmy Date Palm planter. Expert Solution The worms likely came in the nursery soil. The safest fix: Unpot the palm

Propagating Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera) from Cuttings

Why Sea Grape Cuttings Fail and How to Succeed Nate has tried rooting sea grape cuttings (2–4 inches) with root stimulator, but they fail, though other plants root easily. Expert Tips Use ripe (seasoned) wood, not soft

Overwintering Cordyline australis in USDA Zone 5

Container Culture for Cold Climates Ron asks if Cordyline australis can survive Zone 5 winters outdoors. Expert Recommendation Cordyline australis is only hardy to Zone 8. In Zone 5, grow it in a large decorative contai

Saving a Parlor Palm with Browning Fronds in Minnesota

Overwatering, Drainage, and Water Quality Doreen in MN repotted a Parlor Palm (Majesty Palm) into a larger pot with fertilizer granules. Fronds are browning from the tips despite careful watering. She uses softened water

Seasonal Care for Mandevilla in Zone 7 (Philadelphia)

Overwintering Mandevilla on a Trellis Randy in Philadelphia (Zone 7) wants to know how to care for two Mandevilla vines on a fence so they return each spring. Expert Step‑by‑Step When night temps dip into the 40 °F, pr

Reviving a Large Indoor Palm with Browning Fronds

Root‑Bound and Root‑Rot in a 7‑Foot Palm Kevins 7‑foot palm (likely a Majesty/Parlor palm) in a 17‑inch pot has many brown, dry fronds. Its in the original nursery pot, never misted, watered when dry. Expert Diagnosis &

Why Bottom Leaves of a Polka‑Dot Plant Turn Yellow and Drop

Normal Leaf Shedding vs. Pest Problem Kristins Polka‑Dot plant loses a bottom leaf every few days, but the top growth looks fine. Expert Explanation Losing lower leaves is normal for many plants as they mature. However,

Persistent Brown Spots and Sticky Residue on Bird of Paradise

Complex Issue: Bacterial Disease and Irritating Sap Jens Bird of Paradise has brown spots, sticky sap that irritates skin, and the problem has spread to other plants. Alcohol, soap, and wiping havent worked. The plant ha