Biography
Tom MacCubbin is an urban horticulturist emeritus with the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Write to him at Orlando Sentinel, MP-240, P.O. Box 2833, Orlando, FL 32802. E-mail: TomMac1996@aol.com. Or blog with him at OrlandoSentinel.com/tomsdigs.
Off-color lawn might need iron boost
June 15, 2013
Q. I have a grass problem: The turf is turning light green in areas. Is this a bug or what?
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Cut back big philodendrons before transplanting
June 8, 2013
Q. We have a large philodendron growing next to our house that has grown so large it is blocking a window and walkway. Is there any safe way to transplant this plant?
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Plant Doctor: June in the garden
June 1, 2013
Almanac
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Orchids need ample room to grow
May 25, 2013
Q. I purchased an orchid about three years ago and it is outgrowing its container. Should I split it or give it a bigger container?
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Magnolias drop leaves in spring at different times
May 18, 2013
Q. Leaves on our magnolia tree have dark spots and they are turning yellow. What is the problem?
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Control nematodes during hotter months
May 12, 2013
Q. My vegetable garden has nematodes affecting the plant roots. What is the procedure for putting clear plastic over the soil to get rid of the nematodes?
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Mild winters uncover peach-tree variations
May 4, 2013
Q. Three peach trees in my yard are all showing various stages of growth, from flowering to just a few leaves. One also has a shoot coming from near the soil. Why such a difference?
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Plant Doctor: May in the garden
April 28, 2013
Almanac
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Choose durable plants for containers
April 27, 2013
Q. We have three beautiful cement pots that we have tried to use to beautify our front walk, but none of the plants we add seem to flourish. What should we plant and what care is needed?
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Add figs, other fruiting trees now
April 20, 2013
Q. I was given an edible fig tree in a container. Is this the right time to plant the tree and what care does it need?
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Finish azalea pruning by early June
April 13, 2013
Q. Azaleas in my yard are tended by a landscape maintenance company. When should they stop shaping and pruning the plants each year to avoid removing the flower buds?
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Grass runners will flourish with a little help
April 4, 2013
Q. Leaves from two oak trees smothered portions of my lawn, leaving healthy patches of green between bare spots with green runners. Should I cover the runners with lawn soil?
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Don't let burning nettle spoil outdoor fun
March 30, 2013
Q. Our lawn has a patch of a weed that grows several inches tall and when touched causes a burning sensation. Can you help with this nasty problem?
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Plant Doctor: April in the garden
March 30, 2013
Almanac
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Help dogwoods cope during mild winters
March 23, 2013
Q. Our over 2-year-old dogwood is struggling. It is not flowering and the leaf buds are barely opening. What do you suggest?
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Start gardenia care with spring feeding
March 16, 2013
Q. My gardenias are turning yellow and I forgot how to turn them green. What do I use?
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Address rose-fungus issue immediately
March 9, 2013
Q. I have Knock Out Roses with fungal problems at the bottom, but the plants are in bloom. How should they be trimmed?
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Oak leaves are versatile in garden
March 2, 2013
Q. I have an abundance of oak leaves. Can they be used for a mulch in a vegetable garden?
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Plant Doctor: March in the garden
March 1, 2013
Almanac
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Consider alternative methods for crabgrass control
March 1, 2013
Q. Winter never really arrived this year, and I have crabgrass that is still growing. If I put down a preemergence herbicide, will it help control this weed?
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Dollar-weed control can pay off now
February 23, 2013
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Be diligent in controlling weeds
February 9, 2013
Q. My bahia yard was sodded two years ago and is now filling with weeds. I tried the liquid weed controls a week ago and had no results. Are there better products?
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Peace lilies like shade, make great ground cover
February 2, 2013
Q. Peace lilies have grown quite well in our yard and are now very crowded. When is the best time to divide them into smaller clumps and replant?
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Plant Doctor: February in the garden
January 27, 2013
Almanac
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March best time to prune crown of thorns
January 26, 2013
Q. My crown of thorns planted as a patio border have grown too tall. Can I cut it back, and when?
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Trim frost-damaged hibiscus now or in spring
January 19, 2013
Q. Please tell me what to do with my hibiscus plants that were damaged by frost. They still have some green leaves.
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Green lawn spray can hide brown spots
January 12, 2013
Q. Our lawn turned brown in spots after a recent frost. Is there anything I can do to make it green?
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Don't prune until necessary
January 7, 2013
Q. I have lots of flowers, including salvias and geraniums, in containers. When do I cut them back to prepare them to be moved into a garage during freezes?
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Pansies prevail when temperature drops
January 6, 2013
Q. I have several containers planted with pansies for the winter. Will I need to cover them during a frost or freeze?
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Plant poinsettias outside after holidays
January 6, 2013
Q. Poinsettias have been beautiful this year and we would like to keep ours for another Christmas. Can we plant them outside after the holidays?
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Plant Doctor: January in the garden
December 31, 2012
Almanac
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Budding Christmas cactus in holiday spirit
December 15, 2012
Q. My Christmas cactus is full of buds that are starting to open. Can I bring it into a spot that gets light at night?
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Spanish moss no problem unless trees are troubled
December 8, 2012
Q. There is lots of Spanish moss growing in our trees. Is it true that the moss can kill the trees?
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Protect queen sagos from freezes
December 1, 2012
Q. I live in a cold area and have several sagos that have been damaged during the winter. I have tried to protect them with frost blankets. What else can I do?
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Plant Doctor: December in the garden
December 1, 2012
Almanac
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Cut back large toppled banana plants
December 1, 2012
Q. My banana plants were blown over in the recent winds. Can I stand them up and replant to have them survive?
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Maple trees must have ample moisture
November 17, 2012
Q. A local garden center has really nice-looking maple trees. Is this a good time to plant them or should I wait until spring? Also, should I improve the soil?
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Get crotons back in shape before colder weather
November 17, 2012
Q. I have several crotons in my yard and notice the outer leaves are bleached out by the sunlight. When is the best time to trim them back?
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Prune azaleas after flowering
November 3, 2012
Q. Our azaleas have grown tall and wide. When can they be pruned back?
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Oleanders hardy but need help shedding caterpillars
October 27, 2012
Q. An oleander bush was given to me and it is being eaten by caterpillars. Is there a spray and will it freeze?
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Plant Doctor: Advice for growing blueberries in your yard
February 27, 2012
Q. I am planning to grow blueberries in my yard and around my house. What is your advice and can I find good plants locally?
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Tom MacCubbin's March gardening calendar
February 27, 2012
Average temperature High 79 Low 56
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Elm seedlings are annoying but nearly unavoidable
December 30, 2011
Q. The Drake elm in my yard and those of the neighbors produce thousands of seeds every fall and I spend most of the years pulling the seedlings up. How do you control the problem?
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Hollowed out tangerines? Rats!
December 26, 2011
Q. We woke up this morning to all our tangerines on the ground leaving only empty shells. The tree was small with about 25 fruits. Was this due to squirrels or something else?
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Amaryllis for holidays? Plant bulbs in mid-November for bloom at Christmas
November 4, 2011
Question. We received amaryllis bulbs from a catalog supplier. When do we plant them, and what is the care needed to have them in bloom for Christmas?
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Caterpillars love to chew on broccoli
October 28, 2011
Question. Some chewing pests are working on my young broccoli. I put down snail and slug pellets. Is there anything else to do?
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Mushrooms annoy but don't hurt lawns
October 21, 2011
Question. My neighbors and I have a problem with mushrooms in our lawns. Where did they come from and can they be controlled?
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Plant profile: Poinsettia
December 8, 2009
•Scientific name: Euphorbia pulcherrima.
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Plant profile: Cypress vine
November 1, 2009
•Scientific name: Ipomoea quamoclit.
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Yellow Elder
October 25, 2009
•Scientific name: Tecoma stans.
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Copperleaf
October 18, 2009
Scientific name: Acalypha wilkesiana
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Plant Profile: Pagoda Flower
September 27, 2009
•Scientific name: Clerodendrum paniculatum
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Plant profile: Sensitive plant
September 20, 2009
•Latin name: Mimosa strigillosa.
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SunPatiens
September 13, 2009
•Scientific name: Impatiens x hybrida 'SunPatiens.'
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Evergreen iris
August 30, 2009
•Scientific name: Dietes bicolor.
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Blackberry Lily
August 23, 2009
•Scientific name: Belamcanda chinensis.
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Lily of the Nile
August 16, 2009
•Scientific name: Agapanthus orientalis
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Lantana
August 9, 2009
•Scientific names: Lantana hybrids
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Edible fig
August 2, 2009
•Scientific name: Ficus carica.
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Coral Porterweed grows best with weekly waterings
July 26, 2009
•Scientifc name: Stachytarpheta mutabilis.
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Polka Dot Plant
July 19, 2009
•Scientific name: Hypoestes phyllostachya.
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Scarlet Hibiscus
July 12, 2009
•Scientific name: Hibiscus coccineus.
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Canna
July 5, 2009
•Scientific name: Canna generalis.
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Fanflower
June 14, 2009
•Scientific name: Scaevola aemula.
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Plant Profile: Easter Lily
May 3, 2009
•Scientific name: Lilium longiflorum.
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Plant profile: African Iris
April 26, 2009
•Scientific name: Dietes iridioides.
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Plant Doctor: Leaf piles can become compost, but it takes awhile
March 28, 2009
Question: We live on more than an acre and have piles of oak leaves. Is there any way to get them to decay faster?