Browsed by
Author: John

The most common reasons why your gooseberry leaves might be curling are an aphid attack although sawfly and over watering also cause wilting leaves.
Why are my leaves curling on my gooseberries?

Why are my leaves curling on my gooseberries?

Leaf curling of gooseberry leaves can either be upwards or downwards depending on a number of factors that affect your gooseberries. They could be nutritional deficiencies, disease or infection, insects, abiotic discharge, waterlogged soil, dehydration and dare I say it, even climate changes. Insect infestation and, in particular, aphids, are usually the first culprit at the first sign of leaf curling, usually affecting the new growth at the tips of the branches. I would say 90% of the time, aphids…

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How to take semi-ripe magnolia cuttings – step by step

How to take semi-ripe magnolia cuttings – step by step

It’s quite tricky to take magnolia cuttings and grow them well. Here are the basic steps to follow for a successful process. I have had the most success taking semi-ripe cuttings in late summer to early autumn when the bottom of the cutting is hard and the top soft, I also remove a strip of bark from the bottom of the cuttings on one side known as wounding which seems to help. Growing them with bottom heat also helps them…

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Magnolia trees should be pruned mid-summer after flowering, only lightly prune or prune over a few years if pruning harder.
When and how to prune a magnolia tree?

When and how to prune a magnolia tree?

You don’t need to expend much effort to prune a magnolia tree as they require only light pruning. In fact, overpruning is one of the most common problems with magnolias and can lead to them not developing flowers. When to prune a magnolia tree? Keeping the magnolia tree healthy At times, parts of your magnolia tree may become diseased and even die. Cut off the diseased or dead branches, leaving only the living, healthy, green parts behind. If the branches…

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In this guide, you will learn where the best place to plant a magnolia tree is and how to give it the best start.
Where is the best place to plant a magnolia tree?

Where is the best place to plant a magnolia tree?

It’s difficult to move a magnolia tree once you’ve planted it. So take some time to scout out the perfect location before you plant a magnolia tree. I tell you about its preferred location, soil, and amount of sunlight and heat. Location Magnolias need to be in sheltered places, out of any winds or rainstorms. Don’t plant your magnolia in a wind corridor or where it’s completely exposed. While most magnolias are excellent as lawn trees, make sure that there’s…

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In this guide. I look at why your magnolia buds might not be opening or simply dropping before opening from to much nitrogen to frost damage.
Magnolia buds not opening – common reasons

Magnolia buds not opening – common reasons

Your magnolia buds may not be opening for one or more of several reasons. The most common are that you didn’t have any buds in the first place, that the environment isn’t suitable for your tree, or that your tree hasn’t received the care and attention it needs. Incorrect pruning at the wrong time of year as well as harsh winter frost can also cause buds to drop or cause them to rot and not open. No buds, or just…

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Pieris Forest Flame Diseases and how to treat them including leaf spot disease
Pieris Forest Flame Diseases – what to look out for and how to treat them

Pieris Forest Flame Diseases – what to look out for and how to treat them

Fungal Leaf Spot Pieris Forest Flame is the most popular variety of pieris grown in the UK. From the bright red leaves and white bell-like flowers in the spring, the leaves go through colourful changes from red to pink to cream to green during the growing season. But if your Forest Flame leaves are looking a bit sickly, there’s probably one main culprit – the disease of Fungal Leaf Spot. Does your pieris forest flame have fungal leaf spot? To…

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Pieris leaf problems, how to identify them and how to fix them
Pieris Leaf Problems

Pieris Leaf Problems

Leaf problems with your pieris could be due to pests, disease, the environment or a lack of correct care but the two most common problems are probably fungus leaf rot also known as leaf spot disease or pieris Lacebugs. Pests – Pieris lacebug What is a pieris lacebug? There’s a pest named after the pieris shrub that first appeared in Windsor, UK, in 1998. The pieris lacebug torments pieris shrubs along with rhododendrons. This is an insect that’s only about…

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In this guide, you will learn how to successfully grow Pieris forest flame in containers from choose a pot and compost to care.
Growing pieris Forest Flame in a container

Growing pieris Forest Flame in a container

If your garden soil is not acidic enough for pieris or you want some pots of colour on your patio in spring, then growing pieris Forest Flame in a container is for you. This article also applies to the many other varieties of pieris that are compact enough to grow in a large pot. Pieris varieties for containers Start by looking at the varieties of dwarf and compact pieris that are available. However, as this is a slow-growing shrub, some…

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in this guide I discuss some of the common Pieris plant problems and how to treat them to help the shrub recover
Pieris Plant Problems – What to look out for and how to treat them

Pieris Plant Problems – What to look out for and how to treat them

The pieris plant isn’t too difficult to look after if you take time to understand and follow through on its location, soil, and sunlight needs. However, even in the most cared for gardens, pieris plant problems do occur. With pieris shrubs, they’re usually related to pests, disease and how you’re caring for the plant. Pests At some point you’ll probably come across the pieris lacebug – named after the shrub. It survives by sucking out the sap from the leaves….

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Pieris are lime hating plants so you need compost and fertiliser which is acidic. Learn more about what to feed them now.
What and when to feed pieris Forest Flame?

What and when to feed pieris Forest Flame?

Pieris Forest Flame, along with most of the other pieris varieties, needs nutrients to produce enough energy to develop properly. Ensuring this starts with the soil you initially plant it in. It continues on to what you feed the plant during the year. The short answer is Pieris need an acidic feed and ericaceous compost. What soil is best for pieris? All pieris plants thrive in acidic soil. And that’s soil that’s heavily acidic, not close to a neutral pH….

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