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Category: General gardening topics

In my guide I show you how to when and how to prune rhododendrons to rejuvenate shrubs, prolong flowering and general pruning
When and how to prune rhododendrons

When and how to prune rhododendrons

Rhododendrons don’t need a lot of pruning; even as a professional gardener, I’ve not pruned rhododendrons too often, with the exception of cutting back overgrown or dead sections. You can prune rhododendrons to keep them in shape, remove spent flowers to serve energy, rejuvenate the plant or remove diseased or dead bits. Most pruning is best down bwteen late winter after the first frost and right up to the last frost in spring. This is when they are technically dormant…

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Learn possible why your rhododendron buds might be falling off which includes lack of water, bud blast and even vine weevils.
Why are my rhododendron buds falling off?

Why are my rhododendron buds falling off?

The main reason that rhododendron buds are falling off is usually drought or lack of water when grown in pots. Usually, they develop buds around June and July, so ensure they have enough water during this time as they form. More on this below. Drought is not the only cause of bud drop, so in this article, I also identify other causes and what you can do about all of this. Not getting enough water Rhododendrons usually develop flower buds…

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In this guide you will learn how to propagate alliums by division and how to sow seeds and get new cultivars.
How to propagate alliums by division and seed

How to propagate alliums by division and seed

The two ways to propagate alliums are through dividing the bulbs and through collecting and sowing the seeds. I cover both these methods in this article. Dividing the bulbs Propagate alliums by dividing the bulbs in early to mid-autumn. Wait until the flowers and leaves have died back. Dig around the plants you want to divide with a trowel. Dig at about 8cm from the bulb clump. It’s a good idea to take these from all around your allium bed….

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Learn when and how to plant and grow alliums in the ground and pots from when to plant them, general care and pests and diseases.
When and how to plant and grow alliums

When and how to plant and grow alliums

You should plant your alliums sometime between the start and the middle of autumn but you can also plant them in spring. This article covers how to plant alliums in the ground and also in pots. First things first, plant them in a sunny position, don’t plant them too shallow or too deep, 3-4 times the depth of the bulb and but large quality bulbs. Let’s get started! When to plant alliums Planting alliums in the fall gives them enough…

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There are many reasons why alliums sometimes fail to flower which include, planted too deep, small bulbs, not enough sun, Allium leaf miner.
Why are my alliums not flowering?

Why are my alliums not flowering?

From personal experence, I have noticed that alliums not flowering is usually caused by problems with the bulbs themselves, what you do with them and from pests and disease. Here are the main causes of non-existent allium flowers and how to deal with them. See also When and how to plant and grow alliums for more information on how to care for your allium plants. Allium bulbs Small and immature bulbs Young or small allium bulbs often do not flower…

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In this guide, I show you how to prune photinia red robin and discuss when the best time of year to do this is. Learn more now
How to prune Photinia Red Robin

How to prune Photinia Red Robin

Photinia Red Robin is one of those plants that you don’t have to worry that you’ll over prune. I usually recommend that you regularly prune photinia to keep it to the shape and height that you want. And also to stop the unpleasantly scented white flowers from blooming or to prune back a photinia that has been badly infected with black spot disease as discussed here. Why prune photinia Red Robin? This shrub grows very actively, often increasing 30cm (1ft)…

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In this guide, I show you how to grow photinia plants from cutting step by step from when to take cuttings to planting them out.
How to grow photinia from cuttings

How to grow photinia from cuttings

To grow photinia from cuttings is a straightforward task. Just follow these steps for a good chance at successfully propagating this plant in this way. I have had the most success with Photina cuttings when taken in late summer or early autumn (Fall) where the cutting is taken from the current season’s growth and the base of the cuttings will be hard and the tip soft. You can also take them as softwood cuttings. Prepare the pots and soil I…

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In this guide, I show you how i grow my photinias in pots and how to care for them from planting to pruning and winter care.
How to grow photinia plants in pots and containers

How to grow photinia plants in pots and containers

Don’t be put off by the thought that photinias can grow to 5m high and wide in about eight years. With regular pruning and good care, growing photinias in pots or containers is possible and not too difficult. You can also get varieties like photinia ‘little red robin’ and photinia pink marble that grows well in pots too as they are smaller growing varieties growing as little as 1 meter tall. What photinia to grow in pots? The most popular…

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In this guide I cover pests and diseases that attack Photinia shrubs and how to help prevent and treat them. See whats effecting your plants.
Photinia pests and diseases

Photinia pests and diseases

Photinia pests and diseases aren’t of great concern as these are strong and hardy shrubs that overall, don’t seem to suffer too much apart from when it comes to black spots on the leaves which I covered in detail in this article. I have also covered problems with yellowing leaves and dropping leaves in my guide here. In this guide, I cover some other pests and diseases that are attracted to photinia’s and discuss what to do about these photinia…

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In this guide, I talk about Why your photinia leaves are turning yellow and falling off. It has many causes from disease to stress from cold weather or lack of water.
Why are my photinia leaves turning yellow and falling off?

Why are my photinia leaves turning yellow and falling off?

Following on from my guide on growing photinia, I’ve got a couple of lollipop photinias in large pots as well as an established Photinia hedge so I’ve had my fair share of problems with the leaves on my photinias turning yellow and falling off. This can often just be a natural stage in their lives and occasionally, they go through a period of just dropping their leaves. I have also found with my photinias grown in pots, and I used…

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