Ask Burton: Q: My pothos ivy is having problems. It’s been in the same spot inside my home for several years, and always looked great! I water every week like clockwork, with a saucer to catch overflow until the water evaporates or the plant drinks it up. I fertilize once a month, and there are no bugs on it. But now, the plant looks unwatered, with yellowing leaves and just a pitiful appearance. There’s also a white, grainy residue on top of the soil. Any ideas?October 13, 2021
Ask Burton: Q: I have hydrangeas that have speckled spots on the leaves from the late spring, and that isn’t my only issue. My cannas are nibbled, some of my red oak leaves have tiny black spots, and my cedar elm’s leaves look very rough (brownish-green!). What should I do to fix these problems?September 29, 2021
Ask Burton: Q: My mature live oaks have struggled this year, and a tree guy driving up my street asking to trim trees let me know that I needed to treat my trees for oak wilt. He said that’s why my trees looked weak. They’re not as thick and healthy as last year, but they are still mostly green with only a few dead branches. Do I need to have him treat? He wants to use a spray.September 22, 2021
Ask Burton: This week, a pair of quick questions about the vegetable garden that we hear often each September. Q: My tomatoes looked nice all the way through the summer, and I had hoped to keep them for the second crop. Spider mites have struck, and they’re terribly stressed. Is there still time to replant a second crop? Also, I plant broccoli and cabbage in my fall garden, but they always end up covered in holes.September 8, 2021
