Question: I was given a dwarf fig tree for Christmas sent from you. It has been growing beautifully up until a couple of weeks ago. It has been in my sun room the whole time. The leaves are getting splotchy and one is almost completely yellow, and just fell off. I don't know what to do!! Help me please. Janice, Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Answer: Your question raises a lot of other questions. Since we do…

Question: can I put 3 blueberry plants into one half whisky barrel, as your vendor said it would be ok?.they are a northblue, southmoon, sunshine blue. Thank You. Gil - Coos Bay Oregon Answer: Yes - but I wouldn't. I like the idea of blueberries in large containers. Here is what I like about the idea. You can control the planting media. Blueberries love acidic soil in the 4.0 to 5.5 pH range. Many of…

Question: My area has (on avg) about 350 hours per year of winter chill. I have been dissapointed in my Katy Apricot (no fruit) and my Blenheim Apricot (occasional fruit) over the last few years. What is your most reliable apricot for mild winters? Ed - Somis, CA Answer: Ed, We have a recommended variety for you. In fact it came from a nurseryman near you in Camarillo that had the exact same problem. He…

Question: I just purchased a Ladyfinger grape from your nursery and was wondering if it is a seedless or a seeded variety. On the blue tag attached to the vine is the following information: 1351053 Ladyfinger (Olivet Blanche) Grapes Thank you.Richard Ladyfinger Grape - Olivet Blanche Answer: Richard, Contrary to a lot of mail order websites, Ladyfinger Grape is seeded - not seedless. We have two selections: Calmeria & Olivet Blanche. We are slowly switching…

Question: are there any edible pomegranate varieties that will survive a zone 7? Tair Arnold, MD Answer: Tair, All the popular pomegranates (Angel Red®, Wonderful, Grenada, Sweet, White and even Utah Sweet) are cold hardy to U.S.D.A. Zone 9 and maybe Utah Sweet into Zone 8B. Even in Zone 9, I have seen whole commercial crops lost with an untimely spring frost and some plants killed by it. I suspect the tops are hardier but…

Question: I am thinking of buying a Desert Gold Peach tree and planting on the north side of my home. I have a plum, lime and grapefruit on this side, all which bear fruit. However it does not get much direct sun. 1-2 hours winter, 2-3 hours spring and fall, 4 hours in summer. Is this enough sun for this tree to produce? Bob Desert Gold Peach Answer: Bob, Usually I like to plant my…

Question: Please tell what fruit trees (especially apricots, plums, figs) you recommend for the (hot) San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles. I'd like a grape that will grow over an arbor, as well as all sorts of edible fruit.Many Thanks, Rafael Answer: Rafael, Thank you for a wonderful question. I chuckle at the relative term "hot" in your question. Our growing fields, in the richest agricultural area in the world (San Joaquin Valley), is much…

Question: My customer wants a Elberta Peach Tree but we don't have the correct amount of chill time, what do you suggest instead???? Leslie from Torrance CA Answer: Leslie, You are right - Elberta Peaches, which is nearly every one's favorite, take about 800 hours of dormant season chilling below 45º F. This prevents if from fruiting in mild winter areas like yours in Southern California. Torrance is lucky to reach 200-300 hours chilling since…

Question: I bought a Persian Laceleaf lilac for my yard. I was going to plant it on the east side where it would get only late morning sun and early afternoon soon. Now I am thinking about the back yard where it would get full sun all year but with the temps climbing as high as 115 in the summer I am wondering if it will be too much burning sun. My roses seem to…

Question: How to make the quince blooming in Chinese new year!! Shuna Cameo Flowering Quince Answer:Shuna, I love the Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) as a cut flower! When everything else in your garden is still dormant, these hardy plants make their welcomed early arrival with a burst of color. These plants are one of the first to bloom and, as such, are popular for the Chinese New Year. Of course the answer to your question…