Fulfilling our promise!

At the end of the last class, I promised attendees an update on some topics that were not covered in class. These are the notes I wanted to pass along:

* The two slow-release nitrogen products are "sulfur coated urea," which we covered, and "methylene urea: which we didn't cover.

* The troublesome insect on rhododendrons is the black vine weevil. In past years, the usual solution was to drench the soil under the shrub with liquid Dursban (off the market several years) in late May. Another option was to drench the soil at the same time with liquid Orthene (also off the market). Repeat applications were needed every three weeks from late May to mid-September. To control weevils in 2007, the only choice is to scatter granules of "Merit" under the rhododendron the first week of April. One application should be enough.

* Finally, a student sought our advice about a winter daphne that she planted in October. This is her second winter daphne planted in as many years, the new plant doesn't seem to be doing all that well, and so the daphne needs some immediate attention.

First some specifics. The plant is the Winter Daphne (Daphne odora), an oval-shaped evergreen generally reaching 4 to 6 feet in height and width. Fragrant flowers sometimes unfold in February if winter conditions favor the plant; otherwise blossoms come along in early March. In Williamsburg, a safe bet would be late February or the first days of March. There are a dozen or so species in the winter daphne category, with flowers ranging from pink to red to yellow and virgin white.

Backyard gardeners who have grown winter daphne before attest to the successful growing parameters:

* The plant must have near-perfect drainage. Since the plant is already in the soil, try to improve drainage. Using an electric drill, put an inch drill bit on the chuck, and then drill 12-20 holes into the planting site. Space the holes an inch or two apart. Drill holes 10-12 inches deep. Fill the holes with sharp sand (also called builder's sand) available at hardware stores and nurseries in large bags. No need to add soil to the holes, just sand to substantially improve drainage.

* The soil pH should be in the range of 5 to 6. Run a test with the "pH soil tester." Make two or three soil checks around the plant to find out if there are any wide swings in the soil pH. If you need to lower the pH, use granular sulfur from the gar4den shop.

* Wait until late January to mulch the soil. Yes, you can use shredded bark mulch in this case. You'll broom-away the mulch in late February or early March about the time the daphne flowers. Cross your fingers that it does!

Hope this helps!!!