Hort Shorts for November 1, 2020 -- Flowers
Protect Non-Hardy RosesLoosely tie canes together with twine. Place an 8-inch mound of soil over crown. Mulch with 4–6 inches of clean straw after the ground freezes. Trim canes back in early spring. |
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Plant Tulips OutdoorsYou can plant tulip, daffodil, crocus and other spring-flowering bulbs until the ground is frozen solid. The flower bud is already inside the bulb. Irrigate and mulch. |
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Mulch Tender FlowersApply 4–6 inches of straw after the ground freezes. This mulch will insulate plants from extreme temps, prevent premature sprouting, and keep the soil stable during freezing/thawing cycles. |
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Caring for GeraniumsPlace into 8-inch pots. Cut back to 1/3 height to keep plants compact. Set near a bright sunny window. Cool temperatures (60s) are best. Water sparingly. |
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Baby SpidersShorter days cause spider plants to produce flower stalks and babies. The babies can be propagated in cups of water or in a seed starter mix. Clip off the babies or keep them attached to their mother when propagating until a root system develops. |
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Force Hyacinths in WaterForcing pots are available at garden centers or online. Set the bulb in the upper chamber, 1/4 inch above the water line. Keep cool (40s) and dark. A refrigerator is perfect. It will grow pure white roots and then sprout in about 10 weeks. Gradually give it more light and warmth until it blooms. |
Written by Tom Kalb, Extension Horticulturist, North Dakota State University. Published in the NDSU Yard & Garden Report for November 1, 2020. Photos were made available under Creative Commons licenses specified by the photographers: Marko Kivela; cocoparisienne from Pixabay; Steven Lybeck; Susan Ujka’s Collection; Auntie P; Christina B Castro.