DOWN TO EARTH
Dwarf fruit trees can be iffy in northern climes 
Q: I would like to plant an apricot tree in my yard, but I have a few questions. You say that early spring is best for planting.
By Ron Smith , February 10, 2010
Hortiscope: Broadleaf control may not help strawberry crop
Q: My son and I are growing some purple wood sorrel. Somehow a pink variegated plant popped up. I was wondering if you had ever seen this variety.
By Ron Smith , January 27, 2010
Hortiscope: Neighbor’s maple tree helicopters can be sprayed
Q: I live in an apartment that does not have good lighting. I was wondering what types of indoor plant lights you would recommend for my spider plant.
By Ron Smith , January 20, 2010
Beekeeping class to be offered in Laporte Jan. 29-30
“The Art of Beekeeping” is an introductory workshop to the fascinating world of beekeeping.
January 13, 2010
Hortiscope: Sticky schefflera likely has mites, needs pruning
Q: I am experiencing new tree growth below my established malus prairie fire. Will these volunteer trees be an exact copy of the mother tree or will they be another type of apple tree?
By Ron Smith , January 13, 2010
Hortiscope: Use vermiculite after considering risks, benefits
Q: I have a very large Thanksgiving cactus plant in a tall pot. The blooms go lower than the bottom of the pot and the plant takes up the whole pot. I would like to split it in half or quarters.
By Ron Smith , January 06, 2010
Hortiscope: African violets need to be divided to stay healthy
Q: I have a Miss Kim lilac bush by that has grown too tall. When is the proper time to prune it back? How low can I cut it back?
A: Anytime next spring after it blooms is when it should be pruned. You can prune it back to just above the crown.
By Ron Smith , December 30, 2009
Hortiscope: Use a facial sponge, rubbing alcohol to control scale
Q: I have a problem with scale. I have used a detergent and water mix and made sure every little bit got on the bulbs. However, I still have the problem. What can I do to get rid of these pests?
By Ron Smith , December 23, 2009
Hortiscope: Why emerald ash borers have a tree-specific fetish
Editor’s Note: We usurped Ron Smith exclusively this week to ask something readers have been wondering about.
As the emerald ash borer begins its march north, the water cooler talk has been: Why ash trees only? Are maples safe?
By Ron Smith , December 16, 2009
Hortiscope: Jade, ficus and holiday cactus all need light, humidity
Q: How do you get nice, thick stalks on jade plants?
A: Back in the 1970s, an interior plantscape designer noticed that interior plants that were subjected to regular air movement had more flex in the trunk and branches and were thicker and more robust.
By Ron Smith , December 09, 2009
Extension’s fresh face, new focus for 2010
The proverbial farmer’s daughter has taken the helm of the Hubbard County extension service in a new role designed to adapt university research to practical community applications.
By Sarah Smith , December 09, 2009
Hortiscope: Local reader: Do horses thwart tree development?
Q: I was reading an article that you wrote in the Park Rapids Enterprise about horses chewing on trees and the damage they do to the land. I have 75 acres of land that is about 70 percent wooded. I rent it out during the spring, summer and fall to a cattle rancher who has about 15 head on it.
By Ron Smith , December 02, 2009
Getting the points of healthy poinsettias
Poinsettias are the nation’s most popular plant during the Christmas holidays.
The Mexican import was used by the Aztecs to make dye. In southern states, they grow to the size of bushes, or even small trees as perennials.
By Sarah Smith , December 02, 2009
Hortiscope: Cottonwood stump keeps sending up suckers
Q: We had a large cottonless cottonwood that we cut down. We had the tree removed and used a stump grinder to get rid of the stump. Our goal was to remove the tree and create a rose garden in its place.
By Ron Smith , November 25, 2009
Hortiscope: Bulbs need air circulation for winter storage
Q: I have a large cluster of coneflowers that I would like to move. Should I do it now before winter or wait until spring when they start coming up? Also, do you have any advice about the actual move? Do we dig them up in one big clump?
By Ron Smith , November 18, 2009
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