Bob Morris

Question: I was wondering when is the best time to transplant the Amaryllis plants — now or in the spring? They bloomed beautifully this past summer but seem to be getting a bit pot-bound. I also wonder if regular potting soil is best, and when and how often they need to be fertilized?

Question: My purple plum has branches that are dying on one side of the tree. The leaves are all brown and crunchy while the other side seems healthy. Please help.

Question: I hope you can help with a small problem with our dwarf peach tree. Something is shredding the leaves, and I cannot see anything after a close inspection. Could this be a nocturnal pest?

Question: Help! My Italian cypress are drying out and dying mostly from the top down. They have their own bubblers for water.

Question: We have an all-in-one almond tree with the shells just now starting to break through the skins. I was told that September is when the nuts are harvested. I’m wondering if you have a rule of thumb on harvesting these trees.

Question: We are new to raising pomegranates. We have been watering them and have cut off most of the suckers but need to know when they should be ready to be picked.

Question: I have a roselle hibiscus plant. I’m trying to make the Mexican agua de jamaica. It has grown well and has many flowers, but I am afraid I will lose it if I don’t harvest and dry it correctly. When do I harvest it, and how do I dry it?

Cochineal scale is that white, fuzzy stuff on some cactuses. The scale insect itself is beneath the fuzzy stuff, where it lies protected and can feed on plant juices.

Question: Every year, my zucchini plants are infested and destroyed by gray-colored beetles. How do I get rid of the beetles?