Gardening Q&A

May/June 2023 California Bountiful magazine

As a California Bountiful reader, you have the opportunity to get your seasonal gardening questions answered by gardening expert Pat Rubin. Here are a few questions from our readers.

How do I take cuttings of my rose geranium?

Now is a good time to take cuttings of scented geraniums. They are growing readily, but the new growth is mature enough to root. It’s a race between rooting and rotting. Cut a 6-inch-long piece off the ends of the plant. Strip off the lower leaves and cut the remaining ones in half (this helps prevent the plant from losing too much moisture through the leaves while it is making roots). Trim the base of the stem another inch or so and stick the cutting in a pot filled with a coarse planting mix. You can put several cuttings in a pot.

Place the pot where it will get plenty of shelter from hot afternoon sun. Water it thoroughly. Give it a good sprinkling every day. Keep the foliage moist, but don’t let the soil become waterlogged.

The key is to look at the cuttings every day so you will notice immediately if they aren’t getting enough water, for example. It takes about six to eight weeks for roots to grow. I have to admit I give the cuttings a tug every once in a while to see if roots are forming. I can’t resist!

I planted gladiolus last year. The bulbs are coming again, but there are lots of what looks like tiny glads coming up as well. What are they?

Those are baby glads. The mother plant produces “cormels” (these are baby corms; gladiolus are grown from corms, not bulbs). They will eventually be mature enough to produce flowers (and even more cormels). Most gardeners don’t want hundreds of gladiolus in one spot so they pull them out. You can toss them or plant them elsewhere.

March/April 2023 California Bountiful magazine

As a California Bountiful reader, you have the opportunity to get your seasonal gardening questions answered by gardening expert Pat Rubin. Here are a few questions from our readers.

How do I keep ants out of the hummingbird feeders?

Make sure you have a feeder that doesn’t drip. If you can, move the feeder around. My solution was to smear petroleum jelly (Vasoline) on the hanger. That stopped the ants.

Can I use honey instead of white sugar in the hummingbird feeders?

No, absolutely not. Honey can cause a fatal fungus infection on the tongue. Don’t use powdered sugar, either, since it contains cornstarch.

January/February 2023 California Bountiful magazine

As a California Bountiful reader, you have the opportunity to get your seasonal gardening questions answered by gardening expert Pat Rubin. Here are a few questions from our readers.

How do I protect my plants from freezing?

Hopefully, you have a garden full of plants appropriate for your climate. But you can still have frost damage. The first line of defense is to water your plants before a freeze. Plants die in freezing weather from dehydration. Move potted plants close to the house. Cover sensitive plants with a sheet, towel or blanket. You can also cover them with a layer of leaves or mulch. Citrus farmers often put fans in the orchards to keep the air moving. Some turn on the sprinklers and let ice cover the foliage because water freezes at a higher temperature than plant tissue and so the ice protects the leaves. Don’t water succulents. Keeping them on the dry side all winter will protect them from freezing.

I want to have a year-round vegetable garden. What can I plant now?

While it’s much too early for garden favorites like tomatoes and beans, it’s perfect weather for salad greens. They love the cool weather. Fava beans and peas are also great choices. You can also plant carrot seeds. Check your local garden center for leek and onion transplants.