Worth the risk: Put plumbago in ground now

Question: I would like to add a plumbago shrub to my flower bed. Is it better to plant it now or wait until spring?

Answer: Take just a little risk and plant the plumbago now. Fall is a good time to add new trees, shrubs and perennials to the landscape. Plumbagos are a bit cold sensitive, often exiting winter with some outer stem damage. The lower stems normally survive and regrow attractive new plants. If you are in a very cold area, you might wait until spring to do the planting otherwise a plumbago shrub added at this time should root into the surrounding soil and be ready to make new growth by spring.

Q: My amaryllis have grown dense and need dividing. The tops are still green. When can I dig them up?

A: Amaryllis don't seem to mind when you do the dividing. University studies suggest when they are dug during the fall and given a short rest, they flower better in late winter or spring. At this late date, why not dig the bulbs, trim the tops back to within 6 inches of the bulbs and replant? This transplanting process should give them the rest they need and maybe encourage more flowers for spring.

Q: Our hibiscus bloomed a lot this year but has grown rangy here in Orlando. When is the best time to prune the plant?

A: Central Florida winters are too unpredictable to do much pruning at this time. You can remove extremely lanky or out-of-bounds shoots during fall but it might be best to delay major pruning of hibiscus until mid-February. Enjoy the late-season blooms at this time and when pruning time arrives, remove cold-damaged portions and reshape the plants as needed. Do remove some of the oldest stems to give new growths a chance to regrow your plant.

Q: The lemons on our tree are turning a brownish color on one side. What could be the reason and are they edible?

A: While these are probably not fruits you are planning to share with friends, the lemons are edible. Barely visible rust mites likely discolored the sunny sides as they sucked juices from the rinds. The same mites can affect oranges, tangerines and other citrus fruits. Usually the mites start to build their populations in late spring. This is one reason gardeners often apply a horticultural oil labeled for citrus in June or July. The populations can rebuild during fall and another treatment following label instructions may be needed.

Q: I recently harvested the summer sweet potato crop and have baked a few of the roots. They have a bland taste. Why?

A: First-dug sweet potatoes are likely to be a big disappointment at the dinner table. The orange-colored roots need to go through a curing process to become moist and develop their sweet taste. Keep the newly-dug sweet potatoes in a warm, humid location for a week or two. Then store them in a cool spot for about six weeks before use. This curing process helps heal the wounds caused at digging and promotes the formation of sugars within the roots.

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Worth the risk: Put plumbago in ground now