Any plants with "growing pains?"

[Snowwark]

Most of the stuff in my garden is really doing well, growing like mad, lots of buds ready to open, except , for the Virginia Creeper and my Cranesbill Geraniums.

The Virginia Creeper covers about 60% of the side of our house. It's the vine you can see in my garden gate picture. This spring it's been very slow to open and the other day we noticed that it had lots of shiny little black beetles munching on the leaf buds!! We're going to have to bring out the big guns to kill the little varmints.

My Johnson's Blue Cranesbill Geranium is not doing well. They should be twice the size that they are, and almost ready to open. I'm not sure what's wrong with it, could be that the four days of frost we had just a few weeks back have stunted it's growth. It's one of my favourite plants, so this is disappointing. Oh well, I hope it recovers, and there's always next year!

Are any of your plants suffering from growing pains?

Kim

 

[amid chaos]

I am always amazed at the accuracy of plants year after year. You could almost tell time and date with experience.

This was a weird spring and I'm sure time will tell...but get rid of those beetles.

I brought out the big guns for the orange beetles which stripped my asiatic lillies last year leaving them a stick and a bloom. it didn't work and I am using the squeeze and smush method. I also have to look under the leaves and do a smoosh sweep of the eggs.

 

[Mamu]

I don't think any of the plants have growing pains, they all seem to be doing very well.

Mamu has pain, lots of gardening pain. Boy am I out of shape. Maybe I can lose this 10 pounds I've put on over the winter. I sure am feeling the extra weight when I'm gardening. Time to trim and tone up. I can't button any of my summer pants. For now I'm gardening with unbuttoned pants. A quick tug every time I stand up hopefully keeps them up.

 

[marlasmom]

Sevin 5 seems to have done in the damn beetles that eat the lilies.

 

[DixieDreamer]

Yes, I have had some growing pains too. (and I have the pain Mamu speaks of as well!)

My lilacs were frozen out just as they were beginning to bloom. Darn weather was very erratic this spring. The plants are healthy and fine ... just no blooms for me this year. They were loaded too.

I am going to lose a few of my "Blue Bedder" Salvia transplants in the new front bed. I planted out over 36 plants - so losing 6 or 7 is still relatively good. I also have a Monarda plant that I recently planted that is doing the afternoon wilt - morning perk up thing. It is consistently doing this - but bounces back every morning - so I am not sure if it will get settled and thrive - or expire.

The rest of my plants are doing very well. All need more attention then I have time - unfortunately. Between my landscaping project, work, DD's horse activities, and an upcoming trip to WDW for 8 days - I feel like I am stretched pretty thin right now.... too bad that does not translate into physical thinness! LOL!

Good luck everyone with your plant chomping beatles! May the force be with you in your battle!

 

[Snowwark]

Oh I like that Dixie....LOL!

May the force be with you in your battle!

........elastic waist pants, that's the secret!

 

[Mamu]

Snowwark while I may be old in some peoples eyes and it's true I may be a Grandma.

There is one thing I'm not about to give into and thats elastic waist pants.

Elastic waist pants and a rocking chair. Not ready for either of those yet! lol lol

 

[Rajah]

My petunias and whatever-they-weres in my hanging basket. Those are the ones that, unexpectedly, look the worst after I returned from my vacation. I dunno how to pull them out of it, either.

 

[Snowwark]

Oh but Mamu.....I often wear elastic waist shorts, and I love rocking chairs.......just call me Gamma!! LOL!

Sorry about the petunias Rajah, they're usually so hardy. Give them a couple of days, water, and some sweet talk, maybe they'll come back.

BTW - Welcome back Rajah!!

 

[Rajah]

Thanks Snowwark

 

[Saffron]

My hibiscus is not happy. Thought greener than when I planted it 3 or 4 weeks ago, there's been no growth. It's still al little tiny stick with leaves. LOL!

Hopefully it will take off soon.

 

[Snowwark]

"A little tiny stick with leaves." I don't know what could be wrong Saffron, I've never grown Hibiscus. Check the link below and see if the Q & A section answers any questions you might have. Keep us posted on how it's doing, okay?

Hibiscus

Any happy Hibiscus buds out there?

Kim

 

[Saffron]

Thank you Snowwark! I really appreciate your hepl! I think I'll try moving it to a sunnier location today to see if that helps. I'll let you know what's happening. Poor little thing!

 

[justjulie]

take heart! My cranesbill geraniums are finally blooming! Hopefully it's only a matter of time for yours. Sending some best wishes your way as I'm enjoying mine so much right now I went out and bought a Johnson's Blue to add to my collection!

 

[Snowwark]

I think it's too late for them justjulie, they're still looking very pathetic... .....but I'm more than happy to accept your best wishes, I have a couple of other plants that can use them!!! Thank you!

 

[justjulie]

Use my bw whereever they're needed. I sure could have used some when the bunny ate the white campanula I was so desperately waiting for ....