We initially thought it was sun scorch. But patches have also appeared on the sides of the saguaro that get little direct sun.
Bob Morris
Bob Morris is a horticulture expert living in Las Vegas and professor emeritus for the University of Nevada. Visit his blog at xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com. Send questions to Extremehort@aol.com.
Desert landscapes need additional deep watering only three or four times each year. Give them deep watering when the air temperatures get hot — don’t wait.
We know that purple leaf plum cannot handle the heat in certain locations, particularly south and west exposures.
Our neighbors are redoing their front yard landscaping, which includes removing a 17-year-old Mediterranean fan palm. They have offered it to us.
Keep in mind that all cactuses are not the same. Some are from different places (your exotic varieties) while others are from the Southwest.
Desert spoon is a large shrub. It comes from the desert. It is used to the desert heat.
Though not a desert plant, Apache plume does not like “wet feet.” It needs infrequent watering and well-draining soil.
I have a Meyer lemon sitting in my house waiting for the temperatures to cool down. When can I plant again?
Traditional espalier makes use of steel wires — similar to a grape trellis — about 12 to 15 inches apart and 2 to 8 feet tall.
When replacing plants, remember that the number and size of living plants determines your landscape water use and is reflected in your water bill.
About seven years ago we moved to Las Vegas from Seattle. There it was easy to root plants like purple passion, purslane and avocado in water.
If the persimmon tree is planted in full sun, I have had luck producing fruit without sunburn by pruning to produce adequate shade.
We have a raised bed vegetable garden. For the last few years our tomatoes, zucchini and eggplants have produced little to no fruit.
Removing the old flowers (along with any unsightly flower stalks), or deadheading, is a common practice on repeat bloomers such as roses.
I get worried when a product says it gives season-long control of borers but the fruit is safe to eat after 21 days.