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Q: My established lilac hedge bloomed this year but not as well as in years past. All the flowers were on the top branches and out of reach for cutting. What is wrong?
A. Old lilacs are notorious for suckering. It sounds like you need to prune your lilacs to encourage flowering. "Deadhead" spent blooms now, and remove thin canes in the interior to promote sunlight penetration. These are the vertical waterspouts that do not flower. Lilacs bloom on old wood, which means they bloom on buds formed this summer. Consider rejuvenating the lilac over a three-year period, removing a third of the stems each year.
Q: My nursery is selling mantid egg cases for natural control of insect pests in my garden. Do these work?
A. The Chinese mantid, Tenodera aridolfolia sinensis, is sold as egg cases in the spring and early summer. These are predators on all insects. About 200-300 adults can emerge from a typical egg case. They do not overwinter in Colorado. They will help with garden pests and provide interest to children. On the other hand, lady beetles (Hippodamia convergens), are another helpful predator in the garden. But since these insects can fly, they generally help gardens other than your own.
Q: I am doing serial planting of beans in my vegetable garden. How can I increase my success for future harvests?
A. Use legume innoculant when planting your rows. This is used for beans, peas, cowpeas, limas and soybeans, and is a natural product of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The spores of these bacteria take nitrogen from the atmosphere and convert for it for plant and soil use. You will be growing better beans and increasing soil fertility.
Q: My newly planted perennial bed is flat and uninteresting. Any suggestions?
A. Think three dimensionally. Add extra soil and give height and curve with berms (small hills). Anchor your landscape with some woody shrubs. Boulders and large rocks add visual interest and give plants a microclimate to thrive. Be patient as your plants get established and think of planting more this fall. Next spring your new plants will have a head start.
For information on a variety of horticulture topics visit www.planttalk.org, or call the Colorado State University Extension office in your county.
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