22
votes
Accepted
Hugely different results storing apples from different trees?
Quite normal. Some varieties store well, some don't. As a rule, the better storing apples are harder than the not so good for storing apples as they come off the tree. If you know the variety (beyond ...
- 21.2k
20
votes
Hugely different results storing apples from different trees?
Yes, how well an apple stores is definitely dependent on the variety. Many nurseries even market some of their trees as "good keepers". And some apples, like Spitzenburg, improve in flavor after they ...
- 9,444
16
votes
Accepted
What F1 in name of seeds/varieties means?
F1 is a term from genetics, it means the first generation from a hybrid. Usually two inbred lines are crossed to get a hybrid, the new hybrid has specific characteristics (usually the best of both ...
- 13k
10
votes
Accepted
What vine grows purple grapes which taste like lollipops?
This is the Concord grape, which due to some diligent and patient planting and tasting of wild born vitis riperia vines one was discovered that tastes good for tables and juice and was named Concord. ...
- 6,336
10
votes
Accepted
Why do my Cherry tomatoes split as they ripen?
Small fruiting tomatoes tend to be a lot juicier (that is ratio of meaty pulp to juice) than medium or large fruiting. Tomato produces a skin of a certain size for the number of fruits it has, then as ...
- 19.5k
10
votes
Why do my Cherry tomatoes split as they ripen?
There are two main causes of fruit split - the first is irregular watering. Once tomatoes have fruitlets, and especially as they start to get bigger and ripen, its critical to water sufficiently every ...
- 131k
9
votes
Are all plants able to be cloned?
The term you need is actually 'vegetatively propagated' rather than 'cloned'. The answer is, essentially, yes, by and large, almost all plants can be vegetatively propagated, though different parts of ...
- 131k
9
votes
Microclover Mix Lawns
Microclover (Trifolium repens var.pirouette) is a selection from the original white clover (Trifolium repens). It was bred and selected for its much smaller leaves, lower height, much less aggressive ...
- 131k
8
votes
What F1 in name of seeds/varieties means?
The accepted answer already explains the meaning of F1 in gardening and seed production. However, it differs slightly from the original meaning in genetics, and also it doesn't explain what the "F" in ...
7
votes
Microclover Mix Lawns
I have no idea about "microclover" which sounds like a hokey marketing term, but I have been putting Dutch white clover in lawns for decades and it works just fine, unless you are one of those folks ...
- 21.2k
7
votes
What variety of cedar is this in Puget Sound region?
Looks more cypress to me, not cedar. Maybe Chamaecyparis lawsoniana if its from the Seattle region.
It is also called Port Orford cedar, this might be the reason you call it cedar?
- 13k
7
votes
Accepted
What variety of heather grows to a large 4 foot height?
Possibly Erica scoparia in English "Broom or besom heath"; you can find a reference here which has pictures for comparison. It is a bit outside its native range, but plants have to come from somewhere....
- 19.5k
7
votes
Hugely different results storing apples from different trees?
Ripening fruits produce ethylene, which in turn triggers ripening in not-already-ripening fruits - a feedback mechanism. So it may also be that by separating the fruits into different trays, you are ...
- 171
6
votes
What are some of the top producing tomato plants for use in sauces?
One variety you might want to consider is Mariana Hybrid. It is a determinate paste tomato. In my experience, it is very productive and has good flavor. They have nice large fruit that are well-shaped....
- 9,444
5
votes
What bamboos are hardy in USDA zone 4A and can be used to make cloth?
Phyllostachys edulis, common name Moso bamboo, is the variety used to make various fabrics. Unfortunately, its only hardy down to Zone 6, grows best in zone 7-9, needing a temperature above 5 °F ...
- 131k
5
votes
Are there climbing vines that don't damage stucco?
How about grapes? You will need to put trellis or lattice up, but the grapes won't glue themselves to the stucco and so the lattice can lay right up against the wall. Grapes are also delicious if you ...
- 6,336
5
votes
What variety of Hibiscus grows best in Northern Kentucky?
If you've been buying Hibiscus tea, the variety of Hibiscus that's used is Hibiscus sabdariffa, which has magenta or deep red sepals (calyx), and that's the part that's used to make the tea. Where you ...
- 131k
5
votes
What are some of the top producing tomato plants for use in sauces?
Of those I'm about to list, I've only ever actually grown Roma, San Marzano and Yellow Pear. Roma was quite productive, but San Marzano probably needed to adapt to my hot & dry area better; I ...
- 17.7k
5
votes
Are there mulling spices that can be grown in zone 5 northern USA?
You could try these:
fennel (if you like the smell of licorice)
anise (star anise is actually on the Wikipedia article for mulling spices; if you like licorice)
dill
blackberry leaves (they're quite ...
- 17.7k
4
votes
Accepted
What variety of Goumi berry will thrive under an apple tree in USDA zone 4a?
Goumi bushes can be a bit tricky to buy. There are only a handful of nurseries in the US that sell them, most of those do not sell named varieties, and some of them are even selling other Elaeagnus ...
- 9,444
4
votes
What is the difference between a Red Japanese Maple and a 'Bloodgood' Japanese Maple?
Yes, Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' is a cultivar developed for certain characteristics, one of which is a consistant, deep red. It it usually offered as a grafted plant, and will be more expensive than ...
- 51.6k
4
votes
What bamboo is best for outdoor pots?
Based primarily on cold-hardyness and "looks like bamboo to me" (I find the low-growing types unsatisfying.)
Phyllostachys nuda
Phyllostachys bissetii
Phyllostachys aureosulcata
You should have ...
- 21.2k
4
votes
Accepted
Is it wise to let lonicera grow over a brush pile?
Do both plants! I simply adore this idea! I'd also cover the pile before planting the vines with a chunk of wire fencing that has holes big enough only for the sparrows and finch that would keep out ...
- 40k
4
votes
Need Help Finding a Botija Olive Tree
I love growing and eating olives so your question has caught my attention and sparked my interest.
I have done some research and so far, I can present the following although this is not an answer (...
- 1,934
4
votes
Are there mulling spices that can be grown in zone 5 northern USA?
This site indicates "The new world has contributed only three significant spices: allspice, capsicum peppers, and vanilla. Allspice was among one of the few spice treasures presented by Columbus to ...
- 57.6k
3
votes
What variety of cedar is this in Puget Sound region?
Bark and habit are like those of Chamaecyparis pisifera.
- 31
3
votes
Will Bermuda grass survive in Boston
Warm vs Cold Season is a little bit about how much of a sun beating a grass can take, but it's more about temperatures. A warm-season grass might survive the winter, but it'll turn green late and ...
- 2,163
3
votes
Accepted
Are there any varieties of Elephant Ear that are hardy enough to withstand a zone 6b winter?
You're on the cusp of being able to overwinter some varieties of Elephant Ear, Colocasia. I found what you did, that of the very cold hardy varieties, zone 7 is pretty much the lowest advertised.
...
3
votes
Accepted
What grass types would be good for contrasting lawns in Central Europe?
That line on the lawn (from the pic you provided) is the property line, and yes, those are different grasses. The one on the left appears to be St. Augustine grass, while the one on the right is ...
- 51.6k
3
votes
What bamboo is best for outdoor pots?
There's no substitute for experience, but in addition to the answers you got, it's worth taking a look at The Bamboo Garden. They provide a wealth of information about bamboos in general, as well as ...
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible