Ask The Plant Expert:

I received this plant from my dad's funeral. The tag on it only said "green plant" I've had it for 2 months and the leaves just continue to fall off. It was a very full plant. (The orange Gerber daisies are fake.) Do you think if the all of the leaves fall off eventually, that it is dead, or do you think I can save it? What type of fertilizer do you think I should use? (I have very little plant experience) – Jenny

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Jenny,

It is difficult to tell from the pictures. My best guess would be a type of Ficus. It could be Ficus lyrata (Fiddle-leaf fig, Banjo fig) or Ficus pumila (climbing or creeping fig).

Ficus are funny. I once had a ficus we named Truman. In the 10 years that we had it, all the leaves fell off 3 times. Every time we corrected the problem and the plant flushed back out with new healthy leaves. Yours should do the same thing as long as the stems are still green.

To care for Ficus plants, you will need to keep the soil moderately moist and fertilize it once a month from April through August with a water-soluble, high-nitrogen fertilizer. You can use a water soluble fertilizer like Miracle Gro or Peters.  I would wait until the plant has some new growth forming before I fertilized the plant. Keep the plant in a brightly lit area, but away from cold drafts. I would remove it from the foil wrapping, and make sure that it is in a container that allows for drainage. If you need to re-pot the plant use a humus-rich potting soil.

For more, check out our Ficus Care & Information Page.

Hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if I can help with anything else. Continue reading "Help! What Is This Plant From Father's Funeral & How To Revive It?" »

Ask The Plant Expert:

I received this plant from my son's funeral. We have several, and they are not doing too good. There are bugs, (fruit flies?) and they are just not growing.  I need to find out what it is and how to care for it. – Theo

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Theo,
It looks like your plant is a peace lily. I think this article will have all the information you need: How to care for your peace lily.

• As for the insects, we need to identify what they are; a picture would help.
• If you could capture a few, take them to your local garden center, and they will be able to identify them.
• They would also have the right insecticide to take care of the insects.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if I can help with anything else.

Continue reading "What Is This Young Plant & How Do I Take Care Of It?" »

Ask The Plant Expert:

Hi there.  I received a variety of plants in a funeral arrangement.  I re-potted them in the spring and now that it is getting colder at night, I need more help in determining how to care for them.  I had them outside on my porch, since I was not sure as to the toxicity of them, as I do have 3 cats and a dog.  Can you please identify.  I believe that one of them is a dwarf umbrella plant, but not sure on the other.  Thanks. - Jeanene

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:  
The first one is a Wareneki Draceana and the second one is a Schefflera. The first one should be okay for your pets  to be around. However, the schefflera can be a problem for dogs or cats who are prone to chewing on plants. If you read our article 10 House Plants Poisonous to Dogs, Cats or Children, it will help you decide which plants you should keep with your pets. You may also refer to the House Plant Care & Information Page.
Hope this information was helpful.
Please let me know if I can help with anything else.

Ask The Plant Expert: Here we go again. You identified my crocus (which I suspected) and now I have another "just showed up" plant. She's cute. She could be a weed. If she's a plant or flower I will keep her, put her somewhere else. She is in the middle of a landscape project. If she's a weed, no matter how cute she must go. The circle of life. -Rochelle

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: It is a Buffalo-Bur (Solanum rostratum). Depending on your thoughts on poisonous plants, you may want to get rid of it. This plant is in the nightshade family. The leaves and green fruits are poisonous and contain glycoalkaloid solanine.

If humans or animals come in contact with the burs (spines) intense lingering pain can occur. This is especially problematic for dogs who will chew and lick their feet if they step on this plant. It is sad that beautiful plants like these also come with dangers.

Hope this information helps!

Ask The Plant Expert: Can you help me ID this
Recent trip to a nature center here in Conyers, GA I photographed this plant/flower and would like to know its name.
Thanks very much. Russ

Plant Expert Reply: I believe the plant is an Euonymus americanus (Strawberry Bush). Native to the United States, this perennial shrub can grow from 6-12ft in height. If you want to grow a Strawberry Bush in your own yard you will need the following:

A part-shade exposure – grows best in light shade
A moist soil – although with proper watering can be grown in dry soils
Needs high amount of water – can be used in swampy areas

Strawberry Bush grows well in the following states – AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV.

This plant, also, goes by Brook euonymus, Hearts-a-burstin, Bursting-heart, Wahoo and is in the bittersweet family.

I hope this information was helpful.

Did you know that a local Conyers GA Florist can create an arrangement that simulates the unique elements of the seed pod?

Ask The Plant Expert:

I found this in my neighbors garden and love it. I bought tons of poppies before so, I was wondering what kind this is. The leaves aren't fuzzy, but look more like a succulent. We live on the coast of Maine, and they followed the sun the day I took the picture. This was around 6 am; at around 10 am it was fully open. - Emily

Flower Shop Network's Plant Expert Reply:

Emily,

I think it is a type of Papaver somniferum (Opium poppy). It is hard to tell from the picture. Do the leaves have a slight blue-green tint to them? Has it produced any blue-green seeds pods? The blue-green leaves and seed pods are a good indication that it is a type of Papaver somniferum.  Papaver somniferum is hardy in Maine. Some states and countries may prohibit the growing of this poppy. You might want to check with you state extension service to see if it is ok to propagate it in Maine.

Hope this information was helpful. Please let me know if you help with anything else.

Ask The Plant Expert: There are several of these plants growing in the same pot as my palm…..not sure what they are. Please help with identification. – R

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: I believe it is a type of locust. I have a twisted baby locust tree in my backyard and it looks very similar. Yours is most likely a black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). This tree can grow up to 80 feet in height and very fast. Although it is not considered a long-lasting tree, many animals especially birds use it for cover.

Hope this information was helpful. Please let me know if I can help with anything else.

Ask The Plant Expert:  Is this a weed or a flower?

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: Cynthia,

I believe this is a Cleome which can be either an annual or perennial flower depending on which species it is. Many people love this plant in their garden. I personal like the look but do not like the smell of the plant. In the greenhouses, it smells like cat pee.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if you need help with anything else.

Ask The Plant Expert: Attached pics show both plant and resulting seed pods. Not a particularly attractive plant and may even be considered to be weed! Flowers are individual and small with 5 or 6 petals consolidated together at base. Produces large pods as shown. Have tried to identify without success. Thought at first it may a type of chili/pepper but unable to identify. Could have come from Spain, but grown indoors in U.K. Many thanks for help. – Mike

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: Believe it or not, I think it is a UFO pepper. The UFO stands for
Unbelievably Fiery Object, and is considered to be a very hot pepper. The only other option would be a Jamaican Hot Yellow Scotch Bonnet pepper which is also another hot pepper.  There are several places here in the USA that sell the seeds. I'm not sure where in seeds originate from.

Hope this information was helpful please let me know if I can help with anything else.

Ask The Plant Expert: Hi. Was growing an Empress tree in this pot, a bird took the young tree away! Shortly before the tree was taken a small bud came out the soil, this is that bud, now a strong little plant. What is it? – Ray

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Ray,
Unfortunately at this stage of growth it looks like many things. I will place this question on the blog and ask one of our Facebook fans what they think it is.