17 Responses

1. I love the set up , before ! I haven’t received a comment from this page in over a couple of weeks, and I sure have missed the constant feed and notices!

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   1. Thanks for stopping by BIlly – I appreciate the feedback.

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2. Bren, how did your lilac in a box from Costco shake out? I just planted 6 of them (Virginia). Did yours bloom this year or are they expected to bloom next year? Not sure what the 2-year period is referring to. Thanks!

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   1. Hey Katie – great to hear from you and I am excited you got a few of those Lilacs in a box at Costco. That store really has some great gardening items year-round. I wrote about my Lilacs in a Box I bought last year on my site at https://brenhaas.com/lilacs-in-a-box/ The box says ‘2 year’ which I believe is referring to the age of the plant root cutting. I plan on doing an update video featuring mine later this week. Mine are just putting on green here in Ohio. The lilac of this size might take a few years before you get a bloom on it. I’ve grow lilac in my home garden here in Ohio since 1994. My parents also had a beautiful lilac in our home garden growing up in Toledo Ohio ( 1950-1999). Please stay in touch and let me know how these plants do for you. Honestly – I would plant all those plants together until they give at least 3 feet tall. You could then transplant them to another location.

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3. If one has bromeliads in a home garden does the water that collects in its center contribute to insects especially mosquitoes to the immediate local environment?

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   1. Thank you for stopping by Just! Check out this post I just put up answering your question and a few tips on how I grow my Bromeliads. https://brenhaas.com/about-bromeliads/

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4. Thanks for the information on the Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus. God bless you

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   1. Happy to share what I know with you on my website. You can find my latest post about the REAL Schlumbergera bridgesii or Christmas / Thanksgiving Cactus on this link or by searching Thanksgiving Cactus on my website. I hope to post an update showing how I enjoy this plant over the summer season.

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5. Hi Bren!
   I recently bought a truly tiny banana plant. It is in a 4” pot. I plan to put it out on my north facing patio once it warms up a bit more (I’m in SC and we are still having a few nights in the 40’s).
   My question is: since I will be keeping it in a container, how should I water it and do the usual houseplant rules apply with regard to potting up—only an inch or two larger at a time—or can I put it straight into a larger planter? I watched your video/read your blog on the truly tiny plants and it was very helpful.
   I appreciate your time and response!

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6. Hi I recently got a phlox, and the flower petals all fell off what do I do?

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   1. Thank you so much for stopping by my site. I’ve just put together a blog post featuring a video to answer your question based on my experience with the Phlox. You can find it at: https://brenhaas.com/all-about-phlox-blooms/

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7. Help! The birds ate all the blueberries on my four bushes, the black berries, and the deer (I think) knocked down and nibbled/ate all the nectarines which were turning red–I bought the tree last year so it’s small. Birding Netting did not keep the birds out. I bought a sprinkler with a sensor to scare the deer and birds. I was thinking about moving the nectarine tree and put a fence around it with the berry bushes. What else can I do? Thank you!

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   1. Thank you so much for stopping by my site today Mae. I’ve added a new video to answer your question about keeping the harvest safe. Check out my post on this site at: https://brenhaas.com/protect-home-garden-harvest/

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8. Hi Bren – Wondering if can help me with a climbing hydrangea. I bought it on the recommendation of my landscaper to hopefully cover our new pergola. I planted it in the fall of 2017 and 4 years later it hasn’t grown much and hasn’t ever bloomed. I know that hydrangeas sleep, creep, and leap but at 4 years old mine still seems to be creeping. It is in the shade and very healthy.

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   1. Thanks for stopping by my site Bethany. I actually have a blog post featuring the one I grow here in Ohio. It was on our property when we moved in back in 2003. I have seen it bloom maybe 2 times! Honestly, if you are looking for a blooming hydrangea I would go with some of the others on the market. On my blog you will find many of the fabulous blooming hydrangeas I recommend after growing in my home garden.

      Thank you for stopping by my website and be sure to reach out to me at anytime. I will send you an email regarding this post as well.
      Happy Hydrangea Growing,
      Bren Haas

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9. Hello!
   I just read your story about amaryllis bulbs
   I have one that is almost
   Blooming
   By chance do you know if I put it in the refrigerator now if it will slow the bloom? I’m trying to save it for 18 days … it was a gift from my son, and he won’t be home for 18 days and I want him to see it … any thoughts? I appreciate your thoughts and time . Thank you

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   1. Hey Debbie – what a great question. I am not sure the refrigerator will show the bloom down because I have never tried this. HOWEVER, I do know if you keep the plant with bloom out of direct sun, little to no draft and a cool room (50*F – 60*F) it prolongs the bloom. I am not sure if the plant is completely out of daylight if it will drop the bloom. I hope this helps – please keep me posted.
      Amaryllis: https://brenhaas.com/amaryllis

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