Tomato malformation called catfacing
Here are some questions I answered this week.
Q: What is causing the unusual malformation on the blossom end of my tomatoes? I know it isn't blossom end rot.
A: It is what we call catfacing. It was brought on by our cold spring during flower formation and often found in heirloom varieties. No biggie, it just adds personality. There's nothing wrong with the fruit so enjoy them.
Q: Why won't some of my tomatoes turn red on the vine?
A: Temperatures over 85 degrees stymie the production of lycopene and carotene, the pigments that bring on the red color. Once your tomatoes begin to turn a pinkish/greenish color, pick them and finish ripening on the kitchen counter. They'll taste just as good.
Q: Will my misshapen cucumbers ever become normal?
A: No. Remove them. It's a result of poor pollination and/or low fertility, so feed them for normal development.
Q: Why do my cucumbers fail to set fruit?
A: Male flowers always are the first flowers to appear, and they drop a day later. One ambitious gardener found that there is a ratio of 15 male flowers to one female flower when a cucumber first starts to bloom. That is why you see so many on the ground. Females begin coming a week later. Watch for small cucumbers at the base of female flowers. Then watch for the pollinators to do their job -- pollinate.
Q: Did the cucumbers next to my melons cause them to be bitter?
A: Contrary to popular opinion, cucumbers do not cross-pollinate with melons. We trace bitter, tasteless or off-flavor melons back to weather and poor fertility.
Q: My figs are slow ripening. Is it OK to ripen them in the house?
A: No. They'll only be as good as they are when you pick them. Leave them on the tree until they ripen.
Q: Why are all my light-colored rose blooms so tattered?
A: Dick Jackson of the Rose Society said it is brought on by the heat and wind. He has found light-colored blooms are more susceptible than dark ones to heat and wind.
Q: How do we keep bees away from our swimming pool while floating in the evening?
A: Hysteria surrounds bees. The following might help:
■ Bees don't bother you unless you agitate them with something such as a sound of a weed whip while they're collecting nectar. Africanized bees are more defensive, so avoid disturbing them.
■ Do your floating after sunset, when the bees are in their colony.
■ They drink quickly and move on, so provide an alternative source of cool water.
■ Watch where the bees go in hopes of finding their colony.
■ If there are pools nearby and they are only bothering yours, then the colony is close. Consider eliminating the colony.
Q: Why don't we have blooms on our crepe myrtle tree?
A: The blooms come from new wood produced this spring and if you are removing it, don't expect many blooms. Also, use a fertilizer high in phosphorous to encourage blooming. Repeat the feeding around Labor Day.
Q: Will red Chinese maple trees grow in Las Vegas?
A: First, I think you mean a Japanese maple. The answer is yes, but they struggle because of our lack of cold weather. If you plant one, place it on the coldest side of the house.
Q: Why are the flowers on my 20-year-old chaste tree not a rich purple anymore?
A: When flower quality fades, your plant needs more phosphorous and potassium to improve bloom quality.
Q: Why won't my roses bloom anymore? We have small bulbs sitting on the stem ends.
A: Those bulbs, as you call them, are hips. By leaving on, your plant wants to produce seeds, something you don't want. Remove the hips to encourage new growth and as a result, more blooms. Reach down along the stems to a leaf (five leaflets make up leaf) and nip it off just above that leaf. From the leaf crotch will come new roses. Once roses fully open, repeat the process to keep the blooms coming. Give them a half-dose of rose food, to help plants through the summer.
IRIS SALE
The Southern Nevada Iris Society will have its annual iris sale from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Star Nursery, 8725 S. Eastern Ave., and July 17 at the Star Nursery at 7330 W. Cheyenne Ave. Choose from many beautiful varieties, from the tried and true to the newest introductions. Iris rhizomes are drought tolerant and still produce beautiful flowers.
Linn Mills writes a garden column each Sunday. You can reach him at linn.mills@springspreserve.org or call him at 822-7754.
