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Bob Morris

Bob Morris

Bob Morris is a horticulture expert living in Las Vegas and professor emeritus for the University of Nevada. Visit his blog at xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com. Send questions to Extremehort@aol.com.

Options limited for verticillium-resistant trees in desert

Question: We have a 20-year-old olive tree in our front yard diagnosed with verticillium wilt disease. The north third of the tree appears to be healthy. If we remove this tree, what distance from the old hole is needed for the new tree? We would like a replacement tree to provide shade. We are looking at oak, pine, ash, spruce or fir.

Grapes can be gently pruned through summer
By BOB MORRIS SPECIAL TO VIEW

Question: After the grapes set their fruit in the next couple of weeks, can the vine be trimmed, or does it need to grow to provide shade and nutrition to the grapes?

Fertilizer should be applied before spring growth
By BOB MORRIS GARDENING

Q: Last week we planted several fruit trees and have established trees as well. Would you recommend applying fertilizer around these trees now? Spikes or granular type of fertilizer?

Bay laurel a bad choice of trees
By Bob Morris Special to View

Question: On the north side of our house, we have a 10-foot-wide space we are trying to landscape. Several have suggested planting bay laurel trees, but we are concerned about the tree’s size for the space. When we went to the nursery, their suggestion was the Majestic Beauty hawthorn tree. Will the hawthorn tree do well in our climate and soils?

Chemical use for stopping olives varies
By BOB MORRIS SPECIAL TO VIEW

Question: When is the best time to spray olive trees to minimize olive fruit? One of our olives can make a mess on our neighbor’s front sidewalk and entry patio if not sprayed.

THE LATEST
Get pot-bound citrus in the ground
By BOB MORRIS SPECIAL TO VIEW

Question: I purchased a lovely Meyer Lemon tree in a 1-gallon pot in the middle of the spring. It already had six lemons on it. I have the original fruit, have new fruit growing and still am getting blossoms. Should I transplant it now into a larger pot or wait until after the fruit ripens and is used?

Finish up fruit tree pruning now
By BOB MORRIS SPECIAL TO VIEW

Question: What should we be doing to our fruit trees right now?

Keep gardens out of full western sun
By BOB MORRIS SPECIAL TO VIEW

Question: I have planter boxes that get hours of direct sun. I’ve tried everything from corn to edamame, grapes, peppers, tomatillo and many others. I have even put up shading, but either there is too much sun or maybe I overwater. I’d like to start now and get a jump on summer.

Although it’s warm now, cold weather still possible next month
By BOB MORRIS GARDENING

This has not been unusual weather. It’s the norm. But watch out! February can be dangerous for plants. December 1990 was one of the coldest months on record, but February 1989 was much more damaging to plants.

Ash trees don’t tend to need iron
By BOB MORRIS SPECIAL TO VIEW

Question: Should I give my ash trees the same iron treatment as fruit trees?

After a freeze, it’s possible to reshape citrus
By BOB MORRIS SPECIAL TO VIEW

Question: The low temperatures affected the citrus trees. Most of my new growth is on the suckers. Should I remove them or just let the tree be?

Move plants when temperature permits
By BOB MORRIS GARDENING

For those who would like quality roses, Plant World Nursery on West Charleston Boulevard has brought in Weeks roses. These are high quality roses. They will cost more than roses produced for mass merchandisers but they are high quality. For a recommended rose for the desert, visit my blog and search for “best roses for the desert.”

Citrus in the desert is hit or miss
By BOB MORRIS SPECIAL TO VIEW

Question: Do oranges grow in Las Vegas? Also, when is the best time to plant a new tree?

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