Author: Victoria

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Should I remove spent rhododendron flower spikes? Deadheading of a Rhododendron, which is the removal of spent flowers, should be done soon after the flowers fade, taking care not to injure the new growth. Rhododendrons and Azaleas set next year’s flower buds by mid to late summer and any injury to these nascent buds will…

How will I know my quince is ripe? Quince (Cydonia oblonga) fruits are ready to harvest in the late summer or early fall period (late September/early October), when they have turned from a light yellow to a golden colour and are extremely aromatic with a sweet, floral or pineapple scent. Most of the slightly downy…

Specific Fruits Blueberries: Pollination Figs: Pruning tall fig tree. Lemons: Growing lemons in Victoria Pear tree: Fire blight treatment Quince: How to tell when quince are ripe. Raspberries: Raspberry canes die back, Planting raspberries Rhubarb: Central growth in rhubarb Large holes in rhubarb leaves General: Food producing shrubs for Victoria climate Return to: You Asked…

Specific Vegetables (alphabetical) Back to You Asked Us Question topics.

Is Arbutus the name in Canada for Manzanita? How are Arbutus propagated? The name Manzanita refers to Arctostaphylos columbiana (hairy manzanita). It hybridizes where their ranges overlap with Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnik). It is a low evergreen shrub found on dry sunny rocky spots with slightly acid soil on low elevations on the southwest coast of…

August 2022 Something is going on with my raspberries. For 2 seasons they produce berries but then seem to die back. I dug around the roots and found what looks like grubs under the soil. What could be going on? The culprit is most likely the raspberry crown borer (Pennisetia marginata). This is a borer…

January 2023 Can I grow heather in a pot and then transplant it? There are both heaths and heathers which have similar growing needs but are botanically different. Heathers (Calluna vulgaris) are larger and have flat scale like foliage. Heaths (Erica) are smaller than heathers and have needle like leaves. Heather or heaths grown in…

January 2023 Do I need to cover carrot crops? To grow great carrots insect barriers are effective. A good barrier can protect carrots from pests such as carrot rust fly (psila rosea), pillbugs and slugs. Cover the crop before the seeds germinate and make sure the edges of the fabric are held down with boards…

General Food-producing shrubs for Victoria area Vegetables Carrots: Do I need to cover carrot crops? Peas: Edible peas and sweet peas Fruit Quince: How to tell when fruit is ripe. Raspberry: Raspberry canes die back Herbs