Question: I saw Sonoran sea grapes growing near the Shantz building on campus, and I am wondering if I can grow them in a shady area in my yard that is part of our gray water (laundry to landscape) system. I did a little Googling and didn鈥檛 find anything about Sonoran sea grapes specifically, but came across something related to sea grapes in Florida, and the person said they are edible. Is that true of the Sonoran variety? I was attracted to them for their leaf shape, but edible berries would be a nice bonus.
Answer: The Sonoran sea grape (Coccoloba goldmanii) planted on campus is native to Sonora, Mexico. Sea grapes are in the Polygonaceae family, which includes buckwheat, knotweed, and smartweed, and the fruit of the related Florida species, Coccoloba uvifera, is reported to be edible and tasty. I can鈥檛 vouch for the fruit of the Sonoran species because I haven鈥檛 seen them flower or produce fruit. If you look for one to buy, you might need to look at the native plant nurseries in the area. In the intermediate desert around 蜜柚直播, this should be planted in partial to full shade to protect it from full sun. It鈥檚 also sensitive to frost so plant it in a protected location. It can grow to be a 25 feet tall tree with a width 6 to 12 feet. The two you saw on campus have been there quite a while and have been growing slowly so you might consider that aspect. Like other desert trees and shrubs, it needs a good soak every two weeks or so in the warm months. When it鈥檚 cooler you can back that off to once a month.
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Question: I am growing tomatoes in the backyard, using organic fertilizer every two weeks, and I am getting black spots on the bottom of the tomatoes. What is it and can I control it?
Answer: Your tomatoes have blossom end rot. Blossom end rot shows up as a dark, sunken, leathery spot on the bottom or blossom end of the tomato fruit. This often happens in late spring and early summer following a heavy fruit set, a sustained dry period and/or if your fertilizer lacks sufficient calcium. To avoid blossom end rot, the fruit should be thinned, adequate irrigation provided, and a fertilizer with calcium should be used. Calcium, as well as other nutrients, moves slowly in water stressed plants so it鈥檚 possible that irrigation alone can solve this problem if you are already providing adequate calcium in your fertilizer.
Question: Your name came up regarding tree tobacco plants. If you wouldn鈥檛 mind sharing some thoughts on the tobacco plant. We have one growing right next to our 蜜柚直播 house and it鈥檚 big. My wife is concerned it will harm the foundation. It seems to be a 鈥渟oft鈥 tree and I think it鈥檒l be fine. Any experience in this matter?
Answer: Tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca) can grow quite tall but you are correct in that it isn鈥檛 a woody plant that will do damage to your home. Many people consider this plant to be a weed but others like the yellow flowers so it鈥檚 up to you to decide whether to allow it to continue to grow.
Question: We have a wild palo verde in our front yard that has several branches near the outer edge of the crown that are dense broom like in appearance. I鈥檓 wondering if this is a type of mistletoe or some other disease and if so any suggestions on long-term survival?
Answer: Palo verde trees (Parkinsonia species) are sometimes affected by what is called a witches鈥-broom. This abnormal growth is not mistletoe but rather another problem. These brooms have for many years been attributed to a plant response to mites feeding on the branches. In recent years, further research was initiated and continues at the University of 蜜柚直播 to determine if there is another cause and a solution. I am sure that the results of this research will be publicized as soon as they are available. Until then, there is little to do about the brooms except pruning them out of the tree. They often grow back so it isn鈥檛 a very satisfying remedy.
Peter L. Warren is the Forest Health Program Coordinator for the 蜜柚直播 Department of Forestry and Fire Management. Questions may be emailed to tucsongardensage@gmail.com.