Question: I planted a White Fig from your company, two weeks ago, I added commercial compost to my soil, I soak it three times a week, as our weather is very hot. My fig today is curling its leafs, what does that mean? Patricia, Terlingua, TX. Answer: I assume since this is June that the tree you planted was in a container (not bareroot) and the root ball fully enclosed with dirt (in other words,…

Question: Hi there, I love the purple smoke tree and am wondering if it would do well in a planter in full sun (in San Diego)? And if it's deciduous? How tall and wide do you think it would actually get in a planter?Thanks so much! Shoshanah - San Diego Cooke's Purple Smoke Tree Bloom Answer: I find the Purple Smoke Tree very attractive as well. It is also very drought tolerant and requires very…

Question: I found Vitex for sale on the Internet in seed form but cannot seem to locate a local store. I can work with seeds but would rather have an established plant. Can you help me find a store to purchase this awesome plant from?Kind regards,Lisa - Southlake, Texas Purple Vitex agnus-castus in the landscape Answer: I just returned from a three week sales trip through central Texas and after your severe 2011 drought, the…

Pink Cloud Flowering Cherry (Prunus serrulata 'Pink Cloud') Question: Hello, I would like to grow a cherry blossom tree (with pretty pink flowers) in my backyard. We generally don't have long cold winters here in Los Angeles. I heard Pink Cloud can tolerate warm weather better than most cherry blossom trees. It that true? Can I purchase one from you? Minika - Los Angeles, CA Answer: You have heard correctly. Pink Cloud is one of…

Question: Do you sell apple scionwood?If yes, is there a list of the varieties available?Thanks, EARL Answer: Short Answer - Depends. We sell budwood and scionwood from our extensive orchards if it makes sense as a business. In other words it should make some profit and not provide proprietary wood to entities not licensed to grow it. Minimum of 500 buds to even think about it. Long Answer: Here is the process required to process…

Question: Are there seedless muscat grapes? Where do you fine theme. When does the grape ripen?Thank You Anna W. - San Jose, CA Answer: Yes - we grow the Summer Muscat which is seedless. Ripens in August. More information here: Summer Muscat Grape More photos here: Summer Muscat Grape Photos Call your local retail nurseries in San Jose or surrounding areas. If they don't have them today, they can order them for delivery in January.…

Question: I live in Austin, tx zone 8. Alkaline, shallow clay soil with hot, dry summers. Would the Pakistan, Black Beauty or Persian mulberry do well here? Which would you recommend. I tend to like fruit on the sweeter side.Do you also have a local retail nursery you can recommend in the area ? Thank you. Asha - Austin, TX Answer: I think your comment about hot, dry summers is an understatement based upon this…

Question: Hi, I just bought a "4-in-one semi dwarf pear for regions with under 500 hrs of chill" grown by you from my local nursery. There is a branch growing low, below all of the grafting. Is this something that will produce or should I prune it off? If it needs pruning, when is the best time to do this? I plan to espalier it later, is there any reason I cannot?Thanks,Leo L. San Antonio,…

Question: My Landscaper planted a tree for me. The red tag on it just reads Betula Birch. Is there any easy way for me to tell which Bertula this is ?Thank You Thomas M. - Levittown, NY Answer: Easiest way is to ask your landscaper. (Obviously it did not come from us or else it would have had a tag with the full identity on it.) Otherwise you get to play detective and probably wait…

Question: I recently purchased one of your 4-n-1 moderate climate apple trees from a local nursery. I'm interested in knowing if they're self-pollinating or do I need two? James, San Antonio, TX Answer: James, as much as I am sure the local nursery would like to sell you another one, you will not need two. Not only are three of the individual varieties (Gala, Early Summer Red, Granny Smith) self fertile, they will pollinate each…