texas sage
#1
texas sage
I inherited texas sage in my front borders when I bought a home last fall and they have never looked very healthy: bare-branched in center, not very full at all. I also don't note much new growth this spring, so far. I appreciate any ideas. Thanks!
#2
Old Age?
Hi J Quinn,
Is it possable that they have, passed their prime? Many times the sign of a barren core inside the plant is a sign of old age. Not always however.
Now it is also possable, that some heavy pruning, could help to replace old wood with new. I think that a search on www.google, for the life cycles of texas sage, would help you.
You may have to make a choice, of keeping or removing the shrubs, so learning more, now about the Sage can only make your choice easier.
Marturo
Is it possable that they have, passed their prime? Many times the sign of a barren core inside the plant is a sign of old age. Not always however.
Now it is also possable, that some heavy pruning, could help to replace old wood with new. I think that a search on www.google, for the life cycles of texas sage, would help you.
You may have to make a choice, of keeping or removing the shrubs, so learning more, now about the Sage can only make your choice easier.
Marturo
#3
Hi Marturo:
Thanks for the reply. The plants actually still had tags on them from Home Depot. I understand sage to be so low-maintenance, but maybe they need some food. Or perhaps they were planted incorrectly? Anyway, thanks for your help.
Jennifer
Thanks for the reply. The plants actually still had tags on them from Home Depot. I understand sage to be so low-maintenance, but maybe they need some food. Or perhaps they were planted incorrectly? Anyway, thanks for your help.
Jennifer
#4
A few things to try.
Marturo asked:
Is it possable that they have, passed their prime? No that's not it, so we must be dealing with something else.
( I understand sage to be so low-maintenance. )
So are cacti, unless you have them planted in a cool black muck area, then their roots rot off. Each plant has special needs.
Whenever I takeover a plant or plot of land, I start from scratch.
Buy a $10.00 soil PH tester and compare the results with what the Sage needs.
Is their a Micronutrient deficincy? Kelp liquid mixed 4 tsps of Kelp mixed with one gallon water & sprayed once a week. Kelp extracts are 8 to 20 times more effective when sprayed in the leaves early in the morning. This is compared to a soil application.
I have been asked to look at gardens for my opinion, on more than one Garden I have found the Ph to be just short of vineger.
Why? I have to assume it's the cheap light grey so called Dolomitic limestone sold at Wal-Mart etc.
Plants like Humans must have a certin Ph to stay healthy. The Limestone I use is White as snow with a high content of Calcium compared to Dolomite. Every Garden I tested with my Ph meter was acid & they bought some HiCal Limestone at a Farm Supply or large high quality Garden Center.
Afer a few days the Gardens start to green up and this, remember is without any more plant food. Acid or hard soil, is like trying to get soap to lather, in Hard water. N P K and all the rest of the soil bound plant food, is locked up just like the lather from the soap, the plants can't get to their food.
Jennifer I realize this is a crash course, but I am at a disadvantage not being able to see the plants, or do any tests. So the next best thing is to give you the most important things to look for, & do that may correct the issue with the plants.
Many times a correction of soil Ph will correct many problems. Ph & NPK (Plant food) are easy to test and correct Micronutrient deficency is something you need a Lab for. I have used Kelp spray on my plants leaves since 1972 & have never seen signs of MN deficency, except in a new gardeners garden. Once they start with the Kelp spray it seems to correct things.
I will leave you with this thought. Last year my Wife saw what Wal-Mart said was Antique English Roses. I brought up the past problems we had run into buying plants from places like this.
Out of 2 pinks 1 white & 2 reds we got last year 0 reds & 3 pinks & 2 whites, I was poking around yesterday & it looks as if the 2 whites are comming back. I already know the others are dead because they pulled right out this Spring.
I don't have the space to tell you of all the problems we have had with plants from the big discount stores. The few extra dollars we spend buying quality stock from the good plant sellers like Thomson & Morgan Roses, really pays off. It's a little early but we ordered all our plants this year & I haven't heard let's go see what Lowe's has in once. Maybe she learned a good lesson last year she loves Roses & was plenty mad at Lowe's
We are all still learning & my hope is, that Gardening & growing new things, will last me a lifetime.
Jennifer please keep us in mind & let us know what you find out about the Sage. Of course you are always welcome to drop by & learn more about growing plants.
Marturo
Is it possable that they have, passed their prime? No that's not it, so we must be dealing with something else.
( I understand sage to be so low-maintenance. )
So are cacti, unless you have them planted in a cool black muck area, then their roots rot off. Each plant has special needs.
Whenever I takeover a plant or plot of land, I start from scratch.
Buy a $10.00 soil PH tester and compare the results with what the Sage needs.
Is their a Micronutrient deficincy? Kelp liquid mixed 4 tsps of Kelp mixed with one gallon water & sprayed once a week. Kelp extracts are 8 to 20 times more effective when sprayed in the leaves early in the morning. This is compared to a soil application.
I have been asked to look at gardens for my opinion, on more than one Garden I have found the Ph to be just short of vineger.
Why? I have to assume it's the cheap light grey so called Dolomitic limestone sold at Wal-Mart etc.
Plants like Humans must have a certin Ph to stay healthy. The Limestone I use is White as snow with a high content of Calcium compared to Dolomite. Every Garden I tested with my Ph meter was acid & they bought some HiCal Limestone at a Farm Supply or large high quality Garden Center.
Afer a few days the Gardens start to green up and this, remember is without any more plant food. Acid or hard soil, is like trying to get soap to lather, in Hard water. N P K and all the rest of the soil bound plant food, is locked up just like the lather from the soap, the plants can't get to their food.
Jennifer I realize this is a crash course, but I am at a disadvantage not being able to see the plants, or do any tests. So the next best thing is to give you the most important things to look for, & do that may correct the issue with the plants.
Many times a correction of soil Ph will correct many problems. Ph & NPK (Plant food) are easy to test and correct Micronutrient deficency is something you need a Lab for. I have used Kelp spray on my plants leaves since 1972 & have never seen signs of MN deficency, except in a new gardeners garden. Once they start with the Kelp spray it seems to correct things.
I will leave you with this thought. Last year my Wife saw what Wal-Mart said was Antique English Roses. I brought up the past problems we had run into buying plants from places like this.
Out of 2 pinks 1 white & 2 reds we got last year 0 reds & 3 pinks & 2 whites, I was poking around yesterday & it looks as if the 2 whites are comming back. I already know the others are dead because they pulled right out this Spring.
I don't have the space to tell you of all the problems we have had with plants from the big discount stores. The few extra dollars we spend buying quality stock from the good plant sellers like Thomson & Morgan Roses, really pays off. It's a little early but we ordered all our plants this year & I haven't heard let's go see what Lowe's has in once. Maybe she learned a good lesson last year she loves Roses & was plenty mad at Lowe's
We are all still learning & my hope is, that Gardening & growing new things, will last me a lifetime.
Jennifer please keep us in mind & let us know what you find out about the Sage. Of course you are always welcome to drop by & learn more about growing plants.
Marturo
#5
Thanks so much. In fact, I just planted my very first vegetable garden and bought from a local reputable nursery (didn't try from seeds yet!). Am also searching catalogs for climbing roses for my pergola. I agree about purchasing from reputable nurseries, but sometimes it is so tempting to go to Lowe's for those flats of annuals! I appreciate your advice.
#6
Welcome new Gardener.
I just planted my very first vegetable garden Great welcome to the wonderful world of growing your own.
We have many links up top in the Stickys. You may recieve the first year blessing this year. This is when a plot of soil is first used & the bugs have not had time to set up shop
You will soon see that we all have at least one thing in common, the love of growing plants.
You might want to check the stickys for links for the Roses or do a search on www.google.com for them also. I know Lin has some links as she is a real Rose lover I will see what I can find.
Marturo
We have many links up top in the Stickys. You may recieve the first year blessing this year. This is when a plot of soil is first used & the bugs have not had time to set up shop
You will soon see that we all have at least one thing in common, the love of growing plants.
You might want to check the stickys for links for the Roses or do a search on www.google.com for them also. I know Lin has some links as she is a real Rose lover I will see what I can find.
Marturo
#7
Thanks so much. In fact, I just planted my very first vegetable garden and bought from a local reputable nursery (didn't try from seeds yet!). Am also searching catalogs for climbing roses for my pergola. I agree about purchasing from reputable nurseries, but sometimes it is so tempting to go to Lowe's for those flats of annuals! I appreciate your advice.