I’m hoping you can identify this very tall flower plant that is growing in my garden bed. The seeds were given to me by a friend with no identification on the envelope. The plants are now over 10 feet tall with little yellow and red slipper flowers. The leaves look like a mimosa or Royal Poinciana leaf. — Judy Roberts, Sunrise
The plant is Sesbania grandiflora, the hummingbird tree. This is a fast-growing and temporary tree in the landscape though it will last for several years. The tree is brittle and likes full sun and well-drained soil. The tree blooms in the summer months.
I have a 3 foot diameter, 20- to 25-foot oak tree that has a small hole in the trunk about 5 feet up from the ground. Dark liquid oozes from the hole and as it dries turns to a rusty color. A thin crack has started to develop above the hole and is slowly moving up the trunk. What do you recommend? — Gerald Farkas, Boynton Beach
Cut the hole into a football shape pointed at the top and bottom. Carefully clean out any lose, decayed matter in the hole. Cut the hole so the vertical crack is incorporated into the upper point of the football shape. The bottom point of the football shape will facilitate drainage from the hole. Wounds with oozing are usually bacterial in nature. The wound should seal up naturally.
My 9-year-old lychee has not produced well since Hurricane Wilma. I used flower and fruit spikes the last three years, but no fruit. This year the tree had one fruit. What do you recommend? — Dave Ramnarace, Miramar
I would apply citrus/avocado fertilizer in March, June and October. I would broadcast the fertilizer starting from 2 feet from the trunk out to about 2 to 3 feet beyond the drip line. Sprinkle the fertilizer lightly and evenly, like applying salt to a hamburger. Water the fertilizer in or apply just before a rain is expected.
I purchased Bay Rum trees and they have not grown in five years. They are located in my swale area. Please advise on their care and whether removing them is a good idea. — Rosemarie Vignone, Margate
Bay Rum trees like good drainage, full sun to light shade, and can handle drought once established. They grow to about 30 feet in height and are columnar when young. I would suspect poor drainage in the swale, too deep planting or weed whacker damage. Trees often do not grow well if planted too deep. There should be a flare to the trunk as the trunk enters the ground. Swales collect and dispose of excess water and may not drain quickly, cutting oxygen from the roots. Weed whackers cut the thin bark of the bay rum tree near ground level and over time can girdle and kill the tree.
Plant ground cover plants around the trees to protect them from the weed whacker. I would probably carefully transplant the trees to a dryer location where they would have a better chance of growing. The root system is probably not much larger than when they were planted. Dig the trees up very carefully and place them in their new location immediately. Water the trees daily if there is no rain for the first two to three weeks, and every two to three days after that until the beginning of the dry season.
I have several ponytail palms and two plants have bloomed for several years. One tree is 7 to 8 feet tall with a base about 4 to 5 feet in diameter. The ponytail palms produce three branches after the blooms fall off. I am worried that the plant will become top-heavy and break in a hurricane. Should I cut the plant back? Can it be moved to a circle in the front yard? The smaller plant will also produce three branches after the flowers fall off. I have a small plant that I cut back. It now has 34-36 little nubs coming out. Three made it after it was topped. What do you recommend? Ruth Calvin, Davie
I would transplant all of the ponytail palms to new locations away from the house and foundation. They move easily and should be transplanted right away. They like full sun to part shade and good drainage. Dig a broad shallow hole to accommodate the root systems. Move the plants as soon as you have the hole prepared. I would allow plenty of room for the water-storing base of the plant. They can grow to 30 feet in height with a 12 foot diameter base.
Write Robert Haehle, Lifestyle, Sun Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL. 33301-2293 or e-mail . Include full name, address and phone number. Attach jpeg photo for plant identification.
