Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries, Ask Mary Stone, New Jersey Garden blog
A top heavy aloe plant in window with other plants

Top-Heavy Aloe Dilemma

Hello Fellow Readers, I have a top-heavy aloe plant leaning precariously over other plants on the bay window in the kitchen that needs help. The thing is, I'm puzzled as to how, despite thorough research. So here we are, column number 400 (can you believe?), and I am stumped.
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Whitefly-or-Mealybug-closeup

Mealybugs and Whiteflies

Mealybugs and whiteflies are similar and can look like mold on your indoor plants. They both suck sap, causing curling and yellowing leaves, and are stealth in finding their way inside. Click through to how-to remedy your unwelcome guests.
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fiddle-leaf fig

Fiddlehead Fig

Fiddlehead Fig Trees, also known as Fiddle-leaf Figs, have become quite a craze, and I can see why. They have foot-long leathery leaves that look like a fiddle, hence the common name. Fiddle-leaf Figs can be fickle, though. Learn the tips in making them happy in your home.
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Snow-Harvesting-to-water-plants

Benefits of Watering with Rainwater

Hello Fellow Readers, There’s Christmas cactus that came my way by adoption from a then-husband, a story shared in a column long ago (link below).  Neglected and riddled with old deadwood, I revived it, and it bloomed beautifully for many years. Then it mysteriously returned to
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Mary Stone, Garden Dilemmas, Ask Mary Stone,Gardening tips, Garden Blogs, Stone Associates Landscape Design, Garden Blog, Terrariums, Succulants, A&J Messina Greenhouses

Terrariums-a Mini Gardening Warmup

Hello Fellow Readers, Just before our gardens kicked into gear, I attended a succulent event hosted by A&J Messina Greenhouses in Blairstown, NJ, which served as a mini-gardening warmup. What a lively group of over seventy guests learning how to make a terrarium. Trays of succulen
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Mary Stone, Garden Dilemmas, Ask Mary Stone,Gardening tips, Garden Blogs, Stone Associates Landscape Design, Garden Blog,Northern New Jersey Landscape Designer, NJ Garden Coach and Speaker,Poinsettia, Joel Poinsett, Are Poinsettias Posionous

History & Legend of Poinsettias

Hello Fellow Readers, Poinsettias are one of the most popular plants to decorate our homes for Christmas. Their history and legend of why poinsettias are known as the Flowers of the Holy Night will fill your heart. I recall the first time seeing them growing outside in Florida while w
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Mary Stone, Garden Dilemmas, Ask Mary Stone,Gardening tips, Garden Blogs, Stone Associates Landscape Design, Garden Blog,Northern New Jersey Landscape Designer,Orchids, Lady Slipper Orchid

Stealth Orchids

Hello fellow readers, I love questions on things I wish to learn more about. Gloria of Columbia NJ, has enjoyed her Lady Slipper orchid for 23 years. She divided it recently and the twins are now beginning their bloom cycle. However, some of the leaves are turning yellow and Gloria is
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Mary Stone, Garden Dilemmas, Ask Mary Stone,Gardening tips, Garden Blogs, Stone Associates Landscape Design, Garden Blog,Northern New Jersey Landscape Designer, Houseplants in Duress

Houseplants in Duress Turn Happy

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green, Some of my houseplants are desperate. The low humidity of the heated house has wreaked havoc. Plus, some of their pots are too tight, like my pants after the holidays. Thank goodness for stretchy jeans. Even if there were stretchy pots, the la
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Mary Stone, Garden Dilemmas, Ask Mary Stone,Gardening tips, Garden Blogs, Stone Associates Landscape Design, Garden Blog, African Violets, Saintpaulias, Frozen in Time

Frozen in Time African Violets

Hello fellow readers, “You can’t water their faces,” recalls brother Rick, one of Mom’s instructions on caring for African violets, as water on their leaves can cause spotting damage. Mom had quite a collection of violets when we were kids. As I write, we are v
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Indoor Plant Care, Garden Dilemmas Ask Mary Stone, Stone Associates, Landscape Design, New Jersey Landscape Designer , Garden Blog, Garden Tips

Indoor Plant Intervention

Hello fellow readers, This time of year my indoor plants start to show signs of distress. Which, frankly, may have to do with over doting; that’s my gardening term for overwatering and maybe overfeeding. Because of the dry heat indoors, watering your indoor plants can be tricky. It’s
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