Q.
I have a wild tree in my yard that oozes sap when it’s cut. Is it poisonous? Should I cut it down? Can you identify it? – Shuck Chin, Boca Raton
A.
It’s a strangler fig, a tree with aggressive roots that can destroy pools, plumbing and paving. It isn’t poisonous, but it should be removed. The tree often starts life in the top of another plant, such as a date or sabal palm or live oak. It sends aerial roots down, strangles the host plant and eventually kills it. Schefflera and Ficus retusa do the same thing. If the tops of your palms contain plants other than ferns, chances are good a ficus or schefflera has taken up residence. Remove them as soon as possible.
Q.
I planted a wisteria vine about a year ago. Sometimes it rests and sometimes it grows. Will it bloom here? I also have an allamanda that is growing on top of a fence and up a neighbor’s tree, but it’s bare on the bottom. Should I prune it? How can I get it to bloom more? – Vincent De Palma, Lauderhill
A.
Wisteria is more a Northern plant and does not get a proper rest period in South Florida. It also takes a long time to bloom from a small plant. If it survives without a dormant period, wisteria may take five to six years before blooming.
Let the allamanda alone and plant liriope at the base of the plant to cover the bare stems. Fertilize with an ixora-gardenia fertilizer in March, June and October to encourage flowering.
Q.
Could you tell me the name of my plant? I understand there is a green variety, too. – Mimi Novak, Coconut Creek
A.
Your plant is lucky clover. It grows from a bulb and often goes dormant during the summer. There are green and red leaf forms with flowers in the pink or white color range. They are popular as houseplants but can get weedy in the garden.
Q.
Enclosed is a picture of some flowers around my tree. Could you tell me what they are and where they come from? – Dolores Shaw, Fort Lauderdale
A.
Your rain lillies are known botanically as Zephyranthes grandiflora. Reminiscent of crocus up North, they are summer bloomers and originate in Mexico and Guatemala. The bulbous plants are easy to dig up and transplant or give to friends. They usually rest during the dry season, but may flower if there are heavy rains.
Note: Robert Haehle will give a free plant clinic at 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Living Color Garden Center, 3691 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale. Bring samples of your plants for diagnosis.
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Robert Haehle is a horticultural consultant based in Fort Lauderdale. Send your gardening questions to him in care of Lifestyle, Sun-Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33301-2293. Please include your FULL name, address and daytime telephone number. Personal replies will not be possible.
