By David Rodriguez
Guest Columnist

Q: How do I care for Duranta ”Sapphire Showers”? I am wondering if this is a new plant, as I can not find information on how to care for it. Do you have any information regarding its care?

A: This is not a new plant. This is just one of the many names for Duranta erecta. It likes full sun but can tolerate some moderate shade. It will not bloom as profusely nor produce as many berries in the shade. It prefers a moist, well drained soil. Oh, and a word of caution: Deer like it, too.

Q: What is the difference in pH between Sphagnum peat moss and Canadian peat moss? If peat moss lowers the pH of the soil and helps with take-all root rot, wouldn’t coffee grounds also help?

A: Canadian peat moss is Sphagnum peat moss which may, or may not, come from Canada. The other peat that is commonly sold is Michigan peat moss, which may come from Michigan, New York or Wisconsin. Sphagnum is usually sold in compacted bales while the other is sold in bags. They are both very acidic. I cannot comment on the coffee grounds and take-all root rot part of your question since the testing was done with sphagnum peat and not with coffee grounds.

Q: How do you do deadheading and is it necessary?

A: Deadheading means to keep the spent flowers clipped off. It is particularly useful on some of the annual bedding plants. When the plants have flowered and set seed, they begin their demise. By clipping the dead flowers off (before they make seed) fools Mother Nature into thinking that she still has a job to do to make seed, thus the plants will continue to bloom. Deadheading also keeps the plants looking tidier.

Q: I’m a first-time watermelon grower. How long does it take for a fruit to appear? I have two plants in my backyard garden and the vines are 4- to 6-feet long. Perhaps I’m a bit impatient, but it seems as if I should be seeing some results by now.

A: It takes about 8 to 10 weeks after planting for the plants to begin blooming. They will have both male and female blossoms. The female flower will have a miniature watermelon directly behind the flower. To be properly pollinated it must have both male and female flowers that open on the same day and there must be bees to transfer the pollen.

David Rodriguez represents the Texas AgriLife Extension Service as an extension horticulturalist with the Texas A&M University System. To submit questions, call the Bexar County Master Gardeners Hotline at 467-6575, e-mail questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit the county extension Web site at http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu.