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Questions about Lakeview Jasmine,
A Yellowing Indoor Palm Tree,
and Ivy Covered Walls
Willy the Garden Gnome

Lakeview Jasmine

Gloria wrote: I have a indoor tree called "lakeview jasmine". I could not find any references about it.
I was told that it would bloom tiny white fragrance flower all year round. However, It only bloomed the first spring since I have it for more than 2 years.
This plant gives off a lot of sticky substance. This sticky substance is on the leaves and covers the floor. The leaves are very fragile and fall off easily. It is very difficult to maintain it appearance and keep floor clean.
I tried to water it more frequent to keep the leaves from drying out, but it did not help the problems. I appreciate your help.

I found very little information about Lakeview Jasmine Murraya paniculata myself, so I'm afraid that I can't be of much help.
Lakeview Jasmine is actually an outdoor plant which has been adapted for container growing.
Jasmine is frost tender, so it can only be grown outdoors in zones 9,10,and 11. It should be grown in sandy, well drained, alkaline soil.
Lakeview Jasmine plants are fairly drought tolerant, so your extra watering may be futile.
It may be a good idea to mist your plant on a regular basis, or take other measures to increase the humidity.

Yellowing Indoor Palm Trees

Susan wrote: "Hi there. HELP!
I just bought a large indoor palm. It's about 10 feet high. I kept it in its original container for 1 week before transplanting it into a larger container. I bought new potting soil. It has drastically started to turn yellow on the fronds.
I have it in my kitchen where it gets a lot of indirect light. I watered it heavily upon transplanting it.
Did I over water it? Is it lacking a mineral? I'm just sick to think its going to die.Any suggestions?

Due to the speed and time frame in which the fronds started turning yellow on you, I would guess that your Palm is suffering from transplant shock.
Some yellowing and die back is quite normal. Since the yellowing seems extensive, you may have damaged the roots while transplanting, but Palms are generally tough plants, so it will hopefully make a complete recovery with time.
Generally there are four main causes for what is happening to your plant, transplant shock, over watering (when you repot a plant they should be watered heavily, with the exception of succulents), under watering, and spider mites (the yellowing would be more gradual).

Ivy Covered Walls

Mary wrote: "Hello Garden Helper, I came across your site today during a search to gather information on ivy. I just purchased a house that has ivy growing up on most of it.
It seems very securely attached to the walls, which are plaster over concrete block (I believe).
I've been advised to remove the ivy, but like the way it looks, so I am trying to determine how much damage it can/will do to the house.
Any advise/wisdom you can share with me?

OK... I got different responses from different sources.
The masons and bricklayers seem to think Ivy growing on masonary is a no-no.(hmm...I guess they should know! ??)
However, the University of Denmark did a study and concluded that ivy growing on a wall did no substantial damage to the surface, but in fact added a bit of insulation to the wall. (uhh, these are college folks, aren't they suppose to know?)
Well, since you asked ME instead of them...
I think ivy covered walls are very cool! If it were my house, I would inspect to see if the roots are penetrating any cracks or joints in the masonry.
If the roots are just adhering themselves to the surface, I wouldn't mess with them.
If the roots are growing into cracks, you can assume that water is getting in there, as well. That will create problems eventually.
In lieu of losing your ivy, one option would be to build a lattice structure attached to the wall, on which the ivy could grow.

Anne wrote: We would like to plant boston ivy to cover our very long (100 ft) 2 story brick wall...
Is there a recommended ratio of plants per square foot area?
Also, how long will it take to move along up the wall? the summer, a few seasons? Thanks in advance!

If you are planting standard 4 inch ivy plants, they should be planted about a foot apart and six inches from the wall.
Give each plant a minimum size of 6"x6"x9" deep hole.
As soon as the plant is established, give it a shot of high nitrogen liquid fertilizer (20-10-10), and feed again in August.
The time that it will take to cover the wall will, of course depend on the growing conditions.
A single ivy vine can easily grow six to eight feet in a year.
Pinching the tips of the vine will slow the growth initially but produce a much bushier plant which in turn will cover the wall sooner.
Since you are starting from scratch, you might want to consider building a lattice attached to the wall for the plants to grow on.

Ivy climbing a wall


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