IN THE GARDEN: Curling Leaves On Succulent Could Be Due To Overwatering Or Extreme Temperature Changes

Request. My cousin from New York thinks I'm the source of all gardening wisdom. It really was my mom, but I'm trying to hold on to the flashlight. She asks me what's wrong with this succulent she's had for years [a reader sent in a photo]. He noticed that the leaves were "rolling back" exaggeratedly. I don't see anything special, but I know very little about succulents. Because you are a real expert, you see something wrong. I promise to fully trust you with your answer.

Answer: The succulent shown in the photo is a pancake or paddle Kalanchoe. Appears healthy, with good leaf color and no spots. I see rippling leaves. This can be caused by over watering or extreme temperatures. I see a plant in a pot, but I don't see a drainage plate underneath. I hope there's a drain hole in there. If you have a pot without excess water, the soil may look dry on the surface, but it will hold too much moisture on the inside. The plant is also near a window, and depending on the quality of the window, the temperature near the window can be low when it is very cold outside.

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Request. I have rose bushes that have grown a lot. Can I reduce them now, and if so, by how much?

Answer: Now you can stabilize the rose bush if it is really big and you are worried about the branches breaking in winter, but the main rose pruning is done in late February when most of the winter weather should have passed. Pruning depends on the type of rose bush you are growing. Shrub roses such as Knock-Outs are simply cut to a third to half their height, selectively thinning the branches. Hybrid Tea bushes are pruned to 8-18 inches from the ground.

Request. Is it too late to treat powdery mildew in bush beds? I lost it in the summer. [Reader submitted photo.]

A: I can't believe your advice still sounds so great! Are you sure these are bones? If it grows on its own (there are no plants around), you can try spraying it with Roundup or Sedge. I don't think you'll kill everything since it's partially inactive right now, but it doesn't hurt to try.

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Request. The Japanese maples in Little Rock this year were spectacular. Was there a combination of weather and humidity that could explain the display?

A: Everyone commented on the color show in late autumn this year. I'm just as surprised as everyone else. I thought the first cold would make the color dull, but it must have been cold enough, with a lot of humidity, warm days and cool October nights, to create such magic. Not only has it turned into one of the most beautiful waterfalls, but the leaves also live much longer. And while I agree with you; The Japanese maples were beautiful (and many still are), but so were the red maples, Bradford pears (ugh), and lots of oaks, jelly beans, etc.

Janet Carson, who retired after 38 years with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, is one of Arkansas' most popular gardeners. His blog is located at arkansasonline.com/planitjanet . Email him at PO Box 2221, Little Rock, AR 72203 or email jcarson@arkansasonline.com .