DATE:   8/8/96
WRITER: Bob Polomski, (864) 656-2604

Warm Summer Nights Cause Leaf Color Change
                                                           
     Q.  In midsummer I saw the leaves of my Albomarginata hosta
go from green with creamy-white margins to solid green leaves. 
Also, these new leaves appeared longer and narrower than normal. 
Was it caused by a nutrient deficiency?  
     A.  No, nutrients have no bearing on this gradual color
change. This reversion to green is called viridescence and is a
physiological response to warm summer nights. In regions where
the nights are cooler, the leaf color of Hosta "Undulata
Albomarginata" remains unchanged.
     The longer, narrower leave produced in late summer is a
natural occurrence, although it's more prominent in H. "Undulata
Albomarginata" than other cultivars. Full sun tends to
exacerbate the change in color and appearance of the leaves.
     You could force your hosta to return to its original color
by cutting it down to ground level when the leaves begin to turn
green. Then new white-margined foliage will emerge and remain  
unchanged into the fall. However, if you perform this drastic
operation too often, expect to see smaller leaves in the clump in
subsequent seasons. 
  
Drought Cause of Berry Drop
             
     Q.  Both of my holly trees are well-formed and always have
many shining black green leaves all year long. After a period of
time, the petals of white flowers fall and berries start to
develop, but after reaching the size of small pellets, the
berries either dry up or fall off branches.  
     A.  The berry loss could have been a survival response
caused by drought stress. During dry periods, hollies will shed
fruit to conserve moisture. Typically the berries shrivel up and
drop from the plant. To ensure a berry display this fall, water
your hollies infrequently and deeply during dry summer periods
and maintain a 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch.
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     If you have gardening questions or comments, write to
Agricultural News & Publications, A-101 Poole Agricultural 
Center, Box 340311, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29634-0311
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