Happy Friday everyone! Welcome back to our Friday edition of Ask the Experts, the only plant blog panel of experts on the web.

High-end graphics
We have a great edition in store for you today, as well as an answer to last week’s Plant Stumper (we stumped you alright!). But before we get to that, let’s meet the panel!
First up is my dear friend Tina Quintana.

Just like me, Tina has a small plant care business (Total Plant Management) here in Albuquerque. She’s got quite the green thumb – she’s the one I call when I have questions about indoor or outdoor plants. So far, there’s never been a question I asked that she couldn’t answer – that’s mindblowing! She’s a lovely and amazing woman. Thanks for your expertise, Tina!
Our next expert is my great friend “EZ” Ed Johnson.

Ed and I have known each other for years. We used to work together in the sports department of the Albuquerque Journal. Everyone in the department had nicknames – his is EZ, mine was Wheelsie (as in 18 wheels on a big rig, which makes a tiny bit more sense if you know my last name is Wheeler). EZ still works at the paper as a sports writer and editor, and he also has zillions of other hobbies and passions. Sadly, houseplants aren’t among them. But that didn’t stop him from being on my esteemed panel. Thanks for joining us, EZ!
Next on our panel is the lovely and talented Dottie Correll.

I just love her. Doesn’t she look like a sunflower? Dottie and I met several years ago at the local Red Cross chapter. Dottie’s been a volunteer since 1963. I volunteered in the office but didn’t accomplish much – she always had me in stitches! Quite the spitfire, this one. She is an asset to humanity and an all-around lovely human being. She even knows a thing or two about plants! Thanks for being here Dottie!
Our final expert is the fabulous Lewis Casey. I’m still working on a graphic for him, so for now, you’ll just have to imagine his smiling mug on a sunflower.
Lewis is Director of Safety for the New Mexico Department of Health, and he’s also a Disaster Action Team Captain for the local Red Cross. That means, if your house burns down, or you are somehow affected by a natural disaster, Lewis is the one who shows up to make sure you have food, shelter and clothing. That’s no small feat, folks, it requires dedication, compassion and lots of know-how. Did I mention it’s a volunteer position? Thanks for all you do Lewis!
Of course, I’m Liza.

I’m the moderator for this panel of experts and the author of this blog. It’s my great privilege to be here. Thanks everyone for joining us. Shall we get started?
Ok, this week’s question comes to us from Albuquerque. Yeah, it’s still me as I haven’t gotten any questions submitted from readers. Any time you guys want to ask a question, go right on ahead!
Q: When is the best time to prune rose bushes, in the fall or spring?
Tina, let’s start with you. What’s your answer to this week’s question?

A. Spring.

Ding ding ding ding! Spring is correct! When asked why, Tina said that if you prune rose bushes in the fall, they will start to grow, and that new growth will freeze and you will end up having to prune again in the spring (better to let them have their dormancy). She mentioned other reasons, too, but the bottom line is spring is the time to prune rose bushes.
Ok, EZ, let’s throw the question to you, my friend.
Q. When is the best time to prune rose bushes, in the fall or spring?

A. Roses? Well, I’m looking for Stanford to beat Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.

(Insert sound of a buzzer.) Oooh, sorry EZ, that is incorrect. Big Ten teams are better than Pac-10 teams. Everyone knows that. (I mean, except for the last 10 years, but that’s beside the point.) Thanks for playing, though!
Up next is the lovely Dottie. Dottie, what’s your answer to this week’s question?
Q. When is the best time to prune rose bushes, in the fall or spring?

A. My knowledge of “pruning roses”? Not so much! However, I learned about “pruning” my hair the hard way!
At seven years of age, my mother made me into a real “girly girl” with fancy little dresses and the dreaded “long curls” ala Shirley Temple! However, in my neighborhood, there were few little girls to play with — just very typical rough little boys. I so wanted to be one of the boys not a “girly girl.” They were my constant playmates and even condescended to let me be on the baseball team.
So, wanting desperately to fit in, off I took myself to the local barber at the end of our street. I somehow convinced him I had my mother’s permission to have my hair cut like a boy’s and that mother (who was at work) would pay him the next time she came into have her hair cut. I triumphantly returned home with my newly “pruned hair,” just “one of the boys” to a horrified and irate mother who made sure my “pruning” would result in my not being able to play first base or get to any base for quite some time.

Hahahahaha, good story Dottie! I’m glad you said “play first base” instead of “get to first base” because this is a family-friendly website. Ok, up next is Lewis. Lewis, what’s your answer?
Q. When is the best time to prune rose bushes, in the fall or spring?
Lewis: When you are putting your Christmas lights on your rose bushes and other plants around the house, use only UL outdoor rated lights. Check your lights to be sure there are no damaged or broken wires – a taped-up spot is not weather-proof and could be a electrical hazard. Don’t overload your electrical circuits. 19 strands of lights might look pretty but it could also burn your house down. If you’re putting lights on the roof or sides of the house, use a good, sound ladder, don’t reach out too far, move the ladder instead. Do not stand on the top rung/step because many people fall from the top step. Don’t be one of them. Be careful walking on the roof and if it’s wet or snow covered, stay off of it! A pretty ground display is better than a broken neck. Better yet, just put a low wattage electric candle in the window signaling the world our love of family, of friends and the safe return of loved ones far from home. Many blessing and prayers for those who stand in harms way for our sake both near and at the far end of the earth. Peace and be safe.

Wow! Now there’s a guy looking out for your best interests! Thanks Lewis. It’s not the correct answer, but rose bushes sure would look nice with holiday lights strung on them.
Ok, that’s it for this week’s edition of Ask the Experts. Thank you to our wonderful panel of “experts.” We’ll be giving the experts a break next Friday as it’s Thanksgiving weekend, but we will back on December 4th for another edition. Please check back!
Plant Stumper!

Last week, I asked “When is an Agave plant not an Agave plant?” The answer is not “when it’s tequila” (that’s correct, but not the answer I want).
No one answered correctly because it was an impossibly hard question. Hence the title “Plant Stumper.” So, what is the answer?
When is an Agave plant not an Agave plant? When it’s a security device!

Before you throw your shoe at the computer, or leave hateful comments for me, let me explain. By planting an Agave plant, or a Prickly Pear or other plants with wickedly sharp thorns, underneath exposed windows around your house, you create a security wall that deters burglars. Believe me, Agave thorns are super painful – no burglar in his right mind will go near them. And if he tries, he’ll learn quickly that it’s not worth it to break into your house.
Still mad? I’m sorry. But it’s good advice. Planting thorny plants in the beds under your windows is just plain smart, not to mention less expensive and prettier than putting bars on your windows.
Still mad? I’m still sorry. But remember, I warned you it was a stumper!
Again, we’ll be giving the experts a break next Friday for the holidays, but will return again on December 4th with a new edition of Ask the Experts. We’ll also have a new installment of “Name That Plant Problem.” Until then, stay safe out there! And happy indoor gardening to you all.