Dear Sun Spots: Does anyone know how to plant or start a forsythia with a branch? Thank you. – No Name, Lewiston.

Answer: Perhaps other column readers may be willing to share their gardening tips with this reader.

In the meantime, Sun Spots spoke with Vivianne Holmes, extension educator at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Lisbon Falls, who says it is difficult to propagate a forsythia this way, but it can be done. Holmes recommends that if you have access to a bush you find a branch on that tree that will bend down towards the soil without breaking. (You are aiming to bury it in the soil while the branch is still attached to the bush).

Take the edge of a knife and scrape one side of the branch that will be under the soil. Holmes says this stimulates the cells so that the branch will put out roots. The branch is still attached to the mother plant and will remain so for several months. Weight the branch into the soil with a rock or something that will keep it down in the clay.

If you do this now, Holmes says that hopefully it will be rooted by the fall. You can test to see if that has occurred by gently tugging at it. If it resists, it has taken root. You can then cut it off between the root and the mother plant, and gently, without disturbing the root, plant it where you wish. If your branch doesn’t take root, Holmes recommends you just go out and buy a bush.

Dear Sun Spots: The First Baptist Church of Mexico is celebrating its centennial. A celebratory weekend will be held in October. We are looking for names and addresses of past members/attendees. We also want to borrow any pictures and/or interesting items that people may have featuring the church, members and activities held at the church. Lastly, we are interested in stories of the church in years past. These may be written down and sent to one of us. Or, we may be able to meet with you to get the stories firsthand. If you can help us in any way, or are interested in obtaining more information, please contact Ken and Marilla Couch at (207) 364-2678, or Pastor Bob or Joy Peters at (207) 364-8850. Thank you. – Marilla Couch, Rumford.

Dear Sun Spots: Could you please help me find a plumber that could fix a bathroom sink. Also, I’m looking for a cologne spray, Royal Secret. – No Name, Durham.

Answer: Try contacting Veilleux Plumbing Systems at 18 Ferry Road, Lisbon, (207) 353-5884.

Regarding your second request, you may want to contact Perfumania (also online at www.perfumania.com) in the Kittery Outlet. Sun Spots spoke with Jennifer, an assistant manager, who was extremely helpful and informative. She says they carry Royal Secret spray concentrate as well as body lotion. You can reach them at (207) 439-8772. They are at 345 US Route 1, and summer hours started Friday. They are open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-Sat and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Jennifer says they also carry hard-to-find fragrances as well as import international fragrances. Sun Spots plans to visit this store!

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