Tomato Pests

/Tomato Pests/

Tomato Pests

Its hard to say from these photos, but it could be spider mites and/or disease. Spider mites are tiny spiders that require a magnifying lens to see, but if their numbers are great enough they can do severe damage, if not kill plants. Their feeding can also weaken a plant and make it more susceptible to diseases that may appear as discolored spots/tissues on leaves. Do the leaves have white or gray powdery spots or are the leaves covered with this substance. If so, this would likely be a fungal disease called Powdery Mildew. If this is the only leaf on the plant that is affected, then you've done the right thing by removing it but you should continue to examine the plant regularly for signs of this on other leaves. If there are more leaves affected, you can send another photo of the leaves still attached to the plant, and a picture of the plant itself, and we'll try again to narrow down the potential causes. In the meantime we recommend you take leaf samples sealed in a bag to a local garden center for further assistance. We've also included links with more information.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/PESTS/tomrusmite.html
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/insects/mites/spider-mites-outdoors.aspx
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/tomato.html

By | 2016-01-18T13:57:29-08:00 January 18th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Translant Shock Blueberry

Since transplanting is the most recent "activity" involving the plant we would suspect transplant shock, or some drastic change in environment to be the cause. If the plant was suddenly moved from an indoor to an outdoor situation immediately upon transplanting, that would likely cause drastic changes in temps & light exposure, in addition to the transplanting, which disturbs roots, may increase or reduce the amount of water held in the soil, change in soil temps (and maybe additions of fertilizer), and changes in pH (acidic or basic soil) could all combine to cause the damage we see. If dug from the ground and put into a pot, the potential for pH changes is greatest, and the loss of roots could cause wilting and leaf drop, etc. We recommend you place the plant in a sunny location, water according to the plants needs and protect it from any very adverse weather conditions; it should do better. Note - Blueberries grow best in acidic conditions so when you fertilize you'll want to get an appropriate fertilizer. You may want to find a good on-line resource for specific info about Blueberry requirements.

By | 2016-01-18T13:09:05-08:00 January 18th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Pineapple Guava

Feijoa sellowiana - Pineapple Guava is a large fruiting,evergreen shrub or small tree. It is used primarily as a landscape shrub on the west coast of the united states but has the added feature of tasty, edible fruit and flowers. Zones 8 äóñ 10. What this really means is that it likes some cool weather, can go down to 10 deg. F, likes rain in the 30äó_ äóñ 40äó_ range, and doesnäó»t like super hot daytime weather äóñ not so good in the desert.
täó»s adaptable to a wide range of soils, including acidic soil, but prefers a humus rich soil that is well drained. Adding compost and not manure works for this plant.
Full sun is best äóñ but it can tolerate partial shade
The flowers which bloom late Spring are edible. The thick petals are spicy and are eaten fresh. The petals may be plucked without interfering with fruit set. The fruit ripens in late Fall, which is a great boon, since almost everything else in the garden is gone. The fruit in the picture below, came from my garden on December 22 after many days of frost. They taste fresh and tangy. We eat them by scooping out the fruit with a spoon. Or you can cook them in puddings, pastry fillings, fritters, dumplings, fruit-sponge-cake, pies or tarts.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:27-07:00 January 18th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Transplanting

We don't think that they are diseased. The damage appears to be lack of water. Just because you were watering it, doesn't mean it was able to utilize the water. It's hard to tell by the photo, but it looks as if the closeup is of an Azalea. They do prefer shade in SoCal. You will need to amend the soil to lower the pH. Azaleas prefer an acid soil. If there are other types of plants, please take photos and submit those. We have a few questions: When you dug them up to transplant them, were the roots easy or hard to dig up? We are wondering if you ended up losing some of the root ball or even maybe a tap root when you dug it up. If you did (or even if you didn't), you should try to reduce the top growth (leaves & stems) by about the same amount. It seems as if you transplanted in July-August, correct? Probably not the best time of year to do that. If the plant was trying to get used to its new environment, it probably didn't have enough of a root system to pull up the water that it needed to survive in the heat. New soil is a good idea. With the weather cooling off a bit and your top pruning, they should pull out of their current state soon. Plants need time.

By | 2016-01-18T09:42:17-08:00 January 18th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Carved Chinese Sacred Lily Bulb

One of the customs for Chinese New Year is to have a pot of blooming äóìsui sin fahäó (translated in English, water fairy) or as we know it, narcissus in the home. If the plant flowers on Chinese New Year, it is an omen that the rest of the year will bring good fortune. Narcissus bulbs when placed in water or soil typically grow with erect leaves and spikes of flowers, but there are other imaginative growth forms. Bulb carving is an ancient art form originating from the Fujian province in China. After years of training and with surgical-like skills, the advanced student can dissect and scab a narcissus bulb until it resembles multiple cloves of garlic forcing the foliage to curl as they grow and flower, giving the plant its convoluted and twisted character. Some are even shaped to look like snails and roosters. Known as the crab-claw method of carving, it is commonly practiced on Narcissus tazzeta var. orientalis (Chinese Sacred Lily).
To view more amazing carved narcissus, visit www.fdflower-nl.com/products/chinese-narcissus and enjoy. Gong Hay Fat Choy! (Happy New Year)

By | 2016-01-18T06:07:45-08:00 January 18th, 2016|Bulb Plants|2 Comments
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Rose Of Sharon

We apologize for the delayed response but unfortunately all our advisors studied your photo and agreed that a positive identification from a single leaf is too challenging to be sure. However, rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus, is prone to fungal and bacterial diseases. If there are not too many, clip off any leaves with spots and dispose in the trash and do the same with any fallen leaves. Also make sure the plant is in soil with good drainage and watered regularly so that it is moist but not soggy, in full sun and feed with a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for blooming shrubs. Remove and destroy any leaves with spots. Also remove and destroy any leaves that have fallen around the base of the bush. If the problem is extensive, and it has been confirmed that this is likely a fungal disease, treat the bush with foliar fungicides to prevent the spread of the fungus to the rest of the bush. We also suggest watering around the base of the plant rather than overhead.



Read more: Rose of Sharon Disease | Garden Guides http://www.gardenguides.com/95183-rose-sharon-disease.html#ixzz3A5ftS1zfA deciduous tree or shrub popular for its gorgeous summer flowers. Unlike tropical hibiscus, these are remarkably hardy once established in the landscape. Needs full sun and regular water. They start blooming mid summer and continue until near frost.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:27-07:00 January 18th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Oregano Kents Beauty

This appears to be the plant of the non-edible oregano. äóÖKent Beautyäó» is a hybrid ornamental oregano (O. rotundifolium x O. scabrum) that is grown primarily for its attractive flowers and foliage. In the St. Louis area, it may be grown as either an annual or a perennial. This is a bushy, trailing plant (to 10äó tall) with wiry stems densely covered with small, oval, silver-veined, glaucous leaves (to 3/4äó long). Unique, drooping, pink-bracted, hop-like flowers bloom in whorls from summer to fall. Although the foliage is aromatic, it is not of the pungency and quality expected for culinary oreganos and is usually not used in cooking. Bracted-flowers may be dried for use in dried flower arrangements. Notwithstanding its aforementioned parentage, äóÖKent Beautyäó» is often sold by nurseries as a cultivar of O. rotundifolium.

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Does very well in gritty, sandy loams. Superior soil drainage is the key to growing this plant well. Good heat and drought tolerance. Best to cut plants to the ground in late fall. If not cut back, foliage will die to the ground anyway when temperatures near zero degrees F. Winter hardy in zones 6 to 9. Notwithstanding its perennial nature, this oregano performs superbly in the St. Louis area as a flowering annual in containers, hanging baskets and window boxes.

By | 2016-01-17T19:16:03-08:00 January 17th, 2016|Herbs|0 Comments
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Weak Aloe

Maine is a tough place to grow an aloe to start! It is difficult to say what's at the bottom of its declining condition but here's some recommendations. I know its a very short season by you but take advantage of what you can. As long as your night temps stay above 45 degrees, move it outside into full sun. The leaves (when healthy) should be standing somewhat up, not flopping down. The center is also very pale and weak looking. These are all signs of not enough sun and maybe too much water while it was inside for the winter. Just to be on the safe side, cut off that leaf that is turning black - it could be a fungal or bacterial infection. Use a sharp knife and cut it off right next to the trunk and toss it. Sprinkle a good amount of ground cinnamon on the cut of the main plant. It is a natural anti-fungal, anti-bacterial. When you water, water well, but don't water again until the soil has become dry to at least an inch or so into the pot. They need to dry out between watering. Just maybe it will start to perk up before you need to bring it back inside before your first frost.

By | 2016-01-17T16:50:20-08:00 January 17th, 2016|Plant Diseases|2 Comments
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Cherry Leaf Spot

Your tree may have cherry leaf spot, caused by the fungus Blumeriella jaapii. Cherry leaf spot targets the foliage of cherry trees but can also infect stems and fruit. Small purple spots on the tops of leaves are generally the first symptom of this fungal disease. The spots turn brown and begin to enlarge and collapse, leaving a hole in the foliage. Older leaves will yellow and drop from the branches, and the cherry tree can lose all its leaves, which weakens the fruit tree and increases its susceptibility to cold damage. Be sure to clean up all of the fallen leaves and dispose of in your garbage.

Properly timed applications of fungicide will help prevent cherry leaf spot. Start fungicide preventive sprays at the petal fall stage and repeat every seven days until harvest. Some say way until the new leaves in the spring and others to start treatment now. It would be best to confirm that this is the problem and go from there. This happens a lot in humid weather places with often with overhead watering.

You may want to get a second opinion and take a sample to your local cooperative extension for confirmation. They will also be your best source for treatment of the problem.

By | 2016-01-17T15:10:50-08:00 January 17th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Leaf Spot On Sage

Is the entire plant showing these symptoms or only some of the older leaves? If it's the entire plant, or a great deal of the plant, it's likely that it's getting too much water. Pansy leaves yellow if the plant is being kept too wet and plants that are getting splashed with water on a frequent basis are likely to develop leaf-spot fungus. Pluck off the worst of them and destroy, do not compost the leaves. Follow that with a spray and./or soil drench of a fungicide made for flowering annual plants.

Sage does best when grown in full sun and watered once a week, fairly deeply. Most plants don't do well if hand-watered or under irrigation where the foliage is splashed with water frequently.

If it's only a few leaves that look this way clip them off, and the plant is growing in the ground and not a pot, water the plant deeply only once a week, watering in the morning so that the foliage will dry. If the plant is in a container let it dry out a bit in between waterings - if the nights are cool, for example, you'll only need to water this plant every two or three days. Make sure the pot has an open drainage hole - most plants don't like to grow in pots without a drainage hole.

By | 2016-01-17T09:35:11-08:00 January 17th, 2016|Annuals|0 Comments
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