Bed Of Nails

/Bed Of Nails/

Bed Of Nails

We think the leaves resemble the Solanum quitoense, also known as the bed of nails (for its spines on the leaves) or naranjilla plant. It's in the same family of plants as the tomato.This is a subtropical perennial plant from northwestern South America. Does best in temperatures around 65 degrees F. and cannot tolerate temperatures in the 80s. Also prefers well draining soil, regular water and feed with a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for fruiting plants especially during it growth and fruiting cycles Bears orange-colored 2 inch fruits, but do not eat unless positively identified by a horticulturist at your local garden center or botanic garden and only if you are positive that no chemical insecticide or fungicide has been sprayed on or near the plant.

By | 2016-04-05T17:46:23-07:00 April 5th, 2016|Annuals|0 Comments
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Mites

It is not likely you have mites on your Dwarf Alberta Spruce this time of year. Mites are most active when the temperatures are warm for extended periods of time in the summer on this plant. I see no webbing or eggs on the needles in the photograph although the picture isn't that sharp enough to determine that. You could take a hose to knock off spider mites without using any remedies. It will also help remove old dead needles inside. The one exception would be eriophiyd mites. That would require being diagnosed by a professional such as an extension agent because they are smaller than spider mites and the damage is different. It would have to be seen in person for an accurate diagnosis. Contact your Penn State Ext. office and they can direct you to the correct agent.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:01-07:00 April 5th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Cabbage Aphids

This looks like a common insect pest called Cabbage Aphids (or sometimes just Aphids - there are many different species of them, but they all have same feeding habit/life cycle). Among other things, you can clean these off with your hands, use a high-pressure spray of water to knock them off, and allow their natural enemies (lady beetles, parasitic wasps, green lacewings, etc) to help control them after you have reduced the population using the above methods. We've also included this link to give you more info about control measures. If you have trouble getting control of them with these methods, you can also get a pesticidal soap from your local garden center. Follow the label directions for best results. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/QT/aphidscard.html

By | 2016-04-05T15:23:23-07:00 April 5th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Yew

It appears that your shrub is a yew and there are 5-10 species in the Yew Family shrubs or trees native from Northern temperate areas to the Philippines and Central America. Produce scarlet, cup-shaped arils ("berries") and flat needles that are dark green above and yellowish below. Deer are fond of them. The berries are poisonous, just not to the deer. They like full sun, an acid, moist, well drained soil. They are actually small trees, not foundation plants and should never be planted next to the house! They have beautiful exfoliating bark that is cinnamon colored.
Nor should they be trimmed into little green meatballs or squares. If you plan to do that, you would be better off pulling them out and planting something else. It would be a lot less work.

By | 2016-04-05T11:37:14-07:00 April 5th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Gardenia Problem

As an evergreen shrub, it is normal for older leaves of a gardenia to turn yellow and drop. This typically occurs during early spring before new growth appears.
If chlorosis (leaf yellowing with veins still green) is present now or occurs at other times of the year and there is no evidence of insect pests or disease, there may be an environmental or cultural factor causing yellow foliage. Gardenias are acid-loving plants that grow best in a acid (low pH) soil. Iron is an essential nutrient and if the soil pH is above 7.0, the iron may be in a form that is not available to the plant. It may be necessary to apply iron if the leaves are chlorotic, but in the long run, it's good to know that there are fertilizers made specifically for acid loving plants like these.

By | 2016-04-05T11:24:06-07:00 April 5th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Eggplant Problem

First of all, congrats on growing those cute eggplants - but they are mini and should be picked at about 4 inches long for best flavor. We think what happened is a physiological stress problem seen in the Carolinas a couple of years ago when hot weather followed a good growing season and lots of rain fell at the same time. If you let it go completely, the brown areas get almost corky in texture. Since the growing season is young, suggest you pick off the affected fruits and spray the plants weekly with an organic product made for edibles that contains Neem. It will clean up insects and fungi that are there because the plants have been in stress. Resume fertilizing and watering when needed so new flowers and fruits can form.

By | 2016-04-05T10:42:09-07:00 April 5th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Browned Foliage

The brown foliage on your cleome could be caused by several problems. I'll list them and you can decide what might fit. (Sometimes with plants we can only guess...if only they could talk!)
1. Drying out in between watering. Since the other plants are OK this probably isn't it. 2. Slugs, snails, earwigs or other critters strip the stem near the bottom - look closely at the lower stem to see if it's been scraped/eaten away. 3. Fertilizer burn. If any one plant gets too much synthetic fertilizer, either applied to the plant itself or to roots, it can cause browning and death. 4. Hit with hot water. Sometimes we turn on the hose and don't realize that the first water that comes out is scalding hot from the sun. This can cause the plants to die.

By | 2016-04-05T10:24:09-07:00 April 5th, 2016|Annuals|0 Comments
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Raspberry Problem

The leaves may have suffered some fertilizer burn from the fertilizer or they could be dying back because of the excessive moisture. I would remove some of the dead and dying leaves and try not to keep the soil overly moist when watering. You may want to repot the plant at some time to put in some rough compost, shredded bark or something like that to increase drainage if the soil stays wet all the time. You want the soil moist but not sodden wet. If either of these problems are causing the leaf die back they should be temporary. The fertilizer should eventually wash out and if you let the soil dry some the leaves may gain a better condition. If neither of these work you may wish to consult with your local county Ag extension agent regarding problems with raspberries.

By | 2016-04-05T08:26:32-07:00 April 5th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Kalenchoe

Thank you very much for your follow up photo and apologize that we did not check on our previous answer last month that showed more of the plant itself. This is likely a Kalenchoe blossfeldiana. It has thick, glossy green leaves that are smooth-edged or lobed depending on the cultivar. A popular gift plant, it blooms primarily in winter through spring with clusters of tiny flowers in hues of orange, red, pink, cream, yellow, pink and salmon. Indoors needs bright indirect light, moderate water and fertilize with a slow-release food formulated for container blooming plants. Water when the soil feels dry down to the first knuckle or pot feels lighter. Do not over water. Outdoors, provide bright filtered light/partial shade, especially in the summer. Does not tolerate frost.

By | 2016-04-05T07:43:49-07:00 April 5th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Crown Of Thorns

Here are a few care tips and information about your crown of thorns plant. Euphorbia milii, is a succulent plant in the same family as the poinsettia, the thorns cover stems that ooze latex sap when cut. This is a common characteristic of euphorbias and is not a sign of disease. Use gloves when handling this plant to protect your skin from both the thorns and the sap. Indoors needs bright, indirect light and water only when soil feels dry to the touch down to the first knuckle. Outdoors provide full or partial sun and water sparingly. Does not tolerate frost. Flowers may be red, yellow, pink or white, or even bi-colored depending on the cultivar. Feed with a slow-release or organic fertilizer formulated for blooming container plants.

By | 2016-04-05T06:02:53-07:00 April 5th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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