Septoria Leaf Spot

/Septoria Leaf Spot/

Septoria Leaf Spot

This is Septoria leaf spot. The wet weather we have had this spring has contributed to it's rise in gardens this year. First, remove all the affected leaves and place in the trash not the compost pile. Next year rotate your tomatoes because the fungus will over winter in the garden for a season and would affect next years crop. This is specific to tomatoes not cucumber or the like. Good air circulation is very important when planting. Sterilize all your garden equipment that comes in contact with the tomatoes so it doesn't spread. Mulch your tomatoes if you haven't already. It keeps the spores from splashing on the ground and spreading the disease. If the above measures do not control the disease, you may want to use fungicidal sprays. Fungicides will not cure infected leaves, but they will protect new leaves from becoming infected. Apply at 7 to 10 day intervals throughout the season. Apply chlorothalonil, maneb, macozeb, or a copper-based fungicide, such as Bordeaux mixture, copper hydroxide, copper sulfate, or copper oxychloride sulfate. Follow harvest restrictions listed on the pesticide label. You can also use Serenade, an organic fungicide that I personally use. When spraying the plants, make sure you spray the undersides of the leaf as well.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:29-07:00 December 31st, 2015|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Lemon Balm Leaf Issue

Lemon Balm has very few pests or diseases. However, they can suffer root rot if overwatered. This may be the cause for your damaged leaves. Regardless of the cause, you'll want to take several steps to prevent further problems. First, remove the damaged leaves and discard them. As a precaution, if you use clippers, wipe them with alcohol before using them on healthy leaves or plants. You may want to put some organic mulch around your plants, making sure not to allow the mulch to lay next to the plant stems. Not only does that keep any soil born organisms from splashing onto the leaves, it keeps the soil temperature even and reduces water needs. Also, water only when the plants need watering. Feel the soil before watering, making sure it's not already wet. Because all plants in the mint family will begin to droop a little when they need water, that's another good indication that it's time to water. If these measures don't improve your mint's condition, you may want to take several damaged leaf samples to a local nursery for a closer inspection to rule out any other disease process.

Kudos to you for growing lemon balm. It's a great addition to any garden!

By | 2015-12-31T06:20:17-08:00 December 31st, 2015|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Probably Dead But You Can Try

Sorry to say, but this plant may be too far gone. You could try snipping off the top, back to some green stem, but its not likely to be successful. We notice that its in a large pot for the size of plant, so it could be a root rot issue (way too much moist soil around a very small root system). If you want to try, we recommend you also take the plant out of this pot and put it in a 4inch (or at most a 6inch) sized pot with well draining soil. Only water it in the smaller pot when the top 1/2 to 1inch of soil is dry and allow a bit of drainage every time. If the plant begins to grow and fill out the smaller pot, then you will increase water gradually to accomodate the growing root system, eventually transplanting it into a larger pot (about 2-3 inches larger than the first pot). This plant will grow in full sun, but don't shock it (burn it) by moving it into a full sun/hot location all at once. Gradually move it into full sun, and realize that when growing in sun, the soil will evaporate more water, so you will want to make sure a small pot gets watered properly, as needed depending upon temps.

By | 2015-12-31T00:45:22-08:00 December 31st, 2015|Trees|0 Comments
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Draceana Drainage Problems

Unfortunately we do not know the progression of the problem, but we are concerned about the containers. Do they have drainage holes to allow the water to drain out without the plant sitting in water? Lack of drainage often leads to root rot and plant problems. It is also important that you used a commercial, sterile potting soil that is well draining and not your native soil. Native soil compacts too much in a container and if your plant continues to decline, suggest you consider transplanting carefully into well-draining, commercial potting soil, plant it at the same level as its original container in a pot that has adequate drainage and if you can, find a root stimulator product that contains indolebutyric acid. This product helps the plant recover from transplanting but stay away from vitamin b12 products as these do not help at all. Water sparingly only when the soil feels dry down to the first knuckle. And provide bright indirect light if indoors and shade if outdoors. Feed with a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for container plants. Be sure to check with a horticulturist, show the photo so that the problem can be confirmed before doing anything. Hope your plant recovers!

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:29-07:00 December 30th, 2015|House Plants|0 Comments
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Oregano Problems

From this photo alone it's impossible to say for sure what the problem is, but we can list a number of possible concerns so you might think about which apply.
1. Is this plant indoors? From the background it looks as if that might be the case. Most herbs don't do that well inside long-term. If you could plant this outside, even if it's in a larger pot on a deck or balcony, that would help.
2. Is the foliage being splashed with water frequently? If so, alter the watering. Oregano doesn't like to be frequently wet on the leaves - the slightly brown edges can sometimes be a symptom of fungal action due to too much moisture.
3. It looks as if the leaves might be getting stippled - look under the leaves and see if they look dusty or dirty or webby - it can be very fine webs or dust. This is a sign of insect activity, usually mites but sometimes even aphids or whitefly. If the plant is indoors, it would be more prone to insect damage. If you suspect insects spray under the leaves with insecticidal soap. Mites, however, are hard to kill organically so should the problem get worse you might have to move the plant outside or toss it.

By | 2015-12-30T19:30:07-08:00 December 30th, 2015|Herbs|0 Comments
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Zonal Geranium

There are four basic types of Geranium (Pelargonium species and varieties). This is one of the many Zonal Geraniums. All are of easiest culture and are easily propagated by cuttings. There are countless named varieties, but all do well in full sun or partial shade in the hottest of climates, regular water and feed with a slow release fertilizer formulated for blooming plants.
Zonal geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum), also called Common and Garden Geraniums, receive their name from the colored bands, dubbed zones, present on their leaves. Zonal Geraniums include hundreds of varieties, each producing single or double blooms in ball-shaped clusters throughout the growing season. Flower colors include orange, red, salmon, pink, white and lavender, and a single plant produces multiple balls at one time. Zonal Geraniums grow in a rounded, upright shape and work well in planters, borders, mixed flowerbeds and containers. Some varieties of zonal geraniums produce lacy leaves, or leaves with white margins or variegated patterns. It's nearly impossible to ID a specific Zonal variety from a picture of the flower color and leaf. There are hundreds of varieties available in every color and more are hybridized each year.

By | 2015-12-30T19:12:37-08:00 December 30th, 2015|Perennials|0 Comments
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Goldenrod Soldier Beetle

Chauliognathus lugubrious. An unfamiliar yellow and green beetle with a soft body may be a source of curiosity if it turns up in your garden. Will it eat the plants, or bite people? A dozen of the beetles together might start to cause concern. But ten thousand of them festooning a tree are bound to raise alarm. Yet the insect in question wonäó»t harm either you or your plants.It is still something of a mystery why the Plague soldier beetle (Chauliognathus lugubris), a native species found in temperate southeastern Australia, occasionally builds up to massive numbers. Its grubs live in the soil, feeding on other small creatures. The adult beetles donäó»t seem to eat the plants they settle on, although the sheer weight of a mass of them may break weaker twigs. What they are more interested in is sucking nectar from flowering trees, and copulating.

The bright colours of Chauliognathus are a warning to any predator thinking of taking a swipe at one, as they exude a white viscous fluid from their glands that repels any predators thinking of getting too close.

By | 2015-12-30T17:13:43-08:00 December 30th, 2015|Plant Pests|1 Comment
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Moth Orchid Care Notes

We think this is a moth orchid. If so, here are a few tips for caring for your moth orchid (Phalaenopsis species). This is a very drought tolerant orchid. Because it's leaves are succulent, it can also tolerate normal household humidity. Moth orchids bloom once or twice a year. In between they'll produce a few new leaves. Don't expect them to bloom continuously because that's not how they work, no matter how much you feed them. How often are you feeding them? In winter (slow growth time) they don't really need food. If your orchids are potted in bark, once a week watering is good. If they are potted in long grain sphagnum moss, then push your finger into the moss and if it feels dry an inch down, it's time to water. Feed with a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for blooming container plants and provide bright, indirect light indoors. Do not allow the plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot. It is best to water in the sink, flush out any excess salt build-up, allow to drain out completely before setting it back on a saucer.

By | 2015-12-30T14:26:59-08:00 December 30th, 2015|House Plants|0 Comments
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Brown Tips On Houseplant

There are a couple of reasons that house plants can get brown tips on their leaves and stems. We'll list all of them here and you can decide which might apply to your plant. Note that sometimes it's a combination of the above, not just one of the conditions.
1. The plant is root-bound. When a houseplant has been in the pot for a long time the roots fill the pot and leave no space for water and soil. So the plant will dry out more quickly, even when you've watered it as you have for years. Tip the plant out of the pot and if you see lots of roots circling around the outside, time to repot! Or if the roots are growing out the drainage hole, time to repot. Put the plant in a pot that's at least 2-3" wider on all sides and bottom.
2. Drying. If the plant has dried out in between waterings, the leaves can brown. Sometimes a plant that's in more sun suddenly will dry out more quickly.
3. Fertilizer burn. If you fertilized with too-strong a concentration of a synthetic fertilizer, or if you fertilized a thirsty plant, this will cause such browning on the leaves.

By | 2015-12-30T13:49:07-08:00 December 30th, 2015|House Plants|0 Comments
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Hebe Emerald Gem

Hebe 'Emerald Gem' caught the eye of GPP judges over the course of a three-year hebe evaluation at North Willamette Research and Extension Center, Oregon. It stood out because of its rounded, compact habit and its striking foliage. Individual leaves are bright green with a yellowish cast, they are small and scale-like and pressed against the twigs of this shrub, creating a look much like a conifer. 'Emerald Gem's mounding form and clean, tidy habit make it a good choice for a rock gardens or an interesting specimen plant. Mix it with smaller plants because it dislikes competition. In youth Hebe 'Emerald Gem' has a formal look , but it will soften in a few years to a mounding slightly loose shrub whose delicate stems blow and drift in the breeze. It combines well with Mediterranean plants and dwarf conifers. It rarely flowers, but when it does, the blooms look like small white puffs scattered on the tips of its branches.
Plant this cold hardy hebe in well-drained or sandy soil with full sun. Once established it needs only occasional watering during dry weather. It requires little pruning to maintain its compact shape. Hebes are not long lived plants but should remain attractive in the garden for ten to fifteen years. Replace older plants once they begin to deteriorate.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:29-07:00 December 30th, 2015|Shrubs|0 Comments
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