Tomato Issue

/Tomato Issue/

Tomato Issue

It looks like there are a couple of things going on with your plant: 1-it looks as though either a snail/slug (not sure if there are snails/slugs in your area as it is pretty far inland) or a caterpillar has been munching on your plant. Here are a couple of links for those issues:
http://www.ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7427.html
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/INVERT/folfeedcater.html
2-this plant appears to be in need of the proper nutrients. You might want to consider investing in a high quality fertilizer formulated for vegetables that contains micronutrients. Follow the directions on the label.
You would most likely be able to get advice and be able to purchase at your local independent garden center.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:01-07:00 April 4th, 2016|Vegetable Plants|0 Comments
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Elephant Foot Or Pony Tail Palm

Your pony tail palm, Beaucarnia, is often grown as a houseplant where it grows best in bright, indirect light and can get by on very light watering. Outdoors it is hardy to about 25 degrees F. and thrives in full sun with moderate water once established. It looks like it is in a pot within a pot. If so, when you water take it out of the cover pot, and water in the sink and allow it to drain out completely before returning to the cover pot. If the plant sits in water, it may lead to root rot. Also, Beaucarnia are sensitive to salts in the tap water. If the brown tips continue, consider switching to steam iron water available at your grocery store. Do not over water. Water only when the soil feels dry down to the first knuckle.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:01-07:00 April 4th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Plumeria Problem

Your Plumeria plant needs well-draining soil, full or partial sun and regular water. From what we can see in this photo, it did suffer from frost damage. However, this is also the time of year that Plumeria go dormant and shed their leaves. Cut back on water but do not allow soil to dry out completely and protect from future evenings of frost by spraying with an antitranspirant or covering with a horticultural blanket. Do not prune off damaged portion until new leaves emerge and you can see exactly where the damaged portions extend. Also, protect the roots from frost damage by applying a 3 inch layer of mulch around the plant, leaving about a 2-4 inch diameter clearance, away from the base of the plant. We hope you can save your plant.

By | 2016-04-04T03:48:45-07:00 April 4th, 2016|Tropical Plants|0 Comments
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Blackspot

It looks like Blackspot or similar fungus. Blackspot, "Diplocarpon rosae", is a nasty fungus that manifests itself on rose bushes as black spots on leaves progressing to black spots fringed with yellow rings on both sides of the leaves. As they develop the spots enlarge. Eventually, as the disease spreads, the entire leaves will go from green to yellow and then drop to the ground. With time the entire rose bush may become defoliated. Leaves less than two weeks old are the most susceptible to this disease.
The worst case scenario can be avoided with some preventative measures, a keen eye and diligence. While plants are dormant in spring, spray thoroughly with fungicidal soap and wettable sulphur (both readily available at the local plant nursery).

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:01-07:00 April 4th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Powdery Mildew On Zucchini

The white spots on your squash are probably powdery mildew. This fungus is common to squashes especially if the foliage is wet at night. Drier weather will help. The warm days and cool nights of late summer create an ideal climate for spore growth and dispersal.
Powdery mildew can be prevented, and it can be controlled once it appears, but it can't be cured. The key to preventing it is planting mildew-resistant or mildew- tolerant varieties. Resistant varieties get less mildew than susceptible varieties; tolerant varieties may get some mildew, but it shouldn't affect the performance of the plant. Prevention also includes siting plants where they will have good air circulation, and exposing as much leaf surface as possible to direct sunlight, which inhibits spore germination.


By | 2016-04-03T23:53:43-07:00 April 3rd, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Orchid Cactus

Your stunning flower is from an orchid cactus. It is from the tropics and bears gorgeous flowers in the spring or summer depending on the variety (may take 3-5 years to bloom from a cutting). In your area, it can be kept outdoors year round in filtered light and should be watered regularly as long as weather remains mild. Feed with a slow release fertilizer formulated for blooming plants. Tends to sprawl but that older growth is usually where the flower buds develop. If possible, bring indoors if frost is predicted and place in bright indirect light. Best displayed in a large pot or hanging basket to show off the blooms. To flower, the plant needs more than 12 hours of darkness per night in early to mid-autumn. Avoid artificial light during this period.

By | 2016-04-03T23:40:46-07:00 April 3rd, 2016|Succulents|1 Comment
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Canna Lily

This appears to be a Canna lily. Cannas are prized for their showy leaves and striking spikes of large flowers in reds, oranges, white, cream, yellow, pink or bicolors. They develop from rhizomes and do best in full sun and regular water during growth and bloom cycles but will live on year after year with little care. In mild winter areas such as where you live, Cannas can be left in the ground all year long. Where winter frosts are common, the rhizomes can be dug up and stored in a cool, dry place until the danger of frost has passed and re-planted. Yours might be the 'Yellow King Humbert' cultivar known for its highly unstable coloration and contrasting markings in red and orange. There are however many, many cultivars in a a variety of stunning hues and bi-colors.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:01-07:00 April 3rd, 2016|Bulb Plants|0 Comments
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Wild Cucumber

A vining native annual in the cucumber or gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), wild cucumber is often overlooked until it is large and sometimes has engulfed the other plants it is growing on. It occurs throughout much of North America and produces a large leaf with jagged edges. A fast growing, warm season annual, wild cucumber grows from seed each year, germinating after the last frost. The branching vines can grow up to 25' or 30' long, climbing onto other foliage with curling, 3-forked tendrils. Despite the common name, the fruits are not edible, and can cause burning reactions in some people. The pods can be used in dried flower arrangements. An attractive native plant, it is generally considered a weed when climbing on planted trees because of its aggressive growth.

By | 2016-04-03T22:04:03-07:00 April 3rd, 2016|Annuals|0 Comments
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Fusarium Wilt

Environmental issues and disease often cause similar symptoms. For example, leaves dieing could be caused by too much or not enough water, and the fungal disease called Fusarium wilt causes similar symptoms. Usually the first symptom is a slight yellowing of lower leaves on just one side of the plant or one stem, or a slight wilting and drooping of the lower leaves. A distinct brown discoloration of the water and food channels in the stem can be seen by cutting a stem close to the base of the plant. Since soil retains this fungus indefinitely and is more prevelant in over-watered soils/plants its recommended that you don't re-plant tomatoes (or related plants) and other plants that are susceptible to this disease in the same spot, especially year after year.

By | 2016-04-03T22:02:02-07:00 April 3rd, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Lemon Tree

It is a bit hard to tell what is going on with your tree from underneath the leaves but it certainly is having some nutrition problems and probably insect attack. I would suggest getting some Iron Chelate to correct the yellowing issue. If it improves after the first application I would probably apply again after 10-14 days. Follow the directions on the packet. Broken down manure mulch is good and a good soaking of the root system is also a good idea. Generally you don't have to prune citrus on a yearly basis. Prune for shape or to keep fruit within reach. You can also prune out any dead or crossing branches. Prune off any branches shooting below the graft around the lower part of the tree. Spring is the best time to prune. I hope this helps.

By | 2016-04-03T19:06:40-07:00 April 3rd, 2016|Fruit Plants & Trees|2 Comments
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