Weed Or Wildflower

/Weed Or Wildflower/

Weed Or Wildflower

There is a fine line between a native wildflower/plant or an offspring of a cultivated plant and a weed. If it appeared suddenly amidst your cultivated plants, the chances are good that it is a weed/wildflower. There are many different weeds/wildflowers, but if it is not competing with your established plants, then leave it be if you like it. And if it is competing, then pull it out before it gets established, especially if the seed heads are allowed to mature and disperse. If you did not plant it, chances are good that it has been planted by the wind or a bird and will soon compete with your cultivated plants. Suggest you show your photo and some of the clippings to a local garden center/nursery to see if they can identify further for you.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:02-07:00 April 3rd, 2016|Weeds|1 Comment
Read More

Stephanotis

This is indeed a Stephanotis, a beautiful tropical vine with fragrant white flowers. As a houseplant it grows best in bright, indirect light. Outdoors where there is no extended periods of frost conditions, your plant will thrive in part shade. Needs regular water and feed with a slow-release fertilizer formulated for blooming plants. When it matures, it will form seed pods such as yours that are 5-6 inches long and are shaped like green mangoes. In about 6-9 months, the pods will yellow and crack open revealing ripe seeds. However, once the seed pods form your plant will not bear flowers because it is expending all its energies into producing the seeds. If you are not interested in propagating the seeds, then suggest you clip off the pods so that your Stephanotis will bear blossoms.

By | 2016-04-03T02:46:56-07:00 April 3rd, 2016|Vine Plants|0 Comments
Read More

Coleus Issue

First of all, thank you for the excellent follow-up picture. It is quite helpful. Good luck with the plant.
This may be bacterial. That would normally occur if the plant were quite stressed. You have it under lights, but how far are the lights from the plant? They should be no more than 12-18" above the foliage. Also, if the plant is quite dense, the air circulation may not be adequate which encourages all the diseases. Perhaps you could pluck all the diseased leaves, fertilize at 1/2 strength and cut back on the water. Coleus as a houseplant is a bit iffy at best and there is not a lot of good photosynthetic area on the really nicely variegated leaves. Warmth is also a factor. They are happiest at 50 degrees or more and start to have problems at 40.

By | 2016-04-03T02:39:16-07:00 April 3rd, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
Read More

Cymbidium Orchid

Your beautiful flowering plant is indeed a Cymbidium orchid of which there are many, many species and cultivars. If you have ever attended an orchid show, you will be amazed at the array of Cymbidiums in all shapes, sizes, colors, etc. As a plant indoors, it needs bright indiirect light, regular water but make sure the water drains out - do not allow the plants to sit in water as this leads to root rot, and feed with a slow release fertilizer formulated for blooming container plants. After you have enjoyed the flowering spikes and the flowers are spent, it would be best to place outdoors in full sun or partial sun. When temperatures dip in winter, that will signal your cymbidium to for flowering spikes again, but does not tolerate frost.

By | 2016-04-03T02:36:15-07:00 April 3rd, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
Read More

Baby Tears

The tiny leaves in the middle of the photo appear to be Baby Tears, a creeping, mat-forming, evergreen perennial of the nettle family. It is native to certain islands in the western Mediterranean, primarily including Corsica and Sardinia. Winter hardy to USDA Zones 9-11 where it is easily grown in rich, organic, consistently moist but well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Performs best in bright but indirect light. Best in climates with daytime temperatures of 60-65 degrees F. and night time temperatures of 50-55 degrees F. Plants are intolerant of frost. Leaves remain evergreen in USDA Zones 10-11. Works well indoors as a houseplant because it thrives in low-light conditions. May be grown as an annual in areas with cold winter conditions.

By | 2016-04-03T01:45:18-07:00 April 3rd, 2016|Ground Cover Plants|0 Comments
Read More

Fusarium Wilt

Enivornmental issues and disease often cause similar symptoms. For example, yellowing of leaves could be from too much water, and this 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 | 2016-04-03T01:00:25-07:00 April 3rd, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
Read More

Aralia

The plant resembles a Polyscias species, but we need to see a close-up photo of the foliage to be sure. If it is, we think it might be a P. quifoylei 'Quinquefolia', common name celery-leaf aralia. It is a columnar plant and a slow grower taking several years to reach 4-6 ft. Needs warmth and will often drop its leaves if temperatures dip below 70 degrees F. Also place near an east, south or west window where it will receive a half day of bright, indirect sunshine. Naturally lighted atriums, heated sunrooms, and greenhouses are also excellent locations. Water sparingly when the soil feels dry down to the first knuckle and do not allow the plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot. Feed with a slow-release or organic fertilizer formulated for container plants.

By | 2016-04-02T22:12:41-07:00 April 2nd, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
Read More

Bromeliad

This appears to be a vase Bromeliad of which there are several species and many, many cultivars. All vase Bromeliad plants do best when the vase-like leaf base if filled with water, preferably deionized water (steam iron water) rather than tap water. Empty and change water frequently to keep the cup clean. They thrive in bright, indirect light planted in soil with good drainage. Do not allow plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot. Fertilizer twice a year with either a slow release or organic liquid food formulated specifically for bromeliads. Once the colorful bracts of the "mother plant" is spent, pups will form and the mother plant will eventually die. Can also be grown outdoors where weather is mild under shade or filtered light.

By | 2016-04-02T19:59:40-07:00 April 2nd, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
Read More

Winter Damage

Your plant is an Aucuba, which is a wonderful broadleaf evergreen but borderline hardy in your area. With the winter we've just had, we're seeing LOTS of shrub damage. Not only the cold, but the weight of the snow was very hard for the plants. It's possible your shrub may re-leaf, but it also may not. We suggest you wait a few weeks to see if the old wood produces any new leaves. You can scratch the bark with your fingernail and if you see green underneath that will tell you the wood is still alive. If you don't get any new foliage on the old wood, we advise that you cut back the bare branches to several inches above the ground. Hopefully the shape will still be good, but if it isn't, you may want to replace the shrubs. We hope you don't have to!

By | 2016-04-02T19:44:55-07:00 April 2nd, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
Read More

A Clematis

Your plant may be a Clematis. Clematis is slow to get established. Often it can be three years before they really start to climb and flower. Clematis grow and flower best in full sun, with their roots mulched or shaded and their faces in the sun. Water regularly and feed with a slow-release or organic fertilizer formulated for blooming plants. If brought indoors during the winter months, provide as much bright light as possible and keep moist but not soggy. Do not allow plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot. Take outdoors when weather is not longer frosty. Consult a garden center knowledgeable about clematis or visit: International Clematis Society Homepage
clematisinternational.com/‎ for more information on clematis.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:02-07:00 April 2nd, 2016|Vine Plants|0 Comments
Read More