Cabbage Aphids

/Cabbage Aphids/

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 very similar 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. Happy Gardening! http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/QT/aphidscard.html

By | 2016-04-01T19:05:33-07:00 April 1st, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Colorful Perennials

Although we primarily identify plants, insects and diseases, we can offer a few suggestions for you. Once the moles or voles are no longer invading your garden, make sure you work the soil where you want to plant your perennials with plenty of organic material so that the soil is well-draining and rich with nutrients. And although the following plants are noted for their deer-resistance, if a deer is hungry enough, it will eat anything. There are no deer-proof plants, but a good selection of deer-resistant plants. For a shady area in your zone prized for colorful flowers or contrasting foliage here are a few to consider: hellebores, peonies, Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' and gold or chartreuse Hakone grass for texture.

By | 2016-04-01T18:22:29-07:00 April 1st, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Adult English Ivy

Photo is a bit blurry but it looks like English ivy. In the open, ground ivy can cover acres or climb tall trees, but it is easily kept small in a container or by hard trimming. There are many varieties differing in size, leaf shape or color. The distinction of "adult" refers to a ground cover ivy that has matured and climbed, producing berries (which the birds eat and spread the plant.) The classic ivy shape of the leaf often morphs into a shape that is not commonly recognized. Be careful pulling it off trees and structures. Those hairs that hold the plant in place, will take what it is holding onto with it. The best approach in removing climbing ivy is to cut it back at the base, and wait for the plant to die back before removing, should you wish to control it.

By | 2016-04-01T17:54:36-07:00 April 1st, 2016|Vine Plants|0 Comments
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Bacterial Speckspot

Diseases are very challenging to identify from photographs, but this might be bacterial spot, a disease that affects foliage in humid, wet growing seasons. It starts as dark brown or black spots surrounded by yellow halos. On the edge of the leaf, turns it white and then brown, and spreads inward, usually on new growth. To minimize spread, water early in the day with drip irrigation. Overhead watering may spread the disease by splashing pathogens. If disease is not extensive, snip off affected foliage and dispose in the trash. When more leaves are affected, cut off as much of the damage as you can and place the pots farther apart. The disease can spread on clippers and other tools, so prepare a solution of 1:10 bleach:water and dip your clipper in it between plants.

By | 2016-04-01T15:30:18-07:00 April 1st, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Nutrient Deficiency Or Pest

This looks like it could be either insect damage, disease damage, or nutrient deficiency. We recommend you use a magnifying lens to look for very small insects, or signs of their presence, (like black tar spots of excrement within the spots) on the reverse side of the yellow spots, or other signs of a fungal disease (like mildew signs). If there is nothing visible, then this could be a different kind of fungal or a bacterial disease, or signs of a nutrient deficiency. In this case we recommend you take a sample (sealed in a bag) to your local garden center for proper ID and control recommendations. Be careful with splashing water on the leaves and do not water over the top of the plants to avoid spreading fungal and bacterial diseases.

By | 2016-04-01T14:24:44-07:00 April 1st, 2016|Vegetable Plants|0 Comments
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Central Dead Zone

There are a number of reasons that a shrub may get such a dead zone. The most common is age. As the plant continues to grow, it shades out the middle and the leaves there die off. This leaves just a zone of leafless branches. The other common reason is pruning at the wrong time of year. Most plants resent being pruned when it is very hot, and it often either kills part of the plant, or greatly reduces its vigor. The third reason this could happen, which is remote in this case, are root fungal infections. There are many different types, but they tend to present as death of a segment or limb, suddenly and without cause. Suggest you take a sample or this photo to a local nursery or the extension service for confirmation of the exact cause.

By | 2016-04-01T12:48:39-07:00 April 1st, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Lupine Problem

Lupines do best in full sun and well draining soil so that its tap root can go deep and regular water, at least one inch of water per week or more during hot, dry conditions. Does not need supplemental fertilizer as lupines do well in nutrient poor soils. If all the growing conditions have been met, look for snails or slugs or inspect the foliage closely for sucking insects such as aphids, scale or mealybugs that suck the nutrients from leaves and branches. If there are snails or slugs use a snali/slug control containing iron phosphate, safe for small pets and children and if sucking insects wash off and if the infestation is extensive, use a horticultural oil recommended by your local garden center. Confirm the problem with your local garden center and recommended control.

By | 2016-04-01T10:01:12-07:00 April 1st, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Orchid Cactus

This plant is an orchid cactus. Usually called Epiphyllum but most garden varieties are actually hybrids between Epiphyllum and other cactus genera, hence it may be listed as "Epicactus". 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 in spring and summer in filtered light and should be watered regularly. Feed with a slow release fertilizer formulated for blooming plants. Tends to sprawl but that older growth is usually where the flower buds develop. Bring indoors whenever frost is predicted and place in bright indirect light. Best displayed in a large pot or hanging basket to show off the blooms.

By | 2016-04-01T08:57:26-07:00 April 1st, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Purslane

This is appears to be a round leaf purslane. Not sure what is occurring on our side, by the photo is indeed blurry, so without a photo of the overall form of the plant, my best guess from the submitted photo is that this is a pink-flowering form of the annual round-leaf Portulaca. If your plant is more shrub-like, I would guess that what you have may be a reblooming azalea. Again, not sure why we are seeing the photo as we are, and we apologize for not being able to be more exact, but we are doing out best with what we are seeing on our side. Feel free to submit another photo of the overall shape of the plant and we are happy try again. Otherwise, you may want to take a photo or sample of the plant to your local garden center. Thank you!

By | 2016-04-01T08:55:55-07:00 April 1st, 2016|Weeds|0 Comments
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Petunia Problem And Insects

We think you probably have two or more issues here. The tiny white bugs are whitefly, a sucking insect. You can spray the plant with insecticidal soap to manage them. Whitefly alone won't cause the browning seen here, however, and this is probably caused by the plant drying out in between waterings. Be sure to water well in the AM and if the weather is hot or sunny again in the late afternoon, trying to direct the water into the pot without wetting the foliage. (Frequent splashing of foliage leads to fungal problems.) Also, be sure your petunias are fertilized throughout the entire summer, either with a liquid used according to directions or a time-release product applied in June and mid-August. Ask at your garden center for recommendations.

By | 2016-04-01T06:47:57-07:00 April 1st, 2016|Annuals|2 Comments
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