Chewing Insect

/Chewing Insect/

Chewing Insect

The problem with chewing insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, etc. is they move about and often are difficult to spot among the green foliage. Chewing insects are usually large enough to see with the naked eye, but they can be green, brown, black, etc. so look closely and pluck off any you see on this plant or its neighbors as long as the infestation is not too extensive. If it is extensive, you can spray with an organic control such as Spinosad - it has a 7-10 day residual - but spray in the early evening after the bees have returned to their hives. Once the spray has dried it is safe for beneficials. There are also synthetic systemics if the problem continues after your sprays, but make sure it is formulated for your specific plant.

By | 2016-03-29T02:43:10-07:00 March 29th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Orchid Cactus

This plant is 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. Bring indoors when 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 | 2016-03-29T01:12:57-07:00 March 29th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Rose

This is a rose which has many different classes, families, and varieties. There are just too many for us to identify one specifically. Because of the single rose on a long stem and the high petal count, it likely falls into the hybrid tea category. Generally speaking, rose plants need sun, well-drained soil, regular fertilizer and water regimes, and sometimes spraying to control pests. Removing the old flowers as they age will sometimes bring on more, but leave a few late in the season to form rosehips, a favorite backyard bird treat. Hips should ripen to an orange or red color. For an identification of the cultivar, suggest you contact your local rose society or visit www.helpmefindroses.com to see if your cultivar can be identified.

By | 2016-03-29T00:38:38-07:00 March 29th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Clivia

The strap-shaped foliage is likely a Clivia, a perennial from tuberous rhizomes. Native to South Africa, it bears primarily orange, red, or yellow clusters of funnel-shaped flowers on stalks that emerge above the clumps of foliage in late winter-spring. Following the spent flowers, seed head berries appear that typically ripen to red-orange or yellow. Does not tolerate frost and, when grown outdoors, it needs partial to full shade, regular water, and a slow-release fertilizer formulated for blooming plants. It should be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry. Does not like to be transplanted so leave in container as long as possible. Indoors needs bright, indirect light and water when the soil feels dry to the touch down to the first knuckle.

By | 2016-03-29T00:33:55-07:00 March 29th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Whitefly

This appears to be whitefly. Whitefly live on plants throughout their three life-stages. During the first stage, whitefly lay eggs which appear on the underside of leaves as white patches arranged in regular curves. Each female can produce 100-200 eggs at a time. After the eggs hatch, they become larvae that suck out the nutrients of the leaves and stems. Their excreta, known as honeydew, causes black sooty mold. There are organic controls such as those that are formulated with Spinosad, but spray in the late afternoon or early evening after the bees have returned to their hives. Always follow the label on the product you choose to spray. Once the spray is dry it is safe for beneficial. There are also chemical formulations that are found at local garden shops that help combat whitefly.

By | 2016-03-28T20:02:29-07:00 March 28th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Scale

These do look like scale insects, which suck the nutrients out of the leaves and branches and if untreated, can seriously damage a plant. And they love citrus. If you scrape with your fingernail and it pops off, it's scale. Underneath each hard, brown shield is a sucking insect. If there are only a few, wipe them off with a Qtip dipped in rubbing alcohol. Sprays cannot penetrate the shell, but mature insects cannot reattach. The immature ones are hard to see, but they are vulnerable to spraying. Test a mix of one part mineral oil, one part soap, and eight parts water on a single leaf, to make sure it doesn't damage the foliage. After 48 hours without signs of damage, go ahead...and if you see signs of burn, reduce the solution and retest.

By | 2016-03-28T19:40:36-07:00 March 28th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Hosta After Transplaning

It's natural for a plant that's been transplanted in this season to have die-back, or yellowing leaves. Also, at this time of year hosta naturally start shutting down for the winter, especially if they are recently transplanted. Moving a plant disrupts the roots, no matter how carefully it's done, and the plant responds by getting rid of some of the foliage that it no longer has the roots to support. The good news is that Hosta are tough plants that will spring back the year after transplantation. Keep your plants deeply watered until they die back completely - water for a long time once a week. Once hosta are established they are fairly drought-tolerant but still do best with a long, deep soaking every one to two weeks if there hasn't been at least an inch of rain in that time.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:03-07:00 March 28th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Nandina Heavenly Bamboo

The Nandina family has a wide array of plants. Though named "Heavenly Bamboo" they are actually related to the Barberry family of shrubs. This is an evergreen shrub that has cultivars that can grow to 6-8 feet (smaller dwarf varieties exist). Many have clusters of small white flowers are followed by bright red berries. Foliage turns red or purplish in colder months, and new growth also has cool coloration. Appreciates some shade in hottest climates.
Proper pruning technique keeps this wonderful shrub looking great. Prune a few of the older woody canes at ground level about every 3-5 years, do not prune the top growth. Fertilize with an all purpose slow release organic fertilizer in spring to encourage the most colorful growth.

By | 2016-03-28T15:11:25-07:00 March 28th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Leaf Miner

This damage appears to be caused by a leaf miner. A small fly or moth lays its eggs beneath the surface of the leaf and when the eggs hatch, the larvae tunnel thru the leaf tissue, consuming the nutrients in the foliage. Once the damage has been done, nothing will reverse it. Chemical pesticides are not effective against this pest because most products won't penetrate thru the leaf surface although products containing Spinosad have often worked. Once the damage has been done to the leaf, it is not reversible. Usually the damage done by these insects is not going to kill the plant unless the infestation is extensive. Here is a link that you might find helpful: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/PESTS/vegleafminers.html

By | 2016-03-28T15:10:31-07:00 March 28th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Mother Of Thousands

Photo is a bit dark and we cannot see the details clearly but we believe this is a great Kalanchoe. It is a succulent that thrives with sun and very well-drained soil, water only when the soil feels dry down to your first knuckle. Make sure the container has drainage holes otherwise it may develop root rot. And if not in a container, make sure the soil is very well-draining. As you described, "Baby" plantlets form along the leaf edges and drop off the leaves and every one has potential to be mother to thousands more. Great plant for sharing with friends as it is so prolific. At maturity it will have a large flower spike out of the top with large umbels of beautiful hanging bell-shaped pink to salmon colored flowers - as interesting as the plantlets are, the flowers are magnificent!

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:03-07:00 March 28th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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