Chinese Banyan

/Chinese Banyan/

Chinese Banyan

A common indoor plant, the Chinese banyan can be used as a tree in mild Mediterranean climates as well as in subtropical and tropical climates. It has shiny, small leaves, pale bark, and pendulous branch tips. In humid, warm areas it becomes a very large tree with aerial roots that develop from the branches; many of these will root into the ground and become trunks, producing a thicket-like effect. Roots in the ground can appear on the surface, expand far from the base of the tree, and become invasive. In drier desert and Mediterranean climates, the tree can be an elegant addition to the landscape, much more modest and neat in its growth habit, although roots can still become problems for pavement, sewer pipes, and water lines.

By | 2016-03-27T20:26:10-07:00 March 27th, 2016|Trees|0 Comments
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Mandevilla Problem

The photo too far away but we believe by the coloration of the underside of the leaf that you have a mite infestation. You might want to take a bagged sample to your local garden center for a more accurate hands-on diagnosis. One of the best options to treat your plant is to remove and dispose of all affected plant parts but we are not sure you are ready for that. Nonetheless, when the plant starts to go dormant in the colder months, be sure to remove all leaf litter that falls from the plant to try to stem the infestation next year. If you are so inclined, you might try treating your plants with Bayer Advanced 3-in-1 insect, disease, and mite control. A straight insecticide is ineffective against mites because they are arachnids.

By | 2016-03-27T19:07:30-07:00 March 27th, 2016|Plant Pests|1 Comment
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Sunflower Problem

There are two possible causes. One is a rust fungus infection which is common on sunflowers. It is a particular problem when the weather is hot and humid or the plants receive overhead watering. Remove the affected leaves and be careful to water only the soil.
The other possibility is a small, piercing insect. There are a number of tiny moths which pierce the leaf of sunflowers and lay eggs. If that is the case you will soon see tiny tracks as the small larvae eat through portions of the leaf. These insects are hard to control and rarley cause more than cosmetic damage.
They have no flowered because they are too small. Once there is enough plant, meaning they have grown large enough to support flowering, they will do so.

By | 2016-03-27T18:46:57-07:00 March 27th, 2016|Annuals|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, certainly in the upper Midwest. 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 | 2016-03-27T17:25:26-07:00 March 27th, 2016|Annuals|0 Comments
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Mint

The foliage and growth habit does resemble a species of mint. And if you bruise a leaf and it smells minty, it is likely one. Mints are very vigorous growers and tend to take over the garden, so keep it under control. Better yet, dig out the mint, re-plant some in a container so that its growth can be controlled. Also dig out the ivy and any weeds that pop up. Then put in some good organic material or mulch and fertilize the newly planted area with a slow-release or organic fertilizer formulated for edibles. As long as the bedding area has full sun, tomatoes will do very well and herbs such as basil, oregano, chives, etc. Parsley is more of a cool season plant so wait until late summer or early fall to put this in...Good luck and happy gardening!

By | 2016-03-27T16:32:33-07:00 March 27th, 2016|Vegetable Plants|0 Comments
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Camellia Japonica Issues

This is Camellia japonica. In your part of the country, it would be best to provide this plant with at least 6 hours of shade per day. Another issues in this photo is that it appears that the camellia is competing with all the grassy weeds for the water and nutrients in the soil. You might want to consider amending your soil with an amendment that says it is formulated for acid loving plants. Because your plant is not planted in it's optimum environment, it is not able to fend off diseases and pests. You seem to have a fungal leaf spot problem. Remove and properly dispose of all affected plant parts and litter. Avoid overhead irrigation and splashing water. Use a fertilized formulated for acid loving plants by following the directions on the label.

By | 2016-03-27T16:17:07-07:00 March 27th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Coccothrinax Palm

Coccothrinax is a genus of palms in the Arecaceae family. There are more than 50 species described in the genus, plus many synonyms and sub-species. Many of the Coccothrinax have silver or thatch, or both, in their English common names. In Spanish – speaking countries, guano is a common name applied to Coccothrinax species. The species are native throughout the Caribbean, the Bahamas, extreme southern Florida and southeastern Mexico, but most of the species are known only from Cuba. Many of the more magnificent species are found in Cuba. Some have fantastic "hairy" trunks and others have nearly circular fan leaves. Many species are best grown only in the tropics, but some can be grown in Southern California and other sub-tropical climates.

By | 2016-03-27T15:38:00-07:00 March 27th, 2016|Trees|0 Comments
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Golden Pothos

Your houseplant is a hybrid variegated variety of a vining Pothos. Provide bright indirect light, regular water and feed with a slow-release fertilizer formulated for container plants. Do not allow plant to sit in water because it may lead to root rot. Pothos is also one of the houseplants known to benefit air quality indoors. For optimum health, keep any houseplant away from heater/air conditioning vents. Yours seems to be in a location that does not receive enough light and if you keep it at the height pictured, perhaps gets too dry. Try an area that gets better indoor light and give it a good soaking in the sink allowing the water to drain out thoroughly before returning to its location along with a good slow release or organic fertilizer and hopefully it will recover for you.

By | 2016-03-27T15:10:45-07:00 March 27th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Citrus Leaf Miner

The leaves do not appear to be wilted so much as they are misshapen. This is caused by the citrus leaf miner, a very common insect pest of citrus. A moth lays eggs under the leaf surface and the larvae tunnel through the leaf. It makes the trees look terrible but only threatens young trees. The insects can be difficult to control. You'll want to follow good cultural care practices on the trees to keep them optimally healthy and continue to grow and produce fruit. (Specifically, do not prune and/or fertilize at inappropriate times of year as these insects feed on the newest growth). These two web links have the best info: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74137.html
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/FRUIT/citrus.html

By | 2016-03-27T13:38:21-07:00 March 27th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Powdery Mildew On Peppers

During initial stages of infection, light green to bright-yellow blotches appear on upper surfaces of leaves. These areas later turn necrotic. Infected leaves curl upward, and a powdery, white growth is visible on the underside of leaves. When there are many "sores" they often join together and the result is what you see on your plant - general chlorosis and leaf drop. The disease travels from old to new leaves. Treat with any product containing Bacillis subtilis (organic) or Daconil (synthetic).

You also have Chilli Thrips. They are small cigatr shaped insects with rasping mouthparts and chew on emerging new growth. The result is distorted new growth as is exhibited in the image. Control with safer's soap or any product containing spinosad ever 7-10 days.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:03-07:00 March 27th, 2016|Vegetable Plants|0 Comments
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