Flaking Bark On Kousa Dogwood

/Flaking Bark On Kousa Dogwood/

Flaking Bark On Kousa Dogwood

What you are seeing is a natural part of how Cornus kousa trees develop. One of the reasons we love these plants as they age is that they develop what's called exfoliating bark. Over time you're likely to see this tree wearing it's own version of "camo" or camouflage, with patches of green, brown, tan and gold.

Flaking can sometimes be accelerated on the south sides of a tree as this side freezes and thaws during the winter. The cold air freezes tissues at night while especially in February the warmer sun thaws it during the day. But even when you see this more predominately on one side, you don't have to be worried about it. See a photo of typical mature kousa dogwood bark here: http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/detail.php?pid=125

By | 2016-03-26T14:18:59-07:00 March 26th, 2016|Trees|3 Comments
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Croton

Your plant appears to be a Croton, a tropical plant prized for its amazing variation in contrasting colors and markings. Needs rich, well-draining soil, full sun, and fertilizer twice a year if you desire new growth. Does not tolerate freezing temperatures. Crotons have a wide variety of variegation possibilities, ranging from green with pink ribs and spots to flecked with yellow or wildly colored with red and yellow and even dark green. There are even new leaf shapes and sizes. Generally more intense sunlight brings out more intense variegation. Also popular as a houseplant - indoors, does best in bright indirect light, regular water and feed with a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for container houseplants.

By | 2016-03-26T13:54:45-07:00 March 26th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Japanese Cherry Tree Bleeding

Its hard to say exactly what's caused this damage and bleeding, but its possibly Peach Tree Borer. This link has good info: https://tl2q-xvdj.accessdomain.com/webmail/index.php/mail
or it could be a symptom of canker caused by a disease, but we can't say for certain what disease. Disease diagnosis often requires a pathological examination in a lab. The link at the end of this message explains the difference between usual location of borer damage on a tree & canker symptoms, but in addition we recommend you show this photo and any other evidence you can gather, to a local arborist, university extension "tree advisor", Master Gardener group, or some other professional available in your area: http://www.walterreeves.com/landscaping/bleeding-cherry-tree-gum-on-bark/

By | 2016-03-26T12:34:16-07:00 March 26th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Earth Stars General

All Cryptanthus belong to the Bromeliad family which includes pineapples and Spanish Moss. Almost all of the species in this genus are found in Brazil. They are all terrestrial plants that can be found growing in almost any condition; in the sun, in the shade, in wet areas, and in dry areas, at sea level or high in the mountains. Most plants consist of a large root system and a low spreading rosette of 5 to 20 leaves. The leaves can be mottled or striped, and they come in brown, rose, green, silver, gray, copper, pink, white, or red. Most plants are small, 4"-6". They like bright light and well drained soil. Here is an excellent website for everything you wanted to know about Cryptanthus: http://bromeliadsocietyhouston.org/genera-intro/cryptanthus/

By | 2016-03-26T06:02:48-07:00 March 26th, 2016|Tropical Plants|0 Comments
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White Dyckia

This very slow growing succulent Bromeliad that has mostly solitary stemless rosettes 6"-10" wide with up to 10, but usually fewer, triangular-shaped 4"-8" long gray-green leaves that are covered in silvery white scale-like hairs. These leaves twist and curl as they recurve downward and have large claw-like recurved spines along the margins. Mature plants can send up a spike 2'-3' tall in summer with orange-yellow tubular flowers scattered near the tip. Plant in a well-drained soil in full coastal sun to light shade - leaf ends shrivel in excess heat. Give regular irrigation when plants dry from spring to summer and withhold water in winter. Protect from cold temperatures - intolerant of temperatures near freezing and much happier when temperatures are well above this.

By | 2016-03-26T04:04:31-07:00 March 26th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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A Clematis

Your plant may be a Clematis, but you will be able to tell for sure when it flowers. 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 | 2017-09-11T15:49:03-07:00 March 26th, 2016|Vine Plants|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 hotter 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 | 2016-03-26T02:15:22-07:00 March 26th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Double Blooming Kalanchoe

Easy, flowering houseplant. Wants bright light, and to stay on the dry side. To encourage yours to flower again put it in more light and give it some fertilizer every two weeks to promote new growth. Kalanchoe are triggered into flowering by going through a "short day" period, that is at least 8 weeks of 8 hours of light and 16 hours of darkness. In the winter time it will get this automatically if it's in a room without artificial light. If you want to stimulate more flowers at this time of year you have to cover the plant with a box for 16 hours a day to prevent it from getting light. (Do not use a plastic bag.) Or you can just let it grow this summer, and let nature stimulate the flowers which will appear sometime after February.

By | 2016-03-26T01:28:39-07:00 March 26th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Primrose

Your guess is quite correct. Freshly hatched slugs rasp, but they do not tear holes out like the bigger ones. They are very difficult to bait as they tend to stay on the plants or in the soil under the plants.Sluggo is a great choice for the organic gardener as soon as they start coming to the bait. Until then you can test spray a small area with a 50/50 solution of plain ammonia and water. Usually this will not burn the plants but will kill slugs. The trick is getting the spray in contact with the little slugs. You can even spray this (not to excess) on the soil around the affected plants. We wish we had a much better solution, but nightly patrols with a cotton ball will frequently yield a lot of the little guys. They seem most active well after dark until dawn. Good luck!

By | 2016-03-26T01:22:08-07:00 March 26th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Lucky Bamboo

This appears to be a "Lucky bamboo" - an easy care houseplant that isn't a bamboo at all. It can survive in many indoor conditions, but indirect lighting is best as direct sunlight can cause the leaves to turn yellow and burn. Water when the soil starts to get dry but before it's completely dry, and fertilize once a month with the fertilizer of your choice used according to directions and/or use a slow release pelletized fertilizer made for houseplants. When the plant gets too tall and "leggy" it's easy to clip off some of the tops, cutting off about 8" pieces, and rooting them in a glass of water. The remaining stems should leaf out lower down on the plant and the rooted cuttings can either be put in the same pot around the original plant or in a new pot.

By | 2016-03-26T00:47:52-07:00 March 26th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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