Floss Silk Tree

/Floss Silk Tree/

Floss Silk Tree

This appears to be the seed of C. speciosa tree (genus has recently changed from Chorisia to Cebia) that produces big pods, cottony fluff and beautiful hibiscus-looking pink flowers. Flowers are followed by pear-shaped capsules (fruit pods) filled with seed embedded in silky white floss (hence the common name of silk floss tree). In its native territory, floss has been harvested for a number of uses including stuffing pillows. Capsules split open in spring when ripe releasing the seeds into the wind. Fruit is not edible. The trunk is studded with spines and is native to South America, but does well in parts of Florida and California. Leaves are divided into leaflets similar to fingers of a hand. Will go deciduous. Needs full sun and moderate water once established.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:03-07:00 March 25th, 2016|Trees|0 Comments
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Leaf Miner

Your problem is likely due to 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 and contact the pest. Usually the damage done by these insects is not going to kill the plant, but it may reduce the number of edible leaves on your vegetable plants. Plants that produce fruit (peppers, tomatoes, etc) will still produce good fruit. We recommend seeking the advice of a professional in your area before attempting to control these pests with chemical pesticides.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:03-07:00 March 25th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Bacterial Speckspot

Diseases are very challenging to identify from photographs, but this might be bacterial leaf 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 | 2016-03-25T23:07:03-07:00 March 25th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Pencil Cactus

Like other members of the Euphorbia family (poinsettia, crown of thorns), pencil cactus exudes a milky latex sap that can be irritating to skin and toxic if consumed. This succulent tolerates a wide range of light conditions, but is happiest in full sun or very bright indirect light. Soil should be allowed to dry out in between waterings. Water when the soil feels dry down to your first knuckle. NOTE: If you come in skin contact with the sap be sure to wash it off with soap and water as soon as possible as it can cause a pretty nasty burn on some people. Likewise if you get it in your mouth or eyes seek immediate medical attention. If cutting or pruning the plant be sure to wear long sleeves, gloves, and eye protection.

By | 2016-03-25T22:38:55-07:00 March 25th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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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. Neem oil also is an effective control and similar to Spinosad, apply every 7-10 days until the chewing insect population has been controlled.

By | 2016-03-25T21:01:17-07:00 March 25th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Asiatic Hybrid Lily

Your cut flower is likely an Asiatic hybrid lily. Unfortunately, there are so many hybrids and species that we cannot identify the specific cultivar for you. As plants, they grow from bulbs and are easy to grow and one of the most reliable growers in the garden. Also, they bloom in late spring or summer depending on the species and cultivar, some fragrant, some not. Yours florist variety was likely greenhouse grown and forced to bloom in late winter/early spring. They do best when planted in direct sun and regular water. Continue to care for them after the flowers are spent and until the foliage yellows and dies back and they will come back year after year. Popular as a cut flower for their beauty and often for their fragrance.

By | 2016-03-25T19:34:44-07:00 March 25th, 2016|Bulb Plants|0 Comments
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Silver Carpet

This is a slowly spreading, very flat (just a few inches tall at best) groundcover with 1-2 inch long narrow leaves, that are a gray-green on top with white tomentosa beneath. Though flat to the ground, the white undersides are exposed to view as the leaf margins edges roll up and inward, particularly, when grown dry and thus giving the plant an appearance of being variegated. Small yellow daisy flowers bloom amongst the foliage in summer. Plant in full sun to light shade in a well-drained soil. This plants grows rapidly with irrigation, but it has deep succulent roots and can be very drought tolerant, though notably slower growing. It is hardy to about 25-30 degrees F. This is a wonderful ground cover and highly recommended for Southern California.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:17-07:00 March 25th, 2016|Ground Cover Plants|0 Comments
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Coreopsis

This appears to be one of the threadleaf coreopsis. Continuous blooming from early summer right into fall with full sun and well drained soil. Coreopsis verticillata are great cut flowers with its unusual narrow tapered foliage. Free flowering-continuously in bloom from early summer into fall. Spreads readily and can be used on a sunny bank, in a naturalized planting, or in a traditional border. Long blooming and easy to grow, they come in various heights and many shades of yellow, reds, pink, and white. Prefers a nice sunny well drained spot. Very easy to grow. Remove top one-third of plant with hedge shears after flowering to freshen foliage, if needed. Spreads reliably, so division every 2-3 years may be needed to restrain girth, but only if desired.

By | 2016-03-25T17:28:49-07:00 March 25th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Tomato Flower

If you are concerned that there is not enough fruit forming, it is because most tomato flowers are wind-pollinated and some flowers may form fruit, while others may not. You can get a higher percentage of pollinated flowers by spraying with a product formulated for setting tomato blossoms such as Tomato and Vegetable Blossom Set spray available at your local garden center. Also as the evening as well as daytime temperatures warm, you should be getting more blossoms. If you have not done so yet, make sure you feed your tomatoes with a slow-release or organic fertilizer formulated for vegetables because synthetic fertilizers are often formulated to encourage foliar growth rather than fruiting growth. Also tomato plants need 6-8 hours of full sun per day.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:17-07:00 March 25th, 2016|Vegetable Plants|0 Comments
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Agave

Your succulent plant appears to be an Agave of which there are many species and cultivars but all are monocarpic, meaning once it blooms the "mother" plant will die. Usually there are offsets or "babies" of the mother plant that will take its place. Many do take over 20 years to bloom and the spectacular process may take month. Do not cut the flower spike off in the hopes of prolonging its life. The flowering is the natural culmination of its existence. Once the bloom has dried, many people keep it as a cut dried flower if they have the room! Outdoors provide excellent drainage, full sun and water sparingly, only when soil feels dry to the touch. Prized for its tapered, pointed leaves. Indoors, provide the brightest, indirect light possible.

By | 2016-03-25T16:31:38-07:00 March 25th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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