Black Sooty Mold

/Black Sooty Mold/

Black Sooty Mold

Black sooty mold results from the excretions of sap-sucking insects such as aphids, scale or mealy bug. The excretions (called honeydew) lead to black sooty mold. Aphids can be washed off with a strong stream of water but If the problem is extensive, then it might be best to use an organic control such as Spinosad with a 7-10 day residual. If spraying with Spinosad wait until the early evening after the bees have returned to their hives. Once the spray has dried it is safe for beneficials. You can also use systemic insecticide formulated for your specific plant. Also if you see ants around your plant, get rid of them with an ant bait that they take back to the nest so that the entire colony can be killed. Ants "farm" aphids, scale and mealybugs for their honeydew.

By | 2016-03-24T10:31:16-07:00 March 24th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Boston Fern

Make sure that the fern’s soil remains damp,m but do not leave it in standing water. Dry soil is one of the number one reasons that Boston ferns die. Check the soil daily and make sure to give it some water if the soil feels at all dry. Because Boston ferns tend to be planted in potting mixtures that are high in peat moss, it is a good idea to soak the pot of the Boston fern once a month or so to make sure the peat moss is fully hydrated. Be sure to LET IT DRAIN thoroughly after this. We note that it is sitting in a cache pot which would hold water. Not a good idea.
Boston ferns do not need much fertilizer. Fertilizer should only be given to the plant a few times a year.
This fern may actually also not be getting enough light. It looks quite weak. Indoors it needs bright diffused light.

By | 2016-03-24T08:51:49-07:00 March 24th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Azalea Leaves Yellowing

Azaleas get yellow leaves for one or more of several reasons. Lack of fertilizer made for acid-loving shrubs (azalea, camellia, gardenia, holly) or a soil pH problem that prevents the shrubs from utilizing the fertilizer. If the veins of the leaves stay green, the pH issue is more likely and can be remedied with an iron spray. If you find little black things hanging off the bottoms of the leaves, azalea lace bugs have been at work and are sucking the life and green out of the leaves. Suggest you fertilize if you haven't, have a soil test done (kits are available at your county agent or cooperative extension service and many local nurseries). If you find insect evidence, consider a systemic insecticide drench - if they are the problem, it is extensive and should be treated aggressively.

By | 2016-03-24T06:06:18-07:00 March 24th, 2016|Shrubs|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 | 2016-03-24T03:18:07-07:00 March 24th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Spurge

This is a cultivar of a South African native spring-flowering perennial. It grows to 1 meter or more tall and wide and can be known to self seed a bit. The fragrance of the plant is unique. But, this early blooming perennial is a lovely filler in the garden for its drought tolerant foliage and lime green blooms that hold for weeks. It bleeds caustic, milky sap (beware if you have any allergies to latex) when you cut it, so keep it off your skin and our of your eyes. To prune this plant properly, cut old bloom stalks from the base of the plant when they look tired, about May or June. The new growth at the base will re-generate fresh new foliage for the rest of the year. It goes particularly well with tulips in a location that gets full sun and regular water.

By | 2016-03-24T01:13:23-07:00 March 24th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Rose

Unfortunately we cannot identify the cultivar or species of rose because there are over 150 wild species of shrubs and climbers native to Asia, Europe, North Africa and North America, plus thousands of different garden forms of varying growth and flower types divided into two broad categories Old Garden Roses and Modern Roses. However, we suggest you contact your local rose society such as sandiegorrosesociety.org or californiacoastalrose.com or a horticulturist at your local garden center that specializes in roses when the flower is in bloom and hopefully they can identify further for you. Also there are many helpful websites including: www.helpmefindroses.com. All roses do best in full sun with regular water and feed with a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for roses.

By | 2016-03-23T23:49:53-07:00 March 23rd, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Pony Tail Palm

The tips of the Pony Tail Palm often turn brown from over watering, the most common mistake most people make with this palm, or from too much fertilizer. The soil should dry out between waterings. The brown tips can be trimmed off with clean, sharp scissors. As far as what might be causing the damage on the leaves, the damage type doesn't appear to be from any of the more common houseplant pests. Proper watering may prevent further leaf damage. However, you might try to look at the damaged area with a magnifier to see if any pests are present. If you see something suspicious, here's a link to your local extension agency. They have pictures of common houseplant pests as well as treatments for each type - http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05595.html

By | 2016-03-23T23:32:08-07:00 March 23rd, 2016|Plant Diseases|1 Comment
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Variegated Carrion Flower

Native to Africa, flowers are very showy, star-shaped, and wildly colored form pale gold to red-black, and can be vividly patterned with rich burgundy speckles and transverse lines. This is a member of the Stapeliad family that includes Huernias, Carallumas, Orbeas, Stapelias, and others, and their main natural pollinators are flies. They mimic the smell (and in some cases the look as well!) of a dead animal to attract the flies. Requires porous soil with adequate drainage. Bright light and ample airflow. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Water less during extreme heat and during temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Will tolerate extreme heat as long as light is not intense. Prefers winter temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Protect from frost.

By | 2016-03-23T21:04:58-07:00 March 23rd, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Psyllid

The raised spots might be the work of psyllids, common name plant lice, small insects that depending on the species are host-specific, that is one species of a psyllid will colonize on one particular plant. They become abundant when temperatures warm and host plants develop fresh growth. The psyllid sucks the nutrients out of the foliage, stems, etc. and galls form on the leaves or buds. They also have ecreta, known as honeydew which can lead to the development of black sooty mold. Most experts agree that the psyllid damage is primarily aesthetic, but if the plant is not growing or the infestation is extensive, suggest you show some clippings to a horticulturist at your local garden center or botanic garden to confirm the problem and possible control.

By | 2016-03-23T20:16:09-07:00 March 23rd, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Mildew On Squash

First of all, you didn't do anything wrong. This is powdery mildew and squash is prone to this problem. Although you can't get rid of it completely, you can treat it organically so that you can continue to harvest squash the rest of the summer. There are several organic fungicides you can use including Green Cure, Actinovate, sulfur and copper soap. Ask at your local garden center and they can guide you to an organic product. Be sure to spray weekly from now on, concentrating especially on the new foliage and stems, both under the leaves and on top. If it rains hard a day or two after you spray, do it again. Next year start spraying early in the season BEFORE the plant has the problem - knowing that squash and cukes are prone to mildew, you're better off fighting back early in the summer!

By | 2016-03-23T19:54:29-07:00 March 23rd, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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