Powdery Mildew On Roses

/Powdery Mildew On Roses/

Powdery Mildew On Roses

This is a fungal disease called Powdery Mildew; one of the most common diseases of roses, peonies, phlox (and many other plants). Moderate temperatures of 60° to 80°F and shady conditions are the most favorable for powdery mildew development, and will spread. The fungal spores are spread by wind. The good news is, you can manage this disease; sometimes fungicides are needed. Actinovate and Neem oil are two organic products that can help you with eliminating the fungus. Be sure to pick up any leaves and throw them out - do not put them in the compost pile. Also - do not water the leaves. Only water at the base of the plant. Do your best this year to save the plant, and if next year is more favorable the situation should be better.

By | 2016-04-10T14:14:46-07:00 April 10th, 2016|Plant Diseases|1 Comment
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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, when it blooms in the spring we suggest you contact your local rose society or a horticulturist at your local garden center that specializes in roses and hopefully they can identify further for you. Also there are many helpful websites including: www.helpmefindroses.com as well as your local rose society. All roses do best in full sun with regular water and feed with a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for roses.

By | 2016-04-10T13:38:25-07:00 April 10th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Cutting Back

We would recommend you cut back all the stems by 1/2, while doing so look at the where you cut and see if you see any 'green ' within , if not cut back till you do. We know this sounds harsh but when a plant is in stress one of the best ways to assist it is to lighten it's load so to speak. Also you must feed it, a good liquid seaweed food is the best, and should be used every 2 weeks, all of your plants will benefit from this regular feeding as well. Things with high numbers like 15-15-15 will only fry it if it's already struggling. It needs light and with the weather being mild right now being out side is a good idea. But make sure it receiving water every day. If the pot seems crowded it might need water twice a day, or you could always move it into a larger container.

By | 2016-04-10T13:05:04-07:00 April 10th, 2016|Annuals|0 Comments
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Stem Rot On Tomato

This appears to be stem rot, which is usually caused by too much water and/or poor drainage. In your photo we see mulch right up against the stem; this can cause stem rot because moisture is being kept in contact with the stem by the mulch. Your plant appears to be doing ok from what we can see of it, so we recommend moving the mulch back from around the stem about 3-4 inches and don't apply water right at the stem. Apply the water about 3-4 inches away from the stem (this is usually where most of the roots are developing on young plants, so it provided water at the appropriate location. You cannot reverse stem rot, but it may not progress if you remove the mulch as we suggest. There are not "products" that can cure this, its a matter of environment.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:00-07:00 April 10th, 2016|Vegetable Plants|3 Comments
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Spider Mites

The most likely cause of damage that looks like this on many plants is spider mites. They are sucking insects and cause this white mottled stippling on foliage when a plant is typically stressed. They are very hard to see, but the underside of infested foliage often looks dusty, sticky, and vaguely web-like and dirty. You can read more about spider mites and how to control them here: http://bit.ly/1pJ46WX You can also go to your local garden center for confirmation of its identity and ask for an organic or other recommended control for spider mites that is appropriate for your plant and then use the product according to directions. Do not use an insecticide as this would not be effective. You will need a product formulated with a miticide if it is mites.

By | 2016-04-10T10:59:22-07:00 April 10th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Caterpillar Or Weevil

This damage looks like caterpillar feeding, or possibly a leaf eating beetle. Its impossible to say which species without seeing the organism. We recommend you look for caterpillar frass (little black droppings) underneath the damaged leaves, and also look for the caterpillar(s) itself, or some kind of cacoon on the underside of all the leaves. If you don't find any of those, it could be a beetle or a weevil. These insects may feed and then move on, or they may lay eggs on the leaves or in the soil around the plant. For caterpillars that are present you can either pick them off (including the cacoons) and dispose of them or use a Bt (Bacilius thuringiensis) product if they are numerous. If you find beetles or their eggs, send us another photo and we'll look at it again.

By | 2016-04-10T10:24:52-07:00 April 10th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Spanish Bayonet

This is a full-sun succulent with great architectural value in the garden. Its flower spikes are taller than the plant itself. Water this drought-tolerant plant sparingly. Depending on the species or cultivar some remain 3 ft. tall but others can grow 10-12 ft. tall and 8 ft. wide so be careful about siting it near walls, sidewalks, and irrigation pipes.Once established they are difficult to move. As Yucca mature, their trunks become a bulbous mass and can crack walls, pipes, etc. and the leaves are very sharp. Feed with a slow-release or organic fertilizer only if you want the plant to grow faster. Most species tolerate temperatures below freezing. If this is a Spanish bayonet, it will reach 8 ft. tall or more and almost as wide.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:00-07:00 April 10th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Citrus

Boy oh boy, I wish you had talked to us first. We are recommending that homeowners do not buy citrus of any form or variety until the experts figure out how to control a very serious (and uncontrollable disease) called Citrus greening. The fruit becomes misshapened, the small limbs begin to whither and die and eventually more than half of the plant will turn yellow and drop its leaves.There is nothing you can do to prevent it. For more info see: http://saveourcitrus.org/index.php/citrus-greening.

Instead we are recommending homeowners grow "alternative fruits" that don't have any special diseases. We recommend avocado, star fruit, plums, peaches and nectarines, figs and blackberries. If you need special recommendations please call me at Leu Gardens 407-246-2625.

By | 2016-04-10T08:36:09-07:00 April 10th, 2016|Fruit Plants & Trees|1 Comment
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Scale

These look like scale insects, which suck the nutrients out of the leaves and branches and if untreated, can seriously damage a plant. 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 | 2016-04-10T07:09:27-07:00 April 10th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Begonia

We are not positive because we cannot see the leaves in detail, but the flowers resemble a species of Begonia.If it is a species of Begonia, it belongs to a large family of plants, native to many tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Outdoors, most grow best in pots in filtered shade, with sterile, rich, porous, fast-draining soil commercially available at your local garden center (not native soil from the garden), regular but light feeding with a slow release or organic fertilizer and enough water to keep soil moist but not soggy. Most thrive as indoor plants, in greenhouse, or under lath. Almost all require at least moderate humidity. Most can be propagated easily from leaf, stem, or rhizome cuttings if it is a Begonia, but we cannot be sure at this stage.

By | 2016-04-10T05:37:13-07:00 April 10th, 2016|Annuals|0 Comments
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