Croton

/Croton/

Croton

Your plant appears to be a Croton, a tropical plant prized for its amazing variation in contrasting colors and markings. Outdoors where there is no frost, 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 | 2016-04-07T21:08:32-07:00 April 7th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Yucca

This is likely a yucca, 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. 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. Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas, books.google.com/books?isbn=0760325391, has great info on Yuccas. If you google Yuccas Native to Texas, the pages will come up.

By | 2016-04-07T20:46:02-07:00 April 7th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Inch Worm

In small numbers, this larva of a moth does not cause too much damage, but if there is a large infestation and they are damaging your plants, you can use an organic control such as Spinosad, but spray in the early evening after the bees have returned to their hives. Once the spray has dried it is not longer harmful to beneficials and Spinosad has a 7-10 day residual. You can also use Bt, but this is a contact spray and does not have any residual. Here is some additional information about inch worms:
NCSU: ENT/ort-153 fall cankerworm
www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/.../note153.htm‎
North Carolina State University
This inch-worm caterpillar will periodically outbreak in large numbers every ... Control. Chemical- Under the approval of the NC Department of Agriculture ..

By | 2016-04-07T20:03:20-07:00 April 7th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Wisteria Leaf Problem

Although it is hard to be certain, one of two things may be affecting your wisteria. The first is sun scald, or just minor sun damage. This can result from unusually high temperatures and/or insufficient watering during that time. Leaves will yellow and often take on a pale or peaked appearance. Cooler temperatures and regular watering usually fix this. The other is nutrient deficiency. Wisteria are pretty heay feeders and need a regular regimen of all purpose, balanced fertilizer throughout the growing season. Check both of these cultural conditions first.
Although a fungal disease called leaf spot is possible, it doesn't quite match your plant's symptoms. Check with a local nursery or the extension service in your area for more definite information.

By | 2016-04-07T19:49:56-07:00 April 7th, 2016|Vine Plants|1 Comment
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Weed Or Wildflower

There is a fine line between a native wildflower or an offspring of a cultivated plant and a weed. If it appeared suddenly amidst your cultivated plants, the chances are good that it is a weed/wildflower. There are many different weeds/wildflowers, but if it is not competing with your established plants, then leave it be if you like it. And if it is competing, then pull it out before it gets established, especially if the seed heads are allowed to mature and disperse. Unfortunately we cannot identify your plant until it develops some additional distinctive characteristics such as flowers, berries, seed heads, but if you did not plant it, chances are good that it has been planted by the wind or a bird and will soon compete with your cultivated plants.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:00-07:00 April 7th, 2016|Weeds|0 Comments
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Crown Of Thorns

Here are a few care tips and information about your crown of thorns plant. Euphorbia milii, is a succulent plant in the same family as the poinsettia, the thorns cover stems that ooze latex sap when cut. This is a common characteristic of euphorbias and is not a sign of disease. Use gloves when handling this plant to protect your skin from both the thorns and the sap. Indoors needs bright, indirect light and water only when soil feels dry to the touch down to the first knuckle. Outdoors provide morning sun and afternoon shade and water sparingly. Does not tolerate frost. Flowers may be red, yellow, pink or white, or even bi-colored depending on the cultivar. Feed with a slow-release or organic fertilizer formulated for blooming container plants.

By | 2016-04-07T14:57:47-07:00 April 7th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Field Bindweed

This looks very much like Field Bindweed. If it eventually gets morning glory type flowers in white or pink, we'll know for sure.
Bindweed is considered a noxious wed in many parts of the country (including Colorado). The roots can run underground 12" a day, and any piece of the root can create a new plant. The seeds can lie dormant for decades and then germinate for a new round. It can run under mulch, and the parts that stick up at the edge can generate enough energy to feed all the covered leaves and stems.
Great patience and persistence are required to control this weed by hand. Here are a couple of links that you might find helpful:
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/1552.html
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7462.html

By | 2016-04-07T14:35:51-07:00 April 7th, 2016|Weeds|0 Comments
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Cyclamen

Your plant belongs to the Cyclamen genus of which there are many species and hybrids. A native of Europe, the Mediterranean region and Asia, these plants are prized for their flowers and attractive clumps of green or variegated foliage. Depending on the cultivar, the flowers look like shooting stars or butterflies and come in hues of pink, red, magenta, white or bi-colors. In your area does best in partial shade or filtered light. Water when the top of the soil feels dry. Continue to care for Cyclamen until the foliage yellows and dies back. From tubers, it will go dormant in the summer, but will return in the cooler seasons. These can be tricky to re-bloom: let the bulbs rest in their pots for a month and then begin watering again.

By | 2016-04-07T14:02:09-07:00 April 7th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Lucky Bamboo

This appears to be the plant known as lucky bamboo, an easy house plant that is often sold singly or in bundled groups with roots growing in water or well-draining potting soil. It's a Chinese favorite because it supposedly brings good luck to the homeowner. Slender leaves take bright indirect light. Not really a bamboo but a Dracaena. Water regularly but do not allow plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot and feed with a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for container plants about once a month to stimulate new growth. Hopefully, you planted the Dracaena at the same level as it was in its previous container and used a commercial, sterile, well-draining potting soil. Also make sure the pot has drainage holes.

By | 2016-04-07T13:46:01-07:00 April 7th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Yes It Is Poison Ivy

This is poison ivy. The adage "leaves of 3, let it be" is important for poison ivy because it can be a shrub or a woody vine. Found most everywhere, it adapts to sun or shade conditions, various soil types, as well as wet or dry environments and can have different leaf shapes. When the plant is young, its stems are a light reddish-green to red and can be hairy or hairless. When the plant matures more, the stems become brown and woody. In the summer, the leaves tend to have a shiny coat, making it difficult to spray with a product to kill it. Also forms tiny flowers in the summer followed by berries. If it is growing in your garden, we suggest you dig it out and wear gloves. Dispose in the trash, not a compost pile, and do not burn as the toxins will become airborne.

By | 2016-04-07T12:03:35-07:00 April 7th, 2016|Weeds|0 Comments
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