Spider Mites

/Spider Mites/

Spider Mites

It does look like spider mites. If you can knock some off on to a piece of white paper you might see them crawl around, but if you take your finger and give them a swipe, you should see a small brownish-red smear. Unfortunately indoors is a real breeding ground for them as the temps are comfy and there's little air circulation - they love that. A couple of things you can do. If it is a sturdy cactus give it a good hard blast of water from a hose to remove the webs and kill as many as possible for the first pass. After it has had a good few days to dry out take a look and if you see any residual, use a spray bottle of 50/50 rubbing alcohol and water (preferably distilled) and give them a good spray down. You may have to follow up a few times but this could get rid of them. You can try using a commercial miticide that you buy at the garden center but cacti and succulents are real sensitive to most pesticides. See if the container offers any info on using with succulents.

By | 2016-02-19T21:31:57-08:00 February 19th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Beetle Or Borer Larvae

Sorry for the delay in responding to your question. This is the larva stage of either a beetle or a an insect called a borer (because it bores into tree/shrubs). Not all beetles are harmful to plants, but borers are. Since we can't see any specific identifying characteristics in this photo, we can't make a specific species ID. We recommend that you keep your eyes open for more organisms like this in the soil, and/or look for damage on the tree/shrub trunks (like oozing wounds or trail damage in the bark). If you find numerous grubs in the soil you'll want to pick them out as much as possible and refer to the links we've provided. Same with tree damage - look for the specific signs as outlined in the info. If you want it ID'd to species you can take a sample (sealed in a bag) to your local Agricultural Dept office and they'll send it off to the county entomologist (who ID's insects) and send you a response for free.

By | 2016-02-19T17:53:31-08:00 February 19th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Dogwood

Here are a couple of suggestions based on your tree's appearance and the challenge deciduous trees have their first years in a new location. First, the bare branches are indicative of winterkill which is often most pronounced on the side of the tree that faces the predominate winter winds. Winter watering is a must to minimize winterkill. However, newly planted trees are often susceptible since their root system is still getting established. They aren't able to take in water as fast as needed. You'll want to prune back the dead branches to live wood. Also, it appears to be in a drip system which is good, if it's getting the proper amount of water. Too much or too little will harm the tree. Often when a tree is struggling there can be more than one factor. Here's a great guide on general deciduous tree care that can help you with watering, pruning, fertilizing and general tree care. Although it's from a neighboring state, the growing conditions are the same - http://www.ext.colostate.edu/mg/gardennotes/635.html

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:23-07:00 February 19th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Coral Fountain Browning

Russelia equisetiformis (Coral Fountain) is a multi-branching, evergreen (in mild climates) subshrub with 4 to 5 foot long arching 4-angled stems that have leaves that have been reduced to very small scale-like ovate leaflets. Both stems and leaves are a bright green color and new grow starts erect but rapidly bends over to form a graceful mound. In full sun the stems and leaves can take on a reddish tint. Primarily in spring and summer, the tips of the branches are graced with bright red tubular flowers, but flowering can occur any time of the year with flower buds only dropping off if temperatures become too cool. Plant in full sun to deep shade though flowering is far better out in full sun or where it can at least get half day sun. Tolerates wind, desert heat and most any soil with medium drainage but does requires fairly regular to occasional irrigation to look its best - can be kept drier in shade but does not bloom well. Stems are and evergreen to around 25° F and can resprout from the base after a freeze.

By | 2016-02-19T16:08:48-08:00 February 19th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Leaf Spot Or Rust On Grasses

This is either one of the fungal leaf spots or a rust disease on grasses. Without a lab culturing it's hard to know for sure which is, and impossible from just a photograph. But what promotes these diseases, and how they are treated once you have them, is the same. Frequently splashing of grasses from automatic irrigation systems is the most common cause of leaf spot diseases on Cape Cod. If you are watering your plants, water deeply less often. A deep soaking every five to seven days so that a rain gauge fills to 3/4 to an inch is best. Water in the morning so that the foliage dries off during the day.

At the end of the fall or in early winter cut these grasses down to about a foot tall and either burn or throw the blades away - don't toss them in the compost or you'll be keeping more of the spores on your property.

Next year you might want to spray the new foliage early in the season with one of the organic fungicides to protect your plants from getting re-infected. Ask at your local garden center for a product recommendation.

By | 2016-02-19T15:14:01-08:00 February 19th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Tomato Troubles

Tomatoes split because of inconsistent water application. That might not be your fault but may be it is. When a balloon is blown up it has the ability to stretch around the air inside. Tomatoes have skin that is flexible up to a point but when they get lots of water in a short period of time the skin can only expand so much and once it gets to a certain point it can't expand as fast as the water is being absorbed by the roots and sent to the fruit and the fruit splits. This happens mostly after periods of heavy rains over a few days or if you traditionally water every other day and begin to water every day. Or instead of watering a little bit when you water you water for longer periods. The fact is the roots and the fruit don't don't talk 5o each other and splitting occurs. There is not a gosh darn thing you can do about the rain but perhaps you can keep your eye on how you water things and will eventually work out. Remove the damaged fruit and start again. Good luck!

By | 2016-02-19T13:00:43-08:00 February 19th, 2016|Vegetable Plants|0 Comments
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French Lavender

French Lavender (Lavandula dentata) is an evergreen shrub native to Spain. It is a tender perennial hardy in zones 8a-10b. In colder climates it should be grown as a container plant so it can be sheltered in the winter. French Lavender can be distinguished from other species by its jagged or dented leaf edges. Foliage has a fuzzy appearance and is silvery-green in color. French Lavender does not have the typical smell most associate with the genus. The smell is much more delicate than what most are use to smelling. Sometimes being described as something between the typical lavender smell and rosemary. Plants will reach sizes 1-3 feet tall and up to 4 feet wide. Plants have a purple flower color and bloom early summer through fall in the landscape. When grown in a greenhouse or areas that get no frost French lavender will flower year round. Generally this species is grown for it's ornamental value rather then for it herbal qualities.

By | 2016-02-19T12:22:34-08:00 February 19th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Croton In Florida

Known for their bold, tropical foliage, crotons are perennial evergreen shrubs. Not only can these plants be grown outdoors, but some cultivars can be raised as decorative houseplants as well. The beautiful leaves of the croton are also used to enhance floral arrangements. Grown for their beautiful leaves; crotons (Codiaeum variegatum) come in a wide variety of leaf shapes and colors which include reds, oranges, yellows, pinks, purple, greens, and white. Native to India and Malaysia, this tropical plant usually quite full and the leaves form clusters to create maximum color patterns. This shrub can grow up to 10 feet tall, but there are both dwarf and larger varieties. Many crotons grow best in full sun, but many cultivars can tolerate, and even prefer, light shade partial shade. Frosts or freezes will damage them, but they quickly recover. When used outdoors this plant looks most attractive when grown in groups. Use them to accent green shrubbery and add a splash of color to any yard or container.

By | 2016-02-19T12:19:35-08:00 February 19th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Nutrient Deficiency

Sometimes nutrient deficiencies occur as a result of over or underwatering the plant. We recommend watering the plant well each time you water, but only water often enough to keep the soil evenly moist, keeping in mind that the needs of the plant will fluctuate with change in the weather, and growth. The larger the plant grows, the more water will be required. Avoid watering on a fixed schedule. If you applied a granular fertilizer already it should worked into the soil and then watered well. You may see the leaves become green again, but not always; but you should not see any further signs of deficiency. We recommend using a fertilizer formulated for fruit trees. If you've applied a different type of fertilizer, don't apply anymore of any kind until necessary. You can determine how often to fertilize by following the fertilizer label directions. You might also find this link helpful:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/FRUIT/ENVIRON/nutrientdefic.html

By | 2016-02-19T09:22:59-08:00 February 19th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Apple Tree Critters

Because we can't see the entire tree we're assuming your tree is an apple tree, but it could also be a crabapple. Both are from the same plant family and are closely related. So regardless of which tree you have, you have a critter inside the fruit! We're not familiar with a fruit tree pest that is bright orange. We recommend that you take your infected fruit and branch to either a local nursery or to the Colorado Extension Office. Because they can visually inspect the leaf, they can confirm the identity of your tree and hopefully your orange bug and provide you with some suggestions for control. Here's a link to your local Extension Office - http://www.denverext.colostate.edu/

The most common pest for apples is the Coddling Moth. Their larvae which is found in the apple can be a light pink color. Here's a link to the Colorado Extension Agency for more information on Coddling Moths - http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05613.html

By | 2016-02-19T08:31:37-08:00 February 19th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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