Fungus Gnats

/Fungus Gnats/

Fungus Gnats

We agree with you that these are likely fungus gnats.If you see the adult insects fly away when you water, this is another indication that they are probably fungus gnats. Resembling fruit flies, their larvae feed on organic matter in the soil, and damage the roots of young seedlings. Soil that is kept constantly wet is especially susceptible to fungus gnats. To break the cycle from egg, to larvae to adult stages and to keep the adults from continually laying eggs in the soil, reduce watering as much as possible without damaging the plant and cover with a layer of horticultural sand available at your local garden center (do not use beach sand). You can also use yellow sticky traps (again available at your local nursery) to capture the adults.

By | 2016-03-22T11:50:07-07:00 March 22nd, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Problems With Dwarf Alberta Spruce

There are a few things that can cause damage such as this to a dwarf Alberta spruce. Spruce spider mites cause areas to first brown and then die. The problem often spreads and can kill a plant. Secondly, winter damage from wind or salt exposure can make a DAS bare on one side as well. Thirdly, any plant that might have been hit with herbicide, salt, household cleaning products, hot water from a sun heated hose etc will experience dieback.

Your plant will likely not regrow needles in the damaged areas. Check for webbing (mites), and look at your other plant, are they damaged on the same side of the tree? If this is the case and there is no webbing it is probably winter damage or environmental damage of some sort. They will unfortunately remain disfigured.

By | 2016-03-22T11:42:35-07:00 March 22nd, 2016|Trees|0 Comments
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Holes In Rose Buds

This looks like damage caused by an insect larva commonly called "roseslug". These are not the snails-n-slugs type of organism, rather they are insects (Sawfly) related to bees & wasps, but the larva eat leaf tissue and will feed on rose buds, so when the flower begins to open you see the damage. We've included a link all about pests & diseases of roses for your reference. We do not recommend using pesticides if you do not see the slug-like insect larva, and even then we recommend removing them by hand or using least toxic pesticidal products like soaps and oils. You can find these at your local garden center. When you get to the webpage from this link, scroll down the column under "Vertebrates" and click on Sawflies.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/rose.html

By | 2016-03-22T10:53:25-07:00 March 22nd, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Leaf Spot On Bearded Iris

The yellow halos around the brown centers indicate a fungus disease. It is necessary to treat the iris with a fungicide to arrest it, but that will not solve the issue. Leaf diseases weaken them and that affects the next year's flowers. Shade, crowded plantings, rainy weather, and mulch or soil covering the rhizomes increases the chances the disease will take hold as it has here. Suggest you dig up the iris clumps, trim their leaves into 6" fans, divide them, and replant farther apart. If it's been a few years, you'll want to amend the bed to assure good drainage and drench it with fungicide before you replant. For the next year, spray new growth with a fungicide to inoculate it against more development. After that, watch for it and spray at the first sign of spots.

By | 2016-03-22T10:00:31-07:00 March 22nd, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Hydrangea Leaf Discoloration

It was a very rough winter for hydrangeas. It would not be fair to you or the plant to compare last year to this year…sadly. Your plant could be a little stressed, from lack of water or even too much water, or the recent cold weather, or even the recent heat wave. You may want to take a sample to a local nursery for id and recommended solutions.It looks like the damage is on the lower part of the plant which makes me suspect dog or cat urine on a regular basis? If this is not the case, look to see if the plant is planted too deeply or is it in area that stays too wet.? If the problem continues we suggest that you take a sample of healthy and dying twigs to the local extension office or to a local nursery for better identification.

By | 2016-03-22T07:26:57-07:00 March 22nd, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Bromeliad Death

We're sorry to say... No, this Bromeliad plant cannot be saved. It has either died naturally (after flowering once these plants die, sometimes producing a new "pup" or baby plant at the base of the stem before dieing), or it has been over-watered and the stem rotted. These plants don't live in soil in their native habitat, although they are commonly produced that way in greenhouses, so this make it easy to over-water them. They usually only need a little water inside the center "cup" formed by their leaves, and then just enough water in the soil to give the pot weight and hold it upright. Next time you have one you can look up the watering techniques used to keep them from getting too much water. They are very different from our usual houseplants.

By | 2016-03-22T06:49:50-07:00 March 22nd, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Grassleaved Chickweed

This is one of the more attractive Chickweeds, particularly when it occurs in colonies, because the attractive flowers are produced in great abundance and the foliage is elegant and grass-like. It has a similar appearance to the native Stellaria longifolia (Long-Leaved Stitchwort). However, this latter species has sepals that are without conspicuous veins or hair, and its seeds have a smooth surface. Long-Leaved Stitchwort produces flowers less abundantly than Grass-Leaved Chickweed, and some of its flowers develop from the axils of the leaves. There are many other Stellaria spp. (Chickweeds), as well as Cerastium spp. (Mouse-Eared Chickweeds), but they often have broader leaves and hairier foliage. Another common name for Stellaria graminea is Common Stitchwort.

By | 2016-03-22T05:35:16-07:00 March 22nd, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Bacterial Leaf Spot Or Tomato Leaf Spot

This looks like its probably a leaf spot disease, either Bacterial or fungal Septoria leaf spot; both of them are spread by splashing water on leaves. We've included some web links about them for your reference, but the only way to ID plant disease for certain is to have a pathologist test the tissue. You can take samples of all affected plant parts (sealed in a bag) to your local Dept of Agriculture office and they will reply to you by mail for free. Provide them with as much info about the plant environment as possible. In the meantime, you may choose to remove the most affected leaves, and we recommend you review the info provided in the weblink about caring for tomato plants.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/tomato.html

By | 2016-03-22T03:56:29-07:00 March 22nd, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Ginseng Ficus Bonsai

Your plant likely belongs to the Ficus genus, possibly F. microcarpa also known as F. retusa. Ficus are known for their dramatic roots that survive above ground resembling bulbous structures. It makes an ideal houseplant/bonsai provided there is bright indirect light, regular water, and a slow release fertilizer. Make sure the plant does not sit in water because this may lead to root rot. Out in the patio where winters are mild and where there is filtered light is also fine. Feed with a water soluble organic or slow-release fertilizer formulated for container plants at 1/2 the recommended dilution rate during its growth cycle. Again, make sure you water in the sink and allow to drain out completely before returning to the decorative outer pot or saucer.

By | 2016-03-22T03:21:33-07:00 March 22nd, 2016|Trees|0 Comments
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Phyllosticta Leaf Spot

It is very difficult to identify a disease from a photograph, but your problem may be due to a fungus that begins with irregular, roundish, yellow-brown spots or lesions and as the disease progresses will form black target-like spots in the center. Fungal spores are spread by wet weather when leaves are splashed by the spores. Remove and destroy affected leaves including the foliage that has fallen to the ground, do not water overhead, but instead at the base of the plant, water regularly.Suggest you take a leaf sample to your local garden center for confirmation and if it is, unless the fungus is widespread, it should not harm the tree, but if it is widespread, eventually this will weaken it. A copper fungicide may be the appropriate treatment for control.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:18-07:00 March 22nd, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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