Dracaena

/Dracaena/

Dracaena

Your plant is likely a species of Dracaena that is in flower. It is popular as a house plant or outdoors where winters are mild. As a house plant it needs bright indirect light, regular water and feed with a slow-release fertilizer formulated for container plants. Do not allow plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot as well as browning leaf tips. Water in the sink or shower if possible and allow the water to drain out completely. Water only when the soil feels dry down to the first knuckle. If leaf tips turn brown, your tap water may have too many salts in the water so switch to steam iron water. Most houseplants are endemic to the tropics and are sensitive to salts in the water or quick release chemical fertilizers.

By | 2016-03-22T01:33:17-07:00 March 22nd, 2016|Tropical Plants|0 Comments
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Crystalline Haworthia

Sometimes listed as Haworthia crystallina or Haworthia pygmaea, it is one of the most beautifull species from pygmaea group. It is a slow growing form in which the leaves have heavily papillose end-areas. With some sun exposure this plant takes on an exquisite rough sugar-crystalline appearance. Requires light shade to bright light (protect from strong midday sun). In shade the body color will remain mostly green, while full sun will darken and give it a rich pink-red body color. Can be sunburned if moved from shade/greenhouse into full sun too quickly. Needs a well draining, loose soil mix, regular water, but do not water again until dry. Also, it is a species that is dormant in the winter and requires very little water (maybe even none) during the cold months. Protect from frost.

By | 2016-03-22T00:41:52-07:00 March 22nd, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Irish Eyes Rudbeckia

This appears to be a Rudbeckia hirta - and it could be 'Irish Eyes' - but we would need a photo of the foliage and height of the plant to be sure. 'Irish Eyes' is a type that has green centers early on that become round and yellow as they age, as you see in your photograph. There are, however, many plants that produce yellow daisies that are very similar to each other, so without foliage pictures we can't give you a completely positive id.

Rudbeckia hirta are short-lived perennials that do best in full sun and well-drained soils. THey are easy to grow from seed. Where they are happy they often self-seed or naturalize, so if you grow them learn to distinguish the fuzzy seedlings from the weeds and leave those in the garden.

By | 2016-03-21T23:45:28-07:00 March 21st, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Many Questions

The Ponderosa Pine prefers a different climate than Southern California. It primarily occurs in mountainous regions. It prefers cooler, wetter climates. This tree looks to be a "fish out of water". When a plant is not provided with its optimum growing conditions, it weakens the plant and lessens its ability to fend off diseases and pests. Plus this a young tree without an established root system. Pine trees are evergreen and do not have a dormant period. This tree might do best if relocated to a more mountainous region.
The brown needles are either due to under watering or some type of insect. The white spots you describe could be an insect or a natural part of the plant. If you would like to send in close ups of the white spots, we will be happy to try to ID for you.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:18-07:00 March 21st, 2016|Trees|0 Comments
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Chewing Insect

The problem is likely chewing insects. Likely the caterpillar you photographed or could also be some type of beetle or grasshopper? Look to see if there are more- top and bottom of leaves, day and at night with a flashlight. If there are small black dots, these might be excretions for the insects. You can spray with an organic control effective against chewing insects such as Bt (caterpillars). insecticidal soap or Spinosad. Once the leaves and flowers are damaged, they will not recover but try to control future infestation. Bt is a contact insecticide and Spinosad has a 7-10 day residual. Spray Spinosad in the early evening after the bees have returned to their hives. Once the spray has dried on the plant it is safe for beneficials.

By | 2016-03-21T19:01:22-07:00 March 21st, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Leaf Spot

There are several fungal diseases that cause leaf spot. "Leaf spot" is a common descriptive term applied to a number of diseases affecting the foliage of ornamentals and shade trees. The majority of leaf spots are caused by fungi, but some are caused by bacteria. Some insects also cause damage that appears like a leaf spot disease.Leaf spot may result in some defoliation of a plant. An established plant can tolerate almost complete defoliation if it happens late in the season or not every year. Small or newly planted that become defoliated are more at risk of suffering damage until they become established. Keep the leaves picked up that fall and destroy, Do not compost them. Spray with a fungicide now and when new leaves emerge.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:18-07:00 March 21st, 2016|Trees|0 Comments
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Lucky Bamboo

This appears to be a variegated "Lucky bamboo" - an easy care houseplant that isn't a bamboo at all. It can survive in many indoor conditions, but indirect lighting is best as direct sunlight can cause the leaves to turn yellow and burn. Water when the soil starts to get dry but before it's completely dry, and fertilize once a month with the fertilizer of your choice used according to directions and/or use a slow release pelletized fertilizer made for houseplants. When the plant gets too tall and "leggy" it's easy to clip off some of the tops, cutting off about 8" pieces, and rooting them in a glass of water. The remaining stems should leaf out lower down on the plant and the rooted cuttings can either be put in the same pot around the original plant or in a new pot.

By | 2016-03-21T16:39:37-07:00 March 21st, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Mealybugs

Your photo is distant and we cannot make out the details of these insects clearly. If these insects have a cottony, fuzzy and sticky feel to them, it is likely your infestation is mealybugs. Mealybugs suck the nutrients out of the plant and will eventually kill it if left untreated. Consult your local garden center for confirmation of the problem and remedies. If they are mealybugs, you can hand remove them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol and then rinsed off, but if the infestation is extensive, you may want to wash them off with a strong stream of water, followed by a spray with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin product. There are also chemical controls formulated with imidacloprid, but make sure it is formulated for citrus.

By | 2016-03-21T16:35:54-07:00 March 21st, 2016|Plant Diseases|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 | 2016-03-21T16:11:55-07:00 March 21st, 2016|Trees|1 Comment
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Ficus Problem

This looks like it could be a moisture problem-probably too much water but maybe not enough. How often does it get watered? Is the drainage good? Dig around in the soil and see if its wet. This time of year, weekly deep watering should be enough. You may need more as the weather warms. Feed with a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for container plants. Make sure you also examine the plant for any insect pests but we think this is more of a water or light issue. Ficus need bright indirect light and suggest you rotate the plant periodically so that all parts of the plant receives adequate light. Also, once it is happy in one place, keep it there - if you move it to a different location, it may drop its leaves to adapt to a new site with a different light situation.

By | 2016-03-21T14:44:58-07:00 March 21st, 2016|Trees|0 Comments
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