Ginseng Ficus Bonsai

/Ginseng Ficus Bonsai/

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.

By | 2016-03-18T23:21:08-07:00 March 18th, 2016|Trees|0 Comments
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Leaf Scorch

When a problem shows up fairly symmetrically on both sides of a leaf/plant, it's often a sign of a cultural problem. Cultural problems include drought, fertilizer burn, herbicide damage and nutrient deficiencies to name just a few. The thing to ponder now is what has gone on around this plant? Fertilizer or weedkiller put on a nearby lawn or beds? Long period without rain? Extreme heat or fire? Window or other power washing in the area? Anything dumped on the ground such as hot water from catering equipment? Do you have other plants of the same type and how do they look? Do other shrubs or trees also show signs of leaf scorch? How did the plant look a month ago? If you send us another photo please answer those questions and we will give it another shot. Thank you.

By | 2016-03-18T20:14:12-07:00 March 18th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Bermuda Buttercup

In the fall-winter in southern California, clusters of bright green clover-like leaves followed by long stems topped with clusters of inch wide, bright yellow flowers from late winter-spring. It has become an invasive plant along the coast of California. Underground corms must be completely removed to eliminate this prolific plant, even if a small bit of the corm is left behind, it will return again. Plus once the flowers are spent, multitudes of seeds are dispersed. To prevent this, carefully hand remove the weed making sure you have the entire corm/bulblet and then sprinkle the area with a pre-emergent formulated for Oxalis to prevent any seeds from germinating, but do not apply the pre-emergent in an area where you are planting cultivated seeds.

By | 2016-03-18T20:13:26-07:00 March 18th, 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 outdoors as long as there is no frost. 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 for a month and then begin watering again.

By | 2016-03-18T19:37:15-07:00 March 18th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Floss Silk Tree

This appears a C. speciosa tree (genus has recently changed from Chorisia to Cebia) that produces big pods, cottony fluff and beautiful hibiscus-looking pink flowers. Flowers are followed by pear-shaped capsules (fruit pods) filled with seed embedded in silky white floss (hence the common name of silk floss tree). In its native territory, floss has been harvested for a number of uses including stuffing pillows. Capsules split open in spring when ripe releasing the seeds into the wind. Fruit is not edible. The trunk is studded with spines and is native to South America, but does well in parts of Florida and California. Leaves are divided into leaflets similar to fingers of a hand. Will go deciduous. Needs full sun and moderate water once established.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:18-07:00 March 18th, 2016|Trees|1 Comment
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Floss Silk Tree

This appears to be a C. speciosa tree (genus has recently changed from Chorisia to Cebia) that produces big pods, cottony fluff and beautiful hibiscus-looking pink flowers. Flowers are followed by pear-shaped capsules (fruit pods) filled with seed embedded in silky white floss (hence the common name of silk floss tree). In its native territory, floss has been harvested for a number of uses including stuffing pillows. Capsules split open in spring when ripe releasing the seeds into the wind. Fruit is not edible. The trunk is studded with spines and is native to South America, but does well in parts of Florida and California. Leaves are divided into leaflets similar to fingers of a hand. Will go deciduous. Needs full sun and moderate water once established.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:18-07:00 March 18th, 2016|Trees|0 Comments
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Asiatic Hybrid Lily

Your cut flower is likely an Asiatic hybrid lily. Unfortunately, there are so many hybrids and species that we cannot identify the specific cultivar for you. As plants, they grow from bulbs and are easy to grow and one of the most reliable growers in the garden. Also, they bloom in late spring or summer depending on the species and cultivar, some fragrant, some not. Yours florist variety was likely greenhouse grown and forced to bloom in late winter/early spring. As plants, they do best when planted in direct sun and regular water. Continue to care for them after the flowers are spent and until the foliage yellows and dies back and they will come back year after year. Popular as a cut flower for their beauty and often for their fragrance. Yours is lovely!

By | 2016-03-18T17:48:24-07:00 March 18th, 2016|Bulb Plants|0 Comments
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Cherry Leaf Spot

Your tree may have cherry leaf spot, caused by the fungus Blumeriella jaapii. Cherry leaf spot targets the foliage of cherry trees but can also infect stems and fruit. Small purple spots on the tops of leaves are generally the first symptom of this fungal disease. The spots turn brown and begin to enlarge and collapse, leaving a hole in the foliage. Older leaves will yellow and drop from the branches, and the cherry tree can lose all its leaves, which weakens the fruit tree and increases its susceptibility to cold damage.

Properly timed applications of fungicide will help prevent cherry leaf spot. Start fungicide preventive sprays at the petal fall stage and repeat every seven days until harvest.

You may want to get a second opinion and take sample to local nursery for confirmation.

By | 2016-03-18T16:33:08-07:00 March 18th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Heath

This is a heath. There are several varieties that are hardy in the Northeast, and many of them are winter or early spring flowering. Sometimes they get lumped together with heathers, but here's a trick for telling the two apart. Remember this saying: "Heath have teeth and heathers have feathers." This refers to the leaves. Heath leaves are sharp like little teeth, and heather leaves look like tiny feathers!

Heath and heather like to grow in well drained, acidic soil, so in your area, where some people have heavier clay soils, you are well advised to plant them on a slope. Once established heath is very drought tolerant. If this is growing in your garden already, prune it by shearing about 2 inches off just after it finished flowering.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:18-07:00 March 18th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Mangave

It is hard to know for sure but recently over the last 3 years or so, horticulturists have been creating a new hybrid group of plants called Mangaves. They are the result of an intergeneric cross between the genus Manfreda and the genus Agave - hence Mangave.Both plants are similar in appearance with the Manfreda being smaller, nearly or completely spineless and having very colorful leaves, and the Agaves being very robust and usually quite spiny. The results have created many varieties of nearly spineless plants with unusual coloration and leaf patterns. The care is similar to all succulents being a well draining soil and full to part sun. Water well but allow the soil to dry out between watering. Protect from frost to avoid scarring.

By | 2016-03-18T12:55:50-07:00 March 18th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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