Jadera Bug

/Jadera Bug/

Jadera Bug

This true bug does not sting, does not do damage. Instead, it is just a nuisance due to their shear numbers; which could easily be in the thousands.

Another problem with the insect is that they can leave a red stain behind when squashed. The good news about this insect, they do not nest inside. While you may find an occasional straggler indoors they rather live outside.

Their favorite food of choice is the Golden Rain tree seed. These insects generally are found nesting against the structure or up against the trunk of trees.

The best control method for the Jadera Bug is the removal of their food source, the Golden Rain tree. While their numbers can be reduced with a topical insecticide, control will not be obtained as long as the food source remains.

By | 2016-03-14T11:51:22-07:00 March 14th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Scale Infestation

This is an excellent photo of an insect known as scale, a sap sucking insect that attaches itself to the leaves, flowers and stems. Under the shell is either the sucking insect or she has died and the shell is full of young yet to hatch scale. Inspect other nearby plants and treat them at the first sight of insect. They can be controlled with any insecticide containing Imidachloprid which is a systemic insecticide -- you will drench the soil and the insecticide will be sucked up by roots and into the branches, leaves and hopefully the scale. You can also spray the plant above the soil line with 15:1 water:Ivory soap. Also a horticultural oil will act as a suffocant. If there are not too many, try to gently remove them with your fingernail and dispose in a bucket of soapy water.

By | 2016-03-14T10:50:29-07:00 March 14th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Woolly Senecio

A perennial succulent dwarf shrub to under 1' tall from The Little Karoo desert of South Africa, with stunningly attractive upright cylindrical succulent leaves that are pure white due to the fine white hairs covering all surfaces of the leaves. This plant is known to produce bright yellow flowers on a short terminal stems. Plant in full sun in an open airy location with well-drained soil and water sparingly, allowing soil to dry between watering - it is an easy plant to rot if given too much water or shade. Best not wet the foliage and to be kept drier in winter months. Cold hardy to at least 22 F. Probably one of the most beautiful of the succulent Senecio that can be grown in a well-drained soil or mounded planting or as a very attractive container plant.

By | 2016-03-14T10:17:31-07:00 March 14th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Blue Spruce Damage

Because the damage is localized to one part of the tree, there may be some type of insect/borer/nesting critter that has attacked this area. It's hard to see borer damage without looking closely at the trunk near the affected branches. Because this is a high value tree, you might want to consider having an Arborist or an experienced landscaper examine this area of the tree. If you choose to examine it yourself, wear protective clothing and glasses - Blue Spruce trees can be painful to examine, especially with dried needles. Sawdust or small wood shavings near the base of the trunk are signs of borer or beetle damage. If you examine it yourself and see evidence of beetle or borer presence, here's a link to your local Extension Office.

By | 2016-03-14T07:56:14-07:00 March 14th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Giant Spider Lily Advice

It appears there could be a few things happening here that are affecting your spider lily. First, make sure this plant gets as close to full sun as possible. Next, double check to make sure there is very good drainage int he soil and water does not puddle or the soil is not too compacted. These plants do well even near sandy areas, a testament to how much they like good soil drainage. If you are doing all of these things, we recommend you double check what fertilizer you used and consider something a bit milder, as this fertilizer combination could be not geared toward this type of plant. We recommend checking with your local garden center to get their advice on what fertilizer you are using in your area is the correct type.

By | 2016-03-14T03:45:07-07:00 March 14th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Moreton Bay Chestnut Bean Tree

This appears to be Castanospermum australe, a medium to large tree 10-30m (30-90') found growing in rainforests and coastal scrubs from Cape York in Queensland to central NSW. It has a grey smooth bark, green pinnate leaves and red and yellow large pea flowers. The seed pods are quite large containing 2-5 large chestnut like seeds/pod. The large trees have a beautiful canopy but are slow growing when young. The seed germinates readily and they make great indoor house plants for many years.The seeds are eaten by various native marsupials and rodents and the Aborigines have been known to eat them at times. The are regarded as being poisonous and are known to kill cattle. The can make humans sick with severe stomach cramps and diarrhoea.

By | 2016-03-14T02:49:39-07:00 March 14th, 2016|Trees|0 Comments
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Nectria Canker

This appears to be canker, aka nectria canker, although with any disease it's impossible to say for sure without culturing in a lab. The orange that you see are the "fruiting bodies" of the fungus. Canker can occasionally kill trees but often just weakens them. The split in the bottom of this tree is further sign of a tree-in-jeopardy. If this plant is growing near your house or in another location where if it fell in a storm it would do damage you should have it looked at by a certified arborist asap and possibly removed. On the other hand, if this plant isn't where it would do damage if it fell there's no reason not to leave it as long as it's looking good. Once a tree has canker to this extent there is no cure, but some trees can live with the fungus for several years.

By | 2016-03-14T01:12:49-07:00 March 14th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Lawn Problem

Lawn problems, especially diseases, are very hard to diagnose from a photo. You might want to take a sample of the turf to your local nursery for positive id. It may not even be a disease. How often does the area get watered? Is the problem just in one spot? Are sprinklers covering the lawn evenly? Are there any signs of insects in the soil on the edge of damaged areas? As you can see, there are many things that could be happening. You may have to renovate the area. add organic matter and replant but first you need to be sure of whats happening.
Keep in mind, lawn fungicides must be used repeated (often every two weeks) to be effective. Also, most lawn diseases are a result of poor cultural practices, but with a lot rain, its tough.
Sorry we aren't of more help.

By | 2016-03-14T00:27:02-07:00 March 14th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Cineraria

Your plant is likely known as a Cineraria, but is really Pericallis x hybrida (also Senecio x hybrida 'Senetti'), prized for its colorful flowers in shady areas or on a patio. Will grow 2 ft. tall and as wide with clusters of daisy-like flowers in a wide assortment of colors including your brilliant purple and white specimen. Typically bloom in late winter or early spring. Does best in well-draining soil and although technically a perennial, most treat it like an annual. Will bloom again in summer if after the spring blooms are spent, the plant is cut back by about 50%. Primarily a cool-weather plant, it will stop blooming during intense summer heat. Needs to be kept moist, but not soggy, and is not considered a drought tolerant plant.

By | 2016-03-13T20:50:07-07:00 March 13th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Rose

Because there are over150 wild species of shrubs and climbers native to Asia, Europe, North Africa and North America, plus thousands of different garden forms of varying growth and flower types divided into two broad categories Old Garden Roses and Modern Roses, we cannot identify yours specifically. Suggest you show a few clippings to a local garden center that specializes in roses or botanic garden to see if a horticulturist can identify more specifically. You can also visit online websites such as www.helpmefindroses.com or contact your
local rose society such as The Orange County Rose Society
www.orangecountyrs.org/‎
All roses however do best in full sun, at least 6-8 hours, regular water and feed with a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for roses.

By | 2016-03-13T18:30:36-07:00 March 13th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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