Euphorbia Suzannae

/Euphorbia Suzannae/

Euphorbia Suzannae

Euphorbia suzannae, native to South Africa, forms small, knobby spherical emerald green stems to 1" or so in diameter. Clusters profusely to form wide clumps to 10" in diameter. Each stem has "toothed" ridges along the margins, and often has deciduous leaves during active growth. Responds well to warmth, with its active growth period in the late spring and summer months. Porous soil with adequate drainage. Requires filtered light for best appearance, and should be given a winter resting period at which time less water should be given. Protect from frost. All Euphorbias contain a white sap that can be irritating to eyes and mucous membranes. If contact is made with this white sap, take care to not touch face or eyes before washing hands with soap and water.

By | 2016-03-13T07:52:37-07:00 March 13th, 2016|Succulents|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 | 2016-03-13T07:32:12-07:00 March 13th, 2016|Weeds|0 Comments
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Autograph Tree

Thank you for your response that this is not a ficus. Identification from photos is challenging and this might be a Clusia species. If it is, this is a tropical plant that can be grown as a house plant in temperate areas. Leaves are thick and waxy and if it is C. rosea, you can write on the leaves. Also known as pitch plant because it was used to seal boats. Pale pink to white flowers in late spring to summer. Provide bright indirect light and water regularly but do not allow plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot. Suggest you show your photo to a horticulturist at a local garden center that specializes in tropical plants for confirmation of its identity. If it is, parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested and handle with gloves as may cause skin allergies.

By | 2016-03-13T06:21:29-07:00 March 13th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Blueberry Problem

You might want to review your water practices. Blueberries like ample amounts of water. Blueberries also require very acidic soil, 4.5-5.5 pH. You can fertilize with cottonseed meal to gradually bring down the pH number, but it is a slow process. We would suggest a pH test for this area. Blueberries are very shallow rooted and do not tolerate any competition from other plants. They need to be mulched. Blueberries like full sun. Blueberries fruit according to the number of "chill hours" that they receive in the winter months. You need to know the variety of blueberry that you have planted.The following is a good article to introduce you to the concept of chill hours: http://www.groworganic.com/organic-gardening/articles/find-your-thrill-with-blueberry-chill-hours

By | 2016-03-13T06:10:09-07:00 March 13th, 2016|Fruit Plants & Trees|0 Comments
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Prarie Smoke

This interesting looking wildflower is naturally found growing in prairies within the U.S. The plant’s low-growing, fern-like gray-green foliage is semi-evergreen, turning red, orange or purple in late fall and lasting throughout winter. This wildflower is among one of the earliest blooming prairie plants of spring and continues through summer with nodding rose-pink colored flowers. The descriptive name, Prairie Smoke, comes from its unusual feathery mauve seed heads that resemble plumes of smoke. Also called Three-flowered Avens, or Old Man's Whiskers.



Blooming is soon followed by the long plumed seedpods, which look a lot like puffs of smoke—giving the plant its name. These seedpods are also covered with hairs, which render it yet another common name of old man’s whiskers.

By | 2016-03-13T05:36:21-07:00 March 13th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Paperwhites Indoors

These are paperwhites, the most common Narcissus for forcing inside in northern areas but also grown in warm winter gardens. Paperwhite flowers are extremely fragrant. One of the questions many who have these inside ask is if they can plant the bulbs outside in the spring, or if it's possible to make them bloom again indoors. Unfortunately, these are bred to be a one-bloom indoor bulb. They are not hardy in the Northeast, so can't be planted outside. Enjoy them indoors while they are in flower but then throw them in the compost once the flowers die - they only blossom once.

One thing we often recommend is to buy some new paperwhite bulbs NOW, so that when these are done you have the new ones to start and enjoy the process all over again!

By | 2016-03-13T00:40:03-08:00 March 13th, 2016|Bulb Plants|0 Comments
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Poison Ivy

We can't say for sure, but it looks like poison ivy. If you send us a long shot showing its overall growth habit, we'll do our best to confirm. The adage "leaves of 3, let it be" is important for poison ivy because it can be a clump, shrub or a woody vine. Found most everywhere, it adapts to sun or shade conditions, various soil types, as well as wet or dry environments and can have different leaf shapes. But usually when the plant is young, its stems are a light reddish-green and can be hairy or hairless. When the plant matures more, the stems become brown and woody. If it is growing in your garden as a volunteer, suggest you dig it out as a precaution and wear gloves in case it is poison ivy. Dispose in the trash, not a compost pile.

By | 2016-03-12T23:52:15-08:00 March 12th, 2016|Weeds|0 Comments
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Grass Spider

This might be a grass spider, but we can't see it well enough to be sure. These spiders are commonly called "Grass Spiders" because they build funnel-shaped webs close to the ground in the grass. The spider hides in the narrow end of this funnel, which is usually protected by leaves or rocks. When an insect, spider, or other small creature crosses the wide end of the funnel, the spider feels the vibration and rushes out to grab the prey. Funnel weaver and grass spiders are incredibly quick, and can dash from the protected part of their web to the other end at lightning speed. Funnel weaver and grass spiders are beneficial predators. They very rarely leave their webs, so they don't often enter homes. More info: http://www.spiderzrule.com/grass1.htm

By | 2016-03-12T23:30:59-08:00 March 12th, 2016|Beneficials|0 Comments
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Begonia

This is a Begonia, of which there are many kinds. Needs filtered or bright indirect light and regular water. This makes an excellent houseplant or an annual for the shady outdoor garden. Be careful not to over water it! Moist, not wet soil.
It is a genus of about 1300 species and numerous cultivars. They are divided into 7 informal groups because they vary so much on their growth habit and cultivation needs.
They are very sensitive to rotting. When repotting make sure to not plant in a pot that is much bigger than its original pot and make sure to keep the soil level the same depth. If the soil touches the stem it will rot and perish. Its best to allow them to briefly dry between waterings. They are not poisonous.

By | 2016-03-12T23:14:50-08:00 March 12th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Boxwood Blight

This may be winter damage or it may be boxwood blight, a disease caused by a fungus. It's usually impossible to tell from a photograph, and sometimes damage on boxwood is a combination of winter injury and a fungal disease. Boxwoods are susceptible to several fungal diseases. We suggest you snip a few twigs, both healthy and not, and bring them in a sealed bag to your local county extension office for further identification. They may recommend you remove the afflicted branches to avoid spreading the disease.

If you can't take the plants into an extension service, prune out all stems that the bark has peeled from and shear the plants back by an inch or two to stimulate new growth, then wait and see what happens this spring and early summer. Fungicides do not cure boxwood blight.

By | 2016-03-12T19:04:50-08:00 March 12th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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