Over Watering

/Over Watering/

Over Watering

Since you mention over-watering, its possible that the root system is weak (not enough oxygen in a wet soil) and the plant is not thriving because of this. We don't see the yellow "spots" you refer to, but yellowing can be from nutrient deficiency (which also occurs with unhealthy roots even if you keep adding fertilizer), or if you have specific spots of yellow tissue it could be caused by Thrips insects or any number of things. Make sure your plant is getting full sun for 6-8 hours per day and if in a container, you only water when the soil is dry at the depth of two or three inches. Apply enough water to get drainage from the pot. As the plant grows you'll need to water more often. See this link from the Univ of CA on "all things Tomato"

By | 2016-03-12T17:43:05-08:00 March 12th, 2016|Vegetable Plants|0 Comments
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Scale

This is a serious infestation! If all your holly's leaves are this thoroughly covered you will probably be better off removing this shrub and starting over. If only a few leaves are like this, we suggest you prune off those leaves and stems and treat the memainder of the shrub with an insecticide. Scale insects are mostly immobile; they suck the nutrients out of the leaves and branches and if untreated, can seriously damage a plant. Many insecticides cannot penetrate the insect's shell, so you'll need something specially formulated for scale. We suggest you take a few leaves into a local nursery and explain your problem. They can recommend a horticultural oil or systemic poison formulated for ornamentals. Good luck!

By | 2016-03-12T15:43:01-08:00 March 12th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Calla Lily Issues

Your calla lily may be getting too much water, or it could be going dormant. These plants do thrive in soil that is kept evenly moist, but they can be over-watered. The best way to know if its time to water is to feel the soil - if its too wet you can squeeze water out of a handful of soil, if its too dry, it won't hold together in a loose ball when squeezed. If this plant bloomed already, it may be going dormant (yellowing and dieing back to the ground). If this is the case, you need to be careful not to rot the underground bulbs with too much water. Here's a link that may help; follow guidelines whether planting in a pot or outdoors.
http://www.gardenandgreenhouse.net/index.php/past-issues-mainmenu-18/102-2011-garden-greenhouse/june-2011/1139-houseplant-411

By | 2016-03-12T13:55:57-08:00 March 12th, 2016|Plant Diseases|3 Comments
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Catmint

From the photo it appears that your plant is a Nepeta, or catmint with soft, gray-green foliage and spikes of lavender-blue or white flowers that emerge in late spring or early summer. If you run the leaves between your fingers, they give off a strong smell. It grows best in full sun and is drought tolerant once established. The crushed leaves applied to your skin is a natural bug deterrent. Catmint flops as the first flowers go by, and is even more prone to doing so when grown in part-shade or very rich soil. Grow it in full sun and keep it on a leaner diet if you want it more upright. Also, nepetas are one of the perennials that can get cut to the ground as the first flowering fades. The new foliage will return in a couple of weeks and it will be shorter and tidy.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:20-07:00 March 12th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Citrus Issues

It appears that there are at least 2 things going on here: 1 - Your tree is suffering from a lack of nutrients. We suggest that you invest in a fertilizer formulated especially for Citrus and follow the label directions. When a tree is suffering stress from environmental causes (lack of water, lack of nutrients) it weakens the tree and it is not able to fight off insect and disease pests. 2 - This tree is competing with all the weeds for water and nutrients. You might want to weed all the way around the tree and make sure that it is getting full sun and that the soil is well drained. These links might be helpful:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/FRUIT/citrus.html
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/FRUIT/ENVIRON/mineraldef.html

By | 2016-03-12T12:15:49-08:00 March 12th, 2016|Fruit Plants & Trees|0 Comments
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Raspberry Problem

The leaves may have suffered some fertilizer burn from the fertilizer or they could be dying because of the excessive moisture. I would remove some of the dead and dying leaves and try not to keep the soil overly moist when watering. You may want to repot the plant at some time to put in some rough compost, shredded bark or something like that to increase drainage if the soil stays wet all the time. You want the soil moist but not sodden wet. If either of these problems are causing issue, they should be temporary. The fertilizer should eventually wash out and if you let the soil dry some, the leaves may gain a better condition. If neither of these work you may wish to consult with your local county Ag extension agent regarding problems with raspberries.

By | 2016-03-12T07:57:34-08:00 March 12th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Devils Fig Pea Eggplant

This could be Solanum torvum, Devil's fig also called pea eggplant and Turkey berry, a large tropical perennial weed used for rootstock in commercial eggplant production. The leaves, flowers and fruit are consistent with your photo, and your suggestion of a tropical origin of the plant help to point in that direction. If it is Solanum torvum it is from the American tropics but widely distributed throughout the tropical world. One thing to realize is that while we are fairly certain that this is a plant in the genus Solanum, a member of the nightshade family as are tomatoes, eggplants and other vegetables, many other Solanums have highly poisonous fruit. So DO NOT EAT THE FRUIT. We suggest that you take specimens of the flowers, fruits and leaves to local experts for additional assessment.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:20-07:00 March 12th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Psyllid

The raised spots might be the work of psyllids, common name plant lice, small insects that depending on the species are host-specific, that is one species of a psyllid will colonize on one particular plant. They become abundant when temperatures warm and host plants develop fresh growth. The psyllid sucks the nutrients out of the foliage, stems, etc. and galls form on the leaves or buds. They also have ecreta, known as honeydew which can lead to the development of black sooty mold. Most experts agree that the psyllid damage is primarily aesthetic, but if the lemon plant is not growing, suggest you show some clippings to a horticulturist at your local garden center or botanic garden to confirm the problem and possible control.

By | 2016-03-12T05:37:07-08:00 March 12th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Yellow Peppers

These are one of the yellow long peppers - there are several types and from a photo alone it's impossible to tell which one you have. There are long Italian frying peppers, banana peppers, and several others. The good news is that once they turn yellow they are ripe so there is no confusion there - peppers that turn red when ripe go from green to red without a stop at yellow, but those that are ripe when yellow go directly from green to yellow.

Most yellow peppers are mild, so you shouldn't have to worry that they will be spicy. But since "heat" is different from person to person, you might cut into a yellow pepper and touch your pinky finger to that cut and then put it to your lips to taste in order to tell if you think it's spicy or not. Enjoy!

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:20-07:00 March 12th, 2016|Vegetable Plants|0 Comments
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Ornamental Oregano Round Leaf Oregano

Ornamental Oregano is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae, native to Turkey, Armenia and Georgia. It is a small woody-based perennial or subshrub growing 4"-12" tall by 12" wide, with aromatic leaves, and loose clusters of pink flowers with hop-like pale green bracts throughout the summer. This herb grows best in full to part sun with regular moisture the first year. It's fairly drought tolerant once established and prefers only minimal water during the winter. This is usually grown as an ornamental because the leaves don't have the typically strong flavor of most culinary oreganos. But it's beautiful with many different varieties displaying different colored bracts. It is a filler plant much loved and used by floral design professionals. Hardy in USDA Zones 7-10

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:20-07:00 March 12th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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