African Boxwood

/African Boxwood/

African Boxwood

This is a tough slow growing evergreen shrub that forms a dense upright shrub to 4 to 7 feet tall and 5 feet wide with upright stems bearing tightly overlapping small dark green rounded leaves, with the upper edges slightly cut with fine teeth. Older leaves are leathery and dark green and stems a gray color but new growth, both stems and leaves, have a deep red coloration. In spring appear tiny cream colored flowers at the base of the leaves. A dioecious plant with insignificant flowers - a bit more conspicuous on male plants and berries on female plants - our cutting grown selection is male and we have never seen the berries. Plant in sun or part shade. It is drought tolerant and hardy to about 20 degrees F. A very nice plant for small hedges. This plant has a wide distribution from Asia west as far as the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean south to southern Africa where it is common in both the summer and winter rainfall areas. The name Myrsine is from the Greek name for the similar looking Myrtle.

By | 2016-03-10T03:42:36-08:00 March 10th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Virus Or Aphid Damage

There are two things that can cause such symptoms on pepper plants. The first is tobacco mosaic virus, and the second is aphid damage. If it's the virus the problem will get worse and you'll see spots and yellowing of leaves too. There is no cure. This virus can be spread from plant by insects. Read more about it here: http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/vegetables/tomato-tmv-disease/

The other possibility is aphid damage. If aphids suck out plant juices under the leaves the cells of the plants are then distorted and the plant grows in a crinkled condition. Look carefully under the leaves of the plants to see if there is sign of aphids or aphid litter. Aphids can be green, white, red or black - the litter can be tiny black or white specs...so small that the underside of the leaf can just look dusty or dirty. Spray the undersides of plants with insecticidal soap if you suspect aphids.

If it's aphids the plants may grow out of the damage and be fine - viruses on plants usually have no cure.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:20-07:00 March 9th, 2016|Vegetable Plants|0 Comments
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Tomato Problem

This could be a viral disease, and/or a combination of issues. Virus diseases infect tomatoes and can cause leaves to curl, discolor, and/or develop mosaic patterns (which appears in your photo to be affecting the stem and leaves). Its hard to say from the photo, but it appears there may be white, powdery mildew on the plant? This is a fungal disease that affects tomatoes (and many other plants), but powdery mildew would not cause the stem mottling and leaf curl seen here. Additionally, environmental issues, like too much water in the soil around the roots can cause plant distortion from excess release of ethylene gas as a result of "drowning" roots.
We've included some links that may help you to narrow down the cause, but we also recommend that you get a local opinion from a Master Gardner group, home/farm advisor's office, or a local garden center.
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/pests/plant_pests/veg_fruit/hgic2217.html
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/tomato.html

By | 2016-03-09T22:50:38-08:00 March 9th, 2016|Vegetable Plants|0 Comments
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Tomato Problem

This could be a viral disease, and/or a combination of issues. Virus diseases infect tomatoes and can cause leaves to curl, discolor, and/or develop mosaic patterns (which affect the stem and leaves). Its hard to say from the photo, but it appears there may be white, powdery mildew on the plant? This is a fungal disease that affects tomatoes (and many other plants), but powdery mildew would not cause the stem mottling and leaf curl seen here. Additionally, environmental issues, like too much water in the soil around the roots can cause plant distortion from excess release of ethylene gas as a result of "drowning" roots.
We've included some links that may help you to narrow down the cause, but we also recommend that you get a local opinion from a home/farm advisor's office, or a local garden center.
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/pests/plant_pests/veg_fruit/hgic2217.html
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/tomato.html

By | 2016-03-09T21:43:31-08:00 March 9th, 2016|Vegetable Plants|0 Comments
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Defoliated Lilac

Your lilac certainly doesn't look happy. While it's normal for them to lose their leaves for the winter, the remaining leaves on your plant look a bit wilted. And then there are all the bare branches. Too much water can cause wilting, as the roots drown. Roots need as much air as they do water. Lilacs only need about an inch of water per week.
Another possibility is unintended side effects from broad-leafed weed killers. Lilacs are broad-leafed plants, and the weed killer used on a lawn doesn't distinguish between lilacs and dandelions. Have you applied any turf weed killers near your lilac?
We suggest you prune out the dead stems at ground level. Then, in early spring, feed your lilac at about half strength with a high nitrogen fertilizer (fish emulsion is great). Most Colorado soils have plenty of potassium and phosphorus. Add a couple of inches of mulch around the base of the shrub, leaving a gap near the "trunk" so the stems don't rot. We hope that helps!

By | 2016-03-09T20:58:43-08:00 March 9th, 2016|Shrubs|1 Comment
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Mealy Bugs And Sooty Mold

It looks as though you have an infestation of Mealy Bugs (the white things). The blackened areas are called Black Sooty Mold (or just Sooty Mold). The Sooty Mold is a result of the mold that grows on the honeydew secretions produced by the Mealy Bugs that drops onto the leaves and stems. The Mealy Bugs hurt the plant by sucking out the juices and decreasing the over all vigor of the plant. The Sooty Mold usually does not harm the plant except in severe cases where it prevents the plant from photosynthesizing (we believe your case is severe).
Our suggestion at this point is to try to remove and dispose of all affected plant parts. It is hard to find all the tiny Mealy Bugs so you may want to use an insecticide at that point. We would suggest taking a bagged sample of your plant to your local garden center where they would be able to suggest proper control measures for your particular situation.

By | 2016-03-09T18:19:28-08:00 March 9th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Living Stones

Easy to grow, they tolerate long periods of dryness. A. schoonesii is not all that common, a bit of a specialist plant. It has a large taproot so it is very resistant to drought. When it is potted up, the plant can be progressively raised above the ground so that some of the roots can be seen and it is especially cultivated for their looks. Architecturally it is a real stunner. When the "caudex" shape of the raised roots is adequately visible this plant is incomparable. Prefer full sun to part sun but, should be protected from excessive heat and sun in summer as it will redden with more light exposure. Regular water in summer (but always allow to dry out before you water again), keep quite dry in winter. Needs deeper pot and excellent drainage to accommodate the tap root, It can be kept for years in a 3"x3" pot, and should be repotted only every 2-3 years . It is also perfect for the bright windowsill. Frost hardy to about 10 degrees F.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:21-07:00 March 9th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Viburnum Sargentii Onandaga

Your Viburnum looks very much like an 'Onandaga', an outstanding selection introduced by the U.S. National Arboretum in 1966 as a result of the work of Dr. Donald Egolf. Upright habit when young, then more rounded with age. A superior cultivar featuring both ornamental foliage and floral displays. Leaves emerge fine textured, velvety, and maroon, later turning green but retaining a moroon tinge. This makes a vivid contrast for the new foliage which continues to emerge maroon. Showy maroon buds open in May to pinwheel-type creamy-white flowers with a pink tinge and purple anthers. The inflorescence, when opened, has a dainty, airy appearance that we like to think of as having a Milky Way effect. Red fruit is sparse. Fall color is red. A must have plant as a specimen or in mass plantings. Zone 4

You viburnum may also be the maple leaf viburnum, Viburnum acerifolium. It's really hard to tell from the picture.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:21-07:00 March 9th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Peace Lily Problem

We do not see any disease problem but there are a few cultural care tips that might help. Peace Lily plants do best indoors in bright, indirect light, w/regular water, but do not allow the plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot. Since peace lilies are low light plants, do not place where there is direct sunlight. Black or brown leaf tips sometimes develop when humidity is low or irregular watering practices; place your plants on a pebble tray with water just up to the bottom of the pot to raise ambient humidity. Peace lilies are susceptible to salts in tap water which sometimes causes blackening of leaves. Try using distilled water (steam iron water). Some other things to check on: how often do you fertilize? Make sure you feed with a slow-release or organic fertilizer low in salts that is formulated for container houseplants. Again, make sure the pot has drainage holes, water in the sink and allow the salts to leach out and do not allow it to sit in a saucer with water.

By | 2016-03-09T12:43:16-08:00 March 9th, 2016|House Plants|1 Comment
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Rose Issues

It looks as if there are a few things going on here. It is hard to see clearly but there is possibly rust on the leaves (the yellow spots). You could confirm this by turning the leaf over and if you see dusty orange spots, it's most likely rust. Rust is a fungal disease. Here is a link that might be helpful: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/DISEASES/rusts.html
The lower petals that are dark in color suggest either extreme heat or not enough water. You would be the one who would know that.
We are also wondering if you pruned your roses back in the winter as is customary. If not, you could have alot of old wood and foliage that are carrying diseases and/or pests over from last year. A proper pruning in the winter give roses a chance to rest and revive themselves for spring. If you choose to do this next year, be sure to properly dispose of all plant parts so as to not spread the diseases and pests that might be present.
Here is another link that you might find helpful:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7465.html

By | 2016-03-09T12:22:39-08:00 March 9th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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