Leaf Gall On Maple

/Leaf Gall On Maple/

Leaf Gall On Maple

These are leaf galls. They're a result of feeding by Eriophyid mites. These are spider mites that vary from the usual 8-legged mites because they have only 4 legs, or 2 pair. They are very tiny, slow moving, and have a distinctive "carrot" shape (which is also different from the typical spider mite pests. The U of Wisconsin webpage link we've included here states, "The mites feed and mate inside the gall and lay eggs there, and their offspring stay at home until they are ready to disperse as adults. From their natal gall, they move to other leaves to homestead." We've also included a link to Penn States' College of Ag, Entomology program for more info about the damage these mites do and how to manage them, if it becomes necessary; most times it's not, so pesticide treatments are not often recommended.
http://www4.uwm.edu/fieldstation/naturalhistory/bugoftheweek/galls3.cfm
http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/leaf-galls-maple

By | 2017-10-08T01:37:26-07:00 March 4th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Wollemi Pine

Your photo resembles a Wollemi pine, but we think it might more likely to belong to the Araucaria genus because as you probably know, the Wollemi was just discovered in 1994 in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales in 1994. Cultivated plants became available to botanical gardens in 2006. However it would be very exciting to find out that it is a Wollemi pine. Suggest you contact WollemiPine.com - the official home of the Wollemi Pine ...
www.wollemipine.com/ to see if they can confirm its identity for you. Here is some additional information for you: The Lost Valley of the Wollemi Pine - Scientific American
blogs.scientificamerican.com/.../the-lost-vall... If you do find out its identity, please let us know as this would be so exciting to know that a relatively mature Wollemi is growing in Nice!
We love the fact that a plant long thought to be extinct was discovered growing not to long a distance from Sydney, Australia.

By | 2017-10-08T01:37:27-07:00 March 4th, 2016|Trees|0 Comments
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Hydrangea

This is an example of leaf spot. There are many types, most of them fungal. Different plants are prone to different leaf spot fungi...black spot on roses, for example. While the leaf spot on your honeysuckle is different than that which affects roses, there may be something about this location that promotes these infections and the most common cause is watering. Frequent splashing of foliage with water is a prescription for leaf-spot fungi on many plants. Be sure that this location isn't being frequently hit with spray from lawn sprinklers, for example. Sometimes next to a house it's dripping from gutters above that causes the frequent wetting of the foliage. Changing the soil won't help. In general, to control leaf spot try not to get foliage wet when watering. Set any automatic irrigation to go on less frequently but for a longer period of time (water deeply less often) - plants that are prone to leaf spot can be sprayed with one of the organic fungicides starting early in the season, before the plant gets the problem.

By | 2016-03-04T09:26:06-08:00 March 4th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Pineapple Guava

This appears to be a Feijoa sellowiana - Pineapple Guava. It is a large fruiting, evergreen shrub or small tree. It is used primarily as a landscape shrub on the west coast of the United States but has the added feature of tasty, edible fruit and flowers. It’s adaptable to a wide range of soils, including acidic soil, but prefers a humus rich soil that is well drained. Adding compost and not manure works for this plant. Full sun is best – but it can tolerate partial shade. The flowers which bloom late Spring are edible. The thick petals are succulent with a tropical floral flavor and are eaten fresh. Great sprinkled over a fruit salad. The petals may be plucked without interfering with fruit set. The fruit ripens in late Fall, which is a great boon since almost everything else in the garden is gone. The delicious fruit pulp is sweet and tangy at the same time. Eat them by scooping out the fruit with a spoon, or you can cook them in puddings, pastry fillings, fritters, dumplings, fruit-sponge-cake, pies or tarts.

By | 2017-10-08T01:37:28-07:00 March 4th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Splitleaf Philodendron Problem

Indoors Philodendrons need bright, indirect light and regular water when the soil feels dry to the touch down to the first knuckle. However, the leaf tip browning may be due to either the quality of water or if it is allowed to sit in water. If the plant is in a saucer, make sure you water in a sink so that the water drains out completely before returning to the saucer. And since many houseplants are endemic to the tropics, they are susceptible to salt build-up as well as salts in tap water. Suggest you flush out the plant with water several times in the sink to get the excess salts out of the soil and if the problem continues, switch to steam iron water available at your grocery store. Also feed with a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for container plants. And look for insect infestation such as aphids, mealybugs or scale on leaves and stems. We do not see any insect problem from the photo and believe it is more of a cultural issue - watering, light and nutrient. Hope your plant thrives again.

By | 2016-03-04T03:51:41-08:00 March 4th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Siberian Dogwood

'Sibirica' is a deciduous shrub that is prized for its thicket of red stems that are particularly bright during winter. The foliage turns reddish in fall with small cream-colored flowers in spring followed by bluish berries. It thrives in rich, well-draining soil amended with organic matter, regular water during growth and bloom cycles, and full sun to partial shade. The reddest stems are the youngest ones, so regular pruning is recommended. Where summers are hot, dogwood tends to become stressed and more susceptible to disease such as canker, leaf spot, twig and leaf blights. Insect pests include scale, leaf miner and borers. We cannot tell from the photo if the leaf burning is due to hot weather, dried out soil, or just the natural cycle of going dormant. Suggest you show your photo and a few clippings to a horticulturist at your local garden centre or botanic garden to confirm the problem as well as recommended controls.

By | 2016-03-04T03:03:51-08:00 March 4th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Watch Chain

Crassula lycopodioides, native to Africa, forms spreading clusters of slender stems with densely stacked tiny leaves. Leaves are pointed, light green in color and arranged along the stems like scales. Known as the "Watch Chain". In habitat, Crassulas usually grow in rocky quartz fields so it needs an open, loose soil with fast drainage. Does best in full sun, and water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Water with caution in winter, as the plant can lose its roots if the soil stays cold and wet for extended periods. Protect from frost. There is a lot of argument regarding this plant with some saying that it is a different species, Crassula muscosa, some say that the plant is the same and the other name is just a synonym. Still further, it is a very variable plant and has been named as either one of those names above with a varietal or form name attached. Regardless of all the variations, the care and culture remains the same.

By | 2016-03-04T00:42:56-08:00 March 4th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Slugs Snails Or Earwigs

Stems that look chewed like this are usually stripped by slugs, snails or earwigs. Once they girdle a stem there is no saving the plant. Usually this sort of damage appears shortly after you plant annuals, since the new plants are tender from the grower. Once they've been in place for awhile the plants toughen up and the pests no longer find them attractive. To prevent this from happening in the future, right after you put the plants in the ground dust them with diatomaceous earth, getting the powder on the stem, leaves and surface of the soil. (There is a good video on Youtube about how to make a DE applicator out of an old plastic water bottle.) Usually you only have to dust the plant right after you put it in, although you'll need to water the plants well first and let them dry before applying the diatomaceous earth. (watering and rain make the DE less effective.) This is a good idea when planting Cleome, marigolds and dahlias as these pests seem especially fond of those annuals.

By | 2016-03-03T22:24:09-08:00 March 3rd, 2016|Annuals|0 Comments
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Pests On Tomatoes

Do you have squirrels in the neighborhood? If not squirrels, raccoons? Some birds will peck holes in tomatoes to eat the insides. It doesn't appear that the leaves are being bothered, but if they were, it could be the well camouflaged Tomato Hornworm.

Groundhogs love to eat tomatoes as well, so if you live in a part of the country that has groundhogs, take this into consideration.

Squirrels are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night. If your tomatoes are being eaten during the night, it’s not a squirrel.Racoons If the damage occurs overnight, it is likely raccoons.Squirrels, however, usually nibble a hole in the side of the tomato, eat just a little of it and then move on to do the same to the next tomato.

You can spray the tomatoes with a Hot Pepper Wax Animal Repellent, that will will deter them in the future and it washes off the fruit with warm water. Next year, maybe wire cages?

By | 2016-03-03T21:37:51-08:00 March 3rd, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Royal Red Good Luck Plant

A beautiful rich burgundy cultivar of Euphorbia trigona. The stem is a lovely marbled burgundy with wavy, reddish burgundy margins and some small burgundy leaves during the active growing season. Excellent for use in bright areas of the home or office or as a patio plant in more temperate regions. To maintain the red color of the leaves and enhance the body color, provide more sunshine for this plant by placing it near a sunny window or outdoors in full sun. If the weather is very warm, be sure to water more often to prevent the leaves from falling and the plant from becoming scorched. In time, becomes a much branched shrub to 6' in height. Responds well to warmth, with its active growth period in the late spring and summer months. Porous soil with adequate drainage. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch during active growing season. Requires bright light to full sun for best appearance, and should be given a winter resting period at which time less water should be given. Protect from frost.

By | 2016-03-03T21:35:47-08:00 March 3rd, 2016|Succulents|2 Comments
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