Walking Iris Apostles Iris

/Walking Iris Apostles Iris/

Walking Iris Apostles Iris

An unusual member of the Iris family! Neomarica plants are clumping perennials that reach anywhere from 18 to 36 inches. This exotic-looking plant with its graceful sword-like foliage has flowers that resemble a cross between that of an orchid and an iris. Although they are short lived, lasting only a day, numerous blooms continue to follow over an extended period of time throughout spring, summer and fall. As the blooms finish the bloom stem falls to the ground and roots starting another plant seemingly "walking across the garden"! Grows best in moist, well-draining soil in areas with light to full shade but will also tolerate some sun as long as they receive adequate moisture. It is hardy in Zones 10 and 11, but has been reported to grow as far north as Zone 8 with adequate protection during winter. In colder zones, this plant needs to come inside for the winter, so in this case growing walking iris in containers is helpful.

By | 2016-02-29T19:23:09-08:00 February 29th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Citrus Issue

This picture appears to be a sucker off of the rootstock. Special rootstocks are used to give a citrus tree a strong root system and are not intended to bear fruit. You can tell by where they come from. If they come from under the soil or below the graft union, they are rootstock. You will want to remove them to give your tree increased vigor. The suckers are also more susceptible to diseases and pests. This sucker might be exhibiting some citrus leafminer damage.
Another questions we would have is: did your citrus tree produce any flowers at all in the last year? If not, there might be a watering or a nutritional problem. Successful flowering is what leads to successful fruiting. You might want to visit your local independent garden center with a bagged sample of your tree to see what information they can give you. You should also be able to purchase a fertilizer formulated especially for Citrus. Use following directions on the label.

By | 2016-02-29T19:17:36-08:00 February 29th, 2016|Fruit Plants & Trees|1 Comment
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Chewing Insect

The problem may be chewing insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, etc.. Have you looked at the undersides of the leaves for a caterpillar? If you don't see an insect, we would normally suggest you cut off all the damaged foliage but since your plant has so many leaves affected, leave them be and check the unaffected leaves several times a day to see if it's on-going. Chewing insects are usually large enough to see with the naked eye, but they can be green, so look closely. If it is a chewing insect, spray with an organic control such as Spinosad - it has a 7-10 day residual - but spray in the early evening after the bees have returned to their hives. Once the spray has dried it is safe for beneficials. There are also synthetic systemics but make sure it is formulated for photinias. Suggest you show a few of these leaf samples to a horticulturist at a garden center for confirmation of the problem and suggested controls.

By | 2016-02-29T19:02:42-08:00 February 29th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Bistort Mountain Fleece

This vigorous, but noninvasive perennial flowers from early summer into autumn with bright red, purple, or white blossoms. The narrow blossoms are up to 4 inches long, and are held on long stalks above pointed, slightly puckered leaves. It grows to 4 feet high and wide.
Noteworthy Characteristics: Persicaria are rhizomatous or stoloniferous plants that are spreading and sometimes invasive. They have fleshy stems and conspicuously veined leaves, some of which exhibit autumn color. Many are suitable in a mixed container or border, others naturalized in a woodland or meadow. All plant parts may cause skin irritation on contact and stomach upset if ingested.
Care: Grow in moist soil in full sun to partial shade.
Propagation: Divide plants in spring or fall. Sow seed in spring in a cold frame.
Problems: Aphids, Japanese beetles, slugs, snails
(Bistorta amplexicaulis, Polygonum amplexicaule). Native to Himalayas.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:22-07:00 February 29th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Peace Lily

This is a peace lily plant prized for its white blooms (actually spathes, the real flower is the spike in the center of the spathe) and characteristic of this plant. It grows best in bright, indirect light indoors, never direct sunlight. If the plant doesn't get enough light, it won't bloom, but if it gets too much direct sun on the leaves, it may get leaf burn. Give it regular water and feed with a slow-release fertilizer formulated for blooming container plants. Must have good drainage. If the first few inches are dry, water it until water runs out the bottom and let drain thoroughly. Do not allow plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot. It is sensitive to chlorine, so if your water is chlorinated allow the water to sit for a day before using it to water the plant. Also, it is a houseplant and will not tolerate frost or cold temperatures, so do not place outdoors this time of year. With proper care, peace lilies can live as long as eleven years.

By | 2016-02-29T15:17:18-08:00 February 29th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Aphids On Seedlings

These are aphids, an insect that is especially attracted to new growth. They damage plants by sucking juice from the plant, harming the growth when their pierce the cells with their mouth parts. Aphids can weaken established plants, distort growth, and even kill young plants. Aphids can be green, white, orange, yellow or black in color. Fortunately they can be controlled fairly easily. Young plants in small containers can be taken to the sink and the aphids sprayed off with the spritzer that most kitchen sinks have. Many people use a hard stream of water to knock them off of outdoor plants. The funny thing about aphids is that when you knock them off they don't fly or crawl back up on the plant! You can also spay with insecticidal soap, available at your garden center. Don't use dish soaps or other home-made soap sprays because most household cleaning soaps and detergents have other ingredients that can harm plants. Only use a product made for plants and use it according to directions.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:22-07:00 February 29th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Aphids On Leafy Vegetables

These look like aphids. They will typically feed on the newest plant growth. You can identify Aphids (with a magnifying lens) by the two "cornicles" (structures that look like tiny tailpipes) extending from the rear. If you see the cornicles, you will want to control these insects with a pesticidal soap, available at your local garden center or wash off with a strong stream of water. These insects reproduce rapidly (giving live birth, rather than laying eggs), so you can also narrow the possible insect species down if you see that some of them are smaller versions of the larger ones. Sometimes an adult will develop wings and they look a bit different than the rest, but they'll still have the "tailpipes". Also, the white bits are probably the cast-off exoskeletons of aphids, while the green or grayish moving creatures are the aphids themselves.Here is a link that you might find helpful:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7404.html

By | 2016-02-29T13:09:03-08:00 February 29th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Weeping Cedar Problems

First, let's say it doesn't look good. Was there any sort of warranty on the tree? We suggest you contact the seller.
That said... there are several species that share the common name Weeping Cedar. Which cedar is it? I can't tell from the photo, but perhaps there was a label on the tree? Some cedars are only hardy to zone 6, and you live in zone 5. The abrupt cold late last fall had damaged many plants.*
Your tree's problems are environmental, not caused by insects or disease. Since your tree is dying from the ground up, this is most likely root-related--either how it was planted or a water issue. Are you watering? Even though the sprinkler is turned off, all plants need damp soil during the winter, and especially evergreens. Irrigate on warm days (such as today) as needed. Too much water is as bad as too little, as roots also need air. There isn't room here for a treatise on tree planting, but check out http://www.ext.colostate.edu/mg/gardennotes/636.html and http://www.ext.colostate.edu/mg/Gardennotes/633.html.

By | 2016-02-29T12:11:59-08:00 February 29th, 2016|Trees|0 Comments
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Lemon Geranium

This appears to be a Lemon Geranium - of course we'll trust your nose on this! Lemon geranium needs full sunlight and thrives in relatively cool daytime temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with temperatures 10 to 15 degrees cooler during the night. In climates with warm, non-freezing winters, plant lemon geranium in any well-drained soil. In cooler climates, plant lemon geranium in a container with a drainage hole so the plant can be moved indoors in autumn. The flowers are pale and small but beautiful! The leaves contain essential oils which produce a wonderful aroma when you rub a leaf between your fingers. Scented geraniums are edible but only if you are positive it has been raised organically and there has been no chemical fungicide or insecticide sprayed on or near the plant. There are many features on the website regarding the culinary uses of scented geraniums such as www..sfgate.com/.../Scented-geraniums-expand-a-garden-s-cooking-2493855 .php‎


By | 2016-02-29T08:52:17-08:00 February 29th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Watering

We think you may be overwatering this plant...not fatally, but let's see if we can stop the damage. The insects sound like fungus gnats (which resemble fruit flies). They live/feed on soils that are consistently moist and don't dry out between waterings. Your peperomia is a succulent plant and glazed clay pots are non-porous so the soil in them dries out pretty slowly. When you water, water until water runs out the drainage hole in the bottom (if you have no drainage hole, please repot into a pot with drainage), then pour off any excess so the plant doesn't sit in water. Cut the stem right above the last good (undamaged) leaf, and move the plant into an east or west facing window. From now on, wter only when the soil in the pot feels dry down to your first knuckle. We can't see how big your pot is (and the size will influence how often you need to water) but you may only need to water once every 10-14 days. Good luck!

By | 2016-02-29T04:32:51-08:00 February 29th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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