Caterpillars

/Caterpillars/

Caterpillars

This is the larvae of a butterfly or moth, more likely a butterfly but we don't know the exact type. Good guy/bad guy status depends on the opinion of the person. All caterpillars are there to do one thing and one thing only and that is EAT to get to their next stage of life. Some of us would consider that a bad guy. Others of us would consider it a good guy based on that fact that they are pretty to look at and could be considered pollinators in some cases.
You can hand pick and destroy those that you find on your plants. You could also use something known as Bt or Bacillus thuringiensis. It is a bacteria that you spray on your plant when the caterpillars are present (they must ingest the bacteria for it to be effective) and they will eventually get eaten from the inside out. It is not a quick solution but it is a safe one. You should be able to find it in the garden dept of any big box store or at your local independent garden center. Be sure to follow the directions on the label.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:23-07:00 February 23rd, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Leaf Gall On Maple

Yes, they are 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. In this persons opinion the galls can be quite beautiful!
http://www4.uwm.edu/fieldstation/naturalhistory/bugoftheweek/galls3.cfm
http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/leaf-galls-maple

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:23-07:00 February 23rd, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Daylily Insect Problem

Daylily or Hemerocallis /ˌhɛmɨroʊˈkælɪs/.[1] Daylily cultivar flowers are highly diverse in colour and form, as a result of hybridization efforts of gardening enthusiasts and professional horticulturalists. Thousands of registered cultivars are appreciated and studied by local and international Hemerocallis societies. Daylilies are perennial plants. The name Hemerocallis comes from the Greek words ἡμέρα (hēmera) "day" and καλός (kalos) "beautiful". This name alludes to the flowers which typically last no more than 24 hours. The flowers of most species open in early morning and wither during the following night, possibly replaced by another one on the same scape (flower stalk) the next day. Some species are night-blooming. Daylilies are not commonly used as cut flowers for formal flower arranging, yet they make good cut flowers otherwise as new flowers continue to open on cut stems over several days.

By | 2016-02-23T10:04:25-08:00 February 23rd, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Early Blight Or Uneven Watering

There could be two causes of yellowing of bottom leaves on a tomato. The first, and most easily remedied, is uneven watering. If you let a tomato plant go too dry in between soakings the plant will drop its lower leaves to conserve water. Soaking the ground for a longer period of time less often, and not watering by hand but using a sprinkler or soaker hose, is the way to handle that situation. Mulch around the plant will also help keep a more even level of moisture. Try not to splash water on the leaves in the evening as this is a prescription for most fungal problems.

Early blight is a fungal disease that causes the lower leaves to yellow, and frequently become spotted with dark spots as well. Remove the leaves that you see are damaged and begin spraying with an organic fungicide. If you spray weekly from now until frost you should be able to continue to harvest. As at your local garden center for an organic fungicide that is labeled for early blight on tomatoes.

By | 2016-02-23T07:39:49-08:00 February 23rd, 2016|Plant Diseases|1 Comment
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Peony Problems

Not sure what is going on with your peony. Water when soil is dry several inches down. Saturated soil will kill the roots, resulting in wilting. It could also be transplant shock. Hopefully you used a well-draining, commercial and sterile potting soil for the container because native soil compacts too much and the plant was planted at the same level as its original container. The other problem may be that this specific cultivar does better in cool climates and will not adapt to Southern California's mild weather conditions. Suggest you go to the nursery where you purchased it to find out. Other tips: Peonies like soil high in humus or organic material, mulch to mitigate soil temperatures and water levels and provide afternoon shade if the weather turns hot and dry. Peonies need to be planted fairly shallowly, or they will not bloom. Also check out online resources to grow peonies in southern California such as: ilovepeonies.com

By | 2016-02-23T06:24:31-08:00 February 23rd, 2016|Perennials|1 Comment
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Orthophytum Warren Loose

Orthophytum's are in the Bromeliad family with more than 25 species, cultivars and hybrids in cultivation. The wild species are limited to eastern Brazil where they seem to grow on rocks and sides of cliffs. Actually being terrestrial the roots grow into the cracks and fissures between rocks which generally contain moisture and nutrients. Orthophytum do not have 'cups' or hold water in the center leaves of the plants. Their thick bloom stalk can grow quite tall and produces tiny flowers at the top amongst foliage that looks like miniature plants. They need fertile but well-drained soil, water often in spring and summer and in winter keep barely damp but never let it dry out completely like you would a Cactus plant. Give plenty of bright light to bring out the best foliage coloration and most can take full sun once adapted. Orthophytum gurkenii cultivar 'Warren Loose' is similar to it's parent except it has white spots all over instead of in bands like gurkenii.

By | 2016-02-23T05:39:01-08:00 February 23rd, 2016|Tropical Plants|0 Comments
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Powder Puff Snowball Cactus

Native to San Luis Potosi, Mexico, is a soft-bodied globe cactus that is densely covered with white hairlike radial spines, giving the appearance of woolly "snowballs". Globular stems are usually to 3" to 4" in diameter, with cinnamon-colored hooked central spines and dense white hairlike radials, forming clusters readily. Flowers are creamy yellow with a pinkish midstripe, profusely appearing in rings for many months. Flowers are followed by attractive long tubular bright pink "fruits" which contain the seed. As this plant normally grows on rocky inclines, it requires extra drainage, such as can be achieved with the addition of more pumice or perlite to the soil mix. For this reason, it is best to water this plant thoroughly, but water a bit less frequently than other cacti. Water with caution in winter, as the plant can lose its roots if the soil stays cold and wet for extended periods. Refrain from watering on overcast days. Prefers bright light and ample airflow. Protect from frost.

By | 2016-02-23T02:52:06-08:00 February 23rd, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Fungi Brown Rot Or Botrytis On Cherry

Unfortunately, cherries are prone to a number of diseases. They can get several fungal diseases including brown rot, botrytis (gray mold) and numerous leaf spots. Without culturing in a lab it's impossible to know which one is affecting your tree. (A link for having such samples cultured is below in the comment section.) That said, you can do the following even without a diagnosis:
1. Be sure to clean up all fallen fruit and foliage in the fall and don't let it stay on the ground as this keeps spores of whatever you've got in the area. Destroy the old leaves and fruit - don't put them in the compost.
2. Organic fruit grower use one of the copper-based fungicides on their trees to help control such problems. Ask at your local garden center for a copper fungicide and use it according to the directions for cherry trees. Know that one application isn't enough - use it at the frequency recommended on the label.
3. Although you can't control the rainfall, be sure no irrigation or watering is hitting the foliage. This makes most fungal problems worse.

By | 2016-02-23T01:29:45-08:00 February 23rd, 2016|Fruit Plants & Trees|0 Comments
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Late Blight

This looks like tomato blight, likely late blight, but we cannot be sure from this distance. There are several types of blight, they may start at the top of the plant or at the bottom and work their way up. Late Blight, Phytophthora infestans, is an odd organism in that it behaves somewhat like a bacteria, but also like a fungus. It will eventually also attack the main stems and can progress very rapidly. Some splash up from the soil surface and others come in on insect feet. Sadly, there is no treatment for a plant in this condition. We suggest you dispose of this plant and its soil in the trash, not the compost bin, and start anew. The entire plant should be pulled and put in the garbage. Make sure the fruit is taken too. Please get a second opinion from you local Extension office or garden center for confirmation by taking a few leaf samples in a baggy so that they can identify it in hand. We wish we had better news for you.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:23-07:00 February 23rd, 2016|Vegetable Plants|0 Comments
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Constances Spring Parsley

There are two species of this plant that are difficult to discern. The photo is not quite close enough for us to make a positive identification between bulbosus and constancei. But we are including a link to a site that may help you decide. Note the name was changed in 2012. Constance’s spring parsley is a low growing herbaceous perennial that is typically found in open areas of woodlands. This small plant produces a taproot that may be several inches long, the lower half of which is often enlarged. Each plant produces only a few stems that may bear one or two leaves but are usually leafless. Most of the leaves are basal (not attached to an upright stem) with the largest leaves growing only 4 - 6 inches long. The leaves are light gray-green in color, somewhat fleshy, and divided many times into leaflets that in turn are divided into sub leaflets giving the leaves a distinctive fern-like appearance. The leaf stalks (petioles) are also fleshy.

By | 2016-02-23T01:11:22-08:00 February 23rd, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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