Uneven Watering And Fungus

/Uneven Watering And Fungus/

Uneven Watering And Fungus

There are two things that are most likely coming into play here. The most common cause of splitting of fruit, be it pears or tomatoes, is uneven watering. We see this when it's been dry for a week or more and then there is a heavy rain. Keeping the plants evenly but not overly watered is the cure. You can also see some fungal action on this fruit - the spots - and the blackening of the cracks. Fungi will commonly move in on cracked fruit. The fact that the foliage looks good (at least what we can see) is a sign that there isn't something more dire going on at root level. (There are root-rot fungi that can cause marred and split fruit, but you'd see yellowing or drooping foliage if this was the problem.) Any of the pears that look this way and go on to ripen might be OK cooked - they are just not that attractive as raw fruit. Next year keep the ground evenly moist - you could spray with one of the organic fungicides for the fungal fruit spot if you'd like.

By | 2016-02-16T03:16:25-08:00 February 16th, 2016|Trees|0 Comments
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Knotweed

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
Read more: http://www.finegardening.com/bistort-persicaria-amplexicaulis#ixzz3XrliltWw

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:24-07:00 February 16th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Tomato Leaf Death

This is probably not an infectious disease, but caused by weather conditions in the recent past. You will want to pay close attention to your plants and maybe provide fertilizer at flowering and fruit set. Keep up with watering, but you may consider watering more deeply at one time and less frequently because tomatoes need water deep in the soil but don't like to have "wet feet" (too much water closer to the surface, which can happen if you water too often). If the water doesn't soak into your soil quickly, you will want to water until just before runoff starts, stop the water, let it soak in, and then apply water again in the same way; you should do this repeatedly until enough water has been applied. This will also help leach salts that can accumulate in the soil with frequent but not deep watering. HIgh salt content in the soil or water can also cause leaf damage or death. Keep the soil moist to dilute the salts, but don't overwater.

By | 2016-02-16T00:36:20-08:00 February 16th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Chewing Insect

The problem with chewing insects such as bug larvae or grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars (too numerous to name) etc. is they move about and often are difficult to spot among the foliage, but if there are black dots on the foliage, it is the excrement of chewing insects. Chewing insects can be large enough to see with the naked eye, but they can be red, orange, green, brown, black, etc. so look closely and pluck off any you see and dispose in a bucket of soapy water as long as the infestation is not too extensive. If it is extensive, you can spray with an organic control for chewing insects recommended by your local garden center such as Bt or Spinosad, but follow application directions. Also show some of these leaves or this photo to a horticulturist at your local garden center for confirmation of the problem as well as recommendations for control but make sure it is formulated for vegetables.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:24-07:00 February 15th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Splitleaf Philodendron

Grown as a house plant most places, this survives outside in areas that are virtually frost free. In the wild, this epiphyte can grow 65 feet tall. Indoors provide bright, indirect light, regular water and feed with a slow-release fertilizer or organic food formulated for container houseplants. Do not allow plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot. Give it something to lean against or brace itself on for the best display in a pot. It has aerial roots which can be trained onto a support or inserted in the soil. When roots begin coming out the bottom, it will need to be re-potted into the next size larger pot. By "next size larger" we mean a pot that is about two inches wider in diameter and deeper. Put it outside in the summer for best growth (in a sheltered spot!) but acclimate to higher light levels gradually or will sunburn.. The leaves begin heart shaped and split as they mature, but won't do so if it doesn't get enough light.

By | 2016-02-15T23:02:02-08:00 February 15th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Beehive Cactus

This is cactus is likely the native Corphyantha robusta, but without flowers it is hard to be certain. They are long lived plants that form colonies and have exquisite flowers in shades of purple or magenta in the spring.
Regarding collecting them from the wild there a number of things to consider. First, it is illegal to collect live plants on federal land. Second, never collect a live plant with the landowner's permission. Third, be certain that the plant does not have either federal or state protection. Every state has a list of such plants, and so do federal agencies. Fourth, it is always much better to collect seed than a live plant. These plant are very old when they are this large, and you will be removing what amounts to a population and a significant seed and food resource. And, cacti grow easily from seed. We would urge you to never consider collection from the wild but either take seed and grow them yourself or find a reputable dealer who grows these plants.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:24-07:00 February 15th, 2016|Succulents|0 Comments
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Thrips Andor Leaf Miner

Its hard to see enough detail of the damage in this photo, but it could be Thrips insects and we think we see some damage from Leaf Miner insects. There is very little you can do about the leaf miner because they feed (in their larva stage) under the leaf epidermis and pesticidal products are usually not effective as they can't reach/contact the insect. You can pick off the leaves, but if the larva has already finished eating and pupated into the adult stage (who then flies away), there's no need to pick off the leaves that can still photosynthesize. Thrips are often the more damaging pest. You can usually use a pesticidal soap or horticultural oil to control them, but we recommend you read the info under the section titled "Chemical Control" on this web-page before using any product. There's also info about leaf miner in the second link.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7429.html
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/PESTS/vegleafminers.html

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:24-07:00 February 15th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Rot On Zucchini

There are two reasons that zucchini can rot as the fruit forms. If the rot is starting at the blossom end, this is most likely due to uneven watering. If the rot starts at the stem end, it can be a fungus that grows in damp conditions. Both can be treated in the same way: 1. Be sure that you're watering deeply but not frequently - never hand water a vegetable garden because you'll get bored long before the soil is soaked deeply. Water in the morning only, using a sprinkler or soaker hoses. In weather where the night-time temperatures are below 70 degrees this can be once every five to seven days. In hotter weather every 5 days is usually fine. 2. Mulch around your plants with chopped leaves or hay. This holds the stems and fruit off of the soil and keeps a more even level of moisture in the soil. 3. Spray the stems with one of the organic fungicides such as Serenade or Actinovate - these are natural bacteria that "out compete" fungi. With those practices you should soon be harvesting more zucchini than you can eat!

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:24-07:00 February 15th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Black Spot On Rose Canes

You have Black spot on your rose canes. It is a fungal disease that affects only roses. It can winter over on infected canes such as yours. Sanitation is the key to keeping it in check. Cut the infected canes back as much as possible and discard in the garbage. In between cuts, sterilize your pruners with either a mixture of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water or wipe the pruners down with rubbing alcohol. Clean up any dead leaves that may be present because they can harbor the fungus . Put down a light layer of mulch such as a shredded hardwood mulch. Do not use rocks of any kind because when it rains, the water will splash up underneath the leaves and spreads the disease. You can apply fungicides as a preventative treatment and may have to apply during the growing season as well. Excellent air circulation is important too so having it in a sunny open spot is ideal. I've included a link for more information on Black spot on roses. https://extension.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/black-spot-rose

By | 2016-02-15T13:11:11-08:00 February 15th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Ornamental Millet

Purple Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) - A wonderful addition to the landscape and containers can be grown from Purple Millet seeds. This award-winning new Ornamental Millet grass offers spring leaves of bright chartreuse that mature through all shades of red and bronze into a burgundy-purple. Pennisetum glaucum Purple has been called Pearl Millet or Black Leaf Millet, and it is a dense, bushy ornamental grass that is topped with long, dramatic purple seed-heads.
Pennisetum glaucum Pearl Millet is stocky and symmetrical, providing a dramatic edging to borders and beds. This ornamental grass is low-maintenance and gives a long display right up until frost. Purple Millet does best in warm climates, and in areas with cool summer temperatures, the plant may not reach full height.This is an annual ornamental millet. Very cool plumes, right? There are numerous types available with different colors of foliage and plumes. People usually buy these toward the end of the summer to use as fall annuals. Needs full sun and moderate water once established.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:24-07:00 February 15th, 2016|Annuals|0 Comments
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