Tomato Bumps

/Tomato Bumps/

Tomato Bumps

These are root initiatives, where roots could form if the plant was planted deeper.
Root initials emerge on a tomato stem as a result of stress – most often when there’s a limit or blockage in the stem’s vascular flow. Specifically, a hormone named auxin in branch tips sends a signal to the plant’s roots when it’s blocked in the branch. If there’s a blockage and the hormone can’t flow freely, it accumulates in the stem. Nodules or bumps emerge. The blockage can occur anywhere on the stem.

Often the blockage is water-related. A tomato plant’s roots need air as much as they need water. Over-watering or excess rain (including poor drainage) chokes them. The plant compensates by trying to develop more roots out through the stem – hence the root initials.
Root initials can be the same color as the stem. They may also be white or turn to brown.
No need to worry about them now. Here's a little more info than you really need: http://www.tomatodirt.com/bumps-on-tomato-stems.html

By | 2016-02-15T09:47:48-08:00 February 15th, 2016|Vegetable Plants|0 Comments
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Spots On Tomato Leaves

Its hard to say from your photo. It could be insect pests, or it could be disease, or it could be any number of non-living (or environmental) issues causing the problem. If only one leaf is affected, the best thing you can do is pinch off the leaf and dispose of it, then make sure your hands are clean before you pick off another, or touch another plant, just in case its a disease that can be spread by contact. There are some tiney Thrips insects that feed on the leaves, but they may not stick around for long so you wouldn't see them, necessarily. They could come and go. Thrips (singular or plural) cause small, irregular, tan spots on the leaves and can leave behind tiny specks of black tar-like excrement. As for copper-colored spots, maybe nutrient issue or something was sprayed or splashed on them. We've included a link with more info on growing tomatoes and their problems. Its a link University of CA, but it will apply to growing tomatoes anywhere. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/tomato.html

By | 2016-02-15T09:30:06-08:00 February 15th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Currants

This appears to be a wild currant bush. Most likely, golden currant, or ribes aureum.There are many species of currants in southeast Idaho. Golden currant shrubs (Ribes aureum) are found in open, sunny areas. The leaves have three to five blunt or rounded lobes, without serrations around the lower portion of the leaf. The flowers are bright yellow, and the berries can be yellow, orange, red, or purple.

The Golden Currant is so named because of its display of golden yellow flowers in early spring. It is very
common along streams and in ravines and canyons and the seed is commonly spread by birds so it can pop up just about anywhere. The fruit can be golden – orange, red or black on the same species, in fact stands of Golden Currant are often found with all three colors of ripe berries next to each other.

The Golden Currant has a long life span relative to most other plant species and a moderate growth rate. At maturity,
the typical Golden Currant will reach a maximum height of 10 feet at 20 years of age.

By | 2016-02-15T03:24:35-08:00 February 15th, 2016|Fruit Plants & Trees|0 Comments
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Spoon Mum

This is spoon-petal mum, so named because of the shape of its petals. They are often sold for Easter or Mother's day plants, and should be considered a long-lasting "cut flower" not a plant that will be hardy though the winter. But since there are many varieties of these spoon mums, and some of them can be hardy on Long Island, you could keep it alive indoors until late May and then plant it outside to see what happens. Be sure to remove any gift foil that might be on the pot, and don't' let the plant dry out and wilt. Gift plants like this are usually root bound and will dry quickly. By the same token you don't want to keep mums constantly wet or let the pot sit in a saucer of water because this causes root rot and a yellowing/dying of the foliage. Plant this outside in a sunny location and water when dry at first, then once a week after the end of June. Cut the faded flowers off the top, leaving at least 6 inches of leaves and stems. After that you'll have to let the plant go through the next winter to find out if this one is hardy for you.

By | 2016-02-14T20:37:30-08:00 February 14th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Asian Spindle Tree

The genus Euonymus is comprised of 175 species of shrubs, trees, and climbers grown for their attractive foliage, interesting fruit, and good autumn color. Most are native to Asia. Euonymus have a variety of uses in the garden, including as part of a shrub border or as specimens, hedges, or groundcovers.
Noteworthy characteristics: Nice autumn color and ornamental fruit. All parts cause mild stomach discomfort if eaten.
Care: Tolerates most any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. Evergreens need a sheltered site, while variegated plants show best in sun.
Propagation:

As soon as seeds ripen, sow them in containers in a cold frame. Deciduous species can be started from greenwood cuttings in summer. Propagate evergreen species in summer from semi-ripe cuttings.
Problems:

Witches' broom, stem dieback, powdery mildew, and fungal spots. Some pests and diseases can cause problems both in the garden and indoors, including mites, scale insects, leaf miners, aphids, and mealybugs.

By | 2016-02-14T19:39:07-08:00 February 14th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Fusarium Wilt

Without seeing the whole plant, it is hard to get positive identification without lab testing, however this appears to be Fusarium wilt. The first symptom is a slight yellowing of a single leaf or a slight wilting and drooping of the lower leaves. The stems may be discolored (brown).
There are many good online resources that will provide details. Most often, fusarium is present in the soil. Do NOT dump the soil in your pot into your garden. Rather, dispose of it in the trash. Once infected, soil retains this fungus indefinitely.
Without being able to see an entire plant to confirm Fusarium Wilt, here's some more detailed information on Fusarium wilt from the Colorado Extension Agency - http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/Garden/02949.html
Here is a link that might also be helpful:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/DISEASES/fusarwilt.html
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/tomato.html

By | 2016-02-14T19:01:09-08:00 February 14th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Mandevilla Vine

This is a tropical vine that can be used as an annual in your area. It grows best in full sun and will produce lots of flowers all summer long. It will die when temperatures go below freezing, but you could bring it indoors and keep it as a houseplant during predicted frost, although it probably won't flower either indoors or until late in the summer next season. These plants need specific hours of daylight in order to come into bloom - they are given this at commercial growers but home owners don't tend to supply the artificial lit "long days" turning into shorter days that bring the plant info flower. So many people who overwinter this are disappointed that although the plant lives and grows well once it's outside again, they don't start to flower until sometime in August. If you want one that's going to bloom all summer, leave it outdoors as long as the weather remains frost-free or treat as an annual and purchase a new plant after danger of frost has passed.

By | 2016-02-14T18:15:47-08:00 February 14th, 2016|Vine Plants|0 Comments
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Mickey Mouse Plantbirds Eye Bush

Your plant is likely the evergreen shrub commonly known as Mickey Mouse plant or bird's eye bush because of the berries and sepals similarity in appearance. Endemic to South Africa, their fragrant and short-lived yellow flowers emerge in spring and on and off throughout the year depending on weather conditions, followed by clusters of small green fruit that mature into glossy-black berries below bright red sepals (not really flowers, but the lingering sepals). By early summer the entire plant can be covered in what at first appears to be red flowers but is actually the lingering sepals and with closer inspection the combination of these sepals and the black berries show the resemblance to the face of Mickey Mouse or bird's eye, hence their common names. Flowers best in full sun but will tolerate some shade. Once established, needs little to moderate water but will flower more when given supplemental water. Hardy to 27° F. It is a bee and butterfly magnet and birds love the berries. Can be pruned for shape or into hedges.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:24-07:00 February 14th, 2016|Shrubs|0 Comments
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Tomato Problems

The picture is fuzzy so we can't see the powdery stuff clearly. What we can see is that the damage is primarily on the edges, suggesting possible leaf scorch, a condition caused by underwatering. However, the leaf veins are also darker than the leaf. This condition can be caused by several issues, including iron deficiency in the soil or the beginning of fusarium wilt, type of tomato fungus.

You have several options. Take one of the damaged leaves to a local nursery or the extension agency for diagnosis. However, if the problem is fusarium wilt, there is no cure. The entire plant must be removed. If it isn't f. wilt, this plant is already stressed and may take some time to recover, if it can recover. You may want to start over with a new plant. It's still early in the growing season so a healthy plant would have enough time to set fruit. If you choose to start over, here's some really important and helpful information on growing tomatoes so you can get off to a good start! - http://www.ext.colostate.edu/mg/Gardennotes/717.html

By | 2016-02-14T13:31:37-08:00 February 14th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Hibiscus Issues

We see that your hibiscus might be having an issue with the soil that it is planted in and the amount of water that it is receiving. Hibiscus plants want to be planted in FULL SUN in RICH WELL DRAINING SOIL and REGULAR WATER preferably at the base of the plant. (Overhead watering can contribute to foliar diseases problems.) You might want to consider pruning your plant back to 1/3 of it's current size and replant in a rich soil medium in a pot or in the ground and see how it does. Enrich the soil before you plant it permanently in your yard. Get the soil and water situation in hand and make sure that the plant is returning to a healthy state before fertilizing. You might want to consider investing in a high quality fertilizer specifically formulated for tropical and/or flowering plants. Your local independent garden center should be able to help you make a suitable choice. Let us know how it goes.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:24-07:00 February 14th, 2016|Tropical Plants|0 Comments
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