Spider Mites

/Spider Mites/

Spider Mites

Shrimp plants are notoriously difficult to grow indoors unless you have a greenhouse with full sun and high humidity, so don't feel bad! They are also prone to spider mites. I know you said your pests are smaller than mites, but mites are often so small that you need a magnifying glass to see them. Are the brown dots you're seeing the mites themselves or are they the damaged leaf tissue that the mites leave behind? (Mites are piercing, sucking pests that penetrate leaf tissue and suck out the chlorophyl.) Can you see them move? If you're not sure, put a piece of white paper underneath a leaf and tap the leaf hard. A few mites will fall off onto the paper. Also, use a misting bottle to spray the leaf axils and undersides of the leaves. If you see any webbing, that's a good indication that the plant has mites. This may sound harsh, but we suggest you get rid of this plant and buy yourself a house plant that is easier to grow indoors, one that will be more rewarding and give you less trouble. Unless this shrimp plant has great sentimental value, that's what we would do.

By | 2016-01-24T18:41:09-08:00 January 24th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Passion Flower Vine

The genus Passiflora contains over 400 species, so the common name Passion Flower can be a bit confusing. To muddle matters further, most are vines, but some are shrubs, annuls, perennials and even trees. What they all share are exotic flowers that only remain open for about 1 day. They have a wide, flat petal base with several rings of filaments in the center which surround a stalk of sorts, that holds up the ovary and stamens
Passion flowers look extremely exotic, so itäó»s a surprise to find them growing in fields along the sides of the road. There is considerable variety between the species.
Although passion flowers are native in many regions of the southern U.S., they can become a nuisance, to the point of being invasive. Check with your local Cooperative Extension or DEC to see if you should avoid passion flowers altogether or if certain species are preferable.
A lot of gardeners prefer to grow their passion flowers in containers. Passion flower grows quite happily in a pot and you have the convenience of being able to move it to a sunnier site or even bring it indoors for the winter. Plus, it limits the spreading by rhizomes.

By | 2016-01-24T18:34:53-08:00 January 24th, 2016|Vine Plants|0 Comments
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Root Issues

Orchid roots should be firm to the touch. Healthy roots are often a whitish, grey, or greenish color. If they become brown or black that could be an indicator that there is a problem. Most Orchids are epiphytes and require planting in highly drainable course bark or similar. The roots need plenty of oxygen and regular moisture. Orchids can be overwatered though and will damage the roots and ultimately kill the plant if kept soggy as opposed to moist. Also the root tip can often be a different color than the rest of the roots when the plant is actively growing. This is normal and is often an indicator of growth stage and the flower color. Example: reddish to purple root tips on an Orchid will often have red to purple flowers and lighter colored root tips will be present on lighter colored flowers, etc. Roots are perishable and can be replaced with new roots given appropriate cultural care. If more than one third of the roots are dead it may be insufficient care. Many orchids are tropical and grown in greenhouses. When exposed to a new environment the roots can actually shrink and thin. It's best to acclimate the more tropical species to a new environment.

By | 2016-01-24T13:26:39-08:00 January 24th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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Elephant Grass Napier Grass Uganda Grass

Elephant grass is a tall grass that originally came from Africa in 1913. It grows in dense clumps of up to 10 feet tall. In the savannas of Africa it grows along lake beds and rivers where the soil is rich. African farmers cut the grass for their animals, carrying it home in huge piles on their backs or on carts. Stems are coarse and hairy, and about 1 inch thick near the base. The leaves are 2 to 3 feet long, pointed at the ends, and about 1 inch wide. The edges of the leaves are razor-sharp. This makes stands of elephant grass nearly impenetrable. Many bird species make their home in the stands. The dense seed heads of elephant grass are about 9 inch tufted plumes, usually a tawny or purple color. Elephant grass does reproduce sexually, but the seeds are very small and don't germinate well. The grass reproduces mainly through its rhizomes (root-like underground stems that produce roots below and sends up shoots to the surface). Elephant grass can be very invasive and clogs the natural waterways of Florida which have to be cleared periodically. It likes tropical weather and can be killed by a light frost. The underground parts will stay alive if the soil doesn't freeze. However, in the Midwest it is likely considered an annual.

By | 2016-01-24T12:24:15-08:00 January 24th, 2016|Annuals|2 Comments
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Virus Or Nutrient Issue

When we see yellowing on foliage such as this there are two possible causes and without testing in a lab it's impossible to say with certainty which you are seeing. That said, at the bottom of this message we're listing the action that you can take that might help. Yellowing of leaves in this manner can either be a nutrient issue or a virus. There is no cure for viruses in plants. The first thing you can do is to cut off the worst of the leaves and throw them away. This will improve the look of the plant and will allow you to monitor the plant more easily. Next, have the pH of the soil tested. Clematis prefer a pH between 5.5 and 7 - anything outside of that range might result in a nutrient deficiency. Sometimes plants show symptoms if nutrients are out of balance as well. For example if too much phosphate is applied (super phosphate) or too much magnesium (Epsom salt) that can make other nutrients unavailable to plants. So in general it's always best to use a fertilizer that is slow-release and balanced. An example of such a product would be Plant-tone by Espoma. If the leaves continue to yellow you might want to have a complete soil test done that includes pH as well as nutrient levels to see if something is out of balance. Finally, an application of composted manure around the base of an ailing plant, and a deep soaking once a week (not more often) is never a bad idea.

By | 2016-01-24T11:21:46-08:00 January 24th, 2016|Vine Plants|1 Comment
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Tomato Nutrient Deficiency

Yes, this could be symptoms of too much water, or watering too frequently - we noticed its in a pot, so make sure water is draining from the pot every time you water. Keep the soil evenly moist - if you can squeeze water out of a handful of soil - its too wet. Tomatoes are heavy nutrient feeders at certain stages of growth, and nutrients can be difficult to provide if the plant is not growing in ideal conditions. I've included a link (from the University of CA) all about Tomatoes that will help, but in short Tomatoes need 6-8 hours of full sun each day, and prefer to be watered (at soil level not overhead). Since your plant is in a pot, you may eventually need to water more often as it continues to develop a bigger root systemm, do not over-water by watering too frequently as this makes for unhealthy roots that can't take up the nutrients from the soil. When your plant is well on it way with flowering and fruit you should fertilize it with an all purpose vegetable fertilizer - consider a slow release fertilizer so that the plant gets a continuous feed for this period of heavy use. Follow the label instructions when fertilizing. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/tomato.html

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:26-07:00 January 24th, 2016|Vegetable Plants|0 Comments
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Zonal Geranium

There are four basic types of Geranium (Pelargonium species and varieties). This is one of the many Zonal Geraniums. All are of easiest culture and are easily propagated by cuttings. There are countless named varieties, but all do well in full sun or partial shade in the hottest of climates, regular water and feed with a slow release fertilizer formulated for blooming plants.
Zonal geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum), also called Common and Garden Geraniums, receive their name from the colored bands, dubbed zones, present on their leaves. Zonal Geraniums include hundreds of varieties, each producing single or double blooms in ball-shaped clusters throughout the growing season. Flower colors include orange, red, salmon, pink, white and lavender, and a single plant produces multiple balls at one time. Zonal Geraniums grow in a rounded, upright shape and work well in planters, borders, mixed flowerbeds and containers. Some varieties of zonal geraniums produce lacy leaves, or leaves with white margins or variegated patterns. It's nearly impossible to ID a specific Zonal variety from a picture of the flower color and leaf. There are hundreds of varieties available in every color and more are hybridized each year. Positive ID would require lab testing, but not typically worth the costs to do so.

By | 2016-01-24T07:21:55-08:00 January 24th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Root Problems

It is difficult to identify a wilted plant, but it looks like a veronica (speedwell). Most veronicas are tough as nails, so this is perplexing.The most common cause of afternoon wilting is almost always a problem with the roots or crown of the plant. It is common in plants that do not for some reason have an adequate root system. Are the liatris and echinacea that are affected nearby? Mole run or some other rodent tunnel under the plant, so the roots are hanging in the air is one possible cause. Excess nitrogen fertilizing actually burning the roots (but there is usually some leaf browning as well) could be another cause. Compacted soil so the water only penetrates an inch or so could also do it. I know you've tried to take pains with the soil, but just to make sure, push a screwdriver into the soil. If that is difficult, your soil may be compacted. You may want to consult an experienced local gardener who can actually visit your garden. Since we are only making educated guesses, we'd love it if you contacted us again when you find out the actual cause. It will help us help the next person with a similar problem.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:26-07:00 January 24th, 2016|Plant Pests|0 Comments
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Insect Or Leaf Spot

Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between leaf-spot fungus damage, or damage caused by the splashing of something (hot water from hose, sprays used in the area etc) on the leaves and insect damage. In the case of fungus or splash-damage, the tissue dies and drops out, causing what looks like insect chewing. The insects that cause similar damage are earwigs and this is kind of typical of earwig damage in that it occurs on the lower (older) growth and not on the top leaves. Earwigs prefer eating decaying plant matter but early in the season there isn't enough of that so they go after other things like our veggies, dahlias and butterfly bush. Then as the season goes along and there is more for them to eat, they stop feeding on our plants. In this case I'd recommend that you remove the damaged foliage just so you can more easily monitor if the problem is continuing. If the undamaged leaves remain relatively intact, the problem is solved no matter what the cause. Watch the undamaged leaves to see if they first have brown spots that later drop out - if so, this is leaf spot which is most frequently caused by splashing of water too frequently or in the late evening. Water deeply less often and try to water in the morning when possible.

By | 2016-01-24T04:47:33-08:00 January 24th, 2016|Vegetable Plants|0 Comments
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Lemon Balm Leaf Issue

Lemon Balm has very few pests or diseases. However, they can suffer root rot if overwatered. Regardless of the cause, you'll want to take several steps to prevent further problems. First, remove the damaged leaves and discard them. As a precaution, if you use clippers, wipe them with alcohol before using them on healthy leaves or plants. You may want to put some organic mulch around your plants, making sure not to allow the mulch to lay next to the plant stems. Not only does that keep any soil born organisms from splashing onto the leaves, it keeps the soil temperature even and reduces water needs. Also, water only when the plants need watering. Feel the soil before watering, making sure it's not already wet. Because all plants in the mint family will begin to droop a little when they need water, that's another good indication that it's time to water. It needs to be outdoors in full sun and the leaf damage is likely the result of chewing insects. An effective organic control against chewing insects is one formulated with Spinosad, but spray in the early evening after bees have returned to their hives. Once the spray is dry, it is safe for beneficial insects. If these measures don't improve your mint's condition, you may want to take several damaged leaf samples to a local nursery for a closer inspection to rule out any other disease process.


By | 2016-01-24T03:45:03-08:00 January 24th, 2016|Plant Diseases|0 Comments
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