Posts

Why are My Orange Tree Leaves Turning Yellow? Cultural practices, environmental conditions, disease, and pests may all be at the root of yellowing leaves on orange trees. Disease Yellowing leaves on orange trees are often the result of a disease, most often a fungal disease such as Phytophthora gummosis (foot rot), Phytophthora root rot (caused by the same fungus as gummosis), and Armillaria root rot (oak root fungus). Phytophthora gummosis – Phytophthora gummosis presents itself as an orange tree with yellow leaves that drop with gummy, inner bark; dry, cracked bark with sap-oozing lesions; and eventual spread to the crown and roots....

Common Orchid Diseases Orchids come in many sizes, colors, and growth forms. The majority of these wonderful plants in cultivation come from rainforest areas where temperatures are temperate to tropical. There are also species which thrive in arid conditions, but these are not widely grown. Orchid plant diseases are most likely to occur when excess moisture stays on leaves and flowers, and when soil has poor drainage. Cultural changes and even a site transfer can minimize disease as can good sanitation procedures....

Overwatering really is a fine line with many species of plant. While we know plants need water, even cacti, the exact amount and frequency may be something of a mystery. Container plants with too much water may experience foliage die off, rotten roots and tubers, and promotion of some pests or mold issues. All of these stress the plant and compromise its health. Potted plants that are too wet may even simply rot off at the crown or base....

Can Paperwhite Flowers Rebloom? Paperwhites are often found in homes, blooming with starry white flowers that help dispel the cobwebs of winter. They grow quickly in either soil or on a bed of water submerged gravel. Once the bulbs have flowered, it can be difficult to get another bloom in the same season. Sometimes if you plant them outside in USDA zone 10, you may get another bloom the next year but usually, paperwhite bulb reblooming will take up to three years....

Pasilla Bajio Information What is a pasilla pepper? Also called pasilla bajio, this chili’s name in Spanish literally means “little raisin.” This is a slight misnomer, since the pepper is much bigger than a raisin, usually reaching 6 to 9 inches (15-23 cm.) in length and 1 inch (2.5 cm.) in diameter. It’s the color of the pepper, which turns a very dark brown when it matures, that earns the plant its name....

When to Dig up Peanuts Peanut harvest time is 90 to 110 days after planting for boiling types and 130 to 150 days after planting for roasting varieties. Normally, you can harvest peanuts in fall when the leaves begin to yellow. Pull a plant and check the pods before harvesting the entire crop though to be certain about the peanut harvest time. The pods are the best indication of when to dig up peanuts....

What is a Plant and Forget Garden? As a landscape designer/contractor, I’m cautious about the promotion of plant and forget gardens. When you install a new landscape, plants need attention. Their root system is young, the irrigation system is untested, and growing conditions under the mulch are mysterious. You should really keep a close eye on new plants for that first year and make sure everything is working properly. Nevertheless, I acknowledge that many people need hard-to-kill garden plants....

Plant Layering Information What is plant layering? Layering involves burying or covering a part of a stem to create a new plant. When looking for plant layering information, you’ll find five basic techniques to try, depending on the type of plant you want to propagate. Simple layering – Simple layering is done by bending a stem until the middle touches the soil. Push the center of the stem underground and hold it in place with a U-shaped pin....

Can I Plant a Pine Cone? You can’t plant a pine cone and expect it to grow. There are several reasons why this won’t work. The cone serves as a woody container for the seeds, which are released from the cone only when environmental conditions are exactly right. By the time you gather cones that fall from the tree, the seeds have probably already been released from the cone. Even if the seeds in the cones are at the exact perfect stage of ripeness, sprouting pine cones by planting entire pine cones still won’t work....

Growing a Red Twig Dogwood Don’t confuse red twig dogwood trees with other dogwood trees. While both the tree and the shrub belong to the Cornus genus, red twig dogwoods never grow to become trees. There are two species of Cornus called red twig dogwoods: Tatarian dogwood (C. alba) and Redosier dogwood (C. sericea). The two species are very similar. Red twig dogwood is one of those plants where more is better....

Why Go Native for West North Central Gardening? There are many great reasons to use native plants in the landscape. These are the plants specifically adapted to your region, climate, and environment so they are more likely to grow well and be healthy than nonnative plants. A native garden will require less of your time because you don’t need to adapt the environment to suit them. You will use fewer resources too, including water....

Differences between Cherry and Plum Trees Both plum and cherry tree identification is not difficult when the trees are laden with fruit, but it is a little more subtle when their fruit is not yet present. Plum tree vs. Cherry tree leaves You can tell many differences by looking at the leaves. The leaves of a cherry tree are green and unfold like a wallet. Contrast this with the plum tree leaves that are usually reddish purple....

A successful pond must be kept as clean and odor free as possible, and the best way to accomplish this is with mechanical aeration systems, such as pond bubbler aerators. A bubbler helps to support a healthy environment for aquatic life and keeps your water feature fresh and attractive. What is bubble aeration? Read on to learn about pond bubbler systems. Pond Aeration Benefits Pond aeration has many benefits that include the following:...

About Ponytail Palm Plants Another name for this plant is the elephant’s foot palm due to its thick, roughly skinned trunk. It is in the same family as agave plants and native to southeastern scrub desserts of Mexico. It is not a true palm but a succulent, which saves moisture in the trunk. In times of drought, the trunk will shrink in diameter and get slightly shriveled bark. When the rainy season arrives, it sucks up and stores as much moisture as it can and the trunk swells markedly....

Veggie Plants for Container Growing As a general rule, the best veggie plants for container gardening are dwarf, miniature, or bush types. (A few suggestions are offered in the list below, but there are many varieties – check the seed packet or nursery container). Most container vegetable plants need a container with a depth of at least 8 inches (20.5 cm.). Some, like full-size tomatoes, need a depth of at least 12 inches (30....

How to Grow Anise in a Container Can you grow anise in a pot? Yes, you can! Anise (Pimpinella anisum) is very well suited to container life, as long as it has the space to grow. The plant has a long taproot, so it needs to be planted in a deep pot, at least 10 inches (24 cm.) in depth. The pot should be at least 10 inches in diameter to provide room for one or possibly two plants....

What is Tomato Fruit Zippering? Tomato fruit zippering is a physiological disorder that causes a characteristic thin, vertical scar running from the stem of the tomato. This scar may reach the entire length of the fruit to the blossom end. The dead giveaway that this is, indeed, tomato plant zippering, are the short transverse scars crisscrossing the vertical marring. This gives the appearance of having zippers on the tomatoes. The fruit may have several of these scars or just one....

Taking Crown of Thorn Cuttings Crown of thorns is native to Madagascar and was introduced to the United States as a novel houseplant. As long as they get a period of dry and a period of wet, these plants can flower all year around. Their stems and leaves contain a latex sap that some growers might be sensitive to, so it is a good idea to wear gloves when taking crown of thorn cuttings....

How to Propagate Fuchsia Cuttings Fuchsia cuttings can be taken anytime from spring through fall, with spring being the most ideal time. Cut or pinch out a young growing tip, about 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm.) in length, just above the second or third pair of leaves. Remove any bottom leaves and, if desired, you can apply rooting hormone, though it’s not an absolute. You can then insert three or four cuttings in a 3-inch (7....

About Cucumber Leaf Spot Cucumber leaf spot is also called angular leaf spot of cucumber. It is caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans. You’ll find pseudomonas syringae on cucumbers but also on other vegetable including zucchini squash and honeydew melon. Bacterial Leaf Spot Symptoms Pseudomonas syringae on cucumbers causes dark spots on the leaves. Look closely and you’ll find that they are water-soaked lesions. In time they will grow into large, dark blotches....