Posts

With these attributes in mind, it is easy to see why many growers may have cause for alarm when their previously healthy begonia plants begin to show signs of distress, such as leaf spots on begonia. What Causes Begonia Leaf Spot? Leaf spots of begonia are caused by a pathogen called Xanthomonas. Among the first signs and symptoms that growers may notice when dealing with leaf spot on begonia is the appearance of darkened spots or “water soaked” leaves....

Methods of Berm Weed Control Commonly used in landscapes, the creation of berms in yards and gardens can help separate different sections of the landscape, create visual barriers and help better manage growing areas. Killing weeds on berms can be just as important as weeding established vegetable patches. With planning, weed control for berms can be easily achieved. Effective weed control is achieved through consistency. While chemical controls can be used to eliminate unwanted plants, many growers choose to incorporate organic practices within their gardens....

What are the Best Grapes for Wine? To say there are lots of wine grape varieties is an understatement. These include grapes that ripen early in the season, those that are early to mid-ripening, mid to late ripening, and, of course, the late-ripening grapes. The ones you choose will depend on your region and preference. Early ripening varieties include: Chardonnay Viognier Gamay noir Sauvignon Blanc Melon Pinot noir Muscat Blanc Orange Muscat...

Black Eyed Susan Care As with many wildflowers, growing black eyed Susans is simple and rewarding when blooms brighten the garden, natural area or meadow. A member of the daisy family, black eyed Susan flowers go by other names, such as Gloriosa daisy or brown eyed Susan. Black eyed Susan plants are drought resistant, self-seeding and grow in a variety of soils. Growing black eyed Susans prefer a neutral soil pH and a full sun to light shade location....

What is a Boojum Tree? Boojum trees (Fouquieria columnaris) are native to the Baja California peninsula and parts of the Sonoran desert. The plants are part of rocky hillsides and alluvial plains where water is rare and temperatures may be extreme. What is a boojum tree? The “tree” is actually a striking succulent with an upright form and imposing columnar height. Southern gardeners in arid regions can grow a boojum tree outdoors, while the rest of us will have to content ourselves with greenhouse and interior specimens that will not reach the heights those wild plants can achieve....

Although many ivy plants are evergreen, Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) is deciduous. It is perfectly normal to see your Boston ivy losing leaves in autumn. However, Boston ivy leaf drop can also be a sign of disease. Read on to find out more about Boston ivy leaf drop. Leaves Falling from Boston Ivy in Autumn Boston ivy is a vine that is especially popular in dense, urban areas where a plant has nowhere to go but up....

If you are looking for colorful winter trees, conifers make the list. Planting colorful conifers for winter gives you year-round wind protection as well as subtle charm. Read on for some colorful cold weather conifers to consider adding to your landscape. Bright Winter Conifers You count on deciduous trees to liven up the summer garden. They offer lush leaves, flowers, and fruits that add interest and drama to the backyard....

What is Buttoning of Broccoli? Broccoli plants are buttoning when the broccoli forms small or no heads. Buttoning of broccoli is the development of small (for a commercial grower), unmarketable heads or “buttons” when the plant is immature. Primarily, buttoning of broccoli occurs in young plants when they are exposed to several days of cold temperatures of around 35 to 50 degrees F. (1-10 C.). Cold temperatures are not the only reason for poor broccoli heads, however....

Burlap Plant Protection Covering plants with burlap can also protect plants from winter burn, a damaging condition caused by a combination of winter sunlight and depleted soil moisture. Burlap is more effective than plastic because it allows the plant to breathe so air circulates and heat isn’t trapped. Burlap for protecting plants can be as simple as an old burlap bag. If you don’t have access to burlap bags, you can purchase sheet burlap by the yard at most fabric stores....

Buttercup Squash Facts Heirloom plants are all the rage today. They allow gardeners to explore food varieties that our grandparents grew and that have time-tested reliability. Buttercup squash facts indicate that the heirloom variety often develops turban-shaped fruit, an eye-appealing oddity. The fruit is an excellent source of carotenoids, an important antioxidant, and Vitamin C. The plant needs 105 days from seed to harvest. It is a sprawling, vine-like plant that requires plenty of room to grow....

Cameo Apple Information What is a Cameo apple? While most commercially available apples are the product of rigorous cross breeding by scientists, Cameo apple trees stand out because they came into existence all on their own. The variety was first discovered in 1987 in an orchard in Dryden, Washington, as a volunteer sapling that sprang up on its own. While the tree’s exact parentage is unknown, it was found in a grove of Red Delicious trees near a grove of Golden Delicious and is thought to be a natural cross pollination of the two....

Dividing peace lily plants is a great option because it doesn’t lead to overwhelmingly large pots in your home, and it makes for great gifts! Keep reading to learn more about peace lily propagation and how to divide a peace lily. Peace Lily Plant Division Division is the ideal way to propagate plants that grow separate bunches of foliage out of the ground. (It doesn’t work for a plant that has a single stalk or trunk)....

Leaning, lopsided trees can be hazardous, but they aren’t always. Some are solid with strong root systems. There are a number of questions to ask when you see a tree leaning over before you consider cutting it down. Why Is My Tree Leaning? A tree that is leaning over can be a hazard. But that depends on several issues. One is when the issue started. If the tree grew in on a tilt and has been leaning ever since, it may be solid....

Chuparosa Plant Information Chuparosa is the Spanish word for hummingbird. The descriptive name suits the plant well; flocks of hummingbirds are attracted to the tight clusters of bright red, tube-shaped blooms, which appear throughout the year depending on the temperature. In mild climates, expect blooms all winter. The thin, arching branches are an attractive gray-green. Although chuparosa is an evergreen plant, it often drops its leaves during a winter dormant period....

Clubroot commonly affects cruciferous vegetables like: Broccoli Cauliflower Cabbage Turnips Mustard Clubroot is particularly nasty because it can remain in the soil for as long as seven to ten years, making the area unfit for growing susceptible plants. Symptoms of Clubroot The primary symptoms of clubroot include enlarged, deformed, club-shaped roots and stunted growth. Eventually, the swollen roots turn black and develop a rotten aroma. In some cases, the disease may cause wilted, yellowing or purple foliage, although the disease isn’t always apparent above the ground....

Types of Ferns for Cold Climates Here’s a list of ferns for zone 3 gardens: Northern Maidenhair is hardy all the way from zone 2 to zone 8. It has tiny, delicate leaves and can grow to 18 inches (45.5 cm.). It likes rich, very moist soil and does well in partial and full shade. Japanese Painted Fern is hardy down to zone 3. It has dark red stems and fronds in shades of green and gray....

What is Comfrey? Symphytum officinale, or comfrey herb plant, has a long history of use as a medicinal herb but not as a culinary plant. Otherwise known as knitbone or slippery root, comfrey plants have been used medicinally since 400 B.C. to stop heavy bleeding and to treat bronchial issues. From the family Boraginaceae, comfrey is a perennial herb with a spreading habit that attains a height of up to 4 feet (1 m....

Pea Plant Diseases Asocochyta blight, bacterial blight, root rot, damping off, downy and powdery mildew, fusarium wilt, and various viruses are some of the pea plant diseases that may afflict pea plants. Asocochyta blight Asocochyta blight is composed of a trio of fungi, Ascochyta pisi, Phoma medicaginis var. pinodella (A. pinodella), and Mycosphaerella pinodes (A. pinodes), which survive through the winter months in plant debris or are introduced during planting season on infected pea seeds....

What is Algae? You can think of algae as the microscopic weeds of aquatic environments. In the presence of strong sunlight and excess nutrients, algae builds up to form an unsightly growth on the surface of the water and on underwater plants, rocks, and ornaments. It can also give the water a green, pea-soup like appearance. Aquarium Algae Removal The best algae control for aquariums is cleanliness. Use an algae scrubbing pad to remove algae from the sides of your aquarium....

Dogwood Anthracnose Information Dogwood blight, also known as dogwood anthracnose for the fungal pathogen that causes the disease, is a fairly new problem. It is believed to have started in the northeastern United States about 25 years ago but has been spreading southward ever since. The early symptoms are similar to leaf spot diseases, with purple-bordered soft wet spots appearing on leaves, especially around the margins. Once the disease spreads to leaf petioles and twigs, however, it becomes more obvious....