What are Rambler Roses? The rambler or rambling roses are one of the ancestors of the climbing rose bushes of today. The rambler roses descended mostly from the roses known as R. wichuraiana and R. multiflora, which are very large, and hardy rose bushes with flexible canes that pretty much bloom only once in the early summertime, although some will bloom more often. The R. wichuraiana roses are said to have the stronger canes that allow them to be excellent for even the most challenging of climbing situations....

Pests and Gardening Down South Many vegetable growers prefer not to use any pesticides in the garden to keep produce wholesome and chemical-free. It’s always best to start out with the least invasive action and work your way up to chemical controls, if necessary. Then, use the least toxic products first. A few pests are normal, and there is no need to panic when you see them. Try to identify whether it is a pest or a beneficial insect....

Monterey Pine Info What is a Monterey pine? The Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) is an elegant plant tolerant of a range of conditions but is best suited in warmer regions. The tree is an evergreen conifer with an irregular open crown which may be vase-shaped, conical, or even slightly rounded. It is not a small tree and should be given plenty of space in which to grow. Learn how to grow Monterey pine trees as part of a land management and habitat program or just simply to enjoy this towering plant on your property....

Help, My Celery Has Yellow Leaves As mentioned, celery prefers cool weather, consistent irrigation, and plenty of nourishment. Celery thrives in a soil pH of 6 to 7 amended with lots of compost or well-rotted manure. Plants are finicky in that they need to be kept moist, but too much water or mounded wet dirt around the plants may cause them to rot. These delicate plants also like a bit of shade during the hottest parts of the day....

Diseases that Discolor Pansy Leaves Powdery mildew– Powdery mildew leads to patches of powdery white or gray blotches on flowers, stems, and foliage and may cause yellow pansy leaves but usually doesn’t kill plants. This is a fungal disease favored by fluctuating temperatures and high humidity, but may also appear when weather is dry. Downy mildew– Downy mildew leaves fuzzy gray blotches and discolored pansy leaves; it tends to be more prevalent on lower leaves....

Reasons for Peach Fruit Falling Off Tree There are three main category causes for fruit falling off a peach tree. The first is a natural occurrence, the second is environmental disturbances, and the third would be pest or disease related. Natural All fruit trees get rid of a portion of their immature fruit, so while watching peaches fall from the tree may be painful to see, it’s part of a natural process....

While growing peyote is not allowed unless you are a member of the NAC, it is a fascinating plant with attributes worth learning about. There are, however, peyote plant look-a-likes you can grow at home that will satisfy your urge to cultivate this cute little cactus without breaking the law. What is the Peyote Cactus? Peyote cactus is a small plant native to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and northeastern Mexico....

Piggyback Houseplant Info The piggyback plant’s scientific name, Tolmiea menziesii, is derived from its botanical discoverers—Dr. William Fraser Tokmie (1830-1886), a Scottish physician working for the Hudson Bay Company at Fort Vancouver and his colleague, Dr. Archibald Menzies (1754-1842), a naval surgeon by trade and botanist who was a great collector of North American plants. A novel feature of the piggyback plant is its means of propagation. Its common name may give you a hint....

Prostrate Pigweed Identification Prostrate pigweed grows in a circular form with low-growing stems coming from a central spot so it looks like a spider web. The radial stems are reddish purple and can grow more than a foot (31 cm.) long. The leaves on prostrate pigweed are about a half inch (1 cm.) long and oval shaped. The flowers on prostrate pigweed are reddish green and not significant. The flowers will produce seeds that look like small black sand grains....

Before Trimming Mango Trees On a cautionary note, mangos contain urushiol, the same chemical that poison ivy, poison oak, and sumac contain. This chemical causes contact dermatitis in some people. Since urushiol is also present in the mango leaves, care should be taken to completely cover exposed body parts when pruning mango trees. Also, if you have a mango that’s in dire need of pruning because it has been left to run amok, say it’s 30 feet (9 m....

What is Pumpkin Yellow Mosaic Virus? Several different types of pathogens are responsible for causing mosaic virus in pumpkin plants. Generally, these viruses are named for the first species in which they were identified. So even though zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) was first isolated in zucchini plants, it doesn’t necessarily mean only zucchini can be infected by ZYMV. In fact, zucchini plants may not even be ZYMV’s primary host. Often, mosaic viruses can infect a wide range of plants, including weeds....

Brown Leaves on Burning Bush When a shrub is said to be “resistant” to insects and disease, it doesn’t mean that it can’t happen. Even the most resistant of plants can have problems when they are weak or in poor conditions. Water Regular watering and a layer of mulch to prevent cycles of dry and moist soil go a long way toward keeping the shrub healthy so that you’ll never see burning bush leaves turning brown....

How to Repair Winter Damage Winter injury to roses can come from strong winter winds whipping around the canes of rose bushes. I like to prune my roses down to about half their height for the winter, excluding the climbers and shrub roses. This pruning is done once there has been a string of very cold days and nights that have convinced the bushes it is time to take their winter nap (aka dormancy)....

How to Harvest Pumpkin Seeds Harvest pumpkins any time before the first hard frost in autumn. You’ll know when pumpkins are ready to harvest – the vines will die and turn brown and the pumpkins will be bright orange with a hard rind. Use garden shears or scissors to cut the pumpkin from the vine. Now that you’ve successfully harvested the ripe pumpkins, it’s time to remove the juicy seeds. Use a sharp, sturdy knife to cut around the top of the pumpkin, then carefully remove the “lid....

Propagating with Rose Cuttings To me there are some steps that one must take to have the best chance of being successful at getting a rose cutting to take root, especially in a potato. We want to take our cutting from a mature rose cane, one that has flowered/produced a bloom or blooms. I like to take cuttings that are 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm.) long. Place the cuttings immediately in a jar or can of water to keep them moist....

Sawfly Information There are several types of sawflies and most are named for the type of plant on which they feed. Here are a few types that you may find in your landscape: Currant sawfly larvae have green or tan spots and they strip the foliage off of currant plants. There are a number of different conifer sawflies that can seriously injure their chosen species by feeding on needles and tunneling into buds and shoots....

Silver lace vine propagation is often accomplished by cuttings or layering, but it is also possible to start growing this vine from seed. Read on for more information on how to propagate a silver lace vine. Propagating Silver Lace Vines Silver lace vines cover your pergolas in no time at all and can grow as much as 25 feet (7.5 m.) in one season. The twining vines are covered with tiny white blossoms from summer through autumn....

As home and garden plants, they are often mounted on wood or rock, or hung in wire baskets to simulate their natural growing conditions. Natively, they grow in areas with high humidity and frequent periods of rain. In the home or landscape, these conditions may be hard to mock, and regularly watering a staghorn fern may be necessary. Continue reading to learn how to water staghorn ferns. Staghorn Fern Water Requirements Staghorn ferns have large flat basal fronds that grow in a shield-like fashion over the plant’s roots....

How to Set Goals in the Garden These may be as detailed as you wish, but don’t make them too complicated. A few achievable goals that you can accomplish are better than a long list of wishes that you can’t get to. Once you’ve completed or are on the way to completing your garden resolutions, you may find you can add other projects. Your goals may include growing organic food for your family and having plenty left over to put up for the winter months....

Choosing a Container for Your Tree Trees can be planted in regular, moveable containers as well as in large, permanent planters. Containers and planters for landscape trees are available in numerous styles, shapes, and colors. Containers should always complement their surroundings as well as the trees that are placed in them. The container should be large enough to accommodate the tree. Therefore, the mature size of the tree should be considered in order to choose a container with adequate space to accommodate both the growing tree and its roots....