Apple Maggot Signs While apple trees are the main host for apple maggot pests, they may also be found in any of the following: hawthorn crabapple plum cherry pear apricot wild rose The most susceptible apple varieties are the early maturing types as well as those with thin skins. While other worms affecting apples may be confused with these pests, you can normally tell them apart simply by taking a closer look....
Symptoms of Phytophthora Root Rot Phytophthora root rot is a disease that affects azaleas. For an azalea owner, seeing signs of this disease can be devastating as the disease is difficult to control and cure. Symptoms of a phytophthora fungus infection normally begin with reduced growth in the azalea plant. Overall growth will be less and what growth there is will be smaller. The new branches will not grow as thick as they once had and the leaves will be smaller....
There’s a lot to be done in the fall garden, but here we’ve gathered many of the basics. From the best trees, flowers, and vegetables to grow, to the right steps to take to get ready for winter, this Beginner’s Guide to Fall Gardening should help you get the most out of your fall garden, even if it’s your very first one. Fall Gardening for Beginners There are many things to do in autumn to keep busy in the garden and one of those is maintenance....
Best Florida Garden Plants: What to Grow in a Florida Garden Ideal plants can include low maintenance as well as native plants. With year-round gardening chores, it’s nice to grow plants that aren’t too demanding. Here are low maintenance plants recommended for Florida gardening, including natives and must-have Florida plants. Low maintenance means they do not require frequent watering, spraying, or pruning to stay healthy. Epiphytes listed below are plants that live on the trunks of trees or other living hosts but do not derive nutrients or water from the host....
What is a Plantain? Plantains (Musa paradisiaca) are related to banana. They look quite similar and are, in fact, morphologically similar, but while bananas are grown for their sugary fruit, growing plantains are cultivated for their firmer, starchy fruit. Both are members of the Musa genus and are technically large herbs and their fruit is classified as berries. Plantains and their cultivated ancestors originated in the Malaysian peninsula, New Guinea and Southeast Asia and can attain heights of from 7-30 feet (2-9 m....
Choosing a Lawn Alternative Before ripping out the lawn, it’s advisable to first consider the growing conditions in your yard and what specific needs you have for your property. Start by asking yourself these five key questions: Are there problem areas that are not conducive to grass cultivation, or would you like to replace the entire lawn? Is the area sunny, shady, or a mix of both? Does the yard drain well or are there wet spots after a heavy rain?...
About Chameleon Plants The chameleon plant is very pretty with its lavender-tinged, heart-shaped leaves and easy-going nature. But it is this nature that becomes the problem. Chameleon plants grow in USDA zones 5 to 11, in moist to dry soils, full sun to partial shade. Once they get going, there is very little that can stop the plants. Controlling chameleon plants is one of those challenges that will test your determination....
About Zone 3 Roses If you hear or read of someone mentioning “,” those would be some that were developed by Dr. Griffith Buck to survive in harsh climates. There are also the Explorer Series rosebushes of Canada (developed by Agriculture Canada). Another of those growing and testing rosebushes is a lady named Barbara Rayment, the owner/operator of Birch Creek Nursery near Prince George, in British Columbia, Canada. Right smack in Canadian zone 3, she puts roses through rigorous testing before they can be placed on her list of roses for zone 3....
What Do Red Hot Poker Seeds Look Like? Red hot poker propagation can be done with seed or division. If you already have a big clump of the plants, they will need to be divided every 3 to 5 years for better flower production. The plants also produce numerous babies or offsets that can be dug out from the main clump and planted separately. These plants also produce numerous seeds, which can be collected and planted....
Growing Wetland Flowers While it may seem like an ecosystem that is less ideal for plants, a wetland or swamp area is home to a number of native plants, including pretty flowers. Swamp flowers and other plants that are native to your particular area should grow well with little intervention on your part. The most important thing you can do to grow these flowers successfully is knowing their needs. Some, such as blue flag iris, need a few inches (8 cm....
Coneflower Companion Plants Echinacea produces a rayed flower that spans 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm.) in width. When contemplating what to plant with coneflowers, consider other flowering plants as well as foliage superstars to enhance their beauty. Another garden scheme to consider is to use all natives as companions for Echinacea. Echinacea is native to the central and eastern parts of North America. These easy bloomers are hardy to United States Department of Agriculture zones 3 to 9....
Crayfish Mounds in Lawns Burrowing crayfish problems are primarily a nuisance and an eyesore. These crustaceans feed on detritus and whatever they can scavenge. They don’t do any harm to landscape plants and their burrows don’t permanently damage turfgrass roots. About the biggest complaint are crayfish mounds in the lawn. These don’t get as numerous as say, mole hills, but they can be unsightly, a tripping, and a mowing hazard....
What is Camouflage Gardening? Camouflage gardening is an effective way to deter pesky animals from overtaking and consuming your garden plants. Camouflage gardening is simply the process of using plants that contain natural chemicals and characteristics that deter these garden crashers from wanting to eat them. Some animals, such as deer, are curious and will try any new plant once, especially in drought conditions when other food sources are scarce. Placing highly susceptible plants closer to the house or inside a fenced-in area is a good idea....
Dill Plant Problems Dill is an herbaceous plant grown as an annual. A member of the family Apiaceae, dill is cultivated for its leaves and seeds which are used in foods and medicinally. Dill means “to calm or soothe,” hinting at its ancient use to calm upset stomachs or colicky babies. Believed to originate in the Mediterranean, dill (like other Mediterranean herbs) can be grown in a variety of soils but thrives in well-draining sandy loam, rich in organic matter....
Eucalyptus Trees and Wind Did you know that there are over 700 species of eucalyptus? Most of them hail from Australia. Eucalyptus trees, in their native habitat, are used to non-nutritious soils. They also have to withstand a lot of leaf-munching predators like koala bears. These conditions help keep their size in check. Eucs, as they are sometimes called, have to grow quickly – in order to beat the competition. Eucalyptus trees have far fewer predators and are often installed in much richer soils when they are grown in North American and European parks and gardens....
Monstera deliciosa Varieties Of all the types of monstera available in garden centers, this is probably the most popular. Also known as Swiss cheese plant, M. deliciosa is characterized by deep lobes and perforations in its leaves. The holes are known as fenestrations. You can find several varieties of this species now: ‘Thai Constellation.’ This striking variegated monstera has large green leaves with cream variegations. This monstera is a statement piece among houseplants....
Major Fungal Diseases of Fig Trees Of the pathogens that cause problems with fig trees, fungi take the cake. Fig disease problems caused by fungi can affect nearly any part of the plant, including fruits, leaves, and internal tissues. There is little that can be done once some fungal infections are in full force, so always practice good sanitation and beware of how much you’re watering your fig to reduce favorable conditions for fungal germination....
Common Fig Tree Insect Pests The common fig is a deciduous tree to shrub cultivated for its delicious “fruit.” Fig fruit is not actually a fruit but rather a syconium, or a fleshy hollow area with tiny flowers on its interior walls. Hailing from western Asia, figs, depending upon conditions, can live for 50 to 75 years with reliable production. A condition that might impede their longevity is pest infestation on fig trees....
Classifying Begonias Begonias are found wild in South and Central America and are native plants in India. They can be found in other tropical climates, and they propagate by a variety of means. The sheer variety of begonias has helped make them favorites of garden clubs and among collectors. Each of the six begonia sub classes has a unique leaf that can be used to facilitate identification. Tuberous Begonia Leaves Image by daryl_mitchell Tuberous begonia are grown for their showy flowers....
The Difference Between a Frost and Freeze Forecast Frost occurs when temperatures at ground level reach 29 to 32 degrees F. (-1.7 to 0 C.). Exposures of 5 to 10 minutes at 29 degrees F. can severely damage frost tender crops like tomatoes and peppers. It takes a longer exposure at 32 degrees F. to cause similar damage. Crops such as broccoli and lettuce can withstand a frost but can be killed by a moderate freeze....
