Posts

Lemon Tree Insect Pests Some lemon tree pests are insects that affect most of the plants in your garden. Aphids are a good example. Masses of these small insects appear with the new, green foliage in springtime. They can damage young trees if not controlled by natural predators such as the ladybug. Bringing in ladybugs to control aphids is a good, organic option for treatment. If the leaves of your lemon tree curl and you see little passageways carved into the foliage, your lemon tree pests may include the citrus leaf miner....

Pests and Bugs That Eat Sorrel The good news about sorrel is that there aren’t a lot of pests that like to nibble on it. Sorrel pest problems are limited mostly to aphids, snails, and slugs. You may also find that some species of butterfly or moth larvae will feed on the leaves. It should be easy to determine the type of creature that is causing your sorrel pest problems. You may see slugs and snails in or around the plants early in the morning....

Benefits of Compost Tea Whether you have local yard waste recycling or are a DIY composter, compost is useful as a soil amendment. Making compost tea dilutes the nutrients, making them easier for plants to use quickly. It also reduces the possibility of harm from synthetic preparations and ensures an organic feeding. The tea may help ward off some diseases and pest problems as well. Knowing when to apply compost tea and how to mix it will ensure plants get the boost they need....

Philodendron Information What is a Congo Rojo philodendron? Native to South America, the Congo Rojo is different from many other philodendrons in that it doesn’t have a climbing or vining habit. Growing instead in a “self-heading” manner, it grows both outward and upward, peaking at about 2 feet (61 cm.) in height and 2 ½ feet (76 cm.) in width. Its flowers are very fragrant and come in shades of red, green, and white....

Growing Vines in Containers Trumpet vines in containers will not cascade delicately around the edge of a pot. They grow to 25 to 40 feet long (7.5-12 m) and span 5 to 10 feet (1.5-3 m) wide. Choose a container that holds at least 15 gallons (57 liters) – halved barrels are a good choice. Trumpet vines are hardy from USDA zone 4-9, so there’s a good chance you can leave yours outside year-round....

What is Bacterial Leaf Spot of Radish? Radish bacterial leaf spot is a disease caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris. It may cause a mild infection that impacts the leaves only, but when severe, the pathogen can destroy the entire plant, ruining your crop. The bacteria are carried in infected seeds and in soil because of infected crop residue. Once you have an infected plant in your beds, the disease can spread by rain and insects....

Corn Ear Rot Diseases Usually, corn ear rot diseases are fostered by cool, wet conditions during silking and early development when the ears are susceptible to infection. Damage caused by weather conditions, such as hail, and insect feeding also opens the corn up to fungal infections. There are three main types of ear rot in corn: Diplodia, Gibberella, and Fusarium. Each differs in the type of damage they afflict, the toxins they produce, and the conditions that cultivate the disease....

Designing a Small Garden Space Enclosed residential gardens are more than just backyards. They should feel like outdoor extensions of your house, a place you can appreciate the sounds and smells of nature while still enjoying the comforts of home. One of the simplest ways to achieve this is to create a sense of enclosure, effectively carving out your own little piece of the outdoors and turning it into a living space....

What is a Crinkle Leaf Plant? The Cristatus crinkle leaf plant is related to the Kalanchoe plant, which is often found in plant gift stores. The crinkle leaf houseplant is hardy to USDA zone 9a and above. If you live below this zone, it will be part of your indoor plant colony. The plant has 2-inch (5 cm.) long grayish-green leaves with ruffled edges forming a rosette shape. Newer central leaves are deeper green and slightly curled....

Curling Potted Plants There are a number of reasons your houseplants may be curling and can include any of the following: Pests Various pests can cause leaves to curl. Sucking insects, such as aphids, can distort leaves and cause leaf curling. Aphids are soft bodied insects that are normally found on the undersides of leaves and at the growing tips of the plant. If you spot some, spray with insecticidal soap....

Information on Coffee Plants Before we explore how to prune a coffee plant, a little background on Coffea arabica is in order. A member of the Ruiaceae family, one of 90 in the genus Coffea, the coffee plant is an evergreen, perennial shrub with dark green, glossy leaves decorated with ruffled edges and pleasantly aromatic white blossoms. Grow this specimen as an attractive houseplant, or if you aren’t shy on patience, for its fruit, which will take about four years to produce anything approximating a decent cup of coffee....

Daffodil seed cultivation is a simple process, mostly requiring patience. Once the bees have pollinated your daffodil flowers, a seedpod will grow at the base of the bloom. Don’t deadhead your prettiest flowers; instead, tie a piece of string around each stem to mark it for later in the season. In the fall when the plants are brown and brittle, the daffodil seed pods at the end of the stems hold the seeds....

What Causes Deformed Parsnips? Deformed root crops are common in the home garden. Roots may become stunted, twisted, or knotty. Parsnip deformities can also produce forked roots or splits and may break when you try to pull them. The three most common reasons are improper soil preparation, over fertilizing, and root knot nematodes. Parsnips do best when direct seeded into fertile, well-worked soil. Garden beds full of rocks, clumps, and other debris aren’t suitable for growing parsnips....

Root Rot Excessive moisture in the soil can easily cause a fungal infection known as root rot. Look for rot at the soil line that eventually works its way up the stem. If you look at the roots, they will be black and soft. The best way to avoid root rot is to prevent it. Use new soil when potting a plant. Make sure it drains well and avoid overwatering....

A butterfly shelter is a dark, cozy area that provides a place for butterflies to rest safely away from birds and other predators. Some types of butterflies may use the shelter to hibernate during the winter. Keep reading for tips on creating a house for butterflies. How to Build a Butterfly House Building a butterfly house is a fun, inexpensive weekend project. All you need is a couple of pieces of lumber and a few basic tools....

A bract is a modified leaf arising from the stem at the point of the flowers development. Usually inconspicuous, bracts on growing dove trees are quite spectacular akin to the brilliant red bracts of poinsettias. Dove Tree Info The pyramid shaped dove tree has heart-shaped leaves arranged alternately and about 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm.) long. Dove tree first flowers in May with two bracts surrounding each flower; lower bracts are 3 inches (7....

Why Turn Raised Bed into Cold Frames A cold frame uses insulation and radiation from the sun to create a warmer climate in the garden. This allows you to grow plants earlier in the spring, start seeds outside earlier, and grow longer in the fall or winter. How much you can extend the growing season depends on your climate and zone, and also on the insulating properties of the cold frame....

How to Make a Macramé Planter Here are the materials you will need to make an easy macramé plant hanger: Heavy-duty cord – For a 6 to 8 inch (15-20 cm.) pot, you will need four 8 foot (2 m.) strands of heavy-duty cord. Choose a color of macramé yarn that accents your home décor or go for the rustic look and use heavy-duty jute.1 inch (2.5 cm.) metal macramé hoop or heavy-duty carabiner clip (optional)Decorative beads (optional)Planters – Choose an attractive or decorative 6 to 8 inch (15-20 cm....

When to Take Elderberry Cuttings Elderberry propagation via cuttings should be softwood cuttings. These are the best for propagating elderberries due to the new growth that is just at the cusp of maturity. Take your softwood cuttings in early spring when the plant is just breaking dormancy. Cuttings form new roots from leaf nodes on the stem and, voila, you have a new elderberry plant that is a clone of the parent....

How to Spot Diseased Elephant Ear Plants If you have a Colocasia, you probably know that they are not at all frost tolerant, require regular, even water and a full sun location. These large-leaved plants can grow quite quickly and their production of leaves is prolific. Although they need plenty of water, they can develop problems in standing water or if they are allowed to dry out for long periods of time....