What is Verticillium Wilt? Verticillium wilt is a fungal disease that lives in the soil. It invades susceptible plants through their roots and spreads through the plant’s vascular system. The list of plants affected by verticillium wilt is extensive and includes trees, shrubs, garden annuals, and perennials. It can also affect fruit and vegetable crops. Verticillium wilt symptoms mimic those of other plant diseases and environmental problems, making it harder to diagnose....

What is Seedling Blight in Corn? Seedling blight is a disease that affects seeds and seedlings of corn. The blight may occur in the seeds before or after they germinate, and if they sprout, they will show signs of the disease. Causes of seedling blight in corn are soil-borne fungi, including Pythium, Fusarium, Diplodia, Penicillium, and Rhizoctonia. Symptoms of Corn Seedling Blight If the disease sets in early, you will see signs of blight in the seeds, which will appear rotten....

Types of Cotoneaster Cotoneaster has many uses in the garden, depending on the species. Here is a list of common types of cotoneaster: Cranberry cotoneaster- Cranberry cotoneaster (C. apiculatus) makes a good groundcover for erosion control, especially on slopes. Pink summer blossoms are followed by small, red berries in fall. In addition, the fall foliage turns a bronzy shade of red. The shrubs grow 2 to 3 feet (61-91 cm.) tall with a spread of up to 6 feet (2 m....

How to Grow Crown of Thorns Indoors If you’re looking for a plant that thrives in the conditions inside most homes, try the crown of thorns plant (Euphorbia milii). Growing the plant is easy because it adapts well to normal room temperatures and in dry indoor environments. It also forgives occasional missed waterings and feedings without complaint. Crown of thorns houseplant care begins with placing the plant in the best possible location....

What are Seed Stratifying Methods? Simply, seed stratification refers to the process needed by seeds to begin to germinate. These processes allow for moisture to move through the seed coat and initiate growth. The method gardeners can use to stratify seeds depends on the type of seed and the conditions under which the seed will begin to grow. Wet vs. Dry Stratification When it comes to stratifying seeds, there are generally two ways this can be accomplished: wet cold vs....

What is Apple Chlorosis? Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies in fruits and vegetables can severely affect crop yield. Apples with chlorosis will develop yellow leaves and a diminished capacity to photosynthesize. That means less plant sugars to fuel growth and production of fruit. Many types of plants, including ornamentals, are affected by chlorosis. Apple chlorosis occurs as a result of a lack of iron in soil. It causes yellowing and possible die off of leaves....

Bottomless plant pots also can elevate xeric plants that suffer during excessive rains. Do you have rocky or compacted soil? No problem. Add bottomless plant pots to your garden for instant well-draining soil. Bottomless plant containers also are the ideal solution for reigning in aggressive roots that slither underground and climb up neighboring foliage. In this case, the cylinder would be planted below the ground to create a “corral” around the plant’s roots, preventing them from escaping....

Pumpkin Plant Pollination Before you panic about the lack of fruit, let’s talk about pumpkin plant pollination. First off, pumpkins, like other cucurbits, have separate male and female flowers on the same plant. That means that it takes two to make fruit. Pollen must be moved from the male flower to the female. The first blooms to appear are male and they remain on the plant for a day and then fall off....

Does a Cactus Need Fertilizer? The classic perception of the perfect environment for cacti is a harsh, dry desert with two extremes: periods of no rainfall whatsoever or sudden deluges that the plant must absorb, store and use throughout the next dry spell. It’s important to remember that whether they are outside in the garden exposed to seasonal extremes or in a bright sunny spot in the house, fertilizing cactus plants can keep them happily growing no matter the season....

How to Plant Easter Lily After Blooming Caring for Easter lilies properly while you have them indoors ensures a strong, vigorous plant that makes the transition to the garden much easier. Place the plant near a bright window, just out of reach of the direct rays of the sun. Cool temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees F. (18-24 C.) are best for growing Easter lily plants. Water the plant often enough to keep the soil lightly moist and use a liquid houseplant fertilizer every two weeks....

What is Hydnora Africana? The first odd fact about Hydnora africana is that it is a parasitic plant. It doesn’t exist without its host members of the genus Euphorbia. It doesn’t look like any other plant you have seen; there are no stems or leaves. There is, however, a flower. Actually, the plant itself is a flower, more or less. The body of this oddity is not only leafless but brownish-grey and devoid of chlorophyll....

What is Ferocactus chrysacanthus Cactus? F. chrysacanthus is a type of barrel cactus. It is a slow growing species that may eventually grow up to about a foot (31 cm.) across and up to 3 feet (91 cm.) tall. The descriptive term “barrel” is in reference to the shape of the plant, which is barrel shaped. It has a single rounded to cylindrical form. It has a dark green stem that isn’t possible to see in mature plants....

A Responsible Frog Pond in the Garden It is illegal to release non-native frogs in many areas, and there is good reason for this. Non-native species can take over an area, killing and crowding out native species. In some cases, releasing non-natives leads to disappointment because they may not survive in your area. Just as it is illegal to release frogs from another area into your garden, it is also illegal to remove frogs from national parks and protected areas....

Visually Impaired Gardens A garden for the blind, or for those with diminished sight, is one that appeals to all the senses without overwhelming them. In fact, garden plants for visually impaired individuals include those that can be touched, smelled, tasted, or even heard. It’s a well maintained and easily navigated refuge with appropriate tools accessible at a moment’s notice. With careful planning and proper maintenance, visually impaired gardens are a place of beauty and efficiency that allow the gardener to be completely independent every step of the way....

Can You Plant Garlic Near Tomatoes? Companion planting works by increasing plant diversity. Simply put, companion planting is alternating two or more types of veggies in a single row. This practice seeks to confound insects that tend to consume certain crops, leading them to move onto greener pastures, so to speak. This practice is also referred to as intercropping— that is combining plants that are desired by insects among those that are undesirable....

Can You Eat Gourds? Gourd edibility is negotiable, but history indicates that some were eaten, at least in part. First, we have to determine what is a gourd before going into ways to eat gourds. You can probably find a gourd shaped like anything you can imagine. Whether warty, smooth, or bearing strange protuberances, gourds exceed the imagination and give wings to creativity. Are gourds edible though? That is a subject for debate, considering the interior flesh is minimal and hardly worth the effort....

Groundhog Deterrent and Control Groundhogs are most active during the early morning and late afternoon hours. While they feed on a variety of broad-leafed vegetation, in the garden they prefer legumes such as clover, alfalfa, peas, beans, and soybeans. When it comes to deterrents or groundhog repellent, there are none that are specifically known. However, scarecrows and similar objects can occasionally provide temporary relief. The most effective types of control include the use of fences, traps, and fumigation....

Adenophora Plant Information There are at least ten species of Adenophora ladybells. However, the most common include purple ladybells, which produce blue flowers and grows in USDA zones 7 to 9. Common ladybells, with droopy blue flowers, and lilyleaf ladybells, with blue or white hanging blooms, are both hardier plants suitable for zones 3 through 7. Lilyleaf ladybells and purple ladybells reach heights of 18 to 24 inches (46-61 cm.) at maturity, while common ladybells display sturdy spikes of 24 to 36 inches (61-91 cm....

Growing Annual Climbing Vines A range of annual climbing vines are available to grow on a trellis, an unsightly wall or the fence that you share with neighbors. Annual climbing vines can also grow in containers or in the ground. Fast growing vines need little encouragement to climb, but may need training to grow in the right direction. Annual vines usually climb through the use of tendrils or twining. When growing annual vines, an inexpensive way of getting plant material is to start them from seed....

Growing Hot Peppers Indoors Foliage of ornamental hot pepper plants is attractive, peppers are ornamental, and they grow fairly well indoors. Of course, take advantage of warm, sunny days to give them that extra boost by putting them outside for a few hours. Ornamental pepper is possibly the best hot pepper to grow indoors. Fruits are green, yellow, orange, and finally red. You may use them in cooking, but they are extremely hot....