What Causes Vein Clearing and Cherry Crinkle? Vein clearing is evidenced by the loss of the plant’s green color in its veins, which usually will turn yellow first. The condition will sometimes appear on otherwise healthy trees. Cherry crinkle leaf originates in the buds of a tree, and the symptoms show up early in the season. It does not seem to be contagious and does not spread naturally from one tree to another....
What are Tepary Beans? Wild tepary beans are vining plants that can reach up to 10 feet (3 m.) in length, allowing them to clamber up desert shrubs. They mature rapidly and are one of the most drought and heat tolerant crops in the world. In fact, tepary bean plants (Phaseolus acutifolius) have now been planted in Africa to feed people there. The trifoliate leaves are similar in size to those of lima beans....
How to Use Boysenberries Boysenberries are a cross between a raspberry and a Pacific blackberry. As such, you would assume that not only does boysenberry have all the same uses, but the same benefits as well. And you would be correct. Boysenberries can be used for everything raspberries and blackberries are. Eaten fresh, sprinkled into yogurt, turned into smoothies, tossed into salads, added to salsa, blended into drinks, made into cocktails or wine, and even cooked down into sauces and purees to accompany meat and fowl dishes....
Any gardener who has seen the beauty of crepe myrtles has probably wondered if they can grow one themselves. Unfortunately, only people who live in USDA zone 6 or higher can grow crepe myrtles in the ground. But, for those Northern climated people, it is possible to grow crepe myrtles in containers. What to Grow Crepe Myrtles In? The first thing to keep in mind when you are thinking of planting crepe myrtles in containers is that a full-grown tree will need a rather large container....
Newly transplanted lavender requires a bit of tender loving care until the roots are established. Take a look at our tips on how to transplant lavender and when to divide plants. When to Divide and Transplant Lavender Transplanting lavender can be done in spring or fall in mild climates, but spring is the best time for moving a lavender plant in climates with cold winters. Lavender accepts transplanting better when the weather isn’t too hot....
What is Sooty Blotch? Sooty blotch fungus is a common problem in apple trees with poor air circulation or where humidity is high during the cool season. The fungus Gloeodes pomigena is responsible for the dark, smutty discoloration that makes affected apples look impossibly damaged. Fortunately for growers, sooty blotch on apples is a surface disease only; it may make your apples hard to sell at market, but if you’re eating them at home or canning them for later, a thorough wash or peel will remove all of the fungus....
Coco peat for plants is also known as coir. It is widely available and a traditional liner for wire baskets. What is Coco Peat? Potting soil is readily available and easy to use, but it has its drawbacks. It often doesn’t drain well and may contain peat, which is strip mined and causes environmental damage. An alternative is coco peat soil. Planting in coco peat provides numerous benefits while recycling what was once a useless product....
What is a Eureka Pink Lemon Tree? Variegated pink Eureka lemon is an ornamental treasure, both for its foliage and its fruit. The flesh of the lemon looks like a pink grapefruit; however, it doesn’t yield pink juice. The juice is clear with the ghost of pink in it and has an amazingly mild flavor. You could almost eat one of these fruits out of hand without excessive puckering. The variegated pink Eureka lemon tree is a medium sized citrus that translates well to container growing....
Victoria Plum Tree Information Victoria plums that ripen on a tree in your backyard orchard are really delicious eaten fresh. However, if you buy them in supermarkets, they may have been picked early and allowed to ripen off-tree, reducing the flavor. In either case, the plums from Victoria plum trees are excellent in jams and pies. The flesh cooks up to a puree the color of a sunset. It has a great sweet/sharp balance, with just a taste of almond....
About Weedy Vines in a Hedge In almost every region there exists pesky, invasive weedy vines that strangle hedges. Not only do hedges covered with vines look unsightly, but the vines compete with the hedge for light, water, and nutrients, often with the hedge plants losing the battle. Some killing vines in hedges can pose a risk to the gardener. Greenbrier is an invasive, nasty creeper covered with stickers as is blackberry....
Symptoms of Fusarium Wilt on Watermelons Fusarium wilt of watermelon is a specific disease that can’t be transmitted to other plants, including cantaloupe, cucumbers, or others in the same plant family. Although infection occurs when spring weather is cool and damp, fusarium wilt can show up on the plant at any stage of growth, any time during the growing season. Mature plants are better able to handle the disease than seedlings, which often collapse....
These redbuds have become popular ornamental trees for the home landscape. Many new unique varieties of eastern redbuds have been introduced by plant breeders. This article will discuss the weeping tree variety of eastern redbud known as ‘Lavender Twist.’ Read on for weeping redbud info and tips on how to grow a Lavender Twist redbud. About Lavender Twist Redbud Trees Lavender Twist redbud was first discovered in a Westfield, N....
Bud Mite Pests of Avocado Although avocados may be afflicted with a number of pests, a common offender may be spider mites. There are a couple of different types of spider mites that commonly attack avocados. Treating avocado bud mite problems means identifying which mite is causing the damage. The first candidate is the Persea bud mite and the second is the avocado bud mite. Persea bud mite information Persea mites (Oligonychus perseae) are found feeding in colonies along midribs and veins on the undersides of avocado leaves....
Aquatic crypts have been a popular aquarium plant for several decades. Some exotic crypt aquatic plants are difficult to locate, but many are easy-to-grow species in a variety of colors and readily available in most aquarium stores. Cryptocoryne Plant Information Aquatic crypts are hardy, adaptable plants ranging in color from deep forest green to pale green, olive, mahogany, and pink with sizes ranging from 2 inches (5 cm.) to 20 inches (50 cm....
What are Twig Girdler Beetles? What are twig girdler beetles? They are a type of insect that damage hardwood trees. Their scientific name is Oncideres cingulata. These beetles don’t sting you, nor do they carry infection to your plants. However, twig girdler damage can be significant, especially in pecan, hickory, and oak trees. Spotting Twig Girdler Damage If you have twig girdler beetles, you’ll know it. Their damage is very conspicuous in late summer....
In the home garden, cyclamen is often grown in woodland settings, although many types of cyclamen plants thrive in Alpine meadows. The typical florist cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) is only one of many cyclamen plant types. In fact, there are more than 20 species within the genus. Read on for a small sampling of cyclamen plant types and cyclamen varieties. Cyclamen Plant Types and Cyclamen Varieties Cyclamen heredifolium, also known as ivy-leaved cyclamen, is a robust species that tolerates relatively cold winters....
What is a Luscious Pear? Luscious pear is cross between South Dakota E31 and Ewart created in 1954. It is an early maturing pear that is easy to care for with disease resistance to fire blight. Once the tree has established, it only requires consistent watering and a soil test every few years to check on fertilizer needs. Unlike other fruiting trees, Luscious pear trees will continue to bear profusely with only infrequent pruning....
What is Avocado Cercospora Spot? Avocado cercospora spot is a common and frustrating fungus that thrives on the tissues of avocado trees. The disease is caused by the pathogenic fungus Cercospora purpurea, but it presents much like other types of Cercospora infections. Cercospora symptoms can include, but are not limited to, small brown to purple spots on leaves, angular-appearing spots on leaves, small irregular brown spots on fruits, or fissures and cracks in the fruit’s surface....
What is Bactericide? It’s not only animals that get bacterial problems. Plants can suffer from these tiny organisms too. There are beneficial bacteria that naturally occur and do things like break down organic matter and facilitate nutrient and moisture uptake. Just as you must take the good with the bad though, there are also destructive bacteria. Applying bactericide is often the necessary way to combat these villains of the garden. Bacteria can move quickly from plant to plant, especially in crop situations....
What Causes Defoliation? Defoliation is defined as a widespread loss of leaves or stripping of leaves on a plant. There are many things that can cause this, such as grazing animals like deer or rabbits, insect infestation, disease, or chemical runoff from herbicides. If your plant is suddenly losing all its leaves, you should check it over thoroughly. Look for signs of chewing from animals or insects as well as signs of disease like spots, blisters, mildews, and molds....
