Breadfruit Diseases and Health There are a number of diseases, pathogens, and infections that may attack your breadfruit tree. It is important to be aware of breadfruit disease symptoms and types so that you can take measures to save your tree before it is too late. Your tree will be less likely to succumb to illnesses if you take care of it and provide it with everything it needs to grow and be healthy....
Growing Flowering Vines With all the types of vines available in commerce, one of the most daunting tasks facing a gardener is choosing the vine to plant. Whether you are choosing exotic vines for the garden or something more basic, you need to think through the purpose the vine will serve in your backyard. Vines can play many roles in the garden. They can add height, maximizing the vertical space within a garden....
Twinspur Plant Info What is twinspur? Twinspur (Diascia), sometimes known as Barber’s Diascia, is a sprawling annual that adds beauty and color to beds, borders, rock gardens, and containers. The plant is appropriately named for a pair of spurs on the back of each bloom. These spurs have an important function– they contain a substance that attracts beneficial bees. Bright green, heart-shaped leaves provide contrast to the delicate, spiky blooms that come in various shades of mauve, pink, rose, coral, and white each with a contrasting yellow throat....
About Maranta Varieties Most Maranta varieties have underground rhizomes or tubers with corresponding sets of leaves. Depending upon the variety of Maranta, leaves may be narrow or broad with pinnate veins that run parallel to the midrib. Blooms may be insignificant or spiked and enclosed by bracts. The most common prayer plant types grown are those of the species Maranta leuconeura, or peacock plant. Commonly grown as a houseplant, this species lacks tubers, has an insignificant bloom, and a low growing vining habit that can be grown as a hanging plant....
Blue Lips Plant Info Blue lips (Sclerochiton harveyanus) is a glossy-leaved spreading perennial shrub that is suitable for a woodland garden. The small to medium sized evergreen shrub is hardy in USDA zones 10 and 11. In July, August, and September (December through March in Southern Hemisphere), small blue to purple flowers cover the plant, followed by seed pods that burst when ripe. The multi-stemmed shrub reaches 6 to 8 feet tall (2 m....
Mophead Hydrangea Information What are mophead hydrangeas? These deciduous hydrangea shrubs have large heads of blossoms. Gardeners love them because they are showy, easy care and bloom reliably every summer. Once you know that mopheads are also called bigleaf hydrangeas, it will be no surprise that the leaves are oversized, sometimes as large as a dinner plate. They are a fresh, bright green and give the shrubs a lush, rounded aspect....
What is a Cascalote? One of the biggest Cascalote tree problems is its thorns, which are similar to rose thorns. This makes it a poor choice for homes with children. There is a new cultivar, however, that has been bred without thorns although, the thorns are what help make the tree so drought tolerant. It’s beautiful foliage and colorful blooms are worth the danger though. Cascalote is native to southern Mexico where it is found in mesas, slopes, and desert washes....
Mangave Plant Info Mangave hybrids were accidentally found growing in the Mexican desert. Horticulturists were there collecting seeds from the beautiful manfreda specimen. Two of these seeds grew to five times the normal size, with different shaped leaves and blooms that were different than those typically found on the manfreda plant. Eventually, the seed collectors realized there was a valley next to the collection area where Agave celsii grows, hence the beginning of the mangave....
What is an Alpine Currant? Native to Europe, alpine currant, Ribes alpinum, is a low-growing, low-maintenance plant with bright green foliage present throughout the summer. It is most often used as a hedging or border plant, often in mass plantings. It is hardy to USDA zones 3-7. Alpine Currant Info Alpine currants grow to a height of between 3-6 feet (just under a meter or two) and the same distance widthwise....
What is Bishop’s Cap Cactus? Spineless with a globular to cylindrical stem, this cactus grows in the shape of a star. It is native to mountainous regions of northern and central Mexico and has easily found its way across the border to gain popularity in the U.S. In Mexico, it grows in chalky soil in stony ground. It grows happily here in USDA hardiness zones 10-11 and as a container plant in lower zones....
What is Citrus Basil? Sweet basil is the variety of this herb that most people associate with it. It grows large, flat, green leaves and has a sweet aroma and flavor that is reminiscent of anise, yet totally unique. This is the typical culinary and Italian basil, and it’s great, but there are other options. Citrus basil (Ocimum basilicum citriodorum) is a group of a few varieties of basil that are notable for a mild citrus scent....
What is June Drop? June drop on fruit trees refers to the tendency of different types of fruit trees to drop immature fruit in springtime, usually around May or June. Although this is sometimes called May drop, it is usually known as June fruit drop. The primary (and usually only) symptom of June fruit drop is small, immature fruit falling off trees. This can happen in apple and citrus trees and also in stone fruit like plums....
What’s Wrong with My Dracaena? While a dracaena houseplant is generally easy to grow and difficult to kill, there are some dracaena diseases and issues that you should be aware of and watch for. Characteristic symptoms can tell you what is wrong with your potted houseplant: Tan or brown coloring on the white areas of leaves and dead or yellow leaf tips may indicate fluoride toxicity or alkaline soil. Soft, brown spots on roots that smell rank may indicate soft rot disease....
Best Time to Water Plants in the Vegetable Garden The answer to when to water plants in the vegetable garden actually has two answers. Watering Plants in the Morning The very best time to water plants is in the early morning, while it is still cool. This will allow the water to run down into the soil and reach the roots of the plant without too much excess water lost to evaporation....
Reasons for Rotten Blackberries Blackberry fruit rot is caused by Botrytis cinerea, a fungus that can affect nearly every part of the plant. Fruit rot favors humid environments. It is especially prevalent when weather is wet before and during blooming, and again when berries ripen. The fungus overwinters on plant debris and weeds. In spring, the spores spread via wind and water, including moisture from dew, fog, rain, irrigation water, or by direct contact with plants....
Boston Ivy Vines in Winter In fall, Boston ivy leaves begin a color transformation that goes from red to purple. The leaves cling to the vines longer than most deciduous plants, but eventually drop in early winter. After they fall, you can see the dark blue fruit. Called drupes, these berry-like fruit keep the garden lively in winter because they provide food for a number of songbirds and small mammals. Boston ivy winter care is minimal and consists primarily of pruning....
Why is My Yucca Plant Yellow? Extreme conditions are no problem for a yucca plant. In fact, once established, it doesn’t need any more help from you. Attempts at pampering this sturdy plant may result in a yucca plant leaves turning yellow. Water: A common cause of yellow yucca leaves is too much water. If you water the plant regularly or plant it in soil that doesn’t drain freely, the roots begin to rot....
Choosing Roses for Zone 8 Roses may look delicate, but some varieties are hardy all the way down to zone 3, while others thrive in balmy zone 10. When you need roses for zone 8, you’re in the sweet spot where most roses can thrive. Hardiness is only one factor in rose bush selection though. Even in a rose-popular region like zone 8, you’ll still need to pick other rose bush qualities....
What is Exotic Manure? When animals such as oxen or mules were used to till the soil, they would often fertilize it at the same time. Even the use of human waste, as vile as it may seem, was popular for a time. Although human waste is not used today, the manure of such animals as pigs, steer, cows, horses, rabbits, turkeys, chickens, and other poultry are used in a variety of organic gardening practices....
African Violets with Botrytis Blight African violets are beloved houseplants with sweet little blooms and engaging fuzzy leaves. The most common diseases of African violet are fungal. Botrytis blight affects many types of plants but is prevalent in the African violet population. It may also be called bud rot or gray mold, descriptive terms that point to the symptoms of the disease. African violet blight control starts with plant isolation, just as you would with a potentially fatal contagious disease in animals and humans....
