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Causes for Leaf Galls on Plants Leaf galls on plants are usually the result of mites and other sucking insects that make their homes under the plant tissue. Their feeding activities cause some galls, while chemicals secreted during egg growth in saliva or even excretions, may cause the changes to plant tissue. These changes may not be limited to bumps on leaves. Flowers, fruits, and even roots can develop these changes in tissue....

Burlap Plant Protection Covering plants with burlap can also protect plants from winter burn, a damaging condition caused by a combination of winter sunlight and depleted soil moisture. Burlap is more effective than plastic because it allows the plant to breathe so air circulates and heat isn’t trapped. Burlap for protecting plants can be as simple as an old burlap bag. If you don’t have access to burlap bags, you can purchase sheet burlap by the yard at most fabric stores....

Getting knowledge on how to fix sooty mold on camellia begins with learning the causes of this black leaf coating. What Causes Camellia Sooty Mold? A camellia with black leaves likely has an insect problem. It’s not the insect’s feeding that causes the phenomenon but its waste. Several types of fungus form on the surface of that waste and develop into sooty mold on camellias and many other ornamental plants....

What is a Rumberry Tree? Growing rumberry trees (Myrciaria floribunda) are native to the Caribbean islands, Central and South America through North Brazil. Rumberry is shrub or slim tree that reaches 33 feet (10 m.) and up to 50 feet (15 m.) in height. It has reddish brown branches and flakey bark. An evergreen, the leaves are wide, glossy, and slightly leathery – dotted speckled with oil glands. Blossoms are born in small clusters and are white with about 75 obvious stamens....

Troubleshooting a Christmas Cactus with Yellow Leaves If you notice your Christmas cactus leaves turning yellow, consider the following possibilities: Time to repot – If the container is packed tightly with roots, the Christmas cactus may be potbound. Move the Christmas cactus to a pot one size larger. Fill the pot with a mixture that drains well, such as two parts potting mix and one part coarse sand or perlite. Water well, then withhold fertilizer for a month after repotting a Christmas cactus....

About Growing Cristalina Cherries Cristalina cherry trees were crossbred by Ken Lapins of the Canadian Summerland research station in 1967 and released by Frank Kappell in 1997. The registration rights for Cristalina cherry trees are valid until 2029. That means in order to propagate them, they must be obtained from McGrath Nurseries Ltd. in New Zealand or a licensed nursery that has obtained the rights of purchase. Cristalina cherries mature five to eight days before Bing cherries with a similar dark red-black appearance....

What is a Powder Puff Cactus? These plants (Mammillaria bocasa-na) are only suitable for outdoor life in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 to 10. The plants need plenty of sunlight and warm temperatures. The cactus grows rapidly and produces small round offsets, which cluster around the parent plant. Mammilaria powder puffs will produce small white or red flowers depending on the cultivar grown. The body of the cactus is bluish green, stocky, and made up of short stems that hug the ground....

Chin Cactus Information Cactus collectors should have at least one chin cactus in their menagerie. Native to Argentina and certain other parts of SE South America, these varieties need some protection from searing sun and even do well in partial shade. They do have the same soil, water, and nutrient needs as their desert cousins. All in all, a very easy plant to grow with few specialized cultivation needs. There are about 50 species of chin cactus, many of which are available as ornamental plants....

Although black medic is considered a common weed, it does have certain herbal uses. Read on to learn more about this interesting herb. Black Medic Herbal Uses and Warnings Black medic extract reportedly has antibacterial qualities and may be effective as a mild laxative. However, it may increase blood clotting and shouldn’t be used by people who use blood thinning medications. Black medic should also be avoided by children, the elderly, and pregnant women....

Container Herb Care in Cold Weather When the weather starts to get cold, the first thing to decide is whether you will be keeping your herbs inside or outside. This decision is not an easy one due to the fact that either choice holds both pros and cons. If you decide to leave them outside, they’ll be at risk to be killed by the cold and wet. You will need to take certain steps to ensure that your herbs are well protected and able to survive the weather....

Also known as Bible plant, costmary leaves were often used as bookmarks to mark pages of scripture. Additionally, plant historians report that the pungent-smelling leaf was often sniffed surreptitiously to keep church-goers awake and alert during long sermons. Read on to learn more about caring for costmary plants and how to use them. Costmary Growing The costmary herb plant is a hardy herb that tolerates hot summer and cold winters....

Croton Indoor Plant The croton plant is often grown outdoors in tropical climates, but also makes excellent houseplants. Crotons come in a wide variety of leaf shapes and colors. Leaves can be short, long, twisted, thin, thick, and several of these combined. Colors range from green, variegated, yellow, red, orange, cream, pink, and black to a combination of all these. It is safe to say that if you look hard enough, you will find a croton that matches your décor....

Bamboo Plant Types Bamboo can be split into two general types: running and clumping. Clumping bamboo grows just as the name suggests – in a big clump of grass that mainly grows up and stays put where you’ve planted it. This is the recommended type if you want a well-behaved bamboo stand in your garden that you don’t have to worry about spreading. Running bamboo, on the other hand, will spread like crazy if not kept in check....

Care for Evergreen Container Plants When a plant is grown in a container, its roots are essentially surrounded by air, meaning it’s more susceptible to temperature change than if it were in the ground. Because of this, you should only try to overwinter container grown evergreens that are hardy to winters considerably colder than what your area experiences. If you live in a particularly cold region, you can increase your evergreen’s chances of survival by piling mulch up over the container, wrapping the container in bubble wrap, or planting in an overlarge container....

Trumpet Vine Feeding Trumpet vines thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. Generally, the vines grow fast and require a strong structure to keep them where you want them to be. Most soil contains sufficient nutrients for trumpet vine plants to grow happily. In fact, you are likely to spend more time trying to keep these vines a manageable size than worrying that they aren’t growing fast enough....

Ginseng Ficus as a Bonsai Ginseng ficus (Ficus retusa) is one variety of this large group of fig trees. Native to southeast Asia, the ginseng ficus is also called banyan fig, Taiwan ficus, and laurel fig. It is most striking in appearance because it grows thick roots that stay exposed above the surface of the ground. As a bonsai, the effect is of a small tree standing on legs. The tree grows oval-shaped, dark green leaves....

What are Grecian Windflowers? A. blanda, or Grecian windflower, is a colorful perennial spring bulb that produces pretty blooms with a shape and appearance similar to that of daisies. They are short, growing only to about 6 inches (15 cm.) at a maximum, and can act as a blooming spring groundcover. They can also be grown in clumps or in low rows to complement taller perennials. There are several varieties of Grecian windflower that produce different colors: deep blue, white, pale pink, magenta, lavender, mauve, and bicolor....

Growing Ficus Indoors Ficus is infamously finicky. Outside its native range, confined to a pot indoors, it can be difficult to grow. Ficus trees need bright light. They like regular watering but will struggle if the soil stays damp all the time. They also don’t like to be moved, so find the best spot and stick with it. If you want to attempt growing a ficus inside, understand its needs first....

About the Indian Paintbrush Also known as Castilleja, Indian paintbrush wildflowers grow in forest clearings and grasslands across the western and southwestern United States. Indian paintbrush is a biennial plant that usually develops rosettes the first year and stalks of blooms in spring or early summer of the second year. The plant is short-lived and dies after it sets seed. However, if conditions are right, Indian paintbrush reseeds itself every autumn....

What is a Fruit Salad Tree? So, you love fruit and want to grow your own, but your gardening space is limited. Not enough room for multiple fruit trees? No problem. Fruit salad trees are the answer. They come in four different types and bear up to eight different fruits of the same family on the one tree. Sorry, it doesn’t work to have oranges and pears on the same tree....