Symptoms of Cowpea Leaf Spot Diseases Cowpea leaf spot diseases are evidenced by stunting and spots of various sizes. The spots are frequently tan or yellow with a yellow halo, but in some cases, they may be purplish brown. As the disease progresses, entire leaves may wilt, turn yellow, and drop from the plant. Southern peas with leaf spots may also develop a moldy growth on the lower leaves. Prevention and Treatment of Southern Pea Leaf Spots Keep the area as clean as possible throughout the season....

Limequat Information What is a limequat? A limequat (Citrus x floridana), as previously stated, is a fruiting tree that is a hybrid between a kumquat and a key lime. It is more cold tolerant than most lime trees, but a little less so than most kumquats. It can usually survive temperatures as low as 22 F. (-6 C.), and it can sometimes survive as cold as 10 F. (-12 C.). That being said, it is mostly a heat loving plant that thrives in tropical and subtropical climates....

Jasmine Nightshade Info Also known as jasmine nightshade, potato vine (Solanum laxum) is suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zone 8 through 11. Potato vine is lighter and less woody than many other vines and works well on a lattice, or to cover an arbor or a drab, ugly fence. You can also grow potato vine in a container. Hummingbirds love the sweet, fragrant potato vine flowers, which may bloom much of the year in warmer climates, and songbirds appreciate the berries that follow the blooms....

What is a Tropic Tomato? Although tomato plants require lots of daily direct sunshine to produce America’s favorite garden crop, many cultivars don’t appreciate very hot, humid weather. But the tomato ‘Tropic’ variety succeeds where others fail. This tomato variety was developed by the University of Florida and its claim to fame is its ability to thrive in regions with “tropical” weather. When gardeners in hot, humid areas plant tomatoes, their hopes are often dashed by tomato blight, a fungal disease that strikes plants when the weather is hot and wet....

What is a Willingham Gage? The fruit is a type of greengage plum, but this information won’t help you unless you are familiar with the greengage. A greengage plum is a type of fruit tree imported to England from France by Sir Thomas Gage. What makes a plum a greengage? Don’t rely on the color to help you. Some greengage plums are green, but some are purple and some are yellow....

What is an Elaiosome? An elaiosome is a small structure attached to a seed. It consists of dead cells and a lot of lipids, or fats. In fact, the prefix “elaio” means oil. These small structures may have other nutrients as well, including proteins, vitamins, and starch. Although it is not quite accurate, some people call seed elaiosomes arils. Why Do Seeds Have Elaiosomes? The main elaiosome function in seeds is to aid dispersal....

When to Prune Hellebores The best time for pruning a hellebore plant is late winter or early spring, just as soon as the new growth begins to appear. This new growth should come straight up out of the ground as little stalks. These stalks should still be surrounded by a ring of last year’s big leaves. The old leaves may very well be damaged from the winter’s cold and looking a little rough around the edges....

What can you make with corn? The list is pretty long actually. Read on for information on unusual corn uses and tips on how to use corn in new ways in the kitchen. What is Corn Used For? Corn (also called maize) is one of the basic foods for much of the world. Combined with rice, it creates a complete protein relied on for sustenance in much of Africa and South America....

Artillery Plant Info Related to the aluminum plant and the friendship plant of the genus Pilea, artillery plant info indicates this plant got its name from its dispersal of pollen. The tiny, green, male flowers burst the pollen into the air in an explosive-like manner. Where to Grow Artillery Plants Winter hardy to USDA Zone 11-12, growing artillery plants in these zones may remain evergreen or die back in winter. However, growing artillery plants is not limited to those zones alone, as this specimen can be overwintered inside as a houseplant....

How to Make a Bay Topiary The key to bay tree topiary pruning, or any topiary pruning in general, is multiple cuttings in a single growing season. A single heavy pruning should be done in the spring to achieve the desired shape. The tree will continue to grow throughout the growing season, and it can be trimmed back regularly to keep its shape. There are a few very popular bay tree topiaries....

American Bear Cone Plants The bear cone plant has an unusual life cycle. Its seeds sink into the ground near a tree in the red oak family. Unlike other plants, which immediately send up leaves to collect chlorophyll, the bear cone seed’s first order of business is to send down roots. These roots travel down until they make contact with the oak’s roots and they latch on. It is from these roots that the bear cone gathers all its nutrients....

Beefmaster Tomato Info There are around 13 species of wild tomato plants and hundreds of hybrids. Hybrids are created to breed selected traits into a tomato. Such is the case with Beefmaster hybrids (Lycopersicon esculentum var. Beefmaster) wherein the plant was bred to produce larger, meatier, and disease resistant tomatoes. Beefmasters are categorized as F1 hybrids, which means they have been cross bred from two distinct “pure” tomatoes. What this means to you is that the first-generation hybrid should have better vigor and producer larger yields, but if you save seeds, the successive years’ fruit will likely be unrecognizable from the previous one....

Black Ash Tree Information The tree has smooth bark when it is young, but the bark turns dark gray or brown and gets corky as the tree matures. It grows to some 70 feet (21 m.) tall but remains fairly slender. The branches head upward, forming a slightly rounded crown. The leaves on this ash tree are compound, each including seven to eleven toothed leaflets. The leaflets are not stalked, and they die and fall to the ground in autumn....

Even if you can’t be convinced to bring it into the kitchen, borage is a favorite of bees to such an extent that it’s often called Bee Bread. No matter who’s eating it, borage is great to have around, and so easy to grow. Keep reading to learn about borage seed propagation and growing borage from seeds. Borage Seed Growing Borage is a hardy annual, which means that the plant will die in a frost, but the seeds can survive in the frozen ground....

Good soil and calcium are linked. Just as we need fluids to carry nutrients through our body, so is water needed to carry calcium. Too little water equals a calcium deficiency plant. If water is sufficient and problems still exist, it’s time to ask how to raise calcium in soil. First though, let’s ask the question, WHY is calcium required in garden soil? How Calcium Affects Plants There are many essential minerals in soil, and calcium is one of them....

Are Ornamental Sweet Potatoes Edible? Yes, ornamental sweet potatoes are edible! Ornamental sweet potato tubers are, indeed, sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas). That said, ornamental sweet potato tubers are planted for their lovely chartreuse, purple, or variegated trailing foliage that serves as the perfect counterpoint to offset annual blooms. What that means regarding eating ornamental sweet potatoes is that, yes, while you can eat ornamental sweet potatoes, they are not necessarily the tastiest of sweet potatoes and are, in fact, much more bitter....

Bird of Paradise Relocation Tips The bird of paradise is a beautiful, showy plant that can grow very large. Avoid transplanting enormous specimens, if possible. They can be difficult to dig up and very heavy to move. Before you start digging, be sure you have a good spot for it. Bird of paradise likes to be warm and thrives in sun and in soil that is fertile and well-drained. Find your perfect spot and dig a nice large hole before you take the next step....

What is Holy Basil? Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), is closely related to the sweet basil used in kitchens around the world. It is a short-lived, woody, herbal perennial that grows best in tropical and subtropical climates. It grows well in containers for gardens too, and homes in colder regions. In India, holy basil is traditionally grown in containers in and around temples for the purpose of cleansing visitors. Holy basil plants are also important in Ayurvedic medicine and have been used for thousands of years....

Agapanthus Problems The first order of business when dealing with agapanthus diseases is self-protection. Agapanthus has a toxic sap that can irritate the skin. Always wear gloves, long sleeves, and goggles when cutting agapanthus stems. Diseases affecting agapanthus are often brought about by overwatering and too much moisture. Gray mold Gray mold is an unsightly fungus that spreads on dying blossoms. The mold needs standing water to grow, so prevent it by watering your agapanthus from below and spacing your plants to allow for good air circulation....

Common Types of Viburnum Plants Choosing varieties of viburnum for the garden begins with checking your growing zone. It’s always a good idea to ensure whichever type you choose will thrive in your area. What are the most common viburnum varieties? Here are a few popular types of viburnum plants: Koreanspice – Large, pink clusters of fragrant flowers. 5 to 6 feet (1.5-2 m.) tall, green foliage turns bright red in autumn....