Nematicide Information Using nematicides in gardens, gardeners have access to two common nematicide products. There are numerous formulations within each type. Fumigant nematicides are dispersed rapidly as a gas through the spaces in the soil, thus killing the nematodes living within those spaces. Fumigant nematicides are most effective in moist but well-drained soil with relatively low levels of organic material. Non-fumigant (non-volatile) nematicides are sold as liquids or granules that are applied to the soil surface or mixed into the top of the soil....

What are Softwood Trees? Softwood tree lumber is regularly used to build houses and boats, decks, and stairwells. That means that softwood characteristics of trees do not include weakness. Rather, the classification of trees into softwood and hardwood is premised on a biological distinction. Softwood tree information tells us that softwoods, also called gymnosperms, are needle-bearing trees, or conifers. Softwood tree species, including pines, cedar, and cypress, are usually evergreens. That means that they do not lose their needles in fall and go dormant for the winter....

What Causes Peach Shot Hole Disease? Peach shot hole, sometimes also called coryneum blight, is caused by a fungus called Wilsonomyces carpophilus. The most common symptoms of peach shot hole fungus are lesions on the twigs, buds, and leaves. These lesions start out as small, dark purple spots. Over time, these spots spread and turn brown, usually with a purple border. Eventually, dark bumps will form in the center of each lesion – these release spores that further spread the disease....

What is a Chojuro Asian Pear Tree? Originating from Japan in late 1895, Chojuro Asian pear trees (Pyrus pyrifolia ‘Chojuro’) are a popular cultivar with russetted orange-brown skin and crisp, juicy white flesh at about 3 inches (8 cm.) or more. The fruit is known for its lengthy storage life too, about 5 months refrigerated. The tree has large, waxy, dark green foliage that turns a gorgeous red/orange in the fall....

What is a Red Texas Star Flower? Also known as scarlet gilia, red Texas star, and Texas plume, the biennial or short-lived perennial, grows in an erect, unbranched stalk from 2 to 6 feet (.61 to 1.2 m.) tall. In mid-summer, each stem is topped with red, tubular flowers that flare outward with star-shaped tips and red and yellow inside. Blooming from the top downward, red Texas star makes a showy statement, especially when massed....

Is African Tulip Tree Invasive? A cousin to the rambunctious trumpet vine, African tulip tree tends to be invasive in tropical climates, such as Hawaii and southern Florida, where it forms dense thickets that interfere with native growth. It is less problematic in drier climates like southern California and central or northern Florida. African Tulip Tree Information African tulip tree is indeed an impressive specimen with gigantic, reddish-orange or golden yellow trumpet-shaped flowers and huge, glossy leaves....

Aztec Sweet Herb Growing Aztec sweet herb growing is productive when you grow it in an area that receives full sunlight. It needs the warmth, especially during cold months, if it’s going to continue growing and providing you with herbs you can use in your food. Aztec sweet herb plants (Lippia dulcis) grow well in the ground and in large containers you set outdoors. It’s ideal for planting in a hanging basket, which allows you to add a little more beauty to your yard....

Side Dressing with Sulfur – Why? Sulfur is a secondary nutrient, until your plants are deficient. This is when it becomes important and can be added like a primary nutrient, using a technique like side dressing. One big reason to side dress with sulfur is that because a deficiency in this nutrient will reduce a plant’s ability to take up the primary nutrients’ nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Sulfur deficiency is becoming a bigger problem, although the signs of it are not easy to see....

Read on for information about what steps to take when you see your kiwi leaves turning yellow or brown during growing season. Why are My Kiwi Leaves Turning Brown? When you see the edges of kiwi leaves turn brown, check the planting location. Kiwis need sun to thrive and produce fruit, but if the sunshine is too hot for too long, it may scorch the edges of the leaves. This condition is known as leaf scorch....

How and When to Prune Abelia Cutting back abelia plants isn’t strictly necessary. If you want a hands-off approach to your shrub, that’s fine. However, an annual abelia pruning will go a long way toward keeping your plant compact and neat looking, especially if it’s had a hard winter. The best time for pruning glossy abelia shrubs is late winter or very early spring, before it’s started to grow. Glossy abelias produce flowers on new growth, so if you cut back anything after the growing season has started, you’re cheating yourself out of flowers....

Container Grown Vine Plants One of the most important things to consider when growing vines in containers is support. Vine support in pots can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be– you can use one or two sticks of bamboo or set a decorative obelisk in the center of the container. You can set your container next to a fence or support column and let nature take its course....

Unfortunately, there is very little you can do about brown rot of potatoes in your garden, and currently, no biological or chemical products have proven effective. With vigilance, however, you may be able to manage the disease. Read on to learn the best ways to control brown rot of potatoes. Bacterial Wilt Symptoms on Potatoes The first step in its management is knowing what the disease looks like. Initially, visible symptoms of potato bacterial wilt generally consist of stunted growth and wilting during the hottest part of the day....

Calabash Tree Information The calabash tree has a broad, irregular crown with wide, spreading branched. The leaves are two to six inches (5 to 15 cm.) long. Orchids grow in the bark of these trees in the wild. Calabash tree facts indicate that the tree’s flowers, each about two inches (5 cm.) wide, are cup-shaped. They seem to grow directly from the calabash branches. They only bloom at night and emit a slight odor....

Ideas for Potted Plant Gifts When you’re looking to give flowering plants as gifts, you want to choose something that’s easy to care for. Unless you know your recipient to be an avid gardener who likes a challenge, you should opt for something that’s very low maintenance. Remember, you want to give a decoration, not a responsibility. There are a few especially popular potted plant gifts that are known for their ease of care....

About Canary Creeper Vines The canary creeper plant is one pretty vine and a cousin of nasturtium. It has deeply lobed leaves a minty shade of green, and brilliant yellow flowers. The canary creeper flowers grow two big petals above and three smaller ones below. The upper petals look like the wings of tiny yellow birds, giving the plant its common name. The lower petals are spurred. The canary creeper flowers make their appearance in spring and continue to bloom and expand all summer long as long as the plant gets adequate water....

If you have some feathered grape hyacinth bulbs and are ready to go, you’ll want to know how to grow a Muscari feather hyacinth. Read on for information about these plants, including tips on their care. About Feather Hyacinth Plants Muscari plants are popular, easy-grow bulbs that produce pink, white, or deep lavender flowers. If you want something above and beyond what everyone else is planting, buy feather grape hyacinth bulbs instead....

Juniper Info There are more than 170 cultivated varieties of juniper, including low-growing ground cover or edging plants, shrubs, and trees. The shapes include narrow columns, tight pyramids, and rounded forms that spread as wide as their height or more. The fragrant foliage can be either needles or overlapping scales. Some shrubs have both types of foliage because the leaves start out as needles and transition to scales as they mature....

Chilling Time for Fruit Trees Fruit plants, and nut trees as well, need a certain amount of time spend dormant in temperatures from about 32 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (0 to 4.5 Celsius) in order to develop flowers and fruit in the spring, summer, and fall. Chill time is measured in hours, and some fruits don’t need much. For instance, strawberries require just 200 hours, and this is why they can grow in warmer climates....

Why Christmas Cactus Has Aerial Roots If you notice root-like growths on Christmas cactus, don’t be overly concerned. Christmas cactus is an epiphytic plant that grows on trees or rocks in its natural habitat. The roots growing from Christmas cactus are actually aerial roots that help the plant cling to its host. The plant is not a parasite because it doesn’t depend on the tree for food and water. This is where the roots come in handy....

Potted Olive Tree Care Can you grow olive trees in containers? Absolutely. The trees are very adaptable and drought-tolerant, which makes them ideal for container life. The best time to start growing olive trees in containers is in spring after all threat of frost has passed. Olive trees like extremely well-draining, rocky soil. Plant your tree in a mix of potting soil and perlite or small rocks. When selecting a container, opt for clay or wood....