What is Canna Rust? Cannas growing in southern regions of the U.S. are more often afflicted with canna rust, a fungal infection caused by the pathogen Puccinia thaliae. While not usually deadly, severe infections can result in not only wilt and chlorosis of the leaves, but eventual death. Canna Rust Symptoms Symptoms first appear as yellow to tan pustules on the foliage and stems. These pustules are often parallel to the leaf veins....

Cat’s Claw Plant Information Growing a cat’s claw vine is easy. The problem usually isn’t so much keeping it alive as keeping it in check. Cat’s claw plants spread through underground tubers and can often pop up out of the ground in unexpected spots. The best way to prevent spreading is to plant it in a restrictive spot, like between a wall and pavement. Cat’s claw is winter hardy in USDA zones 8 through 12, and evergreen in zones 9 and above....

Chinese Perfume Tree Facts Chinese perfume trees, also called Aglaia odorata plants, are native to low regions of China. They also grow in Taiwan, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. The plant’s genus name comes from Greek mythology. Aglaia was the name of one of the three Graces. In the wild, Aglaia ordorata plants can grow to 20 feet (6 m.) high. They grow in thickets or sparse forests. In the United States, they grow only in cultivation and are often planted for their fragrant blossoms....

What is Citrus Alternaria Rot? Citrus alternaria rot, or black rot, is most commonly found in oranges, tangelos, and lemons. However, it may occur in other citrus as well. During periods of rainy and/or humid weather, a fungus called Alternaria citri may begin to grow on damaged or dead citrus tissues. The fungal spores are then released and are able to spread to citrus blossoms and immature fruits. The spores enter the fruit through naturally occurring cracks early in fruit development and begin to cause rot....

Barley Plant Nematodes If you love to eat barley, you are not alone. It’s a popular grain for humans, but also for nematodes. There are not two, not three, but dozens of varieties of nematodes that affect barley, termed barley plant nematodes. Each one of these nematodes has its own characteristics, but all operate in more or less the same way as other parasitic nematodes. They are very tiny organisms that live in the soil....

Water Lily Weed Info Though beautiful, water lily management is necessary when plants begin to invade the vast majority of the pond. Too many plants growing in the water may be a major cause for concern, such as the reduction of available oxygen (which the plants absorb at night) and negative impact on the overall health of fish. However, water lily management may be somewhat challenging. How to Stop Water Lilies As one would imagine, the underwater nature of these plants makes water lily control quite interesting....

Tips on Dayton Apple Care Dayton apple trees grow in nearly any type of well-drained soil. Dig in a generous amount of compost or manure before planting, especially if your soil is sandy or clay-based. At least eight hours of sunlight is a requirement for successful apple tree growth. The morning sun is especially important because it dries the dew on the leaves, thus reducing the risk of disease. Dayton apple trees require at least one pollinator of another apple variety within 50 feet (15 m....

Where to Get the Best Indoor Houseplant Seeds Indoor houseplant seeds do not store well and should be used immediately. They lack dormancy since they originate from temperate regions and thus germinate rapidly in optimal conditions with no need for chilling. Best Houseplants to Start from Seeds The best indoor plant seeds to grow are also the easiest houseplants to grow. If you have a cat, cat grass is an easy houseplant to grow from seed....

Clivia Seed Germination If you’re asking, “How do I germinate clivia seeds,” the first step to growing clivia by seed is, of course, finding the seeds. If you have a clivia plant already, you can harvest them. When a clivia flower is pollinated, it produces large red berries. Leave the berries on the plant for a year to allow them to ripen, then harvest and cut them open. Inside, you’ll find a few round seeds that look a lot like pearls....

Germinating Lavender Seeds The first step in lavender seed propagation is choosing a variety and germinating the seeds. Be aware that not all cultivars will come true when you propagate by seed. If you are determined to grow a particular cultivar, you’re better off using cuttings or divisions to get new plants. Some good varieties for starting by seed are Lavender Lady and Munstead. It can take one to three months for lavender seeds to germinate, so start early and be patient....

ornamental plants cactus cotton nuts conifers shade trees Cotton root rot on grapevines is devastating for growers in Texas and much of the southwestern United States. The grape phymatotrichum fungus lives deep in the soil where it survives almost indefinitely. This type of root rot disease is extremely difficult to control, but the following information may help. Grapes with Cotton Root Rot Grape cotton root rot is active in the summer months when soil temperatures are at least 80 degrees F....

What is Bottlebrush Grass? Bottlebrush grass (Elymus hystrix) is a perennial grass that is native to most of the eastern U.S. and Canada. The species name, hystrix, comes from the Greek word for hedgehog and describes the bristly seed head. The seed head also resembles a bottle brush, hence the common name for this grass. The grass is green but turns brown as it matures, typically beginning in late summer. It grows to a height of between 2 and 5 feet (61 cm....

Planting Catnip Catnip can be planted in your garden either from seed or from plants. If you’re growing catnip from seed, you’ll need to properly prepare the seeds. Catnip seeds are tough and need to be stratified or slightly damaged before they will sprout. This can be done by first placing the seeds in the freezer overnight and then placing the seeds in a bowl of water for 24 hours. This process will damage the seed coat and will make it much easier for the catnip seeds to sprout....

Types of Hedging Hedges can be as tall or as short as serves your purpose. Some hedge shrubs grow taller than 100 feet tall (30 m.) while others don’t get taller than you are. If you want a line of short hedge plants to mark the edge of a patio, you’ll want to use different hedge varieties than when you are trying to block 50-mile-an-hour winds. Plants used for hedges might be deciduous or evergreen....

Hellebore in the Garden Although hellebore in the garden is beautiful, it can present a danger to pets. The plant is also harmful to cattle, horses, and other livestock but generally only when they are desperate and starving because sufficient feed is unavailable. If you aren’t sure about the existence of hellebore in the garden, or if you have any plants you are unsure of, show a picture to knowledgeable folks at a greenhouse or nursery....

What’s Wrong with My Horse Chestnut? Like many types of trees, diseases of horse chestnut trees may arise due to insect pressure, stress, or less than ideal growing conditions. The severity of horse chestnut diseases may vary greatly depending upon the cause. By familiarizing themselves with signs and symptoms of decline in tree health, growers are better able to treat and prevent disease of horse chestnut trees. Horse Chestnut Leaf Blight One of the most common diseases of horse chestnut trees is leaf blight....

Is Fire Good for Soil? The first questions to ask: what is the effect of fire on soil? Is fire good for soil? Generally, the answer is no, the effects of forest fire can be devastating for soil. Fire can be good for forests, wildlife, and vegetation if it does not get out of hand. Prescribed burns help to maintain wildlife habitat for both game and non-game species, especially if some sections are left unburned to provide nesting areas....

How to Start a Gardenia from a Cutting Propagating gardenias from cuttings starts with getting the gardenia cuttings. The cutting should be at least 5 inches (12.5 cm.) long and taken from the tip of the branch. Ideally, they will be softwood (green wood). The next step in starting gardenias from cuttings involves removing the lower leaves. Take all the leaves off the cutting except for the top two sets. After this, prepare a pot to root the gardenia cutting in....

What is Indian Rosewood? Before you decide to plant Indian rosewood trees, you might ask: what is Indian rosewood? It’s a tree native to the Indian subcontinent. Its scientific name is Dalbergia sissoo, and it’s rich in common names too, including Dalbergia, Himalaya raintree, and penny leaf tree. Dalbergia sissoo information tells us that rosewoods are attractive deciduous trees growing vigorously to some 60 feet (20 m.) tall and 40 feet (12 m....

What Is Lasagna Planting? Lasagna planting means planting layers of early, mid, and late spring blooming bulbs on top of each other. One benefit of growing bulbs in containers is that you can plant them later than you would in the garden. You don’t have to worry about the ground freezing and if the weather gets too cold, you can always store pots indoors. To get started all you need are your favorite bulbs, potting soil, and a pot....