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August 24, 2006 Hortiscope
Q: The bark is coming off my honey locust tree. The tree seems to be rotting and has small holes in it. There are some ants on it by the holes. Can you tell me what’s wrong and what I should do? (e-mail reference)
Q: I have a question about my potatoes. I have one plant with three small "fruits" the size of cherry tomatoes. What are they? (e-mail reference)
Q: Is your publication, "Amaryllis Care in the Home," available for download? If not, how can I get a copy? (e-mail reference)
Q: I had a client bring me a poplar tree sample. The leaves turn brown and leathery before falling off. The infected leaves start to yellow from the outside edge. When you cut open the ball on the leaf, it is full of little bugs in various stages of life. The mature bugs have wings and look like green fruit flies. Any information on what these bugs are and how to control them would be great. (e-mail reference)
Q: I have a silver maple that is having problems. The tree is about 18 years old. This spring, it put out a huge number of seeds (it never had seeds before), which I understand is not a good thing. Many of the inner leaves started to wither and die. Any idea what this is and if I need to be concerned? (e-mail reference)
Q: I have hydrangea bushes that have a white, fungus-type disease growing on the bark. It is brilliant white in color and clustered over the bark. Any ideas? (e-mail reference)
Q: We have a few stalks of lucky bamboo in our house. The stalks have grown a little out of control. How do I prune them without killing the bamboo? Can I replant the trimmed stalks? The plant is in water. Any help will be appreciated. (e-mail reference)
Q: I had your Hortiscope column Web site on my favorites list, but I have been unable to access the page recently. Is the problem on my end or did your Web address change? (e-mail reference)
Q: I am very happy to have found your Web site because it has all sorts of great information. I purchased a bird's nest fern as a houseplant. I replanted it in organic potting soil the day I bought it and fertilized it once (I've had it about a month now). It is miserable. Its color is fading and a few of the leaves look burned on the edges. The plant has not grown (I can see a new leaf ready to unfurl at the inside base, but it is completely dormant). I'm almost sure it is salt-burned because salt residue comes out the base of the terra cotta pot when I water, but I don't know how to remedy that. Also, I'm unsure of how much light it requires. I have it in a medium (no direct sun) setting. (e-mail reference)
Q: The leaves on several of my trees are falling off. It seems like there are webs on them, with little aphids or bugs. What can I use to spray the trees? Are they in danger of dying? (Binford, N.D.)
Q: I planted a white ash last September. This summer, numerous shoots grew and circled the base of the tree. I assume the shoots are coming off the rootball. Should I trim these back or is this a part of the growing process? Could this be an indication that the tree has a problem? The leaves on the shoots are larger than the leaves on the branches. Thank you for your help and your Web site is very informative. (Dickinson, N.D.)
Q: I have lots of black oak trees. When the wind blows fairly strongly, small clumps of leaves from the end of the branches break off and litter the yard. The branches are hollow, so I cut a branch to inspect it and found a worm inside. What type of worm is this and can I do anything to prevent the problem? (Berwick, N.D.)
Q: I have three evergreen trees bushes or shrubs (I don't know what to call them) close to the house. They were here when we bought the house 25 years ago. Two have flat, soft needle formations spread out, such as a hand. The trees are producing some sort of seed on their sunny side. The other tree has short, spike needles and small, dark-blue berries. It also is bare on the side next to the house. One tree has grown taller than the eaves, so I want to trim it. Can this be done in the heat of the summer or should I wait until fall or spring? (Williston, N.D.)
Q: About a year ago, you really helped us with a lawn problem. Now we have a problem with a mountain ash tree. We have two trees in our front yard. One is fine, but the leaves on the other tree have started turning yellow and the tops of the leaves look rusty. Any help would be greatly appreciated. (Tioga, N.D.)
Q: Many of the leaves on my tomato plants began to yellow and the green tomatoes that were emerging began splitting on the bottom. The tomatoes were smaller than golf balls when this began happening. It appears that new fruit also is affected. We recently had heavy rains, so I am wondering if that might have something to do with it. (e-mail reference)
Q: Due to the dry conditions, I have been watering my garden more than usual, but the water is high in sodium. It seems as though my plants reach a point where they stalemate. I'm assuming it’s from the high sodium in the water. What, if anything, can I fertilize with or put on my garden to counteract the sodium problem? (Kensal, N.D.)
Q: Is it a good idea to fertilize tomatoes as they set fruit or will it result in more foliage? The plants are huge and look healthy. Also, my neighbor has a plum tree that is sending up many shoots in my yard. If I spray them, will it damage her tree? If not, what should I use? They are a real nuisance! Thanks for your advice. I enjoy your column and find it helpful. (Fargo, N.D.)
### Source: Ron
Smith, (701) 231-8161, ronsmith@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
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