When fig leaves start looking sad in late summer we get a lot of questions about what can be done. Figs are susceptible to a fungal disease called Fig Rust and it is not uncommon to see symptoms of this fungus on stressed trees. Fig Rust symptoms begin as angular yellow-green flecks on the leaf. The spots become more yellow and eventually turn a yellowish brown. On the underside of the leaf the spots appear as small blisters from [...]
Webs Forming at Tips of Tree Branches Has anyone seen tips of tree branches that are covered in spider webs? We have! Ground spiders will often form disorganized webs at the tips of tree branches and raise their brood of thousands of tiny spiders there. Fortunately most of these webs are made by these harmless and beneficial spiders, and not by pests at all. This web was made by a spider on a leaf of a young Live Oak. We have seen examples [...]
Have you ever opened a bag of mulch, compost or potting soil only to find it is infested with white mold? Or have you found a white moldy substance growing on or below the mulch in your yard? If you see this, don't worry. It is just a harmful saprophytic fungus busy at work decomposing organic matter in the mulch or soil. It is not harmful to you or your plants, but some find it unsightly. A light raking of the mulch will help aerate and dry out the fungus. [...]
PECANS: Mix early and late pollinators for best nut set. All varieties do better with a pollinator. Mature height and canopy width of 30 x 30 ft. Remember, Pecan trees do best in deep soil. If planted in the home lawn always check labels on insecticides, fungicides and herbicides before applying them to the lawn. If the label says "do not apply under the canopy of fruit or nut trees" use another option Choctaw (Cho)– Late pollinating variety with very large nuts and soft-shell. Early bearing variety with good [...]
We've had a lot of samples of Texas Persimmon brought into the nursery lately with Lace Bug infestations. The leaves appear "mottled" from the insects feeding with their sucking mouthparts. The undersides of the leaves will have little black "dots" which are the insect's excrement. This insect is tiny but visible to the naked eye. It is named for the lacey appearance of its wings. It may be helpful to know that this insect is also a pest on Bur Oak and Lantana in Central Texas. Keep an eye [...]
First, I'd like to say how sorry I am if your garden and landscape was damage by hail. While it is a fairly common occurrence in Central Texas, that doesn't make it any easier to take when one day you have a beautiful garden/yard and the next it is shredded. Assess the damage The first thing that you should do is to assess the damage. Since hail storms often involve high winds, inspect trees for any damaged or broken limbs and locate any plants or trees whose stems were broken [...]
Gardening in the shade, or even part shade can be challenging at times. While this list is a compilation of plants that do well in "dappled" shade, I have included a few that will tolerate a few hours of morning sun and even a few that will tolerate sun "or" shade. Please read the descriptions carefully to determine which will work best in the amount of shade that you are planting in. Pay attention to the "summer sun" conditions where you are planting for best results. Chinese Ground Orchid Bletilla [...]
Tomatoes are susceptible to a variety of fungal leaf spot diseases. Proper cultural methods go a long way in preventing them. Septoria leaf spot usually shows up on the lower leaves after the fruit has begun to set. Removal of the lower leaves as the plant grows so that splashing water will not spread the disease is recommended. The fungus overwinters on plant debris or on any plant in the Nightshade family. It can also survive on tomato cages and [...]
This tender perennial is native to the tropics and sub-tropics of the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australia. I have found various Zones applied to it, with 8b and 9 the most common. I would believe that it could be root-hardy to 20°F if established in the ground in a protected location. It lends itself to container growing as well, and can do well in a sunny window in the winter. Flowering Maples do best in filtered shade, dappled shade or part shade in Central Texas. I would definitely [...]
It has always been easier for me to learn from watching someone prune something than reading a description or looking at photos. We have found an excellent video from the folks at Texas A&M University for you to watch HERE.
What is that white "fuzz" on my Mexican Petunia? The first thing you should check for is mealy bugs. They are known to infest Ruellia and can be difficult to control. If you do find mealy bugs on your Ruellia it is best to trim the plants back hard, bag the clippings and seal the bags before disposing them. If the temperatures are between 45°-85°F you can spray them will All Seasons Oil after new growth appears. Consult labels on other products to [...]
Grow Cilantro from Seed Cilantro is a cool-season crop that grows best when the temperatures are between 50° and 85°F. In Central Texas we can begin seeding Cilantro into our gardens in September/October for a November/December harvest and again in February for an April harvest. Cilantro tends to “bolt”, or flower, in hot temperatures, after which it becomes bitter. Try to plant early enough in the spring to get a harvest before the real heat arrives. Cilantro may be grown in beds in the ground in a well-drained, somewhat fertile [...]
