Search Results

Help....Gardenia is Sickly #858186

Asked January 31, 2024, 10:47 AM EST

Hello, I listened to your program yesterday about houseplants while I was driving and didn’t get to hear the entire broadcast. I have a question; I bought a Gardenia plant 3 years ago in the Spring and it has been doing very well. During the Summer I keep it outside and when the weather starts to cool I bring it inside it lives in a room that faces south but isn’t always too bright so I also use plant lights. The foliage has always been green and very healthy but there has never any buds or blossoms. Recently the leaves seem to droop but revive when I water it. Also, some of the leaves are turning yellow and dying and the green leaves are looking pale. There are also tiny “spider” webs on parts of the plant . I’ve used neem oil before when it got these webs but I hesitate to take the plant outside in the winter. I also use Miracid as a fertilizer during the growing season. The next few days are supposed to be “mild” (for northern Vermont) so perhaps I can take our lovely plant outside and give it a dose of neem oil…What do you think ? ALSO, do you have any advice on how I can coax her to bloom ?

Franklin County Vermont

Fruit trees #858154

Asked January 30, 2024, 6:47 PM EST

I am in Scio Oregon and have some fruit trees. I want to learn how to control the worms in the apples. Most of the trees are old huge apple trees. Do you have information on all the suggested treatments for plums, apples, and pears in this area?

Linn County Oregon

Ants and Meyer Lemon Tree #858142

Asked January 30, 2024, 4:27 PM EST

Hello, We have a dwarf Meyer Lemon in a 5 gallon pot and after lots of work, it still gets infested with ants (small sugar ants). I've re-potted it after shaking and removing nearly all dirt (and ants) and have planted mint as a companion to deter ants. We've also moved it to various places, greenhouse, yard, etc. to no avail. I even circled the pot with cinnamon (ants won't cross that spice) but of course with rain, it's less effective. Thanks for considering. My Name Here :-)

Lane County Oregon

Elm tree issue #858140

Asked January 30, 2024, 3:39 PM EST

I have a 100+ year old elm tree that came with my house which I bought 17 years ago. I have continued to have the tree pruned, cabled and inoculated for DED. When the leaves fell throughout late 2023-early 2024, roughly 80-90% look like they had insect damage. Is this a problem, concern, what should I do, etc.



Multnomah County Oregon

Is this insect a weevil and how can I eradicate it? #858085

Asked January 29, 2024, 8:06 PM EST

This past summer this insect suddenly took over my dahlias and zinnias. The were present on my squash/pumpkin flowers too, but did not seem to destroy them. Their numbers were so many they were literally dripping off my dahlias and destroyed the flowers. I tried soap and detergent and then Seven. The former did nothing, and the latter decreased their numbers for a very short times. The tubers came from Costco (just background info). Please give advise on anything I can do with/to the tubers this winter to avoid planting insect eggs, etc.



Kandiyohi County Minnesota

Dots from oak tree? #858082

Asked January 29, 2024, 7:34 PM EST

Hi. I park a car near an oak tree and I am wondering if the 1-3mm dots stuck all over my car are from the oak and what exactly they are. Photos of the dots and tree attached. I live in Northern California. Thanks!



Marin County California

Catapillar with eyes #858075

Asked January 29, 2024, 4:50 PM EST

What is this? Picture taken in Little Canada MN



Ramsey County Minnesota

Issue with trees #858068

Asked January 29, 2024, 3:53 PM EST

Hello, Can you help me with identifying what is causing the issues with the trees shown in the photo? I took these photos last July and found that they were insects living under the tree bark. Birds came in as you can see in one of the photos and were pecking at the bark thus getting to the bugs. I unfortunately know the type of tree but do know they are approx. 15-20 ft tall at maturity. Have a rounded canopy and deciduous leaves. I have attached a few photos below. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you, Allison



Wexford County Michigan

White Oak Tree Response to Lawn-Related Cultural Changes? #858066

Asked January 29, 2024, 3:35 PM EST

Regarding white oak trees that have grown up in a lawn area for 50+ years and have been irrigated and fertilized as such (to maximize lawn growth), how would they respond to a sudden stoppage of both irrigation (especially during the summer months) and fertilization for the foreseeable future? More specifically, how would white oak trees infected with Armillaria respond, and would they respond any differently than a healthy tree would? Thanks in advance!

Multnomah County Oregon

Bees in my bird feeder #858045

Asked January 29, 2024, 12:27 PM EST

Live in Philomath area in Benton County. Have been feeding sunflower chips in my hanging bird feeders. Late last week I saw (for the first time ever) my feeders being mobbed by dozens of what I think are some species of bee. The insects are fairly small (smaller than a yellow jacket) ; 1/2 - 3/4" long; not aggressive to me; have a bronze/brown "fur" tuft on their back; abdomen is yellowish with black bands. Insects appear to be "feeding" (both in the feeder feed cups and crawling inside of the feeder). During their "feeding" activity they kick out the largest sunflower chips. They continue until the feeders are completely empty (with a large pile of sunflower seeds/chips on the ground). I have also seen them (not as many) doing what looks like a feeding action on my mixed bird seed feeder. I am curious as to what type of "critter" this is and what it is doing, and any suggestions on how to keep them away from my hanging bird feeders.

Benton County Oregon

Raccoons and lawn destruction #858015

Asked January 28, 2024, 7:41 PM EST

This winter we have raccoon’s digging holes in our lawn, my research is telling me they are digging for grub worms. What is the best way to either kill grub worms without harming the raccoons or keep the raccoons away from our yard/lawn?

Marion County Oregon

Tiny white dots on phalaenopsis orchid leaf #857989

Asked January 28, 2024, 10:51 AM EST

Hello, I am not sure if you field questions about house plants but I have one that I am just not sure about. One of my phalaenopsis orchids has tiny (less than 1 mm), very white dots on its newest leaf. When I touch the dots I can't feel them but if I rub them with a tooth pick they are raised and firm/rough feeling. They do not rub off. The dots have a rather crisp margin. The leaf that is affected is very thin, the base of the leaf is almost getting a translucent quality. Overall I have dealt with very few house plant pests/disease (despite having nearly 100 house plants currently). But I have had experience previously with scale and spider mites. I am going to feel really stupid if this is something like mealy bugs but I keep looking for photos online and can't quite find anything that looks the same. I have attached a couple photos. The photo looks like the bigger leaves have a ton of white as well but that is being brought out by my camera, I actually had to double check the other leaves to make sure I didn't miss them.... they are there but hardly visible in person and the layout is very consistent on all the other leaves so I think those are just normal leaf variations. If you feel cutting a leaf and looking under a microscope would help I could do that and send photos. I don't have a super fancy/high powered microscope but I am a veterinarian and have one at work if that would be helpful. Thank you so much for any help you can give!



Clackamas County Oregon

Pea weevils #857980

Asked January 28, 2024, 12:13 AM EST

Do you have any advice for getting rid of a pea weevil infestation? They've been driving me buggy (hah) for about 8 years, every time I try to save my own seeds (and the idea of larvae in the peas we eat is squicking me out). Thank you for your help!



Polk County Oregon

When to rake leaves #857974

Asked January 27, 2024, 7:55 PM EST

On the advice of a master gardener friend I left my leaves on the ground this fall, and did not mow over them to mulch them. I also didn’t clean the dead stalks out of my gardens. I understand that many insects leave their eggs or over winter within leaves and garden debris. My question is, when do I clean them up? is it OK to mow them into mulch, this spring, and when is the best time to do it?

Howard County Maryland

Bark peeling off honey locust tree #857972

Asked January 27, 2024, 7:23 PM EST

The bark has started peeling off of my very large honey locust tree. It was last examined 10 months ago by an arborist and pruned, and all seemed to be fine, and it leafed out completely fine all last summer. But now the bark is peeling off in large chunks, and there’s a bit of sawdust at the bottom (though that may be from woodpeckers). What could be causing this and what should I do?



Denver County Colorado

Gardenia Help! #857971

Asked January 27, 2024, 7:07 PM EST

I bought a Gardenia plant 3 years ago in the Spring and it has been doing very well. During the Summer I keep it outside and when the weather starts to cool I bring it inside it lives in a room that faces south but isn’t always too bright so I also use plant lights. The foliage has always been green and very healthy but there has never any buds or blossoms. Recently the leaves seem to droop but revive when I water it. Also, some of the leaves are turning yellow and dying and the green leaves are looking pale. There are also tiny “spider” webs on parts of the plant . I’ve used neem oil before when it got these webs but I hesitate to take the plant outside in the winter. I also use Miracid as a fertilizer during the growing season. The next few days are supposed to be “mild” (for northern Vermont) so perhaps I can take our lovely plant outside and give it a dose of neem oil…What do you think ? ALSO, do you have any advice on how I can coax her to bloom

Franklin County Vermont

Can you please identify these bird mites? #857959

Asked January 27, 2024, 3:11 PM EST

Hi, Can you please identify these bird mites/species?



San Diego County California

What type of beetle is in my Douglas Fir tree? #857957

Asked January 27, 2024, 2:48 PM EST

The gentleman who aerated by lawn noted that our Douglas fir tree had bore holes on the northern side of it. He suggested we get some tack like pheromones to insert on that side of the tree to dissuade the beetles that may arrive in March. I have lost the name of the type of beetle he thought it might be. Wanted to order the pheromones in time to place them on my Douglas fir in my yard.

Marion County Oregon

insect outbreak #857954

Asked January 27, 2024, 2:40 PM EST

On some arugula plants that I brought into my greenhouse, I found an outbreak of tiny white insects. What are they? (they are stuck to a post-it note). Last image has a penny for size reference.



Baltimore County Maryland

Deer fencing #857871

Asked January 26, 2024, 7:46 AM EST

Hello, My husband and I are restoring a forest conservation area in our community and will plant 3 - 4 gal native trees (sassafras, river birch, paw-paw) in April. What should we get for deer fencing? Thanks!

Anne Arundel County Maryland

Natural, not harmful fruit tree pesticides #857819

Asked January 25, 2024, 2:16 PM EST

I have Apple and cherry trees on my property in Bend Oregon. Is there anyway to prevent the fruit maggots without applying harmful chemicals or killing beneficial insects? How do I keep my fruit organic and free of worms? I want to be very careful not to harm pollinators.

Deschutes County Oregon

Are these good insect cocoons? #857726

Asked January 23, 2024, 5:22 PM EST

Here are three pics today of similar cocoons in my yard. Are these beneficial insects? Or should I destroy them?



St. Mary's County Maryland

Dormant oil #857723

Asked January 23, 2024, 4:47 PM EST

In Mesa county when do I need to use dormant oil on my peach trees?


Also, do I need to use dormant oil on any other fruit trees?

Thank you

Kathy Hays

Mesa County Colorado

Snails on shrub #857716

Asked January 23, 2024, 3:07 PM EST

Before the snow arrived, I noticed that a limb of our Royal Star Magnolia had many small snails on it. Although there were a few snails on other parts of the tree, only that limb had a large number. I used a closed hand to remove the snails and have not noticed any since that time. The snails are about 1 mm in length and none appeared to be living. Are the snails harmful and do I need to do anything to prevent their reappearing?



Dorchester County Maryland

2 Espaliered Apple trees #857713

Asked January 23, 2024, 2:46 PM EST

We moved into a home with 2 espaliered apple trees. Last year there was little fruit. Not one apple was disease free. When is the best time to spray Dormant? For insects? For coddle moths? Best time to fertilize? Soil test

Clackamas County Oregon