Archive
August:
Question
and Answer, Kiwi
Q. About 10 years ago, I purchased four hardy
kiwi plants that were supposed to be three female and one male. They have
grown very well -- but no fruit!
Question and Answer, Persimmons
Q. A friend gave me two trees about 8 years ago, and
they have grown very well -- but no fruit! I check every year for blossoms,
but I don't think I see any. I don't understand the "birds and bees"
of these plants.
Not
too Late to Plant Your Halloween Pumpkin
It may seem a bit late to be planting Halloween jack-o'-lanterns,
but there's still time to plant if you get growing quickly. The key will
be to choose a cultivar with a relatively low number of days to maturity
when planted from seed.
Anthracnose
of Cucumber
These leaf spots on cucumber are the symptoms of anthracnose,
caused by the plant pathogenic fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare.
The round, tan lesions are 2-10 mm in diameter, and often develop holes
or cracks in the center. Lesions can form on leaf blades, petioles, stems
and fruit. The spore-bearing structures (acervuli) of the causal fungus
are found in the necrotic lesions.
Give
Asparagus and Rhubarb a Break
Asparagus and rhubarb may be the earliest garden crops
to be harvested, but may also be the first crops to stop harvesting as
well. Because of their perennial nature, asparagus and rhubarb must be
given a chance to rebuild food reserves so that a bumper crop can be produced
again next year.
Brown
Rot of Stone Fruits
Brown rot of cherry is caused by the fungus, Monilinia
fructicola. Other stone fruits such as apricot, peach, nectarine,
and plum are also susceptible. Although symptoms first appear during bloom,
the most noticeable symptom is rotting fruit, with light brown tufts of
fungal spores. Diseased fruit fall to the ground or remain attached to
the tree as mummies (dried shriveled fruit). The disease is most damaging
when wet weather occurs during bloom and during the fruit-ripening period.
Hot
Weather Tough on Plants and Gardeners
Sultry summer weather is not only tough on gardeners
but on our plants as well. In addition to garden and landscape plants
gasping for water, some vegetable crops have trouble producing when under
stress.
|
Garden Flowers 
