Downy mildew (Peronospora parasitica) on Brassica oleracea Ⓒ Clemson University – USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, www.insects.org. Downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) on cucumber. Severe defoliation of cucumber caused by infection from downy mildew. Fruits are not infected, but those that form are small and do not ripen properly. Ⓒ Courtesy EcoPort (http://www.ecoport.org): Denis Persley and … Read more
As you peer over your zucchini or rose leaves you notice white spots. Hmm. Weird you think. A few days later the whole leaf looks white and more and more of them are covered in spots. You have powdery mildew. Well, your plant has it actually. Heres how to identify, treat and prevent powdery mildew. … Read more
Slugs are the bane of gardeners’ lives, regularly topping surveys of garden pests. They munch the new growth of precious plants, demolish seedlings overnight and munch irregularly-shaped holes in leaves, stems, flowers, tubers and bulbs and potatoes, leaving their silvery slime trails behind. Slugs are active for most of the year but are a particular … Read more
4 June 2015, written by Barbara Pleasant Like most gardeners, I first became acquainted with earwigs (Forficula auricularia) when I moved a big clay pot and saw them scurry away from their snug spot beneath it. They were not a problem that year, or in many seasons since, but this year is different. Last week … Read more
The Baobab is undoubtedly one of the best-known tropical trees. Perhaps even the most famous. With its proud bottle tree silhouette overlooking the savannah, it is a symbol of sub-Saharan Africa and part of our common imagination. Exceptionally long-lived, drought-resistant and full of medicinal virtues, it is at the heart of many African cultures. We … Read more
Baobabs – like many other plants – propagate from a seed that is tiny for their size. This is the usual way and easy for plant lovers to germinate their own little baobab tree. But there is at least one other way to get two or even more additional baobabs from one baobab. With a … Read more
Baobabs are giants and can grow to 1000 years of age and more under normal conditions. Thus they belong to the oldest and largest flowering trees on Earth. Baobabs do not count as endangered species – but competition rises in their habitats, particularly with respect to arable land for agricultural production. The adventure of life … Read more
The days are getting longer and my baobabs enjoy the sunshine on their windowsill in the living room. More daylight and the warmth bring out fresh green baobab leaves. Little tips appear at the ends of the branches. However, it can take a while until the leaves unfold fully. The iconic baobab tree, with its … Read more
The baobab tree, with its massive trunk and far-reaching canopy, makes a striking addition to any landscape But beyond its aesthetic appeal, the baobab is rich in symbolic meaning For those interested in feng shui principles, the baobab has attributes that make it well-suited for certain areas of the home or garden. Incorporating a baobab … Read more
Order: Hemiptera (TrueBugs)Family: Psyllidae, TriozidaeCommon Names: Plant Lice, Jumping Plant Lice, Lerps, Lerp Psyllid, Gall Psyllid, Lilly Pilly Psyllid Psyllids are tiny sap-sucking insects that feed on the nutrient rich liquids inside leaves and transport tissues (xylem & phloem). Most species of psyllid will only feed on one specific host plant, however some species are … Read more