Squash Bug Identification & Damage Squash bug identification is relatively easy to recognize. The adult bugs are approximately 5/8 inches (2 cm.) long, have wings, and are brownish black in color with some gray mottling. When crushed, they will give off an undeniably foul odor as well. The nymphs are usually a white to greenish gray color and have no wings, though they do have legs. On average it takes about four to six weeks for them to mature into adult squash bugs....

How to Root Trumpet Vine Cuttings Propagating trumpet vine cuttings can be done any time of year, as the vines root readily. However, starting trumpet vine cuttings tends to be most effective in spring when stems are tender and flexible. Prepare a planting container ahead of time. A small pot is fine for one or two cuttings, or use a larger container or a planting tray if you plan to start several cuttings....

What is Sugar Apple Fruit? Sugar apples (Annona squamosa) are the fruit of one of the most commonly grown Annona trees. Depending upon where you find them, they go by a plethora of names, amongst them include sweetsop, custard apple, and the apropos scaly custard apple. The sugar apple tree varies in height from 10-20 feet (3-6 m.) with an open habit of irregular, zigzagging twigs. Foliage is alternate, dull green on top and pale green on the underside....

About Sugar Daddy Pea Plants Sugar Daddy peas have a lot going for them. They are bush vine peas that grow fast and furiously. In two short months, the plants are laden with tightly packed pods at every node. Before you grow Sugar Daddy peas, you’ll want to know the type of garden space you are committing. The plants grow to 24 inches (61 cm.) tall, and each tender, curved pod is about 3 inches (8 cm....

Suggestions for Ground Cover for Shade There are some great ground covers for shade. Below are some common suggestions to consider. Hosta – One of the most popular shade ground covers is the hostas. Hosta plants are a great ground cover for shade that can handle shade so long as the soil is well-drained. They look good in foundation gardens, but they also look good when well placed around trees. Periwinkle – If you have a hilly area around some trees, such as on the bank between your yard and your neighbor’s, you can plant something like periwinkle....

Vines for Southwest states must be able to grow happily through the dry, hot summers of the region. If you are wondering about Southwest region vines, read on for information. About Southwestern Vines Vines are useful and attractive additions to any backyard. Vines in the Southwest can help you beat the heat that comes with the region’s bright sunshine and dry summers. A vine covering an arbor provides quick, attractive shade in patios....

What are Thinning Cuts? Pruning is generally the cutting away of malicious wood to increase airflow and bud formation. It is also used to remove dead wood and remove problem stems and branches. But what are thinning cuts? This is the selective removal of certain branches back to the branch collar to open the canopy but preserve the appearance of the tree. It doesn’t change the overall shape of the tree, but thinning tree branches does increase air circulation and light....

About GazaniaTreasure Flowers Care of Gazania flowers is limited and often non-existent if you have neither the time nor the inclination to care for them. Botanically called Gazania rigens, treasure flowers is a more common name. The plant is often referred to as the African daisy (though not to be confused with Osteospermum African daisies). The South African native often trails along the ground. In areas where it is hardy, landscapers use this plant in combination with other low growers as an ornamental ground cover to edge lawns or even replace parts of them....

What is the Wishbone Flower? If you’ve never grown this plant, you may wonder, “What is the wishbone flower?” A bushy annual, the Torenia wishbone flower is a great choice for borders, with wishbone-shaped stamens and flowers in multiple, bi-color shades. Blooms begin in late spring to early summer and continue until frost. Reaching 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) in height, pinching back new growth on top encourages the small, shrub-like appearance of the plant....

Why are My Beans Tough and Stringy? Some beans are referred to as string beans, as they have a string that is often removed prior to cooking, lest the beans are too fibrous to eat. All beans are at their peak when freshly picked with tender young pods. One reason beans are fibrous, tough, and stringy may simply be that they are picked past their prime. Pod diameter, NOT length is the best indicator for harvesting beans, and freshness can be confirmed by an audible snap when the bean is broken....

Low Maintenance Perennial Plants Asters – Various species of aster are among the best perennial flowers for late season color in the ornamental garden. Highly attractive to bees each fall, autumn blooming asters are sure to offer growers a vibrant burst of color that lasts until the arrival of the first frost. Those in search of drought tolerant perennials will also appreciate aster’s ability to withstand difficult growing conditions, including poor soil....

How To Grow A Mexican Bay Mexican bay leaf growing is easy in well-drained soil and full or filtered sunlight. It is also suitable for growing in large containers and growth tends to be slower than in the ground. Be sure the container has a drainage hole in the bottom. Grow Mexican bay leaf trees in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 11. The trees tolerate short periods of frost, but not extended cold....

Dividing Lily Plants It doesn’t matter if they are Asiatic or Oriental; lilies bring serenity and beauty to any landscape. Most bulb flowers undergo a process called naturalization over time. This is when the plant produces more bulbs which grow and mature under the soil. The original bulbs will slowly fizzle out and either stop producing blooms or grow smaller flowers. As the newly formed bulbs get older, they will become the center of the action....

Common Broccoli Pests Insects enjoy eating broccoli plants almost as much as the people who grow them do. Here are some of the most common broccoli pests and tips for treating broccoli issues associated with them: Cabbage worms – These pests are the larvae of moths and butterflies. You may notice white or gray moths fluttering around the plant—a sure sign that you’ll soon have problems with their offspring. Cabbage worms cause serious damage by feeding on broccoli leaves....

What Causes Bacterial Leaf Spot of Pepper? The bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria causes bacterial leaf spot. It thrives in areas with hot summers and frequent rainfall. The bacterium is spread by plant debris in the soil and through infected seeds. Symptoms of Bacterial Leaf Spot Bacterial leaf spot causes lesions on the leaves that look as though they are soaked with water. These lesions normally begin on the lower leaves....

Is My Lantana Dying? Lantana plants are sun-loving plants with colorful flowers that undergo several hue changes as they mature. Many of the plants also produce bluish black fleshy fruits which can be poisonous in large quantities. If your lantana plant is drooping you may wonder, “is my lantana dying?” In most cases, the cause is easy to deduce and getting the plant back on track should just take a little time and TLC....

About Calamint Plants Calamint plants are thick stemmed, bushy herbs that spread from rhizomes like most mint plants. The leaves are heavily veined and highly textured, many sporting ridges and most with hairy or fuzzy foliage. Some types of calamint may be 4 to 24 inches (10-61 cm.) tall and bloom in mid to late summer with some varieties flowering in fall. Flowers are two-lipped slender tubes in hues that range from purple to red and into white and cream....

Nyctinastic Plant Info Tropism is a term that refers to plant movement in response to a growth stimulus, like when sunflowers turn to face the sun. Nyctinasty is a different type of plant movement that is related to night and day. It is not related to a stimulus, but is rather directed by the plant itself in a diurnal cycle. Most legumes, as an example, are nyctinastic, as they close their leaves up each evening and open them again in the morning....

Is Unbleaching Tree Bark Necessary? Sunscald is a common problem in home landscapes and orchards. Many tree growers paint the trunk with a latex based paint for sun bleach prevention, but where trees haven’t been treated the bark will lighten, dry and can crack. You can, however, darken bleached out trees’ bark and protect the plants from sunscald, moisture loss and even insects with paint or tree wrap. Usually, a light color is used to help prevent sunscald, but you can use any light color for the same effect....

Pollination is what produces seeds and fruits. It is the means by which a plant will eventually replicate itself, and a byproduct of that process gives us our melons, tomatoes, and other foods. So, it is crucial to include pollinator animals when planning a garden. Providing them with foods they need, boosts pollination and plant health. What is Animal Pollination? Outside of bees, other animals are part of pollination. Moths, flies, beetles, and other insects pollinate as they move among plants....