The transplantation of the tomato seedlings is where one may run into a problem. Their susceptibility to temperature and light extremes often renders them vulnerable to white tomato leaves. Let’s explore this white leaf color on tomato plants. Why Do Tomato Leaves Turn White? If you’re unlucky enough to find a silver or white leaf color on your tomato plants, it is undoubtedly the result of either sun damage, cold vulnerability, or some sort of disease (most likely fungal)....

About Powdery Mildew Fungus of Lilac There’s nothing like the scent of lilac in the spring, but the amazing smell that reminds so many of us of our grandmother’s and their gardens often comes with tricky diseases like powdery mildew. If you see white powder on lilac leaves, it doesn’t mean your bush is at the end, but unless you correct the underlying cause, it can become a chronic condition that weakens your bush over time....

What Causes Powdery Mildew on Pepper Plants? Powdery mildew on pepper plants spreads primarily by wind, but also by splashing water. The disease is also transmitted by humans, and sometimes by insects such as aphids, thrips, and whiteflies. Certain weather conditions favor the disease, particularly weather fluctuations such as warm, dry days followed by cool, moist nights. Plant crowding is also a contributing factor, as is excessive use of high-nitrogen fertilizer....

Getting Rid of Weed Growth in Mulch Manual Mulch Weed Control Mulch acts as physical barrier against weeds, but it must block sunlight in order to be effective. If you notice weeds coming up in mulch, you may need to thicken the layer as blocking light generally requires at least 2 to 3 inches (5-7.6 cm.). Replenish mulch as it decomposes or blows away. How to Kill Weeds in Mulch with Herbicides Other than hand-pulling, mulch is probably the single most important means of weed control....

Do Magnets Help Plants Grow? Healthy plants are impossible without adequate intake of water and nutrients, and some studies show that magnetic exposure can enhance intake of these essential items. Why do plants react to magnets? Some of the explanation centers on a magnet’s ability to change molecules. This is an important characteristic when applied to heavily saline water. The earth’s magnetic field also has a powerful influence on all life on the planet – kind of like with the old-time gardening method of planting by the moon....

Attracting Ducks to Your Property Waterfowl management isn’t just something for which the National Parks Department is responsible. As good stewards of land, it is incumbent for us to aid in the regulation and provision of wild animals. Attracting ducks to your property may be for purposes of bird watching, hunting or simply as a distraction. No matter your goal, wild ducks in garden ponds are lively additions to the landscape and you can feel good about providing them with their food, water and housing needs....

Winter Savory Plant Info Winter savory (Satureja montana) is an herbaceous, perennial hardy to USDA zone 6 while summer savory is grown as an annual. The ancient Roman writer, Pliny, named the genus ‘Satureja,’ which is derived from the word “satyr,” a half goat and half man mythological being who reveled in all savory delights. It was these ancient Romans that introduced the herb to England around the time of Caesar’s reign....

Why are My Guava Leaves Yellow? Oftentimes, when a gardener reports yellowing guava leaves, it’s on a tree that’s being grown in a pot and overwintered indoors. Guava trees can’t really tolerate temperatures below freezing, which means that gardeners in most zones have to bring them inside for the colder months. This is the likeliest reason for yellow leaves on a guava tree – a combination of different light, water, and humidity....

Yellow Wax Cherokee Beans Cherokee wax beans produce five to six inch (12-15 cm.) long yellow pods from 18 inch (46 cm.) tall bean bushes. The beans are delicious whether eaten fresh, frozen, or canned. Cherokee wax bean plants are warm season annuals that are ready for harvest in a little more than 50 days after germination. They produce a generous crop of beans that keep coming for two weeks or more....

Zucchini Growing Problems Most gardeners have a good laugh at the size some of their zucchini fruit attain. It stops being so funny when the fruit is taking over your garden and you can’t seem to give the stuff away quick enough. That type of exuberant growth should be celebrated and lauded, and it would be sad if anything happened to stop the consistent march of produce. Unfortunately, some insects do plague the plant and jeopardize the harvest....

Diseases of Zucchini Plants Zucchini plants are one of the easiest vegetables to grow. Provided with full sun, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter worked into it, and water, courgettes will faithfully produce fruit all summer long. In fact, you may be giving it to friends and neighbors because the plant produces more than you can eat. The only things that can diminish this rampant growth are zucchini problems like insects and disease....

About the Zulu Prince Daisy Plant Also known as cape daisy and monarch of the veld, this is a truly stunning, regal flower. The flowers are classic daisy in shape, and about 3 to 4 inches (8-10 cm.) across. The petals are mostly white with rings of purple and orange close to the black center of the flower. Zulu Prince flowers grow up to 2 feet (61 cm.) tall with pretty silvery foliage....

How and When to Prune Abelia Cutting back abelia plants isn’t strictly necessary. If you want a hands-off approach to your shrub, that’s fine. However, an annual abelia pruning will go a long way toward keeping your plant compact and neat looking, especially if it’s had a hard winter. The best time for pruning glossy abelia shrubs is late winter or very early spring, before it’s started to grow. Glossy abelias produce flowers on new growth, so if you cut back anything after the growing season has started, you’re cheating yourself out of flowers....

Before asking what types of plants grow in acid soil, check your soil pH. A neutral soil can be treated with acid-producing materials to lower the pH enough to satisfy acidic soil flowers. If you live in an area where the soil is alkaline, it will probably be easier to grow your acid-loving plants in containers or raised beds. Acid Loving Plants – Shrubs Popular acid-loving plants include: Azaleas Rhododendrons Fothergillas Holly Gardenias...

In spite of their exotic appearance, growing an Aechmea bromeliad is actually very simple. Read on and learn how to grow Aechmea bromeliads. Aechmea Bromeliad Info These plants are epiphytic. In their natural environment they grow on trees, rocks, or other plants. Aechmea bromeliad care can be achieved by mimicking this environment or by growing in containers. The plants do well in a container filled with a potting mix that drains quickly, such as a combination of half commercial potting soil and half small bark chips....

Companion Planting with Agapanthus Once you know about plants that grow well with agapanthus, you can select agapanthus companion plants for your garden. The first thing to keep in mind is that companion plants for agapanthus must share the flower’s preferences for temperature, soil, and sun. Agapanthus thrives in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 11. This perennial can reach 5 feet (1.5 m.) tall, depending on variety, and looks most attractive grown in masses of color....

Amsonia Propagation Methods Amsonia propagation can be done by seed or division. However, seed germination can be slow and irregular and not all varieties of amsonia will produce replicas of the parent plant when propagated by seed. If you have a certain variety of amsonia which you want more of, propagation from division can ensure clones of the parent plant. Propagating Amsonia Seeds Like many perennials, amsonia seeds require a cool period or stratification in order to germinate....

Orchid Tree Info The Anacacho orchid tree is a member of the pea family and while some authorities claim it hails from the tropical and subtropical areas of India and China, south Texans claim it as their own. It is found growing wild there in two distinct locations: the Anacacho Mountains of Kinney County, Texas and a small area along the Devil’s River where this orchid tree is also known as Texas Plume....

Growing and Fertilizing Apricots Apricot trees can be grown in USDA zones 5 through 8, which includes most of the U.S. They are more susceptible to spring frost damage than peaches and nectarines, though, and may suffer from very hot summers. Apricots need full sun and well-drained soil, but they do not need pollinators. Most varieties are self-pollinating, so you can get away with growing just one tree. Fertilizing apricots is not always necessary....

About Mouse Tail Plants Mouse tail plants have extremely unusual, chocolate-colored flowers that are cylindrical and sit below the leaves with only little “tails” visible. When flowers bunch together, they give the appearance of a family of mice, hence the name. Leaves are arrow-shaped and a glossy, green color. Mice appear in very early spring and reach a mature height of just under 6 inches (15 cm.) with an interesting mat-forming habit....