Q: After logging in, I'm trying to post a picture of my angel body. All the leaves have fallen and something that looks like white mold has started to form. A stem has put on new leaves and "rotted" and now the new leaves fall off. Can you give me advice?
A: Wow, that's a fascinating demonstration of what a large-scale invasion looks like: an insect attaching itself to a plant and sucking its sap. Cut the area where the plant has a lot of cover and remove the cuttings. If you have one, move the plant into your garage. You want to make it as cold as possible without freezing too hard. Brugmansia (angel's trumpet) can survive a light frost, but the plant freezes to the ground and grows from the roots. It won't be good outside now that I'm inside. But at home, in a warm house, insects gather very quickly. On a hot day, take the plant outside and spray it with neem or neem oil, covering the entire plant to repel insects. You can also find houseplants that contain fertilizers and pesticides, which will help you too. Check the new growth to make sure it is clean. Also check nearby houseplants as scale can attack different plants.
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Q: My sweet olives look amazing [send reader a photo]. The leaves have turned an ugly gray/brown and are now all falling off. I hope it has something to do with the weather.
Answer: Many plants look amazing like sweet olive, ropetalum, rosemary, azalea, gardenia, etc. It was the lowest temperature in December and the blanket didn't help. For now, try to ignore it. If you wait now, you will cause more damage to the plant. Summer has just begun, and who knows what we'll get? Let's hope that the last severe cold does not happen again, but until spring to assess what died and what burned, so that all the plants remain healthy.
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Q: I was hoping to see some damage to my plants because I know they can be damaged by cold weather, but you'll have to see my point. I don't freeze them to death and they look great. Although there was 15 centimeters of snow that year, they were able to ride. Is there a way to get it back or do I have to take it out now? I won't have any color this summer.
Answer : Again, you are not alone. My idea is too sharp, but some may go along with it. Broccoli and cabbage disappeared long ago. We were colder than usual and the cold lasted for several days. Snow is actually a good insulator and protects plants, which is why they survive. Many gardeners may be looking for a quick burst of color as we head into spring, but don't plant heat-loving annuals until April.
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Q: We bought a new lakefront home this year and the previous owners planted bradfords in the yard. They are beautiful trees, but they block our view of the lake. How much can you prune to get a better view of the water without killing the branches? And when do I do it?
A: I know many gardeners love Bradford pears for their spring flowers and red color, but they are not my favorite trees because birds eat the fruit and drop the seeds everywhere. Now there are gems with seeds that cover our situation. I will remove them and plant something else. To answer your question, if it collapses it will not kill the tree, but it may be structurally inappropriate and unattractive. Bradford pears are prized for their perfect teardrop shape. This shape alone makes it very heavy and therefore prone to storms. Removing them makes the surface hard and can spoil their shape, resulting in vegetable ulcers.
After working for the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service for 38 years, Janet Carson has become one of Arkansas' most prominent horticulturists. Her blog is at aarkansasonline.com/planitjanet . Write him at PO Box 2221, Little Rock, AR 72203 or email him at jcarson@arkansasonline.com
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