DDG Gardener

RE: mimosa or silk tree (The Desert Gardener)

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:52:52 GMT

Mark:

Thanks for your question. We've had a few other folks ask about similar problems with their mimosa trees. You may want to check out those responses first and let us know if those suggestions help:

http://grapher.lvvwd.com/WB/default.asp?action=9&read=914&fid=102&BoardID=2&style=Inline

http://grapher.lvvwd.com/WB/default.asp?action=9&read=944&fid=102&BoardID=2#1736

Thanks!

RE: trying to go organic (The Desert Gardener)

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:43:48 GMT

Sorry for the delayed response. We have been researching this for you, but don't have much to report.

We found no reference to corn meal controlling fungus diseases. All references are on weed control. You can find Corn Gluten in 25 pound bags at Grow Well, (702)683-8786. You will not find it sold as corn meal.

Hope that helps!

mimosa or silk tree (Mark Antonuccio)

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:52:44 GMT

We have a multi-trunk mimosa. Its about 4 year old. It is beautiful, or I should say, was beautiful.
About a month ago I noticed the leaves and branches drooping, and the canopy appears to be thinning.
The leaves are beginning to yellow.

Its on the same watering pattern it has always been. There are a variety of plants at its base and out and beyond its canopy.
I think the water is fine, but I think it may be have a disease.
I don't see any bore holes ,and no sap oozing from the tree, or at least not yet.

I've read about a fungus or wilting disease .

Is there anything I can do to save the tree.?
I've tried to treat it with anti fungus remedies.

It seems to be getting worse.

If I gave the tree and extra long soaking, would that help, just to push out all the possible accumulated salts in the soil?

I'v already tried anti fungal treatment.

trying to go organic (Heidi Sullivan)

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:42:50 GMT

Hi there, I have a St Augustine palmetto lawn that has some brown patches that I believe are fungal. I have been searching for horticultural corn meal and am coming up empty handed. Do you know a supplier for 20-50# bags of whole ground corn meal anywhere in the valley?

RE: Dwarf Fruit Trees (The Desert Gardener)

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:12:49 GMT

Your trees are still too young. It can take up to 10 years for your trees to get into full production. You will get a few along the way, but your harvest is still yet to come. In the meantime, your tree is developing a strong structure for when that time happens. So be patient and keep doing what you're doing!

Good luck!

RE: Big footed bugs (The Desert Gardener)

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:40:41 GMT

This bug is what we call the leaf-footed plant bug. Pay close attention to the hind legs and you will see the miniature leaves on them. They are hard to kill. They take their long snouts and poke up in the flower end of the pomegranate and feed on developing fruit. When you go to harvest the fruit, it is this bug that causes the damage. Later, the injured fruit ferments and draws other insects.

Spray them with insecticidal soap or neem oil early in the morning to avoid damaging the plants. These are organic products. Then keep an eye out looking to see if you have others still hanging around.

I hope that helps. Thanks for your question.

RE: Non blooming perennials (The Desert Gardener)

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:56:27 GMT

Steve, thanks for your question. Unfortunately, we don't have a lot of familiarity with the plant you mention, as the conditions in Missouri are drastically different than here in the Mojave Desert.

You may want to consult with a nursery or university in your region.

Sorry we couldn't help out. Good luck!

Dwarf Fruit Trees (Shane Bean)

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:47:19 GMT

I'm hoping someone can give me some help. I started planting dwarf citrus trees in my backyard about 3-4 years ago. I have 1 grapefruit, 1 lemon, and 2 orange trees. Since planting, they have grown like crazy and get big, beautiful green leaves on them, but no fruit. The trunk on the grapefruit in as big as baseball at the bottom now, and 3 of the 4 get huge shoots growing all summer long. One of the orange trees had an orange when I planted it and no more since in 2 years. What do I need to do to get them to bear fruit? Help!

Big footed bugs (Dave Smith)

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:01:23 GMT

Not sure if that is what they are called but they are all over my pomegranite tree. They fly so hard to spray. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Non blooming perennials (Steve Hill)

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:32:50 GMT

I've had a peach leaf bellflower for several years now that has never bloomed. It gets bigger every year and looks healthy ... but no blooms. Just thsi spring I have planted starts opf cup and saucer plant, and potentilla that have never bllomed yet either. They get seemingly good sun and I try to keep them watered well. I know the latter ones are biennilas but were big enough I would have thought they would bllom or at least show signs of starting by now. They've been in the ground since late April. I live in Southwest Missouri and had a lot of mid to upper nineties earlier than usual buyt is cooler now. What is wrong? Purple conflowers and columbine , peonies have bloomed and are blooming well.

Also having trouble with squash and cucumbers blooming but setting little to no fruit. Any ideas here as well? Any suggestions?

Thanks for any help you can offer.