Citrus Leaf Curl in March: Likely Leafminer, Not Disease—Organic Management Tips

Situation A 2-year-old lemon tree in Florida is blooming heavily but shows considerable leaf curl. Owner asks whether to spray now or wait until fruit set. Diagnosis The leaf curl is almost certainly citrus leafminer (Ph

Plum Tree Slow Growth and Pinkish Leaves: Soil Testing Before Fertilizing

Case Details A 2-year-old Sultan plum in sandy/silty, well-drained soil (New Zealand) shows poor vigor, pinkish leaves, and minimal new growth after a decent crop. Owner suspects nutrient deficiency. Expert Advice Do not

White Powder on African Violet Leaves: Mealybugs, Not Fungus—Easy Fix with Neem Oil

Common Misdiagnosis An African violet owner sees white fuzzy spots on leaves and assumes fungus. In most cases, these are mealybugs—slow, cottony insects that cluster on leaf undersides and stems, often mistaken for mild

Bicolored Gala Apple: Genetic Mutation Causes Half-Red, Half-Green Fruit

Gala apple showing distinct half-red, half-green coloration Observation A quality assurance supervisor in fruit distribution finds Gala apples split perfectly down the middle—one half typical red, the other green. She s

Reviving a Stressed Norfolk Island Pine: Root-Bound, Pale, and Spider Mite Concerns

Norfolk Island Pine showing pale foliage and brown stems Case Summary A 6–7 year old Norfolk Island Pine in Melbourne, Australia, has pale foliage, brown stems progressing from trunk to tips, and tiny shiny black spider

Rows of Holes in Holly Trunk: Sapsucker Woodpecker Damage and Management

Symptoms A 30-year-old, 20–25 ft holly shows girdling rows of holes about 6 ft up the trunk. Holes are enlarging. Owner wonders if its a woodpecker and whether to intervene. Cause: Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker The neatly spa

Green Moss-Like Growth on Pomegranate Twigs: Harmless Lichens, Not Disease

Observation A hobbyist in Lebanon notices green, moss-like, easily removable coatings on pomegranate twigs in March. No insects are visible. The growth resembles olive knot but is green and shallow. Identification These

Sudden Decline of East Palatka Hollies: Look Beyond Spider Mites

Situation Nineteen East Palatka hollies planted a year ago as a privacy screen are rapidly dying—two brown within a month, others yellowing with curled new growth. A TruGreen specialist and landscaper are stumped; spider

White Balls on Medinilla Buds: Mealybugs or Fungus? Identification and Treatment

Reader Question A Medinilla plant from a garden center develops small, match-head-sized white balls on its flower buds. The owner suspects fungus and asks for treatment advice. Expert Insight The description strongly sug

Troubleshooting Yellowing Yew After Transplant: Root Rot vs. Environmental Stress

Case Overview A gardener transplanted two yew trees eight months ago. One thrives; the other yellows and drops needles. The struggling tree was planted in the same potting mix, which had white mold near the bottom of the

Diagnosing and Treating Avocado Leaf Drying and Root Rot in Container-Grown Trees

Avocado leaves showing drying symptoms Understanding the Problem A gardener in Croatia reports an avocado tree grown from seed that is developing dry, yellowing leaves with brown spots spreading from the leaf tips. The

Viburnum Leaf Beetle Devastating Snowball Bushes

Carries snowball bushes have lace-like leaves from insect feeding. Jen suspects viburnum leaf beetle, common in Ohio. Identification & Control Check leaf undersides for larvae/adults. Confirm using OSU fact sheet and O

Globe Willow Bark Cracking: Root Rot Diagnosis

A young globe willow (4–5 ft) planted last year shows cracking bark on the trunk, branch tips turning brown last fall, and new growth only at the base. The owner wonders if its normal and whether to invoke the purchase g

Controlling Mealybugs and Caterpillars on Lemon Tree

B. Bhowmiks lemon tree suffers recurring mealybugs (white insects with sticky honeydew attracting ants) and green caterpillars (likely moth larvae) destroying young leaves and preventing fruit set. Integrated Approach

Scale Insects on Pothos Cuttings: Identification and Control

Julies water-rooted pothos cuttings developed hard, brown, wart-like bumps on the stems while roots grew normally. Melissa identified these as scale insects—immobile pests protected by a hard covering. Effective Treatme

Red Spots on Amaryllis Leaves: Fungal Infection and Recovery

Andres amaryllis, a gift from his mothers boyfriend, returned each spring but this year showed red spots on the leaves. Melissa identified it as a red amaryllis with a severe fungal infection. Treatment Plan Apply a st

Spongy Wood in Magnolia: Decay and Management

A 25-foot magnolia has an 8-inch diameter area of spongy, light-colored wood around an old pruning wound, extending 6 inches deep. The limb is swollen; a nearby wound is solid. The owner asks if the tree can be saved. D

Timing Fungicide Applications for Apple Scab in Unusual Weather

An arborist in Michigan faces an early warm spell (70–80°F in March) with apple scab already active. Past June and September sprays caused temporary leaf droop. With many new clients, he needs to prioritize sites and und

Foxtail Palm Decline in Coastal Puerto Rico

Saddias three-year-old foxtail palms, planted 200 feet from the ocean, suddenly showed browning leaves and brown-tipped new growth. Despite heavy rains and a previous tropical storm, the palms had been healthy until now.

Replacing a Star Magnolia Lost to Wilt: Dogwood or Redbud?

Sues 20-foot star magnolia declined rapidly—losing leaves branch by branch until only one limb flowered the following spring. Suspecting verticillium wilt, she asked whether a Cornus kousa (Korean dogwood) or a redbud wo