Ponytail Palm Rot Recovery: Can It Regrow After Crown Rot?

Year-old ponytail palm developed white, soft leaf bases, 2 of 3 bulbs soft, plant limp after heat/humidity. Weekly watering. Removed all leaves; one bulb still solid. Diagnosis Soft, mushy bulbs with foul smell indicate

Dwarf Plum Powdery Mildew and Apricot Bacterial Spot

New dwarf plum shows white powder on leaf undersides with greenflies; new dwarf apricot has curling leaves with brown spots turning to holes on new shoots (30% affected). Plum Diagnosis White powder likely powdery milde

Elm Tree Bark Peeling: Normal Exfoliation or Pruning Stress?

Elm tree peeling bark in large sheets after substantial fall pruning; thin sheets, no chemicals, mulched base, no mower damage. Assessment Some elm species naturally exfoliate bark. Thin sheets with healthy canopy sugge

Sargent Crabapple Rust and Yellowing: Atomic Grow Treatment

3-year-old Sargent crabapple in Greeley, CO shows yellowing leaves and rust this year after being healthy. Recommendation Atomic Grow improves overall plant health, raises leaf Brix (sugar content), deterring pests and

Mechanical Bark Damage on Bramley Apple Tree: Old Injury, Slow Decay

Bramley apple tree base shows dark, cracked bark. Diagnosis Old mechanical injury (lawnmower, tools, equipment) allowing decay organisms entry. Rot is slow, progressive, irreversible. Management Prevent further injury.

Horned Oak Galls on Pin Oak: Serious but Manageable

Pin oak in Illinois covered top-to-bottom with 1-3.5 inch galls. Identification Horned oak galls caused by cynipid wasps. Two-year life cycle: wasps emerge May, lay eggs on leaf veins, mid-July emergence of smaller wasp

Coneflower Stem Damage: Caterpillar or Borer Activity

Coneflowers cut off 2 inches below flower with black line on stem; flowers hang from cut. Diagnosis Likely caterpillar or borer insect. Capture specimen for ID—check flowers at various times, especially evening. Take to

Tibouchina Decline: Container Size and Watering Issues

New Tibouchina in sunny location loses all flowers first week, now yellowing leaves despite moist soil. Diagnosis Yellow leaves usually indicate underwatering. Container may be too small—root-bound plants cant absorb en

Arborvitae Needle Drop: Mulch Heat Reflection and Watering Fix

Durham, NC arborvitae (planted 2004) dropping green needles after new mulch application during hot, dry period. Diagnosis 3 inches deep or piled on trunk also causes problems. Correction Remove non-organic mulch immedi

Whitefly Infestation on Crepe Myrtle: Identification and Control

Crepe myrtle shows white eggs, small white worms, white delta-shaped flies, white soot, and sticky substance. Diagnosis Classic whitefly infestation. Nymphs suck plant juices, weakening plants. Honeydew excretion causes

White Tie-Dye Foliage on Rosemary and Thyme: Need Photo for ID

Creeping thyme, rosemary, and unknown plant in window box show white, dual-colored foliage (not film) plus small ants. Assessment Ants suggest honeydew-producing insects (aphids, scale, mealybugs). The tie-dye leaf appe

Bagworm Control on Pine Trees: Systemic Soil Treatment

Four pine trees infested with bagworms; one dead; worms on porch and house. Verification Confirm bagworms first (see PSU link). Treatment Options Small trees: hand-pick bags. Spray foliage and bags with Orthene. Large

Bark Lice on White Pine: Harmless Webbing Insects

Long Island white pines show white substance covering trunks after 4 weeks of extreme heat. Identification Bark lice (Archipsocus nomas)—small brown insects living on bark, feeding on fungi, lichens, dead insects. They

Brown Rot on Peach Tree: Late-Season Management

Peach tree fruit turning brown and rotting near harvest (1 week out); identified as brown rot. Timing Fungicide sprays are most effective early season—likely too late now for current crop. Salvage & Prevention Pick nea

Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra) Yellowing: Sunburn or Water Stress

North-side Aspidistra in San Diego shows yellow leaves with brown tips after neighbors tree removal increased sun exposure. Assessment Aspidistra prefers shade and moist, well-drained soil. Direct sun causes sunburn (br

Lilac Leaf Spots and Curl: Need Photo for Accurate Diagnosis

20-year-old lilac in Pacific NW shows brown leaf spots and slight curl, spreading to two 5-year-old nearby lilacs. Information Needed Send close-up photo of affected leaves (in focus). Also: (1) Are spots widespread? (2

Transplant Shock in Newly Planted Prairifire Crabapple

2-week-old prairifire crabapple shows interior leaves yellowing. Diagnosis Classic transplant shock—the critical establishment period after planting. Contributing factors: inadequate watering at planting (air pockets ar

Japanese Maple Leaf Scorch and Color Change: Environmental, Not Disease

May-planted laceleaf Japanese maple shows spreading brown leaf tips and red-to-green color change. Nursery claims humidity-related, but nearby similar trees look fine. Assessment Brown tips/edges typically indicate root

New Weeping Willow Leaf Tip Blackening and Curling: Transplant Stress

April-planted weeping willow shows black leaf tips and curling despite frequent watering. Diagnosis If most leaves affected, its likely unfavorable root/soil environment, not infectious disease. Willows love moisture bu

Honeysuckle Leaf Yellowing and Browning: Root Stress, Not Disease

Honeysuckle develops annual summer problem: yellowing leaves with one dark brown burnt edge, curling around brown part, then falling. Spider mites controlled with systemic rose food. Diagnosis Yellowing/browning pattern