Oranges Coloring Early with Holes: Fruit Borers

Orange crop turning color early and dropping with tiny holes. Likely fruit borers (e.g., citrus peel miner, fruit fly, or beetle larvae). Diagnosis Cut open fallen fruit: look for larvae/tunnels. Preserve specimens in

Kumquat Branch Dieback and Sap: Aphids and Ants

Kumquat branches browning, golden sap at joints, rotated for sun, ants previously controlled. Likely aphids (sap = honeydew) attracting ants. Treatment Prune dead branches. Horticultural oil or insecticidal soap (check

Arborvitae Browning on Slope: Clay Soil and Water Issues

10 arborvitae on Staten Island slope (clay soil) show interior + exterior yellowing/browning, dry lower branches. Mulch added in summer drought, now removed. Rain runs off slope. Diagnosis Root stress from clay + slope

Red Tip Photinia Base Fungus: Root Rot, Replace

Red tip photinias (Photinia × fraseri) have white fungal fruiting at base, upper leaves drooping. Fungus on bark = root rot fungus fruiting (likely Armillaria or Phytophthora). Prognosis Slow, progressive decline. No cu

Orange Tree Black Specks on Leaves: Need Photo

2-year-old orange tree has black specks on leaf undersides. Could be scale, mite damage, fungal spores, or insect frass. Diagnosis Send clear close-up of leaf with ruler for scale. Review focus on computer. Note if spec

Fruitless Mulberry Slow Decline: Internal Decay Suspected

East Contra Costa County, CA: fruitless mulberries dying slowly over years (smaller/fewer leaves, early drop). One dead, another starting. Sandy soil, hard water, drip irrigation, understory plants. Findings Trunk crac

Gardenia Leaf Curl and Powder After Insecticide Spray

Gardenia brought indoors, sprayed with insecticide, washed leaves. Now new leaves curl, misshapen, with powdery residue. Likely aphids (cause curl + honeydew powder) or spray phytotoxicity. Diagnosis Aphids: check leaf

Asparagus White Sticky Substance: Need Photo

First-year asparagus has white sticky substance on ferns. Could be aphids, mealybugs, or sap. Next Step Send clear close-up photo (review focus on computer) for identification. Asparagus pests include asparagus aphid, b

Avocado Plant White Sticky Powder: Scale or Mealybugs

8-ft avocado from pit drops white sticky powder on floor; leaves have white powder and brown dots. Likely scale insects or mealybugs producing honeydew. Treatment Inspect leaf undersides and stems for insects. Horticul

Oleander Disease Resistance from Cuttings: Theory Has Merit

Southern California oleanders dying from disease (leaf scorch/Xylella?). Owner proposes propagating from healthy survivors for resistance. Assessment Theory has merit: survivors may have genetic resistance. But they cou

Sago Palm Pink Core Growth: Asian Cycad Scale

Pinkish puffy substance in center of sago palm (Cycas revoluta) around new growth—Asian cycad scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui), a devastating pest. Treatment Horticultural oil or neem oil sprays (thorough, repeated). Syst

Old Magnolia with Dead Limbs and Papery Growth: Lichens

45-year-old magnolia: one healthy, one with dead limbs and paper-looking growth on limbs, whiter bark. Papery growth = lichens (see UAEX FSA-7554). Lichen Significance Indicates thin canopy (more light on bark). Not ca

Artillery Fungus from Potted Palm: Soil Surface Issue

Toronto indoor palm: tiny (1mm) dark red hard-shelled dots on walls, window, blinds, lamp, floor. Didnt move. Identified as artillery fungus (Sphaerobolus) shooting spores from pot soil. Solution Remove plant and soil

Magnolia Flower "Burnt" Look: Normal Bud Scales

New magnolia flowers open with outer petals looking burnt/brown. No fertilizer used. Explanation Outer burnt parts are bud scales—protective coverings that naturally wither and fall as flower opens. Not disease or nutri

Mold on Multiple Garden Plants: Cultural Fixes First

Mold on gerbera daisies, angel trumpet, marigolds, foxglove, butterfly bush, asters (not cosmos/sunflowers). Doesnt rub off; scrapes off with knife. Dursban (insecticide) failed—its not for mold. Approach Identify mold

Spruce Needle Yellowing After Wet Summer: Soil Stress

Fat Albert spruces in Kansas yellow from inside out after extremely damp summer. Tree company saw no pests, suggested deep root fertilizing. Diagnosis No infectious disease seen in photo. Wet soil stress—spruces need we

Powdery Mildew on Mini Rose: No Human Health Risk

Indoor mini rose has powdery mildew (white powder). Owner asks if fungus affects people. Answer No documented allergies or ill effects from powdery mildew on humans. Individual sensitivity to fungal spores varies, but n

Bougainvillea Mass Die-Off in Cabo: Check for Injury

Four large bougainvilleas in Cabo San Lucas, 4 years old, watered often. Three died suddenly, fourth dying. No prior issues. Investigation Inspect main stems at soil line for mechanical damage (string trimmer, mower).

Sage Cutting with Brown Spots: Root Stress

Sage cutting wilty after early repotting, watered when soil dry 0.5 down, misted daily. Brown leaf margins and random spots on leaves/stems. Diagnosis Root-related stress from repotting shock. Misting may encourage fung

Arborvitae Dying from Inside Out: Need Photo

Emerald green arborvitae shows interior dieback (green outside, dead inside). Some interior browning is normal with age/size. Assessment Send overall photo for evaluation. Compare to similar-sized neighbors. Check for