Heartland Master Gardener Training Program - Glades & Okeechobee Counties

January 26 – March 23, 2005 – Wednesdays,  9 AM – 3 PM

 Diagnostic Exercises

Date Assigned: 1/26/05       Date Reported: 2/2/05  

A. Solution by:   Polly Meske   Situation/ Customer Question:

I know a friend that has lots of Queen Palm seedlings for sale.  Should I buy a bunch and plant them in pots so I can sell them in a few years?  I’d also like to put them in my yard in Moore Haven…

Background (as needed):

**Is this a homeowner or commercial question?

Nursery Market information – prices and quantities

*Adaptability of the Queen Palm

*Growing conditions in Moore Haven

Solution(s):

Check the cost of all materials (plant fertilizer soil, pots, pesticides, etc.  Check the market for Sizes, availability, prices, transportation costs.  As far as the other part of the question about growing them for resale,  turn  it over to the agent.

Reference(s):

For current data,  Check with area nurseries and periodicals such as Plant Finder or Plant List.

Background (as needed):

    * Nutritional needs of Gardenias         * Soil pH, modifying alkaline soils

Solution(s):

Soil pH is important because it affects availability of mineral elements and should be maintained between 5.0 and 6.5 for most Florida soils. Where soil pH is above 7.0 because of naturally-occurring lime (like limestone, marl, or sea shells), a constant effort will be needed to avoid micronutrient deficiencies, notably iron. Since there is no practical way to permanently lower the pH of such soils, growing a more tolerant species than gardenia may be wise.

Frequently plants will become yellow (chlorotic) due to a deficiency of one or more micronutrients, usually iron. The deficiency can often be corrected by acidifying the soil or by foliar application of the deficient nutrient. Elemental sulfur added to soil will result in a lower soil pH but the decrease will only be temporary if the soil contains natural lime. One technique is to dig a small hole about a foot deep and 8 to 10 inches in diameter near the dripline of the plant. Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of agricultural grade sulfur into the soil taken from the hole, and return the amended soil to the hole. Repeated every year, that volume of acidified soil usually prevents micronutrient deficiencies commonly associated with high soil pH. Foliar applications of iron are also effective. Follow the directions on the product label.

The leaves' loss of normal dark green color may be due to any of several causes, not just nutritional deficiencies. These potential causes include insufficient light, overwatering or poor drainage, too low soil temperature, nematode damage or diseases. For instance, several investigations have indicated that a soil temperature below 70°F induces yellowing. Tip burn, which occurs particularly at vein terminals, causes the leaves to lose their color and die. This may be caused by inconsistent watering. Some leaf yellowing on older leaves is normal. This may occur during the winter months, before new growth appears, and is typical of many broadleaf evergreens.

Reference(s):  UF IFAS Extension Bulletin on Gardenias / Joan Bradshaw

“I saw an ad in Parade Magazine for a fast growing flowering tree called Paulowinia tomentosa.  I need shade right now for my yard in Okeechobee.  Should I order a bunch of these trees?”

Background (as needed):

    * Climatic characteristics of Okeechobee     * Cultural requirements of Paulowinia tomentosa

Solution(s):  These trees appear to be a fast growing quick shade tree suitable for South Florida conditions. Question back to the class instructor: This tree does not appear in Recommended Trees for Central Florida.  Why not?

 It is not recommended because of a lack of information on its performance in our area.  Evidence from references indicates potential problems with invasiveness.  Fast rates of growth are usually associated with weak wood, subject to breakage in high winds.

Reference(s):  A comprehensive website that contains both pros and cons is http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/pato1.htm . There are many websites that offer this plant for sale.

D. Solution by:  Jim Wilkinson  Situation/ Customer Question: “Should I put mulch around my trees at this time of year?”

Background (as needed):         *Principles of mulching      * Dooryard Citrus tree practices

Solution(s):    Weeds and sod/grass should be removed under canopy of the tree.  Mulches are not recommended around citrus trees. If mulch is used, be sure to keep it a foot away from the trunk to avoid foot rot diseases. 

Reference(s):  L. K. Jackson  Growing Citrus in the Dooryard - other cultural practices. UF/IFAS Fruit Crop Fact Sheet HS-85. 

Diagnostic Exercises   Date Assigned: 2/2/05      Date Reported: 2/9/05

E. Solution by:   Polly Meske Situation/ Customer Question:

"Is this plant Poison Ivy?   It is growing all over the plants in the back alley behind my house.  I itch all over..."

 Background (as needed):  

Has this person been amongst the plants or have a dog out in them with in the past couple of days?

Is this a vine, a shrub or a tree?

Are the veins red?

Does it have leaflets in 3s, 5s or more? 

Solution(s):

Poison Ivy has three leaflets  "Leaves of three, let them be..." Sumac has leaflets in pairs with one at the end of the leaf. Virginia Creeper has 5 leaflets.  Virginia creeper does not usually create an allergic reaction.  For management, use labeled weed killers; do not burn if it is poison ivy.

Reference(s):     Patricia Grace & Sherrie Lowe  Identification of Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac in Florida UF/IFAS Circular ENH886.

F. Solution by:  Doris Greene Situation/ Customer Question:  "I have black stuff on my leaves.  I can rub it off, but it looks awful."

Background (as needed):         *Plant Diseases        *Insect Control

Solution(s): Identify and control the insect. Sooty mold may blacken the leaves of an entire tree.  Aphids, mealybugs certain soft scales, and immature whiteflies excrete a sweet syrupy material known as honeydew.  The sooty mold fungus grows wherever this material falls. Controlling these insects will prevent sooty mold, and oil sprays will usually cause it to flake off. The mold can interfere with photosynthesis and may slow plant growth. 

Use of insecticidal saps will also work in most cases - and the soap will help the sooty mold flake off from the leaves.

Reference(s): E. A. Buss and J. C. Turner.  Scale Insects and Mealybugs on Ornamental Plants UF/IFAS Bulletin ENY-232 

G. Solution by:  Jim Wilkinson  Situation/ Customer Question:  "My tomatoes & tomato plants are being eaten.  The leaves are being eaten by the regular tomato worm, but the tomatoes are being eaten by dark gray worm, it eats right into the tomato.  I have found them up to 2 1/2 " long inside the tomato.  What is it, and what would control them?"

Background (as needed):  Fruit, horn and pin worm caterpillars; insect pests of tomatoes.

Solution(s):  Use of the B.t. insecticides will control these insects in the home garden. Some trade names for these products include Biotrol, Dipel, and Thuricide. Scout the garden at least twice a week for damage, and reapply these materials when it washed off the leaves of when new growth occurs. 

Reference(s): James M. Stephens.  Tomatoes In The Florida Garden, Problems and Pests section  UF/IFAS Fact Sheet HS-508. 

H. Solution by:  Steve Rogers      Situation/ Customer Question:

"I was reading in the paper that the  Queen Palms were an invasive plant.  How can I verify if this is true? Also, how does a plant become categorized as an invasive plant?"

Background (as needed):  

* Definition of an Invasive Plant 

* Check with lists  produced by the the Center for UF Aquatic and Invasive Plants  Prohibited Plants Laws and Lists and the Florida Exotic Plant Pest Council to see if they consider it to be invasive.

Solution(s):   Queen Palm does not appear to be classified as an invasive plant in anything I have studied.  It is a non-native palm from Brazil. It is very popular because it is fast growing and inexpensive, but has many nutritional problems and structural issues which may make it less desirable in local landscapes. 

Reference(s):  

Australian Weeds Committee Weed Identification: Queen Palm  

Ed Gilman & Dennis Watson Queen Palm  UF/IFAS Southern Trees Fact Sheet ST-609. 

Florida Gardener. Queen Palm - Plant of the Month. 

Nature Conservancy Native Alternative Tree Species .  this site shows good non-invasive tree alternatives - for OHIO.

Diagnostic Exercises Date Assigned: 2/9/05       Date Reported: 2/16/05

I. Solution by:   Polly Meske Situation/ Customer Question:  My grass is looking bad. It has a lot of weeds growing in it. I have not mowed it in the past couple of months, nor have I fertilized it. Can you help me with a maintenance plan to help keep my grass beautiful and keep weeds out?"

Background (as needed):

• homeowner turfgrass BMPs

Solution(s):

J. Solution by:   __________________ Situation/ Customer Question: What is this weed in my lawn and flower-bed, and how can I get rid of it?  I'm tired of pulling it out all year long....

Background (as needed):

• weeds of Florida turfgrass

• seasonal growth of weeds

• homeowner turfgrass BMPs

• homeowner herbicides

Solution(s):

K. Solution by:   Doris Greene   Situation/ Customer Question: The salesperson at the garden center suggests I buy and use a fertilizer-like starter solution on all my new plants.  It doesn't contain nutrients, but instead has something called "IBA," a root enhancer.  Should I buy and use this stuff? 

Background (as needed):

Rooting Hormones

Auxins are hormones produced primarily in plant shoots that stimulate root initiation and development.

IBA (indolebutyric acid) is a synthetic auxin-type compounds that stimulates rooting and can be added to the base of cuttings to elevate the auxin concentration above the threshold level for optimum rooting.

Rooting hormones are best applied just prior to sticking the cuttings into the propagation medium. The bottom 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of the cutting stem is dipped into the hormone concentration in talc or liquid. This will assist in obtaining a better distribution of roots on the cutting.

Post-Rooting Care    As soon as roots emerge they can absorb nutrients. Therefore, fertilization must begin in the propagation phase of production. Rference  http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG275

Solution(s):

Based on this information, IBA has a specific use in propagating from cuttings: it will encourage root development.  It is not a root enhancer for established plants or in transplanting/replanting as the auxin is found in the plant shoot and not in the plant root. It is not a nutrient, and does not replace fertilizer.

If using a commercial product containing IBA, follow the label directions.

L. Solution by:   Steve Rogers  Situation/ Customer Question:  In my Bahiagrass are some brown spots.  They are regular in shape and definitely the Bahia is dead. The soil is still contact and the dead grass doesn't come out easily.  What might be the problem?

Background (as needed):

Solution(s):

Diagnostic Exercises Date Assigned: 2/16/05       Date Reported: 3/9/05

M. Solution by:   Steve Rogers  Situation/ Customer Question: Near my wild milkweed plants I have a large Ti  Plant.  I was trimming off the old leaves of the Ti plat and discovered a bunch of berries.  Can I use them to grow new plants?  Also, I noticed a greenish capsule on one of the leaves - what is it?

 Background (as needed):  

Propagation of tropical plants by seed

Pest identification references

Solution(s): See internet pages for methods on propagating Ti plants  http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/53151 and milkweed plants http://www.vet.purdue.edu/depts/addl/toxic/plaant26.htm . Ti plants are propagated by cuttings or air layering Milkweed plants grow easily from seed.

Additional references better suited to Florida conditions are as follows: 

Ti Plant http://hort.ufl.edu/shrubs/CORTERA.PDF:  Dr. Bijan Dehgan's LAndscape Plants for Subtropical Climats mentiones that Ti plants can be grwon from seed, but this is uncommon - cuttings are easier and produce true-to form offspring.

the local Milkweed is know as butterfly weed http://hort.ufl.edu/shrubs/ASCCURA.PDF  and it's seed will blow from a mother plant to other locations in the yard.

The Greenish Capsule is not a fruit, it is the chrysalis (Pupa) of a Monarch Butterfly http://www.masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu/speciesarchive/monarch_butterfly.htm , commonly found on Milkweed plants.  In this case, the caterpillar crawled from the milkweed on to the ti plant.

N. Solution by:  Jim Wilkinson   Situation/ Customer Question: What's causing the holes in my hibiscus leaves?

Background (as needed):  

Hibiscus culture

Chewing pests of landscape plants

Solution(s):

O.  Date Assigned: 2/16/05     Date Presented: 3/14/05    Solution by:   Polly Meske 

Situation/ Customer Question:

I live near a coastal area of Florida, and this winter I've noticed on some of my landscape plants and dooryard fruit trees that some of the older leaves are showing irregular browning or burning. What is going on, and what can I do about it?

Background (as needed):  

• Diseases of dooryard fruit trees

• Non-biotic diseases of ornamentals

• Irrigation water quality

The leaf margin burning of older leaves on the landscape and dooryard fruit trees is probably caused by salt accumulation from natural salt spray, poor water quality or quantity, over-fertilization or overuse of chemicals.

Solution(s): 

If the new leaves are not affected time may have already allowed the excess salats to leach.  If not, irrigate with adequate fresh water to reduce the salts from the roots, keep the water supply adequate and regular, and reduce the fertilizer. If the problem is one of frequent salt spray due to the proximity to the ocean, future plants should consider salt tolerant varietiues.  If spray burn is due to chemicals, wash off the excessive residues.

References:  MG Handbook (N/C Fl) Vol. 2, p. 52, Table 2 - Problems of Leaves and Twigs. Salt Tolerant Plants for Florida  RJ Black, UF/IFAS Extension Service. 

We have noticed a bit more Salt burn on landscape plants near areas effected by hurricanes this year; these samples came from Vero Beach.

P.  Solution by:   Doris Greene Situation/ Customer Question: I've got a variegated hibiscus!  I think the bugs on the stem are killing it.  What kind of fungicide can use to kill the bugs on the stems of my bushes?

Background (as needed):  

• Hibiscus culture 
• Hibiscus cultivars
• basic botanical structures
• pesticide selection
•  

Solution(s):   The sample stem is not from a “variegated” hibiscus.  I could not document this with a picture from the EDIS system.; here is a photo I took of  a Variegated Hibiscus: 

There is no obvious pest problem, but I would like to re-examine the stem to rule out scale.  

I would like additional information on soil conditions, watering and fertilizing for this plant.  The most likely cause of the problem is micronutrient deficiency related to soil conditions.  I recommend a nutritional foliar spray  containing microelements.

REFERENCES

Hibiscus in Florida   http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG020   Hibiscus grown on alkaline soils may suffer from micronutrient deficiencies.  An ample supply of micronutrients is essential for proper growth of hibiscus.  Iron and manganese are often limiting on alkaline soils. Manganese sulfate at a rate of one to two ounces (28 to 57 grams) per plant has proven helpful. Some iron chelates, such as Sequestrene 138^®, are designed for alkaline soils and will often correct iron deficiencies.  Commercial mixtures (Perk, Stem, Esmigram) containing many micronutrients have proven to be effective and convenient for the home gardener. Extreme soil conditions, such as the lime-rock soils of the Miami-Homestead area, may limit the effect of soil applications of micronutrients. Foliar sprays of micronutrients applied two or three times per year may be the only way to reduce symptoms in these conditions.  

Diagnosing Dooryard Citrus Problems    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/XC003   

Symptom: Pale green leaves with darker green veins.
Nutrient deficiency -- usually microelements.
Nutritional spray needed.
Comment: Follow fertilizer and nutritional spray recommendations carefully.

Symptom: White, snow-like specks on bark of limbs, trunk.
Citrus snow scale
Remove mechanically or use chemical sprays.
Comment: Severe infestations may cause limb loss, fruit drop.

Diagnostic Exercises Date Assigned:  3/9/05     Date Reported: 3/14/05

P.  Date Assigned:  3/9/05     Date Reported: 3/16/05  Solution by:   Doris Greene Situation/ Customer Question:

I found this bug crawling on my Hibiscus bush. What is this insect that is chewing up the leaves on my landscape plants? What can I do to kill it?

Solution:  This bug is identified as Diaprepes Root Weevil

Photo (right) from : Diaprepes Root Weevil: A Pest of Citrus, Ornamentals and Root Crops in Florida http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN147

Yes, this weevil can cause problems with many landscape plants.  Inspect all possible host plants. The presence of adult Diaprepes root weevils is indicated by irregular semicircular feeding areas on the leaf edges of ornamental plants, particularly on the leaves of young, tender shoots.  See the Diaprepes Root Weevil  Host List for a complete list of effected plants:  http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN119

Homeowners may not use the products redlined above -t hey are for commercial citrus growers.  Biological control measures might be used in a Florida Dooryard situation:  http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/scripts/htmlgen.exe?DOCUMENT_CG006#SECTION_1.3