Treasure Coast Master Gardeners 

Fall 2003 Training Class

Diagnostic Exercises

Diagnostic 1 – Tree, What the neighbor said!

Take – September 2, 2003    

Report – September 16, 2003

Dear Master Gardener:

This tree is growing right next to my house. It is taller than the house with strange looking red sticks at the top. I was fixin’ to move it to my front yard ‘cause it is so “purty”, but my neighbor said that the Government said that I had to cut this tree out of my yard by the end of the year. First, What is this tree? And Do I have to cut it down? Mr. Alli Bama

Response:  The tree is a Schefflera, a.k.a. Queensland Umbrella Tree.  It has been classified as a class II invasive plant by the Florida Exotic Pest Control Council, but is not prohibited.  See  Ken Langeland/ Craddock's book for more details: http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/schact.html for more photos; click here to see the pages on Schefflera.

Diagnostic 2 – Beautiful Berries

Take – September 2, 2003

Report – September 16, 2003

Response:  This native shrub is called American Beautyberry, Callicarpa americana.  It can be grown from seed or from cuttings.  The attractive fall fruit is edible, but not very palatable - it can be made into preserves.  The fruit of this shrub is best saved for birds.  See UF/IFAS fact sheet FPS-90 for more information.

Diagnostic 3 – What’s chewing on me?

Take – September 2, 2003

Report – September 16, 2003

Dear Master Gardener:

I just moved into my new house. This bush is growing along my driveway. My husband wants to pull them all up and throw them away. He says they are ugly. I think I can make them beautiful. But I need to know what they are, what’s chewing on them, and what to spray on them to make them green and healthy.  Ms. H. P.  Condriack

Response:  The shrub is called Indian Hawthorn, Raphiolepis indica.  The edge of the leaves appear to have been chewed by leaf notcher beetles.  This kind of  leaf feeding damage is not generally a significant problem, but may indicate some root problems due to larval (grub feeding). For more information on this shrub, go to UF/IFAS fact sheet FPS-498. For information on the leaf notching beetles, try UF/IFAS bulletin HS-868,  A Guide to Soil Insect Pests Identification. 

Diagnostic 4 – I want my grass to look like it did up north

Report – September 23, 2003

Dear Master Gardener:

This carpetgrass is killing my Floratam. What do I spray it with? The condo association controls the water, it comes on every night & they also hire the guys who mow the grass. I know it is being mowed high enough. The Scotts Bonus S fertilizer I use every other month is not controlling the problem, so all I want to know is what to spray with.  Mr. Noah I.T. All

Response:  The weed is Carpetgrass (Axonopus spp.).  Prevent weeds by mowing at the right height, fertilizing correctly, and irrigating the lawn appropriately.  This will get the grass to outgrow the weeds. Check the Maintenance section of the  UF/IFAS Bulletin,  St. Augustinegrass for Florida Lawns to get specifics.   If this weed is still a problem after correct maintenance is being followed, consider the use of  a pre-emergent approved herbicide in the spring to prevent the weed seed from growing.  For herbicide recommendations, consult Table 1 in the UF/IFAS Bulletin Weed Control Guide for Florida Lawns. 

Diagnostic 5 – What can I spray on my fig tree  

Report – September 23, 2003

Dear Master Gardener:

Here’s a leaf from my fig tree.  It’s been in the ground for about two years, and has grown to be 7 feet tall.  Recently, all the leaves started to turn brown and shrivel up.  I tried some spray from Wally World, but the leaves are still falling.  Whatever it is, it does not seem to affect the fruit.  I had my first one of the season the other day, and it sure was good.  What can I spray to get my leaves green again? F.G Newton

Response:  The disease is rust and is managed by keeping the leaves of the plant dry.  The regular use of an approved fungicide through the wet season will help prevent this disease during next year's growing season - there is nothing that can be down now to remove the rust from these leaves.  Consult the UF/IFAS Fig Bulletin for more cultural information.

Diagnostic 6 – Poisonous spider in car.

Report – September 23, 2003

Dear Master Gardener:

I took my car into the shop, and after I was driving it around town, I noticed there was this huge poisonous spider spinning a small web around a wasp on my dashboard.  I am afraid the auto shop owner must have put it there to be sure that my check wouldn’t bounce.  Can you tell me what I’ve got, and what I can spray to get rid of him  (the spider, not the shop owner…) Ima Fraid  

Response:  The spider is an adult male regal jumping spider, Phidippus regius. Jumping spiders are harmless, beneficial creatures.  They are not poisonous, but larger spiders are capable of delivering a painful bite only if held tightly.  The bite itself may causes a sharp stinging sensation, but will subside in a few minutes and requires no treatment. Jumping Spiders are beneficial to our community and should not be feared. Release it unharmed, preferably on a palmetto tree. For more information consult the UF/IFAS Featured Creatures website on the Regal Jumping Spider or request that the PowerPoint presentation produced by Okeechobee MGs Gina Ward & Julie Turner be sent to you - send me an email!

Diagnostic 7 – Yellow Goose Chase

Report – September 30, 2003

Dear Master Gardener:

I recently moved to the Treasure Coast from my home state of Maine.  When I left, I had to leave behind my favorite Saintpaulia.  What was unusual about it was that it had yellow flowers.  Local garden center staff said, HUH? and I got nowhere with them.  Can you help me find out where I can find another one? G.T. Maniac

Response:  This houseplant is better know by its common name, African Violet.  A search on the Internet under it's common name will give several vendors willing to sell plants - and as Master Gardeners, we can't recommend one vendor over another.  But we found a neat site for the American African Violet Society that has  a large index of Saintpaulia cultivar photos - we borrowed Janet Strombery's photo of Ajohn's Winter Sun for this Exercise! Thanks!

Diagnostic 8 – Sticky Wicket

Report – September 30, 2003

Dear Master Gardener:  

I recently moved into my new home and have decided to remove all the old shrubs from around my foundation.  nI found this shrub planted in front of my windows.  It’s covered with some nasty thorns with four points on them.  It also bleeds white sap when you trim it. Recently, it produced some red berries – which I am sure will cause it to spread all over the place.  nAny reason why I ought to keep this sticky wicked bush? Stucky Wicket

Response:  This shrub is Carissa macrocarpa, formerly C. grandiflora, a.k.a. Natal Plum. Because of the thorns it is a great "burglar bush", is well adapted to beach area landscapes, has a delicious edible fruit (the Plum", and has no real pests.   It will require trimming to keep it sized if planted too close to a building. The white sap is latex. It is not invasive.  For basic culture consult the UF/IFAS bulletin FPS-107, Carissa grandiflora; for detailed information see Julia' Morton's book Fruits of Warm Climates.  For information on the use of the fruit request a copy of the old  South Florida Tropicals Bulletin on Carissa from your Florida county agent.  Master Gardeners Jody Borecki  & Karen  Voisinet produced a short PowerPoint on this problem:- send me an email if you want a copy.

Diagnostic 9 – Planting a Palm

Take – September 23, 2003       

Report – September 30, 2003

Dear Master Gardener:

I just planted a Phoenix canariensis about 8 months ago.  My neighbor and I dug it up from his yard and planted it in mine.  Frankly, it was a little too tall so we planted it about 2 feet deeper to make it shorter.  My other neighbor said they like a lot of water, so I put a hose on it and let it run continuously - it is still dribbling.  Yesterday, the top fell off the palm and I found these critters inside the top.  What happened? What are these bugs? What can I spray on the trunk so it will continue to grow? Palm Lover

Response:  Canary Island Date Palms are slow-growing desert palms that may die if not transplanted carefully, if planted too deep, if over watered, or if they are not fertilized properly.  Many palms under stress are attacked by the Palmetto Weevil.  Once infested, it is often too late for insecticides, and the palm will usually die from the burrowing of the larval grubs in the growing tip.  To avoid losing palms that cost several thousands of dollars to replace, review UF/IFAS bulletin  ENH 866, Care and Maintenance of Landscape Palms in South Florida; for information on this insect, see the  UF/IFAS Featured Creatures on Rhynchophorus cruentatus. 

Diagnostic 10 – Something's Rotten

Report – October 7, 2003

Dear Master Gardener:

I enjoy reading Carol's newspaper column and have a question that possibly you can help me with. Last month I pulled out some New Guinea Impatience and replanted the beds with 36 low Crown-of-Thorns. I also planted about 6 pink Pentas.

The mystery is that one of the Crown-of-Thorns and all of the Pentas on the one side of the house died a strange death. They were planted on a Friday and 2 days later were dead. They did not dry up, but were rotted and soggy and just fell over from the center. Both Crown-of-Thorns and Pentas died the same way.

The remaining Crown-of-Thorns are thriving beautifully. I have planted Pentas many times over the years, I trim them and found they are very hearty. Usually, I pull them out because I am tired of them and want a change. The exposure and drainage is good. All of my years of gardening, I have never seen a plant just "drop dead" like this.

It is my understanding that the soil can be tested for nutrient imbalance but is there a lab that test for a foreign substance that you can refer me to? I appreciate any help you can give me before I replant the area.  Ms. Ira Gator

Response:  Rarely do plants just drop dead in a matter of days.  Crown of Thorns  likes dry conditions, and  Pentas  like moist conditions - other than a well drained soil, there are no other common pests that would effect both plants.  Something  such as  an herbicide or toxic substance  may have occurred to them prior to planting  - and  is showing itself in your landscape.   The University does not have any test that can determine if a foreign substance is in the soil.   While a soil moisture situation is suspected, more information is needed from this customer before an accurate diagnosis can be made.   Master Gardeners Louanne Brennan  & Terry Bettendorf  have produced a short PowerPoint on this problem: send me an email if you want a copy.

Diagnostic 11 – Time to trim the bushes  

Take – September 30, 2003       

Report – October 7, 2003

Dear Master Gardener:

The plants around my home are a mess! It seems that chunks of this bush with red flowers keep dieing. I have The Greenest Lawn Company come in a spray for bugs and fertilize every month. The lawn women mows every week at the lowest setting on the mower & she trims these bushes ever week to about knee high. What's wrong and what can I do to save my 15 year old bushes?    Mr. Penny Pincher

Response:  The plant is Dwarf Ixora, which is maintained at 1-2 feet in height.  [Information of conventional Ixoras can be found by clicking here. ] The life of these plants is much less that 15 years - they should be replaced.  It will take a lot of careful pruning and fertilizing to get these plants to produce new healthy growth, probably more that what it would cost to replace them with new plants. Over watering issues, alkaline soil situations and nematode infestations ought to be examined before they are replaced with other Ixora. 

Diagnostic 12 – Oak tree dieing

Take – September 30, 2003       

Report – October 7, 2003

Dear Master Gardener:

My house is 8 years old. The Live Oak tree in the front yard is the main reason we chose this lot and built the house so that it could be shaded by the tree. We had to fill the whole lot with about foot to meet county codes. The irrigation system was added later using a trencher. We run it twice a week all year round. This plant is growing all over the branches. Every branch it grows on dies. What can I spray to kill this plant and save my oak tree?  Mr. Newt T. Florida

Response:  The plant is Ball Moss, an epiphyte that does not harm the Live Oak tree.  The tree may be declining from other reasons, such as construction damage, adding fill soil on top of the roots, excessive watering, etc.  With less foliage and more light on the branches, the amount of ball moss can increase - it is like a canary in a coal mine!  A new pest effects some of the less common bromeliads, known as the Evil Weevil.  For a more details see the PowerPoint Presentation developed by  Master Gardener Barbara Thurman entitled: The Live Oak & the Epiphyte - request via email. 

Diagnostic 13 – Silly String

Take –  October 7, 2003    

Report – October 14, 2003

Dear Master Gardener:   I’ve got this beautiful new home here on the Treasure coast. The developer left a lot of natural areas around my home, and I love the native plants, but these is some kind of silly string that is creeping all over my plants. Can you give me the name of a weed killer that can clear my yard of this stringy mess?    Donnie Doright

Response:  The "string is a plant called  Dodder or Love Vine, a native weedy plant that is parasitic on many different host plants.  There are no selective herbicides that will kill this plant without harming the host (desirable) plant.  Pruning out branches below the point of attachment or hand pulling is the solution.  Be sure to clean off your clothes and pruning equipment after removal to prevent spread, and bag for disposal all infested cuttings.    There is research on-going to see if a plant disease can be used as a bio-control agent for dodder.  In the meantime, while California has some suggestions on plant management listed on-line; Florida does not.  For a more details see the PowerPoint Presentation developed by  Master Gardener Cindy Kilgore entitled: Silly String  - request via email. 

Diagnostic 14 – Oh Christmas Tree?

Take –   October 7, 2003    

Report – October 14, 2003

Dear Master Gardener:    I am newly retired from New York. Next door to my house, I’ve been looking at this beautiful pine tree. I’ve heard that Christmas trees are very expensive here in Florida, and was wondering, would this tree make a good cut Christmas tree inside my home for this holiday season?    Noah El    

Response:  The plant is a Sand Pine, the only short needled native pine to our area of Florida.  Do not trespass and harvest this tree without the permission of the landowner.  There are some plantations that cultivate this pine for Florida-grown cut-your -own Christmas Trees. They need to be sheared and pest s carefully managed to produce a desirable share for holiday display.  Pines tend to lose their foliage as cut Christmas trees sooner that shipped in conifers, so if you are going to use it, cut it close to the holidays and be careful to keep the tree moist in its stand.  If you want to visit one of the members of the Florida Christmas Tree Association visit the FDACS Christmas Tree web page and be sure to call the grower first.

Diagnostic 15 – Bumpy Leaves

Take –   October 7, 2003    

Report – October 14, 2003

Dear Master Gardener:    I’ve got a very old oak tree in my front year. Every year at this time I notice a lot of big bumps growing all over the leaves. I am sure that if I don’t treat it, it will kill this shade tree and ruin the value of my property. Can you help me figure out what to do?    Mrs. Bumpus

Response:  There are many galls of oak trees caused by insects , fungi, and bacteria.  This appears to be a Wooly Oak Gall, which is caused by an insect.  See the UF/IFAS Publications on Galls or  Insect Galls for more general information about these insects.  The latest information from the UF Insect Control Guide indicates the following insecticides are registered for gall control: Abamectin, Carbaryl, and Spinosad. However,  rarely do galls become serious enough to cause harm to the tree and require treatment.  

Diagnostic 16 –  Watermelon seeds on the wall

 Take –   October 14, 2003   

 Report – October 21, 2003

Dear Master Gardener: Just before we left to go home to Canada, the contractors finished our new garage.  We stored some old furniture and boxes of books and papers in it, closed the doors and left last April.  Upon our return, when we opened this un-air conditioned space, there were these things that look like watermelon seeds hang all over the plasterboard walls.  And they move! What are they? And what do I spray to get rid of them?     Mrs. C Eh

Response:  These "seed" are actually insects called plaster bagworms.  They feed on non-living organic materials, and are especially fond of spider webbing.  Look for them around lights on the outside of buildings, where other insects are attracted by evening lighting.  They live in a protective casing made of silk, and will ultimately change into a small inconspicuous moth.  Best defense is a good brushing or sweeping of the walls; for pesticide recommendations, see the UF IFAS Extension bulletin on Clothes moths and plaster bagworms, ENY-223 or the Featured Creatures article, EENY-003

Diagnostic 17 – Wasp on Steroids?

 Take –   October 14, 2003   

 Report – October 21, 2003

Dear Master Gardener:    Our young family recently moved into our dream home in a rural area.  Last night a huge wasp came into our house and was buzzing around inside for several hours.  We were petrified - but were able to coat it with bug spray enough to kill it. I know that bugs are big here in Florida, but is this the normal size of wasps?  Do they grow this big because of hormones in the water?  And will I die it this stings my little kindergartener?     Red E. Tomove 

Response: These wasps are called Cicada killers. They grow big because they capture and feed  large insects called Cicadas to their larval wasps to feed on.  Their nests are buried into the ground, and look like giant ant hill holes. They are not especially aggressive wasps, but will pack a powerful sting if you mess they them.  Unless you are allergic to bee and wasp stings, they will cause discomfort but not death is stinging occurs.  Trapped inside a building, the use of a quick knock-down insecticide labeled for wasp control will take care of the problem.  Control in the yard is not necessary as these are considered beneficial insects, but if you want to know more, check out the UF/IFAS Extension  Featured Creatures Article on Cicada Killers, EENY-295. 

Diagnostic 18 – Fertilize my Flowers?

Take –   October 14, 2003   

 Report – October 21, 2003

Dear Master Gardener:    I've recently planted a butterfly garden in my yard.  One of my plants has these pretty orange flowers that are very attractive to butterflies, but I've noticed that the leaf appears kind of pale and dusty looking.  What kind of fertilizer can I use to perk up my butterfly plant?    Mary Mite

Response: According to UF/IFAS Bulletin FPS-50, the Plant is called Butterfly-Weed, Indian Paintbrush or Orange Milkweed, Asclepias tuberosa.  It is great for attracting all kinds of insects, from butterflies to aphids. It is also attractive to spider mites, which such sap from the foliage, leaving it with a dusty underside and a stippled top pattern.  On other ornamental plants, management of mites by cultural practices or pesticides may be warranted; ideas ore outlined in ENY-319, Mites and Their Control on Ornamental Plants Around the Home.   However, in a butterfly garden, pesticides would kill the butterflies this plant is supposed to attract.  Besides, it is rare for this plant to be harmed enough by mites to cause death of this butterfly attracting plant.

Diagnostic 19 – For the birds

Take – October 21, 2003

Report – October 28, 2003

Dear Master Gardener: I am a wildlife watcher, and have just moved down here from the North.  I recently went to the Garden Center to buy a bird feeder and bird seed for my yard.  Someone told me that feeding the birds here in Florida is not a good idea.  What do you think?    Arnold Audubon

Diagnostic 20 – Creepy Critters on Wall

Take – October 21, 2003

Report – October 28, 2003

Dear Master Gardener: I noticed a bunch of these creepy crawlies on the wall in my living room.  I have a huge party coming to my house for Halloween, and need to get them cleaned up real quick.  (I have given you a few of them that I put in alcohol.) What are they, and what can I do to get rid of them?    Lassie Loveland

These are ticks.  Insecticidal sprays may be used indoors if the house has been cleared of pets and plants,  and be sure food areas are covered. If Lassie has them, treat her at the same time -  For household tick control information, see the UF/IFAS bulletin on Ticks  ; for information on controlling these pests on your pets, see Pet Care in Florida.

Diagnostic 21 – Smelly Walls

Take – October 21, 2003

Report – October 28, 2003

Dear Master Gardener: I recently started to repaint the outside of my wood house.  Under the eaves of my roof, I’ve noticed that there is something making a smelly dirty mess up at the peak of the roof. I think there is some kind of bird or maybe a squirrel that is nesting up in my attic.  I have seen a pile of droppings on the ground under this area, (see picture) but I don’t see any fur or feathers. What kind of poison can use to kill this pesky critter?    Bella Legosie

Suspect that you have bats in your belfry, or is it your attic.  Bats are great outdoors as natural pest suppressants, but their excrement can be quite odoriferous.  Bats must be excluded, in other words, they check out but they don't return.  This is done after the breeding season (April to July) is over, so young bats do not become abandoned in the nest and further add to the stink.  For Suggestions on bat exclusion techniques, please see the UF/IFAS bulletin Bats: Information for the Florida Homeowner .  

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