Author Archives: AskthePlantMaster

About AskthePlantMaster

I have 50 years of horticultural experience, am currently a Master Gardener in Central Florida. In addition, I'm a Horticulture Instructor and retired Parks Manager and Arborist. I love plants and would love to help you with yours!

Preparing Your Trees for the Hurricane Season

Posted on July 20, 2016 by AskthePlantMaster

Trees provide us with many things, and often we take them for granted.  We think that they will live forever.  We will over the years become attached to our trees, and whenever we loose them, we experience an emotional let … Continue reading →

Posted in Preparing for Hurricane Season, Trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Lawn Insects

Posted on July 20, 2016 by AskthePlantMaster

Here in Central Florida we have a number of insect pests that attack our lawns, which include:  fire ants, grubs, mole crickets, chinch bugs, fall army worms, and tropical sod web worms.  If you see any areas where the lawn … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinch Bugs, Grubs, Insects, Lawn Care, Lawn Pests, Mole Cricket, Plant Pests, Sod Web Worms, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Crape Myrtle Update

Posted on June 29, 2016 by AskthePlantMaster

In previous blog posts, I have mentioned crape myrtles.  Since then I have found additional information about them.  There are numerous new varieties now available.  This includes the Black Diamond series, which have almost black leaves and only grows to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Planting Flowers Under Trees

Posted on May 31, 2016 by AskthePlantMaster

In my June 2016 newsletter I responded to a question about adding plants beneath citrus trees.  My response was don’t; for the sake of potential problems, including death of the citrus tree. Since then I’ve been asked what about adding … Continue reading →

Posted in Landscape Gardening, Mulch, Plant Diseases, Plant Knowledge, Planting Techniques, Trees | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sago Palm Pups

Posted on May 24, 2016 by AskthePlantMaster

Summer is almost here, and if you have a sago palm, as many of us do, you’ve probably noticed new growth known as”pups” developing around their base.  If you would like more plants, now is the time to remove these … Continue reading →

Posted in Sago Palm, Summer Florida Gardening, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Rose Rosette Virus – An Update

Posted on April 30, 2016 by AskthePlantMaster

Because many of you have roses, I want to give you an update on Rose Rosette Virus.  According to an article published in the April 2016 issue of Grower Talks, this virus continues to be a growing problem.  It is … Continue reading →

Posted in Rose Rosette Virus, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Neonicotinoids

Posted on April 27, 2016 by AskthePlantMaster

How many of you are familiar with Neonicotinoids?  If you haven’t, don’t feel too bad; I hadn’t either.  Recently when I purchased some annuals for my flower beds, included was a tag that identified the plant and how to care … Continue reading →

Posted in Insects, Neonicotinoids, Plant Pests, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Cercospora Leaf Spot on Ligustrum

Posted on March 22, 2016 by AskthePlantMaster

If any of you have Ligustrum (aka Privet), plants in your landscape, there’s a good chance they may have Cercospora Leaf Spot on their foliage. Symptoms to look for include irregular brown spots with yellow margins on the upper leaf … Continue reading →

Posted in Cercospora Leafspot, Ligustrum, Plant Diseases, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Coping With Our Summer Weather

Posted on July 3, 2015 by AskthePlantMaster

1.  Plant Watering –   If you have lived in Central Florida for several years, you probably have come to realize that our summer rainfall can be either a boom or a bust.  If you’ve been lucky enough to receive … Continue reading →

Posted in Aphids, Chinch Bugs, grasshoppers, Insects, Lawn Care, Lawn Pests, Plant Diseases, Plant Pests, Sod Web Worms, Spider Mites, Summer Florida Gardening, Thrips, Watering Plants | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Invasive Vines

Posted on June 12, 2015 by AskthePlantMaster

Having lived in Florida the past 36 years, I’ve noticed a continuing growing presence of various vining plants including wild grape, air potato, poison ivy and poison oak, plus several ornamental vines including honeysuckle and various species of jasmine; overpowering … Continue reading →

Posted in Central Florida tree pests, Invasive vines, Plant Knowledge, Plant Pests, Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment