Author Archives: AskthePlantMaster

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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!

Sago Palm Scale (aka Aulacaspis Scale)

Posted on August 2, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

For those of you who may have sago palms planted in your landscape, have you checked them lately for this dreaded pest, which if left alone, will kill you plant?  These plants need to be inspected regularly, especially now that … Continue reading →

Posted in Plant Diseases, Plant Pests, Sago Palm, Sago Palm Scale, Scale Insects, Trees | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Extend Blooming of Crape Myrtles

Posted on August 2, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

I recently received a call from a friend asking if it was possible to extend blooming of crape Myrtle trees.  I replied with a yes.  All you need to do is simply remove spent flowers as soon as they finishing … Continue reading →

Posted in Crape Myrtle, Frequently Asked Questions, Plant Knowledge, Summer Florida Gardening, Trees | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Caterpillars on Azaleas

Posted on July 31, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

Attention all of you azalea fans.  I just discovered several ½” caterpillars (yellow/green with a black stripe down the back) feeding on the underside of leaves on some of my azalea plants.  Don’t be fooled by their small size, these … Continue reading →

Posted in Azaleas, Caterpillars, Insects, Plant Pests | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Upcoming Educational Activities

Posted on July 26, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

FNGLA Landscape Show (aka FNATS) will be coming up the last weekend in Sept at the Orange County Convention Center.  If you’ve never attended this before, please come this year.  You’ll learn a great deal, receive all kinds of samples, … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening Classes, Plant Knowledge, Plant Shows | Leave a comment

Summertime Pests

Posted on July 26, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

These continue to be a problem.  Lately I’ve been getting reports about powdery mildew on plant leaves, (treat with a good fungicide); the presence of large grasshoppers, (best control is crushing between 2 bricks!); and thrips on roses, (control will … Continue reading →

Posted in grasshoppers, Insects, Mosquitoes, Plant Pests, Powdery Mildew, Summer Florida Gardening, Thrips | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hot Weather

Posted on July 26, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

Whether we like it or not, hot weather is upon us.  Not only is it hard on our plants, but ourselves as well.  To reduce your chances for fatigue, heat exhaustion, etc., drink lots of fluids.   And if possible, work … Continue reading →

Posted in Summer Florida Gardening | Leave a comment

Spider Mites

Posted on July 3, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

If you’ve been following my blogs, you’ve noticed that I’ve been reporting about an increase in pest problems this year due to our mild winter.  Because of current hot, dry weather, spider mites are showing up practically everywhere.  They attack … Continue reading →

Posted in Insects, Plant Pests, Spider Mites, Summer Florida Gardening | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Mushrooms

Posted on June 26, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

Have you been noticing mushrooms showing up in your lawn or landscape beds?  If so, don’t worry.  Fungal spores have sprouted in areas where your soil (and/or mulch) contains high levels of organic matter.  Typically these are areas where a … Continue reading →

Posted in Mushrooms, Plant Knowledge | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Excessive Rainfall

Posted on June 26, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

Thanks to the start up of our summer rainy season, and the recent arrival of Tropical Storm Debby, our plants are beginning to receive much needed moisture.  However, for those of you who live in low areas or who have … Continue reading →

Posted in Summer Florida Gardening | Tagged | Leave a comment

Rainfall

Posted on June 20, 2012 by AskthePlantMaster

Rain has recently started to return to our area.  Though it’s not always when or where we want it, nor the amount we’d like, it is helping to green up things, especially if we applied the appropriate fertilizers previously.  Unfortunately, … Continue reading →

Posted in Irrigation systems, Summer Florida Gardening, Watering Plants | Leave a comment