Powdery mildew is easy to identify. It looks like white powder. Powdery mildew on gerbera An uninfected leaf Powdery mildew is a fungal disease. Wet or humid conditions are conducive to powdery mildew infections. Treat it like you would other garden maladies. Soaps and oils can be effective, and fungicides can be called on if they […]
Bonsai Care
The bonsai care category includes topics like Watering, Fertilizing, Repotting and Bonsai Soil. You can also find information about the Pests commonly found on bonsai, and read Interviews with bonsai professionals.
Sooty mold
You’ve likely seen it – that dirty, cruddy stuff in your garden, on street trees, and on your bonsai. It has a name – sooty mold. Sooty mold on camellia Although it can look creepy up close, it’s not among the more harmful garden pests. Sooty mold is fungus that grows on the honeydew secreted […]
Pest of the week – aphid
Aphids are among the most common of garden pests. They’re relatively soft, squishy and destructive. There are thousands of species, and their reproductive strategies are What’s that in the shadows? Aphids! I’ve seen them approach 1cm, but most in my garden are several millimeters long. Ahpid close-up Depending on the severity of the infestation, control […]
Pine needle scale
The pine needle scale can be tricky to spot. Small, white spots are the giveaway. Uh-oh, white spots If it’s fall or early spring where I live, it’s always what I think it is – pine needle scale. Here’s why they can be tricky to spot. When they grow on the inside surface of a […]
Pest of the week – scale
Fall, in moderate climates, is a key time to look out for pests on bonsai. In colder climates, many insects are killed by cold weather. Not where I live. Within the past week I’ve found all varieties of unwanted guests in the garden. This week I’ll focus on scale. Healthy looking olive foliage What’s this – […]