AMERICAN GARDENER

Houseplants can look perfectly healthy one week and then suddenly develop yellow leaves, sticky stems, white patches, brown spots, or distorted new growth. Because most indoor plants live in a relatively controlled environment, it can be surprising to discover that they are still vulnerable to pests and diseases. The difference is that indoor growing conditions … Read more

Lemon trees are among the most rewarding citrus trees to grow. Their fragrant flowers, evergreen foliage, and bright yellow fruit make them useful in both home gardens and commercial orchards. Yet a lemon tree can also become a meeting point for aphids, scale insects, mites, leafminers, fungal diseases, bacterial diseases, and several other problems. The … Read more

Mulberry trees are generally vigorous plants once established, but they are not completely free from problems. Their leaves can be attacked by insects, while wet weather may encourage fungal leaf diseases. Stressed trees can also become more vulnerable to cankers, root diseases, and other disorders. The interesting thing about mulberries is that the problem is … Read more

Roses are among the most rewarding plants to grow, but they are also among the garden plants that tend to attract attention from pests and diseases. A rose can look vigorous one week and then develop spotted leaves, distorted shoots, damaged buds, or dying stems soon afterward. However, not every imperfect rose is suffering from … Read more

Apple trees can be remarkably productive, but a healthy-looking tree does not necessarily mean an easy crop. Apples are affected by insects, fungal and bacterial diseases, physiological disorders, weather damage, and problems associated with roots and soil. The good news is that an apple tree does not need to experience all of these problems. Susceptibility … Read more

Bamboo is often thought of as a nearly indestructible plant. Once established, many bamboos grow vigorously and can tolerate a surprising range of conditions. However, vigorous growth does not make bamboo immune to pests and diseases. Depending on the species, climate, and growing conditions, bamboo can experience insect infestations, fungal diseases, root problems, and other … Read more

Leeks (Allium porrum) are generally dependable vegetables, but their long leaves and tightly packed stems can attract several insects and provide favorable conditions for a range of diseases. Problems may appear as tiny holes, silvery streaks, distorted leaves, yellowing, wilting, orange spots, or decay around the base. The difficult part is that several leek problems … Read more

Cane begonias are among the most rewarding begonias to grow when you want a plant that provides both attractive foliage and height. Unlike compact wax begonias, cane begonias develop upright stems that resemble bamboo canes. Their leaves can be large, asymmetrical, spotted, striped, or distinctly wing-shaped, while mature plants can produce hanging clusters of flowers. … Read more

Rex begonia is one of those plants that can make an ordinary indoor plant collection look remarkably different. Its appeal comes primarily from its foliage rather than its flowers. Leaves can combine silver, green, burgundy, purple, pink, red, and cream in patterns that resemble brushstrokes, metallic bands, spirals, or intricate mosaics. Their surfaces may also … Read more

Angel wing begonia is one of the most distinctive members of the begonia family. Its large, wing-shaped leaves, upright cane-like stems, and clusters of delicate flowers give it an appearance that is quite different from compact bedding begonias. Depending on the variety, the foliage may be green, silver-spotted, olive, bronze, or marked with contrasting veins, … Read more