Brown edges are often a sign of salt damage; the salt contents in our tap water can cause the damage and is often compound by insufficient water. Thoroughly water the plant (shrubs to 2 feet deep; trees to 3 feet deep to leach excess salts away from the roots.

Commonly called tipburn, this could be due to excess fertilization, especially with perto-chemical fertilizers. Chemical insect sprays from aerosol cans can cause tip burning. A cold area, such as near windows or doors can also cause brown edges. Stop feeding with petro-chemical fertilizers and chemical insect sprays. Water well for 1-4 weeks depending on the plant and then resume feeding with Eartheart 18-16-9 All Purpose Plant Food or Eartheart All Purpose Insect Spray.

Fig rust is a very common disease on figs. The rusty foliage that drops should always be raked up and disposed of since the spores on the fallen leaves can infect new unaffected leaves on the tree. There are no EPA approved fungicides for figs grown in Florida. Avocado trees are quite variable as to hardiness and the time it takes to produce fruit. Most fruit within 5 to 7 years if they are not affected by a freeze. You have to hope for a series of warm winters to see your first fruit.

Older leaves die - this is the orchids' trick to living indefinitely: they discard the oldest parts of the plant as they grow new shoots.

This is an indication of a fungal infection. Fungal infections are usually the result of warm temperatures, high humidity and low light levels. Treat the plants with a systemic fungicide such as Phyton 27.

The old leaves naturally turn yellow and fall off as new leaves are produced. If your new leaves start to turn yellow, the first thing to check is the amount of light your orchid is receiving (review the culture sheet for the genus/species of your orchid). If light is not a problem, then check to see if you orchid is being subjected to low temperatures. There are also orchids that will lose all of their leaves naturally like the Dendrobium nobile hybrids do and will appear to be a "dead stick.

If it's fall time, it's okay. If the leaf should be green and it's not, more than likely it is iron chlorosis. Other possibilities are spider mites, over-watering, or diseases. Walk through our online diagnostic clinic.

Over watering is the culprit, so back off. It will not reverse the rot, but you can take off the leaves from the stem, allow it to cure for a day and repot in pasteurized well-drained soil.

Moisture stress. Those are the points farthest from the roots, so they dry out first and get water last. It's the same as with our ear lobes, fingertips and toes. Those are the places where our circulatory problems show up first. All of that said, moisture stress can be brought on by insufficient water, of course, but it can also be prompted by excesses of fertilizer, root or trunk damage, hot and drying winds and other environmental issues.

If a tree is cared for properly (the end cut off, put in water, and kept in water) the tree should not drop needles or turn brown until the early part of January. What additives can I add to the Christmas tree water to make the tree fireproof or at least somewhat flame resistant. Our best advice is to make a fresh cut on the trunk (1/4 inch) and place it in water immediately. Store it in a cool, shaded place out of the sun until you are ready to decorate it. Then, never let it run out of water.

They are probably not getting enough water. Set a mister near the terrariums and allow students to mist the terrarium once or twice a day. Students should not water so much that they make the soil muddy. A water cycle can form inside the terrarium in which case the terrarium "waters itself". Check them to see if this is happening as it doesn't always do so.

While our website has information on the brown tree snake, Facts and BTS Identification, you can visit our Links page for a list of sites than give you comprehensive information on questions we may not have answered to your satisfaction. Also, visit our Publications page for abstracts of scientific journal papers concerning the brown tree snake.

Sooty Mold - Appears as a black, sooty growth on the upper side of leaves. Is harmless, but indicates that an insect was or is present (usually aphids, whiteflies or scales). Whiteflies. As these piercing-sucking insects feed on the undersides of the leaves, they secrete a sticky, clear fluid that drops onto the leaves below. Sooty mold grows upon this secretion. Sooty Mold Water or Varietal Problem. The problem of splitting fruits usually occurs in the early fall.

Chewing insect - Usually either a grasshopper or caterpillar. Damage is usually contained to a small proportion of leaves and should be ignored. The caterpillar is called an Orange Dog, and is the larval stage of the beautiful Giant Swallowtail butterfly.

A - It sounds like damage caused by thrip. These tiny brown insects should be controlled early in the season. Control can be difficult because the insects burrow deep within flower buds and under petals. Insecticides labeled for rose and flower insects can be sprayed directly on buds but will only help if they come into direct contact with the insect. Removal of old and infested blossoms can help reduce populations. Remove debris from around plants in fall.

That's a fungal leaf spot called black spot. Some varieties are highly susceptible to it and will require weekly spraying with a systemic insecticide just to exist. Without the protection the plants grow stemmy and weak. Other types, including the recognized EarthKind roses identified by Texas A&M, are far less prone to the disease and can exist without heroic spraying.

What are the steps I should take to plant the rose "Queen Elizabeth" in the ground and be successful with it.

The leaves at the base of the plant are the oldest leaves, you can remove these leaves by firmly pulling them off the plant.

MARBLEMASTER does a wide variety of edge styles but the edges priced are either a full bull nose, a beveled edge, or a square edge with a 3/8 inch radius relief on the top and bottom edges.