MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
Rose bush disease

Question: I sent a question regarding my diseased rose bush and am waiting for an answer.  I do not have a question number nor am I registered (I tried but was not able to do so).  Photo includded.

responder: Ask Extension Question Wrangler Pronouns: she/her/hers  Find your local Extension office here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/county  Find an expert in a specific topic here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/experts/experts-by-topic-area   Find home gardening information here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/home_gardening/  Order a soil test kit here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/soil-testing-returns-through-msu-extension   Mold questions? We don’t have an expert in mold, but we do have a few resources below or contact the  Michigan health department. Molds in the Home  Indoor Air Quality May be Hazardous to Your Health    Mushroom questions? We can’t identify, but we do have these three resources to help you: Identifying  Morel  Poisonous  MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg, Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples. The University resides on the land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.     Replied May 16, 2023, 2:39 PM EDT
response: Good afternoon, Shirley -- It looks like your previous question about roses was answered.... I copied that response here:     Reply posted by Barbara Gregerson at 05/16/2023 8:43 AM Thank you for your question. Your roses have a fungal disease called rust. Unfortunately, it cannot be cured, but there are things you can do to keep it from spreading or becoming worse. Trim off all of the diseased leaves and either burn them or dispose of them. Do not compost them. Prune your roses so there is plenty of air circulation between them. If any are heavily infested, you may need to remove the entire plant.   Here is an article about Rose Rust, if you would like to read more about it: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/rose-rust/   Best wishes,

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 16, 2023, 4:48 PM EDT
response: Thank you!  On Tue, May 16, 2023 at 2:39 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
White cottony infestation on all three boxwood shrubs.

Question: White cottony infestation on all three boxwood shrubs.

responder: Bill k Replied May 23, 2023, 8:36 AM EDT
response: Good morning Betsy,  The fluffy white stuff you are seeing is a secretion by an insect called the Boxwood Psyllid.  It's a fairly common pest of boxwoods here in Pa.  The good news is that there is only one generation a year.  These insects don't usually occur in large enough numbers to cause any lasting harm to your plants.  The damage is mainly cosmetic.  A strong spray of water will typically disperse them.  The nymphs, although they don't fly are good jumpers (12-18"), so they might return but in much fewer numbers.  The nymphs are usually active throughout May and during that time you can spray them with a horticultural oil.  Be sure to apply according to directions on the label.  If the problem reoccurs or worsens next spring, you can apply a systemic insecticide that is designated for boxwood psyllids. Here is an article from Clemson Univ. regarding boxwood pests and specifically the boxwood psyllid and ways to deal with it.  https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/boxwood-diseases-insect-pests/  Hopefully this information helps.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 23, 2023, 8:55 AM EDT
response: Thank you so much for this information!!Sent from my iPhone On May 23, 2023, at 8:36 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿
Tree dropping leave

Question: Hello, 

We have a gorgeous tree the front yard of our new house but sadly it looks like it isn’t doing well. Is it possible to diagnose the issue via photos? About 3 weeks ago we noticed that the leaves were starting to fall. Now it has more brown dried leaves than green leaves. They are all over, not in one specific spot on the tree.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 16, 2023, 4:28 PM EDT
response: The tree appears to be a Sycamore (widespread in the wild here, and its hybrid with a Eurasian similar-looking cousin, called Planetree, is also commonly grown). The issue with the foliage is likely Anthracnose, a fungal disease very common to various shade trees and which waxes and wanes in prominence from one year to the next based on weather conditions. Fortunately, despite how drastic the leaf damage and shedding can be, Sycamores routinely recover from infection quite well and new leaves should replace those lost by early summer or so. We have seen wild Sycamore trees going through the same outbreak around parts of Maryland this year, so the weather must have been conducive to infection at just the right time.  In the photo of the trunk bark, we don't see any concerning symptoms, but you can always consult with a certified arborist who can assess the tree in person to look for issues of chronic stress or wound not sealing-over properly. Not all arborists are employed by tree care companies; some consult independently; also, not all tree-care company employees have this level of training and certification. In either case, hollowed-out Sycamore trunk and branch cavities are excellent nesting and roosting sites for owls and other wildlife so as long as they aren't at risk of causing branch collapse onto people or property, aren't always a detrimental attribute. Some arborists hold special training in risk/hazard assessment that can be called upon to evaluate trees with structural defects or dieback if this is a concern.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 16, 2023, 7:26 PM EDT
response: Hi Miri, Thank you so much for this! It is exactly what we were hoping to hear. I hope our tree makes a full recovery soon :-) Emily Sent from my iPhone On May 16, 2023, at 4:28 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 17, 2023, 12:11 PM EDT
response: You're welcome.
Leaf curl on phlox

Question: What can I do before it takes over the plant?

responder: Leo Sherry  Replied May 22, 2023, 3:40 AM EDT
response: Hello!  I have a couple of questions to help diagnose what is going on. 1. Do you see any bugs of any kind on the stems or under the leaves (especially the curled ones)?  2. Were any herbicides applied nearby recently?  Thank you, Leo Sherry OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 22, 2023, 4:42 PM EDT
response: No bugs visable.     No herbicides.        On 05/22/2023 12:40 AM PDT Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Leo Sherry  Replied May 23, 2023, 2:58 AM EDT
response: Hello! Is there any chance you could bring a sample of an infected leaf into an extension office for inspection with a microscope? I think there are a couple of possibilities for what is causing this problem. Nematodes- Ditylenchus dipsaci, a type of nematode, can enter the plant through wounds or through the stomata. Many different hosts can harbor this pest. Have the phlox always been planted there or was there something else there first? The nematodes are too small to see with the naked eye, but can be seen with a microscope. Phlox-Nematode, Stem | Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks  Aphids- I know you said that there were no bugs visible, but this is still a possibility. Aphids can look like small green lumps on plants. Personally, I can’t see the legs unless I look really closely. Aphids are more likely than nematodes. They can hide on the underside of leaves and inside of the curled leaves.Aphids Management Guidelines--UC IPM  Landscape pests-Aphid | Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks  For either nematodes or aphids: Prune off affected stems. In the photo, it didn’t look like all of the stems were affected. New shoots should come up to replace the removed ones.Broad spectrum insecticides applied to the foliage, but these should be used with caution. They can affect the beneficial insects as well.Chemical Control of Landscape Pests (downloads a PDF) Table 1 provides several options for chemical control of aphids.   For aphids in particular, you can control ant populations nearby. Ants will farm aphids for their honeydew. Additionally, high nitrogen fertilizers and excessive water can make plants more susceptible to aphid damage because it encourages more succulent growth. I hope this helps! Regards, Leo Sherry OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer
Sunflowers and Front Lawn Garden

Question: Hi, 
The 100 yr old elm in our front yard came down 1 1/2 yrs ago. Last summer we decided to till up the whole from yard (nothing grew under the elm) and one side we planted all giant sunflowers and the other side we planted a few pumpkin and squash seeds. All came up beautifully. Our sunflower patch was a huge hit with the neighborhood and the pumpkins and squash thrived in the large space they had to sprawl out. We would love to do the sunflowers again this year but I'm not sure how they depleted the soil and what we should add to it before laying down new rows of seeds. I would love your advice on that. For the other side, we may do one or 2 pumpkins and squash plants (leaving room to grow) but would like to add more vegetables since our front yard is now full sun. Any thoughts on what to add to the soil for that side? 
We plan on tilling later this week as it has been too wet to do so up to now. 

Best, 
Carla

responder: Evelyn Locke, MN Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor, Volunteer    Replied May 16, 2023, 10:08 AM EDT
response: Adding some compost (a couple of inches) is generally beneficial but won't be necessary to grow sunflowers this year. A fertilizer for flowers can be beneficial. Squash are heavy feeders so adding some well composted manure to the planting hole or top dressing with manure will give them a boost. Beautiful picture, I can see why it was a real hit with the neighborhood.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 21, 2023, 11:58 AM EDT
response: Thank you for your quick response! So, in tilling up the yard and inspecting the rest of our yard we have found that it is infested with white grubs! Would it be okay to use grubex or something similar before applying compost and fertilizer? Would it be okay to still plant vegetables on grubex-treated soil? Should I stick to a cover grass for this year?  In talking to our neighbor it looks like most people's lawns are infested with white grubs. Best, CarlaOn Tue, May 16, 2023 at 9:08 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Evelyn Locke, MN Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor, Volunteer    Replied May 21, 2023, 10:18 PM EDT
response: Some grubs only eat grass so you will want to identify the grubs if you can. Spring isn’t the time to treat for grubs because they are too big and treatments don’t work. See links below for how to control them and once the dirt is filled up birds will probably feast on many of them. You should be able to put in your garden. There's a good article on Yard and Garden News: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/whats-digging-your-yard https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/how_to_choose_and_when_to_apply_grub_control_products_for_your_lawn  https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/whats-digging-your-yard  https://extension.umn.edu/news/white-grub-control-lawns#:~:text=Insecticides%20for%20curative%20grub%20control,promote%20recovery%20of%20damaged%20turf   White Grubs https://extension.umn.edu/corn-pest-management/white-grubs
Aggregated Wasp ID

Question: Looking for help to ID these apoidea. This was in Brothers, OR last summer. The banding and green eyes look like sand wasps but hundreds of them aggregated on this plant seems like unusual behavior for solitary insect.

responder: Andony Melathopoulos, Assistant Professor Pollinator Health Extension Department of Horticulture | Oregon State University 4017 Agricultural and Life Science Building | Corvallis, OR 97331-7304 cell: (541) 452-3038 Andony.Melathopoulos@oregonstate.edu oregon bee atlas | oregon bee project | twitter | facebook | instagram | podcast Replied May 17, 2023, 7:17 PM EDT
response: Thanks, Rachele,   Wow, that is so impressive! Great job catching this and taking a picture. I am a bee specialist, so what I am about to write needs to be taken with a little grain of salt.  Yes, these are sand wasps from the genus Bembix. They look to all be males from the yellow mark on the face (on the clypeus). As you might know, males emerge first and wait for the females to emerge to mate. With many bee genera, males can form aggregations at night before resuming their mating options when the day warms up. I suspect the same thing is happening here.   Again, great work documenting some novel and interesting natural history in the biodiverse rich reaches of Central Oregon.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 17, 2023, 7:43 PM EDT
response: Professor Melathopoulos,Thank you!! With my field guide and college entom textbook, I kept coming back to Bembix but couldn’t make sense of the seemingly social behavior. That’s really cool to know about their life history. I couldn’t include in the intake form but I’m attaching the full video here in case you’re interested.Thank you again for your insight!Kid regards,RacheleOn Wed, May 17, 2023 at 4:17 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Correction or need to ad information

Question: Your report on the Mariposa Lily does not say where they are and did not include  the PURPLE Lily.
I have had the purple lily bloom here near East Bend for many years now.

Actually the summary did not elaborate on the flower  as expected.

Devon K.

responder: Take care,  Replied May 16, 2023, 7:18 PM EDT
response: Hello, Which resource on Mariposa Lillies are you discussing? After you clarify, I can put you in touch with a horticulture expert. Thank you.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 16, 2023, 10:24 PM EDT
response: Not sure about your question ?I was here. Oregon State University, where this E-Mail came from.Resource ?? Your website on Mariposa Lily.D.Kurtz********************

responder: Take care,  Replied May 22, 2023, 12:46 PM EDT
response: Thanks for responding. Were either of these the webpage you are asking about?https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/pollinators/calochortus-eurycarpus-white-mariposa-lilyhttps://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/pollinators/sweat-bees-mariposa-lilies I just want to be sure before connecting you to an expert.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 22, 2023, 3:48 PM EDT
response: Sorry:It took me awhile but I think I missed on the origin of the page I was referencing..Must have been this N/Carolina place:My mistake:Here is what I think I saw:Link:Calochortus gunnisonii (Gunnison's Mariposa Lily, Mariposa Lily, Sego Lily) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolboxces.ncsu.eduStatement: Distribution, Didn't include Oregon:Copied:Country Or Region Of Origin:Western U.S.A.Distribution:AZ , CO , MT , NE , NM , SD , UT , WYEdibility:The roots are sweet and edibleI see it did not include California and I know there are lilies there also.The second reference link below includes Oregon, in the  distribution states and I see it came from Texas University.Copied pasted here:DistributionUSA: ID , MT , NV , OR , UT , WA , WY Devon******************************On May 22, 2023, at 9:46 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Take care,  Replied May 22, 2023, 4:10 PM EDT
response: Thank you, Devon. You'll have to reach out to NC State Extension about their content. It looks like you can reach them here: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/contact_us/. You can include the URL in that question form.
Insect identification

Question: I've attached two photos of an insect exiting an extensively damaged area of my wood fence.  It looks like it might be a termite. I checked bugwood and the body type seems right.  But I'm not sure of the color or the two protruding objects seemingly at the rear of the insect.  Oddly, we have never had insects in my 30 years of living in Montgomery County, and the fence is supposedly Cedar, which, I thought, was somewhat of an impediment to insects.  Appreciate your thoughts.

responder: Answered by University of Maryland Extension faculty. For more information on a variety of yard and garden topics, visit the HGIC program web page and blog, Maryland Grows. Replied May 16, 2023, 1:16 PM EDT
response: Thanks for sending the photos.   It appears that this critter is an earwig.     You can read more about earwigs at this link from University of Maryland.   They will not damage your fence, but could be living in the decayed wood and feeding on wood if it's started to decompose naturally.   Reach out with any additional questions- Ashley

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 16, 2023, 1:30 PM EDT
response: They might be in the wood. I saw a few crawl out. How might I get rid of them?On Tue, May 16, 2023 at 1:16 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 19, 2023, 9:42 AM EDT
response: There are no pesticides recommended for treating earwigs, nor would any work well in this situation. They are not going to cause much, if any, damage to the wood and are merely taking advantage of existing cavities as shelter or places to search for insects to eat. Wood rot, termites, or other culprits were responsible for the original degradation of the wood.  Miri
Grass Fungus

Question: Hello - 

for the last 2 years, when the weather warms up, I get brown spots in my lawn.  I don't believe it to be drought related as I've ensured equal water distribution is getting to the troubled spots.  I believe it's a fungus, perhaps necrotic ring spot...?  I've tried applying Scott's disease treatment (DiseaseX) at the curative rate, (several treatments since February, in anticipation of the problem) but it does not appear to resolve the problem.  I follow all the recommended cultural practices (don't water in the evening, don't over fertilize at recommended rate/frequency, cut with a sharp blade, only take off 1/3 of plant, etc..), but nothing appears to help.  

Is there a commercial grade fungicide that you could recommend I try, or any other suggestions?

responder: Brian McDonald Replied May 16, 2023, 3:36 PM EDT
response: Hello,  What species of grass is it - I can't tell from the photos?  Necrotic ring spot is usually only a problem in central Oregon on Kentucky bluegrass.  It looks a little like yellow patch and now is a common time to see it, but the active ingredient, azoxystrobin, in Disease Ex, is effective again yellow patch.  However, granular fungicides have been less effective than sprays in my trials.  You need to get it identified at a turf disease lab to be certain.  I would recommend sending in a sample to a turf disease lab for identification.    Below is the link to the Oregon State Disease lab.  The homeowner cost for disease samples is $50.  There are instructions how to sample.  It would be a good idea to send in a couple samples to ensure they can confirm the disease (the price doesn't change with two samples).  https://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/beaverturf/diagnostic-lab  I know the person doing the identification so we can communicate after the results if you send me an email.  My email is <personal data hidden>  If you don't want to use the OSU disease lab, that's fine but you will have to email me the results.   Let me know.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 18, 2023, 10:55 AM EDT
response: got it, thx.  Let me get going on the sampling and when I hear back from them, I'll email you the results as well. thxKyleOn Tue, May 16, 2023 at 12:36 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Hedge

Question: Hello,

The front of my house faces east, and it falls into the shade of my tall tree about mid-morning. I want to have a hedge across the white portion of the front. It should be 36 to 40 inches tall and the individual shrubs should be equally wide. There would be 5 of them. Extra points for color(s) or for height or foliage variations. I hope this can even be done! Thanks so much.

Bob

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 15, 2023, 8:25 PM EDT
response: Thanks for the question. You are facing a challenging project. It appears that even under the best of circumstances, this hedge would be receiving less than 6 hours a day of direct sunlight. Few plants meeting your specifications are able to grow under those circumstances. Think of the winter when even less direct sunlight is available. As unacceptable it may be, think of major pruning of your large tree – not sure what it is – as a possible option. You may be trying to reconcile two opposing things – a hedge that requires light and a tree that precludes that. Having said that, here are some options for a hedge. For sure you should be thinking of some type of evergreen. However please research each thoroughly so that you do not incur expenses now that may prove disappointing to you in the future: https://www.gardenguides.com/106750-minnesota-privacy-hedges.html https://www.kare11.com/article/life/home-garden/grow-with-kare/our-favorite-hedges/89-e0cfa14f-cfd4-40b8-acca-13345a049afa https://www.arboretum.umn.edu/hedgecollection.aspx https://www.google.com/search?q=hedge,+shrubs,+minneosta&oq=hedge,+shrubs,+minneosta&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i64.10108j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 https://www.thespruce.com/fast-growing-shrubs-for-privacy-hedges-specimens-4767365 Good luck with your endeavors. Thanks for using our forum.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 15, 2023, 9:46 PM EDT
response: Thanks a lot. I hear you about the tree. There’s actually a lot going on here.On May 15, 2023, at 7:25 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 16, 2023, 9:00 AM EDT
response: Thanks again for using our forum.
Arborvitae Damage

Question: Several questions coming.

My beautiful arborvitae were badly damaged this winter. Should I replace them with the same? They are shaded somewhat from the east and have full southern and western exposure. Alternatives to replacement? I need them for privacy and screening for my little courtyard.

Thanks so much.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 18, 2023, 8:16 PM EDT
response: Hi Robert, They actually don't look that bad to me. Since they still can function as a screen for you I think I would leave them and just put some flowers or small bushes at the base. If you want to replace them there are many deciduous shrubs that would do well there, but,  you will be waiting for a few years until they provide privacy. https://extension.umn.edu/find-plants/trees-and-shrubs Junipers are much more tough and the critters don't like to eat them. They are much more expensive however. hope this helps, Sally Granath, MG St. Louis County

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 19, 2023, 9:46 AM EDT
response: Thanks a lot!On May 18, 2023, at 7:16 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: