MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
Big Leaf Maple

Question: On my property in Blodgett, the Big Leaf Maples are suffering.  The leaves are wilted and more grey than green.  These are trees 60-80’ tall, probably 75 years old or more..  Please, can you advise what the problem is and how it might be treated?  Thank you.

responder: Take care,  Replied September 19, 2024, 6:47 PM EDT
response: This is powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is common and widespread in bigleaf maple this year, likely because of the wet and cold weather into late spring/early summer. While chronic leaf disease year after year can increase a tree's vulnerability to other stressors, powdery mildew is still not generally considered a major health threat. The link below outlines options for treatment, but chemical treatment is not necessary. The best thing to do is wait until next spring! https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/maple-acer-spp-powdery-mildew

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 20, 2024, 10:07 AM EDT
response: Thanks Lorelle – That’s a big (leaf) relief.   Gary     Gary Feuerstein 21256 Harris Rd Philomath, OR 97370 <personal data hidden>          From: ask=<personal data hidden> On Behalf Of Ask Extension Sent: Thursday, September 19, 2024 3:47 PM To: Gary Feuerstein  Subject: Re: Big Leaf Maple (#0155794)
Type of Hornet?

Question: Go Terps! (2020 Grad)

Got stung with my father doing maintenance on a bird feeder, I stepped in pine needles and got bitten by 3 hornets at the same time, screamed very loudly. Saw a couple dead ones this morning I am confused because it doesn’t look like the hornets on the Maryland extension hornets/waps/yellowjackets page.

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 September 19, 2024, 4:51 PM EDT
response: This looks like a Southern Yellowjacket queen, which has a bit of a different body pattern than the workers (she'll have a more orange-toned abdomen with less black striping). You can view more images for comparison in the Maryland Biodiversity Project page for this species, which includes both workers and queens.  In a social wasp nest, queens are only produced at the end of the season (around now is reasonable to expect it). They will leave the nest, mate, and find a secluded spot to overwinter by themselves. The males that the colony produces around the same time, which cannot sting and whose only function is to mate with the new queens, will die soon afterwards. All other nest members (the original queen from spring and the workers) will die by the end of autumn. We're not certain if it was workers or other queens that stung you (they were likely stings, not bites, though a bite would still hurt, just presumably not nearly as much because there is no venom). Even though Yellowjackets have a reputation for being easy to agitate, they still only tend to sting if they perceive a threat to either themselves, their food source, or the nest. They can be quite defensive of food sources and the nest in autumn, since sources of nourishment are diminishing. Perhaps something you did unintentionally caused them to react defensively.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 19, 2024, 7:30 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much Miri, I believe I had a mixture of sting and bite. I found another dead one must be a worker (that got stepped on)  They all swarmed near a pine tree with a huge pile of pine needles raked under it.
grass won’t grow

Question: Hello! 

Our shady northfacing lawn will only grow clover on one side. No amount of water, fertilizer, seed will grow on the other dusty side! any ideas on how to fill brown patches? 

thanks! alison young

responder: Linda G Tenneson, Benton County Extension Master Gardener & Tree Care Advisor Replied September 19, 2024, 3:10 PM EDT
response: Start with a soil test for each location. https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/ removing the clover will help the grass to grow. Or keep the clover and call it a bee lawn, since bees feed off of the clover blossoms. Also see these web pages. https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/lawn-care https://soiltesting.cahnr.uconn.edu/growing-lawns-under-shaded-conditions/

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 19, 2024, 3:52 PM EDT
response: great, thanks! do i have the soil tested for everything on that list or just a few things? There are a lot on your web page!On Sep 19, 2024, at 2:10 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Linda G Tenneson, Benton County Extension Master Gardener & Tree Care Advisor Replied September 19, 2024, 4:20 PM EDT
response: Go to the soil test web site, fill out the form for the side which only grows clover and submit a sample from that area. Fill out another form for the side that is in better condition and submit a sample from that side. Mail in.  Or send in one sample and see if the recommendations solve the problem for both sides of your lawn. It will cost $20 per sample and you can hand deliver the sample to avoid a $10+ postage cost.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 19, 2024, 4:26 PM EDT
response: perfect! thanks so much!On Sep 19, 2024, at 3:20 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Dying Joe Pye Weed

Question: Joe Pye Weed is dying off.  Any suggestions?  I haven't used any product since I see monarchs hovering on this dead plant and the healthier plants next to the dying.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 19, 2024, 3:26 PM EDT
response: Your Joe Pye weed plants look just like mine! It's getting late in the season so they are getting ready for winter. No concern, no need to do anything. You could cut off the seed heads if you are concerned about too many volunteers in the future. Paul -Master Gardener volunteer

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 19, 2024, 4:46 PM EDT
response: Ok - great to hear.   Except for that winter part.  Michele On Thu, Sep 19, 2024, 2:26 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Fruit trees

Question: Hello, we have apple and pear trees that have had some issues with the leaves this year. Wondering if you could help me identify and let me know what to treat with.
Thank you,
Andi

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 20, 2024, 8:09 AM EDT
response: Hi Andy, thanks for the question. Looking at the pictures (it appears to be only pear), this is probably fabraea (a fungal disease of both apple and pear). Infections can happen from spring through summer.  Moderate temperatures, rain and high humidity are ideal for infection.  the pathogen overwinters in leaf litter. Removal of leaf litter, fungicide applications, and removal of infected leaves and shoots can help. Check out these links for more information: Fabraea leaf spot - Integrated Pest Management (msu.edu) Fabraea Leaf Spot : New England Tree Fruit Management Guide : UMass Amherst (netreefruit.org) Pear Disease - Leaf Blight and Fruit Spot (psu.edu) I hope this is helpful.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 20, 2024, 3:54 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much! Have a blessed day   On Sep 20, 2024, at 08:10, Ask Extension wrote:    ﻿
What is the name of this insect

Question: First of all, thank you for answering our questions on gardening, etc..  You're very helpful, and I greatly appreciate it.

Secondly, for the last several years, from mid-summer to mid-fall, I have noticed in our upstairs bathroom the following larval(?) form of an insect(?).  It is ~2 mm long x  ~0.5 mm wide, I find it on either our bathroom floor or countertop, and it either sits still or slowly wriggles forward.  Do you know what its name is?

responder: David Lowenstein  Replied September 20, 2024, 10:11 AM EDT
response: This is a carpet beetle larva. These are a nuisance pest that feeds on carpets and fibers. I would recommend thoroughly cleaning and vacuuming the areas where you've found them to help eradicate them.  See here for more information - https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1181/

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 21, 2024, 1:22 PM EDT
response: Dear David: Thank you for answering another one of my questions, and for taking the time & care to give me your advice about it.Gratefully yours,RomanOn Fri, Sep 20, 2024 at 10:11 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Please help identify the bug/insect so we can remove them from our home

Question: Hello,

We moved to a new construction house about 3 weeks ago (still got construction going on around us). We got these super annoying tiny bugs/insects that crawl on and around the AC vents and on the ceilings of bathroom and a couple of rooms upstairs. I would love to know what they are. I went into Home Depot but they couldn't figure out what they were. 
So they are tiny, mostly crawl but they can fly as well. They don't sting or bite, but they are still annoying and weird. I have vacummed them (yes, the ceiling using a small hand-held Dyson head), but they show up again and again. 
I thought they might be coming in from the windows, but I doubt it. We shut windows for a day or so but still saw a ton of them crawling on the ceilings. I called pest control company but they just went straight into selling me a plan that may or may not work. 

It's not easy to kill them. They are kind of hardy. 

Can you please help me identify what they are? See attached pictures. And if you have any other useful links/suggestions, I would appreciate them! THANK YOU~~~

responder: Maureen Graber  Replied September 19, 2024, 12:12 PM EDT
response: Good Morning,  Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Service.  I believe the insect is a foreign grain beetle. Please click on the following link: https://extension.umn.edu/nuisance-insects/foreign-grain-beetles This information states: Foreign grain beetles can be common insects in homes in Minnesota in August and September, particularly in newly constructed buildings. As you scroll through the information, it explains the life cycle of the beetle and how to manage it. Very interesting that it is common in new construction.   Good Luck!

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 19, 2024, 2:30 PM EDT
response: You are awesome. Thank you so much!  On Thu, Sep 19, 2024 at 11:12 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Maureen Graber  Replied September 21, 2024, 8:35 AM EDT
response: You are welcome!
Lilac tree troubles

Question: Morning!  
We moved into this house last October, this spring the 2 lilacs were in prolific bloom. BUT the leaves started to brown, curl and eventually fell off as the photos clearly show. Is it blight? Or something else? 
Am so looking forward to your advice.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 21, 2024, 2:13 PM EDT
response: there are photos attached as jpegs above -- is there anything else I need to do?

responder: UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteer www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener   Replied September 23, 2024, 1:22 PM EDT
response: Hi, Jane.  Don't worry!  It's been a bad summer for lilac leaf blight, which seems to be the problem we see in your photos.  But next spring's blossoms should be fine.  I'm copying advice given by colleagues to similar questions, which should be helpful: "The short answer to your questions is: it appears to be lilac fungal leaf blight; next year's blossoms should be OK; and the best you can do to "treat" it is to clean up and destroy all the leaf litter and make sure to prune the bushes well for air circulation."  During recent weeks, we have "received many reports of the same problem that you are seeing with browning and spotting of lilac leaves, especially in the northwestern counties of Vermont. The problems are especially noticeable this year because of the rainy, humid weather occurring recently. Because of this, UVM Plant Pathologist, Ann Hazelrigg, has prepared a press release, (copy attached, below), explaining three common problems occurring this summer. Your lilacs appear to have the last problem explained in this article, (lilac fungal leaf blight). Symptoms include spots, leaf curling, then dropping leaves. As long as the bark looks healthy, and you can see the terminal buds for next year..., the plant should be fine. Things you should do to help your plants include raking up, and destroying, all of the fallen leaf debris this fall. Over the winter, while the plant is dormant, thin out the plant, to allow for better air circulation. Thinning will also help to avoid any powdery mildew problems next year. Try to remove the entire branch from the bottom and avoid cutting off the tips, as you will be cutting off next year's flower buds ...." Lilac Pests (uvm.edu) How do you prune a lilac that has grown out of control? - Cooperative Extension: Garden and Yard - University of Maine Cooperative Extension (umaine.edu) I hope you find this information helpful. Hopefully, next year's weather will be more cooperative, and we won't be seeing so many ugly lilac bushes!" I couldn't have said it better!  Let me know if you have more questions!
Leaf/berry identification

Question: Hi I am wandering if you can help me identify this leaf/berry combo. I find it notable that the berry cluster forms right from the center leaf vein.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 30, 2024, 10:26 AM EDT
response: The peculiar-looking seed structure tells us that the tree belongs to the genus, Tilia, which includes "basswood" and the "lindens" from Europe. What you’re looking at are the fruit/seeds hanging from a narrow bract that acts like maple samaras (= “helicopter seeds”) to disperse the seed. When the bract/seed breaks off, the single blade causes the entire structure to spin to the ground.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 30, 2024, 10:40 AM EDT
response: Thank you so much!! On Mon, Sep 30, 2024 at 10:26 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Pear tree bug

Question: I have pear tree that has bugs. See attached pictures

responder: Deb K  Replied September 19, 2024, 6:27 PM EDT
response: Thanks for contacting "ask extension" with your question about your pear tree. From your picture, it looks like you have a rust disease from the family Gymnosporangium,  most likely Trellis Pear Rust (G. sabinae). Rust fungi in this genus have complicated life cycles that alternate between two different hosts, the pear and the juniper. The fungus survives the winter in galls it forms on the Juniperus spp host. These galls can look like orange goo and are usually quite noticeable.    As a home gardener,  your best method of control is to remove the secondary host (the juniper) within a 1000 foot radius  around the pear tree. Remove and destroy affected fruit and leaves and avoid overhead irrigation that wets foliage for extended periods of time. The Bartlett pear seems to be resistant to rust.     I hope this helps!

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 20, 2024, 10:25 AM EDT
response: Thanks for the information.  On 09/19/2024 3:27 PM PDT Ask Extension wrote:

responder: Deb K  Replied September 20, 2024, 10:58 AM EDT
response: Your vey welcome!
I.d. eggs on fig leaf

Question: I am trying to identify these eggs found on the underside of a fig leaf.

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 September 19, 2024, 11:29 AM EDT
response: Insect eggs are not often easy to identify without knowing what adult insect laid them. Based on their general size, shape, and clustered nature, we'd guess they belong to a type of moth. Fig is not a typical host plant for any of our native insects, nor does it tend to have caterpillar damage problems, but if what hatches out (assuming they hatch this year at all, versus overwintering first) is a mass of caterpillars that starts chewing leaves, then you can manually just clip those leaves off at that point. Otherwise, figs will be dropping leaves for the winter in just a few more weeks, so the insect will not cause any serious or long-term damage to the plant and should be able to be ignored.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 20, 2024, 1:10 PM EDT
response: Thank you! On Thu, Sep 19, 2024 at 11:30 AM 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 September 20, 2024, 6:32 PM EDT
response: You're welcome!
Mushroom question

Question: This suddenly grew in my garden. Any idea what it is and is it dangerous?

responder: Jill Pollok  Replied September 23, 2024, 3:39 PM EDT
response: These look like Armillaria tabescens mushrooms. Was there a previous tree stump or roots in this area? This is a plant pathogenic fungus on woody ornamentals: https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/armillaria-root-rot/pest-notes/#gsc.tab=0

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 23, 2024, 3:49 PM EDT
response: Thanks. Yes when I dug it out it was on an old tree root. Thanks!Sent from my iPhone On Sep 23, 2024, at 3:39 PM, Ask Extension wrote:﻿

responder: Jill Pollok  Replied September 23, 2024, 4:01 PM EDT
response: That is characteristic of this fungus. Because stumps and root systems of previously colonized trees can serve as “food bases” supporting fungal growth for a number of years, thorough removal of stumps and root systems will reduce the risk of infection of other plants.
our wild cactus

Question: reaching out to you wondering if either you or someone you know of does in-home repotting of cactus. 
we have an old very large cactus, we are told it is Euphorbia Lactea, that has been leaning within its pot for a handful of years now and has finally caused its pot to tip. our current pot is 14” tall and 15 1/2” across. the cactus from dirt level up is 70" tall and 65" across at its widest point.
we have reached out to many organizations including area botanic gardens for someone to help with this giant thing but have been unsuccessful. 
any information you can share will be helpful. thank you.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 18, 2024, 2:28 PM EDT
response: Hi Juli, That's quite a Euphorbia! We do not provide gardening services to the public; but you might consider contacting a private company that does gardening (as distinct from landscaping) or possibly even a garden center/nursery to find someone who could come assist. Another option would be to consider pruning the plant to keep it in-balance.  This need not be dramatic, but could involve removing a few of the smaller side-shoots to remove weight from the heavy side--enabling you to keep the plant's impressive physical stature while maintaining it within its current pot.  Any pieces you remove could be rooted and grown on in their own pots (they'd make great gifts!). If you decide to try to pot it up, wrapping the plant snugly in burlap, old blankets, or similar can add stability and protection for the gardener! I hope this helps! Cordially, John

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 18, 2024, 3:17 PM EDT
response: hi John and thank you.     I didn't expect anyone in your organization would be able to do it so thank you for answering and for your suggestion of a nursery.      I've reached out to several "private" companies to no avail. as well as to botanical gardens in the area.   I will look into a nursery to ask about a source to help about a giant Castle Rock Cactus. :-)      we have thought about trying to do it ourselves and are just afraid of breaking him entirely to pieces.  he is over 30 years old.      thanks again,  Juli  On 09/18/2024 12:28 PM MDT Ask Extension wrote:
Photinia

Question: Is this photinia healthy? The condition of the bark makes me wonder. Typically, the leaves become diseased and fall off. However, many leaves still survive. Thank you for your response.

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 September 18, 2024, 12:20 PM EDT
response: We don't see any concerning symptoms on the bark, though we don't often see Photinia bark this distinctly since many gardeners prune their plants to much more compact sizes, where the dense foliage hides the bark. (There is nothing wrong with your allowing the plant to mature into its full, small-tree size. In fact, it's probably healthier overall for it, even though it still gets some leaf infection.) The leaf disease you mention is likely Entomosporium Leaf Spot, a very common infection that Photinia is vulnerable to.  Although using a copper-based fungicide spray on the foliage might suppress new infection on healthy leaves, it cannot cure existing infection, and is not generally practical to try. This is in part because every spring (and probably several times thereafter into the summer), the entire canopy of the plant would need to be coated in fungicide spray, and this repeated every year in order to keep the infection at a minimum. Since fungicide use might risk harm to pollinators and other organisms, and because they don't always work completely (if it rains when a follow-up treatment is due, for example, the break in the spray cycle can allow infection to take place), we don't usually recommend their use.  You can rake-up fallen leaves each season, though, that were shed due to disease or normal leaf drop (since even healthy evergreens do still drop a few of their oldest leaves each year). This will remove some infectious spores so they don't overwinter under the plant, able to start new infections next year. While spores might still blow into the area on the wind in a future year, at least removing infected leaves on the ground will help reduce the risk of severe infection. In years with wet weather, infection might be more rampant, since leaf surfaces that stay wet for long periods tend to be easier for pathogen spores to infect.  If this particular leaf spot infection is too tedious to deal with or creates too much of an eyesore, and if you're not keen on keeping the plant, then replacing it with another species might be the more practical long-term solution.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 18, 2024, 1:51 PM EDT
response: With many thanks for your help.  On Wed, Sep 18, 2024 at 12:20 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 September 18, 2024, 1:56 PM EDT
response: You're welcome!