MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
Insects on my million bells flowers.

Question: My million bell flowers have small insects on them which I’m unable to ID. Please ID them and recommend what I might safely use on them.

responder: Best Regards,   Replied July 03, 2024, 12:56 PM EDT
response: Dear Joan,  Thank you for contacting us about the insects on your flowers. Do the insects seem to fly? And what kind of damage they are causing?  With a little more information we may be able to advise you.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 03, 2024, 1:25 PM EDT
response: There is some chewing/holes on the lowest leaves of the plant but that may have occurred earlier.  There doesn’t seem to be new holes.  I suspect they are sucking the plant juices.  I see no flying insects like white fly. The blooms and underside of the young leaves are covered with what seems like very small eggs and white debris which may be  some very small white exoskeletons  left. I’ve used a magnifier but can see no more details.  They are not bothering the geranium in that same pot.  Thank you. On Jul 3, 2024, at 9:56 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:  ﻿

responder: Best Regards,   Replied July 06, 2024, 11:24 AM EDT
response: Dear Joan,  Thanks for the extra information. You may have a plant that is a magnet for several types of tiny insects. Aphids, in particular, often select particular plant species.   Since the insects are visible, your best approach would be to spray them with either insecticidal soap (homemade sprays can damage plants), or Neem oil. Note that the soap sprays must come in contact with the body of the insect to be effective.  Here is some information about aphids. The controls also apply to other small sucking insects. https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/hort/nursery/common/nursery-crop-aphids  I hope this information is helpful. Please write again if you have more questions.
3 Year Old Blaze Maple-No Leaves On Top Half

Question: Our 3 year old Blaze Maple tree seems to be dying from the top down as it only has leaves on the bottom half, as per 2 attached pictures.  We purchased this tree from a  local, reputable nursery and after planting, it thrived for the first full year or so.  We thought our watering was adequate and as per given instructions.  It seems to have been planted correctly, i.e. not too deeply as root flare at base is somewhat visible.  Will using Ross deep root fertilizer help at this point?  Should we trim off the portion without leaves?  We don't want to give up on it so any and all suggestions are appreciated!
Thank you!

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 02, 2024, 11:15 AM EDT
response: Hi Lisa, I'm sorry to hear about your tree! It's not uncommon for maples, particularly Autumn Blaze maples, to perform poorly in our area.  The symptoms you're seeing are commonly caused by environmental stresses; the winter and wind are the two most common culprits.  The best thing you can do for your tree is to make sure that it is adequately watered.  Using paper trunk-wrap through the winter months (Hallowe'en to Tax Day, more or less) can help to protect it against sunscald.  Lastly, a very light fertilizer application might help the tree to push more top growth, but there's no need to use "deep-root" applicators.  Bear in mind, too, that the growth generated will be more susceptible to disease and insect attack, and the growth spurt can add stress to an already stressed tree--so fertilize only with caution.   You can cut the dead branches off, yes, being careful not to cut into living tissue as you do so. If the tree fails to recover, consider replacing it with a more durable tree for Colorado--hackberry, honeylocust, Kentucky coffeetree, linden, and bur oak are a few good options, for example. I hope this is helpful. Cordially, John

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 02, 2024, 11:31 AM EDT
response: Thank you so much, John for this prompt and detailed response!  We had high hopes for this tree as we have a mature blaze maple (10 years) on the southwest side of our property, doing beautifully.  (This ailing tree is on the south side of property).  We do live on 5 acres in Elizabeth with lots of wind out here and at 6700 ft elevation, so I now understand better the environmental affects you mention.  Maybe keeping a better eye on our watering, some light fertilizing and cutting away some of those leafless limbs will help.  Good to have your tree suggestions if we do end up replacing it.  Many thanks to you & for this very helpful service!  Cheers,Lisa K Elizabeth CoSent From My Galaxy Tab S7+   On Tue, Jul 2, 2024, 9:15 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Possible Aster Yellows on Goldenrod?

Question: Hi there! I have a large patch of goldenrod that looked a bit yellow when it was first coming up. Then it seemed to look more normal and now I can’t tell if the flower stalks look normal or not. I do not know the variety but it looks different than the others in my garden which are just one straight stem. Thoughts?

responder: Maureen Graber  Replied July 03, 2024, 9:23 AM EDT
response: Good Morning,  Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Service.  From viewing your photo, I do not believe your plant has aster yellows. Or, it is in the very early stages. Please click on the following link from the U of M  Extension Yard and Garden website about aster yellows: https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/landscape-design The above link has an actual photo of a goldenrod with aster yellows.  Here is another link that shows the native goldenrods in Minnesota: https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/search?kw=goldenrod With all the rain we've had, and cloudy weather, the plants might be just taking off! Good Luck!

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 08, 2024, 3:01 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much!!! Sent from my iPhone On Jul 3, 2024, at 8:23 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:   ﻿

responder: Maureen Graber  Replied July 09, 2024, 10:13 AM EDT
response: You are welcome!
Ash grey blister beetle help

Question: I believe I have numerous ash grey blister beetles on my property. We have horses that we typically let graze and I'm concerned for their safety. I am keeping horses off the pastures for now. What can I do to get rid of these beetles or do I just have to let them move on?

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 01, 2024, 3:06 PM EDT
response: I have only found them on this plant, which I believe is kochia.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 01, 2024, 4:52 PM EDT
response: Hi Chea, Sorry to hear about your outbreak of beetles.  You're right, they are a danger to horses certainly, and while they are more commonly a problem in contaminated hay, there's no way to know or ensure that a horse wouldn't accidentally ingest enough live beetles while grazing to become a problem.  It is a matter of your horse (will it eat beetles?) and your risk tolerance. Several contact insecticides would work on blister beetles, however, dead beetles remain a problem for horses, so I don't know that trying to kill the beetles in place is a viable solution.  You might also find that some insecticides would preclude grazing after their use. The safest course of action is likely to wait for the beetles to move on, which is usually fairly rapid--within a week or two, once the desirable plants they're after are gone.  They usually attack flowering plants (famously alfalfa, though your beetles seem to be after the kochia), so working toward limiting the number of broad-leafed plants in the field may be a long-term strategy you'd like to take.   Sorry that there's not a great clear-cut solution for you, I hope this was helpful. Cordially, John
Neighborhood Tree Infestation

Question: Our neighborhood trees are dying. We are seeing two different things going on with our trees.
1.  Over 20 of the trees have little white things sticking up off the leaves.
We are hoping you can identify what this is and how/if it can be treated.

responder: Thank you for your question!   Laura S.      Michigan State University Extension Advanced Master Gardener Volunteer You may also contact the toll free MSU Extension lawn and garden hotline at 1-888-678-3464 with your gardening questions or visit www.migarden.msu.edu for Smart Gardening resources. Replied July 01, 2024, 4:58 PM EDT
response: Hello Becky, The projections on the leaves are spindle galls. They do no harm to the tree. They are the trees reaction to tiny insects which have planted eggs on the leaf. Here is more on leaf galls- https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ENT-60  The tree is buried too deeply in mulch and perhaps in the soil itself. Trees live longer when their root flare, also known as a root collar, are exposed and able to exchange oxygen. I recommend you or a certified arborist remove all the mulch and, if necessary, some soil, to expose the root collar. Here is more on the root collar—https://extension.umd.edu/resource/trees-planted-too-deeply/ Find a certified arborist here by zip code— http://www.treesaregood.org Grade the soil outwards from the trunk and up to the soil level of the surrounding grass.  The grass-free area around the trunk should extend out to the farthest reaching branch, or at least 3-4 feet. Top dress the bare soil with 2-3 inches of mulch. Do not let any mulch touch the bark of the trunk, so as not to keep the bark wet and encourage rot, pests, diseases. Your picture does show some limb dieback in the crown.  https://www.umass.edu/urbantree/factsheets/23commonmapleproblems.html  This dieback could be from a number of things: drought stress( including drought effects from several years ago), girdling roots, flooding, wind damage are some of the common issues.  A certified arborist can examine the roots for girdling and possibly correct them if they are not too large. Correcting girdling roots on a large tree can compromise the integrity of the tree, so this should be done by a certified arborist. https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/all-about-stem-girdling-roots  He/she can diagnose what is causing the dieback in the crown, and provide you wih a plant health care plan going forward.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 01, 2024, 5:46 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much for your expertise in answering our questions.  I am excited to share this information with our association board.  On Mon, Jul 1, 2024, 4:58 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Thank you for your question!   Laura S.      Michigan State University Extension Advanced Master Gardener Volunteer You may also contact the toll free MSU Extension lawn and garden hotline at 1-888-678-3464 with your gardening questions or visit www.migarden.msu.edu for Smart Gardening resources. Replied July 01, 2024, 6:23 PM EDT
response: Glad to be of help!
Sick hydrangeas

Question: I have three hydrangea at the front of our house. One on the corner is looking beautiful. Then there are two on the sides of the door. One has really struggled all season. And the other one has some blooms but not as much as the one that's doing well. I don't know what's wrong. The first two pictures are of the really sick one, and the last picture is the one that's also struggling but not as bad

responder: Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied July 02, 2024, 3:10 PM EDT
response: You didn't give me much information.  What variety of hydrangeas are they?  Are they all the same?  What is the soil like in that area.  I see they are mulched with rocks.  How about sun/shade.  The corner one probably gets a decent amount of sun but those on either side of a door may be shaded.  Please respond with the information I need.  Thank you.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 02, 2024, 5:24 PM EDT
response: Thank you for replying back. They are Annabelle hydrangea. This is the third summer that we've lived in the house. They were here when we moved in and for the last two summers they have been fine. The house gets afternoon evening Sun in the front where the bushes are. We have Rock in the front. And if you have any other questions, please let me know. I'd love to get to the bottom of why it is so sick. I have attached some pictures. Thanks, Tom -------- Original message -------- From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>  Date: 7/2/24 2:10 PM (GMT-06:00)  To: Tom Gravatt <<personal data hidden>>  Subject: Re: Sick hydrangeas (#0145430)

responder: Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied July 02, 2024, 7:50 PM EDT
response: I actually think two of your Annabelles look good.  Try pulling the rock mulch away from the base of your sickly shrub.  Work in some granular fertilizer and then some compost.  It is not happy with the growing situation and maybe that will help. Check to see what is different in that spot.  Perhaps does water pool?  Or, does it not get much water?  Is a gutter draining on top of it?  Don't overlook any possibility as to why that plant is suffering.  There has to be something different there as Annabelle is a sturdy, hardy hydrangea that can withstand neglect.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 03, 2024, 7:00 AM EDT
response: Thanks for your help. We have water that pools on the sidewalk  by the sick plant when there are heavy rains. Maybe it's getting too much water. Hopefully it can bounce back! -------- Original message -------- From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>  Date: 7/2/24 6:50 PM (GMT-06:00)  To: Tom Gravatt <<personal data hidden>>  Subject: Re: Sick hydrangeas (#0145430)
Red Maple Tree Dieing

Question: My Red Maple appears to be dieing. It has cobwebs for years. What can be done to save it?

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 July 02, 2024, 11:42 AM EDT
response: Hi,  The cobwebs are unrelated to the tree dying and just spiderwebs. Spiders are just taking advantage for the leaf structures and leaf debris can get caught in them.  The dead and dying branches are common on Japanese Maples when they are under stressful condition. We can see that it is near the driveway or sidewalk. This means it has root competition and heat stress in the summer. Did you supplement irrigation last year with our drought conditions? Is it buried too deeply in mulch? Japanese maples are susceptible to Botryosphaeria cankers which is a blight that can occur from drought stress and uneven watering. Trees and live with Botryosphaeria as long as they are maintained and not stressed further.  You can prune out the dead and dying branches as needed and supplement watering in times of drought.  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 02, 2024, 1:59 PM EDT
response: Thanks. This is helpful. Craig     On Tue, Jul 2, 2024, 11:42 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 July 02, 2024, 2:06 PM EDT
response: you're welcome!

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 06, 2024, 5:21 PM EDT
response: I do have a follow up question.  Is there a fungicide or other treatment besides watering that can kill/control Botryosphaeria cankers?  Thanks,    Craig   On Tue, Jul 2, 2024 at 2:06 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 July 08, 2024, 11:25 AM EDT
response: You can review our Botryosphaeria page for more information. No fungicide will be useful in preventing the infection; instead, focus on what made the plant vulnerable in the first place and prevent that, which is often drought stress.  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 08, 2024, 11:35 AM EDT
response: Thank you for the clarification.  On Mon, Jul 8, 2024, 11:25 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 July 08, 2024, 5:10 PM EDT
response: you're welcome
Poor raspberry growth

Question: Hi! We bought a house in November that has a truly massive raspberry patch, carefully fenced in from animals. I've been eagerly waiting for raspberries, but I'm finding that the berries are either very small or nonexistent (see attached pics). The patch gets decent sun. I have not fertilized it, and being up in Bethel, we do have fairly sandy soil. The patch is crowded, but all of the offshoots outside of the patch are also this way and they have plenty of room. Being so well fenced in, I have to assume this patch was intentional and has produced in the past - but I'm unsure what the problem is. 

Virus-wise, the leaves of the plants look quite healthy. I don't see a single sign of yellowing, browning, bug spots, or even lighter green. The plants are quite robust. I shared some plants with a friend of mine and now I'm worried their plant won't give them good berries next year!

Could this be a fertilizer issue?

responder: Evelyn Locke, MN Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor, Volunteer    Replied July 01, 2024, 1:23 PM EDT
response: https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-raspberries-home-garden The patch will need renewing this fall and that maybe part of the reason for lack of fruit. The fruit stem in your hand didn’t get pollinated probably because of all the rain. Bees don’t fly in the rain. Rain also washes away nitrogen so your plant might benefit from a berry fertilizer. https://extension.illinois.edu/small-fruits/caring-raspberries#:~:text=Apply%20about%20two%20ounces%20of,1%2C000%20square%20feet%20of%20planting.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 01, 2024, 1:29 PM EDT
response: Thanks so much! The patch definitely does need attention, it looks like it's been left to its own devices. Can you tell me what you mean by 'renewing'?   Courtney  On Mon, Jul 1, 2024, 12:23 Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Evelyn Locke, MN Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor, Volunteer    Replied July 01, 2024, 4:39 PM EDT
response: https://garden.org/frogs/view/17029/# Please read over both information sheets and decide how much work you want to do. Also pace yourself as much as you like. Take on a manageable section at a time. Renewal can be as little as cutting down all the brown canes and all 2 nd year canes here after or as great as making a new bed and moving canes.
Container tomato issue

Question: I have two containers of cherry tomatoes on my balcony. The lower leaves starting to turn brown like attached photos. Upper new leaves look OK. What is this and how can I fix the issue?

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 July 01, 2024, 6:33 PM EDT
response: From our tomato expert: Mostly heat and moisture stress. Keep root system moist consistently. Move plants to afternoon shade on scorching days.  Take a look at info on the link:  Tomatoes | University of Maryland Extension (umd.edu)  I'd remove lower browning leaves, being sure to sanitize pruners with bleach between cuts.  If lower leaf browning continues, consider spraying with a fungicide. Read directions.  Next year, be sure to sanitize containers with bleach before filling with new potting soil, and plant tomatoes varieties with disease resistance (to blight, wilt, etc...)  Good luck Len

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 02, 2024, 8:50 AM EDT
response: Thank you! Sent from my iPhone On Jul 1, 2024, at 6:33 PM, Extension Foundation <<personal data hidden>> wrote:   ﻿
Insect ID from photo

Question: Can you identify the insect in this photo. It is perched on the end of a standard sizes railroad tie.

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 July 01, 2024, 11:50 AM EDT
response: This is a moth in the family Sphingidae, usually going by the common name of Hawkmoths or Sphinx moths. Around 40 species in this group have been documented in Maryland (see linked page for a list that links to image galleries). Several species are of similar size and have similar wing patterns, but our guess from your photo is the Pandorus Sphinx, whose caterpillars eat (among other things) Virginia Creeper, a native vine.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 01, 2024, 12:44 PM EDT
response: Thank you for the quick response n detailed explanation.   On Mon, Jul 1, 2024, 11:50 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 July 01, 2024, 12:47 PM EDT
response: You're welcome.
Garlic dead

Question: Hello, I just recently pulled up a variety of garlic that I planted in October. I’m growing close to 100plants. This variety turned yellow and died before even forming scapes. I pulled them up and now am unsure what happened as they didn’t bulb. Im attaching a photo of the garlic patch. They were at the north end. The rest appear perfectly healthy. We have had tons of rain but it hasn’t affected the majority of the plants. Thanks!

responder: Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied July 02, 2024, 3:28 PM EDT
response: It is probable that particular variety does not do well in Minnesota.  It may have been a softneck garlic.  Here is information:   https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-garlic

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 02, 2024, 3:45 PM EDT
response: Thanks for the reply and link. The variety is hardneck, that’s all I’ll grow. I did get it locally too and they grew huge bulbs of the variety… I’m wondering if you could help with diagnosis at all? It’s way too early for it to have died without having formed scapes, and the conditions for the others in the same bed has been no different. It doesn’t appear to be a disease that I’m aware of or can find on this diagnostic software within umn extension, would you agree? Thanks.  On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, 14:28, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied July 02, 2024, 8:16 PM EDT
response: Searching brought up a publication on Diseases and Pests of Garlic that covered just about everything that could possibly happen.  I am giving you a link to that.  I am thinking that this happened to the whole planting of one variety, somewhere those cloves must have been exposed to a disease.  I would guess the cloves were all together in one bag so one infected one would have passed it along to the rest.  You could try sending a sample to the Plant Health Clinic but the plants are probably already mushy.  The article mentions planting mustard there to cleanse the soil.  I have no university based knowledge of that practice.  Maybe the descriptions of various diseases might match up with what happened to your variety.  Sorry I can't make a diagnosis, only suggestions.  https://www.rasacreekfarm.com/garlic-diseases-and-pests

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 04, 2024, 10:08 AM EDT
response: Thank you for that responses that’s definitely a helpful path for me to go down and find some answers!  On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, 19:16, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: