MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
Why are my tomato branches curling downward?

Question: I started Roma tomatoes from seed for the first time. I planted 7 in various raised beds throughout my garden and all of them have branches that curl downward. The leaves are distorted with every other being very small and large gaps between them. None if my other tomatoes - even ones planted in the same bed- look this way. I do think some other varieties are leggy so I’m wondering if the soil in these new beds is too nitrogen rich. I also had a breakout of what I think may have been TSWV - though these plants were not affected and all the diseased leaves ‘ plants were removed from the garden. Thank you!

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 19, 2023, 8:30 AM EDT
response: Marida, I do not see anything wrong with the plants or leaves. There are many differences in leaves of different tomato varieties. Roma leaflets are often cupped and distorted.  Mature leaves will often hang downward.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 19, 2023, 8:36 AM EDT
response: That’s excellent news! I’ve been getting increasingly concerned that something was wrong and that given how terrible last summers rain was I wouldn’t get my Roma crop out before the worst of July. Hopefully it’s all on track after all! Thanks for the fast response.  Marida      Get Outlook for iOS   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 8:30:36 AM To: Marida Bruggeman <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Why are my tomato branches curling downward? (#0096197)
Question about Planting Tulip and Narcissus Bulbs

Question: Hello,
Last fall I bought some tulip and narcissus bulbs, put them in our garage then forgot about them until this week, when I came across them.  Is it too late to plant them? Some of them have small sprouts (see attached picture).

Thanks!
Jean

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 19, 2023, 11:56 AM EDT
response: Thank you for your question, Jean.  It is too late to plant them to get blooms this year, but you'll lose them completely if you don't get them in the soil ASAP!  Bulbs need to be planted 2 seasons before their natural bloom time, to develop roots and get established.  So, now is the "right" time to plant summer- and fall-blooming bulbs.  You could get flowers from the forgotten ones next spring. Here are some tips on planting:  https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/go-underground-bulbs-colorful-spring-bloom Good luck!

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 19, 2023, 12:10 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much for your reply! I appreciate it and your suggestions. Best Regards,JeanOn Wed, Apr 19, 2023 at 8:56 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 19, 2023, 12:11 PM EDT
response: Welcome!
Mystery Shrub

Question: A friend from California asked me what this shrub/tree was.  Since I don't recall ever seeing it in Minnesota, I am hoping you can shed some light on its identity.  

Thank you!

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 19, 2023, 11:30 AM EDT
response: Thank you for your question. It appears to be a Wisteria flower, a common vine/shrub in California and a beautiful bloomer. If you are interested, several nurseries carry wisteria varieties that are hardy to Zone 4, which is in the Twin Cities metro area and further south.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 19, 2023, 5:28 PM EDT
response: Thank you! MCOn Wed, Apr 19, 2023 at 10:30 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 24, 2023, 8:23 PM EDT
response: Good evening! One of our experts from Extension has suggested I might have given you the wrong plant name. They suggest it could be Oval Leaf Mintbush or the scientific name of Prostanthera ovalifolia. It is not found in Minnesota, but found in California and warm climates.
Raspberry Disease??

Question: These pictures were taken in September.  Are these spots and dead leaves normal? Or am I dealing with a fungal issue or other plant disease? Thank you!

responder: Diane M  Replied April 19, 2023, 1:29 PM EDT
response: You may have raspberry leaf spot, a common problem with raspberries in Minnesota.  I'm attaching a couple of articles, which contain photos, for you to compare with your raspberries and see  if you believe this is what affecting your bushes.  You can also send a specimen to the plant disease clinic at the University of Minnesota at https://pdc.umn.edu/   You'll need to determine if the condition is present in the primocanes which are the first-year canes, or the floricanes, the second-year canes.   The condition is more problematic if it occurs in the first-year canes.  Treatment includes eliminating any debris, severe pruning, and providing good air circulation.  For detailed information about this condition and treatment, see https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/raspberry-leaf-spot.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 19, 2023, 3:15 PM EDT
response: Thank you! This information is helpful.  These raspberries are close to a tree line and could get more sun if transplanted.  Do you think transplanting these to a sunnier location would help and be worth the time? Also… is it best to plant them in black dirt without mulch? Because they are close to a tree line they currently get a lot of leaf mulch if not not cleaned out! Thank you. KelseySent from my iPhone On Apr 19, 2023, at 12:29 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Diane M  Replied April 20, 2023, 12:17 PM EDT
response: It is worth a try to transplant some of your bushes.  Cut them back to eliminate any diseased stems and watch them carefully as they grow. Raspberries enjoy a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch, so do add mulch.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 24, 2023, 2:08 PM EDT
response: I’m seeing two different things on new sprouting canes.  Can you confirm these in the photos below? 1) small bock spots. 2) a grayish mildew look. Are these small black spots and ares of a grayish “mildewed” appearance diseased? Sounds like the recommendation would be to cut these down to the base and transplanted.  Am I correct in identifying these as having disease? Kelsey Saxton Sent from my iPhone On Apr 20, 2023, at 11:17 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Diane M  Replied April 26, 2023, 4:17 PM EDT
response: I asked the plant disease clinic to advise regarding your question, and here is their response:  there is some information on raspberry cane diseases here: https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/raspberry-cane-diseases.  Unfortunately just based on these pictures I can't confirm if any of those are a factor here. We would really need to see some of this material in our lab to make that assessment. If they are interested in submitting a sample you can certainly pass along our info to them. https://pdc.umn.edu/submit-sample  For a firm diagnosis, then, you can submit some material to the plant disease clinic.  Good luck.
Big flying insect

Question: There is an large flying insect visiting our lilacs in Columbia, Maryland right now. It looks about the size of a hummingbird but with antennas .  Fat body with two white bands.  Wings beating fast.  I have good photos and a video.

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 April 19, 2023, 10:35 AM EDT
response: Hi,  Neat! It looks like you found one of the humming bird moth species native to Maryland called a Nessus Sphinx or Amphion floridensis. They are an important species of our pollinators! Let us know if you have further questions about it.  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 20, 2023, 6:10 AM EDT
response: Thank you, Emily!  I am so glad they are beneficial insects.  A unique if somewhat alarming sight…  Crag and Darlene

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 April 20, 2023, 9:05 AM EDT
response: You're welcome.
Autumn Brilliance Trunk diseased

Question: I have an Autumn Brilliance tree that we planted two years.  It is beautiful, very full, doesn't seem to have any problems.  The trunk, however, appears to be diseased, and I am very concerned about the health of the tree.  Is there anything I can do to protect it, and help it heal?

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 18, 2023, 4:37 PM EDT
response: After some investigation, I believe it is a purple leaf plum.

responder: Alison O'Connor, PhD  Replied April 18, 2023, 5:31 PM EDT
response: Hi Brenda,  Yes, this is a Prunus species (cherry, plum). The damage to the trunk is old, since the surrounding tissues have calloused over, sealing off the wound. The wound will not heal over entirely and the tree will make changes to how water/nutrients are transported in the tree. But since this wound happened more than one year ago (likely longer), it's made these adjustments.  The tree appears to be planted too deeply - at this age, there should be a root flare at the base, where it tapers out. I would recommend you move the rock/soil as much as you can and extend a ring where you can add wood mulch. If there is any landscape fabric, I would recommend removing that too.  You can also prune off the suckers/water sprouts close to the base or the trunk of the tree.
Tree growths

Question: See photos of the black, charcoal-like pods that are growing on my tree.  What are the growths and are there treatment options?

responder: Thank you for your question! Rebecca Finneran Michigan State University Extension Senior Horticulture Educator Learn how t be a Smart Gardener here www.migarden.msu.edu Replied April 19, 2023, 3:22 PM EDT
response: Wow!  This is a heavy case of black knot (a fungal canker).  The cankers increase in size until they girdle the branch, causing the terminal portion to die off.  This disease is usually associated with cherries and other fruit trees.  Here is an article by one of my colleagues that describes what it is and how to control it.  Good luck! https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/controlling_black_knot_in_michigan

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 19, 2023, 8:34 PM EDT
response: Thank you!! From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask ExtensionSent: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 3:23 PMTo: Jim Grant <<personal data hidden>>Subject: Re: Tree growths (#0096119)
Plant identification

Question: Hello! I belong to a church and we are cleaning up an area in our landscape. We have a plant that covers a large area and we are not sure if it's a weed or an actual ground cover. Thanks for any help!

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 18, 2023, 4:45 PM EDT
response: Hi Kate - What you have there is a Artemisia vulgaris, aka Common mugwort.  I am guessing that possibly someone planted it originally in a small area, thinking it would be nice to discourage mosquitoes, or for it's scent.  However, this is a plant that is very difficult to control.  It spreads with underground runners.  It is mildly toxic to your hands, so use gloves if you are taking it out.  It will overrun any desirable plant and choke it out.  It's native to Eurasia and N. Africa.  In some states it is considered invasive.    I hope this helps!

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 19, 2023, 8:55 AM EDT
response: Thank you for your email. We were hoping for something nicer but at least we know what we are up against! I appreciate your help ☺️On Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 4:45 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
English Laurel deaths

Question: I have 15 Laurels that were planted in 2021 and this winter sometime after 2/14/23, they all turned brown and look dead. Can any be saved? What could have happened?

responder: Dennis Mohn  Replied April 18, 2023, 3:14 PM EDT
response: Hello Lynn, I have a few questions to ask so I may better answer your question, If I may ask, Where are you located? Do you know the type of soil they are planted in and does it drain well? Soil acidity? How did they appear before 2/14/23? Do you see any other signs on the plant like any white scale cover on branches or stems, any holes or "sawdust" in the bark around the base or trunk? At the moment it may be from winter damage due the swings in temperature and moisture , or even from the winds we have had drying the leaves .  I will continue to look into causes for what is happening to your plants and get back to you. If you would , please, respond to the questions to help better resolve your problem

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 19, 2023, 9:41 AM EDT
response: Thank you Dennis for your response. I am located in Berwick, Franklin County, just south of Bexley.The soil drains well and is my bed in the front of my house.  Other plantings are surviving well such as hellebores, aronia's and gem box inkberry. The weeping blue cedar in the same bed appears to have died also. It's confusing because they have survived 2 winters already.There is still some green on each laurel.  Can I save them at this point? There are no spring flowers yet. I added a soil sample test that I received in 2021 from my backyard.Thank you,LynnOn Tue, Apr 18, 2023 at 3:14 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Dennis Mohn  Replied April 19, 2023, 5:25 PM EDT
response: Lynn,      I have included a few links you may wish to review. Few thing seem to effect the Cherry Laurel.       I checked the weather history for the Columbus area several days before and after the date you noticed the browning of the leaves.       It may be simply the result of the plants being effected by the warming and cooling of our temperatures. This would have caused the leaves to burn. It may be best ,since you have still green leaves to sit back and keep an eye on them. They may recover, To replace them or not is a decision you will need to make as we move thru April and May , the months these plants would bloom.  https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-database/shrubs/common-cherrylaurhttps://  https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=286448 https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/prunus-laurocerasus/ https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/prunus-laurocerasus/ https://relationque.com/cherry-laurel-brown/

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 20, 2023, 8:18 AM EDT
response: Thank you for your help! I am going to prune today and hope for the best! I have 15 of them!LynnOn Wed, Apr 19, 2023 at 5:25 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' problem

Question: Hello! My client is having issues with her Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' plants -- I suspect that it is from insufficient and inconsistent watering, but perhaps it is something else? These plants were healthy when I put them in last June. Is there anything that can be done for them at this point? Thank you!

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 18, 2023, 12:56 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your question, Rachel.  There are 10 diseases that can cause minor or major leaf (needle) loss to junipers (https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-and-disease-descriptions?title=juniper).  I suspect that your intuition about inadequate watering, a biotic problem, is accurate.  But amateur gardeners do not prune or separate root balls, don't dig wide enough holes, and plant at the wrong time--the beginning of summer--particularly in this warming climate.  Without knowing how they were planted, nor having an analysis by a lab, I am afraid we would only be speculating.  You might want to submit samples to the OSU Plant Clinic:  https://bpp.oregonstate.edu/plant-clinic/submit-sample/how-submit-plant-materials But I suspect your client did not water it in its first season, and heat took its toll.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 18, 2023, 1:13 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much! Is there anything that can be done now? Can the dead parts be pruned off?  On Tue, Apr 18, 2023 at 9:56 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 18, 2023, 1:48 PM EDT
response: You can (and should) prune off dead tissue.  I fear that the plants that are completely brown are goners, but the one with some greenery may come back.  You won’t know how much viable wood remains until you prune some, leaving as much as possible.  In the future, you might want to recommend native plants, such as kinickkinick (sp?) which appears to do better in warming climates, and convince clients to wait until fall or early spring to plant trees and shrubs.
Leaf curled, deformed across many species

Question: We discovered leaf damage, curled and deformed leaves a few days ago across our property to include oak leaf hydrangea, Chinese chestnut tree, Japanese maple, tulip poplar, other natives, etc. can you help identify the cause?

responder: Answered by theHome 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 April 18, 2023, 10:10 AM EDT
response: Given the many plants that are affected, our first thought is something either environmental (weather) but more likely, after seeing the twisting growth in the third photo, we wonder about what has changed in the landscape recently. Was mulch installed? Were any chemical applications made, such as an herbicide or weed killer used in your yard or nearby?  This page will give you some insights: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/herbicide-damage-trees-and-shrubs  Christine

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 18, 2023, 10:28 AM EDT
response: Our neighbor applied an herbicide named Speedzone the Sunday prior. It was applied behind a tractor from a large tank over at least 5 acres. Wind was from southwest and we had rain and wind in the days following. We suspected this was the cause but didn’t want to offer our opinion and influence your thought process in any way. We did not apply any mulch or anything else that may have contributed. Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhoneOn Tuesday, April 18, 2023, 10:10 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by theHome 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 April 18, 2023, 12:45 PM EDT
response: We looked up 'Speedzone' online and here is a sample label for one formulation:  http://newsomseed.com/resources/SpeedZone-LABEL.pdf and unfortunately it is a mix of multiple herbicides that could be problematic under certain conditions.   There could be other formulations, so it is the product label of the actual, specific container used that could apply in your situation, as there could be minor differences between them.   Christine
Barberry

Question: Found this plant on my property under pine trees. Think it’s a barberry. Not sure if Japanese or American. Can you tell which type it is?

I know Japanese is invasive so planning to get rid of it if it is. Do you have any tips for that? Also do you know of any bush that do well under pines I could replace it with?

Also side question. I have quite a bit of forsythia on my property. Is that an invasive plant? If not technically invasive is it harmful to pollinators/wildlife? Considering getting rid of that as well. A lot of birds do like to hang out in it though so wondering if I should hold off.

responder: Answered by theHome 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 April 18, 2023, 1:23 PM EDT
response: That is the invasive Japanese Barberry, and it's a great idea to remove them. Here is our page on it:  https://extension.umd.edu/resource/japanese-barberry  There is no native Barberry in our area. There is a plant called Barberry Canadensis but it is not found here.  As far as forsythia goes, it is non-native but is not listed as invasive according to the Maryland Biodiversity Project website here: https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/viewChecklist.php?genus=Forsythia It apparently has been found escaped into a few counties though. I've noticed that it does have value as a shelter and nesting sites for some wildlife. If you want to get rid of it you certainly could (and hopefully replace it with a native shrub) but we'd wait until the nesting season is over in late August.   Christine

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 18, 2023, 3:42 PM EDT
response: Thanks very much. I really appreciate the help!

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 April 18, 2023, 4:25 PM EDT
response: You're welcome!
Acres of Invasive Barberry

Question: Our property is mostly wooded bordering state park land. On one side there is a large area of maybe more than 2 acres covered with invasive barberry. It seems like an impossible job to remove it all by hand and shovel like I’ve been trying on the outer edges. Do you have a suggestion?

responder: Answered by theHome 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 April 18, 2023, 10:28 AM EDT
response: Ugh. What a terrible invasive thug of a plant. You do have options other than digging, which I know must seem overwhelming. Here is our page on Barberry, and the ways it can be controlled:  https://extension.umd.edu/resource/japanese-barberry  https://extension.umd.edu/resource/forest-threats-invasive-plants-and-shrubs  We are quite conservative about the use of herbicides, but in a case like this, careful use is warranted, for instance, cutting trunks low and immediately applying an herbicide directly to the cut stumps. There are other ways as well, such as hiring someone with a weed wrench or brushhog to pull or cut them down to make them easier to handle/eliminate.  Given the size of the job, think of it as a series of battles within a war, which will take time. It is worth battling for many reasons, including that the moist habitat it makes seems to be a haven for ticks.  Be sure to use personal protection from not only the thorns but for ticks too:https://extension.umd.edu/resource/ticks-maryland  Consider planting some native shrubs for wildlife within your woodland https://extension.umd.edu/resource/native-plants-shade   Christine

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 18, 2023, 10:35 AM EDT
response: Thanks very much! On Apr 18, 2023, at 10:28 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Answered by theHome 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 April 18, 2023, 10:43 AM EDT
response: We are happy to help. Good luck.