MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
Boxwood Disease

Question: Hello,
I have a problem with some of my boxwoods.  Dead twigs at the bottom or center.  No bugs or caterpillars.  No lesions.  Does not look like blight pics.  Is there a wayy to diagnose?  I have been watering above and have stopped that.

responder: Rhonda Frick-Wright  Replied July 09, 2024, 10:43 PM EDT
response: Hi Anna Marie and thanks for your question about your boxwoods. I see some grey leaves but the pictures blur when I try to enlarge them, so I'm going to send you websites with my 3 best guesses and you can see which one of the pictures matches your symptoms best.  Boxwood blight: https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/boxwood-buxus-spp-boxwood-blight Canker https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/boxwood-buxus-spp-volutella-leaf-stem-blight-canker Phytophthora root rot https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/boxwood-buxus-spp-phytophthora-root-crown-rot  When you make a match, look at the Cultural Control section to see what you can do about it.   Happy puzzle solving,

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 10, 2024, 3:01 PM EDT
response: ﻿Sent from my iPhone Hello and thanks! Are these 2 pics any better?  I could not match to any of the choices. The second picture above does have some yellow leaves but generally the areas just exfoliate.    AnnaOn Jul 9, 2024, at 7:43 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:   ﻿

responder: Rhonda Frick-Wright  Replied July 10, 2024, 10:38 PM EDT
response: Hi again Anna Marie and yes, those are better pictures. I can definitely see stippling of the leaves and some webbing of spider mites. These mites are common in the Willamette Valley and thrive in hot weather. The first step in control will be to wash the plants with a strong stream of water, knocking them off if possible. Cut out the dead branches and you are ready for chemical control. The following chemicals are available for home use: acephate azadirachtin O esfenvalerate fluvalinate horticultural oils O imidacloprid S insecticidal soap O kaolin clay O malathion pyrethrins pyrethroids P spinosad O sulfur O thiamethoxam S  The O means they are organic, the S means it works on the whole system of the plant and the P means it is a broad spectrum insecticide that will kill many different insects. Stick with the O if possible and find a miticide in the garden section containing on of these ingredients.  I am also concerned with the bit of compost or soil around the base of one of the plants in the picture. Mites are also encouraged by too much nitrogen, either in compost or fertilizer. Make sure you are adding nothing to the soil around the plants. It might even be good to rake up fallen leaves and debris at the base of the plants for sanitation reasons. https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/hort/landscape/hosts-pests-landscape-plants/boxwood-buxus-boxwood-spider-mite  Good luck and thanks for sticking with this!

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 10, 2024, 11:49 PM EDT
response: Thank-you!!!Sent from my iPhone On Jul 10, 2024, at 7:38 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:   ﻿
How to stabilize a hill. What other options are available?

Question: Our backyard is on a hill that has begun to erode. Some of the tree roots have been exposed. What do you recommend as far as planting and other methods of stabilizing?

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 08, 2024, 5:48 PM EDT
response: Our back yard is a hill. There are spots with no vegetation and some tree roots are exposed. What do you recommend to plant to stabilize the hill?  It is mostly in the shade as there are several trees

responder: Taffy Replied July 09, 2024, 2:15 PM EDT
response: You definitely need to plant now before you lose anymore soil.  You should plant close together, adding compost, LeafGro or other soil amendments as you plant. Here is good information from UME on plants for slopes and groundcovers: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/native-plants-shady-slopes/  These are my choices:  Asarum canadense (wild ginger) - a native ground cover, not evergreen, but will over time develop a good root system which holds soil even in winter with no leaves. Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern) - a native, semi-evergreen fern that's very hardy and grows fairly quickly. Athyrium filis-femina (Lady fern) - another native fern, but dies back in winter.  Root system will hold soil. Packera aurea (Golden ragwort) - a native perennial that thrives in most conditions, sun or shade, spreads fast, nice yellow flowers in the spring attract pollinators.  Can be quite thuggish, but good for what you need. Eurybia divaricata (White wood aster) another native, fast growing, aggressive perennial with nice white flowers in late summer which attract pollinators. Heuchera villosa (Coral bells) another native evergreen perennial Carex ssp. (sedges), a grass-like plant which is evergreen, fairly fast growing and shade tolerent. There are many different varieties out there, native and non-native. Xanthorhiza simplicissima (Yellowroot) a native low growing, suckering shrub, very shade tolerant - a favorite of mine which I have in my shady garden.  Good Luck! Thanks for asking Ask Extension.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 09, 2024, 3:35 PM EDT
response: Thank you. What month would be a good time to plant golden ragwort?  Stacey

responder: Taffy Replied July 09, 2024, 4:58 PM EDT
response: It's too hot and dry to plant anything now.  I would wait to plant whatever you're planning to in September.
White things on a holly

Question: What are these white things and how do we treat?  They are on a large old holly bush at St Martha’s Episcopal Church in Bethany two blocks from the ocean.
I took this picture on my iPad from a pic on my phone.  I hope you can make it out ok.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 08, 2024, 3:30 PM EDT
response: The white on the undersides of your holly leaves are the ovisacs of cottony camellia/taxus scale.  Each spring this insect completes development into an adult, mates and then produces hundreds of eggs in these ovisacs.  Lady beetles, lacewings, and other predatory insects then eat the majority of the eggs or early instar crawlers of this scale species.  The remainder survive until the next year when the cycle repeats itself.  Crawlers have already settle for the year and have started producing a waxy covering that protects them from insecticide applications.  A systemic insecticide could be used to possibly provide some control, but the active ingredient would need to be a neonicotinoid such as imidacloprid or clothianidin.  Both of these products are suspected as having impacts on pollinator health.  The scale insect rarely does long term injury to the health of the plant but can produce sufficient amounts of honeydew for sooty mold to grow on which will make the plant look unthrifty.  A 3-4% horticultural oil application can be made during the fall by spraying the underside of the leaves and the branches of the holly and this could provide some control.  It is too late in the year for contact insecticides to provide substantial control of the pest.  The oviscacs typically take a year or more to wear off the underside of the plant's leaves.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 08, 2024, 4:20 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much. This is very helpful. We will wait til the fall to spray.  This is such a fabulous service.  Fran Karns    On Mon, Jul 8, 2024 at 3:30 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Poor peony

Question: Not sure what is happening to my peony but it is one that has been in our family for about 50 years- any suggestions on figuring out what’s wrong is appreciated. I haven’t been the most attentive Gardner so not sure if it needs fertilizer or a new home? Any suggestions welcomed:)

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 11, 2024, 9:20 AM EDT
response: Most of the plant looks well but there are a few branches that are completely dead- I just don’t want to be missing something and the whole thing dies.

responder: Thank you for your question! Mary Ann 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 11, 2024, 9:23 PM EDT
response: I think your plants are infected with a peony fungus that is causing the plant to darken and rot.  There are two fungi that may be the culprit, Phytophthora Blight (Phytophora cactorum)or Botrytis Blight aka Grey Mold or Peony Wilt (Botrytis paeonia plus several other species). Phytophthora Blight of peony  is a soil borne fungus that thrives in cool wet soils causing young shoots to blacken and rot at soil level. Roots may also rot. Higher up on the plant leaves may develop black leathery areas as well as flowers and buds. Symptoms of Botrytis blight look similar to Phytophthora Blight, but it has the presence of a fuzzy grey mold. I see what may be some of the mold in one of your pictures.     Michelle Grabowski, University of Minnesota Extension – Horticulture, Bugwood.org   Managing both problems is about the same.   Remove the  infected plant tissue or entire plants and soil when most of the plant is infected. You seem to have only small plants infected.  The group in the back of the photo seem to be healthy. Discard infected plants. Clean the soil carefully.  Do not compost any debris. Good sanitation is critical in managing and preventing  the spread of the disease. Be sure the soil drains  and that there is good air circulation around plants. To prevent the probem next year, begin applying a protective copper-based fungicide early in the growing season. Avoid overhead watering.   The following websites may be helpful. I hope you are able to control these problems, especially since these plants have been in your family for so long. https://extension.psu.edu/peony-diseases    https://mbgna.umich.edu/peony-diseases
Staghorn sumac

Question: I have at least 3 staghorn sumac (some suckering) about 10’ tall. I’m not sure of their age but the home is 20 years old. They seem healthy and produce blooms. On one plant, there are the cone shape pink blooms but on the other two , the blooms are a similar shape but actually larger, not fully developed and are a milky color.I understand there are male and female plants. Can you tell me what might make the difference in blooms on the various plants? I saw these same blooms last year. Thanks!

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 09, 2024, 1:31 PM EDT
response: Good Morning Geri, Thank you for contacting Ask Extension with your question about the two types of flowers found on your staghorn sumacs.  The staghorn sumac is dioecious, so the flowers will be either male or female on any individual tree,   The tree will be unable to self-pollinate and will need an opposite gender tree for pollination to occur.  This is why there are two different types of flowers on your trees. https://wp.towson.edu/glenarboretum/home/staghorn-sumac/#:~:text=The%20staghorn%20sumac%20is%20dioecious,flowers%20to%20do%20so%205. https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/volunteer-information/cmg-gardennotes-class-handouts/staghorn-sumac/ Regards, Barb S. El Paso County Colorado Master Gardener

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 10, 2024, 9:28 AM EDT
response: Thanks for the  explanation !     Geri Becker   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Tuesday, July 9, 2024 11:31:27 AM To: Geri Becker <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Staghorn sumac (#0146267)
Insect infestation on Plum leaf

Question: My 10 year old Greengage Plum is covered with frass on the top side of leaves and the bottom sides are covered with young non-flying crawling insects and a few adult winged insects, pale green color. Ladybug beetles are numerous on the top sides of the leaves.  I understand this is not particularly harmful to the tree but I'd like to know what the insect is.

responder: Sheryl Casteen Replied July 09, 2024, 8:16 PM EDT
response: Hi Don,  That's quite a picture you have.  They are aphids.  I found some microscopic pictures of them and they look just the same.  A hard, forceful watering will get rid of most of them.  They are prolific this year.    I sprayed my rose bush with water and the number of aphids turned the house wall gray there were so many.  You can also use insecticidal soap without damaging the plant.  I am attaching the video with the microscopic images for your review.  If you have further questions, please contact us again.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 10, 2024, 11:54 AM EDT
response: Thanks Sheryl -- and I thought I knew aphids.  Great video.  Don

responder: Sheryl Casteen Replied July 10, 2024, 12:33 PM EDT
response: You are welcome.  You have quite the camera lens.
Maple tree thinning

Question: Small branches are dying off slowly. Tree shaded by house and trees at back of yard. Small holes in trunk. No soil changes , no digging near tree. We don’t want to lose this tree. Can you suggest any tree disease experts who could see tree and suggest treatments? Thank you!

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, 3:54 PM EDT
response: Although we can't identify any concrete causes of decline from the photos, we do recommend having a certified arborist or licensed tree expert evaluate the tree in person. Arborists cannot cure or treat every ailment, especially since tree decline might begin months or even years prior to symptoms becoming apparent. However, they can help to narrow-down a diagnosis, plus look for sources of tree stress that might have predisposed it to insect or fungal attack in the first place, or which might be able to be addressed now to slow any further decline.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 12, 2024, 11:01 AM EDT
response: Thank you so much for your help. I have been more closely examining the leaves on the branches that are having small branchlets die off.  I will send in more photos of the leaves now that I can access some.  I don't know if this will be more helpful, but am contacting some arborists as you suggest. Suki

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 12, 2024, 4:41 PM EDT
response: Leaf symptoms might not be diagnostic enough to determine what is ailing the tree, but we are happy to look at any photos you wish to send.  Miri
Beetle ID Please

Question: Any idea what kind of a longhorn beetle this is? Half an inch long, found on a wildflower bloom in the Ochoco Mountains at about 5,000 feet.

responder: Bill Gerth  Replied July 12, 2024, 5:26 PM EDT
response: Hi Buddy, That is a flower longhorn beetle (Family: Cerambycidae, subfamily: Lepturinae). Based on the relatively enlongate pronotum, the subterminal tibial spines seen on the hind leg in your photo, and the color pattern, that is most likely a Stenocorus species.  I don't have very specific information about interactions of Stenocorus species with plants, but here is what the book Western Forest Insects says about flower longhorn beetles in general...  "The subfamily Lepturinae (Hopping 1937, Linsley and Chemsak 1972, Swaine and Hopping 1928) contains numerous species, most of which bore in dead rotting wood, hence are of little economic importance. The adults of many species are colorful and feed on pollen. Typically they are widest through the shoulders, taper to the rear, and have a bell-shaped thorax, often toothed or swollen at the sides. The larvae commonly have numerous padlike structures (ampullae) on the upper surface of the abdominal segments and their legs are more developed than those of other roundheaded wood borers."  Enjoy!

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 14, 2024, 6:07 PM EDT
response: Thanks Bill. Always appreciate it. Buddy    Buddy Mays buddymays@bendbroadband <personal data hidden> https://buddy-mays.pixels.com/    Ask Extension wrote:
Weed identification

Question: Can you please tell me what this weed is and how I can get rid of it? It is spreading all around my yard and my garden. Thanks!

responder: BarbLB   Replied July 08, 2024, 6:26 PM EDT
response: I’m still researching this one John. Does it ever have a flower?  Does the plant vine and climb too?

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 09, 2024, 6:31 AM EDT
response: Thank you for helping me! I haven't seen it flower and I've never seen it climb as a vine. I'll try to get another picture of it. Google Lens said Ligularia fischeri.       On Mon, Jul 8, 2024, 6:26 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: BarbLB   Replied July 09, 2024, 6:38 AM EDT
response: Thank you.  There is an invasive plant called Lesser Celandine.   Here is a link so you can see all about it. Your leaves look  similar. It would have bright yellow flowers in spring.   It spreads fast and chokes out other wildflowers.  You will want to be diligent in pulling it. Throw away in refuse not in a compost.  Let me know more when you can.  https://extension.umd.edu/resource/lesser-celandine/  Thank you.  Barb
Trimming arborvitaes

Question: I have some globe arborvitaes on the south facing front side of my home. They are about 20 years old and are now way too big. I’d like to cut them back but I don't know if that is possible. If I can trim them back, where can I find information on the proper way to do so?

responder: Maureen Graber  Replied July 10, 2024, 8:28 AM EDT
response: Good Morning Steve, Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Service.  Please click on the following link from the U of M Extension Yard and Garden website:  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-trees-and-shrubs#evergreens-1336764 If you scroll down, it discusses pruning of arborvitae. The information states:  Arborvitae, junipers, yews, and hemlocks grow continuously throughout the growing season. They can be pruned any time through the middle of summer. Even though these plants will tolerate heavy shearing, their natural form is usually most desirable, so prune only to correct growth defects.   Here is another link about arborvitae from the Missouri Botanical Garden:  https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=274501 Good Luck!

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 10, 2024, 10:26 AM EDT
response: Maureen,  Thank you for your response. One more thought where I’d appreciate feedback.   If I decide I prefer to replace these plants, I’d really appreciate some suggestions for evergreens that would work well for this area. Plantings will go in front of the house, which faces south.       On Wed, Jul 10, 2024 at 07:28 Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Maureen Graber  Replied July 11, 2024, 8:11 AM EDT
response: Good Morning Steve, Please click on the following link from the U of M Extension Yard and Garden website: https://extension.umn.edu/find-plants/trees-and-shrubs If you scroll down, there is a database of trees and shrubs to review.  Also, you can peruse the shrub lot at a local nursery. The tags on the shrubs should display the sun requirements and potential growth size. You could talk to a local nursery person for recommendations.  Good Luck!
green blueberry clusters dropping from plant

Question: blueberry bushes about 20 years old look the best they have - so many berries. however when trying to pick the blue ones knocking the plant causes clusters of green berries to drop. is there a way to stop this? I read one source said something about a calcium deficiency - though that is the only info i could find on the web. thank you

responder: Melanie,  UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteer  Replied July 10, 2024, 6:07 PM EDT
response: Hi Thea, Thank you for contacting the UVM Master Gardener helpline and providing an excellent photo. Your issue was forwarded to Laura McDermott, Berry specialist at Cornell. She mentioned that the fruit specialists have seen a lot of berry drop this year and they are not sure why but think it is due to oversetting of fruit. Because there are so many berries, it is a natural response of the plant since it takes too much energy to ripen all of those seeds. Let me provide a website with general information on blueberries: https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-blueberries-home-garden  I hope this helps and enjoy your bountiful harvest!

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 11, 2024, 12:04 PM EDT
response: thank you!!!!!! Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone  On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, 6:17 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
I found a Black Velvet Leatherleaf Slug on my porch today

Question: Hello, 
I never saw one of these before so I took a photo of it and tried to identify it. I see that is invasive so I thought I should report it. 
Kind regards.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 08, 2024, 3:20 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your submission.  The pictures are out of focus; consequently, we will be unable to use this as an official record for this species being in Delaware.  The picture appears to be of a caterpillar, but we are unable to determine which species it may be.  We need to have a physical specimen to verify what this particular animal is.  A specimen of this  animal can be dropped off at one of the extension offices or the plant diagnostic clinic and follow sample submission by filling out a form available at  the link below. clinic and sample submission https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/sustainable-production/plant-diagnostic-clinic/ cooperative extension office locations https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/directory-contacts/

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 08, 2024, 5:14 PM EDT
response: I understand, I’m in the sciences and without documentation it never happened. I will try to collect a specimen. The bigger crawled under a crack in door jam. ‍♀️  Are these black velvet slugs common here?  Kind regards,  Lisa   On Mon, 08 Jul 2024 19:20:45 +0000, "Ask Extension" <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 09, 2024, 12:02 PM EDT
response: I don't think what you found is a a black velvet slug.  I think it is a caterpillar.  No the slug you mention is not common in Delaware.
Oak Tree - Brown Leaf Edges

Question: I have an oak tree whose leaves are turning brown on the edges. The lawn is quite brown as well, so I believe I am under watering. I moved into this location early summer of last year, so I do not have a great track record of what this tree typically looks like. What do you think this is, and what can I do to get my tree healthy again? Thanks!

responder: Cassey Anderson   Replied July 08, 2024, 4:35 PM EDT
response: Hi Jon,  Thanks for your question. It looks as though you may have oak leaf blister, a fairly common issue on oak trees in Colorado, and we've been seeing a lot of it in the Front Range this year.   See: https://extension.usu.edu/planthealth/ipm/notes_orn/list-treeshrubs/oak-leaf-blister  and: https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/insects-diseases/1449-oak-leaf-blister/  for more details, but the gist is that good fall cleanup can help reduce reinfection year after year.   If your lawn is brown you may want to ensure you're putting down at least 2" of water each week in hot summer (less in cooler weather).   Let me know if you have any additional questions!

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 13, 2024, 1:25 PM EDT
response: Thank you! I will focus on the watering for now and then tackle the leaves for the fall.