MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
Boxwood blight and other issues?

Question: Please review my photos to confirm whether my Green Mountain boxwoods have blight and need to be removed. These plants are about 12 years old.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 30, 2023, 12:14 PM EDT
response: Hi,  It doesn't necessary look like blight but if you'd like to send in a photo of the whole shrub that may be better for us to help determine possibly problems.  In any case though, you can reference our diagnostic page for Boxwoods. Most of the time if you do some proper pruning, and remove any dead branches, that helps restore their health.  Common problems of Boxwood: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/boxwood-identify-and-manage-common-problems Please feel free to send additional photos or ask further questions about care.  -Emily Proper pruning:

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 30, 2023, 3:34 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your reply. Here are the photos you requested. I have about 50 boxwoods as a hedge. Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhoneOn Tuesday, May 30, 2023, 12:14 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 June 02, 2023, 9:59 AM EDT
response: Hi,  Thanks for the additional photos! It doesn't look like boxwood blight to us. You can prune out the old dead branches, as we've mentioned, and help to open them up you should be able to rejuvenate them. The pruning video and the diagnostic page link will help as well. Some older boxwoods, if they aren't managed and pruned well through their lifespan, tend to fade eventually too, due to pests or root disease. You can also water, especially now, since they are next to the brick and its been very dry. If, after you prune, they look too sparse, then you may want to think about replacements.  Let us know if you have further questions.  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 02, 2023, 10:55 AM EDT
response: Thank you for your response. I have been reading the HGIC info on boxwoods, but I still was not sure what was happening. Thanks for reviewing the photos. Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhoneOn Friday, June 2, 2023, 9:59 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Tree health

Question: My honey locust has a few dead branches and appears to possibly have a bark disease.  Are you able to tell anything from my photos?  It’s on the South side of the house. Thank you, Scott

responder: Alison O'Connor, PhD  Replied May 28, 2023, 7:39 PM EDT
response: Hi Scott,  As honeylocust mature, their bark can develop plates and look more shaggy than when it's younger. It doesn't appear as though it has a disease.  Most of the branches are on the under canopy of the tree and are the most shaded. The tree will regulate its nutrients and water to the branches that have more leaves and are more likely to produce photosynthesis.   The tree would benefit from pruning from a certified arborist - the recommendation is to prune trees every five years or so. They can remove the deadwood and prune for long-term health. You can find an arborist at http://www.treesaregood.com  They can also assess the tree for overall health and structural integrity.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 28, 2023, 10:42 PM EDT
response: Alison,Thanks for responding and the advice.  I’ll watch it this summer and make a decision.  Scott WigginsOn May 28, 2023, at 5:39 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿
What to do with a sinkhole

Question: Out of the blue, we discovered a sinkhole in our yard, approximately 2 feet across and 3 feet deep. It’s well away from the house and all underground pipes. What is the best material for filling it? Are we likely to find more? It’s unnerving! Note that both my husband and I called and emailed MN Geological Survey but no one got back to us.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 29, 2023, 6:35 PM EDT
response: Hello, Boy, this is beyond me. I don't want to give you any wrong advice as this could become more serious. https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/i-have-or-think-i-have-sinkhole-my-property-what-should-i-do#:~:text=Contact%20your%20State%20Geological%20Survey,a%20place%20to%20report%20them. Keep on trying with the state geological service. https://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/My-Water/Sinkholes/Pages/What-causes-a-sinkhole.aspx#:~:text=Sinkholes%20are%20all%20about%20water.&text=(This%20is%20called%20%22weathering%22,that%20can%20lead%20to%20collapse. I would tape off the area three ft. around it so no body falls in. I would also measure the diameter of the current hole so you can see if it gets larger. I'll keep thinking about and maybe come up with some other agency to contact.  Sally Granath, MG St. Louis County

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 28, 2023, 5:45 PM EDT
response: Hello Sally,I want to thank you for your response to my sinkhole question. I thought you might be interested to know the cause and the remedy. I contacted a variety of individuals and agencies to try to figure out what was going on. Along the way, someone suggested that the sinkhole may have been caused by an improperly abandoned septic tank. This seemed very likely, especially after learning that our house was connected to the city water supply and sewer twenty years after it was built! I contacted a septic company that does excavations, and a week later, they dug up that part of the yard, crushed what remained of the tank, and filled in the hole. Cost: $2,500.Thanks again,Sandra Dhols On May 29, 2023, at 5:35 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 28, 2023, 9:50 PM EDT
response: Oh wow, how bizarre. Well I'm sure glad you could remedy the situation. Thanks for letting me know. Sally On Wed, Jun 28, 2023 at 4:45 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
What kind of honeysuckle is this?

Question: I saw this in Thompson County Park and using your invasive honeysuckle page I could not which variety it is.

responder: MJ Replied May 26, 2023, 12:15 PM EDT
response: Hi Nancy, This is Tatarian honeysuckle. More information here: https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/shrub/tatarian-honeysuckle

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 26, 2023, 9:36 PM EDT
response: Thank you.  It was had to tell comparing the picture I took with the ones on line. On Fri, May 26, 2023 at 11:15 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: MJ Replied May 26, 2023, 9:41 PM EDT
response: You’re welcome!
River birch are dying! Help!

Question: The river birch were planted in the fall and in the beginning of spring showed new growth. Two weeks ago, some leaves looked curled and then this week the leaves are yellow. What can I do? There are about 10-15 river birch, about 8-10' high. Planted by Howard County in connection with MD "Turf to trees". There were 180 trees planted but only the river birch is sick. See attached photos. Please advise.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 26, 2023, 12:19 PM EDT
response: Fortunately, nothing needs to be done and (assuming nothing else is bothering the trees) the plants will be fine. River Birch are one host plant for a couple of native aphid species that rely on both them and our native Witchhazel to complete their life cycle. The aphids create leaf galls on the Witchhazel (prominent leaf distortions but harmless) and this classic crinkled look on Birch foliage as they feed. You can learn more on this page published by Ohio State University (see link). Aphids generally do not cause any long-term health problems for most of the plants they feed on.  Many predators consume aphids so control with an insecticides is both not needed, plus it may risk harming those beneficials at the same time. The birch will shed some of the damaged leaves as we move into early summer but then the damage will abate. Trees can afford to lose some leaves to weather, pests, and disease each year, and birch in particular grow pretty rapidly and can outpace aphid damage. You can rake-up the fallen aphid-riddled leaves if you prefer, but this is not necessary.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 26, 2023, 12:56 PM EDT
response: Wow, Miri! That's wonderful news. Thank you. Hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend. Gina On Fri, May 26, 2023 at 12:19 PM 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 May 30, 2023, 8:54 AM EDT
response: You're welcome.
should I deadhead Blue Moon Phlox

Question: We had great flowers this Spring. Should I trim these Phlox in any way. I will pull the weeds out of them. The plants on the left of the walk were planted before the plants on the right side thus the size difference.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 26, 2023, 11:24 AM EDT
response: Dead-heading to remove spent flowers is not necessary for plant health but is a matter of personal aesthetic preference. In this case, it appears that the plants have varying degrees of powdery mildew infection (typical, unfortunately, for many phlox varieties), and since improved air circulation around vulnerable foliage can reduce the risk of infection (or lessen its severity), we recommend you consider trimming the spent flower stems for this reason -- to allow a bit more airflow to reach the main foliage below.  We noticed the Phlox appear to be growing adjacent to Dianthus and other sun-loving species, so since this Phlox type (Phlox divaricata) is a woodland native, it might be somewhat stressed by a full-sun exposure during the summer. Ironically, the increased sunlight can reduce the likelihood of other leaf diseases that rely on leaf wetness to infect foliage more easily, but in the case of powdery mildew (which thrives in high humidity but does not prosper with wet foliage) this might not make much of a difference in reducing disease. Overall, though, plant stress sometimes makes them more vulnerable to pests and diseases in general.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 26, 2023, 5:15 PM EDT
response: Thanks. I’ll trim them and see what happens.  Steven   On May 26, 2023, at 11:24 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Witches brooming of garlic and Allium Leaf Miner

Question: I have grown garlic and onions in Howard County since 2017. It is becoming increasingly more difficult each year, and I have run into two primary problems, which I’m beginning to suspect are related, and I’m curious if you have any input.

I first encountered Allium Leaf Miner in 2021.  My onions were stunted badly, and I didn’t really know why until it was too late. The leaves were curled and distorted, and I did end up harvesting a crop of small but usable onions. The same year, I noticed that my garlic was “brooming”. Also called “witches brooming”, it’s when the developing cloves sprout prematurely, and send skinny leaves up through the main stalk. This causes the cloves to not develop fully and not store as well.

I was doing some research online to find the cause of it, and I found a few Australian sources suggesting that it can be caused by excessive nitrogen in fall and winter, and/or fluctuating winter temperatures. 

However, 2021 was the first year I saw this phenomenon, which also happens to be the first year that allium leaf miner showed up in my garden. About 50% of my garlic plants are brooming this year, but some varieties are worse than others.

I am wondering; could the stress from allium leaf miner could be causing the “brooming” in my garlic?

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 26, 2023, 10:05 AM EDT
response: Hi- witches broom is reported infrequently and when it appears it affects a small percentage of total plants.   ALM has spread to 4 states since 2015 and there have been no reports correlating ALM and witches broom so we think that your issues are unrelated. We'll ask our commercial vegetable IPM specialist to see if he has seen any kind of association. Jon

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 26, 2023, 4:30 PM EDT
response: Thank you. I can tell you in my case the majority of my plants have been affected since 2021.Sent from my iPhone On May 26, 2023, at 10:06 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 May 26, 2023, 8:44 PM EDT
response: Hi- that has got to be frustrating. You might want to try buying seed stock from a different supplier. Jon

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 28, 2023, 8:40 AM EDT
response: This happens no matter who I get my seed garlic from. It also anecdotally seems to be happening to friends of mine in my area. Something else is causing it to be more frequent than before.
Native grass transplant

Question: We found a native grass in a vacant area.  Very pretty reddish color last fall, greening now.  24” tall, clumps, seed heads 1 1/2 “. Could we plant clumps in landscape fabric and crushed rock?

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 26, 2023, 3:39 PM EDT
response: Hi Mark, From what I can see in the photo, that looks like Little Bluestem, a native grass.  They are quite pretty, yes, and make great ornamental plants. Yes, it would do well with rock mulch--smaller rocks (less than 1/2" in diameter) are the best mulch.  Larger rocks can be decorative but don't confer the benefits of water retention and weed suppression that mulches do. I would avoid landscape fabric if you can--it very quickly begins to impede plant growth when used beneath other landscape materials.  It's designed to be used alone in agricultural settings, used as an underlayment it can hinder air and water exchange to the soil and disrupt soil life, which will impact your plants.   More information about little bluestem can be found here: https://extension.usu.edu/rangeplants/grasses-and-grasslikes/little-bluestem More information about mulch is here: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/mulches-for-home-grounds-7-214/ I hope this is helpful! Cordially, John

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 26, 2023, 4:12 PM EDT
response: Thanks John!Sent from my iPhone On May 26, 2023, at 1:39 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 26, 2023, 4:12 PM EDT
response: Thanks John!Sent from my iPhone On May 26, 2023, at 1:39 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿
Hydrangea pests

Question: I picked off 200 closed leaves on my hydrangeas that housed a single larvae with a white body and dark head. How can I treat them in the future to prevent them?

responder: V/r,  Replied May 31, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT
response: Good Morning, It looks like hydrangea leafroller or leaftier.  The good news is that, with either of these pests, the damage to the plant is mainly cosmetic. Simply remove the affected leaves and crush the caterpillars and make sure that that the ground around your hydrangeas is kept clean of debris. Keep checking the leaves at least once a week, it may take awhile to get rid of the insects! Home, Yard & Garden Newsletter at the University of Illinois Leafroller on Hydrangeas – Toronto Master Gardeners  I hope this helps.  Thanks for using our service.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 31, 2023, 8:19 AM EDT
response: Thank you Doreen.I picked all the rolled leaves off - over 200, and disposed of them. No damage to the plan. Fortunately I caught it early enough.  RoseSent from my iPhone  On May 31, 2023, at 8:01 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
ID please

Question: This volunteered in a shady part of my garden. Stem is red.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 26, 2023, 9:31 AM EDT
response: Unfortunately we don't recognize the plant just yet as it's still young and isn't ready to bloom. Flower structure is a very important consideration when determining plant IDs. Another trait that can help narrow-down candidate species is how the leaves are arranged on the stem -- paired opposite each other or alternating along the stem, for instance. If you are willing to keep the volunteer until it blooms (which might be over a year from now if it's a shrub or perennial that needs to mature), we will be happy to make an assessment when you can share more photos. Sometimes the smartphone plant ID apps are reasonably accurate (to genus level is more reliable than to species level) and this might get you close enough to start a search for what appear to be matches, such as using the image galleries on Maryland Biodiversity Project.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 26, 2023, 10:03 AM EDT
response: Thanks.  On Friday, May 26, 2023 at 09:31:48 AM EDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
What is wrong with my tree?

Question: The leaves on the mature maple tree in my front yard are turning black. It appears to cover the whole tree and most leaves.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 26, 2023, 11:03 AM EDT
response: Greetings, I wanted to add one more picture.  Potentially this is something in the ground as disease seems to run along veins of the leaf.  We did put some Lesco weed and feed #392725 about 2-3 weeks ago.  However, we have several other trees that do not appear to have any concerns.   On Thu, May 25, 2023, 5:58 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:  Dear Jessica, Thank you for using Ask Extension. A request for support has been created and a representative will follow-up with you as soon as possible. Questions are usually answered within two business days. You can view this question's progress online. YOUR QUESTION #0102014: What is wrong with my tree? The leaves on the mature maple tree in my front yard are turning black. It appears to cover the whole tree and most leaves. Ask Extension offers one-to-one expert answers from Cooperative Extension/University staff and volunteers within participating Land-Grant institutions across the United States. If you wish to provide additional comments or information regarding the issue, please login to your account for a complete archive of your prior questions and answers.  This message for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for personalized professional advice. For specific local information, contact your local county Cooperative Extension office or other qualified professionals. eXtension Foundation does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, professional services, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by eXtension Foundation, employees, suppliers, member universities, or other third parties through eXtension is solely at the user's own risk. All eXtension content and communication is subject to the Terms of Use which may be revised at any time.

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 May 26, 2023, 12:36 PM EDT
response: We think that this looks like a disease called Anthracnose, but it doesn't normally look this severe. Here is our page about it:  https://extension.umd.edu/resource/anthracnose-diseases-shade-trees A certified arborist would be able to take a sample and have a lab analysis done.  Most larger tree companies have one on staff or you can search for one at http://www.treesaregood.org   Christine
Something is eating my Carolina Allspice

Question: I have been in search of a Carolina allspice shrub for years. I finally found one and planted it about a month ago. However something is eating holes in the leaves. I've attached a picture. I'm not sure what I should use to prevent this. Thank you.

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 May 26, 2023, 11:43 AM EDT
response: Luckily Carolina allspice is generally a care-free plant without any notable disease or pest problems. We think that the holes in the leaves are most likely from slugs, and aren't of great concern.  Slugs are active primarily at night, but the very small ones are sometimes visible on leaves on rainy or misty days. Here is our information about them:  https://extension.umd.edu/resource/slugs-and-snails-flowers   Christine

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 26, 2023, 2:17 PM EDT
response: Thank you.-------- Original message --------From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Date: 5/26/23 11:43 AM (GMT-05:00) To: Jenny Robbins <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Something is eating my Carolina Allspice (#0102012)
New pink blossom

Question: This new blossom appeared in my yard today (5/25/23).  What is its name?

responder: MJ Replied May 25, 2023, 1:50 PM EDT
response: Hi,  It’s a perennial geranium, also known as bloody cranesbill. Lucky you! They’re carefree, tough perennials. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/geranium-sanguineum/

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 25, 2023, 2:00 PM EDT
response: Super!!!!!!!On May 25, 2023, at 12:50 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: