MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
Redbud white modeling on bark

Question: We planted a redbud last Spring- believe it’s called Merlot. Noticed bark has white markings and wasn’t sure if normal? Appreciate your opinion. Thanks!

responder: Jill Pollok  Replied February 24, 2023, 5:10 PM EST
response: The white markings on the branches are lichen, which are harmless to trees. Lichen is an organism that's a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an algae and is simply using the tree as a substrate to grow on. Here is a helpful fact sheet about lichen on trees: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what_are_lichens_and_what_are_they_doing_on_my_tree Lichen grow on trees when there is sunlight reaching the branches/trunk they're growing on. They can be an indication of a thin canopy, which may be an indication of stress. Here is a helpful guide about caring for newly planted trees: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/watering-newly-planted-trees-and-shrubs

responder: The Question Asker Replied February 24, 2023, 6:44 PM EST
response: THANK YOU!!!!Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhoneOn Friday, February 24, 2023, 5:10 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Insect eggs

Question: What are these eggs on my clematis? Feb 2023

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied March 02, 2023, 10:49 AM EST
response: Hi Nancy, Thank you so much for the photo, it was very helpful. It appears that you have Scale Insects. The waxy shells excrete sticky substance called honeydew. There are over 8000 species. Unfortunately those little hard shells protect them from insecticides, horticultural oils and soaps. For control there are three things that you can do: 1.) Watch for the first signs of crawling insects. they are the most vulnerable and you can spray and wash them off. 2.) Monitor and use a gentle blast of water to remove. Place them in a container of soapy water. 3.) Prune the most infected branches or stems. Place these in the garbage, not in any compost. For more information go to:https://ohioline.osu.edu and select gardens and search for "Integrated Pest Management" which is a good guide for dealing with the pests you my encounter. Another great source is: https://bygl.osu.edu which is a garden line that you subscribe to (free) and it give you timely updates on things in the yard and garden you may be interested in. A final source is the Hamilton County office for the OSU Extension, 2055 Reading Road, Suite 500, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202,<personal data hidden> Clematis is a favorite of my wife's. I hope I have been helpful and not too chatty. Sincerely, Mike Heys, Franklin County Master Gardener

responder: The Question Asker Replied March 04, 2023, 10:19 AM EST
response: Very helpful!  Thank you! On Thu, Mar 2, 2023 at 10:49 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
How to Remove Fungus (?) in Raised Bed

Question: I had a raised bed installed in Oct 2022.  I did not use the raised bed but I did cover with a tarp until yesterday.  I also added used soil, with no known issues, from 2 containers I used in summer 2022.  Attached are pictures of the top of the raised bed when I removed the soil.  I have not planted in my raised bed yet, but I want to make sure I didn’t have a fungus or something in the soil in the raised bed.  What should I do?

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 February 23, 2023, 12:00 PM EST
response: Unfortunately, our group cannot answer your question because it doesn't serve your location (outside MD/DC). Please contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance. A good way to find your local office is to go to https://extension.org/search/ and enter your county or parish name along with your state name. You might also use your favorite search engine and enter "cooperative extension" along with your county name.

responder: The Question Asker Replied February 23, 2023, 12:23 PM EST
response: Thank you so much!  I contacted Master Gardener in Prince William County.  On Feb 23, 2023 at 12:00 PM, <Ask Extension> 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 February 23, 2023, 1:31 PM EST
response: You're welcome.
disease on pear trees?

Question: In late fall we recently purchased a 2.5 acre property in Norton Shores. There are a couple of pear trees on the property. One of them has growths on the bark (see the pictures). It seems like perhaps it is diseased. In the last photo you can see how the bark is splitting. I don't know how the tree did last year because the leaves were all down by the time of our purchase. Can you tell from the pictures what is wrong with the tree? Is there anything I can do to help it fight off the disease?  That particular tree has that growth all over it. Should we consider cutting it down or wait to see how it does this year? Thanks for your help!! Lisa

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied February 24, 2023, 5:39 PM EST
response: HI Lisa, thanks for the question. Pear trees do get crown gall (a bacterial disease); however, this looks more like black knot (a fungal disease).  This is somewhat confusing since black knot is usually found on plants from the Prunus genus.  There are some references to pear (Pyrus genus) trees being infected but seems to be uncommon in North America.  If the tree is highly infected, it may not be worth the work to bring the disease in check.  Check out the following links: Black knot | UMN Extension blackknot.pdf (cornell.edu) Tree Fruit Disease - Crown Gall (psu.edu) Crown Gall | Oklahoma State University (okstate.edu) I hope this helps.

responder: The Question Asker Replied February 27, 2023, 9:07 PM EST
response: Thank you. Very interesting. I would say that the pictures related to black knot fit most closely. If it is black knot, it seems that we should cut back all the spots with the knots. I appreciate your help very much!LisaOn Fri, Feb 24, 2023 at 5:39 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
what is eating my monkey grass?

Question: Hi -- I have about 30 monkey grass plants in my yard.  Something has been eating them for the last couple of years.  I thought maybe rabbits?  I would like advice for deterring whatever pest is eating my border!!!
thank you!

responder: The Question Asker Replied February 24, 2023, 5:14 PM EST
response: More details -- I live in Raleigh near NC State campus, so a very established residential area.  I have about 30 variegated monkey grass plants that appear to be chewed down over the last year or two.  I am wondering if animals are eating the plants or if there is an insect/slug problem.  I haven't noticed insects but I have seen rabbit pellets in the grassy area of my lawn quite frequently.  as spring is around the corner I would like to help the monkey grass grow and protect the plants from whatever is eating them. other plants in the bed are a large established magnolia tree, roses, and assorted shrubs.

responder: Melody Replied February 24, 2023, 5:40 PM EST
response: Hello,  i have had a terrible problem myself with rabbits and based on your image and details I really think this is the problem.  Damage by rabbits is identified by the appearance of gnawing on older woody growth and the clean-cut, angled clipping of young stems, which is what I think your image shows.   Distinctive round droppings in the immediate area also are a sign of the presence of rabbits.  In order to keep them off the monkey grass you will need to fence it off so the can not get to them.  I wish there was other ways but this is the most dependable.   By aware that they may also eat the new leaves of your roses too here is a site that will give you more details.    https://icwdm.org/species/other-mammals/rabbits/rabbit-damage-identification/  Good luck and please let me know if you have any other questions.
Horse feeding requirements in the Hill Country

Question: Hi there!  Two of my brothers are proud Aggie grads & suggested I reach out with a feeding question we have regarding a couple of horses (we believe to be in their late 20's) that our family abruptly inherited when our uncle passed away.  We have a 500 acre ranch just outside of Marble Falls, TX, but have never owned horses ourselves and want to be sure we are caring for them correctly.  

We're hoping to ensure they're well taken care of in these last years of their lives & I have a trustworthy equine vet who I can probably ask, but figured A&M might be a great resource as he can be tough to get on the phone.  Basically I'm trying to figure out as non-working horses that simply roam our land, a). do they need any supplemental feeding besides the foraging they can do in warmer, non-drought months and b). how much hay they need at other times of the year.  And would that include any grain or minerals?  I've attached a photo, but can track down their last known weights if it's helpful.  

Thank you sincerely for any resources you might be able to share!

Evan

responder: Sheryl - Horticulture Program Assistant Replied February 23, 2023, 11:53 AM EST
response: Hi Evan,  Our ag agent doesn't use this system. Please contact Peter Agboola directly at <personal data hidden>  Thanks

responder: The Question Asker Replied February 23, 2023, 1:07 PM EST
response: Great - thanks, Sheryl.  I'll email him directly! On Thu, Feb 23, 2023 at 11:53 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Thorny shrub identification

Question: Hello,
I came across this multi-trunked thorny shrub in a forest edge that I was clearing of honeysuckle. The apps suggest Clammy Locust, but there are currently no leaves or blooms to help with identification. 
There are several of these growing together, all multi-trunked, and about 10 feet tall. Both honeylocust and black locust are in the vicinity. 
Is there anyway to tell from these photos exactly what this might be?
Many thanks for your 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 February 21, 2023, 9:13 AM EST
response: We agree the Robinia species in our region can be difficult to tell apart at this point (being both young and dormant) and we don't have a good resource that points-out the nuanced differences between the two species. Given how abundant Black Locust is in Maryland, it's likely to be that species, since Clammy Locust is quite rare (at least, few observations have been documented so far). We're pretty confident this is not a Honeylocust, though. If you decide to keep the plant for now, it might be easier to concretely identify once in bloom or producing seeds, though even one of our reference books states that Robinia species are sometimes very hard to distinguish from one another.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied February 21, 2023, 9:40 AM EST
response: Thank you so much for your quick response! I didn’t realize clammy locust was quite so rare. I will keep an eye out on it as it blooms this summer, with great interest.Thank you again.

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 February 21, 2023, 9:41 AM EST
response: You're welcome!
Dracaena and Yucca

Question: I've recently noticed these white spots and streaks on my indoor plants.  Otherwise they seem healthy.

Is it some sort of powdery mildew?  The spots and streaks come off easily with a dust cloth.

What should I do to treat these plants?  Is there condition something that could spread to other plants?

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 February 21, 2023, 1:18 PM EST
response: Hi,  While it doesn't appear to be a disease or pest from the photos, we suggest trying to wipe all the leaves off and seeing if it comes back. If it does not wipe off all the way it could suggest thrip damage or mealy bug damage. To our knowledge it isn't likely that it is powdery mildew on an indoor plant. You could also try to hose it off in the shower and wipe the leaves if this helps.  The other idea we had, is to ask if the plants are misted with water or fertilizer, because the spots do look like mineral deposits that sometimes collects on leaves for this.  Let us know if they return after trying to clean them off or if you have misted the leaves. If we can help further, we will try other suggestions. Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied February 21, 2023, 1:45 PM EST
response: Thank you for responding to my query, Emily.  And thank you as well for responding to the one submitted by my friend, David Marwick, about the color change in his amaryllis.  Because I am a Master Gardener, people often ask me plant-related questions.  If I don't know the answer - as is often the case - I refer them to ask extension.On Tue, Feb 21, 2023 at 1:18 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 February 21, 2023, 1:51 PM EST
response: Absolutely! Not sure we had the most straight forward answers, but let us know if you find out more info!
Seed question

Question: Hello! We found a ton of little seeds on our deck under a tree where birds like to perch. The seeds didn’t come from the tree, and in the over 20 years we’ve lived in our house, we’ve never seen them. They’re small and pearlescent, with a papery coating. They range in size from pea to grain of rice and are in shades of white and pink. I’ve searched and asked everyone I can think of and no one can identify them! Any help would be greatly appreciated! I cut one open and they’re dry and have the texture of the inside of a nut.

responder: Signe Danler, Online Home Horticulture Instructor Replied February 21, 2023, 3:41 PM EST
response: This is a stumper! I am sending your photos around to see if I can find someone who recognizes these. I'll get back to you.

responder: Signe Danler, Online Home Horticulture Instructor Replied February 22, 2023, 10:40 AM EST
response: I have an answer for you! I had to go to a plant identification group, and one of them recognized these seeds. Now I am embarrassed, because they are so common I should have recognized them too. They are most likely seeds of Hedera helix, or English ivy, which is a very common invasive weed here (and, unfortunately, still a common landscape plant). They could possibly be from a different type of ivy, but H. helix is the most common.  When the plant matures and flowers, birds eat the fruits, then sit in trees and poop out the seeds. This is what spreads them into wild areas (and your deck). After going through the bird's digestive system, the seeds come out looking like pink and white pearls. Here's an article that shows this clearly: https://hortographical.wordpress.com/2015/04/24/ivy-seeds-and-seedlings/ Thanks for an interesting and educational mystery!

responder: The Question Asker Replied February 22, 2023, 11:01 AM EST
response: Oh my goodness, THANK YOU! We’ve had so many people trying to figure this out! I’m glad I washed my hands every time I touched them…but I guess it explains why they were under a tree where birds were perching. I appreciate your help so much! So glad we can say mystery solved! Whitney On Wed, Feb 22, 2023 at 7:40 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Cactus plant

Question: I am attaching a picture of this weird cactus I have had for 4 years, it is putting out lots of things that look like roots and I'm wondering if I can cut them off?

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied February 21, 2023, 5:40 PM EST
response: Hi Barbara, From what I can see in the photo, yes, those do look like adventitious roots that are often produced by epiphytic cacti (that is, cacti that in nature grow on the branches of trees rather than in the ground).  You could cut them off; the plant will likely continue to generate them though.   You could also consider displaying the cactus on a trellis or support so that the roots could become "functional," and you'd have less maintenance to do! Cordially, John

responder: The Question Asker Replied February 21, 2023, 10:46 PM EST
response: Thank you for your help! I really appreciate it. - Barbara Vincent On Tue, Feb 21, 2023 at 3:40 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Willow Tree with Wilting Leaves

Question: Dear OSU Extension Program, I have been trying to grow a Weeping  Willow from cuttings. It was doing okay for a while, but one of the branches seems to have leaves dying in it even though it shares the same root system. I don’t see any spores on the leaves, and the branches seem green except for maybe some small brown spots. I would love some ideas on what to do. I just tried adding some water today in case it was too dry.Thanks for your time! Jason

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied February 20, 2023, 6:39 PM EST
response: Thank you for your question.  Since some of the details of your planting actions and environment aren't disclosed, I suggested that you read the following information from WSU to see if you've the recommended technique, known to be successful:  https://depts.washington.edu/hortlib/pal/propagating-weeping-willows-from-cuttings/ I hope this helps.  Good luck!

responder: The Question Asker Replied February 20, 2023, 6:49 PM EST
response: Thank you for the info! I was trying to save a Weeping Willow that had been cut down suddenly in a public park, so I didn’t have many of the options available from the link you shared. I would still appreciate any ideas you might have. It’s currently growing in a large bucket with good drainage indoors.On Feb 20, 2023, at 15:39, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: ﻿

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied February 20, 2023, 6:53 PM EST
response: It needs to be grown outside in the soil or a well-draining container where its new growth gets the sun.  Native trees rarely can be propagated indoors.  Too warm and dark.
Spruce tree health question

Question: We’ve got a 35’ spruce tree on our property that doesn’t look too good and I’d love some guidance on how to manage it. It’s looked pretty similar for the past 2 years since we moved in. We’ve watered the tree about 5x over the last 18 months. Thanks!

responder: Alison O'Connor, PhD  Replied February 22, 2023, 6:45 PM EST
response: Hi Ben,  The tree doesn't look too bad - it's a little thin, but it's regulating growth with the resources provided. Spruce are not very drought tolerant and prefer regularly moist soils. If you can increase the frequency of watering (to perhaps once a month in the winter when there is no snow cover and daytime temps are more than 40 degrees, and twice per month during the growing season) that will help. Also, consider adding wood mulch at the base of the tree to help with water conservation and soil moisture retention.  Not being able to see the entire planting area, if there are numerous trees in that space, but they are limited by the amount of root growth they can push (because they hit a sidewalk or driveway), there may be competition among the trees too.  Do the best you can. The previous two winters were exceptionally dry (and summers were hot and dry). We're getting regular snow this year, which is good and will hopefully replace some needed soil moisture. But focus on watering as often as you can going forward.

responder: The Question Asker Replied February 23, 2023, 9:27 AM EST
response: Awesome! Thanks!! On Wed, Feb 22, 2023 at 4:45 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Pruning overgrown Roundleaf Viburnum Hedge (Viburnum Tinus Robustum)

Question: Per the two enclosed photos, I have started to prune this overgrown Viburnum hedge, with the goal of promoting growth/leaves on the lower part for privacy.  Will the lower cuts I have made encourage the hedge to bush out at a lower level for privacy?  I have noticed some growth appears like a "water sprout", with no leaves/branching except at the very top, but I have cut a few down low to get more bushiness.  I am not pruning the other side yet to make sure I get this side to fill in first, again for privacy.
Thank you very much for your response.

responder: Jacki D., Master Gardener Diagnostician Volunteer (Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas Counties) Oregon State University Extension Service Volunteer Metro Master Gardeners (http://metromastergardeners.org/) Replied February 20, 2023, 11:25 PM EST
response: “Probably” is the best I can say right now. You might find that cutting the water sprouts to force branching is needed. What kind of Viburnum is it? Perhaps I can find research or advice that is specific to this plant.

responder: Jacki D., Master Gardener Diagnostician Volunteer (Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas Counties) Oregon State University Extension Service Volunteer Metro Master Gardeners (http://metromastergardeners.org/) Replied February 23, 2023, 4:31 PM EST
response: Another expert pointed out that I cruised right past your question title clearly giving the name of your plant. I’m sorry about that. Shrub rejuvenation is a topic I found more information about. This blog page from the International Master Gardener Conference in 2017 gives basics on the types on pruning cuts and methods to rehabilitate a shrub. As you read about the styles (rejuvenation, staged renovation and drastic renovation) consider which you’d like to do. Getting new stems low on the shrub or even new trunks from the base maintains a strong scaffold to support smaller twigs with leaves.

responder: The Question Asker Replied February 23, 2023, 6:12 PM EST
response: Hi!Thank you very much for revisiting my questions and the resource you pointed out.  Nice to proceed with confidence!Best regardsOn Feb 23, 2023, at 1:31 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: