MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
What’s eating out rose?

Question: Hi Master Gardeners! Something looks like it is eating our climbing rose, salvia, echinacea, and sedum. All are in the same bed. Rose was just planted late spring. Help!
Thank you!

responder: Evelyn Locke, MN Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor, Volunteer    Replied September 09, 2024, 3:41 PM EDT
response: One really needs to see the bug to identify the culprit, the most likely suspects are grass hoppers and Japanese beetle. They are suspect because so many different plants are bitten. May pests have favorites and fewer pests are generalists. https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/managing-japanese-beetle-feeding

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 09, 2024, 4:58 PM EDT
response: I did find these on a rose leaf today. Thoughts?   Thank you! Ashley    Get Outlook for iOS   From: ask=<personal data hidden> on behalf of Ask Extension  Sent: Monday, September 9, 2024 2:41:54 PM To: Ashley Ferrara  Subject: Re: What’s eating out rose? (#0154431)

responder: Evelyn Locke, MN Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor, Volunteer    Replied September 09, 2024, 7:50 PM EDT
response: That is the rose sawfly. They do have big appetites. https://www.thegardenwebsite.com/rose-sawfly-rose-slug.html
What is this plant?

Question: I saw it in the Monkton MD area, along Monkton Road just off the NCRR Trail.
It looked very healthy and "spready". I thought it might make a great ground cover, if I could identify it. 
Any ideas? Thanks.

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 September 10, 2024, 5:27 PM EDT
response: Plant ID can be challenging without flowers (since blooms tend to have key ID traits), but this plant's foliage traits and growth habit suggests Cypress Spurge, a non-native and weedy species that we would not recommend using in a home garden in case it spreads (again) into a natural area where it can compete with native species. If you're interested in alternatives, our Groundcovers page might provide some ideas; it was recently overhauled to include a more extensive (though not exhaustive) plant list.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 10, 2024, 5:54 PM EDT
response: Thanks, Miri! I was afraid it might be a weed because I hadn’t seen it anywhere else, ever. I won’t pursue it and I will check out the groundcover page.  Jack

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 September 11, 2024, 9:31 AM EDT
response: You're welcome.
PELARGONIUM ANGELEYES BLUEBERRY

Question: hello from mansfield. I picked up a blueberry geranium late in the summer and in bad shape. It's doing great right now and I would love to overwinter it, then put it out next year. is there a best way to do that? thanks for your time and advice.

responder: Dennis Mohn  Replied September 11, 2024, 10:34 AM EDT
response: Good morning Mansfield ,       Your plant is a member of the geranium family. I have included a link below with instructions on how to overwinter them . I have done this before and find the plant can be larger and stronger than the previous season. Good luck and happy gardening https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/overwintering-geraniums

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 11, 2024, 11:44 AM EDT
response: you guys are the BEST! thanks x 1000 On Wed, Sep 11, 2024 at 10:35 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Dennis Mohn  Replied September 11, 2024, 12:30 PM EDT
response: You're welcome
potatoe harvest

Question: when we harvested our potatoes this year they were all covered with small raised spots and had some dark areas on them.

Do you know what would cause that, is it preventable and are they still good to eat?

picture attached

Thanks

responder: Stephen Brown, Ph.D.  Replied September 10, 2024, 2:04 PM EDT
response: I suspect this is potato scab which is harmless. Just peel the spud and inspect the flesh. If the flesh is clear then you can eat it.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 10, 2024, 3:18 PM EDT
response: Thanks, The flesh inside is clear.  What causes the potato scab and how do I prevent it in the future? PeteOn Tue, Sep 10, 2024 at 10:04 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Stephen Brown, Ph.D.  Replied September 10, 2024, 3:31 PM EDT
response: https://simplifygardening.com/what-is-potato-scab/

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 10, 2024, 5:24 PM EDT
response: Okay, I understand the brown areas.  What about the tiny raised white spots?  Are they the same?Thanks for the article, Pete On Tue, Sep 10, 2024 at 11:31 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Stephen Brown, Ph.D.  Replied September 10, 2024, 5:28 PM EDT
response: I don't know what they are.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 10, 2024, 6:26 PM EDT
response: Sorry after rereading the article i found this, "or white spots on the surface..." Potato scab affects all potatoes but grows best in moist, humid conditions. Small, circular brown or white spots on the surface and dark-green areas under these brown spots characterized it.Thanks for helping, PeteOn Tue, Sep 10, 2024 at 1:28 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Old Lilac bush

Question: My old lilac bushes got leaves this spring but very few flowers. In June the leaves turned brown and fell off.  In August new leaves grew and now the lilac bushes are blooming flowers.  What happened and what should I do?  I was going to cut them down to a third after they went dormant, but now I am not sure.

responder: Deb Reierson  Replied September 09, 2024, 1:51 PM EDT
response: You probably have Lilac blight. This is the response I have been giving to many people this year: Our wet spring has caused a few problems this year. We are getting a lot of questions about possible lilac blight. We are seeing it more on common lilacs this year. There are two kinds of blight: Bacterial blight pseudomonas syringae pv.syringae and Ascochyta blight ascochyta syringae. I can’t say for sure what kind of blight you have but the treatment is the same. There is nothing to be done this year to treat your shrubs but clean up throughout the summer and into the fall is essential.  The effect is mostly cosmetic and will not kill your lilacs unless they suffer for several successive years.  You can send the pruned branches to your local compost. Do not compost them at home as a small home pile will not get hot enough to kill the pathogens.  https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/lilac/leavesblotches.html https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/how-recognize-treat-avoid-lilac-bacterial-blight https://kstp.com/kstp-news/local-news/wet-spring-mild-winter-impacting-lilac-appearance/

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 10, 2024, 12:24 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your response.  Will it be fine if I cut back the bushes to about a third?  They have grown too big for the space.  If I can, when is the best time to do it? Alison   From: ask=<personal data hidden> on behalf of Ask Extension  Sent: Monday, September 9, 2024 12:51 PM To: mitchalison  Subject: Re: Old Lilac bush (#0154375)

responder: Deb Reierson  Replied September 11, 2024, 6:35 PM EDT
response: If yo cut off 1/3 of your lilac, it will probably not bloom for 2-3 years. Try renewal pruning  in a 3 years cycle.  This year remove the largest stems at the base. Repeat for the next two years.
Vine Id

Question: I know there there are a lot of plants with heart shaped leaves, but might someone have an idea if this could be a valid ornamental vine, or a weed.  I found it in a large abandoned exterior pot.  Some of the terminal stems are reddish.  The thin dark green material in pic is a chive, so unrelated.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 07, 2024, 6:27 PM EDT
response: I assume it is a wild grape, but hoping for something better.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland  Extension. For more information on a variety of yard and garden topics, visit the HGIC website and our blog, Maryland Grows.  Replied September 09, 2024, 9:36 PM EDT
response: Hello, This appears to be a native wild grape vine, Vitis spp. Since it is in a pot, you can decide if you want to keep it. If it were in the ground, you might decide not to. Click here to see a response we gave to an earlier inquiry. Thank you for your question. Barbara
Hydrangea paniculata vanilla strawberry

Question: Hydrangea is about 5 years old. Has bloomed beautifully every year. This year it did not. Blooms did not develop and wilted. Leaves are spotted. I did trim it last fall but only in some areas. What is wrong and what do I need to do?

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 14, 2024, 1:14 PM EDT
response: Buds did not develop and blooms did not open.  Buds that tried were all scraggly looking, see pictures attached.first picture is how it bloomed last year.   Last picture is how it did not bloom this year.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 14, 2024, 7:03 PM EDT
response: Buds did not develop and blooms did not open.  Buds that tried were all scraggly looking, see pictures attached.first picture is how it bloomed last year.   Last picture is how it did not bloom this year.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 14, 2024, 7:43 PM EDT
response: Sorry looking blooms up close

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 14, 2024, 8:06 PM EDT
response: Sorry looking blooms up close

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 16, 2024, 9:07 AM EDT
response: I apologize for the delayed response. Thank you for sending additional photos, they were very helpful. This hydrangea likely has a couple issues. The first issue is the spotting on the leaves. This appears to be fungal issues and typical for hydrangeas late in the season after a very wet year. It is not of major concern.  Unfortunately, the second issue is of significant concern. The yellowing of the leaves and the deformed flowers indicate a virus or a viral-like disease called Aster Yellows. There are several viruses that infect hydrangeas in our region. Unfortunately, there is no cure for either issue and recommendation for management of both diseases is the same - to remove the infected plant and roots. Do not compost the plant material in your yard either.  Aster yellows in your garden | UMN Extension Aster Yellows – Wisconsin Horticulture Viruses of Hydrangea (purduelandscapereport.org)  If you would like to get confirmation of which pathogen it is, you can send a sample into MSU's diagnostic labs. Plant & Pest Diagnostics (msu.edu)
stump grinding debris

Question: My very large ash tree ( almost 100 feet tall) was recently cut down.  I chose to have the stump ground and am now left with a huge pile of debris.  I am getting conflicting answers on what to do with that debris.  The arborist who was in charge of project said to leave the debris for 2 months to let it settle in the ground to help fill in the hole.   Another opinion was to immediately remove all the debris and fill with soil and grass seed. A google search also gives conflicting opinions.   I also read that the debris is great as a  mulch.  I would like your opinion as to (1) what to do with the debris (2) since it was so close to the house will it affect the foundation as the roots die and (3)  the tree had ash borer disease thought its canopy remained healthy.  Does that fact make it not suitable for mulch.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland  Extension. For more information on a variety of yard and garden topics, visit the HGIC website and our blog, Maryland Grows.  Replied September 09, 2024, 9:26 PM EDT
response: Hello, You were wise to have your ash tree with emerald ash borer infestation removed before the tree died and became hazardous to your house. If you plan to have grass where the tree was, you should remove the debris, fill in with soil and then seed or lay sod. This is the best time of year for lawn renovation. Since you are starting a new lawn for this area, click here to read our recommendations. It is fine to use the debris as mulch elsewhere in your yard, with the proviso that you would not want to use this to mulch another ash tree. Thank you for your question. Barbara

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 10, 2024, 9:32 AM EDT
response: thank you for your feedback..it is very much appreciated.LindaOn Sep 9, 2024, at 9:26 PM, Ask Extension wrote:
Is there hope for my Magnolia?

Question: I have a Southern Magnolia tree that I planted in the Willamette Valley three years ago. It appeared to have been dead but now there are new leaves emerging from the base. Does that mean that it will turn into a tree again? What can I do to promote its growth and shape it into a Tree (form versus a bush form)?

responder: Bill Hutmacher  Replied September 10, 2024, 4:36 PM EDT
response: Thanks for your question.   Your magnolia is definitely struggling but it is certainly worth giving it a chance.  The best actions to take now would be to prune back the branches and trunk until you see green living tissue.   Essentially remove all the dead material.   If the tree is dead all the way down to the crown, you should see how the sprouts grow this fall and winter.   If the magnolia survives the winter, you could select the dominant branch and prune out the others.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 21, 2024, 8:09 PM EDT
response: Thank you! I will give it a shot!~CarrieWe never know how our small activities will affect others through the invisible fabric of our connectedness. In this exquisitely connected world, it's never a question of 'critical mass.' It's always about critical connections.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                -Grace Lee Boggs On Tue, Sep 10, 2024 at 1:36 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Dalia health

Question: Hi, one of my Dalia’s has some issues with its leaves. I’m pretty sure it’s getting enough wayer

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 September 11, 2024, 3:53 PM EDT
response: This looks like leaf miner damage. Compare the upper and lower leaf surfaces to images you find online. Does it look the same to you? If so, this prior Ask Extension Q&A gets detailed with suggestions. Let me know if we need to troubleshoot other possible causes.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 11, 2024, 8:08 PM EDT
response: Hi. The underside of the leaf is health so it’s only on the top side. Clearly not miners. Sent from my iPhone On Sep 11, 2024, at 12:53 PM, Ask Extension wrote:﻿

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 11, 2024, 8:08 PM EDT
response: Hi. The underside of the leaf is health so it’s only on the top side. Clearly not miners. Sent from my iPhone On Sep 11, 2024, at 12:53 PM, Ask Extension wrote:﻿

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 September 12, 2024, 11:38 AM EDT
response: I’m not sure what it might be if not leaf miner damage. The squiggly lines are not matching any other pests of Dahlias that I can find online or in Extension publications. I encourage you to pick some leaves and look carefully with magnification to find a culprit. There are “rose slugs” which are actually a sawfly, with larvae that eat the leaf surface. I don’t see any photos that identify them on Dahlias specifically, but that doesn’t mean they don’t. A challenge with identifying insects late in the growing season is that sometimes the larvae or adults are already gone, leaving only the damage to make judgments about. If this is the case, watch your plants earlier next year to catch sight of the pests at first damage. Also, consider following cultural control measures for all the pests it might be. I looked at photos of damage for each pest listed here by UC IPM for Dahlias. (I was hoping to find another insect causing squiggly lines.) You can go through them too, and follow those cultural controls you think will be helpful. Do NOT use chemical controls without a firm pest identification. Among other reasons, you can be killing the predators and making your problem worse. (Using Pesticides Safely) Here is sawfly information. Since I brought it up as a remote possibility, this explains the life cycle and possible damages to watch for next year. I hope your plants are still producing beautiful flowers for you.
Honeycrisp Leaves Getting Lacy

Question: I have one honeycrisp apple tree that we planted last year. This year it produced seven apples but the leaves are turning crispy and lacy. I do not see any bugs on it. Ideas on how to treat?

Thank you in advance!

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 09, 2024, 9:16 AM EDT
response: Hello Meg, I’m surprised you got fruit off the tree only a year after planting. The leaf damage looks like it came from a generalist feeder insect (something like a Japanese beetle). There’s no need to do any treatment, especially at this point in the season.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 12, 2024, 9:46 AM EDT
response: Sent from my iPhone On Sep 9, 2024, at 9:21 AM, S. Meg Pointon wrote:﻿Thank you!  Should I be doing anything next year to prevent this from occurring?  I also read that I should have reduced all those apples to one when they first showed up to keep the tree healthy. Should I do that next year?  Thank you so much. MegSent from my iPhoneOn Sep 9, 2024, at 9:16 AM, Ask Extension wrote:﻿

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 12, 2024, 10:52 AM EDT
response: Hello Meg, Yes thinning fruit early in the season can be helpful to increase the size of the apples later on, but it’s not necessary. Generally in the first couple years of a tree’s growth we encourage growers to remove all fruit to encourage vegetative growth. That step isn’t necessary for home growers- it’s just a way to reach full production faster. To control insect damage in season you could use a few different products. I like to refer to New Hampshire’s home fruit spray guide (we have one in the works for Michigan that has yet to be published). https://extension.unh.edu/resource/home-fruit-spray-schedule-fact-sheet-0
What is this insect

Question: SE Jackson county. Am finding these inside and out. Live on the RVCC golf course. Evergreen trees, oaks, shrubs around house

responder: Bill Gerth  Replied September 10, 2024, 10:52 AM EDT
response: Hi Nancy, That looks like a very young, immature western boxelder bug (Boisea rubrolineata).  Western boxelder bugs can be nuisance pests, especially if they get themselves indoors. However, they are native to our region, don't bite people, pets, or livestock, and don't damage structures or household belongings.  Large numbers of these bugs are usually only found in the vicinity of their host plants, which are big leaf maple trees and boxelder trees. They feed on the flowers, young seeds, and sometimes on foliage, on sap seeping from wounds on branches/trunks, and on fallen seeds. They don’t do any appreciable host plant damage either though.  Any of these bugs that you find indoors can be captured and released outdoors. To prevent them from getting back indoors and to prevent future infestations, you can seal up gaps by repairing screens and caulking around windows and doors, screen soffit, corner trim and attic vents, etc. Sealing gives the best results when it is done during the summer months before the bugs work their ways indoors seeking places to overwinter.  Insecticide treatment is not very successful for tackling western box elder bug infestations. Residual sprays (by a pest control operator) where bugs congregate on building sides and near the foundation may reduce entry indoors but will not eliminate the insects. If other control measures are not sufficient, a professional tree service could treat infested trees near buildings to reduce the number of bugs that could get indoors.  Alternatively, if these bugs are really bothering you, and the host trees are on your property, you could consider cutting down those trees and replanting a different species that would not support these bugs.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 18, 2024, 7:48 PM EDT
response: Thank you Bill. This is very helpful!Nancy Stavish<personal data hidden> On Sep 10, 2024, at 7:52 AM, Ask Extension wrote:﻿
Cosmos not blooming

Question: I have two large Cosmos (4ft tall) that are in full sun at 8,000ft in Evergreen, (JeffCo). They have yet to bloom  I may be over-watering (?) and recently have tried using a bloom fertilizer (the last 2 weeks) with no luck. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 11, 2024, 4:39 PM EDT
response: Good afternoon! Have there ever been any flower buds on the plant? How often are you watering them? Where did you get the plants from - started from seed or a garden center? It could be the overwatering but they should have some buds on them by now! Thanks, Rachel

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 12, 2024, 2:10 PM EDT
response: Hi Rachel,Thanks for your response. To follow up; I’ve never had buds on them. I bought two 1 gallon pots from ACE hardware in late June. Throughout the dry season we’ve had I’ve probably watered twice a week.Thanks!JanetOn Wed, Sep 11, 2024 at 2:39 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 17, 2024, 6:12 PM EDT
response: Thanks for thank info! It could be that it is too high up there for them. If they never set buds they may have needed warmer weather to be able to bloom!
What is this white powdery stuff growing on my privets?

Question: Good morning!  I am trying to identify this white powdery stuff growing on my privates. Some of the leaves on those branches have turned brown. I thought it was some terribly contagious fungi so I cut the branches in the photograph down at the base and placed them in my fire pit. I have noticed the same growth on privets on the other side of my yard.  What is this white powdery stuff? How do I treat it? Thank you.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 06, 2024, 11:58 AM EDT
response: Margaret, It looks like you have scale on your privets. When I read your email, I first thought of powdery mildew, but that mostly attacks the leaves. The white stuff on branches leads probably to scale. You should remove any affected leaves and spray either with neem oil or insecticidal soap.  Be sure to spray thoroughly at least a couple times until the infestation is under control. Here is a web site from the University of California which goes into more detail. Scale Management Guidelines--UC IPM (ucanr.edu) Good luck. Richard Master Gardener Volunteer.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 06, 2024, 12:41 PM EDT
response: Thanks RichardMargaret On Friday, September 6, 2024 at 08:58:15 AM PDT, Ask Extension wrote: