Question: A small black bug has taken over my nasturtiums! I’ve never seen an infestation likes this before on any of my plants. What are they and how do I manage them? Answer: Caragh B. Fitzgerald, Associate Extension Professor Those insects are aphids. Often aphids are not very problematic, but sometimes they can be severe […]
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Question: Wireworms are eating my root vegetables. Is there anything that will control them? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant Unfortunately, there aren’t any effective treatments after planting and establishment of the pest, and the best controls are preparing the soil properly and siting the plants appropriately. Please refer to these resources for in-depth information: […]
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Question: Our Maple trees have some holes in the leaves that look like something is eating them. They also have red and black raised dots on the leaves. At the tips of some of the branches, the leaves look like they are starting to turn reddish as if fall foliage was starting! Should we be […]
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Question: My Beech trees have curled leaves. What could be causing this? Answer: Kate Garland, Horticulturist There’s a chance it might be beech leaf disease (BLD). It has been spotted and spreading rather quickly in the Hancock County region. I encourage you to take a look at this Maine Forest Service website for more information. Be […]
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Question: We have a dark purple lilac that had this fungus show up this spring on it, or at least that’s when we noticed it. It is well blossoming, plenty of leaves, etc. I am afraid this may be a death sentence for it but have learned not to necessarily rely on the internet. If […]
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Question: What could have eaten my cucumber seedlings? I planted eight and i only have two left. Answer: Liz Stanley, Horticulture Community Education Assistant There are a number of possible culprits, some of which work at night. Here are some possibilities and how you can avoid them going forward. Cutworms. These species have four categories: […]
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Question: This year, we had a huge amount of little green caterpillars in the oak tree in our backyard. If you sat under the tree for any length of time, you would have caterpillars all over you, because they were dropping down on little silks. The caterpillars seem to be gone now, but they ate […]
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Question: I planted cucumber seeds in a raised bed 1 in early May and they did not come up. I was given some well established cucumber plants that I placed in the same raised bed and they nearly died within a week. I transplanted them to another raised bed and they are looking better… they […]
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Question: My tomato plants are showing a variegated discoloration especially on lower leaves. Several varieties are affected. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Project Assistant I was concerned about the concentric circle lesions on a couple of leaves (typically a symptom of early blight), so I reached out to our plant pathologist, Dr Alicyn Smart, for her […]
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Question: I need help with fruit tree caterpillar damage. In very short order, my pear tree is completely defoliated, and my plums and apple are seriously set back. The culprits are 3/4″ light green worms. Any idea what they are and what I should do now? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Project Assistant I’m very sorry […]
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