Question:
We have a creek in our backyard where wild blackberries grow along its bank. My husband keeps the blackberry bushes under control by trimming them every year. We had no issues until a month ago when he developed contact dermatitis. We suspect that Poison Oak is growing among the blackberries. So, how can we distinguish between Poison Oak and blackberries?Answer:
- It’s common for Poison Oak and blackberries to grow together without being noticed. Here are some key characteristics to help identify them:Blackberries: These typically have clusters of either three or five leaves, depending on the variety and age of the plant. Blackberry leaves are serrated with jagged edges and often have thorns, especially on the young shoots, although there are thornless varieties.
- Poison Oak: The leaves of Poison Oak usually come in clusters of three leaflets and are lobed or deeply toothed with rounded edges. One noticeable feature is that Poison Oak turns bright red in the fall. So if you wait, Poison Oak is obvious.
- During the rest of the year, it can be more challenging to distinguish them apart, as their leaves resemble each other somewhat. By keeping these points in mind, it should be easier to identify which plant you’re dealing with.
Question:
I'm having a serious problem with my roses. This year, for some reason, I hardly have any leaves on them. Are they being under watered, or do I have a bug or disease?Answer:
- If you're experiencing a significant loss of leaves this year, it may be due to a combination of factors.
- First, I assume the rose canes are either greenish or tan in color; if they are black or dark brown, that indicates dead tissue. Roses can suffer from sunburn when there is insufficient leaf coverage, which can kill the exposed canes, causing them to turn black.
- They have extensive root systems and require a lot of water, especially since they are heavy feeders. If your roses are planted in the ground, they should be watered two to three times per week, based on whether you live inland or along the coast.
- Each bush should have a watering basin that extends from the trunk to a foot beyond the drip line, and these basins should be four to six inches high. When temperatures exceed 90 degrees, increase the watering frequency.
- For container-grown roses, they need to be watered every day from April through October for mature bushes.
- To encourage new growth, feed your roses monthly with Rose Food. To avoid fertilizer burn, be sure to water them the day before and again immediately after fertilizing.
- For insect problems and rose diseases, I recommend using Bayer Advanced All-In-One Rose and Flower Care. I prefer the granules, but there’s also a liquid that can be sprayed on; repeat applications should occur every six weeks.
- Mildew is a common problem during the summer months. Roses are not as fragile as many gardeners believe—they can withstand quite a bit of neglect. With proper watering and fertilization, your roses should return to normal within six to eight weeks.
- Finally, consider taking a few pictures with your phone to track their progress.