Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Saturday - August 22, 2009
From: Oakdale, CT
Region: Northeast
Topic: Diseases and Disorders
Title: Growth on underside of squash plant leaves
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have a mold in my garden that is oval in shape and has spikes growing out of it, the color is yellow. This mold (yup it's not a bug I checked) is all over the underside of my squash plants. Any help or direction would be great.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants found several good sites describing diseases and pests of the squash plant and its relatives. Here are a couple of them: Common Squash Problems and Assorted Foliar Diseases of Cucurbits. Alternaria leaf spot and Mosaic are the closest matches I could find, but there is nothing I could find that exactly matched your description. It might help us a little to know how large these areas are in diameter and how thick they are. If the Alternaria leaf spot or the Mosaic is not what you are seeing (and I'm doubtful that it is), please send us photos of these yellow spiky growths on your squash leaves and we will do our best to identify them? Visit Mr. Smarty Plants' Plant Identification page for instructions on submitting photographs.
More Diseases and Disorders Questions
Ground Arizona ash wood suitable for mulch?
April 23, 2015 - We cut down a 40 year old Arizona ash tree and had the stump ground into mulch. Can we use this mulch in our vegetable garden and flower beds
view the full question and answer
Exposed area on native elm in Texas
December 26, 2008 - I have an elm tree starting to show signs of dying. It has an exposed area at the trunk of the tree turning white. When it rains there is a 6-inch strip (the width of the exposed area) running up th...
view the full question and answer
Cedar elm with brown leaves
August 12, 2011 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, We feel we may have limited time to save our beautiful Ceder Elm. We have many trees in our yard (Post Oaks and Cedar Elms) and have been told they are all between 50 - 75 year...
view the full question and answer
Blossom end rot on non-native tomatoes from Newport RI
April 25, 2014 - Can epsom salt or eggshells end blossom end rot on tomatoes?
view the full question and answer
Problems with crossvine from Semmes AL
January 06, 2013 - I have a 3 year old cross vine (tangerine beauty) and the leaves have started turning black and falling off the plant. I have two plants growing on the same pergola (opposite ends) and the second plan...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |