What is a Tomtato Plant? The TomTato plant is the brainchild of a Dutch horticultural company called Beekenkamp Plants. Someone there must love fries with ketchup and had the brilliant idea to graft the top of a cherry tomato plant and the bottom of a white potato plant at the stem. The TomTato was introduced to the Dutch market in 2015. Additional TomTato Plant Info Amazingly, this quirky invention didn’t require any genetic modification because both tomatoes and potatoes are members of the nightshade family, along with peppers, eggplant, and tomatillos....

‘Yellow Stuffer’ Information The open-pollinated Lycopersicon esculentum ‘Yellow Stuffer’ is accurately named, as the shape lends itself to stuffing. Thick walls on this beefsteak tomato help hold your mixture. This indeterminate type grows to 6 feet (2 m.) and also lends itself well to staking or climbing up a garden fence with the right support. It is a late-season grower, joining the ranks of other yellow tomatoes with less acidity than their red and pink counterparts....

Bonsai Aquarium Plants What is an aqua bonsai? That really depends. It is theoretically possible to grow underwater bonsai trees, or at least bonsai trees with their roots submerged in water rather than soil. This is called hydroponic growing, and it has been done successfully with bonsai trees. There are a few important things to keep in mind if you’re attempting this. First of all, the water must be changed regularly to prevent rotting and the buildup of algae....

What is Bishop’s Cap Cactus? Spineless with a globular to cylindrical stem, this cactus grows in the shape of a star. It is native to mountainous regions of northern and central Mexico and has easily found its way across the border to gain popularity in the U.S. In Mexico, it grows in chalky soil in stony ground. It grows happily here in USDA hardiness zones 10-11 and as a container plant in lower zones....

What is Bog Rosemary? Bog rosemary plants, also known as marsh Andromeda because of the species name, are creeping evergreens. Low to the ground, no taller than a couple of feet (61 cm.), they thrive in soggy areas in the landscape. This native is found growing wild in the northeast United States. It also is native to parts of Europe and Asia. The new growth of these marsh Andromeda shrubs is usually lime green, although sometimes you find reddish hues....

What is Colewort? Colewort is an easy to grow plant. Is colewort a vegetable? Definitely, and if you want something unusual for your veggie crisper, try growing colewort. It is a relative of cabbage with a similar flavor that grows well into the winter season. Colewort plants prefer cool temperatures and will bolt in summer. They produce airy white flowers, almost reminiscent of baby’s breath but with a cabbage like scent....

What is Hollyhock Rust? Caused by the fungus Puccinia heterospora, hollyhock rust is a disfiguring disease that infects members of the Alcea (hollyhock) family. It begins as yellow spots on top of the leaves with rusty pustules on the undersides. Over time the spots can grow together and destroy large sections of the leaves, causing them to die and drop off. At this point, the stems may also develop spots. Although the plant may not die, you may want to put hollyhocks with rust fungus out of their misery because of the severe disfigurement....

What is an Interrupted Fern? Interrupted fern plants grow a vase-shaped rosette of erect to nearly erect 2 to 4 foot (61 cm. to 1 m.) high leaves. The common name for these ferns is derived from the broad fronds being “interrupted” in the middle by three to seven spore-bearing leaflets, called pinnae. These middle leaflets, which are also the longest ones on the frond, wither and fall off in midsummer leaving a blank space or gap on the stem....

What is Larvicide? A larvicide is a product that kills insects at the larval stage, when they are active but still immature. You’ll find these products in multiple forms in garden stores and nurseries: briquettes, tablets, granules, pellets, and liquids. You can use a larvicide to manage mosquitoes which lay eggs in standing water. The larvicide goes directly into water. Mosquito eggs are typically found in buckets of water, gutters, fountains, ponds, puddles that don’t drain quickly, septic tanks, and even on the tops of pool covers that collect water....

What is Little Bunny Grass? Little Bunny dwarf fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Bunny’) is a low-maintenance ornamental with a compact size. This deer-resistant fountain grass reaches 8 to 18 inches (20.5-45.5 cm.) in height with a spread of 10 to 15 inches (25.5-38 cm.). The slow-growing grass is ideal for rock gardens, borders, and small perennial beds – even containers. Like other types of fountain grass, Little Bunny grows in a clumping, fountain-like formation....

What is Silicon? Silicon makes up the second-highest concentration of the earth’s crust. It is commonly found in soil but can only be absorbed by plants in the form of monosilicic acid. Broadleaf plants (dicots) take up small amounts of silicon and accumulate very little into their systems. Grasses (monocots), however, accumulate up to 5-10% in their tissue, a higher than normal range over that for nitrogen and potassium. Function of Silicon in Plants Silicon seems to improve plant responses to stress....

Is it getting too much or too little water? Is it getting too much or too little sunlight? Is it getting enough fertilizer? However, sometimes the questions we need to ask are: Is it receiving enough oxygen? Should I aerate the soil? Continue reading to learn more about soil aeration in the garden. Soil Aeration Info Most homeowners understand that every so often their lawn may need to be aerated. A buildup of thatch and foot traffic from family and pets can cause lawn soil to become compacted....

What is Sumatra Disease of Cloves? Sumatra disease is caused by the bacterium Ralstonia syzygii. Its only host is the clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum). It tends to affect older, larger trees that are at least ten years old and 28 feet (8.5 m.) tall. Early symptoms of the disease include leaf and twig dieback, usually starting with older growth. The dead leaves may drop from the tree, or they may lose their color and remain in place, giving the tree a burnt or shriveled appearance....

Dropping of Blooms on Hibiscus Tree One of the most common causes of hibiscus blossoms falling off plants is insect pests, particularly thrips. These tiny insects feed on hibiscus flower buds, causing them to fall off prior to blooming. Using an organic insecticide once a week as directed should help take care of the problem. Gall midge is another common pest affecting hibiscus flowers. This insect lays its eggs inside the buds, turning them yellow and eventually causing them to drop....

Why Do People Paint Trees White? Painting tree trunks white is a time honored method of young tree protection often found in orchards and tree farms. There are several purposes but chief among them is to prevent cracking and splitting of the tender new bark, which can allow introduction of disease, insects, and fungus. It is also helpful to highlight insect infestations and may prevent some borers. There is some debate as to the effectiveness of tree trunk painting....

Reasons for Rotten Blackberries Blackberry fruit rot is caused by Botrytis cinerea, a fungus that can affect nearly every part of the plant. Fruit rot favors humid environments. It is especially prevalent when weather is wet before and during blooming, and again when berries ripen. The fungus overwinters on plant debris and weeds. In spring, the spores spread via wind and water, including moisture from dew, fog, rain, irrigation water, or by direct contact with plants....

Why are My Geranium Leaves Red? Red leaves on a geranium are a sign that the plant is stressed in some way. While the bright red coloration of stressed geraniums can actually be quite attractive, it is a sign of concern. Red geranium leaves can be a symptom of minor problems, such as over or under-watering, nutrient decencies, or cool temperatures. However, geranium leaves turning red can also signify more serious issues....

How to Revive an Air Plant Why do my air plants keep dying? If your Tillandsia isn’t looking its best, especially if it’s shriveled or brown, there’s a good chance that the plant is extremely thirsty. Although misting the plant is often recommended, spritzing usually doesn’t provide enough moisture to keep the plant healthy and hydrated. If you determine that this is the case, reviving a Tillandsia means returning the plant to a healthy, well-hydrated state....

What is Silphium Believed to have been a fennel-like plant belonging to the genus Ferula, Silphium had a hollow stem, tiny yellow umbels of flowers and golden celery-like leaves. Its stout roots were covered in black bark and the silphium heart-shaped seeds are credited with inspiring the connection between the heart shape and love. In the ancient Mediterranean world, this plant had many uses in addition to food, medicine and perfume....

How to Attract Squirrels to Your Garden If they live in your area, attracting squirrels should not be a problem. Squirrels love to eat and putting out the right food is a surefire route to squirrels in the garden. If you have a bird feeder, you may already have done this without meaning to. Put out separate squirrel feeders, away from your bird feeders, so they and the birds can both eat in peace....