Strange growth on Shasta daisy
We’ve gotten lots of questions about galls, but here’s a first. What’s this strange growth on Henry Thornton’s Shasta daisy? This looked like crown gall to us, but as we do with all things potentially disease-y, we wanted to confirm, so we reached out to Dr. Kevin Ong, at AgriLife Extension’s plant disease diagnostic lab.
Kevin confirmed that this is crown gall, which is caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This bacterium, which is present in many soils, takes advantage of ideal cultural conditions, such as unseasonably wet weather and waterlogged soils, to opportunistically infect growing plants through small wounds. These small wounds may be the result of something as simple as a scratch, caused when tender new plant stems simply push through the soil as they grow. Once this bacterium is present in your soil, there is no good solution to completely get rid of it. The best thing to do is to remove and toss all infected plants, watch for the soil to dry out, and wait until conditions return to normal, probably one growing season or a few months. Then replant with choices listed as less susceptible to crown gall, while also being careful not to overwater in the future.
In Richmond, Linda and Kent Smith got a fun surprise after rains in the Houston area. When rain lilies showed up in the lawn, they moved the bulbs to a pot where they promptly bloomed again. Most likely, nearby wild rain lilies cast their seeds where some landed for a new audience.
Summer drought is the reason behind Mark’s chomped prickly pear in San Antonio. Succulent pads are very inviting to thirsty birds and mammals.
Kristi Daugherty’s grandmother in Houston grew a radiant hibiscus that she passed along before her death. Kristi said it took a few years for the precious plant to adjust to her Austin garden, but now flowers from spring to fall. Since it’s a most treasured plant, and tropical, Kristi wisely brings it indoors in winter.
In San Antonio, Andie and Vince Campos grow their collection of succulents in a large container. This summer, their Glory of Texas, Thelocactus bicolor, sported a truly glorious flower.
From Burnet on the Edwards Plateau, Elly Claire grows pollinator plants and foliar beauties alongside her koi pond. She’s got the bonus of an incredible view, too!
In Taylor, Marie Pavlovsky’s drought-tough daylily and coreopsis sent off fireworks on July 4th.
And in New Braunfels, summer’s humidity turned Mary and Trujillo’s evergreen Texas sage into a floral bouquet for all kinds of pollinators!
You’ve got to love this dragonfly hanging out on Chris Cobb’s agave in Spicewood. Thanks to his friend Jim O’Connell for sending it in!
