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Common Pests and Problems for
November
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Continue to inspect indoor plants closely for insect pests such as aphids, spider mites, scale, and whitefly.
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Aphids - Indoors
Aphids (Hemiptera) are a common problem on indoor plants. Sticky honeydew on leaves is a common first sign that they are present.
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Spider Mites - Indoors
Close-up of two-spotted spider mite (Acari) on angel's trumpet (Brugmansia); includes adults, immatures and eggs
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Also check for whitefly, mealybugs and thrips. Treat if necessary.
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Thrips - Indoors
Close-up of cuban laurel thrips (Thysanoptera) on leaves of a weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)
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Fertilize cool-season lawns to promote good root growth and reduce problems next year. Lawn Fertilizing Also fertilizing trees and shrubs in late fall can enhance recovery of plants stressed by drought this past summer. Fertilizing Trees and Shrubs
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Check trees and shrubs in your yard for “volcano” mulching - mulch piled high around the base or trunk of the plant. If found, pull back the mulch from the trunk and create a “donut” instead – little or no mulch against the base or trunk of the plant. A heavy layer of mulch around the base can lead to girdling roots as well as foster insect, disease, and rodent problems.
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Hold off applying your winter mulch to roses until after a hard frost (below 24 degrees F.). Winterizing Roses
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Remove and dispose of the foliage of plants such as roses, peonies, iris, daylilies, apples, horsechestnut, which are subject to annual fungal leaf diseases.
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Black Spot of Rose
Yellowing rose (Rosa) leaves with black spots are characteristic of black spot of rose
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Apple Scab
Yellowing leaves and spots caused by apple scab on crabapple (Malus)
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Water evergreens well in dry weather to reduce or prevent winter browning of foliage resulting from drying winds.
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Water mums well going into winter. Spent flower heads may be removed to tidy the plants, but do not cut stems back to the ground until new growth begins in March. The dead tops help protect the plants during winter.
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Warm weather followed by sudden freezing temperatures can result in damage to plants. There is little one can do to prevent these natural occurrences but it may explain why a plant had dieback or dead areas going into winter or next spring or early summer. Cracks and Splits in Tree Trunks, Winter Damage to Boxwoods
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If a soil test indicates your soil pH needs to be raised or lowered, now is a good time to apply either lime or sulfur as required to correct the condition. Do not apply lime or sulfur without first testing the soil’s pH. Soil Sampling and Testing, Acidifying Soil
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After leaves have fallen, galls on twigs and stems may be very evident. There are few, if any, really effective controls available.
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© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2009
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