This question was submitted by Jerrilee and researched and answered by Advanced Master Gardener Elaine.

What is your question for a Master Gardener?

There is a huge green caterpillar on my tomato plant with white things (looks) like eggs covering it?

The caterpillar you referred to in your question is likely a Tomato Hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata) or it’s close relative the Tobacco Hornworm (M. sexta). They both feed on plants from the Solenaceae family which include tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, and tobacco. The Tomato Hornworm has diagonal white stripes along the length of its body and the Tobacco Hornworm has V- shaped markings along it’s body. The adult form of the Tomato Hornworm is the Five Spotted Hawkmoth, sometimes referred to as a hummingbird moth.

The white structures you saw on the Hornworm on your tomato plant are, indeed, eggs and you are in luck. The Hornworm has several what we call “biological controls” in nature. More than likely, the eggs were laid by a parasitoid wasp with the biological name of Cotesia congregatus. As the larvae of these wasps grow, they consume the internal organs of the Hornworm and it eventually dies. The hatching wasps will not bother your tomato plant. The Hornworm, however, can consume a lot of the Tomato leaves, causing the plant to weaken. Therefore, it is recommended that you do not remove the Hornworm if you see eggs on it. Because the life cycle of the wasp is dependent on the Hornworm, you want to let the eggs hatch so there are more wasps to control the population of Hornworms. For Hornworms you find that have not been parasitized with eggs, you can remove them and put in soapy water. All the sources I found did not recommend insecticides and suggested that they be used as a last resort. Remember, most insecticides are not selective so you would be killing beneficial insects along with the Hornworm. And in this case, that wasp is considered a beneficial insect.

Attached is a picture of the moth that the Tomato Hornworm turns into if the wasp doesn’t find it first.

Thank you for visiting our website.

Elaine; Hancock County Master Gardener Association

This question was submitted by a local vegetable gardener. Researched and answered by Advanced Master Gardener Bruce.

What is your question for a Master Gardener?

I have two cucumber plants that initially produced one cucumber but since has not had any. There are plenty of blossoms. It gets watered once a day. The soil seems to be damp but not overly. These are container garden plants with holes in the bottom to allow drainage. (See photo) We had just hoped to grow some veggies for my kids this summer to help with groceries. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I also have a green pepper plant that has lots of young peppers next to it. I don’t know if this has any impact. Do they need to be separated farther to allow for more sun to the blossoms?

Sorry your cucumber is not bearing fruit. The cucumber plant produces a male and a female flower (see photo). The female has an elongated and thicker stem than the male. Both must be flowering at the same time for a cucumber to form.

Bees and other insects will usually pollinate the female plant. If you have both types of flowers and you are still not getting fruit then there are no pollinators around and you can step in and be a pollinator. Take a small paintbrush and wipe the inside of the male plant to collect pollen then take your brush and wipe the pistil (white growth in the middle of the female) with the brush and pollen attached to it. You can then watch for the cucumber to start growing behind the female flower. There are times when the plant only produces male flowers. In cucumbers, if the temperature is above 85 degrees the plant may only produce male flowers. You may need to wait until we get this hot spell before the cucumber produces a female flower. That is why you got an early cucumber and none lately. Looking at your growing container it looks like the soil is only about 6 inches deep. That could be affecting the productivity of your plant. Typically, use a five gallon pail filled to the top with soil. While the cucumber sends out shallow roots it will also send out a taproot that can grow up to three feet deep.

The pepper plant placement does not appear to interfere with with the Cucumber plant however, remember both plants need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. If you have any additional question, please contact us again. I hope this helps.

Bruce

This question was submitted by Sara. Researched and answered by Advanced Master Gardener Bruce.

What is your question for a Master Gardener?

What is the best time of year to plant trees (not evergreen or fruit trees) that are purchased from a nursery? Is there special soil mix to use when planting them? New Palestine IN area.

Thanks Sara for your question on tree planting. Spring and fall are the best times to plant trees. Since there is a better selection of trees in the spring, I would take advantage of the selection and plant in the spring. When planting a tree or actually anything, do not plant if the ground is soggy or overly wet. Planting in soggy soil will alter the soil structure (even clay soils) which will add stress to your tree. When planting the tree, backfill with the soil you dug out of the hole. Spread mulch on top of the soil and it will work it’s way down to help break up the clay soil. Plants that grow through different types of soil will not grow as quickly as growing through the same type of soil even if it has high clay content. Attached are a couple of videos from Purdue on planting trees. Lindsey Purcell is probably the best authority in the state on trees.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5rUgd7BmiA&t=72s

I hope this helps. If you need any additional information, contact us again.

—
Bruce

What is your question for a Master Gardener?

This question was submitted by Kathy and answered by Advanced Master Gardener Bruce.

I’ve been trying to grow tomatoes for years but something always happens! My plants have looked very healthy so far but today I’ve noticed several tomatoes with what looks like blossom end rot but on the SIDE of the tomatoes. None of the black spots are on the actual bottom. I’m so sad! I‘m hoping this is a problem I can correct!

Blossom End Rot on Tomatoes

Hi Kathy, thanks for contacting us with your question with black spots on your tomatoes. You mentioned it looked like blossom end rot and you are entirely correct. It is blossom end rot which usually shows up on the end but can develop on other areas of the tomato. It is caused by a calcium deficiency either in the soil or insufficient moisture to transfer the calcium from the soil to the tomato. Remedies include:

Mulching around your tomato plants to help with water retention

Monitor soil moisture and water when necessary,  1 to 1 & 1/2 inches a week. And be sure to water from the plant bottom to help minimize disease.

Use a fertilizer high in superphosphate like a 4-12-4 or 5-20-5. Too much nitrogen can limit the uptake of calcium.

Having your soil tested so any problems can be fixed at the beginning of the season.

The rot is fairly common this year. Rain has not been consistent, we have had some very hot weather early in the season, and it seems to have been quite windy which also helps dry out the soil. You should be back to growing delicious tomatoes in no time once the moisture level is consistent. Let us know how your tomatoes are doing.

—
Bruce

What is your question for a Master Gardener?

This question was submitted by Sherry and answered by Advanced Master Gardener Bruce.

I have a three year old patch of bee balm. Gorgeous and seemingly happy , healthy, and spreading more each year and then mid June comes the powdery mildew. Now it is looking spindly, blooms and the petals just fall off immediately. In the past I have removed the stalks that show the powdery mildew and the plant just doesn’t do well. Should I pull this entire plant? Destroy it away from any other plants? treat the soil?

I would love to save it but I am not confident that will happen.I adore the plant and want to plant more next year – any recommendations? My location is Hancock County and I have attached a picture of the plant.

One more quick question – is it ever too late in the summer to plant new perennials?

Thank you and look forward to your response.

Bee Balm with powdery mildew spots

Thanks for contacting us Sherry with your question concerning powdery mildew on Monarda (bee balm). Unfortunately there is little that can be done in controlling or eliminating powdery mildew from plants.  Lower humidity helps in the control of mildew but we both know that’s not going to happen in Indiana.  The other suggestions are making sure it is in full sun and/or thinning out the stand of Monarda to help with air circulation which will slow the infection of powdery mildew.  If you thin out the plants, that will affect the impact of the color mass produced by Monarda?  I have added a link explaining powdery mildew.

To enjoy the mass of color provided by Monarda, you might want to consider investing in mildew resistant varieties of Monarda. I have included a link with a list of mildew resistant cultivars in case you decide to change.

It’s really never to late to plant perennials.  I shop season ending clearance sales all the time and don’t have problems planting them in late October.  The only exception is the 4″ squares of perennials. I only have about a 30% success rate of them coming up in the spring. In the future, I will stick the plant with the pot in the ground to overwinter.  If it comes up in the spring, I will take it out of the pot and replant it. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to write back.  Good luck with growing!

https://web.extension.illinois.edu/hortanswers/plantdetail.cfm?PlantID=735&PlantTypeID=2

https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/decrease-powdery-mildew-through-prevention/

Bruce

This question was submitted by Scott. Researched and answered by Advanced Master Gardener Bruce.

What is your question for a Master Gardener?

I grew roses in Nevada and they were very successful. My attempts at growing roses in Indiana, not so much. Can you provide some basic tips on growing roses in Indiana? My thanks

Welcome to Indiana, Scott.  I’m sorry your rose growing experience is not as positive here as it was in Nevada.  I’m sure the humidity is a big factor in maintaining beautiful roses.  I have included a couple of links that may improve your experience in growing mid-west roses.  The first link suggests some cultivars that do well in this climate.  The other link is  rose care in a calendar form which probably varies from your experience from the West.  I hope these help.  Contact us again if you need any additional information.

www.bhg.com/gardening/gardening-by-region/midwest/best-roses-for-the-midwest/

https://www.kansascityrosesociety.org/rose-care-calendar.html

This question was submitted by Diane. Researched and answered by Advanced Master Gardener Bruce.

What is your question for a Master Gardener?

I transplanted a cucumber plant from a big box store and it looked beautiful for several weeks. Lots of both male and female blossoms, large leaves (no apparent sign of bugs), and plenty of new growth. However, about once a week, all the leaves of one strand will suddenly wilt; the next day, the leaves are withered and dry, and in 1-2 more days, all the blossoms on that strand are completely dead. The rest of the plant looks fine. I originally tried using a solution of Dawn soap and peppermint oil, thinking it was bugs, but that didn’t seem to work (maybe I wasn’t spraying often enough?) I’ve stopped spraying since I’m not sure it was helping. I only have this one cucumber plant; it’s in a raised bed garden with one plant each of Cantelope, Watermelon, and Butternut Squash plants. The other plants look fine (other than I planted them later than I should have, so I might not get any fruit until very late in the fall). Any suggestions/thoughts on my dying cucumber plant? At this rate, I won’t have any cucumbers this year!

Closeup of a Squash Borer (Credit to Missouri Botanical Gardens)

Thanks Diane for contacting us with your wilting cucumber vine question.  Usually the main cause of wilt in cucumbers is bacterial cucumber wilt which is caused by an infected cucumber beetle. There is no cure for bacterial cucumber wilt.  The plant needs to be pulled and destroyed.  However, the second picture you sent may show another option for the cause of the problem.  Enlarge the bottom horizontal stem and you will see an opening in the cucumber vine.  I think you may have a squash borer that prefers cucumbers to squash.   To save your plant there are two methods to correct the problem.  Take a wire and insert it into the hole and run it up the vine to kill the grub that is eating its way through the interior of the vine. The other option is using an insecticide containing either bifenthrin, pyrethrin, neem oil, or carbaryl.  Direct the spray in the hole so it can reach the grub.  If you use a spray, follow the directions on the bottle for harvesting information.  If you have several stems, inspect all of them for the borer damage.  If possible cover the hole in the vine with some dirt or mulch.  This should solve your dilemma. Please let us know the outcome or if you have other questions.  Also check your butternut squash and watermelon for borer damage.

Questions from Randy:

I am starting my own elevated garden bed at home and I need advice.

1.) What vegetables would you recommend starting off with in this hobby for beginners?

2.) How often would you recommend watering these vegetables and with how many inches of water?

3.) What brand or type of vegetable fertilizer would you recommend for this garden bed?

4.) What brand or type of soil would you recommend for this garden bed?

5.) Do you have a calendar or schedule available that would help us to determine when to plant, harvest, and perform maintenance on vegetables?

Hancock County Advanced Master Gardener Bruce answers:

Hi Randy,

This should help you get started for a successful gardening experience. I am answering in the order that you asked your questions.

1. Make sure you grow what you like to eat! Easy and quick vegetables are radishes, leaf lettuce, green beans, and carrots. All of these can be planted by seed. Tomatoes and peppers are easy but buy starts from the garden center.

2. Watering needs vary based on the soil, temperature, wind, and drainage, There is no hard and fast rule. Put your finger in the soil about an inch deep. If it feels dry then water. With an elevated bed, you may need to water daily.

3.When you go to the garden center you will see all types of fertilizer with numbers like 10-10-10, 5-10-5, 20-20-20..
The three numbers on fertilizer represents the value of the three macro-nutrients used by plants. These macro-nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) or NPK for short. Look for a fertilizer with an NPK of 5-10-5, 6-10-4 or something similar. You want a fertilizer with a higher P (phosphorus) number than the others. P encourages more flowering which means more fruit. N will encourage new growth which may be at the expense of flowers. The K is for general health of the plant.

4. Compaction of soil is one of the problems of container, raised bed, or elevated gardens. You can mix your own, buy a raised garden blend, or amend potting/garden soil. The economical method is making your own which is 1/3 top soil/ 1/3 compost/manure/peat moss, and 1/3 vermiculite. Raised garden bed soil requires the least amount of work . All you do is open the bag and dump it in. It usually has fertilizer already added, but it is expensive. With garden/potting soil I would add vermiculite to help eliminate soil compaction. Use 2/3 potting soil and 1/3 vermiculite. Brand doesn’t really make a difference. It’s whatever you are comfortable spending.

5. Here are a couple of resources to use as a planting guide:

https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/extpub/indiana-vegetable-planting-calendar/.
https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/growing-center.html
If you buy seeds, the package will tell you how many days till the vegetable is ready to harvest. Any vegetable starts should also give you the same information on their plant tag..

6. The main thing is to enjoy and have fun growing your own vegetables. Some plants don’t make it for various reasons. If I had a dollar for every plant that died, I would be living the good life in Hawaii!. We are here to help you be successful in your gardening experience. Don’t hesitate to contact us in the future. I hope this gets you off to a good start.

Final response from Randy:

Great email and advice!

I will be in touch.

Be well,

What is your question for a Master Gardener?

I have a gardening question. The last few years I’ve gotten early blight fungus that has affected my tomatoes. What can I do to get that out of my soil? I’ve rotated my crops. I only have a 10X10 garden space.

                            Tomato leaf with Early Blight Disease

Researched and answered by Advanced Master Gardener Bruce.

Thanks for your question Bobbi. Unfortunately there is no known practice to eliminate Blight, but there are things you can do to help lessen the effect of Blight:

Rotate your tomatoes every year

Remove all parts of the tomato at the end of the season and turn the soil to help bury the blight spores.

Plant blight resistant varieties. The variety will not eliminate blight, but the plant is more resistant to the disease.  Use link to view varieties http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/Tables/TableList.htm

Water tomatoes at the base of the plant instead of watering from above soaking the leaves.

Mulch around the tomato

Remove the lower leaves on the tomato plant. Leave about 12 inches from the leaf to the soil. Water will splash the fungus from the soil onto the leaves.

Prune to aid in air flow through the plant. See the following Purdue link for more information.

https://ag.purdue.edu/btny/ppdl/Pages/Tomato-Blight.aspx

Good luck Bobbi! We are always here to help.

—
Bruce