My hybrid tea rose grows vigorously, but doesn’t bloom.  Why? 

Hybrid tea roses are propagated by budding. A single bud is removed from the desired variety and inserted onto a hardy rootstock. The bud union (the knob-like swelling at the base of the canes) is sensitive to extreme cold. If little or no winter protection is provided, the canes may die back to the bud union.  New growth originating from below the bud union is from the rootstock portion of the plant.  Growth from the rootstock is extremely vigorous, but often doesn’t bloom. Non-blooming plants should be dug up and discarded. 

Even though I water my garden, one of my tomato plants is wilting.  What could be wrong? 

A vascular wilt may be responsible for the wilting of the tomato plant. The initial symptoms of Verticillium and Fusarium wilts are wilting of the plant leaves during the heat of the day.  Affected plants often recover in the evening or overnight. Gradually, however, the wilting becomes progressively worse and many plants eventually die. 

Verticillium and Fusarium wilt are caused by soil-borne fungi that invade tomato plants through injured roots. The fungi spread into the water-conducting tissue (xylem) in the stem and block the flow of water to the foliage. Foliage of affected plants turns yellow, then wilts and dies. A cut through the lower stem of a dead plant often reveals a brownish discoloration of the vascular tissue. 

There is nothing that can be done for plants that have Verticillium or Fusarium wilt. Plants that die should be removed and destroyed. Crop rotation is of limited value as the vascular wilt fungi may survive in the soil for several years.

The use of resistant varieties is the most practical way for home gardeners to prevent losses due to wilts. Resistant varieties may become infected but many plants survive and produce an acceptable crop. Resistant varieties are available in seed catalogs and at garden centers. The letters V and F following the variety name denote varieties that are resistant to Verticillium and Fusarium wilts. Wilt resistant tomato varieties that perform well in Iowa include 'Jetstar,’ 'Better Boy,’ and 'Celebrity.’ 

There are tan-colored, rough spots on the surface of my pear fruit.  Is it possible to prevent this from occurring?   

Russeting is probably responsible for the tan-colored spots on your pears. Russeting also develops on the surface of apples. While affected fruit are not attractive, russeting doesn’t affect the eating quality of the fruit. 

Several factors may be responsible for russeting. High humidity, rainfall or heavy dew, cold temperatures, and use of certain fungicides may induce russeting. Genetics also play a role in russeting. Some pear varieties are more likely to develop russeting than others. Since most factors responsible for russeting are beyond our control, little can be done to prevent its occurrence. 

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