Q: I found this swelling on my cherry tree. It is really black and on some of the twigs and branches. What is wrong with my tree? Is there anything I can do for it?
A: This is a plant disease called Black Knot (Dibotryon morbosum). It is caused by a fungus and is usually severe on plums and cherry trees. It takes six months or more for the galls to appear. The spores form during wet weather in the spring and spread. The galls will eventually cut off the flow of water and nutrients to the branches, causing stunting, wilting and dieback. The solution is to cut out and destroy the infected twigs and branches during the fall and winter before spring spores spread. When pruning the tree, cut at least 4 inches below the infection. In the spring you can spray the tree with a fungicide containing captan just before the buds open. Repeat the spray two or more times at intervals of seven to 10 days.
Q: Are there any sprays to keep animals out of my vegetable garden? I had a lot of vegetables eaten last year, especially my early vegetables.
A: There are sprays to put on your plants that make them not so desirable to animals, said Wendi Hartup, a natural resources extension agent. These taste deterrents usually make the plant bitter or hot tasting. They do not hurt the plant. You can find them at nurseries and farm-supply stores. You'll have to reapply them after a rain. You also can make bitter-taste deterrent with a ratio of ¼ cup water to one egg white. For a hot-taste deterrent, chop up a jalapeño with its seeds, boil it, strain and then spray on plants.
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