I hope you are getting to appreciate the glorious display the flowering crab trees are giving us this week! The cool, wet weather should make that color show last for a few days. This is a good time to see the different colors and observe the shape and character of each variety … and there are a lot of them. Some of the varieties have "persistent" fruit, meaning the fruit does not drop from the trees in summer or fall. This feature means another color show in the fall when the leaves drop and the little apples shine in contrast to other colors of leaves, or the absence of leaves. The migrating birds appreciate this food source being available to them in spring. A problem we are noticing more in recent years is certain varieties being susceptible to a disease called "scab". The leaves develop circular yellow spots with a black center, and once this begins to show, leaf drop will soon follow and generally will continue until almost all the tree becomes defoliated … not only a mess, but also very unsightly! Last week, I told you about a systemic fungicide we have available here at the greenhouse … I recommended it for prevention of mildew and diseases in phlox, roses, etc. This same fungicide applied as a spray immediately after the crabs have finished blooming does a great job of warding off that scab disease. Timing of the application is the key to success. You cannot wait until the disease is present to control it. Just as with mildew and black spot, the spray protects the foliage from getting infected. Once the leaves are infected, you cannot get rid of it. At that point, the fungicide spray only protects new growth from becoming infected. Now I’ve told you how to do it … you just need to do it! This is Mother’s Week … a great time to show your appreciation to your mom for her part in your being here, let alone all the other things she does because she feels responsible for your being here! We have some great "Mom" gifts if she is or is not a gardener … stop out and have a look around … we might even have something you’d enjoy for yourself. Our greenhouses are in grand color!