Question
We have a tree that produces green leaves and white small flowers, then changes to dark red leaves.  It has several brown coffee ground looking things on it.  Do you know what it would be and how to get rid of it?? thanks!!

Answer
Henry

Sounds like aphids.  They will attach themselves to the leaves and blooms and suck the sugars out of your plants.  There are many different kinds of aphids but they generally all work the same way.  They will multiply very quickly and may do some real damage to the blooms.  The effects are usually a black mold secretion that is left over and it will inhibit light and carbon monoxide from entering the leaves which will then cause the plants to decline.

You can spray them with a pesticide like ortho.  But the pesticides will do nothing to stimulate the plant and clean the leaves.

If you would like to get the best product on the market for aphids go to www.crowleynursery.net and order Atomic Grow.  It will clean up your problems and stimulate your plants at the same time enabling them to bloom longer etc..

Good Luck

James