I didn't know we even had ag agents here in California. All I ever see are the master gardeners. Now some of them do really know their stuff inside and out, but I don't think it is the same thing. I thought it was all part of California being the only state I ever heard of that did not offer low cost soil testing through the extension. Maybe you have to be a professional farmer before you are worthy of an ag agent's attention. I've been educating myself differently. I read books, garden forums, talk to experienced gardeners (and farmers, too), try things out, join interest groups, and even take a formal class now and then. I don't know nearly as much as I'd like, or nearly as much as would be useful, and boy do I keep making mistakes, but every year I know a little bit more than I did the year before. It would be nice to have one expert to go to for all my garden answers, but I suspect that no such creature exists. Fortunately I have come to know a lot of people who know a lot about their own area of interest and are willing to share that knowledge. Rosefolly

Good stuff! Thank you !

How should I get rid of it? Also, it is appearing on the stems as well, if that makes a difference. My plant is looking rather unhealthy and is not showing much new growth.

Well the best laid plans. First of all I DRANK the apricot brandy, and boy was it yummy! I combined it with a glass of dry white wine and a cinnamon stick and nuked it until warm. It was like exotic mulled wine. I have got to make some more apricot brandy! And I was in serious denial about the shape of those pears. After making the cake (yum) and cutting out all of the brown spots from the rest, I had about one pear's worth. So I mixed it with apples and made apple sauce to can. I made that in the crockpot, easy peasy. Thanks for the tips!