I've been finding odd an odd fungus (I assume) around my house.
If I catch it early, it looks like small potatoes. If not, it erupts in a brown spray (spores, I suppose) and leaves a hard outer case. What do you think it is? Is it bad for the garden, and if so, how do I get rid of it? Thanks
Answer
The brown hard outer shell of a "bump" on your plants is an indicator of scale, a sucking insect on branches and leaves. They are difficult to irradicate. Horticultural oil will work, but often damages the plant. They can be picked off or dabbed with alcohol on a swab. Multiple treatments with Insecticidal soap works. Continual treatment and vigilance is needed to control them. Systemic clemical insecticides are often resorted to what all else doesn't work.