Very cool shot by the way. It hard to say why it happens, but your adjustments are only making more pronounced what was already there. I kinda like the patterns coming out in the background, but there are a few ways to minimize them if you want. 1). Select the background only and colorize it to about the same predominant color, then fade the colorization to a point that is good for you. 2). Select just the background and blur the heck out of it. 3). Paste just the stalk into the original file over itself. This way you have the adjusted plan but old background you liked. 4). Clone the icky spots out. 5). Shoot it again and change the background. ;o]

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations