Dear Neil: We have been overtaken by these furry caterpillars this year. They are devouring our garden. What will control them? Will they sting me?
These are not going to inflict any kind of painful sting, and almost any general-purpose insecticide will control them. Choose one, of course, that has been labeled for use on edible crops. These are not a looping type of caterpillar, but the Bacillus thuringiensis biological worm control that I recommend for loopers will also control these very well.
Dear Neil: There has been an exponential increase in the number of thistle plants on my rural property this year. Although I have found a terrific garden tool that lets me extract them roots and all, I don性视界传媒檛 have the energy. I don性视界传媒檛 want to use toxic chemicals. What other options do I have?
It性视界传媒檚 been quite a year everywhere for thistles. I性视界传媒檓 sure the rainy spring has brought them along. Mowing would be your only other option. If you mow early and often, you性视界传媒檒l keep them from flowering and going to seed, therefore yielding even more thistles next year. I am comfortable recommending the responsible use of a broadleafed weedkiller containing 2,4-D to eliminate them while they性视界传媒檙e young and developing plants. The level of toxicity of such a product to humans would be very low compared to many other products we use every day in and around our homes. You性视界传媒檙e too late for this year, however. The plants in your photo have already gone to seed.
Dear Neil: I have enjoyed the Turk性视界传媒檚 cap in my garden for many years. This year, however, some of the leaves are curved inward, almost tied in knots. Is this a problem? What would cause it?
This kind of abnormal growth is almost always caused by one of two things. Aphids can attack tender new growth in the early spring with their piercing, sucking mouthparts. That will result in distorted growth, although usually not this bad. This really looks like the impact of a broadleafed weedkiller working as a growth hormone. This can result in drift or contamination of equipment by 2,4-D. Usually the plants outgrow it if it性视界传媒檚 just a glancing blow. Some plants are ultra-sensitive to the herbicide and can be impacted by applications made hundreds of yards away if the wind is just right.
Dear Neil: We have a fenced yard for our dogs. Chinch bugs really damaged the yard last year. I know we性视界传媒檙e nearing the time to put out (product name withheld) to control them, but I worry about my dogs. Will it be safe for them?
You asked about a very effective herbicide (weedkiller) that would wipe out your entire lawn. Please do not use that product. You want to use an insecticide labeled for chinch bugs. Companies that produce such products are required to give instructions for their use around pets. No company wants to sell a product that will make a pet sick. Read and follow label directions carefully. If you would prefer, ask your veterinarian for their recommendation.
Dear Neil: My Crimson Queen Japanese maple has been thriving for years, but now why would it have browned edges of its leaves?
This is moisture stress in some form. I compare it to poor circulation in the human body. It shows up in our fingertips, toes, and ear lobes 性视界传媒 those points farthest from our hearts. With plants, it性视界传媒檚 the tips and edges of the leaves. They性视界传媒檙e the farthest from the roots 性视界传媒 the first places to dry out and the last places to get water. With Japanese maples it can be caused by a tree suddenly being exposed to more sunlight than it性视界传媒檚 been used to, some type of root or trunk damage, excessive fertilizer, a build-up of mineral salts in areas with high levels of sodium in irrigation water, and a host of other possibilities. By summer it can simply be due to high temperatures, low humidity, and dry soils. Try to figure out why the plant isn性视界传媒檛 getting water from its roots to its leaves successfully and you性视界传媒檒l have your answer.
Dear Neil: What kind of pest is attacking my Shasta daisies? I性视界传媒檇 like to save them, as they性视界传媒檙e about to explode with blooms.
This is the work of the four-lined plant bug. It goes after many species, but somehow the main plant that brings work to my door is Shasta daisy. It loves them. Here is a link () to a very good writeup by a friend of mine, now retired, from the Texas AgriLife Extension. He lists controls near the end of the story. In case you don’t choose to link through to it, for the wingless nymphs he suggests insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils. For both nymphs and adults, he suggests Sevin, malathion, or permethrin, but he cautions against spraying plants that are in full bloom since bees will be active at that time. If you must spray while plants are flowering, do so late in the day once they have finished foraging.
Dear Neil: I had an old, dead crape myrtle removed and ground out this spring. Now new sprouts are appearing. Should I continue to let them grow? How can I determine which is the best one to turn into my new tree?
Let them all grow for a few months, although I would take away all the 性视界传媒渉alf posts性视界传媒 that surround them. By this fall you性视界传媒檒l be able to see 7 or 8 stems that are the 性视界传媒渟trongest and straightest.性视界传媒 Save those. Let them grow next spring, and then by early summer remove all but the 3 or 5 that you will leave as the permanent new trunks for your reforming tree. These young sprouts are very brittle and can easily be snapped off in a windstorm, hence the reason for waiting to remove any of them.
