Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 19, 1994 TAG: 9406290016
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: John Arbogast
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A: First, identify the pest problem and the extent of damage before spraying. A few mites and aphids shouldn't cause enough injury to merit spraying.
These plants must be continuously checked for all kinds of pests so controls can be applied right away if the pests do build up to the damaging level.
Also consider the location of the plants. Just a few aphids can give off enough sticky secretion to drip and result in stickiness below. If your maple has aphids and is causing a problem on your patio or driveway, then a control spray, probably just one, would be justified.
Q: I am contemplating treating my back yard with something to prevent or kill fleas. We have a dog in a dirt-floor pen in the back yard. What specific treatment do you recommend and how long should I wait before allowing the dog back into the back yard and/or pen? B.E.P., Roanoke
A: Killing fleas that are already infesting your back yard would be possible. However, we homeowners cannot buy sprays made for the purpose of killing insects before they appear.
You have two choices for treating the yard for fleas. One is to treat the area with a product containing predatory nematodes to kill fleas in turf. These nematodes will not harm pets.
Check with your veterinarian about availability of this new nematode.
Your other choice would be to spray the turf with diazinon and then follow the label precautions for when to allow people and pets onto the treated areas. The general precaution has been to keep off when a spray is wet.
Q: I have an old grapevine that seems to have a blight that curls leaf edges under. Other leaves seem to harbor pinhead bumps and lines on the leaves for the last few years. Because I use grape leaves to cook Middle Eastern grape leaf rolls stuffed with rice and meat, I am afraid to use these leaves. Is there some non-toxic spray to use, or some other remedy? I am about to give up on my grapevine and let the wisteria grow on the fence. J.H.M., Roanoke
A: If the bumps on the grape leaves were a little larger than pinhead size, I would say this is caused by the foliar form of the grape phylloxera insect, a small aphid-like pest.
The young stage of this insect feeds on the new leaves and causes some warts, known as galls. There is a root form of this insect, but it is not common in this part of the country.
I, too, would be hesitant to use those grape leaves for cooking. It's probable that stressed plant parts will not have the normal flavor.
I can't diagnose the cause of the leaf edges curling and those bumps by mail. Please bring a fresh sample of leaves to your local Extension Office, which for Roanoke city is on the third floor of the Jefferson Center downtown, 541 Luck Ave. S.W., Office 317, Roanoke, telephone 857-7915.
Q: Is any harm done to shrubs or vegetables if they are over-fertilized? Dr. A.M., Roanoke
A: Too much fertilizer can harm landscape or vegetable plants, ranging from fatal root damage or dry brown leaf edges. There may be excessive leaf and stem growth in tomatoes, green peppers and lima beans.
Also, fruit set may be damaged or delayed if too much fertilizer is applied in the spring.
Thanks for all the reader horticulture questions following my request for Dear John mail on June 5. It was overwhelming. If you sent in a question but don't see yours answered, please wait, because it may appear in coming weeks.
Send short questions to Dear John, c/o the Roanoke Times & World-News, P. O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. We need your mail, but this column can't reply to all letters. Those of wide appeal will be answered each week. Personal replies cannot be given.
by CNB