THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: Sunday, March 12, 1995 TAG: 9503100098 SECTION: HOME PAGE: G2 EDITION: FINAL SERIES: WEEDER'S DIGEST LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines
EDITOR'S NOTE: The following are frequently asked garden questions with answers from Michigan State University experts and Cypress Gardens Horticulturist Joe Freeman, compiled by Gardening Columnist Robert Stiffler.
What is the starter solution I see in garden centers? Should I use it?
A starter solution is fertilizer high in phosphorus, which is important to root growth. These get plants off to a quick start and promote development of a vigorous root system that will support top growth. You can make your own by using any garden fertilizer that will dissolve in water, using one tablespoon to three gallons of water. Apply one cup around the base of each plant.
What kind of caterpillar makes those web nests in the crotches of trees in the spring? They're black and hairy-looking with a stripe down their back.
This is the Eastern tent caterpillar. It prefers small trees such as crab apple, wild cherry and apple but also feeds on peach, pear, plum, roses and hawthorn. Its nests are often seen in May and June. Often, the caterpillar will eat all the leaves off a small tree. If repeated defoliation occurs, the tree weakens and becomes vulnerable to other insects and diseases that normally would not harm healthy trees. To control, remove the tents by hand. Spray the caterpillars with Bacillus thuringiensis, which is sold under a variety of names, including BT.
I see strange-looking, hard-backed insects in and near firewood stacked at my fireplace. Some of them have ``feelers'' as long as their bodies. Others have a metallic look. Should I worry?
You've described the long-horned beetle and metallic wood-boring beetle that come indoors with firewood. Warm temperatures inside the home speed development of young insects and bring adults out of hibernation. They don't reproduce indoors or damage woodwork or furnishings. Control them with a fly swatter or a vacuum cleaner.
But carpenter ants, powderpost beetles and termites also may come in on firewood, and they can do damage. To avoid that problem, to store firewood some distance from the house and bring in only a few days' supply at a time. As the end of winter approaches, bring inside what you need for each fire.
I converted some lawn to a vegetable garden last spring, but insects chewed the plant roots. Will that happen again this year?
Wireworms, white grubs and other root-feeding insects usually eat grass roots. When you convert a lawn to a garden, they switch to vegetable or flower roots. They are less a problem in an established garden because it does not appear to the adults as a place to lay eggs. You may have problems this year with grubs, but soil insects are normally less a problem the second year after you convert a lawn.
How long can I keep seeds?
Several factors affect seed viability: genetics, weather during seed maturity and storage. Always put seeds in a cool, dry place. After each planting, return unused seed promptly to the best cool and dry conditions you have. If you want to keep seeds for a long time, put dry seed packages in a glass jar with a tight lid and place in your freezer. When you need the seeds, remove jar and allow it to come to room temperature before opening.
My yard is overrun with sow bugs. How can I get rid of them without hurting my dog?
When their population is large, sow bugs and pill bugs damage plant roots or stems. They live under decaying vegetation, boards, rocks or mulch. To control them, clean debris under which they may be hiding, then apply coarse mulch. Water early in the morning so mulch and plants can dry during the day. Insecticides such as diatomaceous earth or pyrethrins can be used without harming your pet.
I have a wax plant that grows in my west window. It is 6 feet long but doesn't flower. Do I have a male plant?
The wax plant is Hoya, a fine vining houseplant that is not familiar to many homeowners. It is not gender-specific but is often temperamental. It blooms or don't bloom because of many factors, including maturity. Some people think the plant should be pot-bound or placed in more light to bloom. It sounds as though yours is receiving sufficient light and is mature enough to bloom. Try fertilizing it three or four times a year with a fertilizer made for blooming houseplants. Be patient; it will eventually bloom.
My staghorn fern has a large brown patch on one leaf, but the rest of it looks beautiful. Is it OK?
Nothing is wrong with your staghorn fern. It simply is trying to reproduce. Ferns are plants that do not produce seeds. Instead, they form structures on their fronds known as spores. If you rub your finger under a frond, you can see the spores that collect on your finger. Dust the spores on the surface of moist peat moss in a covered container and you can probably grow new ferns.
My sage looks great in the spring, but most of it is dead by the end of summer. Leaves turn brown and the stem shrivels up. What's wrong?
Sounds like root or crown rot, which means the soil is too wet. Always plant sage in well-drained soil and water early in the morning, which will allow foliage to dry during the day. If your soil is clay, add organic matter to improve drainage. If your plant continues to die during the summer, start growing sage in a container, which will allow you to control the water it gets and also provide better drainage. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Joe Freeman
by CNB