THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 17, 1995 TAG: 9509160054
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Robert Stiffler
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
DOGWOODS THROUGHOUT the area are really suffering. Many readers have asked what to do and if their trees will make it. The drought and heat were hard on dogwoods. Some I observe were weak before the hot, dry weather because of borer problems. Then the weather just about did them in.
A severe winter could kill them, because dogwoods are very shallow-rooted. But even without that added problem, some may not leaf out next spring. Recent rains have helped but may have come too late. All you can do is keep dogwoods watered (2 inches per week) and fertilize them after their leaves fall with a tree fertilizer such as 16-8-8, 12-6-6 or any analysis labeled as tree fertilizer. PLAY IT SAFE WITH SPRAYS
The reason a spray mask is necessary in the garden is not the mixture itself but the vapor from the mix. A mask keeps the vapor away from your nose and mouth, according to ``The San Francisco Rosarian,'' as reprinted in the Tidewater Rose Novus. You also should wear goggles, because vapors can damage the eyes. Use plastic gloves, because cotton gloves are not suitable.
Locally, protective clothing can be purchased from Eure Distributing, 1228 S. Military Highway, Chesapeake. Masks are about $30. Call 523-5555. ANDRE VIETTE BACK ON THE AIR
Radio station WTAR-AM (790) has put Nurseryman Andre Viette back on the air. He's on each Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m. with a live call-in show. ALL ABOUT ORCHIDS
Maybe you don't want to grow 2,000 orchids like Dr. Arthur Kaplan does, but you can learn how easy it is to grow one in your home. Kaplan will speak at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Norfolk Botanical Garden on ``The Wonderful World of Orchids.''
Kaplan is a widely known orchid grower, rosarian and photographer, so he'll show beautiful slides of his orchids and those of others. The program is free to members of the Botanical Garden Society; $5 to others. Call 441-5830. MORE FREE ADVICE
If you'd like a set of five brochures on lawn and garden care written by horticulturist Joe Freeman, they're free from Ames Lawn & Garden Tools. Send your request to Ames Lawn Tools, P.O. Box 1774, Parkersburg, W. Va. 26101 and include a stamped, addressed, No. 10 envelope for mailing the brochures to you. TIME TO FEED THE LAWN
It's almost time to fertilize your lawn for the second time this fall. Use a high-analysis fertilizer such as 25-5-10 or any similar analysis. A good organic for longer-lasting results is Espoma 18-8-6 or Harmony Lawn Food, available in local garden centers. TREE TO ATTRACT BUTTERFLIES
If you want a tree that attracts butterflies, you need a chlerodendron, often called the butterfly tree or peanut-butter tree. If you crush its leaves between your fingers, they smell like peanut butter. When this tree is in bloom, it is covered with bees and butterflies that hover over its fragrant flowers. It has large leaves and tends to be weedy, but if you want one, Lloyd Walker says he has plenty he'll give away. You must bring a container and dig your own. He lives in Portsmouth at 4735 River Road. Call 484-2931. CONTROL WHITEFLIES, APHIDS
If your gardenias or chrysanthemums have tiny white bugs on them, they're aphids or whiteflies. Both are common and annoying plant pests. Insecticidal soap or a mixture of insecticidal soap, oil or pyrethrin will control the pests with little negative effect on beneficial insects. Another good control for whiteflies is Neem. It's a new organic, expensive insecticide that repels insects and inhibits their life cycle. Spectracide and Orthene are good chemical controls. by CNB