THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 15, 1996 TAG: 9609130103
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G3 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: GARDENING REMINDERS
SOURCE: [ROBERT STIFFLER]
LENGTH: 96 lines
Fall webworms are a common pest this time of year. The caterpillars construct large silken nests that web together near the ends of branches. The nests resemble large spider webs. Inside, the caterpillars feed on foliage. Trees they most often attack include crab apple, cherry, elm, walnut and some maples. They do not pose a risk to the host plant, but they are unsightly. To control, prune out the webs.
Authorities at Dawes Arboretum, near Newark, Ohio, say insecticides have little affect. They recommend attaching a toilet-bowl brush to the end of a pole. ``The bristles do wonders collecting the webbing and caterpillars,'' they report. RAGWEED SEASON ARRIVES
The ragweed season began last month. Authorities call ragweed the worst of the allergens. Other weeds that can cause problems include marsh elder, cocklebur, English plantain, pigweed and dock-sorrel. They send out pollen and spores that sensitive noses disdain.
The makers of Roundup recommend spraying that weed killer on the weed pests before leaves lose their green color and before the first frost. If plants have not died within three to four weeks, a repeat application may be necessary. WATCH WINTER SQUASH
How do you know when winter squash are ripe? Michigan State University says that with most varieties, the spot where the fruit rests on the ground changes from creamy-green to rich orange when it's ready to pick. The rind also becomes very hard and its color deepens. If the rind cannot be easily penetrated with your thumbnail, the squash is mature and ready to pick. Leave 3 inches of stem attached to the fruit when picking.
It's smart to leave squash on the vine as long as possible, but if your vines have died, it may have to be picked early. Check weekly. I found that insects had gnawed holes in my acorn squash last week.
After picking, store it indoors in a cool, dry place and let it cure for several weeks. Normally, winter squash will keep for several months. Varieties such as acorn and butternut are popular on many restaurant menus now. It's easy to grow in this area, so plan to plant some next spring. GARDENIA COMEBACK
From Virginia Beach, Margaret Allen writes that her gardenia was severely damaged in last winter's ice storm, but she trimmed off the growth that appeared dead and put rose food in the soil at the base of the plant. ``It's come back as healthy as ever and has had no white flies or Japanese beetle damage this year,'' she reports. ``The rose food keeps my rose healthy and insect-free as well.''
Rose food is good for many things. It normally won't keep a plant ``insect-free'' unless it has systemic insecticide in it, but any bush that's healthy is more resistant to insects and disease. GROW BULBS INDOORS
One way to keep your house colorful in the winter is to grow bulbs indoors. Brooklyn Botanic Garden has published a new handbook on growing bulbs indoors. ``Bulbs for Indoors - Year-round Windowsill Splendor'' is written by BBG experts. It costs $7.95 at the Norfolk Botanic Garden Shop or you can order direct with a credit card by calling (718) 622-4433, Ext. 274. NEW USES FOR CEDAR
Most folks agree that Texans do things a little differently than the rest of us. A Texas firm for years has made many products from cedar, including chests, bird houses, bat houses, pet beds and baskets. It's long been known that cedar repels insects. Now this company, The Vida Corp., took two truckloads of finely ground cedar trees to be tested at Texas A&M University.
They've discovered that cedar inhibits root rot, is slow to decay and plant roots seem to love it. They're growing sweet potatoes in it without problems from grasshoppers, snakes, slugs or snails. Now they're planting white potatoes and pecan trees. It's being recommended as a mulch for shrubs and flower beds, especially to prevent fleas, ticks, etc. Granular cedar, as it's called, comes in a 2-cubic-foot bag and costs $7.95 at Virginia Beach Feed & Seed outlets. Other stores may have it. HOW TO PROTECT WILDFLOWERS
If you're interested in rescuing wildflowers, you may want to pick up the September issue of House Beautiful, now on newsstands. Editor Lou Gropp writes, ``It's time to show America how to protect wildflowers from aggressive developers and devastating bulldozers.'' The issue details information on regional wildflower organizations such as the Crosby Arboretum in Mississippi, the Nature Conservancy in Arlington, the New England Wildflower Society in North Framingham, Mass., the Wildflower Rescue Committee of Cranbrook, Mich., and the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill. EVENTS AT GINTER
The Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond has scheduled its Garden Fair and Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It includes a Recycled Plant Booth filled with bargain-priced plants, plus a Repottery where staff experts will repot houseplants.
On Sept. 27 and 28, Ginter will host its annual Perennial Symposium. Speakers include Frederick and Mary Ann McGourty, Joanna Reed and Felder Rushing. Registration deadline is Friday. Call (804) 262-9887, Ext. 3022. by CNB