The study of our native wild flowers is a most fascinating hobby. It's now the first week in May. For real thrills, we leave Kansas City about three in the morning and at 6:30 are having breakfast in the Ozarks beside a sparkling, rocky stream, bordered with bluebells and sweet William. Dogwoods are in bloom on the rocky slopes, and look at those birds foot violets - some are bicolors... arent they just about the cutest ever? And shooting stars in pink and white, and yellow... click, click of my digital camera and I have them in natural color pictures to enjoy next winter. Watch closely, you may see a scarlet tanager, a redstart, the big pileated woodpecker or perhaps the little cerulean warbler. Thats real honest to goodness fun.
Many perennials can be successfully grown from seed in your own garden. Save or buy seeds of delphiniums, columbines, dianthus, lupines, gaillardias, pyrethrum, linums, coreopsis, violas and veronicas. The seed may be sown in separate beds or in long rows as vegetables would be planted. It is easier, however, to carry the plants over the winter in beds than in rows. Some of the plants will be large enough to move to a proper location in the flower border this fall, but better results are usually obtained by spring planting.
Be sure to wrap the trunks of recently transplanted hard maples, soft maples, and oaks with the spiralwrap paper to prevent sunscald and borer attack. Y-shaped boards wired to the southwest sides of trees will also help prevent sunscald.
Watch for Aphids
Inspect the new tender growth of roses, spireas and snowballs for the presence of plant lice. Delphiniums, chrysanthemums and columbines also should be watched for these sap-sucking pests. Spray with malathion. Spray thoroughly, keeping in mind that these sucking insects must be hit directly with the spray material. Examine the sprayed plants in a few days and if any living plant lice are found, repeat the spraying.
Most spray materials mix more readily in warm water than in cold water. When applied warm, spray liquids have lower surface tension and thus wet the plants and bugs more thoroughly.
The small, oval, red and black ladybird beetles, together with their alligator-shaped young, are our garden helpers since their diet consists mainly of plant lice, or aphids, as they are frequently called. Their occurrence in considerable numbers is a sign that aphids are close by. Flies, wasps and ants feed upon the honeydew secreted by aphids and their presence is also a warning that aphids are present.
The failure or poor showing made by our summer phlox is frequently due to the presence of the phlox red-bug. The 1/6 inch long black and red winged adult bugs, together with their reddish-colored, wingless offspring, suck the sap from the buds, leaves and stems. When these pests are abundant the leaves are curled and assume a sickly-yellow cast. Buds are stunted and rosetted and are unable to produce flowers. To control the phlox red bug, begin spraying as soon as the pest is observed and keep up the light until the pests are destroyed. Use the quick thumb and finger squeeze method for killing the house plant bugs which are usually found on the tips of the new growth. They are very active and it is difficult to cover them with the spray material.
Phlox is also attacked by red spider which feeds on the under side of the leaves, causing them to take on a yellowish mottled appearance. Malathion will get them. Follow directions on the package as recommended by the manufacturer.
Many perennials can be successfully grown from seed in your own garden. Save or buy seeds of delphiniums, columbines, dianthus, lupines, gaillardias, pyrethrum, linums, coreopsis, violas and veronicas. The seed may be sown in separate beds or in long rows as vegetables would be planted. It is easier, however, to carry the plants over the winter in beds than in rows. Some of the plants will be large enough to move to a proper location in the flower border this fall, but better results are usually obtained by spring planting.
Be sure to wrap the trunks of recently transplanted hard maples, soft maples, and oaks with the spiralwrap paper to prevent sunscald and borer attack. Y-shaped boards wired to the southwest sides of trees will also help prevent sunscald.
Watch for Aphids
Inspect the new tender growth of roses, spireas and snowballs for the presence of plant lice. Delphiniums, chrysanthemums and columbines also should be watched for these sap-sucking pests. Spray with malathion. Spray thoroughly, keeping in mind that these sucking insects must be hit directly with the spray material. Examine the sprayed plants in a few days and if any living plant lice are found, repeat the spraying.
Most spray materials mix more readily in warm water than in cold water. When applied warm, spray liquids have lower surface tension and thus wet the plants and bugs more thoroughly.
The small, oval, red and black ladybird beetles, together with their alligator-shaped young, are our garden helpers since their diet consists mainly of plant lice, or aphids, as they are frequently called. Their occurrence in considerable numbers is a sign that aphids are close by. Flies, wasps and ants feed upon the honeydew secreted by aphids and their presence is also a warning that aphids are present.
The failure or poor showing made by our summer phlox is frequently due to the presence of the phlox red-bug. The 1/6 inch long black and red winged adult bugs, together with their reddish-colored, wingless offspring, suck the sap from the buds, leaves and stems. When these pests are abundant the leaves are curled and assume a sickly-yellow cast. Buds are stunted and rosetted and are unable to produce flowers. To control the phlox red bug, begin spraying as soon as the pest is observed and keep up the light until the pests are destroyed. Use the quick thumb and finger squeeze method for killing the house plant bugs which are usually found on the tips of the new growth. They are very active and it is difficult to cover them with the spray material.
Phlox is also attacked by red spider which feeds on the under side of the leaves, causing them to take on a yellowish mottled appearance. Malathion will get them. Follow directions on the package as recommended by the manufacturer.
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