Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 29, 1990 TAG: 9007300275
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN ARBOGAST
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A: It sounds like your poplars have a severe infestation of aphids. Poplars are susceptible to this pest, which in some years may not be too bad. These sucking insects give off a sweet, sticky secretion as they draw sap from plants. profuse that it drips as you are experiencing. Since aphids do minor damage to poplars, spraying to control them is usually not worth the expense and effort. The sticky substance that accumulates on surfaces below the aphid infested branches may become covered with a thin black coating, called "sooty mold." That sticky stuff and the mold will just have to wear away. Unfortunately, the only solution to your sticky-shoe problem is to step carefully around the trees.
Q: I have a suggestion for the writer in the June 24 column who wanted to know how to get rid of slugs. I have found that the most efficacious method of killing them in an environmentally responsible way is to sprinkle diatomaceous earth (D.E.) on the plants. The effectiveness of D.E. is only deterred by rain to the extent that it may disappear after hard and frequent rainfall over a period of two to three weeks. I have read that slugs have a long life (two to three years). Those that aren't killed this year will be bigger and hungrier next year. L. W. S., Boones Mill
A: Thank you for your suggestions. Diatomaceous earth is composed of tiny, sharp edged particles mined from the sea and can be an effective control for soft-bodied pests that will crawl over it.
Q: The leaves in the center of my African violets have started knotting up. They will not grow out as they should on long stems. The violets are young, from 6 months to a year old. They get the morning sun, are watered by the wick-reservoir method, and fed constant feed fertilizer 15-30-15 each time the reservoir is filled. Can you tell me why this is happening? B.H., Meadows of Dan
A: The damage you described sounds like that caused by cyclamen mites, tiny sucking pests that like to be in protected places on young tender leaves, stem ends, buds and flowers. Since these mites can crawl from plant to plant, it is critical that neighboring plants' leaves don't touch. Since your African violets are young, your best option may be to throw the affected plants out and purchase new ones. If you decide to keep the plants, be sure to trim off badly injured parts. An old U. S. Department of Agriculture publication mentioned that cyclamen mites can be controlled by immersing infested plants, pot and all, for 15 minutes in water held at 110 degrees F. Success of this treatment depends on careful control of the water temperature.
Q: I have a Bloom-rite Calla Lily that is native of South Africa. The instructions say it is perfect for the perennial border outdoors after flowers fade. Is this lily hardy or does it have to be taken up in the winter? Also, I have a hydrangea that says temperature range 25 to 90 degrees. Is this hardy? Can it be left in the ground? Mrs. B.E.S., Floyd
A: I don't think that variety of Calla Lilly would be winter hardy here, since Calla Lillies in general are considered to be one of the excellent bulbous plants (tuberous in this case) to be grown indoors. The tuber of a Calla Lilly should be treated like caladiums. It should be taken up in the fall and given a rest period.
Even though we have hydrangeas that are excellent landscape shrubs in our area, I am assuming that the one you have that listed that temperature range must be a tender variety. I would be afraid to tell you to leave it outdoors after freezing weather starts.
Wall of water success
Remember my comments that my wife had only ho-hum results using those soil and air warming devices called Walls Of Water this spring? Well, here's a response from F.L. of Glade Hill:.
"I am writing about my experience with the Wall of Water. I set out four Better Boy tomato plants and one pepper plant with the walls, and planted a couple of burpless cucumber seeds inside of one in mid-March. The tomatoes and pepper were plants that I grew in my home. I had ripe tomatoes, a cucumber and a pepper by the 25th of June. My tomatoes are now (mid-July) about 5 feet tall and have lots of fruit."
Got a question about your garden, lawn, plants, or insects? Write to Dear John, c/o the Roanoke Times & World-News, P. O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010.
by CNB