ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, November 3, 1996 TAG: 9611060102
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D2 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Dear John
SOURCE: JOHN ARBOGAST
Q: I have found a few bagworms on my blue spruce trees this fall. I have picked all of them off for right now. Should I spray my trees now for bagworms or wait until spring? C.V., Pulaski
A: Spray in late spring or early summer right after the worms have hatched from the eggs, which is the stage in which they spend the winter. Some of the bags you removed probably contained eggs for next year's generation, so you did the correct thing. However, since sprays that are used for bagworm control are not effective against the eggs, applying anything now until after egg-hatching would be a waste of time and spray.
Send short questions about your lawn, garden, plants, or insects to Dear John, c/o The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. We need your mail, but this column can't reply to all letters. Those of wide appeal will be answered during the weeks that the subject is timely. Personal replies cannot be given. Please don't send stamps, stamped envelopes, samples or pictures.
Gardener's checklist
Jobs for early November:
Prune fully dormant, fruit-bearing-age fruit trees before severe weather.
Wait until the soil is very cold to put winter protection mulch on dormant roses, perennial beds and around dormant landscape plants.
Change your indoor-plant care practices as the seasons change; cooler potting soil stays wet longer; slower growing potted plants require little or no fertilizing.
LENGTH: Short : 38 linesby CNB