September
2007
Community Paper
copyright ©2007 by Community Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.
SEPTEMBER
IN THE GARDEN
by Nick Francisco, Blodgett Gardens
3821 Edgewater Drive, 407-295-2363
The Chilean Thrip 
September is often as hot and humid as August leading to stressed landscapes. Insects and diseases are here to remove weak and or stressed plants from the environment. They take their job seriously - don't they just look at the damage they can cause? Browning turf is usually fungal, while yellowing browning turf is usually insect - confused? Bring in a picture or 1'x2' sample of turf for a diagnosis of its problem and a solution. Shrubs are being attacked by a new visitor the Chilean Thrip. Very small critter difficult to diagnose so if you have funny looking foliage or plants that don't seem quite right bring in a sample (in a plastic baggy please) for an accurate diagnosis and the least toxic best remedy. Asian scale is still wreaking havoc on sagos check your sago with the thumb test for live scale. If present get some organicide (fish & sesame oils) for a nontoxic (if you’re not a scale insect) control. Remember, for solutions to your landscape problems bring in a sample for a diagnosis and least toxic remedy to your landscape problems.
Yes we're in the middle of storm season. Have you prepared your landscape for possible the worst? So what do I look for? Check your trees for excessive internal growth, black marks on the trunk of oaks, mistletoe, unevenly rising ground around the trunk, oozing sap or holes in the trunk, conchs on the trunk anywhere. If any of these are present call for a health assessment of your trees. Landscape shrubs also need to be pruned for shape and staked if loose or leaning to develop a good root system. Turf needs to be watched for wet spots and possibly apply a fungicide as a precaution to heavy rains and the potential for standing water especially if your turf has a history of fungal problems. Regular applications of Turf Pro (a liquid compost tea) applied weekly for six weeks, then monthly for two years will increase soil microbial activity creating a fungal resistant landscape. Apply 3/4 to 1" of water twice a week (including rainfall). Need a rain sensor? Give Blodgett's a call. Really, normal summer care is all that's required for a healthy, storm resistant landscape.
Blodgett Gardens is now channel 9's local garden expert.
Channel 9 has a forum through their website where individuals may ask specific
questions to their problems and we (the experts) will answer their specific
questions rather than having to come into the store. Of course visual ID is
required for some solutions but many may be answered without seeing a sample.
