Recent Q&As
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Q&A – Does imidacloprid hurt bees?
Question:
Does imidacloprid hurt bees? Answer: The Bartlett Bee Whisperer David Glover says that it does hurt bees but not at bad as you might think. The imidacloprid makes the bees “drunk” and so they can’t find their way back to the hive. If they can’t get back to the hive, they can’t tell the other bees where they found nectar, so other bees don’t go to the same plant. On the other hand, bees that visit untreated plants successfully communicate where they went to the others. Related Resources: Neonicotinoid Insecticides and Honey Bees Study Finds Imidacloprid Safe for Honey Bees at Realistic Exposure Levels - Entomology Today Imidacloprid |
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Q&A – How do I control broccoli worms without harsh chemicals?
Question:
There is something eating the leaves of my broccoli. How do I control the pest without using hard chemicals? Answer: Your broccoli is likely being eaten by the imported cabbage worm or cabbage looper. Both can be controlled by Bt (Bacillus Thuringiensis), an organic pesticide that kills caterpillars. Related Videos: BT (Bacillus Thuringiensis) Related Resources: Cabbage Insects Caterpillars on cole crops |
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Q&A – What is the best herbicide to kill wild violet?
Question:
Wild violet is taking over our pastures and yard. What is the best herbicide to use to kill wild violet and not kill the grass? It is late October. Can we spray this late in the year? Answer: Wild violets are dormant during the hot summer months and reemerge in the fall. TSU Extension Agent Joellen Dimond recommends using a broadleaf herbicide like 2,4-D. While the violets are actively growing the in the fall is a good time. It will take multiple applications to eradicate them. Related Resources: Turf Tips: Wild Violet Wild violet |
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Q&A – What is the problem with my rose bush?
Question:
A growth is sucking the life out my knockout rose. The growth is deep plum in color. There are no thorns the stems are hollow, and it grows small funny shape roses, sometimes a whole different color. If I don't continuously cut off the growth it will kill my bush. Answer: This is rose rosette. It is not curable and the plant should be immediately dug up and disposed of in the trash. It should not be composted. Rose rosette is a virus transmitted by an eriophyid mite. The disease can be identified by elongated shoots and red coloration of the leaves. Sometimes the new growth has many closely-spaced thorns. There is no cure for the disease, but research is ongoing. Related Resources: Rose Rosette Disease Frequently Asked Question About Rose Rosette Virus |
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Q&A – What kind of spider is this?
Question:
Do you know what type of spider this is? I’ve never seen a spider this big. Answer: This is a black and yellow Argiope. It is an orb weaving spider. The orb has a zipper-like section (stabilimentum) that could be used for attracting male spiders. The webs can be very large. These spiders are a good sign the ecosystem around your garden is healthy. Related Resources: Black and Yellow Garden Spider Beneficials in the Garden: Black-and-Yellow Argiope Spider |
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Q&A – What causes the sap to run out of peach trees?
Question:
What would cause the sap to run out of peach trees? How can we stop it? Answer: This problem is caused by the peachtree borer. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says that the peach tree will probably die from the borers. There are two kinds of peachtree borer. The regular peachtree borer feeds in the trunk and lower limbs of the tree, and in the process, kills the tree. The lesser peachtree borer feeds in the smaller limbs up higher in the tree. This will cause the affected limbs to die. The peachtree borer can be prevented by applying insecticide to the trunk and lower branches throughout the growing season. Mike gives the chemicals and dates for application. Related Resources: Peachtree Borer Peachtree Borer |
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Q&A – What is this flower and how do I encourage it? A - Camphor Weed
Question:
What is this plant? The flower is about three weeks old in picture. The foliage is light and fragrant. I would love more of these flowers. How do I encourage it? Answer: This is camphor weed. It can be propagated by seeds or root cuttings. The flower has a strong medicine-like smell. Some people like the smell, others do not. It is a native wildflower. Related Resources: Cinnamomum camphora |
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Q&A – How do I get rid of this grey fungus in my lawn?
Question:
I have a grey fungus looking substance that has appeared in my yard. It also looks like it could be tiny eggs of some sort. I first noticed it a couple weeks ago and it has lasted and wasn't washed away from the very recent and at times heavy rain. Do you have any ideas, and should I take action? I did cut the grass and bagged the clippings. A few days later whatever it is has come back with the new growth. Answer: This is slime mold. It is late in the fall right now, so it will go away by itself when the grass goes dormant. It does not require treatment. In the meantime, if it is unsightly you can mow the lawn or brush it off with a broom. Related Resources: Slime Molds on Home Lawns Slime Mold - Lawns |
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Q&A – Will these bananas turn yellow so I can eat them?
Question:
I am growing bananas. Will these bananas turn yellow so I can eat them? Answer: They would eventually turn yellow, but that will likely not be before the freeze. Retired Extension Agent Mike Dennison explains that it takes bananas nine months from pollination to ripening. In the Memphis area there is just not enough time in the growing season for them to ripen. If you can move it indoors or put it in a heated greenhouse you might be able to do it. In the mean time enjoy the fact that you have bananas growing in your yard. Related Resources: Banana Growing in the Florida Home Landscape The Bodacious Beauty of Bananas |
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Q&A – My muscadines turned brown, rotted, and fell off. Why?
Question:
I have some four-year-old muscadine grapes. For the last two years I have had a good muscadine crop, but they turned brown, rotted and fell off before getting ripe. I do use some round-up but never spray the foliage. What is going on? Answer: This is black rot. Retired Extension Agent Mike Dennison says that this is the most common disease problem on grapes and muscadines. Mike then talks about a spray schedule for preventing black rot on muscadines. Mike also says never use Round-up under any fruit. It causes strange problems. Related Resources: Black Rot of Grapes Managing Black Rot Muscadine Grape |