Tomatoes are a robust crop that not only makes for an attractive plant but provides a tasty controversy. However, whether you’re in the fruit (berry) or vegetable camp, one thing everyone can agree on is that tomato plants tend to attract infestations. While not as deadly as tomato worms, Aphids can be a frustrating problem … Read more
Every home garden area in the United States harbors, on average, some 10,000 to 20,000 individual insect pests during the summer. This is more understandable when we consider that one single insect egg hatching on a tree can multiply into millions of insects within a few months or that one pair of insects can produce … Read more
Sooner or later, every indoor gardener finds that his collection of houseplants has an exuberant crop of insect pests, seemingly moving in overnight. Of course, the insects don’t just appear—they have to get into the house by some means. “Where do they come from?” queries the house plant enthusiast, almost as often as he asks, … Read more
A new regime in pest control nears reality as portable mist blowers appear on the market. The chief merits of these blowers, in comparison with old-style spray and dust outfits, are their ability to do a thorough job with vast savings in materials, time, and labor. Smallest And Newest Of The Mist Blowers The smallest … Read more
Spider mites are one of the most common pests to affect Calathea plants. These tiny intruders are arachnids, yet as with insect pests, vigilance is your best defense against them. It’s important to know what to look for and then look out for signs of Calathea spider mites. In this article, we will review the signs … Read more
Among the many different kinds of organisms known to cause plant diseases, nematodes or eelworms are the least known to gardeners. They are, nevertheless, important disease-producers, and are frequently the cause of stunted growth, leaf might, and, occasionally, even death of many economic crops, trees, shrubs, and ornamentals. Small Size of Nematodes One reason why … Read more
Lilies are hardy plants that are relatively easy to grow. But some, several diseases and pests can present challenges to that goal. Aphids Aphids are a common pest of many plants; unfortunately, lilies are no exception. They reproduce rapidly in the spring then the offspring begin to feed on any plant nearby. Their tiny bodies … Read more
African violets are subject to several pests and diseases. However, growing Saintpaulias in sterilized soil and regular cleaning will help you avoid trouble. New plants should always be isolated from older plants for three or four weeks. Crown Rot Crown rot, a systemic disorder, strikes most often during the summer when days are hot and … Read more
During the last five years, a dark-brown formidable-looking insect with prominent “pincers” at its tail end has caused much consternation in homes and gardens of greater Boston and other areas along the northern Atlantic Coast. This is the European earwig which has the scientific name Forficula auricularia L. As the name implies, it is a … Read more
In recent years, mites have become major pests of many plants, including the following: Arborvitae Birch Boxwood Cedar Cypress Hawthorn Hemlock Oaks Peach Phlox Pine Rose Spruce One reason for this is the widespread use of newer organic insecticides such as DDT, heptachlor, aldrin, and dieldrin. While these chemicals give remarkable control of insects, they … Read more