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by Rett Davis | |
Gardening Q&A by Rett Davis appears in
Alamance County's daily newspaper, The Times-News,
every Sunday in the Accent section. Each week's installment is
posted to this
website, beginning with January of this year. Scroll to the bottom of
this page to navigate to other Gardening Q&As. Please contact
Rett via e-mail with questions
or
comments in regard to this column.
Question:
The leaves on my apple tree are covered in thousands of orange spots. What is this?
Answer:
This colorful disease of apples is called cedar-apple rust. It is always prevalent when apples are grown near our native Eastern red cedar. This same fungus also infects the cedar which is referred to as an alternate host. This disease overwinters on the cedar and in the spring you will see the overwintering structure or gall turn bright orange as it produces it's spores. These spores blow through the air and will land on the newly emerging apple leaves. In order to prevent this disease on your apples, timely applications of a fungicide must be applied as the new leaves of apple emerge. Obviously, it is too late now. Fungicides such as ferbam, Immunox, and mancozeb can be used as the new leaves begin to emerge. You can also help control this disease by removing all cedars within a two mile radius of your trees. But don't let me catch you on my property with a chainsaw! Fortunately your apples will not die from this disease. Severe infection may cause some leaves to fall off but as a rule you will still get apples to eat. Resistant varieties to cedar apple rust are available.
Question:
I have planted onions for the first time. When are they ready to be dug?
Answer:
Begin digging onions when the tops begin to yellow and fall over. That should be occurring now. It is important to hasten the drying period as soon as they are dug. Cut the roots and tops off. Do not dry them in the sun or they will sunburn. Curing is very important or you will see all your efforts rot away. Store them in a well ventilated area that is dry. Ideally you need to hang them up in a mesh type bag. You can also hang them in ladies panty hose. They really do work well but I would advise washing them first. Foot odor would easily ruin a fresh salad.
Question:
The leaves on my tomato plant are curling. What could cause this?
Answer:
In early spring small rose colored aphids will feed on the young leaves of tomatoes. This will cause abnormal leaf growth that twists and curls. A few sprayings of an insecticide such as malathion, insecticidal soap, or permethrin will control them. The insecticide Sevin has on effect on aphids at all.
Question:
The leaves on my iris plants are covered in yellow spots and are turning brown. What do I do?
Answer:
Iris leaf spot disease begins before bloom and by the time iris has finished blooming the plant leaves look terrible. The tips of the leaves are now all brown and streaked. Fortunately this disease is isolated only to the leaves and not the underground bulb. This disease lives on dead iris leaves from the previous year. Under severe conditions a fungicidal spray using either Daconil or mancozeb can be sprayed every 7-10 days. This fall trim the iris leaves back to within 4 inches of the ground and clean out the beds of all trash and leaves. Now is also a good time to divide iris if they are no longer blooming for you anymore. Replant in full sun.
Question:
I love straight neck squash but my husband prefers crookneck. He will not let me plant my plants near his because he says they will cross and ruin his squash. Is this true?
Answer:
It is true! All members of the cucurbit family will cross pollinate by way of bees and other pollinating insects. This includes watermelon, squash, cantaloupe, cucumbers, and pumpkin. However, you will not the see the results of this cross pollination unless you save the seed from these fruits and plant them next year. Therefore, you can plant all of the aforementioned vegetables side by side and they will remain true their picture on the seed packet.
Question:
I have just received some beautiful calla lilies. But I am getting mixed messages on whether I must treat them as house plants or if it is okay to plant them outside. What should I do with them?
Answer:
Calla lilies are considered tender perennials. This means that their ability to survive our winters will depend on how cold it gets. Because our winters have been mild recently, many calla lilies do make it over the winter if they are planted in the ground. If you do plant them in the ground, seek out a shady location.
SOUTHERN ANNEX SCHEDULE
I will be at our Southern Annex office on the corner of Bethel South Fork Rd. and Snow Camp Rd. this Thursday from 8 am until noon. Please drop by with any of your horticultural of forestry questions or samples.
North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commitment themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation, North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&;T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.