GARDEN COLUMN FOR THE SALISBURY POST

Darrell Blackwelder

June 13, 2003

    High humidity and rising temperatures are problems for homeowners in Rowan County. Insects and diseases are beginning to show in force as the summer continues. Below are samples of questions that may be of interest.
Question: I have violets in my lawn. I have tried spraying with 2, 4-D and other herbicides with no luck. What do you recommend?
    Answer: There are herbicides that containing the active ingredient triclopyr. It is sold as Turlon or Confront. This herbicide works well on violets and other tough broadleaf weeds.
    Question: How do I get rid of poison oak in my yard? Answer: Poison oak or ivy can be controlled with directed sprays of glyphosate(Roundup) 2% solution. It is easiest to kill just
before or just after bloom. Broad leaf weed or brush killers will also control the plant. Always read and understand the label before applying any pesticide.
    Question: I have a crepe myrtle with white splotches on the upper side. I can take my finger and scrap off the mold. What is it and how can I control it?
    Answer: The problem is powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is a fungus that seems to be worse in hot, humid weather like we've experienced over the past few weeks. There are certain crepe myrtle varieties that have fairly good resistance to the disease. Control with fungicidal sprays such as Immunex or Funginex if practical. The disease generally does not kill the tree.
    Question: My 'Stella de Ora' daylilies only bloom once and do not bloom any more. They should be blooming all summer long. What could be the problem?
    Answer: Daylilies need full sun and should have ample water during the summer. Over fertilization with high nitrogen fertilizers will cause excessive growth often delaying bloom. If good cultural practices have been met and plants still do not bloom, then the problem may be genetic which there no control is.
    Question: My mimosa tree is dying. What can I do to save the tree?
Answer: Mimosas are short lived trees that fall to soil borne fungi phytophera. Few live to be 50 years old which is an infant in tree years. There is really nothing that can be done to control this disease.
    Question: What can I do to get rid of bamboo?
    Answer: Of all the plants to control, bamboo is the most difficult, if not impossible to control. Roundup is labeled to control the weed. Cut the plant back and as it sprouts use Roundup to control the emerging sprouts. Consistent spraying will be needed to control this weed.

Darrell Blackwelder is an agricultural agent in charge of horticulture with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County. For archived garden columns or other information, visit the Rowan County Master Gardener web site at www.rowanmastergardener.com , e-mail Darrell_Blackwelder@ncsu.edu or phone at 704-633-0571.