From lindaguy@uswest.net Sun Oct 1 21:39:52 2000 Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2000 14:39:52 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Re: SEPTIC TANK Plantings I'm sorry Ella, but I don't know of a good resource for you at this time. May I suggest that you call one of my Master Gardener colleagues at Maricopa County Cooperative Extension for their advice? They are also volunteers, but they are on site with a number of the University staff and sometimes get better information that I have working from home.The phone number is on the same page as the one where you originally posted this question, 602/470-8086 if my memory is good today. It also lists our satellite offices, also staffed by MG volunteers. The nearest one could also be of assistance to you. I'd provide you the exact hyperlink, but the university's server appears to be down and I can't access it directly at this moment. Go to ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/ for the home page and at the end of the list will be the function for asking a question. Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance. Linda Ella Mardick wrote: > We have an active system. The area that we live in, everyone is on a > septic system. Where would one check information on what can be planted > near a septic tank & leach beds. I appreciate your help. > > At 03:01 PM 9/26/00 -0700, you wrote: > >[Being resent do to last week's server problems.] > > > >I would avoid deep rooted plantings for an active system [avoiding the > >additional cost of routing out the system] but I don't think most > >honeysuckle varieties would cause difficulties. If the tank and field > >have been abandoned in place, as they have been in our neighborhood, my > >experience is that virtually anything g[r]oes! > > > >Linda Guy > >Master Gardener > > > >Ella Mardick wrote: > > > >> Is it advisable to plant honey suckle near a septic tank/leech bed? > > From lindaguy@uswest.net Sun Oct 1 22:10:45 2000 Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2000 15:10:45 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Rhubarb anyone? I have been fueling a resurrected passion for cooking by volunteering at culinary classes at a well-known local kitchen gadgets store. [hint: This Saturday I spent three hours at the sink pictured behind chef Susan Schopp in last Wednesday's cooking section feature!] This week's class on pies was presented by the store's owner and as we exchanged stories about our best pies over the years, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that our mutual favorite was plain, unadulterated rhubarb [plenty of sugar, of course]. This Manitoba farm-girl [the owner, not me] would dearly love to grow a stand of rhubarb and beseeched me to contact all of you in an effort to secure any tricks at all to aid in this effort. Container growing is an option. I told her that I'd researched it once upon a time some years ago and had decided that it wasn't quite but perhaps close to hopeless, since in 'normal' circumstances [like where we each grew up] there was substantial winter chilling and longer cool springs. Also that I suspected that any chance would be augmented by planting now and treating this as an annual. [I'd also been told something similar about artichokes, and have NO problem growing these however!] She' been baking pies since age 8 and used to make as many as a dozen daily during threshing season. She makes a mean pie and she means business! Any hints, success stories, things to avoid, would be appreciated. Linda From RodMcQ6@aol.com Mon Oct 2 00:36:38 2000 Date: Sun, 1 Oct 2000 20:36:38 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Palm plant with yellow leave tips It is difficult to answer your question about yellow leaves on your palm plant without knowing what Palm plant you have. Lack of fertilizer could be the cause of yellow leaves. Palms should be fertilized 3 or 4 times a year with a special palm fertilizer. I'm not familiar with the vitamins to which you refer. Check out this website for more info on palm care: http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/az1021.pdf Good luck Rod McKusick Master Gardener and Arborist From dmkerr@dancris.com Mon Oct 2 01:07:07 2000 Date: Sun, 1 Oct 2000 18:07:07 -0700 From: David M. Kerr dmkerr@dancris.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] (no subject) This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_000B_01C02BD2.69725140 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable It is prime time for composters. My neighbors are having their lawns = scalped and dethatched for winter lawns. I find the gardeners happy to = let me take the cuttings. It is less work than going to a ranch to get = manure for me. It saves the gardeners the time and gas to take the = cuttings to the dump and the dump fee. It helps if you know some = spanish. I keep the cuttings in piles under citrus trees and oleanders = in my front yard. In a month, they will have lost half their weight and = bulk. I will relocate them to my compost pile. ------=_NextPart_000_000B_01C02BD2.69725140 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
It is prime time for composters.  = My neighbors=20 are having their lawns scalped and dethatched for winter lawns.  I = find the=20 gardeners happy to let me take the cuttings.  It is less work than = going to=20 a ranch to get manure for me.  It saves the gardeners the time and=20 gas to take the cuttings to the dump and the dump fee.  It = helps=20 if  you know some spanish.  I keep the cuttings in piles under = citrus=20 trees and oleanders in my front yard.  In a month, they = will have lost=20 half their weight and bulk.  I will relocate them to my compost=20 pile.
------=_NextPart_000_000B_01C02BD2.69725140-- From celtic_2@netzero.net Mon Oct 2 17:01:43 2000 Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 10:01:43 -0700 (MST) From: celtic_2@netzero.net celtic_2@netzero.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page When should I plant rye grass? Is it necessary to cut my bermuda close to the ground before applying the rye seed? And how much water and fertilizer does rye need? From wbelisle@speedchoice.com Mon Oct 2 20:38:15 2000 Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 13:38:15 -0700 (MST) From: wbelisle@speedchoice.com wbelisle@speedchoice.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page I have a lady banks rose that has been pruned as a shrub for many years. It is extremely large 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Should it be pruned like a climbing rose and when should I do it???? From dkrob6@earthlink.net Mon Oct 2 20:44:22 2000 Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 13:44:22 -0700 (MST) From: dkrob6@earthlink.net dkrob6@earthlink.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page Our condo association changed landscapers last year and altho the Pres. insists they know what they'll doing, I'm not convinced. He feels that it is necessary to cut down the bushes (Oleander, the orange ones native to Africa, etc)to within 12 inches under the guise that they will "grow back stronger" - well, what has been cut back has certainlygrown back - but NOT stronger - I wish I knew their name, but the "orange bloomed ones from Africa" are now 8 - 10 ft high. very flimsy and wafting in the breezes. Another noticeable difference since his arrival is that all the "suckers" (small branches sprouting from main branches) have been left on all the trees (very noticeable on the African pepper trees - almost reaching the driveways) Not only do our pretty trees like like heck but isn't it UNHEALTY for them?? Doesn't it sap their strength?? i've never seen this left like this before,except in cases of neglect. Our condo corp.has over 100 units and the Pres. has clearly advised that he is very supportive of this new "expert". Before we band together to make a complain, we thought we should check with the real experts so that we could offer a remedy at the same time..I'm no gardener and I know we haven't been very specific about the bushes and trees, so if more infor is required,we will find the proper names...Thanking you in advance... From spiessman@uswest.net Mon Oct 2 22:33:23 2000 Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 15:33:23 -0700 (MST) From: spiessman@uswest.net spiessman@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page is the lab lob bean that grows on a vine that has purple blooms and purple pods edible. From azgogel@aol.com Mon Oct 2 22:47:34 2000 Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 15:47:34 -0700 (MST) From: azgogel@aol.com azgogel@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page i bought some tulip bulbs that I would like to try and would like to know at what time do I need to plant them. Also what other things do I need to do to them. I have planted them in the midwest and have had experience with tulips but this is a new climate for me. these are for the outdoors, or is it better to force them inside? what bulbs work well here to force inside? I've done paperwhiles but haven't seen any of them here so far. Thanks From lyshogan@aol.com Mon Oct 2 23:15:59 2000 Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 16:15:59 -0700 (MST) From: lyshogan@aol.com lyshogan@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page My lysiloma trees are growing slowly, look sparse and have yellowing leaves. I fertilized and deep watered last week and now one of the trees is losing its leaves. The trees are about 5 years old. Prior to this, I was watering every 2-4 weeks for three hours on a drip (equates to about 20-25 gallons of water). Thank you. From gagacha@aol.com Tue Oct 3 02:45:49 2000 Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 19:45:49 -0700 (MST) From: gagacha@aol.com gagacha@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page I heard on the news a lot of people over water there plants feeling bad for then because of the heat and that a lot of plants get over watered and end up dead. How often should I be watering my flowers and bushes and vines and how much water? Does it differ from season to season. Also what is ideal planting for fall and what should not be planted in the fall? Thands much for reading my questions Heather From gagacha@aol.com Tue Oct 3 02:46:39 2000 Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 19:46:39 -0700 (MST) From: gagacha@aol.com gagacha@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page I heard on the news a lot of people over water there plants feeling bad for then because of the heat and that a lot of plants get over watered and end up dead. How often should I be watering my flowers and bushes and vines and how much water? Does it differ from season to season. Also what is ideal planting for fall and what should not be planted in the fall? Thands much for reading my questions Heather From adventure@inficad.com Tue Oct 3 06:00:02 2000 Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 23:00:02 -0700 (MST) From: adventure@inficad.com adventure@inficad.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page Why didn't I get fruit this year on my trees? I have an orange, grapefruit, and tangelo tree. I fertilized according to schedule but all I got were green, medium sized oranges, no grapefruit, and tiny black, hard as a rock, tangelos. From Ayeolde@aol.com Tue Oct 3 14:19:39 2000 Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2000 07:19:39 -0700 (MST) From: Ayeolde@aol.com Ayeolde@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page my question is concerning fruit trees. Each season my tangerine tree loaded with fruit splits and falls to the ground to the tune of 50 or 60 a day. I have an navel orange tree and grapefruit. This never happens to them. They are equally watered and fed. What is wrong with my tangerine tree. I had a arborist spray, trim & fertilize in Feb, of '99. I could use some help. It's happening again. Thank you if you respond From lindaguy@uswest.net Tue Oct 3 16:18:41 2000 Date: Tue, 03 Oct 2000 09:18:41 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Tulips It is rare that tulips are much more than an annual in our outdoors, although I am sure that somewhere there is a gardener who just loves them so much that s/he does absolutely everything needed to have them bloom year after year. Generally they are planted Nov/Dec timeframe, although NOW is the time to buy the bulbs because they do so much better with 3-4 weeks of chill in your refrigerator. Lack of winter chill is one of the reasons they don't do well if left in ground. Blooms are then anticipated mid-Feb to mid-April. [If you had a cool dark cellar, you could put them there in a container for a couple weeks and then bring back to room temps, forcing the blooms in the pot.] Regardless of the planting calendar I just presented, the daytime temps should drop into the low 80 degree range for optimal performance. Beds need to be prepared with plenty of organic material for drainage and the slight acidifying effect [peat helps this particularly]. Use well-composted manure only if you can wait a few weeks [one reference said six weeks] to allow for the risk of burning your bulbs to abate. Phosphate in your fertilizer is of particular assistance to blooms. If your soil is too heavy [clay] another amendment that can be beneficial is small gravel/pumice or sand. Planting depth is generally 2-3 times the thickness of the bulb, unless it is heavy clay, again. For tulips, the recommended depth in an old UA publication was 6-8" measured at the bulb's base. If ground critters are a problem in your area [you certainly might have run into this in the midwest as well] I believe they are sometimes planted wrapped in a loose wire mesh. A 7-10 day watering schedule should be adequate even in full sun, as long as you are watering deeply, through the bulb zone. A lower nitrogen fertilizer, again with phosphate [e.g. ammonium phosphate 16-20-0] applied 2-3 times during the season will maintain beautiful blooms. Reduce watering after the bloom cycle and do not dig out bulbs until the foliage is completely dry and the bulbs have matured [tan/brown coat is a mature bulb; a white one is not.]. In my experience, daffodils and iris [bulbous varieties like dutch] are hardier, have less chill requirement and can stay in the ground several years. I've never had a tulip come back. Doesn't mean that it can't be done, just that these are fussier and require more care/attention. There used to be an old publication on Bulbs for S. Az. [Q382]. You might call the Cooperative Extension Office and ask the Master Gardener desk if it is still available.602/470-8086 Good luck! Linda Guy Master Gardener Bulb beds should be rotated to avoid nematodes. azgogel@aol.com wrote: > i bought some tulip bulbs that I would like to try and would like to know at what time do I need to plant them. Also what other things do I need to do to them. I have planted them in the midwest and have had experience with tulips but this is a new climate for me. these are for the outdoors, or is it better to force them inside? what bulbs work well here to force inside? I've done paperwhiles but haven't seen any of them here so far. Thanks > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From millero@worldnet.att.net Tue Oct 3 17:08:16 2000 Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2000 10:08:16 -0700 From: Olin Miller millero@worldnet.att.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page ----- Original Message ----- From: > i bought some tulip bulbs that >I would like to try and would like to know at what time do I need to plant them. Also >what other things do I need to do to them. I have planted them in the midwest and >have had experience with tulips but this is a new climate for me. these are for the >outdoors, or is it better to force them inside? what bulbs work well here to force >inside? I've done paperwhiles but haven't seen any of them here so far. Thanks In addition to Linda's excellent advice, following is a current article form a local garden club newsletter written by a gardener who has been growing flowering bulbs in the Phoenix area. The article applies to the Phoenix AZ area. -Olin ==================================== BULBS FOR SPRING BLOOMS By Bert Konzal Now is the time to prepare your soil for bulb planting. A little preparation now will produce healthier growth and more beautiful flowers in spring. Bulbs like good drainage and organic matter. It’s best to spade in about four to six inches of organic material along with a low nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-10 which is rich in phosphorus and potassium. Bulbs need phosphorus and potassium to keep them strong and healthy. Water the area well and allow it to rest before planting your bulbs. With our warm temperatures it is best not to rush Mother Nature. Buy bulbs as soon as they are available and store them in a cool spot until planting time. The largest bulbs will produce the best flowers. The following favorites do very well in the valley: Ranunculus and Anemone: Plant about November 1st, about two inches deep and about 10 inches apart. Plant ranunculus with claws pointing down and anemone with point down. Keep moist but not wet. Daffodils or Narcissus: Plant about November 1st, about six inches deep and about six to nine inches apart. Plant with pointed end up. Dutch Iris: Plant about November 1st, about five to six inches deep and about six to eight inches apart. Tulips: Plant tulip bulbs about around the middle of November, but first you must keep them in your refrigerator for six to eight weeks so they will think they are up North. It’s best to store in paper sack, in vegetable drawer. Plant bulbs about six inches deep and about six to nine inches apart. Hyacinths: Plant about November 1st, about six inches deep, about six to nine inches apart. Hyacinths, like tulips, must be kept in the refrigerator in order to have success. Hyacinths do well also in special hyacinth water jars. Freesia: Plant about November 1st, about six inches deep, and about six to nine inches apart. Freesia, like all bulbs, like morning sun and afternoon shade if possible. Gladiolus; Plant about November 1st, about six inches deep and about six to nine inches apart. Gladiolus do well with morning sun and afternoon shade. Petals may burn in the sun especially if corms are planted in December or January. Asiatic Lilies: Plant about November 1st, about six inches deep and about twelve to fifteen inches apart. Do best when they get morning sun and afternoon shade. Amaryllis: Plant bulbs about November 1st to the 15th , require morning sun and afternoon shade. Plant with about two thirds of the bulb above the surface of the ground. The larger the bulb the bigger the flowers. Please note that most of the above mentioned bulbs, corms, or fleshy roots do well in containers as well as in the ground. In containers use a good quality potting soil instead of Arizona soil. From Cynthia_DiDomenico@shamrockfoods.com Tue Oct 3 19:14:44 2000 Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2000 12:14:44 -0700 (MST) From: Cynthia_DiDomenico@shamrockfoods.com Cynthia_DiDomenico@shamrockfoods.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page Are you familiar with Hydro-seeding and a variety of lawn grass called "Blue-muda"? I am particularly interested in the allergy problems associated with this variety vs. a tiff hybrid grass. I am also interested in the other features of this grass. A vendor at the Landscape Show was selling hydro-seeding and uses blue-muda. I am considering having him put in my lawn, depending on what I can find out about this grass and this method of planting. Thanks. From Cynthia_DiDomenico@shamrockfoods.com Tue Oct 3 19:16:59 2000 Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2000 12:16:59 -0700 (MST) From: Cynthia_DiDomenico@shamrockfoods.com Cynthia_DiDomenico@shamrockfoods.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page Can you provide me with information on installing your own sprinkler system in a yard? Or is there a web site that would give instructions on how to plan and install an automatic watering system for a residential yard. Thanks. Cindy D From jrosen3408@aol.com Tue Oct 3 23:08:32 2000 Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2000 16:08:32 -0700 (MST) From: jrosen3408@aol.com jrosen3408@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page Can you please tell me when to water the desert plants and trees? Some have told me early morning and some have told me evening. Right now we are watering in the evening. Should I change to the mornings now that fall has come? So confusing. Also, is this the best time to prune trees or should I wait until Febuary or March? From RodMcQ6@aol.com Wed Oct 4 00:02:56 2000 Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2000 20:02:56 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Lysiloma loosing leaves The lysiloma tree is quite drough tolerant, however in the low desert it requires regular adequate irrigation. The symptoms that you describe of slow growth, yellow leaves, sparce looking, and leaves dropping are those of inadequate water. This has been one of the hottest spring and summers in recent times in the low desert of southern Arizona, and many people are reporting the loss of trees and shrubs. In most cases the cause is inadequate irrigation. I have taken water requirements from the Sweet Acacia which has similiar requirements to the Lysiloma. U of A Cooperative Extension bulletin MC 53 shows that the Acacia with a 10 foot diameter crown requires between 2.9 and 4.9 gallons of water per day. ( because of the dryness and the heat of the recent summer the higher figure should be used ). Watering on a biweekly basis the tree requires 68.6 gallons of water. When you deep water the water should penetrate to in excess of 3 feet deep. Check out the Master Gardener Manual chapter on Irrigation at the following website: http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/arboriculture/watering.html Good luck. Rod McKusick Master Gardener and Arborist From RodMcQ6@aol.com Wed Oct 4 00:03:01 2000 Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2000 20:03:01 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Re: Pruning trees and shrubs Good arborcultural practice dictates that trees and shrubs should not be cut back more than 1/3 in one year and 15% at one time. I suspect that management is trying to save money , and there is nothing wrong with that provided the health of the landscape is not affected. Good luck. Rod McKusick Master Gardener and Arborist From RodMcQ6@aol.com Wed Oct 4 00:03:03 2000 Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2000 20:03:03 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Re:Blue-muda and Hydroseeding Cindy, Blue-muda is a good improved seeded variety of common bermuda grass. Since it is planted from seed it also grows seed and pollen. The hybrid bermudas such as tiff are grown from sod or stolens and are nearly seedless. The hybrids were developed to address the problems to allergy sufferers of the seeded varieties of turf grass. Hydroseeding is a process of applying grass seed to a prepared seed bed in which the grass seed is mixed with water and a binder and sprayed on to a seed bed. This process works especially well on slopes because the binder will hold the seed in place under most conditions. The binder works well in helping to keep the seed moist. I used hydro seeding on a sloped area and it worked well. In a separate email you asked about information on designing your sprinkler system. This info could be of help to you. There are several irrigation suppliers in the valley that will give you an irrigation system design (free) if you buy your supplies from them and their prices are competative with mass merchandizers. Hughes Irrigation formerly Turf Irrigation ( three offices in the valley ) provide this service; Horizon Irrigation is another. Good luck. Rod McKusick Master Gardener From RodMcQ6@aol.com Wed Oct 4 00:02:59 2000 Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2000 20:02:59 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Re: Lady Banks Rose, pruning The Lady Banks Rose is a Species rose and as such requires little pruning. Prune to keep within bounds, to remove dead and crossing canes, and a light pruning in January if you live in the low desert. Good luck. Rod McKusick Master Gardener and Consulting Rosarian From jamen2@hotmail.com Wed Oct 4 00:42:58 2000 Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2000 17:42:58 -0700 (MST) From: jamen2@hotmail.com jamen2@hotmail.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page How do I keep the Bermuda grass out of my Saint Augestine grass??? Please e-mail me back. Thank you From rabrag@aol.com Wed Oct 4 03:42:37 2000 Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2000 20:42:37 -0700 (MST) From: rabrag@aol.com rabrag@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page My Golden Barrell cactus has developed a "baby" on its' side. Can I gently remove it and plant it? Should I let it dry for a few days before I plant it? From umiller@azdps.com Wed Oct 4 11:58:27 2000 Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 04:58:27 -0700 From: Ursula Miller umiller@azdps.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Mesquite Leaves Turning Yellow This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0002_01C02DBF.BBB245C0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Some of the tiny leaves on my mesquite tree are turning yellow and falling off. While the older leaves are yellowing and dropping, new ones keep coming out. This normally happens in January or February when the entire tree turns yellow and everything falls off. But it's only October and I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong. I give it adequate water (deep watering twice a month) and I have been feeding it 3-4 times a year. Does anybody have any ideas? Thanks in advance for your help -- Ursula Miller ------=_NextPart_000_0002_01C02DBF.BBB245C0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Some of the tiny = leaves on my=20 mesquite tree are turning yellow and falling off.  While the older = leaves=20 are yellowing and dropping, new ones keep coming out.  This = normally=20 happens in January or February when the entire tree turns yellow and = everything=20 falls off.  But it's only October and I'm wondering what I'm doing=20 wrong.  I give it adequate water (deep watering twice a month) and = I have=20 been feeding it 3-4 times a year.  Does anybody have any=20 ideas?
 
Thanks in = advance for your=20 help --
  =
Ursula = Miller
 
------=_NextPart_000_0002_01C02DBF.BBB245C0-- From jcaveman@aol.com Wed Oct 4 16:33:07 2000 Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 09:33:07 -0700 (MST) From: jcaveman@aol.com jcaveman@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page Three summers ago we had our grass front yard xeriscaped by a supposedly"professional". Most of the original plantings died, and the few remaining have not grown in three years! Before we replant, what steps would you recommend we do? Soil test? Push all the rocks back and till the soil? Can the surviving plants be saved? Thank you. From df.alston@worldnet.att.net Wed Oct 4 17:08:34 2000 Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 10:08:34 -0700 (MST) From: df.alston@worldnet.att.net df.alston@worldnet.att.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page I can not put a winter lawn in this fall since we are remodeling our home. Can I plant one in the spring, like in Feb.?We have St. Augustine. What are the temperature requirements for a winter lawn to start? From Tpet1934@aol.com Wed Oct 4 18:57:07 2000 Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 11:57:07 -0700 (MST) From: Tpet1934@aol.com Tpet1934@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page Can you name some vines that will grow in full shade or partial shade. I live in Mesa foot hills at about 1800 feet elevation. Thanks From cambpd@cs.com Wed Oct 4 20:21:18 2000 Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 13:21:18 -0700 (MST) From: cambpd@cs.com cambpd@cs.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page I here that Texas Root Rot is a problem in the valley and yet I see plants that are listed as highly suseptable such as Texas Sage and Elm Trees almost everywhere that appear to healthy and thriving. How common is Texas Root Rot and is it more common in some parts of the valley than others. From jsferber@aol.com Wed Oct 4 20:33:52 2000 Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 13:33:52 -0700 (MST) From: jsferber@aol.com jsferber@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page Our tiff lawn has "pearl scale". I have dug down into turf about 10 inches, and I can see small white balls. The lawn has been infected for about 4 years. I have treated it with Tide about 4 times in this period of time. Until now, I have been holding the disease in check at about 20% of lawn area. Absolutely nothing grows in this area. Recently, the disease has spread. The lawn is now about40% infected. I would like to save my lawn. Please advise a course of treatment. I live in greater Phoenix. From cnj1@uswest.net Wed Oct 4 20:55:55 2000 Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 13:55:55 -0700 (MST) From: cnj1@uswest.net cnj1@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page Am I able to plant any vegs. right now. If so what type can I grow. I am wanting to plant them in wisky barrels on my back patio. Also what should I put in them as far as dirt is concerned.Please help me out. Thanks. From roarh1950@aol.com Wed Oct 4 22:18:50 2000 Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 15:18:50 -0700 (MST) From: roarh1950@aol.com roarh1950@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page I have a nice crop of pomegranates this year and would like to dry them for use in Holiday decorations? When should I pick them for this purpose and what is the best way to dry them? From RodMcQ6@aol.com Wed Oct 4 22:54:15 2000 Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 18:54:15 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Watering time for trees and plants In the low desert evening or early morning watering is recommended to minimise the amount of water lost to evaporization. Now that the weather has started to cool early morning watering would be preferable. Check out the folloowing website for info on time to prune trees: http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/arboriculture/pruning.html Good luck. Rod McKusick Master Gardener and Arborist From RodMcQ6@aol.com Wed Oct 4 22:54:28 2000 Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 18:54:28 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Removing bermuda from St Augustine Sorry but any chemical that will kill bermuda will also kill St Augustine. Rod McKusick Master Gardener From RodMcQ6@aol.com Wed Oct 4 22:54:24 2000 Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 18:54:24 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Landscape Plants dying You haven't furnished enough info for me to give you an answer. What are the plants that were planted? When were they planted? How often and how much do you water the plants? Is there caliche in your yard? Is your soil sand or clay? Do you live in Maricopa county? How much sun do they get? Have you applied any chemicals or fertilizer, if so what? Did you have any problems with grass before you changed to Xeroscape? Thanks for your reply. Rod McKusick Master Gardener and Arborist From RodMcQ6@aol.com Wed Oct 4 22:54:40 2000 Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 18:54:40 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Mesquite Leaves Turning Yellow Hi Ursula, Stress can can cause a Mesquite tree to drop its leaves and we had a really hot spell about 3 weeks ago which could have caused the leaf drop. You mentioned deep watering, have you checked to make sure that the water is penetrating to 3 feet plus depth? Inadequate water as you well know can cause a leaf drop. Good Luck. Rod McKusick Master Gardener and Arborist From sjbass@uswest.net Wed Oct 4 22:54:25 2000 Date: Wed, 04 Oct 2000 15:54:25 -0700 From: Sue Bass sjbass@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Vegetable Gardening You can visit the publication section of our website at: http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/pubs/pubs.htm#Vegetable where you can view a vegetable gardening calendar on-line. You can also order publication 8141 "Vegetable Gardening In Containers" from the Cooperative Extension service. Directions on how to order the publications are found at the top of the page. The publications can also be found at some library branches in the valley. The binder is 635 General Reference and ask the librarian to find it for you. The title is Horticulture Publications. As for soil, the publication suggests that you use a prepared, light-weight mix such as an indoor plant mix or potting soil that drains well. A homemade substitute made up of equal parts of sharp coarse sand, soil and compost or peat moss will be cheaper. A slow-release balanced fertilizer, such as Osmocote 14-14-14, should be well mixed in at the rate of two ounces to each cubic foot of soil mix. Sue Bass Master Gardener nj1@uswest.net wrote: > Am I able to plant any vegs. right now. If so what type can I grow. I am wanting to plant them in wisky barrels on my back patio. Also what should I put in them as far as dirt is concerned.Please help me out. Thanks. > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From RodMcQ6@aol.com Wed Oct 4 22:54:37 2000 Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 18:54:37 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Overseeding bermuda grass with rye Now is the time to start preparing your bermuda grass for overseeding by cutting back on the water and gradually lowering the cutting height to about 1/2 inch. Planting time is when the nightime low temps are under 55 degrees and the daytime highs are under 90 degrees. Check out the Master Gardener Manual chapter on turf for all the details at the following website: http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/lawns/index.html Good luck. Rod McKusick Master Gardener From bfurst@azheart.com Wed Oct 4 23:35:36 2000 Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 16:35:36 -0700 (MST) From: bfurst@azheart.com bfurst@azheart.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page I have a 6" potted pear tree in my foyer. When can I put it outside and why is it getting black edged leaves that fall off. It has new shoots and looks healthy otherwise. From lgmsscience@yahoo.coom Wed Oct 4 23:43:22 2000 Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 16:43:22 -0700 (MST) From: lgmsscience@yahoo.coom lgmsscience@yahoo.coom Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page I attended the U of A, and am now teaching Science in Florida. My students have planted cucumbers, and until recently, the plants have been doing quite well. The plants are in five gallon containers and are watered twice daily and fed a 27-25-12 granual fertilizer monthly because of the loss of nutrients due to being in containers. Now is the important part. The leaves are beginning to show a pattern of polygon shaped areas of different shades of green and yellow. I have asked so many people what it could be and have had more different answers than the number of times I have asked the question. As a result, I have come to the conclusion that either my problem is so uncommon that no one in this area knows how to treat it, or no one in this area has a clue what they are talking about. Due you know the cause of and solution to such a problem? The leaves look like a tile floor of many shades. From genebronski@mindspring.com Thu Oct 5 03:06:54 2000 Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 20:06:54 -0700 (MST) From: genebronski@mindspring.com genebronski@mindspring.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page 1. Whatis the frequency of watering and recommended gallonage per watering for ficus trees and California pepper trees? 2. What is the recommended frequency and gallonage per watering for the followinbg plants: hesperaloe, cape honeysuckle, torchglow bougainvillia, Little John bottlebrush, fairy dusters, dwarf oleanders, compact and natel plum? From SBenson@dellnet.com Thu Oct 5 04:39:47 2000 Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 21:39:47 -0700 (MST) From: SBenson@dellnet.com SBenson@dellnet.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page Hello. Are Fraxinus Velutina Rio Grande "Fan-Tex" trees,("Fan-Tex" here-in, always a male tree? I want as little litter as possible. Mary Rose Duffield and Warren Jones, in their "Plants for Dry Climates; How to Select, Grow & Enjoy" (1998)", state that for the Fraxinus Velutina, "Inconspicious flowers appear in spring before foliage comes out and bear winged fruit among the leaves of female trees in the spring (p. 99). Will I get less litter from a male Fan-Tex tree? A local nursery says it only purchases male Fan-Tex trees because the males produces less litter. If all Fan-Tex trees are male, can I buy one anywhere? Should I buy my Fan-Tex tree from a nursery that will guarantee that it is male and will produce the least amount of litter? Thank you. Steve Benson (SBenson@dellnet.com) From azgogel@aol.com Thu Oct 5 04:58:42 2000 Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 21:58:42 -0700 (MST) From: azgogel@aol.com azgogel@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page What is the rate of coverage of rye grass for over seeding? #/sq'? and the fertilizer coverage and schedule? Thanks azgogel@aol.com From MLabe20805@aol.com Thu Oct 5 06:53:35 2000 Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 02:53:35 EDT From: MLabe20805@aol.com MLabe20805@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Bouganvillia Haveseveral Bouganvillia bushes in area. The leaves have become decimated. 5o% of them suffer from brown irregular shapes as if eaten by small insects. Brown lines go through leaves. Do appear along edges and along leaf veins. Most of the brown lines go completelythrough the leaf. No sign of insects (10/4/00) on leaves.... Inspected with magnifying glass. I live in Chandler Az. Brought samples to nursery and given the explanation that "because of the thorny nature of the bush coupled with windy days, the thorns tear/scrarch the leaves as they blow against the thorns. I looked carefully at one of the bushes attempting to confirm if there are enough thorns to have caused such wide spread damage. My observations suggest it is not likely considering the wide spread damage and the sparseness of thorns, by comparison, required to cause that kind of damage. Do you have any advice/suggestions as to cause of damage described? Is the reason given by the nursery valid for that type bush? Sincerely, Michael LaBella < mlabe20805@aol.com > From lindaguy@uswest.net Thu Oct 5 16:33:36 2000 Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 09:33:36 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Vines for Full or Partial Shade Partial Shade: Violet trumpet vine or Clytostoma callistegioides is good on a cool northern wall, with spring - summer lavender flowers. Star jasmine or Trachelospermum jasminoides, not a true jasmine but an AZ landscape staple that is best with some sun in the eastern/northern exposure but will tolerate full shade. Tiny star shaped white blooms in spring. Heavenly scent. Others are native grape or Cissustrifoliata; queen's wreath or Antigonon leptopus; snail vine or Viga caracalla; and yellow morning glory or Merremia aurea. Deep shade: Algerian Ivy or Hedera canariensis is not for small spaces since it is a rampant grower. Creeping fig of Ficus pumila can attach to most any surface and requires thinning to keep the vine from becoming woody and to maintain the delicate tendril effect. English ivy or Hedera helix is more suitable for smaller spaces. Fatshedera lizei is a good container plant but needs trellsing. Periwinkle or Vinca major is good for groundcover, under trees, covering slopes. Purple leaf wintercreeper or Euonymus fortunei, a vine which can also be used as a groundcover. Tpet1934@aol.com wrote: > Can you name some vines that will grow in full shade or partial shade. I live in Mesa foot hills at about 1800 feet elevation. > > Thanks > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Thu Oct 5 16:47:02 2000 Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 09:47:02 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Pearl Scale Pearl scale is often blamed for poor maintenance practices, but it appears that you have truly identified this as the culprit. I am attaching a missive we recently received on the listserve about the problem. One thing that will be essential, since many lawns, even hybrid bermudas, can fend it off if given a chance, is that the lawn be very well cared for and otherwise kept healthy [good irrigation practice and fertilization, mowing properly, etc.]. These elements are discussed below as well as management which is to (1) acidify the alkaline soil that pearl scale thrive in and (2) try an insecticide product called Merit. It may be too late to make much of a dent, since the grass is approaching dormancy and the pest is best addressed in May, but you can give it a go and certainly will be ready to deal with it next growing season. Good luck, Linda Guy, Master Gardener PEARL SCALE OR GROUND PEARL AND YOUR LAWN By Sharon Dewey, Certified Turfgrass Professional, and Dave Langston, Ph.D. University of Arizona, College of Agriculture Pearl scale or ground pearl, refers to an insect that can be a problem for St. Augustine, Zoysia and Bermuda grasses. Hybrid Bermuda grasses are usually more affected than common Bermuda. As the name implies, an infestation will resemble miniature pearls. Scale insects secrete a whitish to brown substance that covers and protects their bodies, and are seldom larger than one-sixteenth of an inch. These insects suck the juices from plants, usually killing the root. The grass gradually weakens, turns yellow, then brown, thins and dies, and circular patches of dead grass will appear on the lawn. Damage will appear in the fall as the grass is going in to dormancy. These damaged areas will not recover the following spring when the grass begins to grow again. In late May and lasting throughout the summer, the majority of females emerge from their pearl scales and lay about 100 eggs in a waxy coat. In a few days the eggs hatch into crawlers, which attach to grass roots. They secrete a hard, waxy coating that becomes the next generation of ground pearl scale. Here are some tips on detecting pearl scale. 1. Dig at the edge of the damaged area that is next to an unaffected area. 2. Carefully dig down two to four inches. Try not to spread scale to unaffected area. 3. Look at the roots of unaffected area. 4. Pearl scale are obvious because of their contrasting color and their shape. 5. The insects are soft and can be easily squashed. 6. Be very careful with contaminated soil and the tools used to examine the lawn, as they can contaminate unaffected area. Controlling scale. Pearl scales are spread in infested turf and through the use of dirty equipment. Always wash the soil off shovels, trowels or other lawn and garden equipment after each use. Mowers are not likely to transfer scales unless they are very dirty. There are no chemical control methods that completely rid the lawn of pearl scale. However, there is some evidence that applications of soil acidifiers (these reduce soil pH), and/or the product Merit may help slow down the spread of pearl scale. The optimal time for treating a lawn with Merit is in late May when the females are emerging. 1. The best chance for control is early detection when the circular patches are small and manageable. 2. Carefully remove damaged patches one foot beyond the affected area and one foot deep. Then dispose of the affected roots and the surrounding soil. Pearl scales may withstand long periods of drought in the soil, and may still be alive after more than a year. So be very careful to avoid spreading them when replacing damaged turf. 3. Most of the pearl scale will be in the upper two to four inches of soil, but have been found as deep as grass roots grow, making control very difficult. 4. After removing affected portions of the lawn replace the contaminated soil. At this time you may want to treat with soil acidifiers and/or Merit and then re-sod or seed the area. 5. To enhance the penetration of soil acidifiers, make holes in the area to be treated before applying acid mixtures. Prevention. Proper maintenance helps prevent pearl scale infestations. Although rare, some lawns, particularly common Bermuda have been shown to grow out of an infestation when the lawn receives proper maintenance. Also, seeded Bermuda appears to be able to better withstand pearl scale, or at least the spots can be reseeded each year to cover the damaged areas. This is NOT a control method but merely hides the damaged spots. Maintenance tips: 1. Water deeply (eight to 10 inches), but only as often as to avoid wilt. 2. Fertilize every four to six weeks using a complete fertilizer such as a 21-7-14 blend. 3. Mow no more than the top one third of the grass, using a sharp mower blade. 4. Remove thatch if it is more than one-half inch thick. 5. Use proper soil management. For more Turf Grass information: Contact the Arizona Cooperative Extension's Web Site - http://www.ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/lawns/index.html Web Site: www.westernsod.com E-mail: wsod@westernsod.com Phone: Tuft Hot Line: 10800-321-TURF for turf questions of the Lawngevity video jsferber@aol.com wrote: > Our tiff lawn has "pearl scale". I have dug down into turf about 10 inches, and I can see small white balls. The lawn has been infected for about 4 years. I have treated it with Tide about 4 times in this period of time. > Until now, I have been holding the disease in check at about 20% of lawn area. Absolutely nothing grows in this area. Recently, the disease has spread. The lawn is now about40% infected. > I would like to save my lawn. Please advise a course of treatment. I live in greater Phoenix. > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Thu Oct 5 17:07:20 2000 Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 10:07:20 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Cucumber Mosaic Virus Perhaps it is the cucumber mosaic virus. Has anyone suggested this possibility? Many cucumber strains are bred to increase resistance, but I understand from another recent missive on the server that infected seed can be the culprit, as well as the virus vector [insect carrier] hanging out in adjacent plant material. I regret to advise you and your students that if this is the culprit, the plants must be destroyed and your implements well cleaned; a bleach solution soak is probably advisable. Maintaining plant health is the best defense but once the virus is present, removal and cleanliness are the key practices. You could always take a sample to your own county's cooperative extension office, which would be affiliated with the state of Florida's land grant college [which the UA is]. http://www.reeusda.gov/statepartners/fl.htm Otherwise try to contact them by phone and describe your problem [government listings in the phone directory]. Good luck! Linda Guy Master Gardener Maricopa County, AZ lgmsscience@yahoo.coom wrote: > I attended the U of A, and am now teaching Science in Florida. My students have planted cucumbers, and until recently, the plants have been doing quite well. The plants are in five gallon containers and are watered twice daily and fed a 27-25-12 granual fertilizer monthly because of the loss of nutrients due to being in containers. Now is the important part. The leaves are beginning to show a pattern of polygon shaped areas of different shades of green and yellow. I have asked so many people what it could be and have had more different answers than the number of times I have asked the question. As a result, I have come to the conclusion that either my problem is so uncommon that no one in this area knows how to treat it, or no one in this area has a clue what they are talking about. Due you know the cause of and solution to such a problem? The leaves look like a tile floor of many shades. > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Thu Oct 5 17:12:45 2000 Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 10:12:45 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Potassium Salt in Irrigation Water We wouldn't generally recommend it because of the presence of salt already in our soils and water. There are a few plants that seem as if they just love salt, bermuda being one. Here is some input I received from one of our Instructional Specialists at the Cooperative Extension Office: 'I think the Water Softening Companies are marketing the Potassium Salt as "safe" to water your plants. While it is probably better than some, it is still a salt. Deep watering every few irrigation cycles and being wary of salt sensitive plants (we have that soft water pub that lists a bunch) would be good practices to follow. If she has a Bermuda lawn, it will take just about anything even evap. cooling run off without batting an eye, so she could always direct the water to her lawn.' The publication cited #8736 and is found at http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/pubs/pubs.htm#soil Instructions for ordering it are at the top of the page. Sorry for the delayed response. Linda Guy Master Gardener wmona1807@aol.com wrote: > We have a water softner and is it O K to use potassium salt to water hedges, citrus trees, and such? We live in Sun City, Az. From RAJ@uswest.net Thu Oct 5 17:22:54 2000 Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 10:22:54 -0700 (MST) From: RAJ@uswest.net RAJ@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page Dietes and Bowle's Mauve Wallflower have been brown for several months. How do I tell if they are dead or just resting between seasons? They were newly planted in the spring and are on the drip system. From lindaguy@uswest.net Thu Oct 5 17:24:32 2000 Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 10:24:32 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Termites in Lawn I am by no means an expert, but since your question appears to have been around some time, I thought I read up in our publications in an effort to learn a little more and help you out at the same time! It appears there are dry-wood and subterranean termites. The latter feed on wood that is buried or in contact with the ground. Because they must maintain contact with moist soil, they construct long tubes of dirt and wood chips from the soil surface to places where wood is found. These tubes are typically found around the foundation of your house, at windows and door frames or hanging down from ceilings. This suggests that the tubes in your lawn may not be termites.Tubes are also found on fences and trees, because termites are a natural part of the environment removing dead or decaying wood materials. They do not attack living plant matter. If you are able, you could bring a specimen and description of your problem to the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Office at 4341 E. Broadway Road Phoenix, AZ 85040. Someone will phone you within a week usually. We also have some publications you can order regarding termites at http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/pubs/pubs.htm#Insects notably MC 39, MC 40, MC 80, MC 81. Good luck! Linda Guy Master Gardener foothill@uswest.net wrote: > Termites in the lawn. > I think I have termites in the back portion of my yard. > I've little dirt tubes pop up here and there in my yard. > When I brush them down, sometimes I see little white insects > that look like termites. They aren't on the foundation of my house, the > closest tube I've found is about 12 feet away from the foundation. > Do I need to do anything about them? > > Thanks for any help! From lindaguy@uswest.net Thu Oct 5 17:32:05 2000 Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 10:32:05 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Scorpions Generally, pesticides used for insects do not work on scorpions unless they are sprayed directly, a difficult thing to do since they are nocturnal. Also, because they don't wash themselves and the shell is very durable, this doesn't always ensure the direct spray will work. Best ways to control them are to make their environment inhospitable, ie remove food sources [cockroaches and crickets] and remove their preferred habitat [rock or wood piles, loose boards, debris, old tires, etc. Please wear gloves!]. Chemical controls are, of course, available in most garden supply stores. If you must take this approach, get out the black light and direct spray if possible. I do like your thought about torching them, which I'm adding as a footnote to our publication on the topic! Unfortunately, you will have to read the labels to see about toxicity for any human or animal life. Linda Guy Master Gardener gmastin@primenet.com wrote: > Dear MCCE, > I live in the "scorpion alley" in Tempe (South Tempe-Mclintock and Warner). I have various other critters in my yard ( garden snakes, lizzards, crickets, snails,etc). > I want to use diazion granules in the rocks to try and control the scorpions( ie. some of the food source). My conern is whether this will also sicken and kill the lizzards and snakes. > If it is directly harmful to the others, what can I use to help with the scorpions and not the others, short of the black light and torch method? > Thank-you, > Gwen MAstin From sirws@hotmail.com Thu Oct 5 17:49:03 2000 Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 10:49:03 -0700 (MST) From: sirws@hotmail.com sirws@hotmail.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page I just bought a 20 year old house and there is black plastic under the granite (there is a margin of about 3 ft of granite that surrounds the turf which covers the majority of the yard). There are 20 year old trees and some shrubs in there. What is the best way to remove the plastic doing as little damage as possible to the roots? Should I replace the crushed granite when I am done? Should I add compost first or not at all? From lindaguy@uswest.net Thu Oct 5 17:41:29 2000 Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 10:41:29 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Raising Cannas Mike, This from the Sunset Western Garden Book since I don't have cannas: A tuberous rooted perennial that is native to tropics and subtropics. Likes sun and needs heavy watering during bloom cycle. Remove faded flowers after bloom. When all flowers have bloomed, cut stalk to the ground. Rootstocks generally planted in spring following frost, in very rich, loose soil. I'm sorry I don't have more information to share, and the delay of our response. With the fall gardening season starting, the volume of questions is really rising! Linda Guy Master Gardener greatmfs@aol.com wrote: > Would like information on Canna. Care, Maintenance and when to seperate and repot. > Thank You mike > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Thu Oct 5 17:49:33 2000 Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 10:49:33 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Aphids, Whitefly, and Leafminers Soft bodied insects like these can be addressed with stiff jet sprays of water or the mild soap and water method, particularly for veggies. Other options are insecticidal soaps or the botanical insecticide neem or [this from Sunset] dusting with DE. I don't know the impact on vegetables, so a good read of the label will be important. With any treatment, addressing the underside of leaves is most important. Also, finding and treating the problem as quickly as possible. Sprays for leaf miners will also impact the parasitic wasps that feed on them. Next year, how about putting everything under floating row cover and perhaps avoid the need to spray at all? Sorry for the delayed response. Fall gardening is underway and our inbaskets are burgeoning with questions! Linda Guy Master Gardener Jim Bayers wrote: > I sent this once befor but I think the listserv ate it. > > My corn and snap beans are doing OK with the exception of some leafminer > damage on the snapbeans and some whiteflies that went after one stalk of > corn. > > But my zucini and cucumbers were doing poorly. At first I thought I was > overwatering them, but then I noticed ants and honeydew. I turned over a > leaf and it was covered with aphids! I treated the aphids using the oil > mixture described for whitefiles. It seemed to work though the aphids were > so bad that I lost the zuccini and I think the cucumbers are badly damaged. > > What can I do next year? I don't mind using chemicals. > > Thanks in advance, > > - Jim > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Thu Oct 5 17:57:09 2000 Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 10:57:09 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Money Plant - Lunaria annua (L. biennis) The Sunset Western Garden Book does not indicate that this plant will grow in our zone 13, even though they are said to like sun, poor soil and little water. You'd think that we had all the ingredients here! This is a biennial in the brassicaceae/cruciferae family [cabbage, broccoli, etc.] which we are planting right now in our cool season vegetable patches. So, I'd suggest that you treat them as a cool season annual and see what will happen. I should think that full or partial winter sun in a garden might be tolerable. Also put a few in containers and experiment with the best location. Remember, whatever you do, it was never meant to live more than two seasons in the best of conditions. Good luck! Linda Guy Master Gardener papa-nannie@rkis.com wrote: > Will you please give me instructions for > trimming and rooting the Tombstone rose > (Rosa banksiae). I would like to share with > my neighbors. your help would be appreciated. > also will a Money plant grow here? My > sister from Indiana gave me seeds and told > me to soak them before planting, but I can > find no other info on them. thank you for > your help, > Nena Shelton > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Thu Oct 5 18:03:41 2000 Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 11:03:41 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Removing Black Plastic We haven't recommended black plastic under rock mulch for years and you are wise to further assist your landscape's water needs. Of course, plastic does deteriorate after some years, particularly if it's been walked over. I assume yours is still in tact? But I've often wondered if perforating the plastic wouldn't be a short cut to take? I've seen those spikey sandals that one dons over a pair of shoes to aerate lawns. Mightn't something like that in the rock mulch do the trick? Or poking the soil with another garden implement? It is just a thought, and I'll be interested to see how my colleagues respond to your query and my musings! Linda Guy Master Gardener sirws@hotmail.com wrote: > I just bought a 20 year old house and there is black plastic under the > granite (there is a margin of about 3 ft of granite that surrounds the turf > which covers the majority of the yard). There are 20 year old trees and > some shrubs in there. What is the best way to remove the plastic doing as > little damage as possible to the roots? Should I replace the crushed > granite when I am done? Should I add compost first or not at all? > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Thu Oct 5 18:10:03 2000 Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 11:10:03 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Drying Pomegranates The published information I have from the Family and Consumer Services area has recipes for using the pomegranates, but I couldn't find instructions for drying them. You could always phone them at 602/470-8086, x341. This is an autumn fruit which is harvested from September through November. Thin skin with bright color and fresh appearance are considered preferable. Taste testing is the best way to judge their 'readiness'. Linda Guy Master Gardener roarh1950@aol.com wrote: > I have a nice crop of pomegranates this year and would like to dry them for use in Holiday decorations? When should I pick them for this purpose and what is the best way to dry them? > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Thu Oct 5 18:23:04 2000 Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 11:23:04 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Jade Plant - Crassula argentea or ovata My reference materials conflicted on the botanical name, but the photos were very similar. The jade plant is a succulent but it hails from Madagascar and South Africa. They can grow here but need overhead protection from the sun. It is often a container plant on a patio/porch area. They prefer modest amounts of water once established, which I can personally attest to having recently lost a beautiful, fast-growing specimen [3" pot to about 18" across in less than a year] because I got too motherly with the irrigation. I didn't follow my own oft-dispensed advice of checking the moisture in the root ball and it was lost in a matter of days once it succumbed! Use a succulent soil mix that is half grit/pumice to ensure good drainage. Sometimes you can get little pink flowers from November to April. Particularly if outside, remove the saucer so the water is not reabsorbed into the container. Infrequent watering, as already mentioned. Grows as large as the container it is in in a relatively short period of time. I've never taken cuttings from the plant but would suggest trying a rooting hormone and placing the branch in a medium that is kept somewhat moist until roots form. Linda Guy Master Gardener kelarsen@primenet.com wrote: > I am new to valley gardening and have just received some jade cuttings from a generous relative who had hers trimmed. I am interested in native and/or low water usage plants, and wonder if jade falls into either of these categories. I am also unsure exactly how to transplant these cuttings into my yard so they stay healthy and thrive. Any advice from the experts out there would be very much appreciated. Thank you! > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Thu Oct 5 18:29:32 2000 Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 11:29:32 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Turf Alternatives for Pearl Scale Our turf guru recently educated us to the fact that pearl scale is HIGHLY overused as an excuse for failing lawns. To quote from him "Seeded bermuda varieties are more tolerant of Pearl Scale and seem to outgrow it as they are more vigorous growers - keep the grass un-stressed and it can tolerate a Pearl Scale infestation. Even the hybrid sod bermudas can tolerate most levels of Pearl Scale as long as the other care and maintenance factors in the lawn are up-to-speed and the grass is kept as healthy as possible. As with most plants, keep it healthy and it can tolerate a little problem and stay alive." Of course, the hybrid lawns are the ones that are not allergenic. General discussion of turf options are in the Lawn Chapter of the Master Gardener Manual at http://ag.arizona.edu./pubs/garden/mg/ However, again to refer to our turf specialist, bermuda remains the grass of choice in the full sun of the low desert. Linda Guy Master Gardener JGibson@TriWest.com wrote: > I am looking for alternative grasses that would handle our heat but not be > susceptible to Pearl Scale. Any suggestions? St. Augustine? Santa Ana? > Tiff? > > I was told that it only attacks Bermuda Hybrids. Is this true? > > Are there any other non-allergenic grasses that could work? > > Any assistance is appreciated. > > Thanks > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Thu Oct 5 18:38:24 2000 Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 11:38:24 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] High Country Horticultural Help If you haven't already contacted your local Cooperative Extension Office and its Master Gardener staff, you're in for a treat. Although I believe your office is in Globe, if I read the map correctly there seems to be a satellite in Payson http://ag.arizona.edu/extension/counties/ I hope you didn't miss their gardening conference in Payson last September! One of our server members is a Master Gardener who lives up there, so I hope she sees this note and contacts you directly. Linda Guy Master Gardener Maricopa County Carleneebr@aol.com wrote: > This may not be the place for this question, but can you tell me where to obtain informatioon on planting trees and gardens in Young Az. or the Payson area since they are both the same climate. We recently purchased land with lots of old apple and pear trees and need to know how to care for them. Tthank you, Carlene > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Thu Oct 5 18:42:04 2000 Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 11:42:04 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Rabbit Management We have a nice writeup on managing rabbits at http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/t-tips/animals/rabbit.htm which includes fencing dimensions. I don't find any information regarding quail. Perhaps addressing the question to Game and Fish? There are also some references listed at http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/library/ref-wld.htm Linda Guy Master Gardener gmgvt@aol.com wrote: > WE are getting ready to put in a garden area at a senior residential community. WE know we need fencing to keep the rabbits out - but we don't know how high the fencing needs to be. Do we need to make it high enough to discourage quail? Thanks for any assistance you can offer. > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Thu Oct 5 18:44:10 2000 Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 11:44:10 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Clippings for Compost --------------92AB36C6291A4C421D999527 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit A wonderful suggestion! It's also good to know what chemical products have been used on the lawns before adding to your pile, particularly if you are inclined to natural or organic techniques. Over the next two months, we'll also be able to round up our neighbors' leaves for the same purpose. Linda Guy Master gardener "David M. Kerr" wrote: > It is prime time for composters. My neighbors are having their lawns > scalped and dethatched for winter lawns. I find the gardeners happy > to let me take the cuttings. It is less work than going to a ranch to > get manure for me. It saves the gardeners the time and gas to take > the cuttings to the dump and the dump fee. It helps if you know some > spanish. I keep the cuttings in piles under citrus trees and > oleanders in my front yard. In a month, they will have lost half > their weight and bulk. I will relocate them to my compost pile. --------------92AB36C6291A4C421D999527 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit A wonderful suggestion! It's also good to know what chemical products have been used on the lawns before adding to your pile, particularly if you are inclined to natural or organic techniques.

Over the next two months, we'll also be able to round up our neighbors' leaves for the same purpose.

Linda Guy
Master gardener

"David M. Kerr" wrote:

It is prime time for composters.  My neighbors are having their lawns scalped and dethatched for winter lawns.  I find the gardeners happy to let me take the cuttings.  It is less work than going to a ranch to get manure for me.  It saves the gardeners the time and gas to take the cuttings to the dump and the dump fee.  It helps if  you know some spanish.  I keep the cuttings in piles under citrus trees and oleanders in my front yard.  In a month, they will have lost half their weight and bulk.  I will relocate them to my compost pile.
--------------92AB36C6291A4C421D999527-- From bayers@honors.arizona.edu Thu Oct 5 19:06:57 2000 Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 12:06:57 -0700 From: Jim Bayers bayers@honors.arizona.edu Subject: [Arid_gardener] Diagnosing Failed Garden My thanks to the people who help here. I know you're busy. I've got another question. I planted my first garden here in Tucson, so I didn't expect much. Problem is, everything did poorly. How do I go about diagnosing the problem? The leaves on the corn and snap beans are yellowish and the plants are stunted. I applied a 5-5-5 fertilizer, following the directions. I'm thinking that I may have over watered, or that the cow manure I applied was too 'green'. (It said it was composted) When I pull the plants up, is there anything I should look for? I'm not sure where to start. - Jim From lindaguy@uswest.net Thu Oct 5 19:56:51 2000 Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 12:56:51 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Fwd: [Arid_gardener] Diagnosing Failed Garden] This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --------------B5CA39F517A4E822B8C82124 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Any ideas for Jim? --------------B5CA39F517A4E822B8C82124 Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Return-Path: Delivered-To: lindaguy@mail-phnx.uswest.net Received: (qmail 72911 invoked by uid 0); 5 Oct 2000 19:08:07 -0000 Received: from mail9.uswest.net (204.147.80.27) by phnxpop2.phnx.uswest.net with SMTP; 5 Oct 2000 19:08:07 -0000 Received: (qmail 42740 invoked from network); 5 Oct 2000 19:08:06 -0000 Received: from ag.arizona.edu (128.196.42.70) by mail9.uswest.net with SMTP; 5 Oct 2000 19:08:06 -0000 Received: from Ag.Arizona.Edu (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by Ag.Arizona.Edu (8.9.3+Sun/8.9.3) with ESMTP id MAA27571; Thu, 5 Oct 2000 12:08:02 -0700 (MST) Received: from thcpdc.honors.arizona.edu (Honors.Arizona.EDU [128.196.52.125]) by Ag.Arizona.Edu (8.9.3+Sun/8.9.3) with ESMTP id MAA27423 for ; Thu, 5 Oct 2000 12:07:03 -0700 (MST) Received: by Honors.arizona.edu with Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) id ; Thu, 5 Oct 2000 12:07:04 -0700 Errors-To: arid_gardener-admin@Ag.Arizona.Edu Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 12:06:57 -0700 Message-ID: From: "Jim Bayers" Sender: arid_gardener-admin@Ag.Arizona.Edu To: "'arid_gardener@ag.arizona.edu'" MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Subject: [Arid_gardener] Diagnosing Failed Garden X-BeenThere: arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu X-Mailman-Version: 2.0beta5 Precedence: bulk List-Id: Gardening and Landscaping in Dry Climates X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 My thanks to the people who help here. I know you're busy. I've got another question. I planted my first garden here in Tucson, so I didn't expect much. Problem is, everything did poorly. How do I go about diagnosing the problem? The leaves on the corn and snap beans are yellowish and the plants are stunted. I applied a 5-5-5 fertilizer, following the directions. I'm thinking that I may have over watered, or that the cow manure I applied was too 'green'. (It said it was composted) When I pull the plants up, is there anything I should look for? I'm not sure where to start. - Jim _______________________________________________ Arid_gardener mailing list Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener --------------B5CA39F517A4E822B8C82124-- From lindaguy@uswest.net Thu Oct 5 19:59:07 2000 Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 12:59:07 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] [Fwd: Raising Iris] This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --------------3FFC116060AA31BAF4C8D46D Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Any iris afficinados out there who can help Mike? --------------3FFC116060AA31BAF4C8D46D Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Return-Path: Delivered-To: lindaguy@mail-phnx.uswest.net Received: (qmail 90698 invoked by uid 0); 5 Oct 2000 18:08:24 -0000 Received: from mail5.uswest.net (204.147.80.23) by phnxpop2.phnx.uswest.net with SMTP; 5 Oct 2000 18:08:24 -0000 Received: (qmail 77975 invoked from network); 5 Oct 2000 18:08:24 -0000 Received: from imo-d06.mx.aol.com (205.188.157.38) by mail5.uswest.net with SMTP; 5 Oct 2000 18:08:24 -0000 Received: from GreatMFS@aol.com by imo-d06.mx.aol.com (mail_out_v28.24.) id 9.10.327cf09 (4316) for ; Thu, 5 Oct 2000 14:08:08 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 14:08:08 EDT Message-ID: <10.327cf09.270e1d88@aol.com> From: GreatMFS@aol.com To: lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: Re: Raising Iris MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: AOL 5.0 for Windows sub 118 X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 Thank You for your previous information on Cannas Would like information on Iris. Care, Maintenance and when to seperate and repot. Thank You Mike --------------3FFC116060AA31BAF4C8D46D-- From gussiejean@earthlink.net Fri Oct 6 00:04:04 2000 Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 17:04:04 -0700 From: Karen Olson gussiejean@earthlink.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Regarding scorpians This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0031_01C02EEE.444A7B80 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Regarding scorpions. Chickens and cats. :-) Chickens and cats help = with the control of scorpions. Chickens eat them and cats kill them. = Neither are affected by their sting. KO ------=_NextPart_000_0031_01C02EEE.444A7B80 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Regarding scorpions.  Chickens and = cats.  :-)  Chickens and cats help with the control of=20 scorpions.  Chickens eat them and cats kill them.  Neither are = affected by their sting.  KO
------=_NextPart_000_0031_01C02EEE.444A7B80-- From redqueen@netzero.net Fri Oct 6 00:16:47 2000 Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 17:16:47 -0700 (MST) From: redqueen@netzero.net redqueen@netzero.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page I gleaned some Mexican Bird of Paradise seeds, planted them in a container, and nothing is happening. They have been planted since the beginning of Sept, and are watered once a week. I also had the same problem with lavender seeds which never "took". What am I missing/doing wrong? I just moved from Ohio.... From RodMcQ6@aol.com Fri Oct 6 00:52:16 2000 Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 20:52:16 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Rye gras seed, how much to use If you are planting annual rye the recommended rate is 10 to 20 Pounds per 1000 square feet. For perenial rye the rate is 10 to 15 pounds per 1000 square feet. Fertilizer should be applied starting two to three weeks after seeding at the rate of 1/4 to 1/2 pound per 1000 square feet of actual nitrogen. Using amonium phosphate ( 16/20/0 ) at the 1/2 pound rate you should apply 3 pounds per 1000. This rate would apply for November, December and January. For February and March double the previous rate. The above rates are recommended by U. of A. Good luck Rod McKusick Master Gardener From RodMcQ6@aol.com Fri Oct 6 00:52:18 2000 Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 20:52:18 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Watering trees and shrubs Please check out the Master Gardener Manual chapter on irrigation at the following website: http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/arboriculture/watering.html Good luck. Rod McKusick Master Gardener and Arborist From RodMcQ6@aol.com Fri Oct 6 00:52:17 2000 Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 20:52:17 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Arizona Ash I am told that the Fraxinus velutina ( Fantex ) is a seedless variety and as such you shouldn't have to worry about seeds. Good luck Rod McKusick Master Gardener and Arborist. From millero@worldnet.att.net Fri Oct 6 03:07:03 2000 Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 20:07:03 -0700 From: Olin Miller millero@worldnet.att.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page With the Mexican Bird of Paradise, it helps to scarify the seeds, then soak in water overnight before planting. To scarify, rub the seeds with sandpaper to make it easier for moisture to enter the seed. Or use a file at the rounded end of the seed. Keep the medium moist until the seeds germinates. I don't have any experience with lavender but if the seed coat is very hard, it would require similar treatment. -Olin ----- Original Message ----- From: > I gleaned some Mexican Bird of Paradise seeds, planted them in a container, and nothing is happening. They have been planted since the beginning of Sept, and are watered once a week. I also had the same problem with lavender seeds which never "took". What am I missing/doing wrong? I just moved from Ohio.... From bjbennett@kna.to Fri Oct 6 12:37:44 2000 Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2000 05:37:44 -0700 (MST) From: bjbennett@kna.to bjbennett@kna.to Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page Unfortunately, due to my husband's job, we are moving up to Colorado. I want to take my plants with me!! My question involves my 1 ft. Pygmy Date Palm, A 3ft. tall Fishhook Barrel cactus, and the Hedgehog cactus. We will be in Central/Southern Co, so do you think they will survive the winters or what measures do you think will help them? Perhaps if I cover them? The average winter temp is around 28 degrees, so not much colder than where I am now in Casa Grande, but I'm afraid it would be too much. Please let me know your thoughts!! Thanks so much!! From RodMcQ6@aol.com Fri Oct 6 19:11:57 2000 Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2000 15:11:57 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Re: Texas Root Rot Yes Texas Root Rot is quiute common in the valley (Maricopa County). I have not seen anything published about one area being any worse than others. If you have trees that are now planted be sure to provide adequate irrigation, but do not over water. The fungus that causes Texas Root Rot thrives in moist and alkaline soil. If you are about to plant more trees, I would advise planting either immune ( palm trees ) or the trees that are resistant to TRR. U. of A. Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix 85040 has a bulletin onTexas Root Rot which lists the trees and shrubs that are resistant as well as those that are susceptable, available for $1.00. Good luck. Rod McKusick Master Gardener and Arborist From tberard@cl.wesd.k12.az.us Sat Oct 7 00:49:55 2000 Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2000 17:49:55 -0700 (MST) From: tberard@cl.wesd.k12.az.us tberard@cl.wesd.k12.az.us Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page 1- What environmentally safe steps can I take in order to change my bermuda/weed infested yard into a natural desert landscape. 2- I'm considering planting one or two Chilean Mesquites on the western side of my house. How close to the house and underground utility lines can the trees be? From RodMcQ6@aol.com Sat Oct 7 02:41:53 2000 Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2000 22:41:53 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Bermuda grass to desert landscape You must kill the bermuda grass before you do a desert landscape or you will be in a worse situation than you are now.The only practical way to get rid of bermuda is chemically unless you want to have a four foot deep hole excavated to get rid of all the bermuda roots. then you may not have the bermuda eliminated because the dirt that is used to fill the hole may have bermuda roots in it The recommended method is to kill the bermuda and weeds with a chemical such as Roundup ( glyphosate ). If you intend to do it this fall you must start immediately because the bermuda must be actively growing. If you have been watering regularly and the bermuda is actively growing apply the chemical then wait two weeks to see if you killed it all if not then apply the chemical again. The chemical glyphosate is effective only when it hits the grass. Once it hits the ground it is no longer effective after it dries. If you cannot start right away then you must wait until late spring or early summer when the bermuda is again actively growng. The Chilean Mesquite can grow to 40 foot diameter crown so if you want it to be away from the house then it should be planted 20 feet away. Good luck Rod McKusick Master Gardener From joegullo@worldnet.att.net Sat Oct 7 15:53:42 2000 Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2000 08:53:42 -0700 (MST) From: joegullo@worldnet.att.net joegullo@worldnet.att.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page How do you dry eucalyptus? From fscapellit@mindspring.com Sat Oct 7 17:49:26 2000 Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2000 10:49:26 -0700 (MST) From: fscapellit@mindspring.com fscapellit@mindspring.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page Is this a resting time for my euryops?? All six of them have brown tinges on the tips, but one, I'm afraid is dying, is all turning brown. Did we put too much mulch in the ground? We've turned off the drip irrigation and water them by hand every other weekend....just enough to hope the roots are watered. Thank you. From jmausphx@worldnet.att.net Sat Oct 7 20:44:19 2000 Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2000 13:44:19 -0700 (MST) From: jmausphx@worldnet.att.net jmausphx@worldnet.att.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page I have what I think is an ash tree which has a number of branches that are dying. It started last spring. now half the tree has branches with dead leaves. It is in a flood irrigation yard. It didn't get a lot of water last winter due to SRP dry up and no rain. Any ideas? Thank you From RodMcQ6@aol.com Sat Oct 7 22:26:02 2000 Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2000 18:26:02 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Eucalyptus, drying Your question was how do you dry Eucalyptus, if you are referring to firewood, just leave it out in the sun for about six months, it will burn great. Rod From RodMcQ6@aol.com Sat Oct 7 22:26:09 2000 Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2000 18:26:09 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Ash tree dying If the dead leaves are still hanging on to the branches, this is one of the symptoms of Texas Root Rot. The only positive way to find this out is to bring a root sample to U.of A Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix, 85040. the Sample should be finger to thumb size and 12 inches long. The Diagnostic Clinic meets on Friday morning, and the sample should be as fresh as possible. If the Ash was without water for two to three months last winter it could have become stressed to the point where it would be easy for a pathogen to attack. Good luck Rod McKusick Master Gardener and Arborist From annathome@worldnet.att.net Sun Oct 8 02:54:07 2000 Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2000 19:54:07 -0700 (MST) From: annathome@worldnet.att.net annathome@worldnet.att.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page I have lost several Hibiscus plants, I think they had Texas Root Rot. Is my soil now contaminated, if I plant more hibiscus will the also get it? (The plants were 4 years old) From TPET1934@AOL.COM Sun Oct 8 18:49:58 2000 Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000 11:49:58 -0700 (MST) From: TPET1934@AOL.COM TPET1934@AOL.COM Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page WE HAVE A BOUGAINVILLEA BUSH THAT HAS NOT PRODUCED ANY RED BRACTS, IT'S BEEN IN THE GROUND FOR OVER A YEAR AND LOOKS HEALTHY OTHER WISE. From jbcook@erols.com Sun Oct 8 19:13:16 2000 Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000 12:13:16 -0700 (MST) From: jbcook@erols.com jbcook@erols.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page Would like to know whether your manual is for sale. Would like to order it for my daughter-in-law, who lives in the Phoenix area and would like to learn all about gardening. I use the Fairfax County manual at work(Burke Nursery) and found that very informative. My daughter-in-law is from Virginia and therefore is not familiar with gardening(especially not desert gardening). Would appreciate your answer. Beatrice Cook From MADASMITH@AOL.COM Sun Oct 8 19:16:44 2000 Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000 12:16:44 -0700 (MST) From: MADASMITH@AOL.COM MADASMITH@AOL.COM Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page I NEED TO KNOW IF IT IS TO LATE TO PLANT BOUGAINVILLEA. I WILL BE PLANTING IT ON THE WEST SIDE OF A BLOCK FENCE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP. From RodMcQ6@aol.com Sun Oct 8 21:44:03 2000 Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000 17:44:03 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Texas Root Rot If your Hibiscus did have Texas Root Rot the fungus will always be in the soil unless you apply a chemical such as Vapam to kill the fungus. The alternative is too plant an immune species such as agaves, Bird of Paradise, yucca, or pampas grass. U of A Extension at 4341 E. Broadway,Phoenix 85040 has a bulletin titled "Root Rot in Arizona" for $1.00. Good luck. Rod McKusick Master Gardener From RodMcQ6@aol.com Sun Oct 8 21:44:08 2000 Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000 17:44:08 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Bougainvillea, not producing red bracts There are two things that will reduce the bract production, the first is too much shade, and the other is too much water. If you watered every two to three weeks in summer once the plant is established it should be very happy. Bougainvillea is usually well established after one year in the ground. I have several Bougainvillea and I removed the drippers after the first year, and they bloom their heads off. Rod McKusick Master Gardener From RodMcQ6@aol.com Sun Oct 8 21:44:12 2000 Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000 17:44:12 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Bougainvillea, planting It is a good time of year to plant Bougainvillea. Be careful when you take it out of the pot and not disturb the roots, they do not like having their roots disturbed. Good luck. Rod McKusick Master Gardener From umiller@azdps.com Sun Oct 8 21:52:10 2000 Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000 14:52:10 -0700 From: Ursula Miller umiller@azdps.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Bougainvillea, planting, root disturbing I have had experience with this business of root disturbing and have learned that when you buy bougainvillea, you have to check the roots in the pot at the nursery. If you tug on the plant and it comes out of the potting soil easily -- don't buy it because at home you'll end up with loose roots and I've never had one of those survive in the yard. I've found that it's best to buy one with the roots nice and tight around the soil. Then, when you plant it, you cut away the pot from the roots - first cut out the bottom of the pot and then make a cut down the side of the pot. That way, the roots and soil stays intact. (This works easily with the 1-gallon pots because they're small; it's probably a big cutting job with the 3-gallon pots.) Ursula Miller -----Original Message----- From: arid_gardener-admin@Ag.Arizona.Edu [mailto:arid_gardener-admin@Ag.Arizona.Edu]On Behalf Of RodMcQ6@aol.com Sent: Sunday, October 08, 2000 2:44 PM To: MADASMITH@aol.com Cc: arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu Subject: [Arid_gardener] Bougainvillea, planting It is a good time of year to plant Bougainvillea. Be careful when you take it out of the pot and not disturb the roots, they do not like having their roots disturbed. Good luck. Rod McKusick Master Gardener _______________________________________________ Arid_gardener mailing list Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Mon Oct 9 00:01:37 2000 Date: Sun, 08 Oct 2000 17:01:37 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Purchasing MG Manual The MG Manual and the MG Entomology Manual may be purchased from the UA in Tucson, in addition to being viewed online. Consult http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/quarterly.html jbcook@erols.com wrote: > Would like to know whether your manual is for sale. Would like to order it for my daughter-in-law, who lives in the Phoenix area and would like to learn all about gardening. I use the Fairfax County manual at work(Burke Nursery) and found that very informative. My daughter-in-law is from Virginia and therefore is not familiar with gardening(especially not desert gardening). Would appreciate your answer. Beatrice Cook > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Mon Oct 9 00:27:10 2000 Date: Sun, 08 Oct 2000 17:27:10 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Wild Tulips for Zones 9 & 10 Further to your inquiry regarding tulips in Phoenix; you might be interested in some material that I discovered today in the McClure & Zimmerman bulb catalog for Fall 2000. In addition to confirming our previous advice to treat regular tulip bulbs, after a period of refrigerator chilling [remove all fruit so that the ethylene gas does not kill the flower embryon], as an annual, they suggested five wild tulips that don't need a cold period to flower and that they claim naturalize well in southern states [which doesn't mean our area necessarily]. You can order a collection of all 5 [6 each for a total of 30 bulbs] for $15.95 plus s&h. I can't attest to how well they will do here, but if you are interested...... Tulipa sylvestris, t. bakeri 'Lilac Wonder', t. clusiana var. chrysantha, t. clusiana, and t. saxatalis. http://www.mzbulb.com/ Linda From rpcs30@email.sps.mot.com Mon Oct 9 15:05:26 2000 Date: Mon, 09 Oct 2000 08:05:26 -0700 From: Alan Zelhart rpcs30@email.sps.mot.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Bougainvillea, planting, root disturbing The way I have prevented disturbing the root system is to dig the hole. Cut the bottom of the pot out with a utility knife. Stick pot and plant in the hole, and put soil all the way around the pot. Next on one side of the pot I slice the plastic, all the way up the side with the utility knife and pull the plastic pot out. The soil falls in around the plant, so no harm is done. This has been very successful in all plants that I've planted. In particular roses, because most times the soil is very loose in the rose pots, and falls off as I'm trying to pull the rose out. alan Ursula Miller wrote: > I have had experience with this business of root disturbing and have learned > that when you buy bougainvillea, you have to check the roots in the pot at > the nursery. If you tug on the plant and it comes out of the potting soil > easily -- don't buy it because at home you'll end up with loose roots and > I've never had one of those survive in the yard. I've found that it's best > to buy one with the roots nice and tight around the soil. Then, when you > plant it, you cut away the pot from the roots - first cut out the bottom of > the pot and then make a cut down the side of the pot. That way, the roots > and soil stays intact. (This works easily with the 1-gallon pots because > they're small; it's probably a big cutting job with the 3-gallon pots.) > > Ursula Miller > > -----Original Message----- > From: arid_gardener-admin@Ag.Arizona.Edu > [mailto:arid_gardener-admin@Ag.Arizona.Edu]On Behalf Of RodMcQ6@aol.com > Sent: Sunday, October 08, 2000 2:44 PM > To: MADASMITH@aol.com > Cc: arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > Subject: [Arid_gardener] Bougainvillea, planting > > It is a good time of year to plant Bougainvillea. Be careful when you take > it > out of the pot and not disturb the roots, they do not like having their > roots > disturbed. > > Good luck. > > Rod McKusick > Master Gardener > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener -- Motorola Semiconductor Products Sector R. Alan Zelhart CAD Software Asset Management 2100 East Elliot Road; Mail Drop EL714 Tempe, Arizona 85284 Sunset Zone: 13 - Metro Phoenix Work Phone: (480) 413-3470 Home Phone: (480) 699-3977 Cell Phone: (602) 692-4037 Pager: (888) 996-9501 Fax: (480) 413-5723 "You can't create a reputation you haven't earned" --Robert W. Galvin From Oilybird@AOL.com Mon Oct 9 17:13:18 2000 Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2000 10:13:18 -0700 (MST) From: Oilybird@AOL.com Oilybird@AOL.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page I have a large tangerine tree in my back yard that has lost two-thirds of it's leaves in the last couple of months. Is this normal? It seems healthy otherwise. From cdavidson@az.rmci.net Mon Oct 9 17:54:17 2000 Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2000 10:54:17 -0700 (MST) From: cdavidson@az.rmci.net cdavidson@az.rmci.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page My question is on a Shamel Ash. On the south side of the trunk, there are patches where the bark is gone and a white patch remains. There is also yellow-brown sap running down that side of the trunk. I only notice one tiny hole near one area where the sap is running. The tree is about 5 years old. From TJGaccione@AOL.com Mon Oct 9 21:46:54 2000 Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2000 14:46:54 -0700 (MST) From: TJGaccione@AOL.com TJGaccione@AOL.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page We have poplar trees in our grass and around our yard. They send sucker shoots all over. My husband is afraid that the roots under the ground will grow thick and come out of the ground and ruin our whole yard. He is planning to have them removed. They are about three years old and 30-40 feet tall. Is there anything we can do to save these trees? Please help if you can. I am sick about this. Deana Gaccione From RodMcQ6@aol.com Mon Oct 9 23:01:50 2000 Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2000 19:01:50 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Re: Tangerine tree lost leaves A dramatic change in temperature can cause citrus to drop it's leaves, but in this case I suspect inadequate irrigation. Check out the Master Gardener Manual chapter on irrigationat the following website: http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/arboriculture/watering.html Good luck. Rod McKusick Master Gardener and Arborist From RodMcQ6@aol.com Mon Oct 9 23:02:07 2000 Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2000 19:02:07 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Re:Shamel Ash has lost bark I suspect that what you are seeing on the Ash tree is sun burn which has caused the bark to fall off leaving bare wood. The tree should be either painted white or wrapped wih a material like burlap to prevent the sun burn until the crown is wide enough to shade the trunk.The running sap is no doubt caused by stress. Is the tree being watered adequately? Good luck. Rod McKusick Master Gardener and Arborist From RodMcQ6@aol.com Mon Oct 9 23:23:33 2000 Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2000 19:23:33 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Re: Popular trees The Popular trees can become vary invasive especially if grown in a grass lawn, they can crack walks and driveways, enter your sewer or septic field and plug them, and the roots will surface as the tree grows. Sorry but your husband is on target on this one. Good luck. Rod McKusick Master Gardener and Arborist From j_l_cooper@hotmail.com Mon Oct 9 23:34:24 2000 Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2000 16:34:24 -0700 (MST) From: j_l_cooper@hotmail.com j_l_cooper@hotmail.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page I am landscaping my pool area. It has two palm trees on the west side, a palm tree on the ne corner and a red hibiscus in the nw corner. I want something to cover the cement walls on the north and east side of the pool. I would prefer low watering needs and not messy (of course). I was hoping for a tropical theme. Any suggestions? Thank you! From umiller@azdps.com Tue Oct 10 00:14:27 2000 Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2000 17:14:27 -0700 From: Ursula Miller umiller@azdps.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page My grapefruit tree lost a bunch of leaves, too, during the last couple of months probably also due to not enough watering. I think I underestimated the damage that the unusually L-O-O-O-N-G hot summer can do. Anyway, I finally figured it out, gave it several deep waterings and now it seems to be doing fine -- getting lots of new, shiny green leaves. So maybe that's all yours needs - a couple more deep waterings and the cooler weather we're starting to have. Ursula Miller -----Original Message----- From: arid_gardener-admin@Ag.Arizona.Edu [mailto:arid_gardener-admin@Ag.Arizona.Edu]On Behalf Of Oilybird@aol.com Sent: Monday, October 09, 2000 10:13 AM To: arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page I have a large tangerine tree in my back yard that has lost two-thirds of it's leaves in the last couple of months. Is this normal? It seems healthy otherwise. _______________________________________________ Arid_gardener mailing list Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From Bcd2533@aol.com Tue Oct 10 04:50:51 2000 Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2000 21:50:51 -0700 (MST) From: Bcd2533@aol.com Bcd2533@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page For the hot summer months my watering went as such: lawn (20 minutes, 3 times a week) and plants (2 1/2 hours (drippers), 2 times a week). What should I cut that back to in the fall and winter? Were these good for the summer months? They were recommended by a florist. Everything looks pretty decent at that watering rate. Thank you. From saguero@ntis.fedworld.gov Tue Oct 10 12:25:28 2000 Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 05:25:28 -0700 (MST) From: saguero@ntis.fedworld.gov saguero@ntis.fedworld.gov Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page I live in Va. and have a palm planted in my backyard. Someone told me you have to wrap the palms in burlap for the winter. Is this right, and if so, can you tell me how to do it? From RodMcQ6@aol.com Tue Oct 10 23:16:13 2000 Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 19:16:13 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Palms planted in Virginia You didn't say what kind of palm tree you have nor what the climate is where you live, so I'm afraid I won't be able to help you. I'm sure that the weather conditions in Va. are quite different from Phoenix Arizona where I'm located. Please check with your county Cooperative Extension, they will know your local conditions and be able to answer your questions.They will be listed in the phone book under county government. Good luck. Rod McKusick Master Gardener and Arborist From RodMcQ6@aol.com Tue Oct 10 23:16:04 2000 Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 19:16:04 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Fall and winter watering For winter watering of plants and trees in the low desert tyhe irrigation interval should be increased 3 to 4 times from the summer watering. If you do not over seed with rye grass and your grass is bermuda the irrigation interval should be increased about 5 times. Do this gradually from what you are doing now. Since you didn't tell me what your plants are I'm unable to advise you about them. Good luck. Rod McKusick Master Gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Tue Oct 10 14:10:23 2000 Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 07:10:23 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Lab Lob Bean I cannot find a reference to lab lob and cannot otherwise identify your plant with the limited description. Do you have the botanical name? Have you approached the nursery from which it was originally purchased? Linda Guy Master Gardener spiessman@uswest.net wrote: > is the lab lob bean that grows on a vine that has purple blooms and purple pods edible. > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Tue Oct 10 14:19:06 2000 Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 07:19:06 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Gopher Problem? Since the gophers that most often reside in soft soils, presumably to make it easier to tunnel, it is unlikely that this is your culprit. They are vegetarian, liking roots and bulbs in particular. Once established, they can indeed cause extensive damage to landscaping. We have a publication on the topic, which you can order by 'clicking' on publications for Maricopa County at our website [look under insects & pests for Q403. I would provide you with a link in this message, but our server is down and I cannot access the particular page of our website at this time. Good luck! Linda Guy Master Gardener dickcarmi@aol.com wrote: > I have noticed holes approx. 2" in diameter around some of my large boulders and concrete slabs. It was indicated that this might be gophers. I don't see any current activity. What likely caused the burrowing and what to use to get rid of or treat to keep out. Thank you. > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Tue Oct 10 14:27:18 2000 Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 07:27:18 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Golden Barrel [Echinocactus] Offsets My reference material suggests that mature offsets, which have begun to form their own roots can be detached from the parent to grow in separate pots. It does not suggest a drying period, which is often done with cuttings to form a callus and prevent rot. Another, and probably better, resource for you would be the Desert Botanical Garden's hotline, 10-11:30 am, M-F, 480-941-1225. By the way, my book says that this cactus' nickname is mother-in-law's seat. Good luck! Linda Guy Master Gardener rabrag@aol.com wrote: > My Golden Barrell cactus has developed a "baby" on its' side. Can I gently remove it > and plant it? Should I let it dry for a few days before I plant it? > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Tue Oct 10 14:31:11 2000 Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 07:31:11 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Bouganvillia I don't have specific advice for you, but if none of my colleagues has yet replied, I invite you to bring samples to the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Office. There is a weekly staff/volunteer meeting to diagnosis problems, after which someone will call you with diagnosis and management advice. The address is 4300 block of East Broadway Road. The address for this, and a satellite office which may be closer to you, are listed on the page of our website where you originally placed your question. I would provide you with a link to this site but our server is down at this time and I can't access our web pages. Linda Guy Master Gardener MLabe20805@aol.com wrote: > Haveseveral Bouganvillia bushes in area. The leaves have become decimated. > 5o% of them suffer from brown irregular shapes as if eaten by small insects. > Brown lines go through leaves. Do appear along edges and along leaf veins. > Most of the brown lines go completelythrough the leaf. No sign of insects > (10/4/00) on leaves.... Inspected with magnifying glass. I live in Chandler > Az. Brought samples to nursery and given the explanation that "because of the > thorny nature of the bush coupled with windy days, the thorns tear/scrarch > the leaves as they blow against the thorns. I looked carefully at one of the > bushes attempting to confirm if there are enough thorns to have caused such > wide spread damage. My observations suggest it is not likely considering the > wide spread damage and the sparseness of thorns, by comparison, required to > cause that kind of damage. > > Do you have any advice/suggestions as to cause of damage described? Is the > reason given by the nursery valid for that type bush? > > Sincerely, Michael LaBella < mlabe20805@aol.com > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Tue Oct 10 14:36:00 2000 Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 07:36:00 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Moving Succulents to Colorado Your best bet will be to contact the equivalent agency [the local county's Cooperative Extension Office] and discuss their particular climate and soil conditions. Keeping the plants in containers and moving them indoors as the weather got severe might just be your best option. You can probably find the office on the web [if they post a site] but at least start with the Colorado State website at http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/ Good luck with your pending move. Linda Guy Master Gardener bjbennett@kna.to wrote: > Unfortunately, due to my husband's job, we are moving up to Colorado. I want to take my plants with me!! My question involves my 1 ft. Pygmy Date Palm, A 3ft. tall Fishhook Barrel cactus, and the Hedgehog cactus. We will be in Central/Southern Co, so do you think they will survive the winters or what measures do you think will help them? Perhaps if I cover them? The average winter temp is around 28 degrees, so not much colder than where I am now in Casa Grande, but I'm afraid it would be too much. Please let me know your thoughts!! Thanks so much!! > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From obeles@gateway.net Wed Oct 11 03:43:20 2000 Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 20:43:20 -0700 From: obeles obeles@gateway.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Rotten Yucca I have two yuccas side by side in my front yard, facing north. (Unfortunately, I don't know what kind of yuccas they are so I can't be more specific). The other day I discovered one of the plants had developed what looked like root rot. When I pulled the plant out of the ground, I noticed a fat, yellowish grub-like creature eating at the roots. What could this be? Is this what caused the rot? Will the other plant become infected? I squished the bug that I could see, but don't know if the soil is infested with others. Thanks for your help. From zazasmama@home.com Wed Oct 11 07:17:55 2000 Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 00:17:55 -0700 (MST) From: zazasmama@home.com zazasmama@home.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page On July 12, 2000 The Arizona Republic ran an article about Rick Bryson's fruit orchard. In it it mentions that he plants dwarf varieties of similar need citrus together. (Two to four trees in the same, large hole) Anyone have anymore information on this? We're about to plant our citrus grove. Thanks From lindaguy@uswest.net Wed Oct 11 13:55:32 2000 Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 06:55:32 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Dwarf Citrus As I recall, he was affiliated with the Rare Fruit Growers chapter here. You might try contacting them in an effort to reach him directly. http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/clubs/clubs.htm Linda Guy Master Gardener zazasmama@home.com wrote: > On July 12, 2000 The Arizona Republic ran an > article about Rick Bryson's fruit orchard. > In it it mentions that he plants dwarf > varieties of similar need citrus together. > (Two to four trees in the same, large hole) > Anyone have anymore information on this? > We're about to plant our citrus grove. Thanks > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Wed Oct 11 14:00:06 2000 Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 07:00:06 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Rotten Yucca The entomology chapter of the MG Manual has a single root related pest of ornamentals, the palo verde borer. However there is an agave weevil that is also a root feeder and can cause rot. Check our summary at http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/t-tips/bugs/agave-wv.htm Linda Guy Master Gardener obeles wrote: > I have two yuccas side by side in my front yard, facing north. > (Unfortunately, I don't know what kind of yuccas they are so I can't be more > specific). The other day I discovered one of the plants had developed what > looked like root rot. When I pulled the plant out of the ground, I noticed > a fat, yellowish grub-like creature eating at the roots. What could this > be? Is this what caused the rot? Will the other plant become infected? I > squished the bug that I could see, but don't know if the soil is infested > with others. Thanks for your help. > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Wed Oct 11 14:05:02 2000 Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 07:05:02 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Fwd: [Arid_gardener] Lab Lob Bean] This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --------------F8272D93F78B656C6F6980AC Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit >From one of our server members. --------------F8272D93F78B656C6F6980AC Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Return-Path: Delivered-To: lindaguy@mail-phnx.uswest.net Received: (qmail 29548 invoked by uid 0); 11 Oct 2000 01:44:32 -0000 Received: from mail2.uswest.net (204.147.80.18) by phnxpop3.phnx.uswest.net with SMTP; 11 Oct 2000 01:44:32 -0000 Received: (qmail 24110 invoked from network); 11 Oct 2000 01:44:22 -0000 Received: from pimout1-ext.prodigy.net (HELO pimout1-int.prodigy.net) (207.115.63.77) by mail2.uswest.net with SMTP; 11 Oct 2000 01:44:22 -0000 Received: from 0016164664 (nas-160-144.phoenix-t.navipath.net [64.20.160.144] (may be forged)) by pimout1-int.prodigy.net (8.10.1/8.10.1) with SMTP id e9B1iBp103572 for ; Tue, 10 Oct 2000 21:44:12 -0400 Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 18:43:21 -0700 Message-ID: <000201c03324$a432b640$90a01440@0016164664> From: "Pauline Marx" To: "Linda Guy" References: <200010022233.PAA26785@Ag.Arizona.Edu> <39E3234F.CB256087@uswest.net> Subject: Re: [Arid_gardener] Lab Lob Bean Organization: Prodigy Internet MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4133.2400 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.50.4133.2400 X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 Lab Lab bean is the common name for Dolichis lablab. It is also called Hyacinth bean or Eygyptian Bean. The pods are edible but I have no recipes for cooking them Pauline Marx, Moderator for the Prodigy Gardens Master Gardener Maricopa County Arizona --------------F8272D93F78B656C6F6980AC-- From lindaguy@uswest.net Wed Oct 11 14:05:51 2000 Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 07:05:51 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Fwd: [Arid_gardener] Lab Lob Bean] This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --------------95ED8092280848FC123E2A5F Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Ditto from same server member. Linda --------------95ED8092280848FC123E2A5F Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Return-Path: Delivered-To: lindaguy@mail-phnx.uswest.net Received: (qmail 18116 invoked by uid 0); 11 Oct 2000 01:52:24 -0000 Received: from mail5.uswest.net (204.147.80.23) by phnxpop4.phnx.uswest.net with SMTP; 11 Oct 2000 01:52:24 -0000 Received: (qmail 325 invoked from network); 11 Oct 2000 01:52:23 -0000 Received: from pimout1-ext.prodigy.net (HELO pimout1-int.prodigy.net) (207.115.63.77) by mail5.uswest.net with SMTP; 11 Oct 2000 01:52:23 -0000 Received: from 0016164664 (nas-160-144.phoenix-t.navipath.net [64.20.160.144] (may be forged)) by pimout1-int.prodigy.net (8.10.1/8.10.1) with SMTP id e9B1qMp59154 for ; Tue, 10 Oct 2000 21:52:22 -0400 Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 18:51:30 -0700 Message-ID: <000401c03325$c805be40$90a01440@0016164664> From: "Pauline Marx" To: "Linda Guy" References: <200010022233.PAA26785@Ag.Arizona.Edu> <39E3234F.CB256087@uswest.net> Subject: Re: [Arid_gardener] Lab Lob Bean Organization: Prodigy Internet MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4133.2400 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.50.4133.2400 X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 The correct name of the lablab bean plant. is DOLICHOS lablab. It is grown for food in warm regions and as an ornamental annual elsewhere. It grows from 10 to 30 feet. It has leaves with 3 leaflets, purple or white flowers and velvety pods containing white and purple edible beans. Pauline Marx, Moderator for the Prodigy Gardens Master Gardener Maricopa County Arizona --------------95ED8092280848FC123E2A5F-- From lindaguy@uswest.net Wed Oct 11 14:13:56 2000 Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 07:13:56 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Poolside Landscaping We have an excellent publication that is available to you online at http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/pubs/pubs.htm Its in the section on ornamentals. Linda Guy Master Gardener j_l_cooper@hotmail.com wrote: > I am landscaping my pool area. It has two palm trees on the west side, a palm tree on the ne corner and a red hibiscus in the nw corner. I want something to cover the cement walls on the north and east side of the pool. I would prefer low watering needs and not messy (of course). I was hoping for a tropical theme. Any suggestions? Thank you! > > _______________________________________________ > Arid_gardener mailing list > Arid_gardener@Ag.Arizona.Edu > http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/mailman/listinfo/arid_gardener From lindaguy@uswest.net Wed Oct 11 14:26:10 2000 Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 07:26:10 -0700 From: Linda Guy lindaguy@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] MG Entomology Manual Does anyone know if the MG Entomology Manual (1994) which the UA sells for $7, is any different than the same chapter in the MG Manual (1998)? When using the hyperlink to the html version listed on the UA's publication page, I got sent to the MG Manual, presumably for that chapter. Is there any point in purchasing it separately from the MG Manual ($36)? Thanks! Linda From currens123@aol.com Wed Oct 11 15:58:37 2000 Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 08:58:37 -0700 (MST) From: currens123@aol.com currens123@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page Trees without thorns that will do well in Buckeye. From birds16@uswest.net Wed Oct 11 17:02:55 2000 Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 10:02:55 -0700 (MST) From: birds16@uswest.net birds16@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page I think our bottle trees have root rot. They have been very healthy and are now drooping, turning yellow and loosing leaves. The area is kind of wet and from listening to a garden show it sounds like root rot. What can be done to save these trees? Thank you. Pam From dckelly@sedona.net Wed Oct 11 17:27:53 2000 Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 10:27:53 -0700 (MST) From: dckelly@sedona.net dckelly@sedona.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page Should your fertilize native plants such as salvia greggii. If so, what kind of fertilizer? From sjbass@uswest.net Wed Oct 11 22:31:04 2000 Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 15:31:04 -0700 From: Sue Bass sjbass@uswest.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Gilbert Community Garden Pumpkin Festival Subject: Gilbert Community Garden Pumpkin Festival! I wanted to let you know about the first annual Gilbert Community Garden Pumpkin Festival, coming October 21st. It will be held at the site of the Gilbert community garden (called Cooley Heritage Community Garden), on the SE corner of Gilbert Rd & Elliot Rd. The hours will be around 8-5 (or later?) Saturday October 21, although some pumpkins may be available for sale the previous Friday afternoon. This event allows the community garden plot owners to raise money to grow all their goodies! Some participants include the Boys & Girls Club, the YMCA, Kiwanis, and Gilbert Elementary schools. The MG Program will also have a presence at the festival. The festival is planning to include pumpkins for sale and carving, the local farmer's market, bake sales & other food vendors, etc. Also, Gilbert Elementary will hold a fun house for the younger kids, which will go great with the face painting and pumpkin photo ops! In addition, swing dancers are planned in attendance late afternoon on Saturday. This is a great chance to both help out our brand new community garden, and have lots of fun! Also, there are additional booth spots available for organizations interested in a presence at the festival...AND there are still some plots available for groups and individuals to participate in the community garden. So collect your friends and family, and come have a great time! Maeve Dion MG Intern maevedion@yahoo.com ===== Maeve Dion maevedion@yahoo.com From bobbsorg@email.msn.com Wed Oct 11 23:43:40 2000 Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 16:43:40 -0700 (MST) From: bobbsorg@email.msn.com bobbsorg@email.msn.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page I am trying to find out when to plant herbs outside. I have some planted inside and want to transplant them. Also, can they be planted directly outside in full sun??? I had a lavendar plant that was planted for months -- went through more than half of the summer and then died. What did I do wrong? Actually, what should I have done to keep it alive. Any tips on herbs would be helfpul. Is there a natural way to get rid of insects on plants? Are there are grants available re: natural insect control -- both on plants and in homes -- who would I need to contact on this?? Thank you in advance for your help. From dolphin_dream7@yahoo.com Thu Oct 12 04:04:31 2000 Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 21:04:31 -0700 (MST) From: dolphin_dream7@yahoo.com dolphin_dream7@yahoo.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page my sister recently planted verigated privets in front of green pittisporum...the privets are apprx. 2 feet tall...the pitts are the same height...question: how much can she take off from the height of the privets and also how can she promote growth at the base of the privets ?..she is in houston tx...so has a usually warm winter...need prunning instructions as we are novices....thanx... From cambpd@cs.com Thu Oct 12 14:48:24 2000 Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2000 07:48:24 -0700 (MST) From: cambpd@cs.com cambpd@cs.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page How can you tell the difference between the Southern Live Oak (Quercus Virginiana)and the Heritage veriety of Q. Virginiana in young nursury plants. Is there a noticable difference in the leaves. Also, I have read that the Heritage vartiety is best for the low desert areas (Phoenix). Why is that and what is the difference in the growth habits that make the Heritage better for this area. Are the differences significant? The Heritage variety is hard to find. Most nursuries don't have it while others either don't know of it or claim it is the same as other Southern Live Oaks. Thanks. From patriots@intermind.net Thu Oct 12 15:23:54 2000 Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2000 08:23:54 -0700 (MST) From: patriots@intermind.net patriots@intermind.net Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page can bores attack chil. mesquite trees what is the treatment thank you sean From kathygeb@home.com Thu Oct 12 16:18:58 2000 Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2000 09:18:58 -0700 (MST) From: kathygeb@home.com kathygeb@home.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page Meyer's lemon tree is loosing leaves on same branch. Lost seven leaves in one night. Leaves are still green, no apparent reason. Could you please tell me what the problem could be? From saz621@primenet.com Thu Oct 12 18:04:55 2000 Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2000 11:04:55 -0700 From: Mary Irish saz621@primenet.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Re: Heritage oak Quercus virginiana the southern live oak has a very large range that extends in Texas from the Gulf of Mexico coast through the southern half of the state and on into the arid western region, known ludicrously as West Texas. The most western populations are often known as Quercus fusiformis, a point on which wise people have no opinion. 'Heritage' is a form that was found, saved, and whose seedlings have been sold with that name for many years. It is generally more heat tolerant than many live oaks, a bit more upright in form, although there is so much variation. In what is known as the Hill Country of Texas where soils are thin, underlain with limestone and therefore very alkaline, and live oaks are abundant, their progeny can do well here and they might be called southern live oak, hill country live oak, 'Heritage' oak, or Quercus fusiformis. So, it is very difficult to tell 'Heritage' without a tag saying so. More recently growers of this selection are attempting to grow it from cuttings so that it will be a bit more uniform. Good luck, Mary Irish From theazhalls@juno.com Thu Oct 12 18:01:28 2000 Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2000 11:01:28 -0700 (MST) From: theazhalls@juno.com theazhalls@juno.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page Sorry for the long post. I have a willow acacia about 25 ft high. I have myoporum as a ground cover but it's not doing well, I assume because of the shade. The acacia is heaving the ground up to eight inches around the trunk, and shoots runners as far out as twice the crown diameter, which I'm afraid will eventually choke my nearby palo brea. It's hard to clean the myoporum without damaging it. I'd like to plant a shade tolerant grass underneath the tree. My thinking is I can runover the leaf drop and the runners with the lawn mower. Is there a suitable grass for this? Also, can I knock down or rototill some of the heaved dirt and root without the tree falling over? I'm open to alternative suggestions. Thanks. From weimeraa@aol.com Thu Oct 12 18:31:41 2000 Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2000 11:31:41 -0700 (MST) From: weimeraa@aol.com weimeraa@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page We have moved to Sun City. Everything I have planted has been eaten by the rabbits! Do you have any suggestions for herbs and flowers that the rabbits will not eat? Thank you for any help you are able to offer. From pllawrence@hotmail.com Thu Oct 12 19:42:18 2000 Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2000 12:42:18 -0700 (MST) From: pllawrence@hotmail.com pllawrence@hotmail.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page Is there anything that can be done to stop or curb production of seed pods on ash trees? They are very messay and attract birds. From RodMcQ6@aol.com Thu Oct 12 22:06:12 2000 Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2000 18:06:12 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Ash trees, preenting seeds Sorry but there is no way to prevent the seeds from forming on an Ash tree. Rod McKusick Master Gardener and Arborist From RodMcQ6@aol.com Thu Oct 12 22:06:03 2000 Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2000 18:06:03 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Borers attacking Mesquite tree Sean, Yes borers can attack the Mesquite tree. Unfortunately there is no treatment. The best thing you can do is to keep the tree as healthy as possible with deep water irrigation and some fertilizer. Good luck. Rod McKusick Master Gardener and Arborist From RodMcQ6@aol.com Thu Oct 12 22:08:03 2000 Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2000 18:08:03 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Bottle trees loosing leaves Pam, I suspect that the problem with your bottle trees is too much water since you said that the area was wet. One of the symptoms of Texas Root Rot is that the leaves turn brown very quickly and hang on to the tree. This doesn't mean that your tree doesn't have TRR , it is still posible but not likely. Whereas the yellow dropping leaves is indictive of too much water. You can determine if TRR is present by taking a root sample to the U. of A. Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway, Phoenix 85040 for an examination. Dig up roots finger to thumb size about 12 inches long. A diagnostic clinic meets every Friday morning. you do not have to be there, but the fresher the sample the better the chance of identifying the problem. If you do take the root sample to the Extension please take a copy of this email with you. Good luck. Rod McKusick Master Gardener and Arborist From Beverlyfz@aol.com Fri Oct 13 14:29:59 2000 Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2000 10:29:59 EDT From: Beverlyfz@aol.com Beverlyfz@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] ocotillo I have the opportunity next week to dig up and plant in my desert yard 5 huge ocotillo plants from a lot that is being scraped off. I remember that you had directions recently to do this successfully. Can you send them again? I didn't save them. thx B From RodMcQ6@aol.com Fri Oct 13 22:08:06 2000 Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2000 18:08:06 EDT From: RodMcQ6@aol.com RodMcQ6@aol.com Subject: [Arid_gardener] Ash Tree problems I neglected to include one other problem that coul