How to control nutsedge in flowerbeds especially in daylilies. For years, two of the more difficult to control weeds in ornamental beds were bermudagrass and the sedges such as yellow and purple nutsedge (commonly known as nutgrass). While there were several...
How Do I Get Rid of Bagworms?
The common bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Haworth), is an interesting caterpillar. The most commonly observed form of this pest is the spindle-shaped silk bag camouflaged with bits of foliage, bark and other debris. Completed bags range from 1-1/2 to 2-1/2...
How Can I Control Spider Mite on Junipers?
pider Mite: Mites are not insects but are more closely related to spiders are serious pests of juniper. They are very small and not seen easily with the naked eye. They have piercing mouthparts that they use to suck plant sap. Their feeding results in speckling...
Grass Burs Control
Grass burs are an annual grassy weed. It is important to realize they are an annual. The grass bur needs a seed to create new plant and not a rhizome. The life cycle of these plants are: 1. Burs or seeds germinate in spring, a grass like weed will develops in the...
Crape Myrtles ~ Disease and Care
How Best To Grow a Crape Myrtle and What Disease Effects Them? Summer in Texas would not be complete without the abundance of crape myrtle flowers now beginning to be conspicuous over most of the state. Proper fertilization and pruning usually result in a long display...
Chinese Pistache Tree Has Brown Tipped Leaves?
My Chinese Pistache tree has brown tipped leaves. What is the solution? It is hard to diagnose this without seeing the tree or at least a picture of the tree. In our opinion, there could be various reasons for the brown tipped leaves. If it is a newly planted tree,...
Can Henbit and Chickweed Be Composted
Can noxious weeds such as henbit and chickweed be composted? Yes, but care must be taken so the compost produced does not replant the weeds. If I put weeds such as henbit and chickweed in a compost bin, it really needs to be covered with a layer of carbon material...
Aphids & Whiteflies on Squash Plants
We have an infestation of aphids and whiteflies on our squash plants. The whiteflies came after we had sprayed different chemicals hoping to get rid of the aphids, spider mites and then we’ve been to try to kill the squash bore worms too. We’ve been using NEEM oil and...
Are Red Tip Photinias Susceptible to Disease
Fraser’s Red Tip Photinias are susceptible to a deadly disease called Entomosporium Fungal Leaf Spot that has also been found on Indian Hawthorn and Loquat. This is why red tip photinias are not being promoted for landscapes. If you have photinias in your established...
Tomatoes Underside Turn Flat and Black
Every year I try to grow tomatoes with little success. The undersides always turn flat and black. Blossom end rot is a deficiency of calcium. The problem starts at the bottom of the tomato as a pale, brown spot that turns black and flattens the bottom of the fruit. A...