Download the Catalog! - Whitney Gardens & Nursery
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during daylight hours in moist and shady spots. On sunny days <strong>the</strong>y<br />
can be found in leaf and weed litter beneath <strong>the</strong> plant. On cloudy/<br />
rainy days, <strong>the</strong>y may be found on <strong>the</strong> plant itself. Spray early in <strong>the</strong><br />
morning or late in <strong>the</strong> day, to minimize <strong>the</strong> affect on <strong>the</strong> birds<br />
and bees.Foliar insecticides registered for controlling black vine<br />
weevil and strawberry root weevil, include Or<strong>the</strong>ne, Talstar (liquid &<br />
granular), and Mavrik. The last two have a longer residual property<br />
and hence greater control.<br />
Biological & Ecological Controls - Increased interest is developing<br />
for controlling insects with materials from nature. Lady bugs, as an<br />
example, prey upon aphids, mites and scale; spiders prey upon flying<br />
insects; and <strong>the</strong> ground beetle (Vedalia Lady) preys upon aphids,<br />
scale, mealy buds and caterpillars. Toads, snakes and birds prey upon<br />
many garden pests. There are also natural chemicals such as nicotine<br />
from tobacco, pyrethrum from chrysan<strong>the</strong>mums and Dimboa from<br />
corn. Researchers are working on microorganisms that feed on<br />
insects. A commercial insect called nematodes (Steinernema<br />
Carpocapsae) is a tool for some control of weevil larvae, as long as<br />
soil temperatures remain about 60°F., plus an application of water.<br />
This fall application must be repeated yearly.<br />
Organic Controls - There are several o<strong>the</strong>r measures that can be<br />
used to reduce <strong>the</strong> weevil population without sprays. Tangle-foot,<br />
Stik-Em or Tack Trap can be applied to <strong>the</strong> trunk of <strong>the</strong> plant just<br />
above <strong>the</strong> ground level. The sticky band acts as a barrier and entrapment.<br />
Make a pitfall trap by placing a sizable plastic drinking cup into <strong>the</strong><br />
soil near <strong>the</strong> base of <strong>the</strong> plant so that <strong>the</strong> lip of <strong>the</strong> cup is at soil level.<br />
Coat <strong>the</strong> inside of this cup with 30W motor oil or WD 40 to discourage<br />
<strong>the</strong> adult weevil from climbing out. To keep rainfall and/or irrigation<br />
water out of this cup, invert a coffee can or plastic pot over <strong>the</strong><br />
pitfall traps, making legs, etc. Check daily and destroy weevils.<br />
Fold a burlap bag into 4” accordion folds, holding one end against<br />
<strong>the</strong> plant and rotating <strong>the</strong> burlap around <strong>the</strong> stem, creating a good<br />
daytime environment for <strong>the</strong> adult weevil. After a day or two, cautiously<br />
unwind <strong>the</strong> burlap from beneath <strong>the</strong> plant and shake over a<br />
white sheet or clear surface. Collect and destroy <strong>the</strong> weevil. Repeat.<br />
Cultural Control - Many varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas<br />
demonstrate considerable weevil resistance. Selecting resistant varieties<br />
will reduce required maintenance and damage.<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r Chemical Controls - Some of <strong>the</strong> minor pests to <strong>the</strong> genus<br />
rhododendron are aphid, loopers, cutworms, caterpillars, azalea leaf<br />
miners, rhododendron lacebugs, and whitefly, which can all be controlled<br />
by <strong>the</strong> use of insecticides. Along with <strong>the</strong> chemical formulation,<br />
use 1T. per gallon of a sticker or liquid detergent. This helps<br />
to retain <strong>the</strong> chemical on <strong>the</strong> leaf longer.<br />
Control for Slugs - Slugs and snails are usually controlled with slug<br />
bait - metaldehyde formulated with cereal grains and molasses<br />
placed under raised boards. Ano<strong>the</strong>r method is to use wooden planks.<br />
The slug attaches to <strong>the</strong> underside of <strong>the</strong> plank and by turning over<br />
<strong>the</strong> plank, removal is possible. Placing beer or yeast in a shallow<br />
container attracts slugs and <strong>the</strong>y drown in <strong>the</strong> container. Ducks,<br />
snakes and toads will prey upon slugs as natural predators.<br />
Control for Moles - In <strong>the</strong> Pacific Northwest; <strong>the</strong>re are several mole<br />
traps that are recommended. Poison baits should be odorless and<br />
tasteless. Baits containing chlorophacinone have been effective,<br />
although more than a single feeding may be necessary to do <strong>the</strong> job.<br />
Traps and poison bait must be placed carefully in a main underground<br />
tunnel, which is usually 6”-10” below <strong>the</strong> surface. The o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
remedy is to destroy <strong>the</strong> food chain of <strong>the</strong> mole.<br />
Control for Deer - Deer do not like rhododendrons, but love to eat<br />
azaleas, dogwood blooms, new growth on evergreen trees and<br />
shrubs. A product called ‘Hinder’ is 80% effective, as long as you<br />
continue to spray. The uses of certain hand soaps, human hair, blood<br />
meal, etc. all have questionable effectiveness.<br />
Control for Algae, Lichen and Moss on Plants - The cool, moist<br />
and cloudy wea<strong>the</strong>r in western Washington is ideal for <strong>the</strong>se organ-<br />
isms. They do not directly injure <strong>the</strong> plants on which <strong>the</strong>y grow. The<br />
growth is somewhat objectionable and unsightly. Control with copper<br />
fungicides such as Microcop or lime sulfur. Best applied during<br />
<strong>the</strong> dormant season. Remember, that birds use much of this material<br />
to build <strong>the</strong>ir nests. Next time, look at a Hummingbirds’ nest.<br />
Control of Powdery Mildew - Leaves are covered with a grayish/<br />
white powdery fungus growth. It usually affects plants located in<br />
more shade. At <strong>the</strong> first sign of <strong>the</strong> fungus, spray with a registered<br />
fungicide as Bayleton, Benomyl; also rake up and destroy all fallen<br />
leaves.<br />
Control for Rust - To date no fungicides are registered for control<br />
of this disease. The symptoms are light green to yellow spots randomly<br />
distributed on <strong>the</strong> leaf. Yellow to orange powdery spores on<br />
<strong>the</strong> underside of <strong>the</strong> leaf are also associated.<br />
Caring for Rhododendrons - Rhododendrons should be pruned to<br />
reduce <strong>the</strong>ir stature, to rejuvenate <strong>the</strong>m, to make <strong>the</strong>m more compact<br />
and to cut away diseased or injured branches. There are two ways of<br />
controlling <strong>the</strong> shape, density and size of a rhododendron - pruning<br />
and pinching (removing growth buds).<br />
Pruning - Rhododendrons can be cut back early in <strong>the</strong> spring. By<br />
using pruning shears and/or saws, cut at an angle just above <strong>the</strong> termination<br />
of a growth period. If, however, you want to save <strong>the</strong><br />
bloom, prune after blooming. Big old limbs should be cut at random<br />
and <strong>the</strong>n after <strong>the</strong> side shoots have appeared, <strong>the</strong> stub above that<br />
point can be removed.<br />
Pinching (Removing Growth Buds) - Pinching is <strong>the</strong> removal of a<br />
single growth bud at <strong>the</strong> tip of a branch. Any branch tip that shows<br />
two or more developing shoots is passed by. Pinching can be done in<br />
<strong>the</strong> fall; however, if done about blooming time, pinch when growth<br />
is less than 1” long. Pinching encourages increased foliage density,<br />
compact growth habit and a greater floral display for <strong>the</strong> coming<br />
years.<br />
Deheading (Removing Faded Flowers) - The best practice is to<br />
remove by carefully snapping or cutting off all faded trusses soon<br />
after <strong>the</strong> flower wilts. Some plants produce a greater abundance<br />
ofseed, so deheading has a greater importance. Deheading gives <strong>the</strong><br />
plant an immediate well-groomed look and reduces <strong>the</strong> problem of<br />
disease as <strong>the</strong> faded blooms decay, and hopefully, encourages blooms<br />
for <strong>the</strong> next year.<br />
Winter Protection - The aim is to give a plant a ventilated enclosure<br />
in which temperature fluctuations are more moderate. 1) Wooden<br />
frame covered with burlap leaving <strong>the</strong> top open. 2) O<strong>the</strong>r plants or<br />
trees, lath barriers or fencing. 3) Evergreen trees branches thrust into<br />
<strong>the</strong> ground at an angle. 4) A wooden teepee covered with burlap,<br />
allowing a vented space on top for snow protection. 5) Leaf mulch<br />
added to <strong>the</strong> base of <strong>the</strong> plant in <strong>the</strong> fall (not to cover foliage, and<br />
removed in spring) keeps <strong>the</strong> trunk from splitting and <strong>the</strong> earth from<br />
freezing deeply.<br />
Why plants fail to bloom - It is usually difficult to determine <strong>the</strong><br />
exact cause a particular plant fails to bloom, but in most cases <strong>the</strong><br />
problem is attributed to environmental factors. 1) There is a direct<br />
correlation between adequate light and bloom. Too much shade<br />
decreases <strong>the</strong> bud set. 2) Competition for moisture and nutrients by<br />
adjacent trees and shrubs also reduces and discourages blooms. 3) If<br />
you plant your shrub too deep or in a wet area, it reduces <strong>the</strong> amount<br />
of oxygen to <strong>the</strong> roots and again bud set is compromised as well as<br />
<strong>the</strong> health of <strong>the</strong> plant. 4) Pruning at <strong>the</strong> wrong time of <strong>the</strong> year. 5)<br />
Too much nitrogen encourages vegetative growth at <strong>the</strong> expense of<br />
bud development.<br />
Hardiness - A newly planted shrub is hardier after <strong>the</strong> first year, as<br />
it establishes itself in its new, healthy and enriched environment. A<br />
plant is considered totally matured for hardiness at five years of<br />
age. There are many aspects, which play an important role in hardiness,<br />
as <strong>the</strong> amount of water and fertilizer, and when applied; also <strong>the</strong><br />
exposure to wind, sun and freeze and <strong>the</strong> duration <strong>the</strong>reof, and <strong>the</strong><br />
amount of snow cover and mulch on <strong>the</strong> roots, etc. In general, <strong>the</strong><br />
degree of dormancy, <strong>the</strong> age, <strong>the</strong> health, <strong>the</strong> exposure and <strong>the</strong><br />
environment provide <strong>the</strong> total answer to plant hardiness.<br />
Website: www.whitneygardens.com. • Brinnon, WA 98320 • Ph: (800) 952-2404 • Fx: (360) 796-3556<br />
Email: info@whitneygardens.com 85