Text From a Listener:

• Is it too late to start a bermuda lawn by seed?

Recommendation – No, in fact its still too early with the temps. Low temps in the mid 60’s overnight are needed for germination so it’s still a month away. (We hope!)

• What can they apply to get rid of white flies on their grapevine?

Recommendation – Jay likes a product called Triple Action that has neem oil in it. Whitefly can be very persistant and tough to take care of. It might need to be applied several days in a row.

*How whitefly attacks plants and more facts.

Caller:

• Is there a low water use fruit tree he can plant?

Recommendation – Not any conventioal trees that are low-water, but try  wolf berry or hackberry.  Stuff with small water intake, but most stone fruits aren’t excessive. Jay talks through all the options.

Caller:

• Roger – How can he help his Queen Palm healthier and last longer than they would normally in this area?

Recommendation – Jay talks about why they have struggled in this area and has a few tips. Watering is key and one of the main reasons they suffer here, plus use fertilize during the growing season (Mar-Sep)

*A few alternative Palms, like the Mule Palm they’re selling at Treeland Nurseries in Mesa, plus a few other that do well in our heat.

• Tim – He has 3 trees with desert mistletoe in them. What can he do to get rid of them?

Recommendation – The best way is to cut it out. Mistletoe uses the trees vascular system, so poisoining it could kill the tree. There is a product called florel fruit eliminator that can be used to control mistletoe. Pruning it out is the only other option.

*We discuss the problems associated with mistletoe and how it spreads after fruiting.

• Rowland – He has Fox tail and different types of grass in his lawn he’d like to get rid of. How does he get rid of it without killing the bermuda?

Recommendation – Fertilome makes a product called “weed out” with crab grass control. He can spot treat it in trouble areas.  Just don’t let them go to seed or it’ll continue spreading. Jay talks through steps to keep a healthy lawn without weeds or different grasses taking over.

• Claudia – Her new desert gold peach tree is so full of fruit and the limbs are sagging. What should she do to help it?

Recommendation – First, take off more fruit and she may need to prop up the limbs or stake it to stabilize it. Taking off most of the fruit is the key, though, especially a new tree.

*A discussion on weed control and we answer a letter from a listener about killing the whole yard to eliminate the maintenance.

Caller:

• Lynn – Her cactus has a lot of white spots on it and she thinks it’s the a bug. What can she do?

Recommendation – It is a bug called cochineal beetle and gets mistaken for a fungus often. She can use a heavy stream of water to knock them off, but it sounds like she’ll need to do more in her case. She can try an insecticide with neem oil in it too. It can scar the plant, but a prickly pear puts on growth on pretty 1st.

*An interesting history of using cochineal beetles as a paint.

Text From a Listener:

• How do you get rid of nutsedge in your lawn?

Recommendation – It is a tough weed, but there are some treatments out there that work now. It will need consistent treatment to get rid of them. It’s not a one time treatment to get rod of it.  Ask about nutsedge treatments at your local nursery.

• Is there anyway to get rid of pigeons and their droppings.

Recommendation – Sharp wire can be used to keep them away. Jay talks through a few different options, including Tanglefoot Tree Barrier. Rosie contractors like MasterTech Pest Solutions, Blue Sky Pest Control or 5 Star Pest Control in Tucson can take care of bird control.

Rememeber to stop in at Harper’s Nursery & Landscaping Company Monday through Saturday!