Question: In several local communities, a very tall tree with bright yellow blossoms is in bloom. What kind of tree is it, and is it a good addition to the landscape given its height?
The peltophorum, sometimes referred to as the yellow poinciana, may be able to grow in large landscapes. Locally grown specimens can reach a height and width of 50 feet and have leaves resembling ferns. Because its wood is considered to be weak, if it is added to the landscape, keep it away from buildings. Since multiple trunk trees may split away, it is recommended to train trees to a single trunk. Peltophorums bloom locally from late April to early July. Once established, the trees can flourish in most well-drained soils and can withstand drought. In Central Florida’s warmer regions, they can withstand cold temperatures.
Q. The leaves of our Mexican petunias have a white coating that resembles snow. Does it hurt the plants?
A. Well, it’s not snow in these hot heat, but rather mite damage. You might not notice the tiny eriophyid mites even if you look closely. Mexican petunias are stimulated by these arachnids to create protective white, cottony coatings of surface leaf hairs. These are sucking, piercing feeders that can weaken plants and cause some leaf deterioration. An insecticidal soap or horticultural oil spray can be used to achieve control. Plants with severe infestations may be trimmed before being sprayed. Remember to take temperature precautions when utilizing sprays in the sweltering summer months.
Q. The number of slugs on our driveway and walkway is the most I’ve ever seen. Do slugs have any advantages?
A. Slimy slugs are creatures we frequently want to stay away from since they may be really frightening. However, slugs can be useful omnivores that consume plants, algae, fungi, and decomposing organic waste. We would probably leave them alone if they are hidden and not interfering with the vegetation. We search for a control when they begin to gorge themselves on garden plants. Slugs can be collected and submerged in rubbing alcohol if just a few number are observed. Placing a board next to a row crop and checking the underside in the morning to collect the slugs is one method of slug capture. They also conceal themselves beneath pavers, pots, and other landscaping objects. There are baits available to scatter close to impacted plants if necessary. Seek for baits that include natural iron phosphate. Additionally, practically everyone is aware of the beer trick. I think it’s a waste of fine beer, yet a shallow tray of it in the garden seems to attract slugs, who then crawl in and die contented.
Plant Doctor: Simple techniques to increase the number of blooms on your crape myrtles
Q. I put dwarf mondo in my tiny backyard because grass would not live there, and it works perfectly. The issue is that clover is spreading and is exceedingly challenging to get rid of. Does this weed have any control?
A.I hate to inform you that you will be removing this weed from the mondo grass. Your email included a picture of a weed that looked like clover but was actually oxalis, often known as yellow woodsorrel. It is best to remove this one from the planting as soon as possible since the flower seed capsules rupture once they are formed, dispersing the seeds all over the place. It may be easier to pluck new weed plants and prevent seeds from sprouting if you cover your planting with a very light pine bark fines mulch. Thankfully, weeds of all kinds become less of an issue as the mondo grass planting gets dense.
Q. My tomato plants keep developing a pink web of some sort. Whatever is causing it saps the leaves’ color, giving them a somewhat silvery sheen. I’ve been attempting to remove them with a powerful garden hose spray, but the webs keep coming back. Do you have any recommendations?
A. If you look closely, you can see little pink spider mites inside the webs. By sucking the tomato plants’ fluids, these arachnids appear to suddenly grow into enormous, unmanageable populations. It is typically too late to preserve the planting when noticeable webs are seen. Using the powerful water spray to remove the mites could be effective if there is only a slight webbing. However, they increase their numbers once more. Although they must be used as soon as mites are noticed, insecticidal soaps that moisten the mites can be an effective control. Sulfur-containing sprays have also been employed; they provide some control, but if they are not sprayed according to the label’s recommendations, they can burn plants. Natural garden pesticides frequently contain sulfur as one of their components.
July in Central Florida’s Garden
Q. My pineapple plant has only produced one fruit and is now around three feet tall and wide. Can I trim the leaves to make them smaller?
A. Your plant and the fruit that should ripen in August won’t likely be impacted by removing a few leaves or clipping back the tips of a few others. However, keep in mind that the leaves provide your plant with fuel, and that cutting too many or too many can have an impact on development and possibly fruit quality. To get your one fruit, I would leave as many leaves as possible if it were my plant. A pineapple plant yields one fruit at a time from each main branch. Multiple fruits can be produced when multiple shoots sprout, which frequently happens with elderly plants.
Q. Whiteflies have impacted a number of our landscape plants, resulting in the development of sooty mold on the leaves. What can we do to control them?
A horticultural oil spray from your neighborhood garden center is a natural remedy for whiteflies and the sooty mold fungus. The spray must cover the immature stages in order to be effective. The sooty mold sloughs off as the spray eventually subdues the whiteflies. One of the systemic insecticides that garden centers sell is an additional control. Pay attention to the label because some may be applied to the soil and others to the leaves. Adult whiteflies are not immediately controlled by systemic insecticides or oils. Labeling instructions frequently requires repeated applications.
Tom MacCubbin is retired from the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service as an urban horticulture. Orlando Sentinel, P.O. Box 2833, Orlando, FL 32802 is the address to write to him. Email address: [email protected].
