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Call Today 1 (877) 888-7378
Frequently Asked Questions
 We
have a grapefruit tree that is, we think, about 15 years
old and is about 20 feet tall. It has produced
good ruby red grapefruit for years, but the past
couple of years, the branches have thinned out and the
fruit is getting smaller. We fertilize regularly. Is
it time for a new tree?
Thanks,
Gary and Kathy
Tampa
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My
grapefruit tree leaves are filled with yellow spots.The
underside the leaves have white spots. I have treated
the tree (2 applications) with malathion and oil but I
still have the problem. What can you suggest?
Thanks
Carol
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I
have a Angle Trumpet and the poor thing is being beaten
down by spider mites. I have been spraying with Sevin as
directed on the label. But they are winning. It is in a
pot. Is there a systemic product I can use ? I herd you
talking about carpenter ants and spraying them at dusk.
Could you tell me all the steps please.
Thank You
Katie :>)
God Bless the USA . . .
America, land of the free because of the brave.
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I
have been growing cucumbers in an earth box and during
the early part of the year, while still cold, things
were great, now that its hot, I have been getting these
little green worms in the cucumbers, from abut 1/8 inch
to 1 inch long. Any thoughts on what the worms are and
how to control them. Organically if possible.
Would putting the baby cucumbers in a plastic bag with a
tie wrap around the top until fully grown work?
Edgar Pike
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I
lost two oaks last year. After Spring began, my trees
all greened out with foilage. I noticed one tree was
turning brown at the top and before you know it FOUR
were dead. I see a gray color on the bark on all four
(including one that is still half alive). Some of it is
spotted and other places the bark is gray-very light but
not white. I have a very large oak that has a dark red
30" long place about ten feet up the trunk as well. What
do you think this is? What can I spray on the ones that
are still alive to save them?
Help....
Charlie
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Mark:
Enjoy your Sat. morning radio show. My question is: We
laid new florotam sod on May 20, how long should we wait
until we mow it? It is getting high with all the rain.
What fertilizer do you recommend and when should it be
put on? Also I have a gardenia tree that is about 6ft.
tall and also about that big around. It is getting too
large. When should I cut this back. It seems to be in a
growing stage now, with a few buds.
Thanks for your time.
Pat
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Thank
you for taking my call today.
Below is the email I sent yesterday.
I have a few more questions that we did not have time to
talk about on the air this morning.
1. Where can I find Minor essential elements for my
Valencia orange tree in the New Port Richey area?
2. I have two older Amaryllis plants that are not
blooming. Please advise conditions I need to have them
bloom.
Thanks again for everything!
Tony
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Is
it OK to cut or pull off the brown seed pods that are
still hanging from my 6-year old tree? Last year right
after the blooms faded, I did a major pruning and then
cut off what seed pods remained. This year, the blooms
were sparse and short-lived, and I wonder if that was
the reason. The brown pods are messy and ugly - how do
they normally disappear if left alone and when? Any
other care tips you can give me?
Many thanks,
Joyce in Bradenton
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Hi
Mark, big fan of the show. Actually all of us at Sunset
Point Barbershop You mentioned a brand of fire ant
pellets on the show this morning that works for a full
year and I was not able to write it down. Can you tell
me the name of it again? Also is plugging St .Augustine
a good way to repair dead areas in a lawn? Some are very
large areas. What should I be fertilizing St. Augustine
with?
Morris Hensley
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New
to Tampa from Augusta GA and listen to your show every
Sunday AM. I'm pretty good at resurrecting neglected
plants but this one may stump me. We live in an
apartment complex in Temple Terrace and with all the
college kids leaving for the summer a lot of stuff is
left at the dumpster. My husband brought me a rose bush
in a two gallon container that has been cut back to
about 15 inches. It was pruned terribly, all jagged and
just looks awful, however it has new shoots coming from
some of the cut areas and a good bit of green in the
newer stalks. What if anything can I do to help this
plant, never really had much dealing with roses?
Thanks
Deborah
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I
recently started a vegetable garden. I'm looking for
good reference for growing fruits and veggies in
Florida. I noticed some conflicting info about what will
and won't do well here in central Florida and I need a
reference to help me sort some of that out. Do you have
any suggestions? Also, I'm not a hard core organic only
type but I would like to steer clear of herbicides and
pesticides. I'm currently experimenting with Ruth
Stout's mulch method.
Thank You,
Mark L.
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My
yard is only 15% grass and the rest is an assortment of
weeds (but they are green) and a lot of open space of
dirt – I would not call any of it soil.
There is a great amount of surface tension. If I were to
pour a cup of water onto the ground it would remain
there or simply run off – it does not enter the ground
to feed my weeds or grass. I’ve tried rubbing it into
the ground and it still beads up. Are there wetting
agents that will break this surface tension? I’m
familiar with hydretain, but this will not help me if it
cannot penetrate to ground – it will simply run off.
Any help?
Geof
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Love
your show, you've saved us from divorce several times!!
We are building a raised rose bed by our screen porch
and want the best smelling
and long blooming roses for Florida. What kinds of roses
do you recommend and where can we buy them?
Thanks!
Teri
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I’m
Buying a foreclosed home in New Port Richey about 5
miles from your NPR offices near the Starkey Wilderness
Area. With the several months of no TLC, no water and
freezes, the lawn is no more. The best I can find is a
few dead runners. There are a few scattered green weeds
6-10 inches high about every 3 feet. Considering the
ongoing drought and water restrictions, what is the best
plan of action? There appears to be a sprinkler system
running of city water. I am involuntarily retired at the
moment and have more time that finances.
I’ve gotten a quote to replace 9,000 Sqft of sod at
around $3450. Is this reasonable? Bahia or St Augustine
or ???
Are plugs a viable option? When? I’ve heard about a new
breed of grass that grows from seed and needs less
water. Any good in this area? I am almost starting with
a clean sheet here – your recommendations would be
greatly appreciated.
Jim
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This
mornings show was talking about insecticide applications
to lawns and some prohibitions. Where can I find
the regulations and some explanation.
I am interested in the content regarding regulations on insect control on lawns
in Florida, specifically Hillsborough County which was discussed today. BTW, I
called in and made a joke that, since cinch bugs are native to Florida, perhaps
having cinch bugs could be considered part of a Florida friendly landscaping
plan.
Robert G.
Tampa, Florida
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I catch your show on WFLA on Sundays and would like to know if you come out to
determine problems. I know you do this for a living and I'm not expecting this
service for nothing. Please contact me at:
Thank you for your time.
Norman R.
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Hi Mark. I have these flying moch in my home. My exterminator told me that there
nothing he can do for that. Please let me know. They spray once a month in my
home and can't get rid of them. I live in a condo in South Tampa Thanks for your
help.
John F.
South Tampa, Florida
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I have a question about a critter that is digging burrows in my lawn. At first I
thought that I had moles, but I have since noticed that it is some type of
flying insect. It is the size of a large bumble bee and is black with what looks
to be white and orange stripes. It seems to be in only one area of my lawn, but
is doing some serious digging.
Can you tell be what it is, why it is there and how to get rid of it?
Regards,
Richard F.
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Mark,
Attached are photos of some insects that have invaded my bathroom. I called my
pest control company and they said it was gnats, but they look more like winged
ants to me. They are very small and all over my bathtub, some are on the sink,
some are the light fixtures above the mirror. They are small and do look like
gnats until you take a closer look. There's hundreds of them alive and dead. The
pest control company can't seem to deal with them.
Can you tell me what they are and how to find the source and get rid of them?
Thanks
Pat H.
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I have bought many beautiful blooming bougainvallia. They maintain their blooms
for a little while and that's it no more blooms. They are in the ground and in
the sun, and get adequate water. I have tried Bougain fertilizer and cutting
them back. I still have an actively growing bush, BUT NO BLOOMS. CAN YOU PLEASE
HELP ME.
THANKS,
STEVE
Brandon, Florida
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On Sunday, August 2, on your radio show you mentioned a product that helped
control chinch bugs. I was driving at the time and could not write it down.
Could you please provide me with the name of the product and a possible source
where I can obtain it.
I enjoy your program when I am able to listen. Does WFLA archive your program so
that it can be accessed when a listener might be available?
Thanks for your assistance.
Theron Manly
Tarpon Springs
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Mark, on this morning show you mentioned that the earth box can be used for Fall
plantings. Does that include tomatoes? I planted some in June, and they produced
only 2 tomatoes. Can I start again with a new group of plants?
Thank-you.
Frances
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Good day to you.
Just two quick questions. Last weekend while walking in the park, I crossed two
mature live oak trees with what appears to be small cylindrical parasites, that
are infesting the oaks underside of their leaves and covering the entire tree.
They are also spreading out from the infecting trees, to others that are not
quite as covered. It appears to me they are attached to the veins of the
underside of the leaves. Any ideas what they are? I’ve attached a small picture
of one that has started drying out.
My second questions is, I am starting to grow varying citrus trees. What are
recommendations for getting the plants off to a good start, and the proper
pruning?
Thank you!
Lawrence S.
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Hi Mark
I am a going out every day and finding these small green worms getting fat on my
corn leaves. I have tried viper dust and Orthro Ecosence spray and there still
there. I go out every day and remove them but more come back. Do you have any
sugestion?
Thank you
Jennifer
Land O'Lakes, Florida
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Dear Mark,
I enjoy your weekend morning show very much, and I was hoping that you could
help me out. I bought a Topsy Turvy planter and got tomatoes at Home Depot in
May. I watered it daily, put in "Mater Magic" and it grew quickly and did very
well. We got some tomatoes which were great tasting. As the summer hit, we found
that the leaves would wilt, and it required 3 waterings a day to keep that from
happening. Then it seemed we got leaf miner. This spread quickly, and the leaves
wilted and died. I cut many off. I increased the Mater Magic to perhaps one TBSP
a week. I then noticed many tiny white mites crawling at the top of the Topsy
Turvy. Recently we applied "Triple Action Plus RTU", as the plant continued to
have some new growth, though it seems the new leaves are now getting tiny
whitish dots on them, in a fine coating. It looks to me like the plant is lost.
Many of the tomatoes are slit and don't do well. I am enclosing photos I took
today. I would very much appreciate any suggestions you may have to try and save
the plant, if you think it's worth saving.
Thanks,
Susan S.
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Hi
Mark,
I thoroughly enjoy you program but unfortunately
understand very little of it. I guess partial color
vision makes it hard to determine what I am looking at
but I enjoy looking anyway. I have a weed that is trying
to take over my entire lawn. I know that roundup will
kill it but also kills everthing else. I can't afford to
kill the yard and re-sod but I hope with patience and
some sweat equity, I can, once again, again enjoy a
pretty lawn. I have reclaimed water so water is not an
issue.
Attached, you will see the weeds with the grass peeking
through.
What do I do?
Bob
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Hi Mark,
I had a question for you. One of our friends has a great
tasting lemon tree and started us a tree from one of the
seeds from the lemon. My question is will this tree bare
fruit or does the tree have to be grafted to get good
production?
Thanks,
Jason
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I have heard your show on 970am. I have just purchased a home in Clearwater that
is in dire need of proper landscaping. The property is heavily shaded by mature
oaks and backs up to a protected wetland that has dense foliage. Drainage is
also a problem. I have not been able to find a knowledgeable nursery to
recommend plants that would be appropriate for the grounds. Can you recommend a
nursery that could help. I would also like to find suitable climbing vines for a
trellis. Would North Carolina Jasmine work in this environment? Would appreciate
any information you could provide.
Thanks
Michael D.
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Hello.
My name is Annette and I live in Seminole (Pinellas County). This grass (see
attached pictures) has overtaken everything! If possible, can you tell me what
type of grass it is as well as what to use to effectively kill it.
Thanks so much!
Annette
Seminole (Pinellas County)
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We have a roebellini palm that was planted near our front porch 15 years ago
when our home was built. Now part of the trunk and some of the palm fronds
extend over into our neighbors property. It is not causing any problems but our
neighbor insists that we remove any overhanging parts of the tree. Will it kill
the tree if we remove one of the 3 stalks? If we do remove one stalk, how do we
treat the stump so as not to endanger the rest of the tree?
Kathy C.
Ken M.
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A few weeks ago you told a caller what to do about caterpillars on a snow bush.
At the time I didn't need that info, but I sure do now. What should I use to get
rid of them? Do I need to trim back all these naked branchs?
Thanks for a very informative show.
Joan
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Mark,
Listened to your show last Sunday...you spoke about "grassy" and "broadleaf"
weeds. I have a problem with grassy weeds growing in beds of jasmine
groundcover. I think you specifically mentioned this problem on the show.
However, I don't recall the name of the product available to eradicate and
prevent this unwanted growth. Can you help with the product name and where it
can be purchased?
Thanks,
RC S.
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I have attached a small sample of leaves from a Illinois tree, and wonder if you
could tell me what it is. Some say it is of the maple family. We love the deep
rich color it has all year round and is quite hardy for cold or hot weather and
want to plant two of them in our yard. The color is a very deep dark reddish
brown and the tree grows quite tall and very full. I'm sorry the leaves aren't
fresh but we brought it back with us when we were up in Illinois and it dried up
some.
Thanks,
Hossie
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Mark,
any chance of you identifying the red flower in the
attached photo?
The plant will sometime grow to 12 feet or more; the
flower is up to five inches across and blooms profusely
once it starts to blooms.
I gathered the seeds from a “short” plant out in Polk
county several years ago. Obvious it likes by backyard
more than the swamp area it was growing in. Note the
leaves and how much they resemble a certain illegal
plant.
Hope you enjoy the photo.
Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
J.d.
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Mr
Govan:
I was in the car yesterday and heard you mention that
you were going to discuss citrus trees. I had to leave
the car and get to Church before I could hear your
comments. I tried to access your show on the web but was
unsuccessful. I have a navel orange tree that lost all
its leaves to frost last year and didn't bear any fruit
this season. It is losing all its leaves again this
year, as I came home from the north too late to protect
it from the cold weather we had. Any hope for this tree?
Any way to treat it? Do you have a web site I could
visit for your input?
Thanks for your help.
Carl Capolon
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Hey
Mark
I listen to your show every Sunday and enjoy it for the
most part. However, lately you’ve been talking a lot
about the new rules for fertilizing. One of you main
topics is how native plants cause more run-off than turf
grass due to the fact that there is no turf to “hold”
the chemicals. However correct I’m sure you are, the
point you seem to be missing is that if you use native
plantings, you will require SUBSTANTIALLY LESS
fertilizer and use almost no insecticides or herbicides
to maintain. We have/had 2 acres of turf (and yes we
used ABC and still couldn’t maintain it) and have
converted some of it to native. We’ve used many pest
control companies, including yours, that were unable to
maintain the turf grass mostly due to insects and
disease. Since we’ve gotten rid of the St. Augustine,
we’ve been able to use a less aggressive treating
regimen and therefore are using much fewer chemicals
over all. This is why people go native so you don’t have
to use all these chemicals AND WATER for maintenance.
Maybe you should have someone from Wilcox Nursery on as
a guest to explain the “other” side of the coin.
Obviously, it’s in your best interest for us to have
grass, but it’s not in Florida’s best interest. Time to
maybe change your business a little to go with the
times!!
M
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Mark,
You were asking about everyone's cold experiences - well
Sunday it was 19 degrees here, after being below
freezing for so many days in a row. I do remember when I
was in the 2nd grade, back in 1960, it got down to 18 in
Tampa. And of course the snow in 1977, and a couple of
times in the 80's we had real bad freezes. But I have
never seen this cold weather for so many days in a row.
I thought last year couldn't be beat but I was dead
wrong. After living here in Brooksville for 2 years, I
decided anything that died from the cold wouldn't be
replaced, but it's getting to the point where I am
running out of ideas for replacements, except for
junipers!! For some reason it gets a lot colder here in
Brooksville than in Tampa which is where I lived until 5
years ago and I am having to really re-learn gardening
here, plus the fact that we are in one of the rare areas
where the soil is clay. I love flowering perennials and
butterfly plants and they do come back but until they do
the beds look awful. So the only thing I can think to do
is to replace all the foundation plants with things like
junipers, etc. and then make a big bed away from the
house strictly for the flowers and more tender plants
because I really don't want to give up on them, but it
just takes everything so long to come back it's ugly for
5 months of the year.
Rita
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Mark,
Love your show. Listen every Sunday. I live in New Port
Richey. I had 2 papaya trees that lost their leaves with
the freeze. I know that we may have more freezes so
right now I am just letting the sticks stand. I heard
from you that after a freeze that one can cut the trunk
and put a bucket over it And that side shoots will come
out and the tree will grow from that. My question is at
what level this should be done? The trunk diameter is
about 3” on one and 4” on the other. How low should I
cut it off after the cold weather? Thanks for your
advice.
Allan T.
New Port Richey, Florida
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Good morning Mark!
I am an avid listener of your Sunday morning show on 970
WFLA (I usually get to hear you 30 minutes during my
drive to the gym). My question is probably one of many
when it comes to pruning frost-bitten plants. I have
(had) a fantastic array of philodendron selloum around
one of my oak trees that has endured (well, sort of) the
recent cold spell. The leaves are dead and what I now
have are these long "trunks" where I imagine new leaves
will spring from in the Spring. However, I dislike the
appearance of these long trunks and prefer the "bushy"
look. Is there a way I can prune these back to the
ground? Last winter they sustained some frost damage and
the leaves grew big enough to hide the trunk. This year
it is a little different.
Any guidance you can provide would be greatly
appreciated!
Sincerely yours,
Frost-bit Rich
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Hi mark, I have these centapede looking bugs in my
potted mango tree soil. I was hoping you could help me
identify them and do I need to get rid of them somehow.
Thanks Jason
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Our orange trees have black spots, of different sizes,
on the tops and bottoms of many of the leaves. What can
I get to get rid of them?
Love your show! But cannot always listen to the entire
show.
Barb L.
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Mark,
I have a valencia orange tree that has something black
on some of the leaves.
I am thinking it might be some kind of fungus?
How do I know what it is and how and when do I treat it?
Thank you so much.
Cheryl Hauser
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Mark,
I heard your show this morning for the first time.... really
interesting... If you don't take questions like this via
email, then that is OK... I understand...
I have a gravel drive about 600 feet long, This is in a
place Fort Lonesome... I am looking to plant something
along the entire edge of the drive..
Something, inexspensive, low maintence, and flashy...
thanks so much... Moe
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Hi mark
My question is I have heard u talk about the nematodes
in the soil being bad for the roots on some plants if
grown from seed. Is there a rule of thumb on what we can
grow from seed and what should be grafted. And what they
should be grafted on. I am intorested in growing mangos,
avocados, citrus, and carambola from seed.
Thanks. Jason
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Hello Mark,
I do not regularly listen to your show but I do when I
can. My in-laws are buying a house in tierra vierde and
will be knocking down the house and building a new one.
This house they bought had a mango tree that was
recently removed. My in-laws are from new jersey and
have always had a garden and even some tree orchids. I
would like your advice on where to buy a mango tree for
them as a gift. I do not know of any good nusieres,
could you please help.
BJ whitlow
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Good morning Mark,
I was curious if this cold weather has any effect on
TERMITES?
Thanks,
Roger
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Please See
Our
"How To Videos"
 Most
citrus will live long past the 15 years you have had
your trees. However, you must start looking at
fertilizing and spraying the tree every two months to
put back nutrients used by the tree to produce your
fruit. Try using about 10-12 pounds of fertilizer or
2-10-10 every two months. Then spray your tree 2 times
per year with a citrus micro-nutritional spray. ABC
carries both of these products in our retail store if
you can not find them. Be sure to clear an area around
the base of the tree of all grass. You can use round-up
to help you accomplish this. Good luck and let me know
how the tree responds in 6 months.
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Yellow
spots on the leaves can be attributed to either a
nutritional deficiency or an insect problem. If the
white spots on the underside of the leaves had scales
and you sprayed for them they may be dead. The new
leaves that are produced should be clear of the spots
but the old leaves probably will not lose their spots.
Right now would be a good time to spray your tree with a
micro-nutritional spray. This should be done two times
per year for best results.
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Angels
Trumpets are highly susceptible to spider mites and
control can be established using the Bayer advance tree
and shrub care at the labeled rate. After you apply the
product give the plant 45 days to take up the material
then you should have no problems for at least 9 months.
Carpenter ants forage at dust so if you can find the
trail...follow it to the nest and then destroy the nest.
If the problem in on the inside of the home, ABC sells a
product called delta dust which you apply into the walls
through the receptacle outlets. This method is highly
successful. If all else fails, ABC does provide a
service which can do the treatments for you. Call ABC
Pest Control at 727 546-8787.
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Cucumbers
are prone to get worms and sometimes snails and slugs
attacking the plants. Use the organic neem oil, or BT or
Thuricide to control these worms but remember to
re-apply after any rain or watering. You can use a snail
or slug bait on the ground to control these pests. Good
Luck!
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It
sounds like the tree may be experiencing Hypoxylon fungi
or SOD (Sudden Oak Decline). These diseases are usually
a soil born problem caused by a fungus. Please read the
articles I have provided below. Please note that
although these specific diseases have no control, yearly
injections with a insecticide, a fungicide, and
micro-nutrients have seemed to have helped trees we
service in this area. ABC would be glad to give you a
free quote in treating these trees which I can guarantee
will be far less costly than removing the trees. This
type of treatment needs only be performed one time per
year. Call ABC Pest control at 727-546-8787 or toll free
at 877-888-7378.
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Go
ahead and mow the new lawn at the highest setting you
can. Remember, longer blades mean longer roots. After
one month you can fertilize with a low nitrogen
fertilizer. Use either a 2-10-10 or an 8-10-10.
Gardenias can be pruned when the flowering is complete.
Try to prune the plant wider at the bottom and skinnier
at the top. Fertilizer the gardenia after pruning. Good
luck! As your new lawn becomes established consider
professional lawn care for the chinch bugs and diseases.
ABC can help you just give us a call at 727 546-8787.
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ABC
carries the essential minor element in both liquid or
granular. You can order it through our office in New
Port Richey. Once paid for by Visa, you can pick it up
at the shop in a couple days.
Amaryllis bulbs need to be lifted and reset every three
years or so because they tend to pull themselves into
the ground. This will prevent them from blooming. Try
replanting them 2/3rds out and 1/3rd in the soil. They
may take 2 years to bloom after resetting them.
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Tabebuias
are easy to care for. The seed pods can be cut from the
tree or allowed to wither and blow away in the wind.
Your pruning of the tree last year should not have had
any effect on the bloom cycle as the tree blooms on new
growth unless you pruned right before bloom season.
Fertilize the tree every two months with a good 8-10-10
fertilizer. ABC carries the fertilizer at both out
locations.
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The
fire ant killer I mentioned is Top Choice. ABC can do
this service for you if you do not want to purchase the
$200.00 bag. Plugging should be done now to limit the
growth of weeds. Use St. Augustine plugs or squares of
sod cut to fit! Fertilize your lawn now with a good
14-4-14 you can find this at most garden centers or as
always, if you would like it done for you...ABC Pest
Control is a full service company.
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Sounds
like you have an abandoned plant that just needs a
little care. Put the plant in the ground with full
sunshine and some cow manure and bone meal. Add a little
fertilizer such as osmacote and don't forget to spray
the plant every two weeks for black spot and thrips. Use
copper and an insecticide. Let me know how the plant
responds. Great to have you as a new listener.
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There
are many good sources of information but you may want to
try the county extension service in your locality or ,
of course my program. Because insects are a problem we
have to face daily try BT or Thuricide for worms,
insecticidal soaps for the bugs, and summit spray oils
for scales.
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The
easiest way to break surface tension is to apply dish
soap at light concentrations over the area and then
water the grass. Do consider using Hydretain after you
do this application. Further, ABC offers a service where
we apply Hydretain with a wetting agent every three
months. If you would like pricing call 727-546-8787 or
toll free 1-877-888-7378.
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Since
I do not know where you are located it is hard for me to
suggest a nursery but here is the info you wanted. The
best roses in opinion are produced by JACKSON and
PERKINS and are grown on Fortuniana Root Stock. There
are many fragrant varieties but look for the Disneyland
Rose and Aromatherapy. These are both lovely varieties.
For continued flowering
you may also consider climbing roses such as Don Juan or
America. Check you local nurseries for availability or I
am expecting another delivery in about a month (I am
sold out right now).
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If
you are able to afford the $3450. to replace the lawn
and the company will let you choose St. Augustine sod
cultivar floratam, then that will be a good price and
will also give you instant gratification and the
finished look. You will need to convert your sprinkler
to a well water system to save money in the long run and
remember, when you have a good looking lawn, the bugs
will find you too so plan on hiring a pest control
company to care for the new turf. I can recommend a good
company to do this for you. Can you do this cheaper?
Yes. Plugs can be used and this will save you money but
weed control during the process of filling in will be
involved. Pest control and fertilization will also be
needed. How about putting down Bahia grass seed? You can
put seed down (now is the right time) use scarified seed
for faster germination and apply at the rate of 10lbs
per 1000 square feet. You will need to water to get the
grass growing but if you have time, Bahia will fill in
over several months and Bahia will handle drought better
then St Augustine. This may not be my first choice but
this is the most cost effective. Let me know what you
decide.
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There are several sources
you will need to read from. The First is chapter 482 of
the Structural Pest Control law for the state of
Florida.
http://www.flaes.org/complimonitoring/
databasesearch/pesticidecertlicensinglawsandrules.html
The next is the St
Petersburg law which was past last month and I am
attaching a copy of the best management practices which
will be part of that law.
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/nonpoint/docs/nonpoint/grn-ind-bmp-en-12-2008.pdf
Hope this helps and good
reading!
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Hi Norm, my company ABC Pest Control, does this type of work on a regular basis.
ABC offers consulting for individuals who like to do the work themselves, or ABC
can supply a complete pest control service program for the yard, ornamentals,
and interiors of homes and businesses. The consulting charges are 125.00 per
hour. Our standard lawn service pricing is about 63.00 for lawns up to 5000 sq
ft. When we price out a service, there is no charge. If you need the
consultation, we set up a time the Certified manager will meet you at the
property to go over your entire landscape. Call us at 727-546-8787 or toll free
at 1-877-888-7378 in Manatee, Hernando, Hillsborough, or Pinellas County.
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Moths are usually seen in homes when they hatch from infested seeds or
spices. There are also clothing moths which you could also be seeing. The first
step would be to capture them and get an identification as to what type you are
seeing. Once we know what they are then we can control them. This should be no
problem for a good pest control company. We do this service for many of our
customers. Would you like one of our technicians to stop by? Let me know! In any
case, they can be controlled. Our service number is 813-643-1414. Our website
www.abc-pestcontrol.com has a link on the home page called bug info which can
give you more information about the pests in and around your home.
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The creature you are looking at is a Cicada Killer. These pests are looking for
grubs and caterpillars which they find then sting and place their eggs into the
insect. Their eggs then feed off the paralyzed insect. The eggs develop and feed
off this food source then the cycle begins again. You need to have an
application for the control of grubs and other sub-surface insects. Products
containing Dylox are the only control. ABC Pest Control can perform this
application for you. If you call 727-546-8787 or toll free 1-877-888-7378.
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Great Photos! The ANTS you have sent pictures look like Argentine ants but
the photo does not show the pedicel (the area between the thorax and the
abdomen) which would give me a better idea in the identification. If you are
seeing hundreds of these there is obviously a problem. Perhaps ABC Pest
control could help you get rid of this problem. Give us a call at
727-546-8787 for a free quote and bug free home!
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Bougainvillea are great plants for full sun. Because much of our native soils
are alkaline, chelated iron sprays are needed to keep the plants looking good
even when adequately fertilizing them. Bougainvilleas need to be pruned hard
after blooming to promote a good display the next season. Pruning at the wrong
time can eliminate the formation of the colorful bracts. Flowering time is based
on cultivar but some varieties can bloom twice per year. The color of the bracts
will also depend on the amount of sun the plant receives and the soil conditions
in your yard or pot. Give your plant time to acclimate to the area you have it
and wait till it blooms before pruning. Keep up the fertilizer by using an
8-10-10 or Osmacote. In time the plant should do just fine, be patient! Hope
this helps!
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The name of the product is called Allectus. This is a commercial product which
can be obtained from a do-it-yourself pest control store however, the product is
very expensive and almost prohibitively expensive. Many homeowners are turning
to their local pest companies which use this product as part of their normal
service program to service their needs. You may opt for this by calling ABC Pest
Control at 727 546-8787 or toll free at 877 888 PEST.
All programs are podcast and saved online at 970WFLA.com. Just log onto the
website and click on the podcast links then find the program you were interested
in and download the hour you missed. Its easy!
Hope this helps!
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August is the month we start our fall vegetable gardens. Yes, you can grow a
new batch of tomatoes now as well as broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, and many
other fall vegetables. Get Going!!
Hope this helps!
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The photos you sent me were of oak tree galls caused by a parasitic wasp. These
can be controlled through tree injection of an insecticide which will stop the
future infestations of the trees. If the trees are located in a park a call to
the parks department may help to get the trees sprayed or injected.
Citrus trees are a wonderful source of food and shade as the trees grow. Make
sure you plant the trees a little higher than they were in the container you
purchased. The addition of some organic material such as peat moss or black cow
in the planting hole can help the plants get off to a good start. Follow through
with routine applications of a fertilizer like 8-10-10 every two months and
spray the trees with Malathion and oil as necessary for insect control.
Normally, I will not prune the small trees until the third year unless the tree
sends up water sprouts from beneath the grafted zone. If these sprouts do appear
cut them off with a sharp knife.
Good Luck!
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Corn ear worms and other insects can be a real problem on corn. The use of Dipel
or Thuricide applied regularly will control these worms. Remember, to re-apply
after a rain or if your sprinkler waters the plants as these products will wash
off the plant very easily. Constantly monitoring your plants for insects is a
good way to get ahead of problems but be aware that many insecticides can not be
used on our edible crops. If you have a problem with aphids or scales try the
summit year round spray oil which you can get at any garden center.
Hope this helps!
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Well....sometimes it is best to start over fresh. The problems you have
described tell me that it is time to put in a new crop of tomatoes. The main
problem is that summertime is not the best time for tomatoes to grow and right
now is our fall planting time. Just remove the old vines and replant with a new
plant. Remember, to spray your plant regularly with dithane m-45 to stop early
blight (that is what your plant has) and for the insects you can use sevin dust.
Don't be afraid to experiment with other varieties of tomatoes as they are
available now at the garden centers,
Hope this helps!
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Well I believe the broadleaf weed you have is called Tufted Knotweed or
Smartweed. The use of a herbicide such as Atrazine in a pump up sprayer with a
little dish soap should kill this weed and leave the grass alive. A second
application about three weeks after the first application will probably be
needed. Good luck and if you decide to have a pest control company do this for
you try calling ABC at 727-546-8787.
Good Luck!
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Lemons, Limes, and some grapefruit will produce trees from seed that are very
much like the parent tree. Some are nothing like the parent tree and taste
totally different. This variation is from the seed which gives us the varieties
of fruit trees known to us today like , Meyers, Duncan, and Ponderosa. The only
way to be sure you get the same tree is to graft the tree or bud the tree onto
another seedling rootstock. There are many ways to do this and if you would like
more info, let me know!
Hope this helps!
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Shade gardens can be hard to manage in the South but there are many plants which
will do very well. Shrubs like Nandina, Camellias, Lady palms, Cast Iron plants,
Azaleas, Hostas, and Ferns can be used in dense shade and with the many
varieties and sizes available, you can make a lush landscape. Ground covers like
English Ivy, Creeping fig, Mondo Grass, Confederate and Carolina Jasmine, and
Honeysuckle can be also be used. Annuals like Caladium, Impatiens, Lobelia,
Coleus, and Forget-me-nots can also be used. Good Luck!
Try contacting Country Club Nursery on Starkey road for help!
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Torpedo grass is a terrible weed to control because its runners travel so
far under the ground and many herbicides will not kill it. Try to use
roundup in areas there are no other plants. If this grass is growing up into
your plants, a product called Fusilade will control it if used every other
month. Good luck!
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Sounds like your plant is doing very well. If you can not stake the plant up as
to eliminate the need for removal of one of the stems, then it will be ok if you
have to remove the offending stem. This should be cut near the base and an
application of copper should be made to the stem once cut to keep fungal
pathogens from entering the wounded area. Keep mulches away from this cut area.
The remaining two stalks should be fine. Remember, I believe the Florida
landscape law says that a neighbor may remove any foliage that overhangs their
property but this is usually done at their expense. So... if you would rather
let them do it I believe they could cut the stem at the fence line. Up to you!
Hope this helps!
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Snow bush caterpillars can devour a bush in a very short time. When they are
done with the leaves they work on the stem and branches. Try using Thuricide or
Dipel. Spray the bush and stem and then reapply if it rains or the sprinkler
system hits the plant. These products will only kill the caterpillars and are
safe for people and wildlife.
Hope this helps.
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The name of the product is Fusilade. It will take care of the grassy weeds in
your Jasmine beds. Fusilade will also control some broadleaf weeds but not many.
The product comes in one quart bottles and ABC will order it for you if you want
to purchase it. The cost however, is 90 dollars per quart. You must use this
every two months but it sure beats pulling weeds.
Hope this Helps!
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Well If I had more of the tree or photos to look at I would probably have done
better job for you in identification. I need to know if the tree get flowers or
seeds, the growth rate of the tree, the spreading or branching would also be
helpful. Maybe you could get some photos for me to see. The closet I have gotten
is either a cherry or an elm but maybe with your additional help we could id
this tree.
Hope this helps a little!
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Hi
John,
Your flower is called swamp mallow. There are many
different colors and varieties of this plant. You are
right, it loves the water but dies every year then comes
back from seed. I would love you to send me some seeds
next time you get a seed pod. Let me know. I especially
like the plumeria you have in the background. That is my
favorite plant!
Hope this helps!
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Hi
Carl,
Many citrus trees lost their leaves this year due to the
extreme cold weather we had. Do not feel you are the
Lone Ranger. Your naval tree sounds like mine, I lost
many of the leaves but the tree still has green wood and
we both can expect the tree to start putting out new
leaves in March. Right now would be a good time to spray
the tree with Malathion and a horticultural spray oil.
You can find these at any local nursery. While you are
there pick up some neutral copper and some minor
essential elements for citrus. You can mix all these
products together in a pump up sprayer (read the label
on each product for proper mixing directions) and spray
the tree starting with the trunk and branches working
your way under the tree then lastly the outside of the
tree. Spray all to run off. In March, around the 15th,
put down some 8-10-10 fertilizer around the tree. If
your tree is about 10 feet tall use about 7-10 pounds.
Do this at least three times per year. Note: If you are
away much of the year, my company ABC Pest Control, can
do this service for you. Our number is 727-546-8787 or
toll free 1-877-888-7378. Hope this helps and good luck!
Keep listening!
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Hi
M,
Thanks for listening to the program. My main purpose in
bringing up the fertilizer rule is to educate the public
and inform you that the ultimate goal of regulation is
elimination of all fertilizers from use. I can not
understand that even with science fact given by the
University of Florida to the commissioners that they,
still (felt) obligated to deny the use of fertilizers to
professional applicators who's main goal is to provide
for the health and benefit of the homeowners yards and
plants. Even going native requires fertilizer to be
added to the soils to replace the elements used by the
plants. I am sorry that your experience with turfgrass
has not been a good one but for those people that want
turfgrass, they should have the choice to grow what and
when they wish. Small steps such as this action has will
turn out to be just the tip if the iceberg down the road
to much more invasive restrictions. I also am in favor
of the use of native plants and have promoted many on my
program and I will continue to do so. Please stay tuned
to my programs in February to hear from Barbara Barker
on Organic gardening. It is also my hope that changing
times do not change the way individuals can express
themselves or the freedoms they so enjoy!
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Rita,
You are not alone. I am sure that you have heard that I
own property in Wauchula. I got down to 20 degrees for
ten hours. I lost many many of my tropical plants. I
even lost some cold hardy varieties. My lemons and limes
froze solid and I lost the entire crop. I even had the
irrigation running to no avail. Do not give up the
fight. I can also remember many years we did not have a
winter in Florida. Christmas day through New Years at 85
- 90 degrees is not a memory of old but just a few years
back. I guess I am just a glutton for punishment because
I will replace the plants I lost with new ones because I
love the many years of enjoyment I might get from them.
Call the show and maybe I can recommend several things
you may not have thought of planting like Kapok Trees
and Silk Floss Trees. They were damaged but they come
back quickly. Good Luck!!!!
Mark T. Govan
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I am glad that your plants are still alive. Leaf loss is
to be expected but at least you have some of the plant
left. Once the plant reaches a height of eight to ten
feet, it is time to cut the papaya back. This is done in
the spring or summer (wait to at least the second week
of March). Cut the plant to a height of 3 feet and place
a coffee can over the cut end. Remember, the papaya
trunk is hollow so we do not want water to get into the
center of the plant and possibly rot the plant. Soon
after cutting, you will see several side shoots
developing on the main trunk. Pick the most vigorous
shoot and cut the rest back. This new shoot will be your
new stem. You should get at least 2 years off this new
growth with good sized papayas. Remember to start
additional plants every year to replace older non or
little fruit bearing plants. Hope this helps!
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You are fortunate that your plants survived at all. I
have had many listeners that say their philodendron
plants were frozen to the ground. Now to the point. Your
plants should recover fully however, if you do not like
the long stems then I suggest that you wait until the
second week of March and prune every other plant to
about 4 inches above the ground and wait to see if you
like the way the plants come back. I do not want you to
prune until then because we don't know about any more
freezes we may encounter this February. I am sure that
the plants should come back by summer and give you the
look you were wanting. Hope this helps!
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Millipedes are found in mulch and soils of all kinds.
They feed on mold, mildew, and other debris that is
breaking down. The best way to control them is to rake
back the mulch and spray the soil with Talstar (ABC
carries this product in our store on 66th st.) then
replace the mulch and spray it as well. Once you have
completed this, the number of millipedes will disappear
gradually. Hope this helps. You can find additional
information about these pests on my website
www.abc-pestcontrol.com Look for the buginfo button and
click on it!
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Thanks for the information. You most probably have a
fungal problem called melanose. The leaves will be
spotted and this spotting can be rough to the touch.
further, the fruit gets a tear drop staining. You can
control this problem with two applications of a copper
fungicide for citrus trees available at most local
garden centers. Be sure to read the label before
applying and make two applications six weeks apart. Be
sure to spray under the leaves and on the fruit first
then the upper leaf surface. The new growth as it
emerges should be free of the disease. Hope this helps.
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The black leaves on your citrus trees is called Sooty
Mold. This is the result of insects feeding on your
plant. As the insect feeds on the underside of the plant
leaves, they excrete a substance called honeydew which
lands on the upper leaf surfaces. Ants are drawn to this
honeydew and they feed upon it like candy. Ants will
also spread the aphids or scales which produce this
honeydew to other plants. This sticky substance also
causes a fungus to grow upon it called Sooty Mold. In
order to get rid of the sooty mold you will need to have
your tree sprayed with malathion and horticultural spray
oil. These products if purchased separately can be
combined and applied to the tree in one treatment.
Please follow the label and mix accordingly. Be sure to
start on the underside of the leaves and be sure to
treat the stem and branches. Finish the application by
spraying the top of the leaves After treatment, the
sooty mold will SLOWLY flake away over a few months.
My company can do this type of service for you if you
can not do this service yourself. My company is called
ABC Pest Control and we service Pinellas, Pasco,
Hernando, Manatee, and Hillsborough counties. Just call
our toll free number at 1-877-888-PEST for a free quote.
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Your best choice of a good ground cover would be the
perennial peanut. Perennial Peanut is being used by the
County more and more and seems to be a very good ground
cover for full to part full sun areas. Most local
nurseries carry this plant and you would need to space
them on one foot centers to have a good fill-in. The
bright yellow flowers it produces give a wonderful
coloring to any area. good luck and keep on listening.
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Hi Jason,
growing plants from seed is easy and you can enjoy this
practice for most of our flowering plants. Fruit trees
are another story. Although fruit trees will grow from
seed, you will never get the same tree from a seed
rather you will get a non hybrid. Mangos and citrus will
produce plants but should be grafted after the trees get
about a foot tall with a registered cultivar to give you
edible fruit. Avocados and Carombola are another story.
Many of these trees grown from seed produce fruit after
several years that are as flavorful as their parentage.
Nematodes are not a problem for most of the trees you
want to grow except the citrus. However, you are
starting from seed which is usually nematode resistant.
Good luck
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Hi BJ
There
are several good nurseries that you could use but the
one I think you should try is Gene's Tropical's on
Central Ave. just west of 66th St. Gene's carries a wide
variety of mangos and several times a year has a mango
tasting day for homeowners to try different varieties.
Also consider a Carombola tree (Star Apple), these do
just wonderful in our area and make a good tree. If you
think they might like a plumeria (the Hawaiian Lei
Flower) my nursery, ABC Tropical's is located at 13275
66th St. N. (66th and Ulmerton Rd.) Once your friends
move into their new home, let them know My other company
ABC Pest Control can service their home and yard for
insects and termites. Good luck to both of you and enjoy
Florida Gardening!
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Hi Lynn,
Termites are generally unaffected by cold weather due to
the fact that they are either in the ground, which never
freezes, or are located within a structure. Swarming of
termites can actually be heightened within structures
because they can sense the cold outside. This is the
time when we, (ABC Pest Control) get most of our calls
because the homeowner can spot them easily. When
termites swarm to the exterior of the home, many
homeowners never notice. The best way to be sure your
home is protected from termites is to have a
preventative treatment done. I can not tell you how many
times my company has gone out to do a preventative
treatment for termites only to find a termite colony
during the treatment process. I have enclosed another
story below, that I just received. I hope this helps!
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