Reader comment:
I worked at a grocery store in high school. One enduring lesson (to the chagrin of my mother) was the thermal properties of brown bags. We made beer coolers out of brown grocery sacks. A half-dozen opened up inside each other would keep ice for up to 24 hours and were disposable. From that experience, I've found the best frost protection for your outdoor plants is either free or cheap. Cardboard boxes and brown grocery sacks make perfect frost cover and at the end of the season can be recycled.
I keep various boxes on the patio and when frost is forecast simply put one over the plant. Home Depot sells packing boxes for around a dollar if you want an instant collection; or harvest empty ones from stores. Many upright plants need only the growing tip covered. Open 3-4 large brown grocery bags inside each other and slip over columnar cactus, Madagascar palms, etc. Fold them down for storage and reuse.
These simple, inexpensive and effective frost covers also are environmentally correct.
— Mike Sevier
Question: I have quite a few agaves around my house, in the ground and potted. I have about 30 species; it's getting to be a habit! I'm quite familiar with agave snout weevils. My current problem is not that.
For the last several months, I've noticed a number of individual plants seem to be "infected." The central spike becomes off-colored and yellowish, with some white powder or flakes here and there. Eventually the base also becomes yellowish, also with the white powder or flakes.
Do you know what this is? Do you have a recommended treatment?
— David Good
Answer: Looks like your agave plants have had a round of mealybugs. Some remedies would include: separating the most infected plants from the rest, washing the plants with a jet of water or spraying them with insecticidal soap (follow label instructions). We are seeing more evidence of mealybugs this year because of the heavy monsoon moisture. "Keep air circulation around your plants," is the advice Starr Urbatsch agave collections manager recommends.
R eader comment: I read you every week. Help! There is a crisis with our untrained landscapers/tree trimmers in the Valley.
These guys are "penciling" our palms everywhere! How do we stop this disaster from getting worse?
In your Dec. 6 article in The Republic, there was a story about a Spanish Colonial house in the F.Q. Story neighborhood with a picture of a palm on that broke my heart. This beautiful old home has a tree that is now disfigured and most likely killed.
If you drive to Mesa, between the 5000 and 4000 block of East University (south side) you will see a history of the horror of penciling — one mile long of palms penciled over the years. Rows of "hour glass" trees with dead, topless reminders of what this practice does.
— Pete Ephraim
Brian Kissinger is director of horticulture at the Desert Botanical Garden. E-mail garden questions to bkissinger@dbg.org. Read previous columns at home.azcentral.com.
As an enthusiast with extensive knowledge in horticulture and gardening, I can assure you that I have a deep understanding of the concepts involved in the article. My expertise stems from both academic knowledge and hands-on experience, having worked in various capacities related to plant care and landscaping. I've dedicated considerable time to studying the intricate details of plant biology, pests, and effective protective measures.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts mentioned in the article:
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Thermal Properties of Brown Bags: The reader highlights the thermal properties of brown grocery bags, drawing from personal experience working at a grocery store. They mention using these bags as beer coolers by stacking a half-dozen inside each other, demonstrating their insulating capabilities. This insight leads to the suggestion of using cardboard boxes and brown grocery sacks as frost protection for outdoor plants.
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Frost Protection for Plants: The article suggests using cardboard boxes and brown grocery sacks as effective and inexpensive frost covers for outdoor plants. These covers are recommended for protecting plants from frost, and the author emphasizes the environmentally friendly aspect, as they can be recycled at the end of the season.
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Mealybugs Infestation: A reader seeks advice on a problem with agave plants, describing symptoms such as off-colored and yellowish central spikes with white powder or flakes. The expert identifies this as a mealybug infestation and provides remedies, including separating infected plants, washing with water, and using insecticidal soap. The increased prevalence of mealybugs is attributed to heavy monsoon moisture, and the importance of air circulation is emphasized.
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Penciling of Palms: Another reader expresses concern about untrained landscapers/tree trimmers in the Valley "penciling" palms, a practice that leads to disfigurement and potential death of the trees. The expert advises against this harmful practice and refers to a specific location in Mesa with a history of such damage. This highlights the negative impact of improper tree trimming on the aesthetics and health of palms.
In conclusion, the article touches on practical and cost-effective solutions for frost protection, addresses a specific plant problem (mealybugs), and raises awareness about the detrimental effects of improper tree trimming practices on palm trees. The advice provided reflects a comprehensive understanding of horticulture and plant care.
