Azalea Lace Bugs

This University of Georgia photo is an typical example of azalea lace bug damage. Each year I see two or three beautiful Cherokee County azalea plantings devastated by this insect. Master Gardeners should recognize it.
The web site below should be helpful. ~ Joe


http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/aimg43.html

Learn About Breeding Roses

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/rose/rosebreeding/index.html

At the June meeting Agri-LIFE Extension horticulturist, Joe Daniel used the web site shown above to provide basic information on plant breeding using roses as an example. Check it out.

Name Badges Arrived the Day of Meeting

By 2 p.m. the day of the June meeting the badges were at Joe's office. Gardening teaches patience and in life we often needs them.

Sardis May 31st

For those of you who were unable to come to the annual daylily and perennial forum and sale at Wayne and Kathy Davis', you really missed out on a great time! Unfortuately, I had such a great time, I forgot to slather on the sunscreen and got burned to a crisp, but a great time was had by all. Joe discussed daylilies in general, including propagation and care, and I had the honor of discussing cottage gardening. At the end of the 'symposium', the Davis' awarded door prizes (daylilies, of course!), and then we were able to buy our favorite daylilies. May I add, that they are sold by the clump and not per fan for the low, low price range of $5-30, depending on the variety. What a steal! So, try not to miss next year's event!

While I was there, I was amazed at the size of the giant/lumber bamboo. Wayne informed us that it can get up to 60 feet in height! I was lucky enough to go home with one of the rhizomes. I took a few great pics, so I'll post them here. The first is a comparison of the very common 'golden bamboo', which is probably what most of us think of when we think 'bamboo', to the enormous giant bamboo. The second pic is my hand, used for size comparison, on one of the stalks. The third is just a really neat pic I got from the ground up. And, don't forget...bamboo is really a type of grass! -amanda

Tomato Time

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/tomatoproblemsolver/index.html

This web site will likely be helpful this time of year.

Joe

Turk's Cap Feeder?

Could this little Lepidoptera larva and its friends be feeding so ferociously?
If so, what should be done? Most of the Turk's Cap leaves are gone.

Walnut Caterpillars

FYI - Over the past couple days while on a north TX trip I received a few calls concerning a major outbreak of walnut caterpillars in DeWitt county. This insect has a tremendous appetite and if enough colonies are in a tree, they can literally strip the foliage of a tree in a few days. Walnut caterpillars feed in colonies and do not construct webs. When they molt they will molt in a group, usually on the trunk or a main scaffold limb. I have attached a picture of a small colony on a pecan branch to help you ID the insect. If anyone sees or hears about this in your county I would like to hear about it so we can determine the range of the out break.

Thank you for your assistance.

Bill

Bill Ree

Extension Program Specialist II - IPM (Pecan)

P.O. Box 2150

Bryan, TX 77806-2150

Ph: 979-845-6800