After a nearly three-year battle with South African regulators, DuPont Co. said Wednesday that it has completed the purchase of a majority stake in South Africa’s Pannar Seed. The deal greatly expands the chemical and seed company’s access to new markets, and will help it boost research efforts and seed availability for farmers in Africa. …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Phys.org
By Kemp Minifie Psst…Want the scoop on the next vegetable craze? It’s likely to be celtuse, (pronounced sell-TOOSE). Never heard of it? Neither had I until I stopped by Rick Bishop’s Mountain Sweet Berry Farm stand last Saturday. He pulled out a giant stalk of lettuce that was naked except for a birdlike plume of leaves at the top. “You eat the stalk,” explained Bishop, “but make sure you peel it first.” Well-known chefs Dan Barber and Wylie Dufresne were using it. Chef Barber of Blue Hill and Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, New York, was quick to give credit to Jack Algiere, the Stone Barns Center Four Season Farm Director, for what Barber calls the celtuse craze. Algiere remembers the day he first introduced celtuse to Barber’s kitchen staff as an almost magical moment of coincidence and synergy. It was 2005, a year after Barber’s Blue Hill at Stone Barns had opened, and Algiere was still experimenting with different seeds. He walked into the restaurant kitchen one day with a surprise: huge stems of Laotian stalk lettuce–also known as asparagus lettuce–looking just like what I’d bought at Bishop’s stand. The stalks were definitely new and unusual to everyone, except sous chef Adam Kaye, who had literally just walked into the kitchen himself from a trip to France. “Oh, I just had that,” said Kaye, and proceeded to show the crew pictures of the very same vegetable in Parisian markets. Algiere was given the seeds by his close friend William Woys Weaver, a food historian, professor, and seed breeder/saver. Algiere describes him as “a brilliant man with a lot of history in his mind…who shared things in his seed vault that he thought would be good to keep perpetuating.” Algiere was the right man to do it. At first Algiere had a hard time sourcing more seeds. The best he’s found are from Agrohaitai, a Canadian company specializing in Asian seeds. They sell three different types that Algiere either grows outside or in a greenhouse, allowing him to supply it year round. Celtuse is unusual in that it’s eaten in the bolting stage, unlike other lettuces, which are eaten in the vegetative state. The celtuse leaves can be a bit bitter, but not nearly as much as a head of romaine that’s gone to flower. Algiere loves the leaves in a salad. Although Algiere appreciates how juicy and crisp the celtuse stem is when raw, he prefers it either roasted or grilled, which brings out its nutty flavor. He’s actually tried to increase that nutty quality by adding nut pressings—what remains after making nut oils—to the soil. Meanwhile, Wylie Dufresne of WD-50 and Jon Bignelli, executive chef of Alder, Dufresne’s new East Village restaurant, are both enthusiastic fans of celtuse. “It’s really refreshing with just a scootch of bitter flavor,” says Bignelli, who makes a purée of it with white wine, clam stock, heavy cream, potatoes, shallots, and dill to serve with fried squash blossoms that have been stuffed with…<div …read more
Source: Epicurious
No gardener is immune to the
agony of watching their garden getting eaten away by insects that seem
invisible, rodents that steal in the night and the plant disease that
appears out of nowhere.
We have all been there. Whether the holes in the cabbage plants seem to
get larger by the second, or squash bugs infiltrate the zucchini plants
by the thousands, these unforeseen circumstances can arise at anytime
for any gardener.
While weather, that force of nature you have no control over, can play a
factor in a lot of the plant diseases you may face, you can take some
steps in helping put more of that control back into your hands, as well
as rule over the harmful insects that will arise.
Here are three homemade recipes you can put together yourself to help you with your efforts.
Compost/Manure Tea
This is a great recipe to use. You simply fill a burlap sack with a
gallon of compost or well seasoned manure and drop it into a bucket
containing 4 gallons of water. Cover the bucket and let it sit for 72
hours. Once complete, remove the burlap sack, pour the mixture into a
watering can or a sprayer, and use on your vegetation. This works
great as a fertilizer for your plants and when sprayed on foliage, it
helps prevent many types of diseases.
Baking Soda Spray
If you are looking for an easy to make spray that helps prevent and
manage various plant diseases such as powdery mildew, then try this one.
Simply mix one and a half tablespoons of baking soda, a tablespoon of
vegetable oil and one and a half gallons of warm water in large
container. Mix thoroughly. Make sure the mixture is well blended
prior to pouring it into a sprayer. Use this right away while the water
is warm.
Garlic/Pepper Spray
At a local garden center here where I live, they sell a commercially
made organic pepper spray. These types of sprays work great for keeping
a lot of insects and rodents off your vegetation. There are but two
downfalls. First, it has to be applied after every time your plants are
watered, regardless of whether you are doing the watering or mother
nature. Second, because you will use a lot of it, sprays purchased at
the store can get expensive over time. So instead make your own.
Using a blender, food processor etc., mix together eight cloves of
garlic, one and a half tablespoons of cayenne pepper (or another very
hot pepper variety), and three and a half cups of hot water. Mix these
ingredients thoroughly and allow the mixture to steep for seventy-two
hours. Strain the mix as you pour it into your sprayer, then use on
your plants you are …read more
Source: Mike the Gardener
By Business Of Fashion, Contributor
LONDON, United Kingdom — Wool and the Gang is set to announce a $2.8 million seed round led by Index Ventures and Wellington Partners, with the participation of MMC Ventures and a number of other investors from the technology and retail space. The valuation of the company was not disclosed. …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Forbes Latest
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
See below for a correction to a typo in the transcript (marked with an asterisk).
1:00 P.M. EDT
MR. EARNEST: Good afternoon, everybody. I apologize for the delay in getting started. Mr. Carney —
Q We’re accustomed —
MR. EARNEST: I’m sorry?
Q We’re accustomed to it.
MR. EARNEST: Okay, good. I want to keep you in the rhythm here.
Mr. Carney is taking his son to camp today, so I’ll be minding the store. So, Julie, I’ll ring you up first.
Q Thank you. A couple questions on the Mideast peace talks that are starting in Washington tonight. We know that the President apparently is going to be meeting with Secretary Kerry later today to discuss those talks, but does he have any plans to meet with the Israeli and Palestinian negotiators while they’re in town?
MR. EARNEST: Julie, I don’t have any details about the President’s schedule over the next couple of days to read out to you. There’s no current plan for that, but I wouldn’t preclude anything from getting added in the future.
As you know, the Middle East peace process is something that — or at least these conversations that are ongoing, or that are slated for this evening, was part of a process that was kicked off by the President’s trip to the Middle East earlier this year. Many of you traveled there for that visit. And the President had the opportunity to visit with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Abbas, and King Hussein of Jordan, where they had some conversations about how it’s in the best interest of both the Israeli and Palestinian people to engage in final status negotiations.
Since that time, Secretary Kerry has been traveling frequently to the region. I think every couple of weeks it seems like he’s taking a trip out there to talk to the parties and to talk to others in the region who have an important stake in this conflict being resolved.
So we’re certainly encouraged that the two parties are coming to Washington and beginning their conversations this evening, but we’re also cognizant of the hard work that remains over the next nine months. There are some very serious issues that have to be resolved, and it’s not going to be easy. The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, and we’ll take that first step tonight.
Q Now that this first round of talks is underway, how does the President see his direct role? Is this something where he’s going to still continue to sort of seed the frontrunner status for the U.S. to Secretary Kerry and maybe only get involved if these talks continue and get to a real final status moment?
MR. EARNEST: Well, I’ll say a couple things about that. The first is this is a process that got kick-started with the President’s trip …read more
Source: White House Press Office
By The Huffington Post News Editors
Serena Aunon, the second Hispanic woman to become a NASA astronaut, spoke to about 100 Latino high school students Friday to try to spark their interest in science and technology.
“I think the biggest thing to start with is exposure,” she said. “Sometimes you just have to plant that seed. You just need to plant one idea.”
Aunon’s audience was made up of high school juniors and seniors from throughout the state attending the four-day Hispanic College Institute at Virginia State University in Chesterfield County.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Huffington Post
In Matthew 17:20 Jesus made a poem in Hebrew using the words “faith,” “truly,” “believe,” and “boast.” The poem keys on two wordplays that both involve the word “believe.”
“Faith” אמונתכם
“Truly” אמן
“Believe” תאמינו
“Believe” תאמינו
“Boast” תאםרו
Matthew 17:20 So he said to them, “Because of your little faith {“Faith” (אמונתכם)}. For truly {“Truly” (אמן)}, I say to you, if you have faith {“Believe” (תאמינו)} as a grain of mustard seed, you will say {“Boast” (תאםרו)} to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” [Matthew 17:20 The Passion: The Poetry of God]
J. Clontz – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament
Source: Worthy Christian Forums
By Kendra Vizcaino-Lico From the backyard to the ball park frankfurters are an all-American summertime staple. They taste great totally unadorned but can also handle a hearty array of toppings. The best known “loaded” hot dog hails from Chicago. Their beefed up franks feature yellow mustard, chopped onions, sweet relish, dill pickles, fresh tomato, pickled peppers, and celery salt, all piled into a poppy seed studded bun. The windy city’s hearty hot dog proves that with the right toppings you can turn a satisfying snack into a meaty meal. We’ve rounded up ten frankfurter recipes featuring a wide variety of tasty toppings to please your palate and satisfy your appetite. So, fire up your grills and start your steamers, it’s time to celebrate National Hot Dog Day! Beer Braised Hot Dogs with Braised Sauerkraut Grilled Hot Dog Tortas Mini Hot Dogs in Cheddar Pigs in Blankets Muffuletta Hot Dogs Hot Dog Howlers Hot Dogs Stuffed with the Works Mini Corn Dogs Grilled Hot Dogs with Mango Chutney Garlic Mojo Hot Dogs Check out our hot dog slideshow for even more mouthwatering recipes. Photo: Romulo Yanes
Source: Epicurious
The major difference between civil rights movements of the past and those of today is blaringly obvious. Civil rights movements of the 60s were aimed at freeing many people from oppression and injustice. The faux civil rights leaders of today engage in aiming all their resources at one person. The feeling is not so much about justice as it is about vengeance, venting, and (in some cases) violence.
Al Sharpton announced that he will use his networks to rally protesters in 100 cities this coming weekend to call for the DOJ to drag George Zimmerman back to court to face federal charges on civil rights violations. Without arguing whether this is fair, we are prompted by the barest expediency to ask the all-important question – what if it goes wrong?
The nation is charged since the Florida trial of Zimmerman ended with a not guilty verdict. Blacks are not happy with the verdict and are calling for the proverbial pound of flesh. Millions of others think the verdict was fair, and the FBI has concluded that there were no racial motivation connected to the incident. None of this has undaunted the perennial team of Sharpton and Jackson from doing what they do best – riling up the people.
Since every state in the nation has laws against ‘inciting a riot,’ is there a chance that one of these rallies could be the trigger for just such an eventuation?
Several violent incidents have already erupted over the verdict in the Zimmerman case. Purposely gathering to decry the verdict, so soon after the trail, could be the seed for even more bad behavior.
Will Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson be held to account for any violence, injuries, deaths, and destruction of property that may result from these gatherings? This question may not be foremost in the thinking of people today, but perhaps it should be.
In Oakland, Calif., a conservative filmmaker was beaten mercilessly by an angry mob that was demonstrating against the Zimmerman verdict. In Milwaukee, a 34 year-old white male was brutalized and battered by a group of black teens angry over the verdict. He was saved by another black male who pulled him out of the beating.
Although the business of Trayvon Martin’s past, his record, and his attitude was not allowed as evidence at the trial, now it is pouring forth like a flood. Not everyone sees young Martin as a happy little teenager with a hoodie munching on Skittles.
Black journalist and editor of the Daily Rant Mychal Massie, himself a minister, has declared that Trayvon’s problems are rooted in bad parenting. Massie also believes that Trayvon was shot for only the reasons that came forth in the trial and not because of the color of his skin.
Andrea Shea King writes in an article entitled “It Wasn’t Just Skittles Trayvon Was Carrying,” published on WND July 15, 2013, that Trayvon was jacked up on a combination of a Skittles, Arizona Iced Tea, and Robitussin, all which make for a psychotic inducing cocktail that produces episodes …read more
Better use of the world’s seed banks could help provide a practical solution to future food shortages, according to an article in Nature, co-authored by a Natural History Museum scientist. …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Phys.org
The inaugural NBA Summer League Championship, the second phase of NBA Summer League 2013 in Las Vegas, tips off Wednesday, July 17, at the Thomas & Mack Center and COX Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas. The Golden State Warriors earned the first overall seed while the Chicago Bulls are the second seed. The Phoenix Suns, NBA D-League Select Team and Charlotte Bobcats round out the top five seeds. …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at NBA
Even with a heavy dose of
proper composting, many factors can lead to your plants becoming
deficient in valuable nutrients. Too much rain could wash away valuable
nitrogen, and not enough rain, well, could lead to a whole lot of other
problems.
Here are some popular signs that you should be looking out for in your vegetable garden, their causes, and potential solutions.
Are the leaves on your vegetable plants light green to yellow? Does the
growth of your plant seem stunted? Chances are your soil lacks
nitrogen and/or sulfur. A good quick fix is adding blood meal or fish emulsion.
Speaking of the leaves, are they red or purple when they are supposed to
be green? Looks like your soil is low on Phosphorous. Add some bonemeal or rock phosphate to your soil.
If your vegetable plants are producing fruits have you noticed if they
are too small or production seems to be slow? Your soil may lack
magnesium or potassium. Greensand, Epsom salt, wood ash or seaweed are
all helpful answers.
A lot of the same symptoms noted above will appear for the lack of other
nutrients such as iron, copper, and manganese. You should get a soil
reading if you starting seeing a lot of issues. Your local co-op can do
this for you or they sell home kits where you can test the soil yourself.
Source: Mike the Gardener
By Stephanie
Tomato leaves may roll for three main reasons: physiological stress, viruses, or herbicide damage. Of the three, physiological stress is the easiest to remedy.
Physiological stress refers to anything in the environment that is not optimal for tomatoes: too much or too little water, high winds, fertilizer burn, root damage, and transplant shock. The rolling first appears on the lower leaves and involves cupping inward. However, the leaves retain their green color. They may become leathery and thickened. Over time, all the leaves of the plant may be effected.
The most common time for leaf curl from physiological stress is as spring turns into summer. Vine tomatoes seem more vulnerable to leaf curl than do bush tomatoes.
Fortunately, this condition has minimal impact on tomato production. The tomato plant can recover if you maintain a consistent moisture level, are careful not to over fertilize (expecially with nitrogen), protect the root zone of the tomato and properly harden off seedlings. It will probably continue to produce fruit even if the leaves do not uncurl, and new growth will be normal if the stressful situations are eliminated.
The second most common reason for tomato leaf roll is a virus. There are two main tomato viruses that cause leaf roll.
Tomato yellow leaf curl virus causes new leaves to become cupped and pale green in color. The entire plant may be stunted, show yellowing leaf edge, purplish veins on the undersides of leaves, and a decline in fruit production.
A second kind of virus, tomato mosaic virus, also causes rolling of the leaves. However, it causes mottled-coloring of leaves, small leaflets, and internal browning of infected fruit.
There is no cure for either of these viruses. If your tomato plant has them, the best thing to do is to pull the plant and destroy it. Do not compost it as this might spread the virus. The goal here is to contain the virus to as few plants as possible before it spreads. These viruses are spread by insects feeding on an infected plant, then moving to a healthy plant to feed and infecting it.
Weeds often act as reservoirs of disease for tomato plants so the elimination of weeds around the garden reduces the incidence of tomato viruses. There are no sick plants for the insects to feed on and spread the virus to your healthy tomato plants. Disinfecting tools used on weeds and diseased tomatoes before using them on healthy tomato plants can also prevent the spread of the virus.
The third most common reason for leaf curl is herbicide damage. When a tomato plant is exposed to the herbicide 2,4,D, leaves curl downward (as opposed to upward for physiological stress). In addition, the vine may turn white and split and the fruit may be deformed. The plant may not survive the herbicide exposure. However, if it survives, new growth should be normal. Always be careful when using herbicides to prevent drift and other accidental exposure to desirable plants.
Source: Weekend Gardener
Mantidae |
|
Mantidae is the largest family of the order Mantodea, commonly known as praying mantises; most are tropical or subtropical. Historically, this was the only family in the order, and many references still use the term “mantid” to refer to any mantis. Technically, however, “mantid” refers only to members of the Mantidae Many species are found in North America, the three most common being the |
Treatment |
| This is a beneficial insect. Do not treat! |
| Click here for the original Source |
Source: Mike the Gardener
By Carla Prieto When summer’s torrid temperatures keep you from the grill, it may be time to pick up a copy of Alain Coumont’s new Le Pain Quotidien Cookbook. The founder of the “slow-fast food” chain has chosen recipes based on the light and organic dishes served at his restaurants. They’re enjoyable not only because they are full-flavored but because most are quick and easy (OK, maybe the lamb broth takes a bit of time, but once you get a spoonful, you’ll know it was worth every second!). Coumont includes recipes that blend European bistro flavors with healthful ingredients (a great way to counterbalance the copious racks of ribs and boatloads of burgers summer inevitably brings). The breakfast section of the book is one of my favorites. Coumount finds a way to enhance traditional dishes, whether it’s adding lime and coconut to familiar French toast or making once-prosaic pancakes out of buckwheat and topping them with a thick chestnut purée. There are some dishes, like the chia seed porridge with orange and yogurt, that combine ingredients, textures, and flavors in a way that is both surprising and satisfying–the tartness of the blood orange adds a sour zing to an otherwise mild breakfast, while chia adds a new dimension to the smooth creaminess of the yogurt. But as this is a Le Pain Quotidien cookbook, there’s also the restaurant’s signature special: the tartine, an open-faced sandwich made on sourdough bread and topped with almost any spread, veggie, meat, or combination of all three you can imagine. They are fast to make and are a great option if you’re looking for a light lunch or dinner or want an accompaniment to a soup or salad. Being a curry enthusiast, I knew I had to try the sourdough tartine topped with hummus and curried cauliflower. The cool hummus made the meal in a sans-air-conditioning apartment especially refreshing. I can’t wait to try the others! Recipes to try: -Lamb Broth with Cucumber & Mint Yogurt -Chia Seed Porridge with Orange & Yogurt -Hummus & Curried Cauliflower Tartine
Source: Epicurious
A compost pile is a staple for
most home vegetable gardeners. Compost is the easiest, safest and best
way to add nutrients to your soil which allow your fruits, herbs and
veggies to grow bigger and produce more.
Along the way you may encounter some issues with your compost. Most are
easily fixable with some simple solutions, or a little bit of “elbow
grease”. Here I will discuss the most common compost pile issues you
will face along the way, and their popular solutions.
Your Compost Pile Stinks
This is the most common compost pile issue for home vegetable gardeners.
Your compost pile smells to high heaven and if you lived in the middle
of nowhere, you would really care less, but since your neighbor does
not share that same sentiment, it’s an issue that needs to be addressed.
Most of the time the smell is due to lack of air. If your pile becomes
too wet or too compacted, anaerobic bacteria become abundant which
accounts for the smell. Too a much lesser extent, your pile could also
lack nitrogen and if your pile has an ammonia smell that means it has
too much nitrogen.
All of these issues are fixable. If your compost pile is compacted,
simply use a pitchfork and manually turn the pile over. If your compost
pile has become too wet or smells of ammonia, add straw or shredded
brown paper bags (leaves or wood chips would be more ideal) and turn
your compost pile with your pitchfork as noted earlier.
Animals and unwanted Insects
From time to time you will notice your compost pile attracts squirrels,
chipmunks and other insects. This is not necessarily a bad thing.
However, if you start seeing rats, mice and roaches, there is something
wrong. Chances are if you are experiencing these types of pests, you
have added something to the pile you should not have, and that would be
meat and/or dairy products. Do not add these to your compost pile.
Remove these items from your compost pile and discard in your regular
trash.
Not breaking down
You are taking care of your compost pile as you should, however you
notice that some items are simply not breaking down. This could be due
to a couple of reasons. If they are items that would normally break
down, i.e. food scraps, leaves etc., your compost pile could be lacking
in nitrogen and/or moisture. If the compost pile is dry, add water and
turn the compost pile over with your pitchfork. If nitrogen is the
issue, add either manure (horse, chicken or cow etc) or fresh grass
clippings and turn.
The second problem could simply be the item is just too large for your
compost pile. Large branches from trees and bushes …read more
Source: Mike the Gardener
By Stephanie
Hardy gloxinia (Incarvillea delavayi) is also known as Chinese trumpet flower. It is from Southwestern China. The scientific name for this species, delavayi, is after an 18th century Jesuit monk who first described the plant scientifically.
This plant has short, deeply divided, fernlike green leaves and pink trumpet shaped flowers with a yellow throat. The flowers grow on tall stalks. They bloom from late spring through late summer if deadheaded regularly. These flowers are good for color accents in flower beds, borders, or in rock gardens. Because the large tap root needs good drainage, hardy gloxinia grows best in raised beds or rock gardens.
Hardy gloxinia grows in zones 5-7. Some literature says they will also grow in zones 8-10, but they are not tolerant of the extreme heat of the summers in those zones. While hardy gloxinia should be planted in full sun in zones 5-7, it should be planted in a place that has afternoon shade in zones 8-10.
Hardy gloxinia is a perennial. It may be grown as an annual in zones where the winters are too cold for the plants to survive.
Till the ground to a depth of six inches and add three inches of compost. This should provide the drainage and room for the tap root this plant requires. Plants can be grown from seed or from crowns. If you grow from crowns, plant the crown six inches under the soil and cover. Plant the crowns twenty-four inches apart as the plants can be 12-18 inches tall and 16-18 inches wide. Pleant after all danger of frost has passed. Water in. Water consistently during the growing season, keeping the soil moist but never soaked. In the winter, water sparingly.
To grow from seed, sprinkle the seed on the ground where you want the plants to grow in the autumn or the spring. The seed needs light to germinate so do not cover it with soil. Germination takes 25-30 days. As the seeds start to grow, thin as needed. Seeds will bloom the following year if planted in the spring.
To maintain these delicate plants, mulch the crowns in the winter. Remove the mulch after all danger of frost is past. The plants are relatively late to emerge after the winter, and the crowns are very delicate, so mark where you plant them. Water regularly during the growing season as these plants are from areas that receive regular rain. Fertilize monthly while blooming with a balanced fertilizer.
Hardy gloxinia are self seeding, so if you do not want them to spread, remove the seed heads before they open. Eventually, the plants will divide enough that they become too crowded. When that happens, you carefully divide the plants in the spring after they bloom. Make sure you get all of the taproot when you dig up the plants to divide them. The tap roots can make division difficult because they are so long.
Hardy gloxinia are vulnerable to snails and slugs. Otherwise, they are fairly pest free.
Source: Weekend Gardener
Reduviidae |
|
Reduviidae (from the contained genus, Reduvius, which comes from the Latin reduvia, meaning “hangnail” or “remnant”) is a large, cosmopolitan family of predatory insects in the suborder Heteroptera. It includes assassin bugs (genera include Melanolestes, Platymeris, Pselliopus, Rasahus, Reduvius, Rhiginia, Sinea, Triatoma, and Zelus), ambush bugs (subfamily Phymatinae), wheel bugs (Arilus cristatus), and thread-legged bugs (the subfamily Emesinae, including the genus Emesaya). There are about 7000 species altogether, making it one of the largest families in the Hemiptera. |
Treatment |
| This is a beneficial insect. DO NOT TREAT! |
| Click here for the original Source |
Source: Mike the Gardener
By Mindy
Spider mites can take a terrible toll on house and landscape plants. But before you drag out the sprayer and fill it with a toxic soup, consider treating the problem with an organic pest control technique.
Recognizing Spider Mites
Spider mites are little creatures that are very difficult to see with the naked eye but their presence found in spider webs and white and/or yellow spots dotting the foliage. In worse case situations, the plant will become defoliated.
The reason for this destruction is due to how the animal feeds. It simply sucks out the juices of the leaves, which contain chlorophyll. Areas that have been attacked appear as white or yellow spots depending on how much chlorophyll has been removed.
To find these little creatures, one must look at the underside of leaf but as stated before, they are very difficult to see with the naked eye. To help identify the pest, one must place a sheet of white paper underneath a branch or leaf and gently shake. Once that is done, pull out the magnifying glass and study the paper. Spider mites will show up as little dots with eight legs. These dots can be green, brown or red in color. If you happen to see some dots with two spots then you have the very aggressive twospotted spider mite, which is a very big problem.
Treatment
Once you have identified the pest you can begin with the treatment process. The first line of defense is to protect your plants. Spider mites hit plants that have been weakened through dehydration and/or nutrient deficiency. To prevent this, make sure that your plants are watered properly and fed as needed.
Environmental factors such as dry, dusty areas are favorite places for spider mites to hide and if plants are in these locations, they will quickly be fed upon.
Once you have spider mites, the treatment can occur in four ways. In some situations all three ways will need to be used to get the situation under control.
Removing the Plant and/or Branches
If possible remove any damaged plant material and place in a plastic bag. Tie off the bag and dispose of it in the trash. This will prevent the spider mites on these plants and/or branches from spreading throughout the garden.
If this is not possible, there are two other techniques that can be used on larger or more valuable plants.
Spraying with Rosemary Oil
Rosemary is poisonous to harmful spider mite. To use this technique, spray rosemary oil or a pesticide with a rosemary base on the plant material. Prior to spraying the entire plant, test on a small area.
Spraying with Dish Soap
A spray solution of 3 tablespoons of dish soap to 1 gallon of water can be mixed up and applied to the plant. Repeat 6 days later. This process works by suffocating the spider mite.
Beneficial Insects
There are several beneficial insects that love to feed on spider mites. This includes lady beetles, predator mites, and sixspotted thrives.
Source: Weekend Gardener
Tobacco mosaic virus |
|
Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is a positive-sense single stranded RNA virus that infects plants, especially tobacco and other members of the family Solanaceae. The infection causes characteristic patterns, such as “mosaic”-like mottling and discoloration on the leaves (hence the name). TMV was the first virus to ever be discovered. Although it was known from the late 19th century that an infectious disease was damaging tobacco crops, it was not until 1930 that the infectious agent was determined to be a virus. |
Treatment |
|
One of the common control methods for TMV is sanitation, which includes removing infected plants, and washing hands in between each planting. Crop rotation should also be employed to avoid infected soil/seed beds for at least two years. As for any plant disease, looking for resistant strains against TMV may also be advised. Furthermore, the cross protection method can be administered, where the stronger strain of TMV infection is inhibited by infecting the host plant with mild strain of TMV, similar to the effect of a vaccine. |
| Click here for the original Source |
Source: Mike the Gardener
