COLD DARK ROOM

[CarolM]

• Yes, thats the problem we have here too. I have some large Lord Baltimore Hibiscus that produce dinner plate size blooms, BUT are being devoured by some miniscule bugs/worms. Can’t spray with anything ‘cause Sully loves the blooms. A constant battle with bugs!
• Info on Lord Baltimore - https://wimastergardener.org/article/hibiscus-lord-baltimore/

My Hibiscus flower looks a little like that. Not the same leaves though. This is an old photo on my phone. Will take a photo of the tree when i get home. Ignore the table that was when i first found Rue. You can see the leaves in the little plate. I don't seem to get those soft new leaves anymore. They are harder now. Probably has to do with the drought and water having changed things.

 

[Toddrickfl1]

Does anybody know any tips on how to pliant clippings of Rose of Sharon hibiscus? Someone told me just take the clipping and plant it and keep it moist? I'm trying to grow some in Murphy's outdoor enclosure but the clippings I'm planting are just dying.

 

[CarolM]

My parents used to use regular old flour... i just looked up the “recipe” - it does say to NOT use self rising flour.
How to Use Flour to Keep Pests Off Plants
By: Tricia Craven Worley

You can use flour to stop grasshoppers and other chewing insects from eating your plants. Here’s how

• Place all-purpose flour in a garden duster or saltshaker.
• Jiggle the plants to get the insects moving, then dust the insects and the leaves of the plant with the flour.
• After two days, rinse the flour off of the plants using a fine spray from a hose to keep from harming plants.

The best time to dust the plants is in the morning while the plants are damp with dew. Do not use self-rising flour. The salts in this type of flour may damage your plants and they aren’t good for the soil.

That sounds quite interesting. And it should be tortoise safe right. Since we eat it, if a little bit falls onto the ground it probably wouldn't do any harm.

 

[Maro2Bear]

That sounds quite interesting. And it should be tortoise safe right. Since we eat it, if a little bit falls onto the ground it probably wouldn't do any harm.

Yes...all safe. You can also slightly spray the plants with a misting of water, then dust. It helps the flour stick to top and bottom of the leaves...

 

[CarolM]

Does anybody know any tips on how to pliant clippings of Rose of Sharon hibiscus? Someone told me just take the clipping and plant it and keep it moist? I'm trying to grow some in Murphy's outdoor enclosure but the clippings I'm planting are just dying.

I would take a few clippings and plant them in pots first and also try a few in water. If the ones in water sprout roots, then plant them in pots after you see the roots. Let them get established in a pot first and get strong and then put them in the enclosure.

 

[CarolM]

Yes...all safe. You can also slightly spray the plants with a misting of water, then dust. It helps the flour stick to top and bottom of the leaves...

I am definitely going to do that. Thank you for the help.

 

[JoesMum]

I can't see the worms, I can only see the damage that they are doing to my plants. And no, I don't spray or fertilize my garden at all because of Blue and Whitey who live in the front garden full time.

It very much delends on what they are. It is likely the caterpillars of a butterfly or moth doing the damage. You can try washing the plant down with soapy water... maybe washing up water given that you are short on stuff that comes out of the tap.

Some plant damaging bugs can be controlled with biological control (you buy and introduce a predator bug basically) Until you identify what is doing the damage, it is impossible to guess really though

 

[CarolM]

Does anybody know any tips on how to pliant clippings of Rose of Sharon hibiscus? Someone told me just take the clipping and plant it and keep it moist? I'm trying to grow some in Murphy's outdoor enclosure but the clippings I'm planting are just dying.

Have a look here. This is what I found on google:

https://www.wikihow.com/Propagate-Rose-of-Sharon-Cuttings

 

[CarolM]

It very much delends on what they are. It is likely the caterpillars of a butterfly or moth doing the damage. You can try washing the plant down with soapy water... maybe washing up water given that you are short on stuff that comes out of the tap.

Some plant damaging bugs can be controlled with biological control (you buy and introduce a predator bug basically) Until you identify what is doing the damage, it is impossible to guess really though

I will try the flour trick and then to be safe will wash the flour off with soapy water about two days later and see if that helps. Otherwise I am going to have to take a torch and go worm hunting during the night.

 

[Kristoff]

I wish I could be there with you ! Give me a kayak and I will accompany you for sure. Your trips always look so peaceful.

How are you, Bee? Working outside? How are your dinosaurs? [emoji173]️

 

[Bee62]

G’evening to half of the CDR..

How our Sully spends most of his time...just watching time go by. Watching the grass grow. Watching additional food stuffs being added to his area...grape leaves, rose of sharon, corn husks, grass clippings, banana leaves, squash blossoms, etc.

View attachment 244141

What do you think how tortoises get as old as they can ? They have all the time in the world to decide what to do: Staying in the cosy night box or going out ? That is a very difficult decision and it needs much time..... and hurry is not good for the health of a tortoise....
LOL !
I like slow tortoises. To be honest: Sometimes I am a little bit envious that I can`t be so slow like a tortoise.

 

[Bee62]

How are you, Bee? Working outside? How are your dinosaurs? [emoji173]️

Hi Lena. I am not as busy as I could be. I am still having problems with a huge wound caused of shingles on my leg that hurts a lot, but now I have found a really good ointment and the wound is slowly healing. My body is still fighting against shingles too but it seems to me that the homeopathic meds now are working.
That`s why I was reading but not posting. Sorry, but I hope it will be better soon and I will be better soon too.


Long nothing heard about Dan. How are you doing Dan ? @DE42

 

[Bee62]

How can I get rid of worms in my garden eating my plants that I am trying to grow?

EAT THE WORMS ! LOL !
Hi Carol. I have read that you are suffering pain and try to get rid of your pain killers ( and coffee ). Sorry to hear that. Let me hug you .
Maybe if it is any comfort for you I am off to coffee for a week too and I miss nothing. No one told me to avoid coffee, it was my own decision. Let me hug you once again for being without coffe my dear. We will overlive without coffee, believe me.

 

[JoesMum]

Oh well done Carol! Your influence continues. That’s Uruguay out of the way

 

[Bambam1989]

I saw a lovely elk strolling through my pasture this morning, of course I didn't have my phone with me to take a picture. He was so big, but I think he wasn't very old because his antlers weren't that big. I couldn't help but think how tasty he would be and how he would fill my freezer nicely- old habits I suppose.
Hubby is scheduled to work this weekend. He gets paid overtime which is nice but I would really prefer him to be home. He also got a call from a recruiter that is hiring for several different Power Plants. The recruiter is going to email him a list of locations and the job descriptions for each one . Hubby wants out of Washington, we will see if this is the opportunity he has been looking for.

 

[Momof4]

I saw a lovely elk strolling through my pasture this morning, of course I didn't have my phone with me to take a picture. He was so big, but I think he wasn't very old because his antlers weren't that big. I couldn't help but think how tasty he would be and how he would fill my freezer nicely- old habits I suppose.
Hubby is scheduled to work this weekend. He gets paid overtime which is nice but I would really prefer him to be home. He also got a call from a recruiter that is hiring for several different Power Plants. The recruiter is going to email him a list of locations and the job descriptions for each one . Hubby wants out of Washington, we will see if this is the opportunity he has been looking for.

Fingers crossed!!! Do you guys want something dryer? I lived in Washington for 6 yrs and it was just to rainy for us. We grew up in Ca so it was a big change.

 

[Momof4]

We are home now and we should reach about 108 today! It’s been a long since we’ve seen triple digits!

 

[Maro2Bear]

Just a quick follow-up from Wednesday’s kayak outing on the Anacostia River, just outside of DC. We did paddle in and around the Kenilworth Water Gardens and Marsh area. Whats nice is thst the gardens are viewable by kayak and by park trails and footpaths and bridges. One of our paddlers takes some extra nice photos... here of a pink lotus

 

[JoesMum]

I saw a lovely elk strolling through my pasture this morning, of course I didn't have my phone with me to take a picture. He was so big, but I think he wasn't very old because his antlers weren't that big. I couldn't help but think how tasty he would be and how he would fill my freezer nicely- old habits I suppose.
Hubby is scheduled to work this weekend. He gets paid overtime which is nice but I would really prefer him to be home. He also got a call from a recruiter that is hiring for several different Power Plants. The recruiter is going to email him a list of locations and the job descriptions for each one . Hubby wants out of Washington, we will see if this is the opportunity he has been looking for.

That is so cool - the elk that is!

Hooe hubby is successful

 

[JoesMum]

Good evening all. It has been so hot today. The thermometer in my car has been reading 35/36C!!!! (95-97F) which is unheard of for us.

Yesterday while we were at the tennis, the neighbouring town only 4 miles away had flash floods when a 30 minute storm overwhelmed the drains.

We currently have every window and door open and have extracted the fan from the roof to keep us cooler tonight