Watch for hitchhikers when bringing plants indoors!

I received a question on my Facebook account from a gardener bringing in her Mandevilla vine for overwintering. Great idea, as these are expensive tropicals that can survive indoors during winter to rebloom next summer, though they get a later start than the ones off the truck from Florida...

About those hitchhikers - the question was, "What are these tiny green creatures climbing up my plant in large numbers?"

Without a photo I had to guess at either the green stink bug or aphids. She believes it is aphids. Here is what I recommended:

To be sure, identify if they have the 'exhaust pipes' on their back end. Also, they will secrete a sticky substance you would feel on the leaves.  I would take it outside and shake/wash off as many as possible first. Then Spray with an insecticidal soap (many on the market with low or no pesticide content). Be sure to get UNDER the leaves as well.  Ants generally follow aphids (for the sticky stuff), so be sure there are none in the area where you move it to. A respraying may be necessary a few days later if you are still seeing them.

In the sunshine today,
Lyn

Add a little native color to your garden – for free!

The Environmental Resources Network and Georgia Wildlife Resources Division have teamed up to help you spruce up your backyard. They are offering free packets of native wildflower seeds that grow plants designed to attract hummingbirds, butterflies and other nectar-loving feeders.

The seed packets grow native plants with drought-tolerant characteristics and provide a reliable food source, including 12 herb and grass species of Georgia. The matured plants will offer a meadow effect, diverse in color, texture and height.

Get your packet by sending a self-addressed lettersize (No. 10) envelope with a first class stamp of postage to: Nectar-feeder Native Wildflower Seed Packet, DNR/WRD Nongame Conservation Section, 116 Rum Creek Dr., Forsyth, GA 31029. One packet per household, please. For more information, visit www.georgiawildlife.com

Go wild with a little bit of your garden,
Lyn

Keeping our streams and rivers clean, one pound of trash at a time

The Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeepers celebrated their 15th anniversary this past Sunday at the Chattahoochee Nature Center’s new Exhibition hall. Do you know the UCR brought in over 80 TONS of trash from shorelines and floating debris in rivers, lakes and streams around the metro Atlanta area this year? Doesn’t it seem incredible that there could be that much trash around our treasured waterways? This is a great organization to be a part of, especially if you like to spend time on the water. To join in, click here:
http://www.ucriverkeeper.org/our-river.php

Thanksgiving/Christmas Cactus

A little early, but in its first year of blooming, my 'Christmas' cactus is about to bloom....just in time for Thanksgiving!

These plants are actually epiphytes, also known as 'air plants'. It grows upon itself. Mine came from a clearance sale at Home Depot, all of $1, in a 4" pot.

I believe the timing of blooms has more to do with the change of conditions that my cactus was exposed to, than the timing of the holidays. My cactus spent the summer on my southeast facing porch. Very little direct light (from the east side). When the nights started regularly dipping into the upper 40's, I brought it inside to a window with the same exposure. For more information, check out this website (from an expert, as I am just an amateur in this area):

http://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/giftflowers/flowersandoccassions/christmas-cactus

As you can see, it is quite happy. After it finishes its bloom season, I will begin propogating for new pots and gifts to friends for next holiday season.

Yes, holidays are just around the corner and plants make great, personal gifts. In fact, I am thinking of the person I with when I bought this plant.

Happy Pre-Holidays,
Lyn