Pricey Grasp Gardener: I’m nonetheless discovering these ugly stink bugs in my dwelling within the Twin Cities space. Do they keep in Minnesota for the winter? Do they injury crops?
Reply: The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is a newer pest to Minnesota that invades our houses within the winter, together with Asian girl beetles and field elder bugs. Sure, in keeping with the DNR, brown marmorated stink bugs overwinter in Minnesota as adults in a hibernation-like state in woodlots, homes, sheds and garages. Adults could emerge as early as March and April and produce offspring in June. They feed till September and October, when populations often peak, after which search overwintering websites. There are native stink bugs and different species that are typically confused for the BMSB. A few of these look-alikes are predators that assist us handle pests, however sadly the BMSB is an issue for all kinds of vegatables and fruits.
Pricey Grasp Gardener: I do know I ought to prune my apple timber quickly, however the snow is so deep I don’t know if I can get to them. When and the way ought to my apple timber be pruned?
Reply: The perfect time to prune fruit timber is late winter or early spring when it is going to least have an effect on your tree’s well being. Prune apple timber when the coldest climate is previous as a result of if extraordinarily chilly temperatures happen after pruning it will probably result in a slight, short-term discount in winter hardiness and winter harm. It’s preferable to prune earlier than new development has begun. Preserve pruning to a minimal, particularly with younger timber as a result of extreme pruning will delay or cut back fruiting and create an excessive amount of leafy development. The College of Minnesota recommends eradicating any diseased, damaged, lifeless or downward-growing branches. If two limbs are crossed, entangled, or in any other case competing, take away one in all them utterly at its base. Take away any limbs alongside the trunk which might be larger in diameter than the trunk. As well as, take away suckers and water sprouts that develop straight up. Make pruning cuts near the department collar on the base of the limb.
Pricey Grasp Gardener: I’ve a blue Echeveria and a number of the backside leaves have turned brown and crispy however the remainder of the plant is gorgeous and wholesome. Am I doing one thing incorrect? Additionally, I’ve two stems which have shot up from the middle rosette and are going to bloom however they’re bending over. Is that ordinary or a watering problem?
Reply: In case your Echeveria is wholesome and rising properly, there is no such thing as a want to fret about a number of dried-up backside leaves. It’s regular for the decrease leaves on many succulents, particularly the rosette kind, to sometimes flip brown and crispy and fall off. You too can take away them to wash up the plant. My blue-colored Echeveria bloomed within the fall and is about to bloom once more. The flower stalks do curve and the bloom dangles. When it blooms it’s a very fairly pink with an orange inside. With its blue leaves and dainty, dangling flowers, it’s a really stunning plant!
Pricey Grasp Gardener: I purchased a Venus flytrap however I’m undecided there will probably be sufficient bugs in my home within the winter to feed it. Have they got to have bugs to outlive?
Reply: The Venus flytrap is a novelty houseplant that’s native to the Carolinas. The vitamins they achieve from catching and digesting bugs will complement their weight-reduction plan and profit the plant’s improvement, however will not be vital for its survival. Like all different crops, the Venus flytrap makes its personal meals via photosynthesis. Of their native atmosphere they develop within the solar, which brings out the pink coloring inside their leaf traps. If grown with out daylight, the plant will most likely be inexperienced solely. By no means let this plant lack moisture. That is one plant that doesn’t want drainage! By no means fertilize your Venus flytrap.
Pricey Grasp Gardener: My spider plant has at the least 15 infants. For the well being of the plant ought to I take away any? How ought to I propagate the infants?
Reply: The spider plant is a well-liked houseplant as a result of it’s simple to develop and nearly all the time produces new crops. You may both go away the plantlets on to create a really full look or detach them to supply new crops. Leaving them on doesn’t have an effect on the well being of the plant. Spider crops are simple to propagate. On the finish of lengthy stems, referred to as runners, miniature crops, referred to as plantlets, will develop following flowering. Plantlets typically kind quick, white aerial roots whereas nonetheless connected to the mum or dad plant. Don’t take away a plantlet from the mum or dad plant till it has roots. After roots have developed, lower and take away the plantlet from the mum or dad plant and place it in a pot. If you wish to pace up root improvement, you may pin the plantlet down in one other pot with soil and look ahead to the roots to kind (this may increasingly take two to 3 weeks). Knowledgeable potting soil containing sphagnum peat moss with little to no perlite is greatest.
Pricey Grasp Gardener: I used to be at a pal’s home final summer season and he had lights shining up in some timber and it was a gorgeous impact. Is there a solution to do it and does it have an effect on the tree?
Reply: You may illuminate stunning areas of the yard by putting a fixture on the base of a tree’s trunk and shining it up in the direction of the tree. By doing this, you’ll be able to seize the gorgeous branches and leaves above. Uplighting will be fairly gorgeous when you have a tree with uncommon branching or pretty bark. When putting the lighting fixture attempt to make it as unobtrusive as attainable. The purpose is to have a comfortable, delicate glow that’s pure and supplies ambiance. By putting lights in the best place and directing the glow in the direction of the tree’s branches, you may create a dramatic impact to each your yard and tree. No, it doesn’t negatively influence the tree.
You might get your backyard questions answered by calling the brand new Grasp Gardener Assist Line at 218-824-1068 and leaving a message. A Grasp Gardener will return your name. Or, emailing me at umnmastergardener@gmail.com and I’ll reply you within the column if house permits.
College of Minnesota Extension Grasp Gardeners are skilled and licensed volunteers for the College of Minnesota Extension. Info given on this column relies on college analysis.
