July News

Magnolia scale

Magnolia scale eggs hatch internally and the crawlers emerge from the mother insect. Crawler emergence occurs late summer into early fall. Insect life cycles are dictated by heat so emergence of crawlers will vary from year to year. On average crawler emergence occurs from late August through the end of September. This would also be the best time to treat with insecticides. The crawlers move around until they find a suitable feeding site, usually on branches, where they settle down and remain through the winter. The adult female dies after reproducing, but may remain attached to the stem for many weeks, making the population seem larger than it really is.

Damage
Scale insects have sucking mouth parts and feed on sap from the tree. They can remove large quantities of sap and can stress the host tree. Trees can usually tolerate small populations of scale. The extensive feeding by a larger population will stress the trees and often leads to yellowing of leaves and twig dieback. Over time, an untreated population of magnolia scale may lead to decline of the tree.

Excess sap is excreted by the insects as honeydew. Honeydew is sticky and will coat plant parts and often drip onto surfaces under the tree. A black fungus called sooty mold will grow on the honeydew, but does little actual damage to the plant. The sticky honeydew and black sooty mold are often noticed before the insects are seen. The honeydew may also draw other insects like ants and wasps to the tree.

Hosts
Magnolia scale will attack magnolia trees and tulip tree. Star magnolia, saucer magnolia and many magnolia hybrids are most commonly and severely affected.

Safari 20SG Systemic Insecticide with Dinotefuran

Safari 20SG Systemic Insecticide with Dinotefuran is a super-systemic insecticide with quick uptake and knockdown, and controls a broad spectrum of ferocious and invasive pests, including Q- and B-biotype whitefly, hemlock woolly adelgid, emerald ash borer, mealybug, leafminer, fungus gnat, black vine weevil, glassy-winged sharpshooter, armored and soft scale and lacebugs. These are some of the most costly pests that affect high value greenhouse and nursery crops such as poinsettia and hibiscus, as well as trees, shrubs and herbaceous ornamentals in the lawn and landscape market.

Cleary 3336 DG Lite Granular Fungicide

Cleary 3336 DG Lite Granular Fungicide is a systemic fungicide products for the prevention and control of turf diseases and the diseases of annual and perennial flowers, bedding plants, foliage plants, ground covers, plus deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs.

Solu-Cal Peak Iron 4-0-6

Solu-Cal Peak Iron provides iron, magnesium, nitrogen, and potassium to plant for an immediate reaction. Impregnated with PHCA technology, the micro and macro-nutrients are immediately available for plant uptake.

Features & Benefits

• No Surge Growth while providing Dark Green Color.
• Contains Ammonium Sulfate + Sulfate of Potash
• 12% Calcium, 5% Iron, 5% Magnesium
• Safe to use anytime of year

DO ONE THING!

Have you noticed a lot more fighting and dividing happening on people's social media pages the last few weeks? I've seen friends, neighbors and families debating each other and becoming divided about politics, COVID-19 and racial issues. 

 We need real conversations where we can talk, listen and explore the depths of the issues and the experiences that drive each person's perspective and narrative.

Instead of meaningful dialogue, people are responding back and forth with negative comments. They are angry and looking for someone to engage and unleash their anger on. 

Too many are talking, instead of listening. Too many are looking for a fight instead of finding ways to unite. Too many are contributing to the noise pollution instead of being part of the solution. 

St. Anthony of Padua said, "Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak. We are full of words but empty of actions."

The truth is, no one ever changed the world by arguing on social media. We need less words and more action! 

I realize that you may not know where to start. When you dive into the issues, they are very complex and there is a lot to do. With all the layers to the predicament we are facing today it can feel overwhelming. It can make you feel powerless, so you don't do anything. 

But we can all do something and if we all do one thing to contribute to the solution, we can accomplish a lot. 

So, here's the deal. Find your "one thing" that you can do to contribute to the solution. 

I don't know what your one thing should be. But I do know it feels a lot better to act and see change, than argue about it online.

Imagine if millions of people picked one thing to make a difference. 

Imagine everyone being part of the solution.  

This is how we will change the world for better!

-Jon