Think Summer 4

4 comments

1. George Smith

   May 16, 2013 at 6:13 pm

   Calling all Japanese beetles! BTW, do you have cicadas?

    
2. Frank

   May 16, 2013 at 9:36 pm

   I have not seen any shells on trees nor heard any cicadas here, but I suspect it has to do with “pest control.” We did have them on the farm, which is a mere 40 miles north.

    

   I do remember the last great birth of the cicadas.  We were driving Second Son home to Wilmington from Baltimore via US 1 following his kidney surgery and the woods were alive.

    

   In other news, roses are a lot easier to care for than most rose fanciers are willing to let on–they don’t want the secret to get out–and roses can do quite nicely in pots.

    

   As for Japanese beetles, if I see them, it’s off to Taylor’s hardware store. Black spot and Japanese beetles get no mercy from me.

    

   My mother had roses on the farm (I’m convinced that two the plants down by the old corn shed were actual American beauties, which no longer exist, having been cross-bred out of existence–they were strikingly beautiful and sweet).

    

   I’ve had roses every place I’ve lived where I could have them–had 21 plants at the house in Wilmington, and how have four pots on the deck. Expect more self-indulgent photos as the season progresses.

    

   It’s my blog. I shall indulge myself as I wish.

    
3. George Smith

   May 17, 2013 at 1:54 pm

   Aphids are the big menace to roses here in the city of roses. The local garden shops sell lady bugs in pint boxes. They do a really decent job.

    
4. Frank

   May 17, 2013 at 2:21 pm

   I got aphids pretty regularly in Wilmington.  I did not routinely spray for insects, but I would spray when I got aphids or Japanese beetles, usually no more than once a year.  Black spot is my primary foe.

    

   The condo’s “landscapers” spray regularly and I suspect that that includes spraying for bugs, as well as weeds.