‘Heads down’ for the Sphex wasp in your landscape. According to Biological Scientist, Lyle Buss, UF/IFAS Insect Identification laboratory at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL, he identified them as a type of sphecid… Read More
Recent damage due to Metsulfuron-Methyl containing herbicides has shown up in Volusia County on our stately oaks. This time, a mature, well-loved Laurel Oak. The damage occurs when the herbicide is applied to St. Augustine… Read More
Agave Ringspot Virus I seldom miss an opportunity to marvel at a ‘picturesque disease’ on plants. As a classic plant pathologist, I occasionally see plant virus symptoms as a form of artwork. This week across… Read More
Are you frustrated that with all the energy and money devoted to your yard, you still have patchy turfgrass or weed spots? Or you are spending too much money to keep your grass green? Did you… Read More
During the pandemic, 4-H youth development professionals have had to think out-of-the-box to present educational programs to the youth of Florida. Hence, Florida 4-H Adventures (http://florida4h.org/programsandevents_/4-h-adventures/) – an amazing offering of virtual day camps through… Read More
It seems like simpler times when I was hosting Gardeners Hotline television show (WDSC–PBS) featuring the citrus grower, Bruce Crump (past owner of Vo-LaSalle Farms) on growing citrus in Volusia County. Citrus greening was beginning… Read More
People, news media outlets, and social media are buzzing about the “murder hornet”. These stinging insects have not been found in Florida. The detection of this new insect is unnerving to both beekeepers and Floridians…. Read More
Lady Palms (Rhapis excelsa) are a small to medium size, clump-forming fan palm. It has slender, cane-like trunks underground rhizomes and are covered with matted brown fibers. In part shade to shade the fronds are… Read More
Bulimulus sporadicus (d’Orbigny, 1835) It wasn’t long ago when riding the rails was a glamorous form of transportation. In the recent outbreak of COVID-19, many of us ponder the opportunity to hop on a train… Read More
Strolling through my spring garden, enjoying the beautiful azaleas and Virginia spider wort. I panicked a bit when I realized covering my pink pineapple Bromeliads (Ananas comosus) were hundreds of eastern lubber grasshopper nymphs (Romalea… Read More
