NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State
University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
March 5, 1998
Ron Smith, Extension Horticulturist
North Dakota State University
Q. What kind of chemical could I use in planting sweet corn for weed control whether or not it is a pre-emergence or post-emergence.. What kind of chemical could I use for purslane control in my sweet corn? (Wahpeton, N.D.)
A. Treflan is the most common weed control (pre-emergence) for most vegetables (tomatoes, beans, peppers, mustard, carrots, cabbage, etc.), but not for corn. Prowl can be used on sweet corn for controlling many weeds like foxtails, crabgrass, barnyardgrass, purslane, spurge and kochia.
The active ingredient in Prowl is pendimethalin, also commonly found in turfgrass weed control products.
Thanks for writing.
Q. My daughter-in-law has two red rhubarb plants that come up in the spring and leaf out and the next thing you see them dying and drying up. She said she did not get weed spray on them. (Jamestown, N.D.)
A. This sounds like it could be verticillium wilt, which is a very persistent soil fungus that can exist for many years in the soil as a saprophyte (a noninfectious form) before it finds an appropriate host to parasitize, such as the rhubarb.
Unfortunately, there is nothing to control it, except to get rid of the plants.
Q. I have a cyclamen plant about a year old. It blossomed beautifully when I got it. Now I wonder if it needs transplanting or fertilizer. The center leaves are bright green, but the outside ones get droopy so I cut them off. The center is full of stems that look like maybe they will be the blossom. They don't show much signs of life. I water them often with snow water. Then they seem to pick up for a while.
What kind of care do they need? I hope you can help me. Thank you very much. (Dickey, N. D.)
A. The plant is attempting to "tell" you that it needs a rest period. Back off on the watering, keeping the soil media barely moist. Pull off the dead leaves and flowers. Allow it to stay dry from May until July, then begin watering again. A repotting in mid-August with a compost-rich medium will help. Fertilize every two weeks with Schultz's Houseplant Fertilizer or something similar during active growth.
This is a challenging plant for anyone to grow, so don't become discouraged!
Thanks for writing.
Q. I really enjoy your column on problems with plants, etc.
I wonder if you can help me. I have some apple trees and the last couple years my apples have had dry brown spots all the way through them and I would like to know what to do about them. They are not caused by apple maggots.
I have heard a couple of other people mention this problem, but we don't know what to do about it. Is there a spray or some other way to cure this?
I will be waiting for your answer. Thank you. (Doran, Minn.)
A. If you tell me the spots are not caused by the apple maggot, then I don't know what to tell you. My suggestion is to take some of the affected apples in to your local county extension office when the problem resurfaces this year.
Thank you for the kind words about the column.
Q. I really look forward to reading your column. Last year I had lots of dahlias, both the large cactus-flowered ones and the smaller patio, or border dahlias in my garden. I had problems with the buds not opening, especially in the smaller ones. Could you please tell me what the problem is and what I can do about it, as I really love dahlias in the flower garden. Friends have quit growing them because of this problem. Thank you. (Vergas, Minn.)
A. Your problem sounds like it could be thrips, which one I am not sure. There are as many different types of thrips as there are types of Smiths.
Here are my suggestions for controlling them: (1) If you have stored tubers, dust them in floured sulfur before planting out. (2) Plant dahlias in new location. (3) As flower buds begin developing, spray with Orthene, a contact/systemic insecticide. (4) Never plant dahlias where glads were previously grown.
Thanks for writing and the kind compliment about the column.
Q. I'm enclosing a few pieces of my Christmas (Easter, Thanksgiving) cactus. It has been sick since bringing it inside last fall. There are two plants in the same pot. One is less affected then the other. I just trimmed it severely and sprayed it with bug spray. (Lisbon, N.D.)
A. There was no evidence of insect activity on the plant samples you sent. I would suggest staying away from that practice for now.
What the Christmas cactus needs at this time of year is an occasional misting with distilled water.
The plant samples are showing salt burn or poor drainage. If it is the latter, repot; if it isn't, then back off on fertilization and use distilled water.
Thanks for writing.
Q. My daughter and some friends each bought a Bonsai oriental plant. It is like a little tree. Out of five, four have webs and are brittle and dry looking. I believe they are gone, but what can they do or use to see if they can bring them back to life. Thank you much. (Aberdeen, S.D.)
A. It sounds like spider mite infestation. If you don't have softened water, wash the foliage in a cool shower. If the water is softened, then use bottled water to mist the foliage two to three times a day until the mites are brought under control.
Keep the noninfested plant mite free with regular mistings two to three times per week.
Thanks for writing.
Q. I would like a price per pound of garlic heads for my own use, and also where they were grown or from where. Need to hear from you soon. I called your office and all that I got was a recording. This is why I am writing for information. (Jud, N.D.)
A. I am sorry, but we do not carry that kind of information. I suggest contacting T.J. Enterprises in Buffalo, S.D., Phone (605) 375-3504. It is my understanding that these people are current with herbal crop needs and prices.
###
Source: Ron Smith (701) 231-8161
Editor: Barry Brissman (701) 231-7866