NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota
State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
November 12, 1998
Hortiscope
Ron Smith, Extension Horticulturist
North Dakota State University
Q: I mulch my whole yard, and it is infected with mice. My yard is quite large, so I cannot remove it all in the spring. Any suggestions for control of the rodents? (e-mail)
A: Unfortunately, that is one of the problems with mulch—it attracts rodents. You have to accept the fact that rodent control will be an ongoing maintenance chore. If you take a "vacation," the population will rebuild.
Two approaches that worked when I was living in the Middle East were the standard snap trap and the glue trap. I definitely preferred the latter as it was less messy to clean up. The rodent simply crawled onto the board or cardboard after the food placed in the middle and became stuck. You "harvested" the rodents each morning. If no catch was made at that location, move the trap to another one. That did a good job for us. Give it a try!
Q: Can you tell me what kind of flower I have enclosed? I think it might be an Alstroemeria, but I read that they are supposed to grow in mild climates, not North Dakota. (Cando, N.D.)
A: Well, miracles do happen! Alstroemeria are tuber-forming perennials in mild climates that have the ability to survive in such harsh places as North Dakota if given all the right conditions: well-drained soil, full sun and tuber protection with litter cover during the winter.
Even though the flowers you sent were nearly crushed beyond recognition, they still had the beautiful colors characteristic of the species.
Q: This fall before we took the watermelon off the vine, we found big holes in them with slugs inside. They were also on the tomatoes. Can you tell us how to get rid of them so we don't have them next year? (Napoleon, N.D.)
A: There are many variations of slugs and a number of ways to control them: lime, salt, removal of mulch, adding frogs, crushed egg shells, etc.
Q: Can you please tell me what kind of plant this is? I received the seed from South Carolina. It grows up a trellis and has beautiful flowers that look like morning glories. It also has very large leaves. Can you tell me also where I can buy more seed? (Jamestown, N.D.)
A: The only plant I know of that could fit your description is the Carolina Jasmine—Gelsemium sempervireus. This would be a tender annual in our part of the country and a perennial in the Carolinas.
I suggest getting a couple of nursery catalogs from the Carolinas sent your way. That way you can pick out the very plant you want.
Q: Can you tell me why my spruce trees are losing their needles? They seem to be turning brown and falling off from the inside out. (Mitchell, S.D., e-mail)
A: Since your comment centered around spruce and not pines, I assume that was the species you are concerned about. Making an accurate diagnosis through the mail is difficult, if not impossible. It could be needle cast fungi (a pathogen of spruce and pines) or some other pathogen that is getting started in your planting. It could be any number of insect problems, an environmental (pollution) problem, or a mechanical one. Unfortunately, the outward symptoms often closely resemble each other.
I would encourage you to send a sample to our plant diagnosis lab, where our plant pest diagnostician, Cheryl Ruby, can look it over. The address is: Plant Diagnosis Lab, NDSU Waldron Hall #206, Fargo, ND 58105-5012. There is a $20 charge for this. Her e-mail address is ruby@plains.nodak.edu.
For future reference, consult "Disease Management Recommendations for Trees and Shrubs" (PP-1100) and "Diseases of Trees and Shrubs Color Diagnostic Guide" (PP-1082). These NDSU Extension Service publications are available through the NDSU Distribution Center by calling (701) 231-7882. Cost for the first publication is $1 plus postage, and for the second $3 plus postage.
Q: I have lost a substantial number of elm trees from my property due to disease. I like the elm because it grows fairly fast, doesn't rot and rarely falls in storms. I have heard of a disease resistant hybrid that grows fast but will not be affected by Dutch elm disease. Is there such a tree, and where can I find it? What other trees would you suggest that are fast shade and look nice? (Fergus Falls, Minn.)
A: You are correct in describing all the characteristics of the American elm. Look for three cultivars that appear infrequently on the market: Sapporo Autumn Gold, Regal, and Pioneer.
All three have Dutch elm disease resistance. If you should come across Accolade or Jacan, these two are also Dutch elm disease resistant and have beautiful form. If you love the American elm, it is a lot like falling in love with a redhead—others are nice, but only one will do!
Q: Can you tell me how to get rid of a wild flower known as "butter and eggs"? It is a member of the snapdragon family and has invaded most of my lawn. (Medina, N.D.)
A: Since this is an annual, there are a couple of approaches you can take: one, increase the fertility and watering regime of your lawn. It thrives in dry, poorly nourished sites.
And two, apply a pre-emergence like Pendimethalin next spring when growth is just beginning. There is nothing officially labeled for this plant, but I'm willing to bet there are other weeds present, like crabgrass, that can be controlled. If this fails, then any post-emergent broadleaved herbicide applied in mid-May should do it.
Q: Can you tell me what I am doing wrong with my plant? A new shoot comes up and one or maybe two start curling up and die. I have enclosed a sample for you to look at. (Jamestown, N.D.)
A: I cannot tell what is causing your plant (Maranta spp) to die from the sample you sent. Refer to "Interior Plantscaping with Large Houseplants" (H-1123), an NDSU Extension Service publication. The last page of this lists the top 10 most common diagnostic problems with interior plants.
Q: Can you tell me what the enclosed plant is? It is growing in my garden. (Burlington, N.D.)
A: It is deadly nightshade. Need I say more? Thanks for the good sample.
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Do you have a gardening or houseplant question? Write to Hortiscope, Box 5051, NDSU Extension Service, Fargo, ND 58105 or e-mail to Ron Smith at ronsmith@ndsuext.nodak.edu.
Source: Ron Smith (701) 231-8161 ronsmith@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Dean Hulse (701) 231-6136