December Questions
Q. I have a weed in my lawn each Spring that is very low to the ground, deep green with finely divided leaves that resemble parsley. If you step on this weed bare-footed it has little prickles that will hurt your feet when it is stepped on. What is it and how do I control it ?
A. The weed that you have described is known as Spurweed. The best way to control it is to spray Hi-Yield Atrazine on the lawn in late December or early January. One pint of Atrazine will cover 10,900 square feet of lawn.
Q. I have a book that lists Poinsettias as a poisonous plant, but a recent magazine article states that they are not poisonous. Who is right?
A.
The following information is from The Poinsettia Manual,
3rd Edition, by Paul Ecke, Jr et al., published by Paul Ecke Poinsettia,
Encinitas, CA: Unfortunately, since around 1919, an old wives' tale has
circulated concerning the alleged poisonous nature of poinsettias. Even
though there was never any medical documentation or scientific evidence
to back up this poison myth, it has scared people into thinking that
parts of the poinsettia plant, if ingested by humans or pets, could be
lethal. Extensive research conducted at the Ohio State University,
however, has found that laboratory rats, when given unusually high does
of various parts of the poinsettia, show no mortality, no symptoms of
toxicity, and no changes in dietary intake or general behavioral
patterns. This research has effectively disproved the myth that the
poinsettia is harmful to human and animal health if parts of the plant
are ingested. In fact, the POISINDEX R Information Service, the
information resource used by the majority of poison control centers
around the country, states that a 50 pound child would have to ingest
1-1/4 pounds of poinsettia bracts (500-600 brackets) to surpass
experimental doses. And, at those levels there was no toxicity.
Furthermore, according to the American Medical Association, no deaths or
serious injuries have been attributed to poinsettia ingestion.
Q. Can I plant my Norfolk
Island Pine in the yard to use as a living Christmas tree?
A.
Unfortunately Norfolk Island Pines are tender to cold and will
eventually freeze here during a normal winter. Bring your tree in when
freezing weather is forecast- they can be grown outside in protected
areas in central Florida and throughout the southern part of our state.
In our area Leyland Cypress, Deodar Cedar, Red Cedar, and various
upright Junipers would make good outdoor living Christmas trees.
Q. What can I do to help protect tender plants from the cold ?
A. Water them well before the freeze. Small plants can be covered with Frost Cloth or Pinestraw when freezing temperatures are forecast, larger shrubs and small trees can be covered-try to avoid letting plastic touch leaves to avoid cold injury- Frost Cloth or plastic on a frame works well. Ideally covers should reach to the ground to help hold in heat from the ground. Placing tender plants where they will be shielded from wind or benefit from heat escaping from a building can also help. Anti-transpirants, such as Wilt-Pruf can help prevent
dessication from the cold. Use of Christmas mini lights or 100 watt light bulbs can give off protecting heat- be careful to use outdoor rated plugs. We do not recommend home owners using irrigation and icing techniques used by commercial growers because fresh ice must continue to be formed until the temperature rises back up to 32,and the risk of ice breaking limbs and leaves.
Q. Where can I go to see older examples of the Camellias that you offer?
A.
Alfred B. Maclay State Gardens 3540 Thomasville Road Phone:
850-487-4556 has a mgnificient collection.
Dorothy B. Oven Park and Meeting House 3205 Thomasville Road
Phone: (850) 891-3915 has an incredible older Camellia collection too.