Nlnovember16

OUTSTANDING FIELD WORK

Pg. 5

for discerning weeders

Find out what’s going on pg. 2 What’s new on the Native Plant Trail pg. 4 Use in season Florida avocados pg. 13

The Foundation for the Gator Nation.....

An equal opportunity institution.

November, 2016

MONTHLY ROUND-UP

Front cover: Bee on goldenrod. Photo courtesy of P. Garrett

The calendar says Fall but the weather hasn’t really felt like it.

Most of us could also use a bit of rain as well.

Don’t forget--we’ve lost one of our Native Plant Trail pioneers to the paying work force. If you have some extra time, consider volunteering to help B. Bayer. He’s up there every Tuesday from 8am to 12 noon. No prior experience is necessary--on the job training is provided at no extra charge.

Don’t forget to log your hours in the VMS system!

There’s a landscape work day scheduled for the 8th of this month. There is a lot of work to do cleaning up the beds as well as the start of our pollinator garden. The more folks show up the faster everything gets done.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

We’re also going to be assisting with school gardens. This is such an exciting opportunity. We have at least one person signed up for each school as an advisor. Won’t you consider offering your knowledge as well? The schools that could use a back-up are up in Crestview.

Events Calendar

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Gardening Chores

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Don’t forget the peanut butter drive is still going on until the 23rd. If you aren’t aware of this program, it happens every year.

Other counties participate as well. Whatever peanut butter is collected gets matched by the Peanut Growers’ Association. All the peanut butter is then distributed to local food banks and pantries in our county. You can drop off your peanut butter donation at the Annex or at the main Extension Office before November 23rd.

Wildlife Happenings

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On the Trail

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Outstanding

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Infographics

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Nursery Notes

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Even though the year is winding down, there is still plenty to do and lots of things to participate in.

Gardening Holidays

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Out and About

CORRECTION: Last month we reported on the Cuban Treefrog and the acceptable method for ‘disposing’ of said specimen. We stated it was lanacane when in fact it is actually lidocaine (benzocaine 20%.)

Caesalpinia pulcherrima. Photo courtesy of P. Garrett

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Ye Olde Farm

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Fire Risk

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News

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The Gall!

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Recipe Round-Up

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Last Word

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Daylight Savings time ends 2:00am November 6, 2016

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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November, 2016

For details on any of the upcoming events, go to www.ocmga.org/Calendar.html

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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November, 2016

GARDENING CHORES

compiled from UF/IFAS Gardening Calendar

Annuals: There’s still time to get color into the garden. Cool season plants like pansy, viola, and chrysanthemum will do well.

Taiwan cherry will produce pink buds in late winter so consider planting one now to add color to your landscape.

Perennials and Bulbs: Amaryllis, crinum, and daylily can be planted this month. Lycoris (spider lily) needs to be in partial shade.

Helpful Links

Gardening with Annuals in Florida Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide Vegetables/Herbs: Cilantro, dill, fennel, parsley, sage, and Herbs in the Florida Garden thyme prefer the cooler, dryer weather. You can still plant crops Bulbs for Florida of beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, kale, and lettuce.

Cold Protection of Ornamental Plants Scale Insects and Mealybugs on Ornamental Plants Other: Now that the temperatures are lower, use dormant oil Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Guide to Plant Selection and sprays to control scale on trees and shrubs.

Landscape Design Landscaping Backyards for Wildlife If a freeze is predicted, protect small citrus trees by watering well Camellias at a Glance at least a day before the freeze.

Questions? Not sure if you are dealing with a pest or something Plants need less irrigation in cooler weather. Water only if else? Contact our Master Gardener Help Desk for assistance needed. when necessary, 850-689-5850 (Crestview) or 850-651-7476 (Fort Walton Beach.)

WILDLIFE HAPPENINGS During November, be on the look out for:

compiled from wec.ufl.edu beware of idle speed zones -Look for migrating Hoary and Red bats

Birds: -Set up winter seed and suet feeders Other: -Cedar waxwings come south for the winter -Ornate chorus frogs begin calling -Look for downy, hairy, red-bellied, and redheaded woodpeckers -Spotted sea trout should enter tidal creeks around Thanksgiving on suet feeder -Bald eagles begin their nesting season -Sandhill cranes return in full force from their breeding grounds up north -Many yellow-rumped warblers and palm warblers will be in neighborhoods -Kinglets, phoebes, robins, and other northern songbirds have arrived for the winter Mammals: -Peak of deer rutting -Black bears are on the move -Manatees begin to move to warm waters at springs. Boaters

The Jokester Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

Zebra Wing photo courtesy of P. Garrett

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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November, 2016

ON THE TRAIL

by B. Bayer

Back in July I mentioned that the Risk Management from the County had deemed crossing the drainage swale at the end of the trail was a safety hazard. As a temporary measure, we roped-off the swale and installed a directional sign to guide the trail visitors on a safer route. These actions were found acceptable, with the understanding that a more permanent solution would be forthcoming. I am pleased to announce that on October 4th the re-routing of the trail was completed. The last 30 yards of the old trail was closed and 50 additional yards were added. When you now exit the trail you are almost at the end of the swale. On the abandoned section of the trail were two native azaleas that had been planted a few years ago. On Oct. 18th they were dug-up and relocated to their new home just off the trail at marker #22. The new site is a small clearing that receives some sunlight and should provide less competition from surrounding plants.

feet of hose line to them. Although some of the plants have suffered between each watering, happily none have died. The effort was worth the extra work and the number of plants available as well as sales has increased. There was one small setback in early October. On making my rounds of the Honor Nursery, I was pleased to see a number of plants missing from the table. This pleasure was short lived and turned to disappointment when I found the cashbox empty. Fortunately, this was just one such incident and there have been no repeat performances. I would like to think someone was so..so..pleased with their find, they just forgot to feed the kitty.

The Trail, Compost Area and the Honor Nursery would not be what they are today if it weren't for the assistance of my friend and colleague D. Stever. We have planned, prepared and executed all of the work together. It is with profound sadness that he is no longer available for the volunteer work and has chosen to return to the paying work force. I am proud to say I was his Master Gardener mentor and respect that he is planning for the future and has shared his thoughts and goals with me. Nobody can fully replace him but I appreciate that C. Strom and C. Reuter have stepped-up to assist with the workload in watering and soil testing.

The dry spell we have been experiencing has been a challenge for both the Honor Nursery and the plants surrounding the compost area. There is no irrigation available in either of these locations and it has become necessary to stretch almost 200

The Jokester Moonflower photo courtesy of P. Garrett She has seeds of this gorgeous plant if anyone is interested

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

If CON is the opposite of PRO is CONGRESS the opposite of PROGRESS!?

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November, 2016

OUTSTANDING IN HIS FIELD

by K. Harper

What’s in a name? In America, we are familiar with a human-shaped object that is usually stuffed with old clothes and placed in fields to keep birds away from crops. We call it a scarecrow, which is a very succinct and descriptive name. But Americans didn’t invent scarecrows and so the same concept is known by various other names elsewhere in the world. The UK alone has a rich variety of names for that farmers’ dummy and here are a few of them: in Berkshire he’s called “Hodmedod (which translates loosely to ‘hat with stick’)’; in Devon it’s a “Murmet”; in fields on the Isle of Wight you’ll find a “Gallybagger”; in Sussex a “Mawkin”; the Isle of Skye has “Tattie Bogles” and Wales has its “Bwbach” (vowels seem to be somewhat optional in the Welsh language.) Personally, I find any of those names to be a lot more interesting than the descriptive but dull ‘scarecrow.’ Elsewhere in the world, the Bengalis call their scarecrows ‘kaktadua.’ The Czechs have their ‘straska’ and Russians use a ‘pugalo.’

medieval Britain children were sent out into the fields to wave their arms, throw stones and smack wooden clappers to frighten birds away from crops. Then came the Black Plague which during the 14th century killed almost half of the people in Britain, including many children. Lacking the little human scarecrows, adults were pressed into service to guard crops. As fields grew larger, creative (and desperate) farmers began improvising by placing stuffed sacks of straw with gourd faces on poles. Sometimes an animal skull or rotting produce were hung on the poles. These early scarecrows were placed in fields in the spring and then were burned to celebrate the autumn harvest, thus returning nutrients to the soil and completing the planting and harvest cycle. In Germany, scarecrows were generally wooden and shaped to look like witches. These were believed to help bring about the arrival of spring. Here in the Colonies, German immigrants made human-looking scarecrows called “bootzamon,” later known as ‘bogeyman.’ The bootzamon was dressed in overalls, a long History of Scarecrows Some of the earliest known uses of sleeved shirt and a coat and he wore a large red handkerchief scarecrows occurred more than around his neck and a straw 3,000 years ago among ancient hat on his head. Sometimes Egyptians and Greeks. The the German farmers added a Egyptians were first, using not a second scarecrow called a scarecrow as such, but rather a bootzafrau (bogeywife.) She trap to protect their wheat fields was dressed in a long dress along the Nile River from flocks of or coat and a sunbonnet. quail. Farmers placed wooden Bootzamon, bootzafrau…I’ll frames in their fields and covered still take those cute UK them with nets. Then they would names any day. Native herd the quail into the nets which American tribes across North not only saved their crops but America often utilized adult provided additional food for the men to scare off the birds. farmers as well. Around 2,500 BC, Sometimes the entire family the Greeks carved wooden would move into huts in the scarecrows in the image of corn fields to protect their Priapus, a god of horticulture and crops during the growing the son of Aphrodite and season. In the Southwest, Dionysus. Priapus was also a god Zuni children had contests to of fertility and he was ugly enough to scare birds away, so see who could make the scariest and most unusual scarecrow. statues of him served multiple purposes. The Greeks painted Pilgrim families likewise took turns guarding their fields the statues purple and put a club in one hand to scare away the against birds and animals, but as settlers moved west, they birds and a sickle in the other to ensure a good harvest. The invented wooden and straw figures to do the job. Scarecrows Romans then adopted the Greek scarecrow for their use and were very popular during the Great Depression of the 1930s. when Roman armies marched through Europe they introduced However, the farming technology that developed after World Priapus scarecrows there. At about the same time as the War II led to the decline of scarecrow usage by farmers in the Greeks and Romans, Japanese farmers were making United States. scarecrows to protect their rice fields. These were known as ‘kakashi’ which were deities of knowledge and agriculture.

So, did scarecrows work? Well, not really. It turns out Kakashis were dressed in raincoats and straw hats and carried birds and other varmints are pretty savvy and capable of bows and arrows. From Kojiki, which is the oldest surviving figuring out that a stationary scarecrow that looks the same Japanese book (from 712 AD) we learn of “Kuebiko”, the god of day in and day out does not pose much of a threat. This has led agriculture, scholarship and wisdom. Kuebiko was unable to to speculation that scarecrows actually served other purposes walk and by standing around all day outdoors, he came to than simply scaring birds away. A scarecrow hung with arms know everything. I might also mention that Kuebiko stars as a outstretched on a wooden cross could echo the crucifixion of wise scarecrow in modern-day video games, such as “The Christ. To a farmer this might also have symbolized the annual Legend of Zelda.” So he does get around, in spite of being cycle of death and rebirth of his crops. And the scarecrow may immobile. The Japanese village of Nagoro has 35 inhabitants have served darker purposes such as functioning as a strong but more than 350 scarecrows so clearly scarecrows are quite “no trespassing” sign. Think of Vlad the Impaler, who was important to them. Norsemen used images of the god Odin known for impaling and displaying his vanquished enemies as who had a pair of ravens named Huginn and Muninn. The a warning to others who might be foolish enough to invade his ravens’ job was to fly all over the world and bring information domain. Scarecrows may also have symbolized a sacrifice in back to Odin. Presumably they also helped scare away other exchange for fertile fields. In more recent times, political ravens from Norse fields. Moving along to the Middle Ages, in satirists have featured various politicians posed as scarecrows An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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November, 2016

OUTSTANDING cont’d. in unflattering ways. With the election looming and passions running high on both sides, I will refrain from linking to any of those at this time. However, for a good read on some of the more nefarious interpretations of scarecrows, have a look at: http://occultview.com/2010/10/24/crows-and-scarecrowsoccult-meaning/. And then there is the British wheat farmer who, hoping to scare off pigeons that were ravaging his crops, built a scarecrow of Lady Gaga as she appeared during the 2010 Brit Awards. That may or may not be nefarious, depending on your viewpoint, but here it is and I call it pretty scary: http://tinyurl.com/yd27lhg On the other hand, during olden times scarecrows could be quite effective, especially if accompanied by gunfire. The 1881 Household Cyclopedia https://www.scribd.com/document/87606/HouseholdCyclopedia-of-1881 (type ‘scarecrows’ into the document search box) offers the following advice: “Machinery of various kinds, such as wind-mills in miniature, horse rattles, etc., to be put in motion by the wind, are often employed to frighten crows; but with all of these they soon become familiar, when they cease to be of any use whatever. The most effectual method of banishing them from a field, as far as experience goes, is to combine with one or other of the scarecrows in vogue the frequent use of the musket. Nothing strikes such terror into these sagacious animals as the sight of a fowling-piece and the explosion of gun powder, which they have known so often to be fatal to their race. Such is their dread of a fowling-piece, that if one is placed upon a dyke or other eminence, it will for a long time prevent them from alighting on the adjacent grounds.” So, you put your scarecrow out in the field and then lurked nearby with a loaded musket and those crops were guarded!

by K. Harper movies and songs. Who could forget the goofy scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz”? Numerous other authors, artists and musicians have also featured scarecrows in their work. A few examples: Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story "Feathertop" is about a scarecrow created and brought to life in 17th century Salem, Massachusetts by a witch in cahoots with the devil.

That story later became a 1908 play by Percy MacKaye called “The Scarecrow.” Early in their career, British band Pink Floyd recorded a song called "The Scarecrow." And you may recall a 1973 film starring Al Pacino and Gene Hackman titled “Scarecrow” as well as “The Scarecrow” who is an anti-Batman villain in DC Comics.

There are also numerous scarecrow festivals around the world.

Many take place throughout the UK and many others are held in Canada, the U.S. and the Philippines, among other locations. Here are a few taking place this year in the U.S.: http://folkheartpressblog.blogspot.com/2016/09/scarecrowfestivals-2016.html And finally, there is the very mysterious PumpkinRot who is a Bucks County, PA artist age 40-ish or so, whose entire life has revolved around scarecrows in one way or another.

PumpkinRot spends his time creating fascinating scarecrows from natural materials he collects and then places them in fields across Pennsylvania. Some of his work appeared in the 2014 horror movie, “Mr. Jones.”

PumpkinRot will communicate by email only and will not reveal his real name. He says he has been interested in scarecrows since he was a child in PA: “I remember being very curious about the farms and wondering what it might be like to live that different life,” he writes. “It seemed very isolated to me.

And we’d always see crude scarecrows in the fields…making that life seem more of a mystery to me.” PumpkinRot has a website and, although it is said he doesn’t sell his scarecrows, I noticed a link to the “Rot Shoppe” at his site, so you might be able to buy some weird thing from him anyway: http:// www.pumpkinrot.com/ (click on the image to enter the site.)

PumpkinRot also has a blog, should you wish to explore how the mind of someone whose existence centers on scarecrows seems to work: http://pumpkinrot.blogspot.com/ BOO!!

Scarecrows today.

Although they are still seen in Japanese rice fields and in some rural areas of Europe, Asia and the U.S. and certainly as decorative pieces everywhere, scarecrows have largely been replaced in the 21st century replaced by such high-tech devices as a digital devices with infrared sensors that emits ultrasonic waves to frighten off birds and critters. Another approach is automatic noise guns powered by propane gas. Those who spend time in the vicinity of the Eglin AFB runways are familiar with the ‘bird cannons’ going off from time to time to scare birds off the runway. I don’t really know how effective they are against birds but I can attest to the fact that they will scare the bejeepers out of a horse if you happen to be riding by one when it goes off… California farmers are using highly reflective aluminized PET (polyester) film ribbons tied to Do you have a scarecrow or some other varmint chaser? Send plants to create a shiny, bird-repelling surface. And those in your pictures! We’d love to post them next month! funny airdancer things? http://tinyurl.com/zdctjhf There is a winery in New York uses those to scare away birds. Yankee ingenuity.

Scarecrows in art, literature and pop culture.

Scarecrows are woven into the fabric of the world’s literature, An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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November, 2016

INFO GRAPHICS

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

by Staff

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November, 2016

NURSERY NOTES

by L. Vanderpool

Fall is upon us and things are slowing down in the nursery. We have been trying to control weeds in pots, fertilizing for the last time this year and generally cleaning up the nursery.

Preparations are being made to begin the new propagation season in February and March with seed planting being the first thing on the agenda. Soon after that will be the sticking of soft wood cuttings of firespike, butterfly bush and Tithonia diversifolia and transplanting swamp sunflower and some of the ajugas. Following cutting propagation comes dividing of the perennial peanuts and other self multiplying plants. If there is any particular plant that you would like us to propagate for you, please let us know and we will make every effort to get it for you.

The greenhouse is being prepared to act as a cool shelter for some more tender plants and heating may be added if necessary. We try to overwinter as many varieties of plants such as unusual types of coleus and some salvias as possible so they will be available for cuttings in the spring.

Shirley’s Garden is also getting a lot of attention now that the sand pile is gone.

Blue Porterweed Photo courtesy of M. Stewart

GARDENER HOLIDAYS Monthly Observances Banana Pudding Lovers Month Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month Manatee Awareness Month National Peanut Butter Lovers Month National Pomegranate Month Sweet Potato Awareness Month Weekly Observances National Fig Week 1-7 National Split Pea Soup Week 13-19 National Farm City Week 18-24

Happy Birthday to: P. Collins D. Edmiston H. Gifford M. Harrison J. Martin M. Noble L. Timothy S. Young

Daily Observances All Saints’ Day 1st Sandwich Day 3rd National Candy Day 4th National Pickle Day 14th National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day 15th Homemade Bread Day 17th National Apple Cider Day 18th Dr. Who Day 23rd Computer Security Day 30th

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

Panoquina ocola (Ocola skipper) photo courtesy of M. Stewart

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November, 2016

OUT AND ABOUT One of our intrepid Master Gardeners made a trip to Utah. This page clockwise: Arches National Park; Bryce Canyon National Park; Delicate Arch, Arches National Park. Photos courtesy of P. Garrett

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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November, 2016

OUT cont’d.

Upper left a recently molted praying mantis; top right a trail through the Aspens; lower left Zion National Park.

Photos courtesy of P. Garrett Have you made a trip? Send us your best shots!

Arches National Park is home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. It was named a national monument on April 12, 1929 and was redesignated as a national park on November 12, 1971.

Bryce Canyon is actually not a canyon but a collection of giant amphitheaters. It is distinctive due to geological structures called hoodoos. It became a national monument in 1923 and was designated as a national park in 1928.

Zion National Park’s unique geography contains desert, riparian, woodland, and coniferous forest life zones which include 289 species of birds, 75 mammals (including 19 species of bat), and 32 reptiles. Declared a national monument (under the name of Mukuntuweap) in 1918, it became a national park on November 19,1 919 and the name changed to Zion.

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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November, 2016

A CREEK RUNS THROUGH IT

by D. Gordon

Fall has arrived with dry weather. Plants in the south are across from our property has recently baled hay for the winter certainly in need of some good rain. Chestnut Creek is running as you can see from the picture. The other picture is of a nice and clear because it is spring fed. As of this writing there Golden Garden Spider found on the trail. is no rain in the forecast.

The cool weather has been a welcome relief. A low of 43 degrees was recorded at the farm Saturday night. Hopefully, as cold fronts push our way rain will follow.

Many of the hardwood trees are beginning to turn fall colors.

The colors will become even more brilliant as the season progresses. I am beginning to see a number of migratory birds moving through the area. At the present time, local birds are still coming to the bird feeders. Remember, it is very important to supply water for feathered friends. The humming birds headed south about October 10th and will return around the middle of March. Our speaker several years ago encouraged us to place a humming bird feeder in our yard for the winter visitors.

This is the time of the year to really enjoy the outside environment. A word of caution-watch where you step. One of my friends was recently bow hunting on Eglin AFB and encountered a large Diamondback Rattlesnake. No, he did not kill it as it is illegal to do so on Eglin AFB. Simply slow down and enjoy what nature has to offer.

The Jokester Law of Public Speaking A closed mouth gathers no feet!

The farmers are baling hay, harvesting peanuts, and picking cotton before the rains begin. It is almost too dry to harvest peanuts because the ground is so hard. The large fields of cotton appear to look like a white snowfall. One of the fields

As our contributor noted in the above article, we haven’t had much rain lately. You’ll see that on October 31st our county had a very high fire danger index. Be careful when you are outdoors and doing anything that may cause a spark. You can find out the current fire danger index and a host of other information at http://currentweather.freshfromflorida.com/fdi-report.html

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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November, 2016

NEWS YOU CAN USE

by Staff

In 2017 there will be a total solar eclipse that will be visible from the United States. And not just one coast or the other…..right across us. You can find out more at http://tinyurl.com/h4xppos

conserved on both public and private lands throughout the state.

Private rangelands in southwest and south central Florida provide important habitat and prey for the Florida panther.

These lands also play a key role in conserving other native The Jackson County Master Gardeners are selling daffodil bulbs. species like gopher tortoises, bob white quail, turkeys, deer, Bulbs are sold in paper bags for $5.00 per bag. Bulb counts vary vultures, scrub jays, cranes, black bears, and bobcats. per bag based on bulb size. For description of available bulbs Unfortunately, these rangelands are under increasing please check out their flyer by here. Daffodil Flyer development pressure as the human population in Florida continues to grow. Multiple policy approaches have been put in Building a pollinator habitat in your hard. http://tinyurl.com/ place by local, state, and federal governments to address habitat zcabjnu loss and secure natural resources in Florida for our panthers.

This 5-page fact sheet provides a brief overview of existing In the spirit of fall, check out this forager who discusses how to regulatory and voluntary approaches to help conserve the eat acorns. http://honest-food.net/2014/10/13/how-to-eatFlorida panther on private lands. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw413 acorns/ Coral Reef Conservation Strategies for Everyone - Corals are small animals related to jellyfish. Large groups of these animals live together and form huge interconnected colonies called reefs. Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems GarretWade’s new catalog is out. http://www.garrettwade.com on the planet; an essential habitat for a wide variety of animal You really should buy your honey from a local apiary. But what if and plant species. About 400 million people rely on coral reef you are far from your supply? There are ways to check if the fish as a source of protein; about 6 million people make a living honey you’ve gotten is real or not. Check it out at by catching and selling coral reef fish and invertebrates; tourism https://dailyhealthpost.com/detect-fake-honey-test/ activities like SCUBA diving and snorkeling provide revenue of US$9.6 billion per year; and reefs reduce wave energy by 97%, UPDATED PUBLICATIONS helping to protect 197 million people in coastal areas from beach erosion, wave energy, and flooding. Learn how you can help Controlling Invasive Exotic Plants in North Florida protect these fragile, essential ecosystems from threats in this 7Forests - Of the more than 4,000 known plant species growing page fact sheet. edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FA199 in Florida, approximately 30% are not native to Florida or the Southeast, and in the US invasive exotic species cost an estimated $120 billion each year in damages. Early detection and New Featured Creatures removal of invasive plants is the key to successful management.

This publication describes many of the current methods used in Tuliptree Scale Toumeyella liriodendra north Florida forest operations to manage invasive exotic plants. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1150 It also provides references for additional sources of information.

Fourlined Plant Bug Poecilocapsus lineatus http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr133 http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1151 Primary Screwworm - In October of 2016, the United States There’s more to stink bugs than Department of Agriculture confirmed that the primary their smell. Some species eat plants screwworm, also called the New World screwworm, has returned and in large numbers can cause to Florida. The fly was found infesting Key deer on Big Pine Key. serious economic damage, while Key deer are an endangered species found only on the Florida some stink bugs are harmless or can Keys, and unfortunately several have died from the 2016 even be beneficial to crops and screwworm infestations, but the screwworm is not only a gardens. Accurately identifying bugs problem for deer and other wildlife. The pest poses a serious is the first and most important step threat to all warm-blooded animals, including livestock, pets, in Integrated Pest Management, and and people, and it cost the US livestock industry billions of this handy guide can help you tell dollars before it was finally eradicated decades ago. This fourthe good bugs from the bad. page fact sheet provides more information about this dangerous Twenty-five important species are pest and how to spot it, as well as what to do and whom to conidentified in full-color photos of tact if you suspect an infestation in your livestock or pets or in a adults, nymphs, and eggs; with wild animal. If you suspect an infestation of screwworms in an descriptions of identifying features, animal, do not move the animal (to prevent spreading the common hosts, relative size, and infestation.) Call 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352) inside pest status. If you’re a grower, a Florida. Non-Florida residents should call (850) 410-3800. plant industry professional, a http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1146 gardener, or just a curious naturalist, this is a guide you’ll want to have close-at-hand.

Government Efforts to Protect Habitat for the Florida 5” x 3”, laminated, ring binding. UF/IFAS Bookstore SP 487 Panther on Private Lands - Endangered Florida panthers Price: $12.00 live and breed on state and federal lands in south Florida, but they are a wide-ranging species, and the habitat available to them on public lands is not enough for them to thrive and recover. The 2008 Panther Recovery Plan by the US Fish and Wildlife Service requires that habitat for the panther be The Met has a holiday catalog this year that features a lot of plant-related jewelry. http://coffeetable.com/catalogs/2400

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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November, 2016

THE GALL OF SOME BUGS You might not realize it but a lot of times we Master Gardeners are the first line of defense when it comes to some seriously nasty critters. From last month, you know that one of our intrepid volunteers discovered a Cuban Tree Frog in her landscape. The 'invader' was captured, properly identified, and sent off to Gainesville (preserved appropriately.) We sincerely hope that this was an isolated event and the frog had hitch-hiked on a recent moving van.

by M. Stewart maggots mature in 5 to 7 days and will drop to the ground burrowing into the soil to pupate. They are capable of flipping themselves several inches into the air to exit the buds on which they've been feeding.

There are no official recommendations when it comes to pesticides to use against this particular invader. Nothing has shown consistent results. Sanitation is the most important practices. All Unfortunately, this wasn't the infested buds and fallen flowers only time last month that Master must be removed and disposed of by Gardeners were confronted with sealing in a plastic bag and putting it a problematic pest. A client in the garbage. Allow the soil to dry called in with problems out between irrigations for hibiscus. concerning his hibiscus. The Contact sprays such as bifenthrin buds were falling off and he can be used but with such tiny adults noticed there were 'worms' in the and a short life span, timing is buds. Now there are a lot of pests extremely difficult. Other that could fit this description but after (finally) getting good insecticides can be applied as a foliar pictures of the pest itself from the homeowner, it became spray and a soil treatment but again, obvious this wasn't one of our 'normal' bugs. The client also results from systemic pesticide trials indicated that this had happened to his hibiscus before so we have not been consistent. know that there is at least a two-year infestation going on.

If your hibiscus is experiencing Say hello to a confirmed case of Contarinia maculipennis premature bud drop, deformed otherwise known as Hibiscus Bud Midge (blossom midge.) This buds, discolored buds and blooms, you have to dissect damaged tiny fly was first found attacking orchids in 1992 and 1993. It was buds and examine them for the presence of the maggots to later found infesting hibiscus flower buds. It is found throughout confirm that you have this pest. If you think you've confirmed it, South Florida and is also common in Hawaii. Primarily these are be sure to get a sample to the Extension Office so that they can the midge's host plants but also included are the flower buds of continue the monitoring process. tomato, jasmine, plumeria (frangipani), eggplant, pepper, mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Iso/pestalrt/midgefin1.htm bittermelon, and other vegetables and ornamentals. Infestation can occur year-round with higher populations during the warmer http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/kbase/crop/Type/ bloss_midgei.htm months. So you can see, this is not a pest to be taken lightly. trec.ifas.ufl.edu/mannion/pdfs/HibiscusMidge.pdf The fly itself is very tiny and resembles a mosquito. It only survives for about 4 days and is unlikely to be spotted. The entire life cycle is approximately 3 to 4 weeks. Eggs are deposited in masses into the open tips of young buds. Within 24 hours the eggs hatch into maggots that move into the bud to feed. The

RECIPE ROUND-UP Florida avocados are in season now! Why not celebrate with some great guacamole!

by staff entire surface of the dip. Refrigerate for one hour and serve with your favorite chips or veggies.

Ingredients: 2 avocados, peeled and pitted 1 cup chopped tomatoes 1/4 cup chopped onion 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced salt and ground black pepper to taste Directions:

Remember that Florida avocados do not change skin color.

Mash avocados in a bowl until creamy or leave some chunkier for They are ripe when they give to gentle pressure. a heartier dip. Mix in the rest of the ingredients until well combined. Cover with saran wrap so that the wrap touches the An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

13

November, 2016

M. Stewart —Editor S. Farrell , K. Harper, V. Graham and S. Berry—coeditors

Have pictures or an idea for an article?

Send it in!

Articles and pictures are always welcome.

Mission To assist Extension Agents in providing research-based horticultural education to Florida residents.

Vision To be the most trusted resource for horticultural education in Florida.

LAST WORD Date line: A few days ago. A quiet evening when the cell phone buzzes. There’s a picture of a kitten. Cute little guy. I say to Happy Hubby, “Isn’t he cute.” Hubby immediately inquires as to how we would acclimate the current feline with a newcomer.

Okay, for those of you who have kept up with the shenanigans at the Chateau Stewart, you know that HH is actually the sane one of this partnership.

I’m left to wonder who is this person who has infiltrated and is impersonating HH? A kitten? Seriously? Well, HH is interested so it can’t hurt to at least go investigate right? Of course Happy Hubby is sticking to his position that he only suggested this whole thing because he felt that I would want the cat. Ahem.

It seems some guy dropped off five kittens at the emergency vet clinic with a statement that either they took them or he’d toss ‘em.

Nice guy huh? This little guy was the last one left. Just so happens the one vet tech knows us so she figured she would ask if we were interested.

We arrive and when he gets handed to me...purr……...everyone he’s handed to he purrs. Okay, I give up….I’m hooked. Home he comes and is immediately smitten with HH. Madam Gizmo (the resident Queen of the roost) isn’t thrilled but is getting used to him slowly but surely.

During the time we aren’t around we keep him and all his necessary items in the guest bath. This works fine since he can nap in a comfy bed, have plenty of food and water along with the potty facilities. Of course when he doesn’t want to be in there he has figured out how to ‘sing.’

While we’re home we have him corralled.

Hahahahahahahahaha The temporary barriers of cardboard have succumbed to kitten power. One ‘blockage’ has been raised to over 4 feet, the other is holding but only because he hasn’t realized it’s the same one just in a different place.

He has discovered paper, toys, and body parts (ours not his.) The current score is kitten 1 -- toilet paper 0. Yup, an entire roll along with half a box of tissues.

HH’s office looks like a kitty toy factory and like most small children, more amusement has been had with a cardboard box than all the pretty toys.

HH and I have discovered a few things as well. (a) it is a lot harder to get up off the floor now a days (b) it’s been years since we’ve had to run any sort of sprints (c) our reflexes stink and (d) our house was not kitten proofed.

We also had the naming dilemma. Nothing was really fitting (well, nothing that was repeatable at any rate) then we came up with Walter. Walter Jack. Jack was the first one we picked initially but we wanted two syllables.

Happy Hubby said that Jack was short for

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

by M. Stewart Jack O’Lantern (it is Halloween after all and he is orange--the cat not Happy Hubby.) I personally think it’s short for Jack Daniels which I’m ever so tempted to start imbibing in.

So, here’s Walter. Attacker of toes and toilet paper. Walter is a smart little guy. He knows his full name (he’s heard it often enough these past few days) to realize that Mama isn’t pleased when they are all used together. He will come when called, provided of course he hasn’t gotten himself stuck behind the freezer or the desk. Thankfully, he was already used to a litter box so that was a blessing.

There’s no worries that his care will impede HH and football viewing. They have bonded well over college games but it’s difficult to figure out where Walter’s loyalties lie. When the game is on, there is Walter, cuddled up with HH and snoozing or chasing the cursor on the computer screen depending on his mood.

Madam Gizmo is the grand lady and watches the antics with a look that appears to say “That is way too much energy to expend.”

She is being a pretty good sport considering there is an furry orange maniac running around.

These past few days have been interesting. I discovered that my engineering skills are still pretty impressive...until faced with a determined 8 week old kitten. I have also decided that the Christmas tree will be against the wall this year and secured very well. Last but not least, I will not wear my cargo shorts inside the house. Remember the shorts with the leaf blower? Did you know that the ties on the shorts scream at kittens?

They yell, “Attack!” I fared better against the leaf blower.

I’m sure that Walter will be featured in upcoming articles but for now Happy Thanksgiving from Happy Hubby, Gizmo, Walter and me.

Plentiful Plantings

November, 2016