Q. I think some of my indoor plants have thrips. How can I know for sure, and what can I do to get rid of them?
Thrip damage usually shows up as stunted growth, papery, distorted leaves, stippling, and premature leaf drop. Most of this damage will occur on new growth. Thrips can also affect outdoor plants, but rarely kill mature trees and shrubs.
Thrips are extremely small (less than 1/20 inch long). There are many varieties that favor specific plants. For instance, there are avocado thrips, citrus thrips, and Western flower thrips (just to name a few). Sometimes the thrips themselves don’t cause much damage, but they can spread viruses such as Impatiens necrotic spot virus or tomato spotted wilt virus.
If you suspect thrips are damaging your indoor plants, you can treat them with Neem oil, insecticidal soaps, and/or pyrethrin-containing spray.
If thrips are damaging your young vegetable plants or flowers, avoid using any persistent insecticides such as Neem oil. Many beneficial insects (i.e. friends) like to feast or lay their eggs on thrips, so you don’t want to kill them. Rinse the plants to remove any accumulated dust. Plant flowers that will attract predatory insects. Since these nectar-drinking predators are usually tiny, plants with small, compound flowers such as alyssum, native milkweed, marigolds, cosmos, dill, or parsley will attract them. These tiny flowers provide accessible nectar for these visitors.
Q. What could cause my pine tree’s needles to turn yellow?
Pine trees are usually not too fussy about growing conditions, but they really need good drainage. Continuously wet roots will cause the needles to yellow and fall and may eventually kill the tree.
Q. How can I get rid of crabgrass in my lawn?
Crabgrass, I am convinced, will be one of those species that could survive a nuclear war. Once it becomes established, it is very difficult to eradicate. Pulling out each clump by the roots seems to be the only way to keep it at bay. We’ve tried almost every herbicide available, and nothing has worked for us except persistent hand-weeding.
Of course, the best way to avoid this whole problem is to maintain a healthy lawn. Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deeper rooting of turfgrass. Fertilize regularly. Monitor your irrigation to ensure that every inch of turf is getting enough water. Mow weekly on your mower’s highest setting. Most people cut their grass too short, which causes brown spots and encourages weed growth.
Los Angeles County
[email protected]; 626-586-1988; celosangeles.ucanr.edu/UC_Master_Gardener_Program/Orange County
[email protected]; mgorange.ucanr.edu/
Riverside County
[email protected]; 951-955-0170; ucanr.edu/sites/RiversideMG/
San Bernardino County
[email protected]; 909-387-2182; mgsb.ucanr.edu
Related Articles
Some garden tips to reduce southwest injury to your trees What you should (and shouldn’t) do if wildlife is living on your property Too much or too little fruit on your tree? Here’s what you can do about it What makes a plant invasive and harmful? Let’s look at some examples Why lettuce will flower and grow bitter and what you can do about it Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Some gardening tips to stop thrips from damaging your plants )
Also on site :
- David Hogg draws attacks from both sides as his star rises
- India top general admits ‘losses’ in recent conflict with Pakistan
- Kremlin speaks out on Macron slap