Q. This is the second year for my humming bird vines. They are supposed to have trumpet-shaped flowers but did not have any last year or this year. What could be wrong? The vines are hardy and really vine out. We do have a lot of walnut trees on our property, but none are close to the vines. Could this be a problem? Also, I need to know what flowers and vegetables will grow around walnut trees? – Jan Thompson, Mooresville, Ind.
A. Walnut toxicity causes plants to wilt suddenly and die. A lack of flowers is probably due to another cause. The plant may need more sun, less nitrogen fertilizer, or just more time to grow and establish itself before putting its energy into flowering. Since the plant blooms on current growth, pruning in mid-season could delay or prevent flowering. Contact your county Extension office, and request a copy of Black Walnut Toxicity (HO-193) for a basic list of plants that will grow near walnuts.
Q. We have a lot of spiders on the siding of our house. We have a light outside on a pole. Could that cause all the spiders? I would like to get rid of the spiders. – Luanne Kammerer, Kendallville, Ind.
A. I would guess that the light is attracting a variety of insects, and the spiders are building their webs where they can successfully catch their dinner. My area of expertise is related to plants not household pests, so I would suggest that you ask your county Extension office for advice.
Q. I planted “silver brocade” artemisia in my flower garden a few years ago, but since then it has become very invasive and has just about taken over the other plants. I have since learned that in a sandy soil (which I have here), they can spread rapidly. I have pulled out any plants starting to grow where I do not want them, many, many times. How I can rid my garden of it?
I also planted some willow trees three years ago. They have done well each year, until this summer when five of them started losing leaves and now appear to be dying. We did have a lot of Japanese beetles on the trees this year, but I sprayed with a chemical for beetles. Could these beetles have caused these trees to die, or is it possibly something else?
I also have a beautiful flowering crabapple tree in my backyard, and it has a large gall on its trunk. Sap runs from this eruption. Any help I can get with my problems would be appreciated. Thank you. – Judy Crawford
A. Glyphosate, sold as Round Up or Kleen up, is sprayed on the foliage and translocated to the roots. It will control the artemisia, but you have to use it carefully since it is effective on any plant it touches.
Willows are susceptible to a large number of disease, insect and cultural problems. The Japanese beetles are not helpful but are not likely the cause of death. If the problem persists next spring, take a sample to your local county Extension office for identification and treatment of the problem.
Most leaf galls are not harmful. Stem galls are usually more serious but not treatable. Galls of Shade Trees and Shrubs (E-56) is available online at http://www.entm.purdue.edu/Entomology/ext/targets/e-series/EseriesPDF/E-56.pdf or at your county Extension office.
Q. Could you tell me the name of fungicide that I should use to prevent black spot on grapes? Thank you very much. – Dale Phillips
A. Black spot is a disease caused by a fungus. To control it, remove all infected canes and tendrils from the garden. Next spring, treat regularly with a multi-purpose fruit spray, to reduce the spread of the disease, or captan, ferbam or mancozeb fungicide. They control many insects and diseases on fruits, including apples, cherries, peaches, grapes and strawberries. Follow label instructions carefully.
Harpoon Traps: A reader wrote to comment that folks often give up on harpoon traps for mole control because they don’t know how to properly use them. I agree with him and would add that a lack of persistence is another reason for failure. For detailed instructions on properly using harpoon traps and controlling moles, get a copy of ADM-10 from your county Extension office.