Hardiness Zone: 6a
Donna from Sterling Heights, MI
Here is an organic recipe for repelling deer:
Mix this with one gallon of water and apply with a spray bottle every 1 to 2 weeks (and after rain). Unfortunately, during times when food is in short supply, deer will eat just about anything and repellants become less effective.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
My hibiscus plant is losing 1 branch every day. The branches go from looking healthy to be dead overnight. The leaves don't turn yellow. I have 2 plants side by side and the problem is only with 1. I had this problem last summer and I lost the plant.
I had put down several treatments and nothing works. When inspecting the branch, I can see tiny holes as if something went in.
You have a problem in the soil and it is called root knot needies and they are eating the roots of your plant. You will need to get the tree out of there and see if you can save it by taking the knots off the roots of the plants. I have had these here on the islands and it is almost impossible to save the plant. The bugs live in the dirt and attach themselves to the roots of the plants and just suck the life out of your plants. Basially there is not a lot you can do for this but remove the plant and see if you can save it.
This is called " Cankers". This is dying plant tissue. As it gets worse, the limb becomes dry and brittle.
This problem sure sounds like root rot (several causes and not all relate to too much water).
You may be able to save the plant if you dig it up and really trim it back and remove anything that remotely looks like diseased.
You'll probably have to treat the ground and not plant anything in that area for several months.
I would recommend you ask your county extension agent about this as they can give you the information you need to keep this from happening again. They are a valuable resource for solving plant problems.
www.gardeningknowhow.com/
Varmints are digging into the mulch we spread around Hibiscus and Hydrangea plants. They are digging into the top and the side and looks like they are eating stems and maybe even bulbs. We thought to cover with screen wire hopefully that will let winter sun in and block the varmints. Any advice you can offer will be appreciated. Thanks.
Hardiness Zone: 6a
By BJ from mid MO
Forget the hot sauce. Make a mix of: 1/3rd each of black pepper, crushed red pepper like they put on pizza & ground red pepper. Then mix in about 1/8 cup of dry hot mustard. Put into something you can sprinkle it from water well, if the ground needs it & then sprinkle it, then leave it alone for at least a week. It chases off pretty much anything that sniffs. All animals sniff to find what they want & most of them have long memories. I have had it work for cats & dogs for up to 4-5mos.
What can I use to eliminate what is eating the hibiscus leaves? They are new bare root plants, that are not blooming yet.
Get yourself an insecticidal soap that is organic. It covers a wide spectrum of insects
Thank you Judy!
You can use Neem Oil (insecticidal soap) and use as directed - can be used for all types of plant bugs or diseases - sold at all garden departments in stores.
homeguides.sfgate.com/
