The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Nicole Pinson

Create your own indoor garden, using houseplants

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A popular trend from Victorian times is making a comeback: Growing houseplants.

If you look online at image-sharing websites, apps, and boards and you’ll find that indoor plants are very popular.

In fact, a new term called “jungalow style” incorporates the use of plants inside homes and offices. Jungalow style brings the beauty and life of plants indoors by integrating them in living areas.

An easy-to-care for “ZZ plant” growing in Nicole Pinson’s office. 

Plants may be grown indoors — both for their beauty and their air quality benefits.

A study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducted regarding air quality and houseplants concluded that a plant is “very important in removing indoor air pollution either directly through its leaves or indirectly through the root/soil pathway” (Wolverton, Douglas, and Bounds, 1989, pg. 10).

Plants tested by NASA include bamboo palm, English ivy, peace lily, Sansevieria laurentii, spider plant, golden pothos, and philodendron.

As with any plant, be sure to follow the first principle of Florida Friendly LandscapingTM: Right Plant, Right Place. This means selecting plants suited to your landscape (or home) based on light, water, temperature, and soil conditions.

My grandmother grew about 20 different African violets. She placed them in the perfect spot in her living room – a north-facing windowsill.

African violets grow well in bright, indirect light. A south-facing window would generally be too sunny for African violets.

You don’t need many plants to create an indoor garden.

Choose easy-to-grow plants such as spider plants, Aglaonema spp., and hoya.

One of my favorite indoor plants is called a “ZZ plant” or Zamioculcas zamiifolia. ZZ plants have shiny, dark green leaves. They thrive in low-light environments and are drought-tolerant. ZZ plants have no significant pest or disease problems. The main concern is proper watering. ZZ plants need soil that drains well. Water your ZZ plant and let it dry out between waterings to reduce the chance of root rot, which can be caused by too much water.

Generally, you should have few pests with indoor plants, but you may occasionally encounter mealybugs and whiteflies. If this happens, remove the pot from your house or office and place it outside in a similar environment. Often, natural predators will eat the pest insects. You may also use least toxic pest control methods, such as horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps. Some pests, such as mealybugs or aphids, may be treated by wetting or removing the insects with a cotton swab dipped in a solution of one-half water and one-half rubbing alcohol.

To avoid disease problems, water appropriately. This requires some care and monitoring of your plants. Plants grown indoors don’t dry out as quickly as plants grown outside.

Monitoring your plants to provide sufficient – but not too much – water can be tricky at first. But, over time you’ll know your plants’ watering needs. For example, I have an English ivy in a windowsill. It requires more water during the summer months than it does during the winter months. Additionally, some months I water it every two weeks because that is all the water it needs!

A word of caution: Some houseplants may be considered invasive when planted in the landscape. Be considerate of the growing characteristics of houseplants and check their status prior to planting them in the ground.

You can look up plant names and view pictures of invasive plants on the UF/IFAS Assessment website found at https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/. For example, searching for the plant Sansevieria will yield results for three plants included in the Assessment. You will see that Sansevieria cylindrica is not considered a problem species at this time. However, Sansevieria trifasciata is listed as invasive in Central Florida and throughout the rest of the state.

Get creative with your indoor garden by choosing flower pots that match your décor, or try growing plants in a terrarium.

I enjoy searching for vintage or antique pots in thrift stores, yard sales, and antique shops.

Keep an eye out for unique finds when traveling. I spotted the geometric flower vase — now hanging in my office — at a garden center in Nashville, Tennessee. You may find other creative containers such as pottery, vases, jars, concrete planters, baskets, wall pockets, and galvanized buckets.

The UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County office can help answer your gardening questions. We are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Our office and gardens are located at 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, Florida 33584.

For additional information, contact or (813) 744-5519, Ext. 54145.

Nicole Pinson is the Urban Horticulture Agent in Hillsborough County. The author gratefully acknowledges Master Gardener Nancy Ham for contributing to this article.

Published Oct. 18, 2017

 

Multiply the plants in your garden, by dividing them

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One of the easiest and most dependable ways to grow new plants is through division.

In case you’ve never heard of it, division is a method of vegetative or asexual reproduction. Many common Florida plants are great candidates for dividing.

Can you think of some? The UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, along with many other county Extension offices, have teaching and demonstration gardens that you may visit to learn more about Florida Friendly LandscapingTM.

Most plants with ‘lily’ in the name may be divided, such as canna, crinum and daylily. (Courtesy of Nicole Pinson)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Examples of plants that you may see in our teaching gardens that are easy to propagate by division include daylily, African iris, rain lilies, society garlic, blackberry lily, Agapanthus, peacock ginger, walking iris, Heliconia, Aspidistra or “cast iron plant,” Bulbine, crinums, amaryllis, ferns, and rhizomatous begonias.

The common Florida shrub Plumbago may also be divided. Plumbago is a great, drought-tolerant plant. It serves as a nectar plant for native pollinators and as a larval host plant for cassius blue butterflies.

Even houseplants such as African violets are easy to propagate by division.

Many perennials — plants that live longer than one year or growing season — thrive when divided.

Before you divide your plants, decide where you’re going to place them.

Are you going to keep them in pots until they grow into more hardy plants? Are you going to plant them directly in the landscape? Will you give them away as gifts?

If you plant them in a pot, be sure the pot is a good size for the plant — that is, not too big and not too small. The pot should also have drainage holes.

Be sure to give the newly potted plants time to adjust to their environment, and keep in mind they may do best for the time being if placed in a part-sun, part-shade location for a few weeks. If you’re planting somewhere else in your garden, check that light and soil conditions are appropriate.

Propagating plants by division requires no special tools, and many of us use a sharp knife, a shovel or a trowel depending on the plant and the size of the root ball.

Here are the steps for propagating your plants by division:

  • Dig up the plant and carefully separate or cut the root ball into sections with a sharp knife, trowel or shovel.
  • Pull apart separate sections so that each division has a crown and root system. The crown is the part of the plant where the roots and stem meet.
  • Replant the parent plant in its previous location or in a new location.
  • Plant the divided plants either in the ground or in nursery pots. If relocating to another part of your garden, make sure it’s the right plant for the right place.
  • Use care to make sure you plant them at the soil line and not planted too deep.
  • Apply a 2-inch to 3-inch layer of mulch above the soil line. Mulch helps conserve water, reduce weed pressure, moderate soil temperatures, and adds organic material to soil over time.
  • Water your newly planted divisions.
  • Monitor your plants until they’re established. The first week may require daily watering. The next two weeks to three weeks may need watering every other day. After that, you can water as needed. However, with landscape plants as with turfgrass, you’ll need to adjust your watering schedule if we get plenty of rain.
  • If plants are in pots, the amount they dry out will depend on the size of the pot and the material of the pot, for instance, whether it is clay, stone or plastic.
  • Apply a controlled-release fertilizer. Controlled-release fertilizers can be more expensive, but they provide a steady supply of nutrients to your plants. Using controlled-release fertilizers may help reduce pollution because less nutrients run off landscapes or leach into groundwater.

Finally, enjoy your garden and your new plants!

For additional information, email , or call (813) 744-5519, ext. 54145.

The UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County office has two demonstration gardens that teach residents about Florida Friendly LandscapingTM principles. Visitors are welcome Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Docent tours also are available to groups by appointment. The office and gardens are at 5339 County Road 579 in Seffner.

Nicole Pinson is the Urban Horticulture Agent in Hillsborough County. Master Gardener Nancy Ham contributed to this column.

References:

Park Brown, S. (2016). Plant Propagation Techniques for the Florida Gardener. IFAS Publication Number CIR579. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG/MG10800.pdf.

Park Brown, S. (2014). Gardening with Perennials in Florida. IFAS Publication Number ENH-68. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG/MG03500.pdf.

Published September 6, 2017

Cuttings offer an excellent way to propagate plants

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Plants can be successfully grown from cuttings – a method that saves you money and provides you — or your friends — more plants.

Another plus? You don’t need any special equipment.

Crotons are available in many different leaf shapes and colors. Cuttings are a great way to grow a variety of crotons. (Nicole Pinson)

A cutting is a method of asexual reproduction. The new plant will have the same characteristics of the parent plant.

One popular method of propagation is stem cuttings.

Tender new growth forms at the tip of the stem; the stem becomes woodier toward the bottom and the roots.

Stem cuttings of the new growth is easier for beginner gardeners. Cuttings from the woody part of the stem are more difficult to propagate. For instance, you could propagate a croton plant by taking a stem cutting and planting it in a pot.

Use your clean pruners to remove a 4-inch- to 6-inch-section, or cutting, from the main plant. It’s important to note that some plants require cuttings to be longer. For example, plumeria cuttings are 12 inches to 15 inches long.

Be brutal. Remove any flowers from the cutting, and strip off the lower leaves from the stem. You’ll want to keep a few leaves for photosynthesis, but you also want to reduce transpiration and encourage the cutting to put its energy into producing new roots. Some cuttings, like plumeria, need to dry first so a callus forms at the cut end of the stem. If it’s not possible to plant your cutting right away, wrap it in several layers of paper towels and place in a zip-top bag to keep the cutting moist until you’re ready to plant.

Choose an appropriate pot for your cutting. Use clay or plastic containers, but make sure the container has drainage holes so the cutting does not stay too wet. Many people prefer plastic containers (similar to the 4-inch pots you find at the nursery) because they don’t dry out as quickly as clay pots.

Iochroma is a unique garden plant that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Place the cutting upright in a sterile potting mix, planting them about 1-inch deep. Longer cuttings, such as those for plumeria, will need to be planted about 3-inches deep so they stand upright in the pot. Choose potting soil that drains well.

You can try using a rooting hormone. Dip the cutting about ½-inch in the rooting hormone before planting in the soil. Rooting hormones are available at garden centers and nurseries.

Locate your cutting in bright, indirect light so it gets some light but not the hot, afternoon sun. Keep the soil moist until the cutting establishes roots and begins to put out new growth. You may transplant your cutting into the garden once it has established roots and you see new leaves. This process may take a few months, depending on the plant. You could also share your plant with friends or give them as gifts.

Some of my favorite plants to root from cuttings include croton, Chinese rain bell, Dracaena, hibiscus, Euphorbia graminea, African blue basil and firespike. My colleagues, Lynn Barber and JoAnn Hoffman, suggest growing salvia and cat’s whiskers. The publication Gardening with Perennials in Florida lists perennials that may be grown from cuttings. See this link http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG/MG10800.pdf for more information on plant propagation and how to design your own “small-scale propagation unit.”

For additional information, contact Nicole Pinson at or (813) 744-5519, ext. 54145.

Nicole Pinson is the Urban Horticulture Agent in Hillsborough County. The author gratefully acknowledges Master Gardener Nancy Ham for contributing to this article.

References used for this column were:
Koeser, A., G. Hasing, and D. McLean. (2016). Plumeria: Propagation from Cuttings. IFAS Publication Number ENH1228. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/EP/EP48900.pdf.

Park Brown, S. (2014). Gardening with Perennials in Florida. IFAS Publication Number ENH-68. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG/MG03500.pdf.

Park Brown, S. (2016). Plant Propagation Techniques for the Florida Gardener. IFAS Publication Number CIR579. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG/MG10800.pdf.

Published June 28, 2017

Back to the basics in plant propagation: Saving seeds

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Seeds help us save money because saving seed is cheaper than buying seeds. We can grow different types of plants, adding more interest to our garden, and we can share plants grown by seed with others.

It’s easy to save sunflower seeds. Sunflowers also attract pollinators.
(Courtesy of Nicole Pinson)

You can save seeds from many common plants, such as marigolds, salvias, herbs and vegetables. Save seeds of the plants and vegetables you like and that do well in your garden.

Many native plants produce seeds that support pollinators such as bees, wasps and flies. The plants and their seeds promote biodiversity and food security. Seed banks throughout the world save and protect plant seeds in climate-controlled vaults so we have access to them in case of an emergency or environmental disaster.

Seeds are diverse.

We use them to grow new plants, we eat them, and we use them in cooking.

It’s easier to grow plants from heirloom seeds than it to grow plants from hybrid seeds. Heirloom plants are open-pollinated. Hybrid plants are cross-pollinated between two different species or varieties for specific, desired traits. When hybrid plants produce seed, the next generation may not have the same characteristics as the parent plant. You can experiment and save seeds from a hybrid plant, but you don’t know what the offspring will look like.

Seeds are amazing!

Seed saving saves you money, and you can plant the varieties you like.

They have everything they need to survive in their own containers, and they wait for the right conditions to sprout. Seeds can be dry or wet. Dry seeds include acorns and marigold seeds. Wet seeds include eggplant and tomato seeds.

Seeds need time to dry. If you pick them too early, they may mildew. This is especially common with bean pods picked too early.

Basil is an example of an easy-to-grow dry seed. Let a few old flower heads go to seed. Once dry, cut off the flower heads and shake out the seeds. Store them in a container until ready to plant. I start them under a glass cloche in starter pots. The glass cloche acts like a mini terrarium, and keeps the seeds moist and protected.

Some people use blossom bags to save seeds. You can also use mesh bags out of the laundry section or muslin bags from a local brewery. Place the bag over the blossom to protect the seeds and to allow them to dry out. The bag collects the seeds as they dry, protecting them from birds and wildlife, wind or rain.

Save and store dry seeds in containers. Plant them in the garden next year.

Harvest wet seeds, such as eggplants, when beyond market maturity. Market maturity is when vegetables are ready to be eaten. However, when saving these seeds, you want to make sure the vegetables are little “past their prime.” For example, if you open an eggplant ready to use in a recipe, you can try to save the seeds, but the seeds are tiny and not quite mature. You would want to “sacrifice” two vegetables, and let them mature before you save the seeds. Otherwise, you’ll harvest too early and the seed won’t germinate. Eggplants are very easy to grow from seed.

Clean the seeds saved from wet fruit like tomatoes and squash. These seeds have a coating or fleshy fruit that encloses them and keeps them from sprouting on their own until favorable growing conditions or when ready to be eaten by an animal in a brightly colored fruit.

Marigolds are colorful flowers. Their seeds are easy to save, and they have edible flowers.

Place wet seeds in a bowl of water. Wipe off the pulp and fleshy parts. Dry them completely on parchment paper, fine mesh screen or a paper towel. If you use a paper towel, the seeds will stick. However, Master Gardener Nancy Ham stores the entire paper towel in a large zip-top bag, and cuts the seeds out and plants them, along with the paper towel, when needed.

There are three main types of plants: annuals, biennials and perennials. This will help you learn when to save seeds. Annuals (like marigolds) grow and set seed in one year or growing season. Biennials grow in the first year and then set seed the following year. Parsley is an example of a biennial plant. Other examples are collards, kale, onions, garlic, radishes and carrots.

Perennial plants, and many ornamentals, live year after year. Examples of perennial landscape plants include blackberry lily, with a blackberry-like seedpod, chives, and sage.

You don’t need to spend money on a fancy container to store your seeds. You can use (and recycle) old prescription bottles, return mail envelopes, spice jars and glass jars. Always be sure to save your original seed packet so you have your reference information.

Seeds need three conditions for storage: dry, dark and cool. Good examples include a linen closet or refrigerator.

Proper labeling is essential.

Seeds are living organisms, and they have a lifespan. You’ll want to note the species or common name, variety, source and year harvested.

Remember, seeds can preserve our food diversity, both for humans and wildlife, and save us money. Look around your garden and see what “free” seeds you can find. Try saving seed from one plant or vegetable so you can grow new plants or share them with friends.

For additional information, email , or call (813) 744-5519, ext. 54145.

References:
Heirloom Vegetable Varieties for Florida. (2016). EDIS. Retrieved from  http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_heirloom_vegetables.

Park Brown, S., D. Treadwell, J.M. Stephens, and S. Webb. (2016). Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide. IFAS Publication Number SP 103. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/VH/VH02100.pdf.

Thralls, E., S.P. Brown, and E. Paulson. (2015). Seed Sources for Florida Homegrown Vegetables. IFAS Publication Number ENH1225. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/EP/EP48600.pdf.

Nicole Pinson is the Urban Horticulture Agent in Hillsborough County. She gratefully acknowledges Master Gardener Nancy Ham for contributing to this article.

Published April 12, 2017

Have you ever eaten a flower?

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Gardeners and foodies alike enjoy the culinary benefits of edible flowers.

Edible flowers bring another element to the garden — not only because they impart flavor and add interest to meals, but because they add beauty and color, too.

In addition to edible flowers, some flowers serve as important insectaries that provide nectar and pollen to pollinators such as honeybees.
(Courtesy of University of Florida)

By emphasizing plate presentation, you can savor flavors and eat with your eyes.

Did you know flowers have specific flavors?

Tastes that flowers can impart include spicy, sweet, nutty, floral and minty. They can taste like anise, peppers, onions or wintergreen. They can be strong, perfumed, bitter or herbal.

Edible flowers elevate a dish. They have been used in cooking for centuries. Famous markets of the world, such as the Phool Mandi market in New Delhi, sell flowers and spices.

You can plant edible flowers in any garden. They may be mixed in existing landscapes, planted in a vegetable or herb garden, or grown in containers, such as raised beds, flowerpots and window boxes.

Hibiscus flowers are edible, but remove the pollen and reproductive parts. Use care when eating landscape plants because they may recently have been treated with pesticides.

With any landscape, practice the nine Florida Friendly LandscapingTM principles which include: right plant, right place; water efficiently; fertilize appropriately; mulch; attract wildlife; manage yard pests responsibly; recycle; reduce stormwater runoff; and, protect the waterfront.

“Right plant, right place” is important for edible flowers, because you’ll want to find a sunny location for them to bloom.

When possible, use micro-irrigation and harvested rainwater for watering plants. Add mulch to conserve moisture and reduce weeds. Then, harvest your edible flowers and add them to recipes.

A note on foraging: use caution when looking around your yard for edible flowers and plants.

Redbud trees bloom in winter and spring months. The flowers taste sweet when you first eat them.

Landscape plants with edible flowers, for instance, hibiscus and orange blossoms, may be treated with pesticides and herbicides.

Use care when eating edible flowers, be sure to properly identify the plant, check for recent pesticide use and be sure to read the pesticide’s label.

Favorite edible flowers include orange blossoms, nasturtium, rose petals, pansies, Johnny jump-ups, marigold, dianthus, daylily, pineapple guava, redbud, begonia, hibiscus, sunflower petals, anise hyssop, society garlic, petunia, mango, rose geranium, roselle, snapdragons, elderberry, pineapple sage, and native Florida violets.

The flowers of common herbs are edible, too.

Try adding interesting flavors to your cooking by using the flowers of chives, basil, oregano, mint, tarragon, fennel, rosemary, borage, cilantro and dill.

Edible sunflower petals add interest and color to meals.

Don’t forget to try the blossoms of many vegetables. Zucchini, squash, okra, young beans, pea shoots, pumpkin, mustard, broccoli and radish are edible.

Edible flowers have many culinary uses. Add them to salads, soups, drinks, ice cubes, sandwiches, tacos, pasta, bread and desserts. They’re pretty on picnic plates and side dishes, and can be used as garnishes. Some recipes include edible flowers in dog biscuits! Mix edible flowers and seeds (for example, black sesame seeds) to sprinkle color.

Some parts of the flower — for instance, the sepals and stamens — may be bitter or bland. Pollen also may be a problem for people with allergies.

Remove the leaves and pollen parts, and eat only the flower.

Grow edibles from seeds, and experiment with heirlooms and interesting varieties. Save seeds from plants like basil to grow new plants.

In general, manage yard pests responsibly in your landscape.

Scout often, look for signs of pests and problems, and learn what is normal in your garden.

Use care with pesticides and employ least toxic methods first to control pests, which include insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils.

In addition to culinary uses, some edible flowers provide wildlife benefits. For example, African blue basil is a pollinator magnet. Use it to plant an insectary or small garden that attracts our native pollinators. Grow your successful edible garden, and get more plants from seeds, cuttings and division. Share those plants with others, or transplant them in different parts of your garden.

As you can see, edible flowers bring more than just color and beauty to your garden.

For additional information, contact or (813) 744-5519, ext. 54145.

Nicole Pinson is the Urban Horticulture Agent in Hillsborough County.

Published February 15, 2017

A scary case of mistaken identity

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A homeowner emailed a photo to the Hillsborough County Extension Office of a group of insects she discovered on a plant in her yard. She shared her photo on Facebook, looking for help in identifying them. Several people, seeing her photo, had kindly warned her they could be disease-carrying insects called kissing bugs, otherwise known by the much less friendly name of bloodsucking conenose. The insects indeed look quite similar to kissing bugs/conenose.

Learn to find and identify bugs. Look for differences in insect color, patterns and markings. Note the white band across the back of the leaffooted bug, known as Leptoglossus phyllopus. (Photos courtesy of Nicole Pinson)

After submitting the photo to the UF/IFAS Insect Identification Lab, good news was revealed: they were not the bloodsucking conenose. The insects were the nymph stage of a kind of leaffooted bug called Spartocera fusca. They feed on plants in the tomato family and won’t bite people.

The bad news is, like stink bugs, leaffooted bugs can be serious plant pests. Leaffooted bugs are larger than stink bugs. They have piercing-sucking mouthparts they inject into leaves and fruit. Their saliva damages plants. You may see stippling, spots on fruit skin or rinds, deformed fruit or fruit drop. This can be costly for farmers, because leaffooted bugs can cause economic injury, resulting in fruits and vegetables with decreased market quality.

Additionally, leaffooted bugs are polyphagous, which means they feed on a variety of plants including fruits, vegetables, citrus and ornamentals.

What can you do about leaffooted bugs? Do­­n’t be alarmed, as leaffooted bugs can be controlled in home gardens and backyards. Just as this homeowner did, scout regularly. Learn to find and identify bugs. Look for differences in insect color, patterns and markings.

It is important to recognize that leaffooted bugs go through an incomplete metamorphosis. Their life cycle is egg, nymph and adult.

The disease-carrying conenose bug, shown in this photo by Alexander Wild, may be confused with leaffooted bugs.

The nymph stage may have several instars, during which the insects grow and develop. Leaffooted bug nymphs often have black legs and orange, reddish bodies. Their characteristic leaf-like hind leg develops in later instars. Their color can change too, going from orange to brown to black. Contact your Extension office if you need help with identification.

It’s easy to control them– if you’re not squeamish. Simply carry a plastic container of soapy water with you to the garden as you scout. Handpick the leaffooted bugs and drop them in the soapy water. They don’t bite or sting.

You can also limit these pests if you remove and discard plants, like tomatoes and other vegetables, after harvest. Remove weeds that may attract them, and encourage beneficial insects and predators such as tachinid flies, birds and spiders.

Minimize pesticide use and plant a variety of flowers to attract good insects. Always identify a plant, vegetable or turfgrass problem before applying pesticides, and check information for accuracy. Like this homeowner, you can verify claims by contacting your Extension office or using many of the free online UF/IFAS resources.

References:
Byron, M.A. and J.L. Capinera. (2016). Eastern Bloodsucking Conenose, Triatoma sanguisuga (LeConte) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae). IFAS Publication Number ENY-581. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1018.

Mead, F.W. (1971). Featured Creatures Fact Sheet: Leaffooted bug, Leptoglossus phyllopus (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Coreidae). Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Retrieved from http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/leaffooted_bug.htm.

Mizell, R. (2015). Stink Bugs and Leaffooted Bugs Are Important Fruit, Nut, Seed and Vegetable Pests. IFAS Publication Number ENY-718. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in534.

For additional information, contact or (813) 744-5519, ext. 54145.

Nicole Pinson is the Urban Horticulture Agent in Hillsborough County. The author gratefully acknowledges JoAnn Hoffman, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County Horticulture Program Assistant, for her advice and input during preparation of this article.

Published December 28, 2016

Plant a beautiful, Florida moonlight garden

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Imagine coming home from work, or walking around your garden in the evening, and admiring your moonlight garden just as the sun begins to set or during the early evening.

Moonlight gardens are planted purposefully so they can be enjoyed during twilight. Planting one is easy, and it’s a clever way to design or redesign a section of your yard.

Pretty jewel orchids have white flowers. They provide interest when not blooming. (Photos courtesy of Nicole Pinson)
Pretty jewel orchids have white flowers. They provide interest when not blooming.
(Photos courtesy of Nicole Pinson)

Depending on the size of your yard, you can create a large or tiny moonlight garden. One of my favorite places to design moonlight gardens is in shady spots. Full shade areas, such as under a live oak tree, can be inviting spaces for moonlight gardens in hot Florida temperatures.

To get started, think about what kinds of plants look bright or interesting at dusk or in the evening.

One of my most beloved plants is a poet’s jasmine Jasminum officinale, a vine I purchased from a local nursery years ago. This vine blooms in part shade or even full shade. It has delicate, ferny foliage. The star-shaped, white flowers of poet’s jasmine bloom during summer, and its subtle fragrance scents the evening air. Once established, you can propagate cuttings and give them away to friends.

Never forget to add clumps of white flowers. White flowers not only make the moonlight garden pop; they also help Florida gardens feel cooler in hot weather. One showstopper is pinwheel jasmine. Pinwheel jasmine grows in sun or shade, making it an ideal plant for gardens like mine that have both sunny and shady areas. Pinwheel jasmine shrubs bloom with profuse, white flowers that fall to the ground after blooming. When not in bloom, the plant’s glossy, green leaves provide interest.

Include many different colors and textures of green. Different shades of green provide a beautiful and subtle backdrop for your moonlight garden plants. Plant leaves can be light green, dark green, shiny, variegated, and even lime or chartreuse.

Even in deep shade, pinwheel jasmine is a heavy bloomer. Notice how the sun shines through the jasmine's leaves and branches
Even in deep shade, pinwheel jasmine is a heavy bloomer. Notice how the sun shines through the jasmine’s leaves and branches

Some of my favorite green plants for moonlight gardens include ferns, with delicate and arching light and dark green leaves, spiky irises, glossy ‘Awabuki’ viburnums, large palm trees (think fishtail palm or the graceful Areca palm), peace lilies, shell ginger, dark mondo grass, foxtail ferns, and Jasmine minima groundcover.

Variegated shefflera, variegated Jasmine minima, and even ‘Gold Dust’ yellow and green crotons can liven up a dark, shaded area or a sunny location. As a bonus, ‘Gold Dust’ crotons are resistant to nematodes, making them a great plant for Florida’s sandy soils where nematodes are often present.

Check out some of the beautiful caladium cultivars, and sprinkle the tubers throughout your garden. Caladiums always surprise me because I often forget where I planted them. You can find pink, green, white, and red caladiums in fancy- or lance-leaf types. Caladiums also come in a variety of sizes. Some of the cultivars released by the University of Florida include ‘White Butterfly’, ‘Tapestry’, ‘Florida White Ruffles’ and ‘Florida Moonlight.’

Spice up the moonlight effect by adding clay, plastic or concrete pots that are either white in color, or that contain green leafy plants, or white or yellow flowers. Consider adding a white or pale pink arbor for vines to climb. Moonflower vines grow easily from seed and resemble a large, white morning glory.

Children especially like to grow moonflowers, waiting to see the flowers unfurl in the evening. The surprise is the pale, cream-colored star in the center of the flowers. Grow small plants such as jewel orchids and Cryptanthus in pots and place them in your garden or on your patio. Another name for Cryptanthus is earth stars. How appropriate for a moonlight garden!

When designing your moonlight garden, choose a few plants based on height and light preferences. I like to plant large groups of a single kind of plant, so the groupings make a big impact.

Now is a great time to plant a beautiful, Florida moonlight garden.

I would love to hear about your favorite moonlight garden plants. Please send me an email with your suggestions.

References for this column were:
Leymaster, Keri. (n.d.). Creating a Tropical Shade Garden. UF/IFAS Extension Orange County. Fact Sheet Horticulture – 009. Retrieved from

http://orange.ifas.ufl.edu/res_hort/pdffiles/Factsheets/013%20Plants%20for%20Tropical%20Shade.pdf.

Park Brown, Sydney. (2015). Landscaping in Florida Shade. IFAS Publication Number ENH-1196. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep457.

Park Brown, Sydney. (2014). Gardening with Perennials in Florida. IFAS Publication Number ENH-68. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg035.

Nicole Pinson is the Urban Horticulture Agent in Hillsborough County. For additional information, contact or (813) 744-5519, ext. 54145.

Published November 9, 2016

Pollinator gardens attract bees and other wildlife

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Obviously, pollinators are important.

An estimated one-third of the food we eat comes from plants pollinated by animals.

Bees, wasps, flies and hummingbirds are vital pollinators.

Calamint resembles rosemary and has tiny white flowers. The leaves have a sweet, minty fragrance. (Photos courtesy of Nicole Pinson)
Calamint resembles rosemary and has tiny white flowers. The leaves have a sweet, minty fragrance.
(Photos courtesy of Nicole Pinson)

Scientists have found that it takes eight or more visits by a bee to a watermelon flower to produce a single watermelon.

So, please consider planting a pollinator garden to increase populations of these beneficial insects.

Similar to butterfly gardens, pollinator gardens incorporate the use of plants, such as host and nectar plants, that attract butterflies. However, they differ in that selected plants also attract other pollinators such as native bees, flies and hummingbirds.

Bees need nectar and pollen, both of which are provided by flowers. Nectar serves as the primary source of carbohydrates for bees, and pollen is essential to brood production, young bee development and hive growth. Interestingly, all pollen is not created equal, and “pollen from different floral sources has different quantities of each component” (Ellis, et al, 2013).

Recognizing that pollinators are important, local Lutz Girl Scout Troop No. 360 worked in partnership with the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County to plant a pollinator demonstration garden at the extension office while earning their Silver Awards.

Girl Scout Troop No. 360 planted a pollinator demonstration garden.
Girl Scout Troop No. 360 planted a pollinator demonstration garden.

Silver Awards encourage the cadettes to design their own community project and understand how they impact their community. Obtaining the award requires completing an approved cause and issue service project that is at least 50 volunteer hours.

The purpose of this project is to teach youth and their families about the importance of pollinators, and the relationship between plants and pollinators. This project promotes Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM principles, especially with regard to reducing stormwater runoff, attracting wildlife, reducing pollinator risk when using pesticides, and beautifying our community while preserving and conserving resources such as water.

In addition to planting the pollinator garden, the Girl Scouts wrote newspaper articles and press releases, installed micro-irrigation, created a pollinator display and provided docent tours to the public.

The tiny, white flowers of frogfruit attract many different pollinators. The plant also serves as a larval host plant for white peacock butterflies.
The tiny, white flowers of frogfruit attract many different pollinators. The plant also serves as a larval host plant for white peacock butterflies.

The Girl Scouts learned that there are many plants that attract pollinators. Examples of great Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM plants include buttonsage lantana Lantana involucrata, blanket flower Gaillardia pulchella, pink swamp milkweed Asclepias incarnata, frogfruit Phyla nodiflora, rayless sunflower Helianthus radula, calamint Calamintha ashei, and white top aster Oclemena reticulata.

Pollinators are important because they help increase fruit set, quality and size, and these benefits can also translate to economic impacts. The U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2014 estimated bee pollinated commodities accounted for $20 billion in annual U.S. agricultural production. Pollinator gardens are unique and these gardens can teach residents and youth how to attract pollinators to their landscapes, while reducing negative environmental impacts associated with landscape management practices.

You can visit the extension office to learn about plants that attract pollinators. The extension office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visitors can tour the pollinator garden, along with the Bette S. Walker Discovery Garden and the perennial garden, for free.

Children and their parents can check out pollinator backpacks that contain insect and flower sketch plates, field identification cards, magnifying lenses and books. There is something new to see each time you visit the gardens, and we hope you are inspired to create a pollinator garden of your own.

Sources for this column:

  • Sanford, M. and J. Ellis. (2016). Beekeeping: Watermelon Production. IFAS Publication Number ENY-154. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/aa/aa09100.pdf.
  • Ellis, A., J. Ellis, M. O’Malley and C. Nalen. (2013). The Benefits of Pollen to Honey Bees. IFAS Publication Number ENY-152. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in868.

For additional information, contact or (813) 744-5519, ext. 54145.

Nicole Pinson is an Urban Horticulture Agent in Hillsborough County. The author gratefully acknowledges Lynn Barber for contributing to this article. Barber is a Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County.

Revised September 22, 2016

Make your own vegetable stock

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I love to cook, and this year I am trying to cook more meals at home.

I find chopping vegetables — like weeding — to be truly cathartic, and preparing a tasty, elegant meal for myself is one of life’s simple pleasures.

While recently cooking a mushroom barley soup, I thought of making my own stock.

Celery stalks and leaves add flavor to soups and stocks. The leaves can also make an interesting garnish. (Courtesy of Nicole Pinson)
Celery stalks and leaves add flavor to soups and stocks. The leaves can also make an interesting garnish.
(Courtesy of Nicole Pinson)

We chop our veggies and add them to meals. And, some of us are smart enough to save those kitchen scraps and throw them on the compost pile, with the understanding that our kitchen scraps will add nutrients to the compost pile, rendering them into a rich, fertile soil we can later add to our vegetables or our landscape beds.

To make those kitchen scraps go even further, use them for stock first and then compost them. This provides two uses for the same valuable “scraps.”

Making stock is easy, and it lends a delicious base to soups.

When I cook, I keep a zip-top bag next to the wood chopping block for tops of carrots, onion skins and tomato cores.

For my soup, the bag was stuffed with onion and garlic skins, carrot tops and bottoms, celery stems and leaves, and mushroom stems. (As an aside, I love to use celery leaves in dishes and as a garnish.)

If you have space in the freezer, you can gradually accumulate a good mixture of vegetable scraps over time, to get a better blend of flavors.

Remember: vegetables in the cabbage family in particular – turnips, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli – are quite strong-flavored and can be overpowering.

Once you have a bag of frozen scraps, follow these directions, by Dr. Mary Keith, an expert in nutrition and health, to make your stock:

  • Place clean kitchen scraps in a pot and cover with water.
  • Bring to a boil and then simmer uncovered from 15 minutes to 1 ½ hours. (The longer cooking will release more flavor if you have the time).
  • Squeeze or strain all the water out of those vegetables. (Just straining them makes a clearer stock, while pressing them will often make a cloudy but thicker stock.) You can use a wooden spoon in a sieve for pressing, but a potato masher would work well, too.
  • Use the stock immediately in soups or freeze and save for later.

Stock will keep for three days to five days in the refrigerator or eight months in the freezer. Freeze it in quantities that you will use at one time, so that you can thaw just enough for your next recipe.

After you’ve made your meal with fresh vegetables, use the pieces to make your stock.

By making homemade stock, you’ll create delicious meals, add more minerals and maybe a few vitamins to your food, and use more of the produce you’ve purchased. You will also be able to make it with little or no salt, a big benefit since most commercial stocks and broths are very high in sodium.

Once you’ve made stock with your veggies, you can discard them on your compost pile — giving you more bang for your buck.

You can also enjoy enjoy a trio of accomplishments — cooking meals at home, making fresh stock and composting.

Bon appétit!

For additional information, contact or (813) 744-5519, ext. 54145.

Nicole Pinson is an Urban Horticulture Agent in Hillsborough County. Dr. Mary Keith is extension agent emeritus, Foods, Nutrition and Health, University of Florida, Hillsborough County Extension.

Published July 20, 2016

Growing bulbs in the Florida garden

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Did you know you can grow bulbs year after year in Florida?

When we talk about bulbs, there are “true bulbs” and bulb-like plants. Your true bulbs are those plants that contain all the plant parts, such as roots, an underground stem, a flower bud and fleshy leaves. These plant parts are stored in an underground structure called a bulb. These underground storage structures make them very tough.

Caladiums are a favorite in the Florida garden. Caladiums are a tuber, similar to potatoes. (Photos courtesy of Nicole Pinson)
Caladiums are a favorite in the Florida garden. Caladiums are a tuber, similar to potatoes.
(Photos courtesy of Nicole Pinson)

Examples of true bulbs include lilies, tulips, society garlic and amaryllis. Other “bulb-like” plants such as gladiolus and caladiums are comprised of corms, tubers, tuberous roots or rhizomes. For generalization purposes, most plant guides refer to both true bulbs and bulb-like plants as bulbs.

Picking the right bulbs for Florida can be a bit tricky. But, once you learn which bulbs are best for Florida, you can easily grow them and have color throughout the year. Not only do bulbs provide beautiful flowers, but they also have strappy leaves and interesting foliage. The different shades of green add structure, variety, texture and contrast to the garden.

Because of our tropical and subtropical growing conditions, you will want to plant bulbs that are adapted to our region for the best success. A great resource is the publication Bulbs for Florida available at UFDC.ufl.edu/IR00002886/0001. This guide provides information on selecting, planting, caring for and propagating bulbs. Table 1 lists bulbs that are most desirable and easiest to grow in Florida. Stick to this, and you will add diversity and beauty to your landscape.

Growing bulbs and bulb-like plants adds texture and interest to the garden.
Growing bulbs and bulb-like plants adds texture and interest to the garden.

Some of my favorite bulbs are African lily (also called agapanthus), amaryllis, blood lily, caladium, rain lilies and crinum. Be sure to read the cultural notes for the bulbs you choose, because the notes include additional tips on care, location and pest control.

If you want to experiment, try planting some bulbs from Table 2, or as UF/IFAS refers to them, “Bulbs for the Avid Gardener.” These bulbs may be a bit more challenging, but they are worth trying. One bulb that I am going to try from this list is a favorite cut flower- Alstroemeria.

Avoid growing bulbs — or giving bulbs as gifts — that do not grow well in Florida due to our temperatures and warm winters. These bulbs, such as tulips and some lilies, will not receive the cold temperatures they need to grow well and bloom.

Some of my favorite Florida gardens contain bulbs that are planted in clumps among other landscape plants. Imagine looking out at a backyard garden and seeing shell ginger, crinums, irises and amaryllis among traditional shrubs such as hibiscus or plumbago.

I use bulbs to brighten shady spots and add them to bouquets. Many times, I am surprised by them when they pop up. Most bulbs grow well in sun to part shade.

Amaryllis is a bulb that can be easily grown in Florida. After a few years, divide it and share with others, or use it to fill flowerpots or other areas of your yard.
Amaryllis is a bulb that can be easily grown in Florida. After a few years, divide it and share with others, or use it to fill flowerpots or other areas of your yard.

When planting bulbs, make sure to plant the right side up. Follow spacing and fertilizer recommendations. Bulbs such as amaryllis will produce seed heads after flowering, and if left on the plant, they will reduce the amount of flowers next year. In order to have more blooms, cut off old flowers and seed heads. However, resist the urge to cut off yellow leaves until they turn completely brown because these leaves are making and storing food or energy for the bulb.

Eastern lubber grasshoppers are one of the biggest pest problems with bulbs like lilies and crinums. Control them when they are young nymphs, rather than when they are large grasshoppers. Handpicking is the least toxic method of control. When young, these grasshoppers congregate on the plants in the morning and evening, and this makes them easy to remove. Pests such as aphids and mealybugs can be controlled with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Fungal problems, such as rust and anthracnose, often develop during periods of high rainfall or are spread by wind. If the disease persists, apply a fungicide for disease control.

Bulbs add color and interest to the garden, and they are easily propagated. Depending on the bulb, you can propagate them by division, offsets, bulblets or cuttings. Plus, you will have bulbs to share with friends and family, or to transplant and fill up pots or sparse areas of your garden. Growing bulbs in Florida is easy and enjoyable.

For more information on this topic, check the following reference, which was a primary source for this column: “Is this a bulb? The difference between bulbs, corms, rhizomes, and other bulb-like plants.” Visit GardeningSolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/is-this-a-bulb.html.

Nicole Pinson is an Urban Horticulture Agent in Hillsborough County. She gratefully acknowledges Judy Gates, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County Master Gardener for her help in preparing this article. For additional information, you can reach Pinson at (813) 744-5519, ext. 54145.

Published June 1, 2016