|
THINGS TO EXPECT:
|
| WEATHER WILL REMAIN
HOT, but stress on plants will be relieved somewhat by increased humidity
of the monsoon season. |
| FUNGUS PROBLEMS
will continue as long as warm, humid conditions prevail. Lawn and Root
Diseases, plus Toadstools and Slime Fungus will be prevalent during this
season. |
| PECAN NUT DROP will
be noticeable, however most will be damaged or empty. |
| ROOT ROT can be
expected, especially in over-wet soils. Water deeply but not too often. |
|
PALM FLOWER CATERPILLARS (Palm Budworms)
are feeding on the blossoms of some fan palms. Infestations of these cream-colored larva, which may exceed an inch in length, may not be evident until maturing worms drop to the ground and become a nuisance – even invading homes. Feeding damage to palms is a little consequence |
| CHLOROTIC SPOTS
IN LAWNS, suspect fungus diseases or hard, caliche soils. |
| ANT
& TERMITE SWARMING is stimulated by summer
storms. |
| ORANGE & TANGERINE
FRUIT SPLIT occasionally occurs with rapid growth expansion if rinds are
sunburned or desiccated by hot, dry weather. |
| LAWN INSECTS become
more active during this season. |
| FUNGUS DISEASES
OF ST. AUGUSTINE GRASS is most infectious during this warm humid season. |
|
THINGS TO DO:
|
| RELIEVE SUMMER HEAT
STRESS of plants by watering the total area under the branch spread of
trees and shrubs . Water deeply, but not too often. |
| EARLY MORNING WATERING
IS PREFERRED to prevent leaf burn, keep down fungus infection, and minimize
evaporation loss, and for better sprinkler efficiency. |
| FALLOW SOIL for
Nematode Control. Spade up infested vegetable and flower beds and allow
the soil to get hot and dry for a few weeks before fall planting. |
| READY FALL VEGETABLE
GARDENS. Sweet corn, melons, squash and tomatoes ought to be planted about
the second week of August. |
| NEW BERMUDA GRASS
LAWNS OUGHT TO BE PLANTED no later than mid-August to sufficiently establish
before fall. |
| THIN AND BAG DATE
FRUIT BUNCHES NOW for good quality fruit. |
|
|
