Topics in Subtropics

This odd pattern that has shown up on polyethylene irrigation tubing was sent in by an observant Santa Paula grower. The fruit trees were covered with aphids and there was sooty mold growing on the honey dew dripping onto the tubing.

Salts and Soil pH are two of the great management problems we have with subtropical crops like avocado, citrus, passionfruit, coffee and even evergreen blueberries when grown in California. In the western Cascades there are also soils dominated by carbonates and waters by bicarbonates.

Argentine Ant is the great protector of many pests found on plants. Without the Argentine, many pests would not be so much of a problem. In many crops, like cherimoya and passionfruit, mealy bug can become so severe that fruit will stop growing and fall off the tree.

It might seem like common sense that a starving animal is more likely to take dangerous risks to obtain food than one with a full belly.

Protecting Avocados from Frost and Then What The long-range forecast is for no or little rain in Southern California. A dry winter often means a cold winter.