- Author: Bob Niklewicz, MG at the Fuller Park Rose Garden
The October Master Gardener's Rose Cycle chart (https://napamg.ucanr.edu/files/254549.pdf) has us continuing to deadhead and removing infected leaves that show yellowing, black spots, browning edges and/or have pests lurking among the blossoms and stems. The blossoms are coming slower and in fewer numbers. Enjoy what is out there for the next couple of months.
Many of our bushes have suffered from the elevated heat, and diminished watering. Leaves have turned brown, look wilted and/or just fell off to preserve the moisture in the bush. Many leaves look dull and are no longer glossy. Don't be surprised or feel bad that the rose garden has the same problems you have in your yard. This too, is part of the rose cycle and nature.
Now is the time to handle the heat issues and to watch out for signs of delayed heat stress that caused the leaves to yellow or be susceptible to black spots and pests. Pick off those infected leaves that haven't fallen off the branches as well as those that are on the ground and put them in the city compost bins to reduce the spread of fungus. Remember to sterilize your pruners after each bush to reduce the spread of the black spots.
Keep watering the bushes a couple of times a week with about a gallon per plant during these cooler days. If we do get another hot period, add another day of watering.
The bushes will be starting to store nutrients in the roots for the winter. The last dose of organic fertilizer should have already been done, but if it hasn't, follow the dosing instructions on the packages and do it now.
ROSE of the MONTH: 'Firefighter'
The 'Firefighter' is a very popular rose in our garden. It is a hybrid tea with wonderful full and dark red blooms. It is great for cuttings with a wonderful fragrance. Though it is supposed to be thornless, it still gets some. It is disease resistant and a rose with a classic look.
It can grow to 6' tall if you let it and easily 3-4' across. It does great in our Zone 9 climate.
Remember when pruning to toss that plant debris into your city compost bin and not your own compost pile. The Napa City compost center produces higher temperatures to destroy the spores while your backyard pile will not do so. When it comes time to add mulch, consider getting it from the Napa Recycling & Composting Facility.
If you have questions about the Fuller Park Rose Garden and the Master Gardeners (MGs) who maintain that Rose Garden, the MGs are usually in the garden the first Sunday and third Thursday of each month between 10:00 and 12:00, weather permitting.
Napa Master Gardeners are available to answer garden questions by email: mastergardeners@countyofnapa.org. or phone at 707-253-4143. Volunteers will get back to you after they research answers to your questions. You can also go to our Master Gardener website: napamg.ucanr.edu for more details.
Photos by Bob Niklewicz
- Author: Sandipa Gautam
Lindcove REC recently organized a “Citrus Workshop for Hanford FFA Students” reinforcing our dedication to Youth Outreach and Education to nurture the future generation of agriculturists. On September 18, 2024, Sophomore students from Hanford High School visited LREC. Throughout the day, they engaged in various activities aimed at connecting research to with practical solutions for growers. The event started with Dr. Ashraf El-Kereamy, Director of the LREC Center, who provided an overview of LREC's history and its continuing commitment to cooperative extension. Dr. Kereamy discussed different projects hosted at the LREC facility and the commitment of LREC to pioneering a tech-advanced future of farming. Dr. Sandipa Gautam, IPM Advisor shared research and extension program focused on integrated management of citrus pests important to California growers. The bud-grafting demonstration shown by Gerry was a highlight of the day. Donald Cleek, Superintendent at LREC gave students an overview of the packline and a tour where students learned about how fruit is sorted, graded, and packed. Students also visited CUPS facility, the first of its kind citrus growing under protective screen in California.
Ashraf El-Kereamy giving an overview of Lindcove REC.
Donald Cleek lecturing on LREC activities
Gerry demonstrating bud-grafting
After a lunch break, the class was guided through hands-on activities in the Entomology lab, where they evaluated an insect, citricola scale, under the dissecting scope. During the activity in the fruit quality lab students learned from Abigail Frolli about characters that determine fruit quality and the ways to evaluate quality. In the fruit physiology lab, students learned from Dr. Ashraf El-Kereamy and Tariq Pervaiz on evaluating effects of treatments of physiological parameters like photosynthesis.
Entomology Lab; hands on experience
Packline tour
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
Wings up! Let's go!
The monarch fall migration is underway.
"Unlike most other insects in temperate climates, monarch butterflies cannot survive a long cold winter. Instead, they spend the winter in roosting spots," explains Monarch Watch. "Monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains travel to small groves of trees along the California coast. Those east of the Rocky Mountains fly farther south to the forests high in the mountains of Mexico. The monarch's migration is driven by seasonal changes. Daylength and temperature changes influence the movement of the monarch."
"In all the world, no butterflies migrate like the monarchs of North America. They travel much farther than all other tropical butterflies, up to three thousand miles. They are the only butterflies to make such a long, two-way migration every year. Amazingly, they fly in masses to the same winter roosts, often to the exact same trees. Their migration is more the type we expect from birds or whales. However, unlike birds and whales, individuals only make the round-trip once. It is their children's grandchildren that return south the following fall."
Have you seen any migratory monarchs? It's basically a "no" for our scientists at the Bohart Museum of Entomology , UC Davis.
- UC Davis distinguished professor emerita Lynn Kimsey, who directed the Bohart Museum for 34 years until she retired Feb.1: No.
- Bohart Museum associate and UC Davis School of Medicine employee Greg Kareofelas: No. "I still have not seen a monarch (but I have not been 'out and about' much this summer)
- Jeff Smith, curator of the Bohart Museum's Lepidoptera collection: Maybe. "I may have seen 1 monarch in my yard (Rocklin) yesterday (Sept. 16) as a fly-by."
It's not so rosy in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), according to Washington State University entomologist David James, who studies migratory monarchs.
On Aug. 31, he posted this on his Facebook page, "Monarchs in the Pacific Northwest": One month ago, things were looking very rosy in the PNW monarch world with an 82% increase in sightings during June and July compared to the same months in 2023. Sadly, things are now not so rosy if the number of reported sightings are a good barometer of what's happening out there (and they have been in the past few years). During August 2023 there were 172 confirmed monarch sightings in the PNW. This year there has only been 108 and most of these (80%) were in the first two weeks. The second half of August has seen very few monarchs reported in the PNW. I-Naturalist, the reporting site most used by monarch recorders, has had NO monarch sightings posted in OR, WA, ID or BC since August 12-16. This is concerning because the second half of August into September is when the third PNW-bred generation should be emerging and migrating. There is still time for sightings to pick up and hopefully they will. So please keep watching and reporting your sightings to I-Naturalist or Journey North."
One of his WSU-tagged monarchs (from citizen scientist Steve Johnson) fluttered into our garden on Sept. 6, 2016 from Ashland, Ore. (See Bug Squad)
Hoping to see another tagged monarch.
Migrating monarchs began arriving in our Vacaville pollinator garden this year on Sept. 17 for some flight fuel on their way to their overwintering spots in coastal California.
They love the Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. It's a great fall nectar source...and the colors are a perfect match...
Wings up! Let's go!
- Author: Loren Nelson
There's something magical about watching butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and other pollinators flit about in your own backyard. University of California Master Gardeners will discuss types of plants and gardening practices that will turn your garden into an inviting haven for these beneficial creatures.
Click the image to learn more and visit our Classes and Events Calendar page.
/h2>- Author: Loren Nelson
Strawberries love to grow in pots. Pots provide good drainage, air circulation, and better protection from pests. And it's so fun, especially for kids, to easily pick and eat this favorite fruit!
Click the image to learn more and visit our Classes and Events Calendar page.
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