Test PB Collection: FTE

There are several products available. All contain naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or ethephon. These chemicals will cause flowers to abort at blossom time. NAA and ethephon should be applied as a spray at mid-bloom and again at full bloom. The entire tree should be sprayed.

In the wild strawberries are perennial, thus will grow for many years in the same location if cared for properly. I would suggest you cut all the plants back to three to four leaves each. Remove all the dead and old leaves and other plant debris and put them in the green waste can.

Tomatoes are a warm season crop. They are native to central and South America. As such they are sensitive to cool temperatures. Tomato flowers are self-fertile, i.e., the pollen (male) of a flower can fertilize the egg (female) of the same flower.

If the vine is growing well, the lower leaves may be shaded and in a normal decline. If, however, the plant is generally looking light green and growing slowly with small fruit, the yellowing of older leaves could be due to nitrogen deficiency.

First let me say that Santa Maria, and the Central Coast in general at least the area that is in the fog belt is not an ideal location to grow tomatoes. Tomatoes like sunny, warm weather in order to produce good fruit.

The most common cause of shriveled nut meats inside a normal looking shell is inadequate or inconsistent watering. If the tree suffers even one dry period during the time when the nut meats are developing and maturing, the nut meats may shrivel. The most critical period is July through October.

No! At this point in time all research on West Nile Virus (WNV) indicates that the virus must be acquired via a blood infection. Data from the 1999 epidemic in New York indicates that over 100 species of birds can be infected with WNV.

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Ben Faber Farm Advisor U.C. Cooperative Extension Ventura County There are over 900 named varieties of avocado, how do you pick one? Well for one the selection at commercial retail nurseries is somewhat limited, compared to what is offered at nurseries that growers use. But you do have options.

Ben Faber Farm Advisor U.C. Cooperative Extension Ventura CountyBen Faber Farm Advisor U.C. Cooperative Extension Ventura County Citrus leaves appear wilted or flaccid during periods of low temperature.