October 2009 - On Top of the World Communities Info

October 2009 The World News® 7KeepingIt GreenPhillip B. HiseyGot Bugs?Scale insects are a common pest oflandscape plants in Florida and can befound stunting and deforming plantsthroughout the year. There are about8,000 species of scale insects and anyof several different species of scale insectsmay be found within the landscapearound your home. All scale insects havea common waxy or shell-like coveringover the body and the adult insects arenot mobile.Recently, I have noticed Magnolias witha black, flaky crust on the leaves. This is atelltale sign of a scale insect call the TulipTree Scale. Typically found on all Magnoliavarieties, infestations are almost alwaysidentified by a bumpy appearanceon the branches with some branch tipdieback and the black leaves or mulchbeneath the tree have a black color. Theblack appearance is caused by the sootymold that grows on the secretion createdfrom the insect.But there is light at the end of the tunnel;these insects are controllable withinsecticidal sprays, horticultural oils andsystemic insecticides. The insecticidalsprays and horticultural oils kill the insectsby suffocating them. Many timesthe scale insects stack up on each other,creating several layers, making it harderto penetrate the bottom layers.Horticultural oils or dormant oils areother methods for controlling scale insectsbut are sometimes not very effectiveagainst armored scales and require athorough application as well as repeatedapplications. These oils are highly refinedpetroleum products that can be used onmany trees and shrubs during the growingseason. Be sure to read the labels beforeany applications are made though, someSubmit Articles by E-mail tootownews@otowfl.complants are sensitive to oils and there areoften temperature restrictions when applyingthese products. Horticultural oilscan be obtained at Lowe’s or similar typestores. Typically, you will find the followingproducts, Year Round Spray Oil orVolik Oil.Insecticidal soaps have been used foryears to kill insects through direct contact.Like horticultural oils, they requirethorough coverage and repeat applications.Repeat applications are necessarybecause soaps leave no residue. Certainhousehold soaps and liquid dishwashingsoaps are typically effective for this purpose;10 tablespoons per gallon is a goodstarting point for treating insects. Again,if purchasing insecticidal soaps be sureto read the label before any applicationsare made, some plants are sensitive to insecticidalsoaps and there are often temperaturerestrictions when applying theseproducts. Lowe’s carries a product calledinsecticidal soap and you should be ableto find similar products at other stores ofthis type.Systemic insecticides are another approachbut require the use of chemicalspurchased from your local garden center.These chemicals, when applied, aretaken up by the roots of the plants andtransported through the plant into theleaves, branches or other portions of theplant. Insects such as scale insects withpiercing, sucking mouthparts are affectedby the systemic insecticides and die.Systemic insecticides take a few weekswhen applied to and often need multipleapplications. Make sure applications aremade following the interval between applicationsand per the manufacturer’slabeled rate. Bayer Complete Insect Killeris a product found at Lowe’s or similarstores.Good luck as the fall begins, make sureyou keep up with your lawns and keep aneye out for chinch bugs and fungus. Thecooler evening temperatures and humiddays make it great breeding grounds forfungus. And, please remember to makesure applications are made based on typeplant and following the interval betweenapplications and per the manufacturer’slabeled rate.GrandchildrenVisiting?Cribs, strollers, booster seats, carseats and more are loaned free to OnTop of the World residents. Please seethe attendant on duty at the fitnessdesk in the Health & Recreation Building.100GrandparentsBarbara GreenwoodI’ll begin with the generosity of manyOn Top of the World residents. We havereceived and delivered to Romeo Elementaryclothing from Annette Diago, andschool supplies from William and LuzLeon. To help pay for the transportationto and from the school, we also receivedvery generous monetary gifts from Margittaand Hank Claterbos, Wanda Simpson,Diane and Bruce Roxburgh, and Dougand Barbara Greenwood.The cost of the bus transportation is$180 per trip. The total received so far is$930. We’re hoping to receive a total of$1,440. That amount will cover all eighttrips that we make to the school. If youwish to donate any amount to our groupto help us get to and from Romeo, pleasecall Barbara at 861-2539. We will certainlybe grateful.The remaining dates for this schoolyear are: Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 14,Feb. 11, April 15 and May 13.We are picked up in the parking lot atapproximately 9 a.m. in the Winn-Dixieparking lot by the vacant Porter’s store.We return to the same location approximatelyat noon.Another thing that we are grateful tothe On Top of the World residents for isthe Campbell soup labels, and the Labelsfor Education that you so thoughtfullyclip and deliver to the red schoolhouselocated under the stairs in the Health& Recreation Building. Romeo turns inthese labels and receives in return muchneeded school supplies and money to buyunderwear, socks, etc. The value of eachlabel is 10¢ and they add up to a tidy sumto provide the school children’s needs.Of course, we don’t want to forget allthose who contribute to our Food-for-Kids backpack program. Many of youhave purchased and delivered food itemssuch as juices, cereals, snack bars, poptopcanned goods, crackers, peanut butterand/or jelly, canned or plastic containersof fruit, etc., and delivered themto Elliott and Marlyn Barbours’ home andplaced the items in a tote located on theirfront porch. Their address is: 8680-H SW94th Street. Mr. and Mrs. Barbour deliverthe food to the church that makes up thebackpacks for Romeo and Dunnellon Elementarychildren. This ensures that thechildren will have something to eat overthe weekends.As “volunteer grandparents,” we havethe privilege of being with children fromkindergarten to fifth grade. The teacherprovides one or two books for us to read.Our interaction with the students givesus such a high. It’s a wonderful feeling toknow that we are in part helping the childrento enjoy reading and learning to talkcomfortably with adults. There are manypluses in this activity for all of us.If you would like to be a part of ourgroup, please call Barbara at 861-2539,and get answers to any questions youmay have. The only way to sum it up is tosay, you have to be there to know the fulljoy of what we do.Our next trip is Oct. 8.Resident Photo IDsCustomer Service, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.Monday - Friday, Bring current ID or temp IDServingOn Top of the WorldSince 2001• We deliver & install palms, shrubs,trees, mulch, bark, stone and boulders• Family business with personal serviceCredit cards acceptedLicensed, bonded and insuredBest Selection of “Cold Hardy” Palms,Shrubs and Trees at Prices You’ll Love!307-3300Landscape Design & InstallationSpecializing in low maintenance residential design!• Landscape upgrades & clean-ups• Best prices guaranteed!• Call now for free estimates13895 SW 16th Avenue (CR 475A), Ocala, FL(Look for the pink house - 1/8 mile southof Don Garlits Museum on CR 475A)FREEDelivery &Installation on30 Gal. +View our photo gallery atwww.floridagreenwaysnursery.com