Pests & Diseases
The following is a list of some common problems, and
no-spray measures to try; for spraying, consult a reliable nursery or other
expert. Pesticides poison everything, not just the particular things you intend.
In general, to remove fallen leaves and fruit is to minimize pests and disease;
bugs over winter in the decaying leaves and fruits beneath your trees. Burn
pruning clippings to keep these pests away. Usually (but not always)
predators fly and pests crawl, so wrapping greased or otherwise sticky paper
around a tree trunk can be effective. Plants prone to fungus and water-related
problems are usually pruned to maximize air flow and sunshine through the
branches (see "pruning").
Some beneficial insects eat pollen and nectar as
well as pests, and are attracted by plants with shallow blossoms so the plant's
food is accessible without specialized mouthparts; most plants of the Asteracae
("sunflower") or Umbelliferae family qualify. A predator eats
other insects; a parasitic insect implants an egg inside the victim: the
hatchling then eats the victim from the inside out, as in love.
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07/27/03
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