I have several old roses in planters. The bark on one of them has been peeling off for several years. You can touch it and the bark drops off. Another rose bush near it looks as though it has the same problem. Can this problem be contagious? I can't find any references to this in any of my gardening books.
Answer:
This may or may not be a problem at all. The bark on older roses will naturally peel off especially below the bud union very easily. The bud union is where a rose is grafted onto a rootstock. As long as the tissue in this area is showing no obvious discoloration other than a dark brown, I wouldn’t be overly concerned. You should closely inspect the canes above the graft for any damaged from sunburn on the side that receives the heat of the day sun or from a physical injury. Damage from sunburn causes the tissue to turn black. The current year’s growth is usually a green color compared to the brown or tan of the older canes. The canes are typically protected by the canopy of the rose itself. The leaves or foliage acts as a natural sunblock. Sunburn and peeling bark is a bigger issue with tree roses because of the exposed trunk. Again, the damaged areas will turn black and can be an entry point for Flathead Borers. Borers will not attack any healthy tissue. You can locate them by scraping the bark with a knife as they are right under the surface. Borers are white or amber colored, usually linear in shape and are easily seen with the naked eye. There isn’t a simple answer in protecting the trunk(s) other than the natural shading from a full canopy. You could paint the trunk(s) with a white latex paint or wrap them with a piece of shade cloth when the afternoon temperatures are above eighty-five degrees.
Question:
I have been unsuccessful in controlling Mealybugs on my houseplants. I have used sprays, dust and alcohol to get rid of them. What would you suggest?
Answer:
Mealybug is a common problem with indoor plants. They’re easily recognized by the copious amount of cottony wax material they produce. An adult female deposits her eggs in the cottony mass that surrounds her body. The eggs hatch within a week or so and the nymphs migrate over the plant till they find a suitable resting place and then start feeding on the plant. Several generations per year are typical. The Mealybug population thrives on plants with succulent growth sometimes created from over fertilizing but more likely from the warmth and humidity relative to the amount of light. I suggest you control them with a systemic granular insecticide that is applied to the soil and is absorbed up into the plant. These granules are reapplied every six-weeks. This allows you to effectively manage the problem; instead, of having it be a headache.
