A Green Friendly Solution........ COFFEE for the SLUGS!
I have not personally given caffeine to my lovely slugs and snails, but I plan on giving them some coffee to drink this spring. Hopefully it will prevent them from eating and ruining my beautiful plants. The below information was reported in the July/August, 2002 issue of the VNLA Newsletter.
“Caffeine has potential as an alternative to chemicals to kill snails and slugs,.according to USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. Researchers in Hawaii studied the effects of caffeine against orchid snail, Zonitoides arboreus. The research team applied a 2 % solution of caffeine in water as a spray to coir infested with snails. Caffeine killed up to 95% of the snails. In another experiment, the caffeine-treated coir had only 5 snails when checked 20 days after the application. But in coir treated with a standard dose of metaldehyde, a common molluscicide, researchers found 35 snails.” Go to Rhollingsworth@pbarc.ars.usda.gov for more detailed information.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
CAMPBELL & FERRARA OUTDOOR LIVING®
703-354-6724 www.campbellferrara.com
703-354-6724 www.campbellferrara.com
Rhododendrons in the Landscape
The Campbell & Ferrara Garden Center has 8 acres of plants including beautiful rhododendrons. Rhododendrons provide color, interesting form and texture to the landscape. Selecting the correct place in your landscape will help to ensure the health of any plant. Rhododendrons prefer filtered shade and do not like dense shade; they will not bloom in dense shade. They need good drainage, an acid rich soil and excellent drainage. Once rhododendrons are established in the landscape, they require little attention except for annual mulching and fertilizing. They like to be fertilized lightly with Holly-Tone(organic) before or after blooming. To improve bud set for the next year, remove dead flowers and prune immediately after flowering. You will enjoy many years of flowering with minimal care.
There are many varieties of rhododendrons. When mature they can range in height from 3feet to above 6 feet; bloom times span early April to late May; choose from white w/pink tinge, lavender blue, rose pink, pure white, light pink with golden brown. You can elect to use the rhododendron as a natural hedge and screen, a specimen plant, an accent plant, a companion plant, a grouping for borders or in a rock garden.
Our plant experts will be happy to assist you with your plant selection. Campbell & Ferrara carries a large selection of rhododendrons; stock changes on a daily basis.
The Campbell & Ferrara Garden Center has 8 acres of plants including beautiful rhododendrons. Rhododendrons provide color, interesting form and texture to the landscape. Selecting the correct place in your landscape will help to ensure the health of any plant. Rhododendrons prefer filtered shade and do not like dense shade; they will not bloom in dense shade. They need good drainage, an acid rich soil and excellent drainage. Once rhododendrons are established in the landscape, they require little attention except for annual mulching and fertilizing. They like to be fertilized lightly with Holly-Tone(organic) before or after blooming. To improve bud set for the next year, remove dead flowers and prune immediately after flowering. You will enjoy many years of flowering with minimal care.
There are many varieties of rhododendrons. When mature they can range in height from 3feet to above 6 feet; bloom times span early April to late May; choose from white w/pink tinge, lavender blue, rose pink, pure white, light pink with golden brown. You can elect to use the rhododendron as a natural hedge and screen, a specimen plant, an accent plant, a companion plant, a grouping for borders or in a rock garden.
Our plant experts will be happy to assist you with your plant selection. Campbell & Ferrara carries a large selection of rhododendrons; stock changes on a daily basis.
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