Indian Pink Native Wildflower. Webworm in Pecan Trees?

SEPTEMBER 2012 GARDENING: Learn about bulbs by attending a Nassau County, Florida “Landscape Matters” class. Drop by free “Plant Clinic” to diagnose problems in your landscape, bring samples to county extension office. Also read Rebecca Jordi’s gardening Q & A topics this week in “Garden Talk.”

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Environmental Horticulture Agent III, Rebecca Jordi, addresses questions about landscaping and gardening in northeast Florida. She is the Extension Director in Nassau County, Florida and also a University of Florida faculty member.

Native Wildflower, Indian Pink
Native Wildflower, Indian Pink

QUESTION: I picked up a plant at a nursery recently called, Indian Pink.  What can you tell me about it?  MB

JORDI:  Indian Pink is an uncommon native wildflower that grows in rich, moist woods and along wooded stream banks in most areas of the south all the way to Texas. Indian Pink is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial reaching a height of 12 to 18 inches. It is one of our most attractive wildflowers. The inflorescence is one-sided with pretty, red tubular flowers that flares out to reveal 5 short tips of bright yellow interior.

There are many other species in this genus; most are either tropical or short-lived annuals. The native plant nursery trade has taken some interest in cultivating Indian Pink because it is perennial, will grow in shade, has a fairly long blooming period and is pollinated by hummingbirds. It is easily grown in average, medium wet well-drained soil in full to partial shade. I planted one in my flower bed this year and it has bloomed twice – a nice surprise. I have it under an oak tree where it receives ample shade and have been protected from the deluging rains of this summer.

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NASSAU COUNTY, FLORIDA GARDENING CLINICS SEPTEMBER 2012

September 5, 2012 – Landscape Matters class on Bulbs/Daylilies:

Master Gardener Sue Ray will give a presentation about bulbs and their dramatic colorful addition to your garden. They will offer ideas of how and where to incorporate bulbs into your landscape, care and feeding, as well as varieties of bulbs that are well suited for our locale. The class will be held at the Nassau County Demonstration Garden. For more information, see the Nassau County Extension website or call the Extension office at 904-879-1019. Master Gardeners are on office duty Fridays, at 904-491-7340.

September 17, 2012 Plant Clinic:

Becky Jordi, County Extension Director/Horticulture Extension Agent will conduct a Plant Clinic from 10 am until 2 pm at the Yulee Extension Office (A1A and Pages Dairy Road). All County residents are invited to bring plant samples showing problems in their landscapes. Problems will be identified and solutions offered for correction. There is no fee for this service. For information call 904-879-1019. Master Gardeners are on phone duty Fridays, at 904-491-7340.

See more gardening tips below…

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QUESTION: I have caterpillars in my pecan trees, how do I control them?  SB

Fall Webworm (photo by University of Florida)
Fall Webworm (photo by University of Florida)

JORDI: I believe you probably have the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Drury) in your pecan trees.  It is a pest of a number of ornamental trees and shrubs, and several agricultural crops including pecans. The larvae feed in huge nests and are able to completely defoliate trees and shrubs.

Adult moths emerge as early as March in the south, but do not fly until late spring or early summer in northern areas. Mostly, the adults appear from May to August and deposit their eggs. The egg mass of Hyphantria cunea is almost iridescent green in color. The egg batch contains 400-1000 eggs. In one to two weeks, the larvae hatch and immediately begin spinning their silk tent. The young caterpillars place the web over single leaves and feed by skeletonizing. A fall webworm tent normally encloses the foliage at the end of a branch. The caterpillars can build large silk tents that sometimes spread over several branches. At maturity, the larvae may reach one inch in length. Throughout their development, the caterpillars are able to make distinct jerking movements in unison if the nest is disturbed.

Insect control on pecans needs to take place over several seasons and it is advisable to protect beneficial insects as they perform well in keeping the larvae in check. When possible, poking a hole in the silk nest will allow for beneficial insects and birds to feed on the caterpillars and provide a way for chemicals to reach the pests. Please see the linked publication for more specific information on chemical control methods.

QUESTION:  My eucalyptus tree is dying from the bottom up.  I water it once a week.  What could be wrong? JH

JORDI:  You most likely have one of the cultivars of Eucalyptus globulus which is not native to this country. It prefers well drained, acid soils.  I suspect with all the rain we have been receiving and the once a week watering, this tree has developed a root decay from which it cannot recover. There is no chemical fix for a root rot and the tree will probably slowly decline until it dies.

There are a few things you could do to possibly slow the process.  Remove any mulch from around the root area, check for girdling or circling roots, cut and remove them. Remove any excess soil from around the roots – they should have only an inch or two of soil on top.

Eucalyptus trees prefer a less humid environment found in most parts of California – very different from what we experience here in Northeast Florida. Remember, most trees and shrubs do not require weekly irrigation unless we are going through a severe drought.  Whenever possible, irrigate flower beds, trees and shrubs separately from lawns as their needs are vastly different.

Rebecca Jordi

Rebecca L. Jordi
Nassau County Extension Director
Environmental Horticulture
543350 U. S. Highway #1
Callahan, Florida 32011