Nuts and Bolts of Desert Gardening Zann Wilson, 2016

Common Pests Aphids Piercing/sucking Numerous, many colors Blast of water to remove “Honeydew” present See bulletin AZ 1635

Grubs Larvae of beetles Seek moist plant tissues Some grubs break down organic matter

Hand pick through soil to remove Nematodes work as natural pesticide

Grub damage to Agave from Agave Snout Weevil

To pretreat for grubs on Agave, current chemical pesticide recommendation is Imidacloprid.

Mites Piercing sucking mouthparts Stippling as evidence

Too small to see with eye – only microscope Appear in hot/dry conditions

Cochineal Scale

How did I get here? Do I look like a pest?

Flea Beetle damage Phyllotreta cruciferae,

Cactus Long horned beetle Moneilema armatum

White lined sphinx moth Hyles lineata

Guess who had me for dinner?

Powdery Mildew

High soil Salt

Bacterial or fungal rot

Fertilizing Light green or yellow leaves Leaves with dead spots leaves smaller than normal fewer leaves and/or flowers than normal short annual twig growth dying back of branches at the wilting of foliage Fertilizing Light green or yellow leaves Leaves with dead spots Leaves smaller than normal Fewer leaves or flowers than normal Short annual twig growth Dying back of branches at the tips Wilting of foliage

Macro Nutrients N – nitrogen: promotes the growth of leaves and vegetation P – phosphorus: promotes root and shoot growth K – potassium: regulation of water and nutrient movement in plant cells, and should promote flowering, fruiting and general hardiness

Special purpose fertilizers Citrus Rose Cactus Slow release Organic Vegetables Herbs Lawns Fruits Annual flowers Perennial flowers Deciduous shrubs Evergreen shrubs Deciduous shade trees Evergreen shade trees High Medium to Low Medium to High Medium Medium Medium to Low Medium to Low Low Medium to Low Low

Slow release/organic 19-6-12 Organic starter 4-3-3

Super Bloom 12-55-6 All purpose 16-16-16 The “Blue Stuff” 24-8-16

Weed: Any unwanted plant Weeding Weed: Any unwanted plant

Pruning

Why Prune? Promote tree’s health • Reduce hazards to people • Train a young tree • Increase or decrease flowers/fruit

Texas Ranger

Tools and cuts

Thinning Gradual renewal Rejuvenate

Pruning Hedges Prune to this line Correct shape incorrect

Container Gardening No recurving pots For succulents use fast draining mix For herbaceous plants, use garden grade mix plus compost Always ensure good drainage

Pumice Perlite

Types of containers

Underpot desert plants Plant stemless plants w/ crown above soil Repot after three years Pot size to fit current size of plant Water more than in ground plants Saucers must be emptied after watering

Watering/Fertilizing Containers Water until water runs through Water succulents per season Fertilize annuals bi-weekly Fertilize succulents monthly – Mar – Oct.

Summer annuals Winter annuals Winter annuals lobelia geraniums alyssum dusty miller pansy blue salvia petunia dianthus snapdragon stock blue salvia golden fleece cosmos vinca lisianthus salvia nierembergia zinnia portulaca gazania pentas

Come and see me sometimeit