Ask Doug: Serviceberry problems, perennial hibiscus and are tomatoes edible after groundhog damage?
Marlene-Hi Doug. My 'Shadblow' serviceberry is inundated with small black seed looking creatures under the leaves. The top of the leaves looks a bit scorched. I tried a systemic drench a couple weeks but not much change. What say you?
After looking at the photo, I wasn't sure what the problem was, so I reached out to Dick Till from the Davey Tree Expert Company. He knew right away the problem was lace bugs.
Doug says- They can easily be treated with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Just spray it on the pests, undersides of the leaves ect. It will take a few applications over as many weeks. It also shows us the tree is stressed. I would want to be sure it's getting enough water and would fertilize it in the spring with Treetone from Espoma.
Catherine wonders- Do hibiscus drop their flowers quickly after bloom? This is my 1st year growing one.
Doug says- Yes, they don't last long, especially when it's hot. But hopefully you have lots of buds.
Carol asks about a tomato damaged by a pest- When they take one bite, is it safe to cut that part away and eat rest? Cannot find answer online. Thanks.
Doug says- I wouldn't, hate to throw away a good tomato, but there are too many variables in eating something that a wild animal has chewed on.
Maybe Hot Pepper Wax will keep them off the tomatoes?
Send your gardening questions to dougoster@comcast.net. I always answer my emails and your question might end up here.