What IS It?

What IS This?

It has large water repellant leaves that can stand two feet above the surface of a pond.  They have six inch yellow flowers with distinctive seed pods.  Large colonies can rapidly overtake waterways and they can now be found in Jefferson County.  Sooo…what is it?  

The American lotus!!  This huge leaf belongs to an aquatic weedy plant that is related to the water lily.  Originally native to Central America and the southeastern United States, they can be found from Florida to Canada.  Native Americans grew the plant for food, using its roots, leaves and seeds.  

We are asked to identify many plants and insects. When this came into the office last August it was a quite a surprise!  Metro Parks had a problem with the American Lotus in a pond in Chickasaw Park and brought in this leaf for identification.  No one here had any experience with these plants. Luckily, an extension specialist from KSU identified and assisted Metro Parks in solving the problem (Kentucky State University has an awesome Aquaculture department!).  

So what does that have to do with Jefferson County and Extension?  Introduced species of plants and animals disturb the balance of our ecosystem.  As stewards of our property, neighborhoods and planet we need to take care that we leave things in their natural places and allow wildlife to stay where it belongs.   Choose native plants for your landscape; be selective about the naturalized or non-native species you grow especially in and around water features. 

Make sure you know what it is…

not,  what is it?!

Fireflies!

FIREFLIES!

I was always interested in fireflies or lightning bugs. Their glowing, pulsing lights would take my young imagination on flights of fantasy. Well, there is a lot more to them than what I used to imagine. Rick Durham, extension horticulture specialist at UK has some great information on these cool beetles and the good work they do in our gardens.

 “Remember how much fun it was to chase fireflies when you were young? Once you caught a firefly, you would hold it in your hand to watch the flickering light for a few moments and then release it unharmed to fly away.

Interestingly, fireflies do more than generate entertaining childhood memories; they also help control some pests in the garden. On summer nights, glow worms (luminescent firefly larvae) often emerge from their underground homes to forage for food. A typical menu includes slugs, snails and caterpillars including cutworms. The larvae feed much like a spider by injecting a paralyzing toxin into their prey; then, injecting digestive juices to dissolve the prey and allow it to be more easily consumed. The adults probably feed on plant nectar to sustain their energy requirements.

There are several theories about why fireflies glow. One is that the flashing light is a homing beacon for the opposite sex. The male flies around flashing the signal to attract a female’s attention. A female on the ground or on low-growing foliage will signal back when a male visits her vicinity. To avoid confusion, each firefly species has its own specific signal to attract a mate.

Another theory is that firefly larvae use their luminescence to warn a potential predator that they taste bad. Larvae contain defensive chemicals in their bodies. When disturbed, larvae also increase their glow’s intensity and frequency.

Typical nighttime habitats for adults and larvae take place in rotting wood or other forest litter, or on the edges of water sources such as streams, ponds, marshes and ditches. The highest species diversity is in tropical Asia and Central and South America. Incidentally, some Asian species have tracheal gills that enable them to live under water where they feed on aquatic snails.

To attract fireflies to your property, reduce or eliminate lawn chemicals. Add low, over-hanging trees, tall grass and similar vegetation to give adult fireflies a cool place to rest during the day. Reduce extra lighting on your property because this light interferes with fireflies’ luminous signals, making it harder for them to locate mates in the area. Fireflies also determine the time of night they’ll flash by the intensity of ambient light. This is why you don’t see many fireflies flashing on clear nights with a full moon.”

The Critter Files at UK has a lot of photos and info on insects and other arthropods.  Many Critter Files include folklore and myths as well as all the facts. That just makes the study of entomology fun and interesting for children and adults alike. Take a trip back to your childhood and remember, “critters” can be cool!

You can check out fireflies and more here:

http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/casefile/insects/beetles/lightning/lightning.htm

For child friendly information including a firefly game check this out:

http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/ythfacts/allyr/yf807.htm

Now Cut That Out!*

Now Cut That Out!*

*No, wait…..

We are getting to the end of “pruning season” for most trees and shrubs.  Spring blooming woody ornamentals should have already been pruned, if needed, because they will bloom next year on tissue that grows this year (Blooms on old wood from previous year).  Summer blooming plants should be pruned next spring, as they will bloom on next year’s new growth (blooms on new wood grown in current year).  

There are several things to consider when you decide to prune.

1) Do not prune just to prune. Prune to remove broken or diseased branches, shape the plant or train for correct growth.

2) If pruned at the wrong time the plants may be stressed or injured, but seldom die.

3) Most experts agree that late winter to early spring is the best time to prune with fall being the least desirable time. Light pruning to remove small or broken branches can be done at any time of the year. If you HAVE to prune in the fall, wait until after leaves have fallen, better yet, wait until early spring!

4) Pruning when the weather is hot and dry can damage the cut tissue.

5) If plants are pruned in late summer or early fall new growth will not have enough growing time to harden off before winter.

6) Have the right tools for the job. Keep the tools clean, oiled and sharp.

7) Know the plant, when it blooms, and how it grows.  This includes whether or not it is the correct plant for the space or area it is planted in.

8) Wound sealant or paint is not necessary or even recommended for pruning cuts.

You do need to know the correct way to cut branches both for your safety and the health of the tree.  The links below are to both pruning trees and pruning shrubs. These publications are illustrated to better assist you in proper techniques. 

    

Oh and by the way, never top a tree. It is stressful and hazardous to the tree’s health! The shoots that grow from these cuts are weak and more likely to break and need to be removed every few years.  The wood is also more susceptible to rot causing limb breakage. And of course topping also distorts the look and beauty of the tree.

Pruning Trees:

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/ho/ho45/ho45.pdf

Pruning Shrubs:

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/ho/ho59/HO59.PDF

Topping Can Be Hazardous To Your Tree:

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id55/id55.pdf

Strike Two

Strike Two

Thunderstorms can crop up at any time in Louisville during the summer.  Isolated, or in clusters they can be dangerous and brutal.  I wrote previously about lightening damage to trees but, of course, it can be deadly to humans too!  Don’t take a chance with these powerful storms.  Protect yourself, your family and pets.  Plants and property can be replaced - you are unique!

Lightening is an elemental force! 

We see it here in the Ohio River Valley so often that we can become desensitized to its violence.  The local death of a 13 year old boy during the last storm has really affected our community.  This tragedy has to heighten our awareness to the force that these thunderstorms can have. Please take a minute to check out the following links.  As a community we can pull together and work to protect our families.  Come on Louisville, let’s be PREPARED!

The National Weather Service has great information on the myths, safety issues, and facts on what lightening is and does.  

What to do to when you are indoors:

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/indoors.htm

What to do if you are outdoors:

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/outdoors.htm

The safety myths and facts that many of us believe are a surprising eye-opener:

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/facts_truth.htm

Don’t forget to teach your children about lightening and its dangers!

The National Weather Service site has some handy tools to help keep our children safe and informed, check it out:

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/kids.htm