!! SEPP to Boot: Stephen's Experience (BEL)

I'm convinced that it can't be mullein. It's nowhere near fuzzy enough, and I don't think it's stalk was as "naked" as a typical second-year plant of that type. It was definitely growing in the same conditions amenable to mullein, however.

BEL #803

I spent some quality time with a hugel berm we call Captain Obvious. It's loaded primarily with fruits and vegetables one would find in a grocery store: tomatoes, sweet basil, strawberries, potatoes, etc.

It seemed evident that while we've done well with irrigation to build soil over there, we really haven't kept up with clearing out the grass. So I decided to do something about it today with the time I had.



First step was to go "goat mode" and pluck out all the grass I could.



Next, I added several flat-ish stones to the pathway, in an effort to discourage errant planting, as well as increase access to other plants along the berm's upper portion.



Finally, I returned the mulch in the same spot. I'd run out of time for planting, otherwise I would have added some squash and pumpkins in there.



Meanwhile, fellow Boot Tiernay had discovered a wild insect infestation on one of the willow trees at Allerton Abbey. I struggled to catch a good photo of this, but due to the multiple leaves and branches in the way, I couldn't focus on a branch for detail. It looks similar to an aphid farm, and it's also suggested it could be scale.

Essentially, a 6" - 8" section of branch was completely covered with small, narrow-bodied insects that seemed to have their heads burrowed into the surface of the branches. Ants would scurry along the mass, literally walking across the other bugs. They weren't on the leaves of the tree, seeming to prefer the woodier parts of the plant.



After consulting with Paul, I ended up adding diatomaceous earth to the base of the tree to repel the ants, and then sprinkled it on the branches that had the other insects. I'll return tomorrow with more DE, with the hopes that several applications of the stuff (along with some judicious squishing with gloves - will be enough to remove these bugs for good.



That's all for now. Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day...!

Stephen B. Thomas wrote:I'm convinced that it can't be mullein. It's nowhere near fuzzy enough, and I don't think it's stalk was as "naked" as a typical second-year plant of that type. It was definitely growing in the same conditions amenable to mullein, however.

Possibly evening primrose?

Hard to say before it blooms.

But I agree with it possibly not being a mullein. Not fuzzy enough☺️.

Stephen B. Thomas wrote:BEL #803

Meanwhile, fellow Boot Tiernay had discovered a wild insect infestation on one of the willow trees at Allerton Abbey. I struggled to catch a good photo of this, but due to the multiple leaves and branches in the way, I couldn't focus on a branch for detail. It looks similar to an aphid farm, and it's also suggested it could be scale.

Essentially, a 6" - 8" section of branch was completely covered with small, narrow-bodied insects that seemed to have their heads burrowed into the surface of the branches. Ants would scurry along the mass, literally walking across the other bugs. They weren't on the leaves of the tree, seeming to prefer the woodier parts of the plant.

This looks like giant willow aphid to me. They showed up in Auckland a dozen years ago and have spread across the entire country since then. You can spot a heavily infested tree from a distance by all the sooty black mildew that feeds on the honeydew (what the ants don't get, anyway).

Soapy water will knock most of them off. Ladybugs and lacewings will eat them. They have been reported to cause problems with apple and pear trees but I haven't seen this happen in my orchard yet, and we do get wooly aphids from time to time.

Stephen B. Thomas wrote:I'm convinced that it can't be mullein. It's nowhere near fuzzy enough, and I don't think it's stalk was as "naked" as a typical second-year plant of that type. It was definitely growing in the same conditions amenable to mullein, however.

That fancy "smart" phone you have should support an ID app or two.  Seek is from iNaturalist and is far from perfect, but will ID plants, animals, fungi, etc...or at least attempt to.  PlantNet is one that is just for plants.

I look forward to a positive resolution.

Good job with Captain Obvious!