Savannah Thomerson

Thank you all for your input. As I observe further, taking into account all the seedlings that are doing fine, I do think it is a mixture of overwatering + cold nights + hot days.

Hmm, John, that is interesting.

The beds have logs at the very bottom, on top of which is top soil, on top of which is about a foot thick mix of composted manure, vermiculite, perlite & peat moss...

From what I've just researched on Fusarium, it will impact the stem of a seedling .... my problem began in the leaves, the stems were left strong and green until more recently. I'm really wondering if it's overwatering since I have an entire bed, using the very same soil, thriving.

Hey everyone,

I am starting a bunch of seedlings under a hoophouse. I'm in zone 6, it's been getting cool in the 30's at night and reaching the upper 60's, low 70's during the day....making it in the 80's-ish inside my hoophouses.
They have all been doing wonderfully until just this week......
Yesterday I noticed the cucumber and canteloupe seedlings two leaves were starting to wilt and mildly discolor. The stems still looked healthy and green and strong so I figured it was heat stress and that they would recover during the cooler night.
Today, when I went out to check on them, they had NOT recovered. And I noticed the tops of my tomatoes were starting to discolor just a tad bit, as well as some other seedlings!

I've posted pictures below. Do you all think it's a virus? A fungus? Or something to do with the cooler nights and direct sun/heat during the days as of just recently?

Thanks so much for any advice you can offer!

....WOW 

H Ludi Tyler wrote:
Apparently the breeding nest of carpenter ants needs moisture for the eggs, but they create satellite nests which do not require moisture.  So to locate the queen may require finding where there is moisture or rotten wood.

More details:    http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/housingandclothing/DK1015.html

Hmmm. . . I've noticed some flashing missing from up on the roof.
We have to get out there soon to clean the chimney, will give everything a real good inspection while up there then!

I'm not too keen on having the house doused with poison, either, H. Ludi - it contradicts our way of living entirely. So here I am - seeking out alternatives.

Living in a house made entirely of wood can certainly cause one to raise an eyebrow when they're told termites have been spotted and carpenter ants caused those holes in the wall.

Surely there's a nice balance somewhere. Would love to hear as many opinions as possible!

∞

Several months ago I discovered some carpenter ants in the house and, by listening - was certain I knew where their colony was. From there, I put a bit of dust through a crack in the logs and many ants (still) can be found dead around the corners.
However, since then - we have found two locations in the walls with those holes that look similar to this:
___________    ____      _____________        __
(___________)  (____)    (_____________)      (__)

which makes me wonder if they are not dying out, but perpetuating even?

We've introduced five guinea to the yard, they're still young, but hopefully it will help for the future.

I'm going to spend some time searching for the colonies .  . . and, go from there I believe.

Thanks muchly!

Greetings all ~

We've been told recently that we have carpenter ants in our (log) home and the beginnings of a termite colony near the base of the home ( it is stilted ).

The exterminator has given us all of the treatment and future prevention package details but before going through with that, I want to check here to see if anyone knows of any effective alternatives to extermination.

A good friend of mine had a reaction to the pesticides used when a termite treatment was applied to her home and ended up moving out of it because she stayed sick. I'm sensitive to chemicals in this way, too, and am researching BEFORE committing to an extermination. I feel there's got to be other ways, any offered knowledge, experience, tips, or advice is appreciated

Cheers!

Correct, indeed! Perry is a whole other ball game They use a special type of pear, though I'm pretty sure you have to use a certain type of pear for wine, too.

Hmm. More research is needed for sure. I will be getting to that when I have a bunch of (ripened) pears. We moved here several months ago and the land we purchased includes a pre-planted orchard - to boot, we bought it from a Zen monastery and hardly anyone speaks English, but somehow we need to find out the exact varieties of everything.

Best to all ye pear-winers and perry-ers!

Cheers ~

Well my pears never did go "ripe" I don't believe....they sort of shriveled up and "dried" :/

Hmmm. Still trouble-shooting this. Did I pick them too early, perhaps?

Anywho - very simple to make the wine though (once you've got all your pears). This link was very helpful to me. Hopefully it will help you, too!

http://www.wineworldfdw.com/fruit_wine.html

Good luck and cheers:)