GARDENING CALENDAR

LYNN RAWE, COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT – HORTICULTURE

TEXAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

August 27, 2005

• In the San Antonio area, hot soil temperatures stimulate cotton root rot. Cottonwoods, roses, Chinese pistache, sycamore and okra are very susceptible while most native plants are resistant. It kills plants so fast that their leaves are still on the plant. There is no effective treatment although native plants are less susceptible.
• This is the second-best time to prune live oak trees. The oak wilt fungus spores and nitidulid beetles are not active in hot or cold weather. Be sure to immediately paint any cuts you make with a latex paint.
• Vigorous-growing shrubs such as pyracantha, photinia, elaeagnus, privet or ligustrum may need to be pruned regularly to keep them within bounds.
• If you have scale problems on your shrubs, use a light horticultural oil (such as neem oil). Please follow the directions on the label.