Features
Damaged flowers means busy thrips
A rose is a rose… but if that rose has been riddled by thrips, it may lose some of its traditional charm. Flower thrips are a common pest to roses and other ornamental crops in the home landscape. A thrips’ (thrips is the plural and singular form) color can range anywhere from a creamy white to a dark brown. They are barely visible to the un-trained eye, measuring only 1/16 of an inch.
First described in 1855 in New York, thrips are one of the most numerous insect pests of ornamental crops. During warm periods, swarms of these tiny insects fly in late afternoon. Thrips actually can bite people, causing a noticeable stinging sensation. Their large numbers account for considerable and rapid damage to flowers, especially those with pale petals. Yet thrips contribute to pollination of some crops; an unexpected benefit. Because of their small size, thrips are carried over large areas by frontal wind systems.
The reason thrips are such a nuisance is the aesthetic damage they cause to the petals of flowers. The rasping mouthparts of the insect scratch the petal surface, and the thrips feed on the juices released. This will cause a brown discoloration at the edges of petals. Oftentimes, the damage is done before the bud has even opened.
Thrips can have 12–15 generations per year, with the lifecycle being faster in warmer months. The eggs are inserted into flower or leaf tissue, and the pre-pupal and pupal stages are spent in the soil. These garden pests are able to over-winter as far north as North Dakota. This is an important reason to remove plant litter and other debris from the landscape each spring.
Chemical control of thrips is an option that may need to be taken if too much damage occurs on the flowers. Call the Oklahoma County Extension Office at 713-1125 for information on proper pesticide selection and use. As our temperatures continue to rise and the flowers continue to open be on the lookout for these nuisance pests. Scouting for thrips can be done by gently blowing into an opened flower. The carbon dioxide in human breath will prompt the insects to crawl, making them easier to spot. Happy gardening!
SAMANTHA SNYDER is a horticulture educator for the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension Service.
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Pets require proper dental care for health
STILLWATER — There may be cause for concern if pet owners notice their four-legged friends have yucky doggie breath.
If you notice your pet’s breath is offensive, it might signify a serious health concern, said Dr. Carolynn MacAllister, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension veterinarian.
“Responsible pet owners take care of their pets by feeding them, exercising them and taking them to the veterinarian for an annual checkup. Unfortunately, some pet owners overlook the care of their pet’s teeth,” MacAllister said. “Proper dental care is just as important for pets as it is for humans.” -
Behavior modification for the bored dog
Q: We have a 2-year-old miniature Australian Shepherd named Sally that is home alone for eight to nine hours every day. She finds something to get on or chew up almost every day. She gets on the window seat and chews on the blind cords or cushions, or on the coffee table and chews on or breaks whatever she can get to. I do worry about her getting bored during the day, but we both work. What would you recommend we do to help her pass the time without getting bored?
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Enough of all this winter weather
No more nice guy. My pansies and I have had all the global warming we can take. It’ll be a miracle if they survive another ice storm, and my own longevity’s not all that secure either.
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Retreat ideal for scrapbookers
If you’re a cut-up, have I got a place for you! The Scrappin’ Pad south of Tahlequah was created with scrapbookers in mind.
This is a bed and breakfast with a niche. Christi Bowlin caters to the gals who glue. (OK, I know most scrapbookers wouldn’t touch a glue stick, but that phrase was just too euphonious to pass up.) -
Teens don’t ring bells, they TOA (text on arrival)
NEW YORK (AP) — Planet Teenager, where I unfortunately live, is a busy and surprising place.
On this planet, kids come and go at all hours, but nobody ever rings a bell or knocks on a door. Nobody calls to warn, “I’m on my way.” Nobody beeps a horn to say, “Your ride is here.” -
No more saying no!
Dear Mr. Dad: I feel like when I spend time with my 2-year-old, I’m constantly telling him “no!” Is there some way I can enforce boundaries without being so negative?
A: It’s no wonder that one of the first words kids learn to say is, No. After all, it’s the word they hear the most — even more than mommy, daddy, or their own name. -
Officials urge caution on tree repair
The ice and snow has not yet gone away, but already state forestry officials with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry have heard that out-of-state private contractors are on their way to solicit jobs pruning or removing damaged trees.
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Online directory targets eastern red cedar
OKLAHOMA CITY — A new directory for eastern red cedar, one of the most challenging plant species in Oklahoma, was announced this week.
The eastern red cedar is a native tree of Oklahoma, but the tree that was once limited to rocky bluffs, deep canyons and other fire-free areas has now grown out of control. -
Shelter dogs enjoy a romp in the snow
Edmond Animal Welfare employees and volunteers braved the snow and icy streets Friday to take care of the dogs and cats in the city’s shelter.
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Massage may help dog’s spinal injury
Q: Our dachshund suffered a slipped disc in her spinal column about two months ago, resulting in complete paralysis of her hind legs.
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Pets require proper dental care for health
