Aphids - supported by perfidious ants - have infiltrated my elderberry bush. They have also established a beachhead on the rhubarb.
I have secured a company of ladybugs and will dispatch them to the front forthwith. During my evening reconnaissance I discovered that the apple tree has been completely overrun.
Make no mistake; this means WAR.
Quote from: Jacob on June 17, 2013, 08:37:55 PM
I have secured a company of ladybugs and will dispatch them to the front forthwith.
I imagine chemicals would be more effective.
I'm not about to spray pesticides on things I'm going to eat.
Why, are you a pest??
Chemical warfare is a RED LINE!
Quote from: Jacob on June 17, 2013, 08:45:43 PM
I'm not about to spray pesticides on things I'm going to eat.
No ability to clean things in Vancouver? :(
Meanwhile, I'm setting off a bug bomb tomorrow morning. Pests have no business sharing my space.
Quote from: garbon on June 17, 2013, 09:17:23 PM
Meanwhile, I'm setting off a bug bomb tomorrow morning. Pests have no business sharing my space.
You should stay away from those public restrooms. It's always crab season there.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 17, 2013, 09:19:03 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 17, 2013, 09:17:23 PM
Meanwhile, I'm setting off a bug bomb tomorrow morning. Pests have no business sharing my space.
You should stay away from those public restrooms. It's always crab season there.
I don't know what you do in restrooms, but I've never gotten crabs after using one. :blink:
I always heard they can jump from toilet seats. Which is why I'm That Guy that can only take a dump at home, or at very select locales, like a familiar lavatory. :lol: :unsure:
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 17, 2013, 09:47:32 PM
I always heard they can jump from toilet seats. Which is why I'm That Guy that can only take a dump at home, or at very select locales, like a familiar lavatory. :lol: :unsure:
I don't know why, except for being a barbarian, one would think it is acceptable to shit in public.
Also, given how crabs are built for latching on, I wonder how often, if ever, they are just chilling on toilet seats.
Quote from: garbon on June 17, 2013, 09:48:39 PM
I don't know why, except for being a barbarian, one would think it is acceptable to shit in public.
I sometimes hear the neighbors talking when in the bathroom at home.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on June 17, 2013, 09:52:00 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 17, 2013, 09:48:39 PM
I don't know why, except for being a barbarian, one would think it is acceptable to shit in public.
I sometimes hear the neighbors talking when in the bathroom at home.
:console:
Quote from: garbon on June 17, 2013, 09:17:23 PMNo ability to clean things in Vancouver? :(
We do; but WMD are reserved for a last resort in matters of utmost national importance.
Quote from: Jacob on June 17, 2013, 09:59:37 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 17, 2013, 09:17:23 PMNo ability to clean things in Vancouver? :(
We do; but WMD are reserved for a last resort in matters of utmost national importance.
Pesticides are WMDs? I mean we're not talking DDT.
Quote from: garbon on June 17, 2013, 10:01:41 PMPesticides are WMDs? I mean we're not talking DDT.
Chemical and biological agents are considered WMD, I believe.
Quote from: Jacob on June 17, 2013, 10:07:11 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 17, 2013, 10:01:41 PMPesticides are WMDs? I mean we're not talking DDT.
Chemical and biological agents are considered WMD, I believe.
We're not talking about agents in doses and strengths that would kill humans though.
Well, he doesn't just want to kill one ant cow, now does he? ;)
The ladybugs won't help with the ants.
Quote from: Neil on June 17, 2013, 10:13:17 PM
The ladybugs won't help with the ants.
I don't mind the ants as long as they're not tending aphids.
In any case, I have been informed that double sided tape can function as a serviceable anti-ant barrier and I shall deploy it prior to bringing the ladybugs out of stasis.
Target priority:
1: the Elderberry bush. We will hit it tonight; at dusk.
2: the Apple Tree. I will secure another regiment of ladybugs and deploy them tomorrow evening.
The rhubarb is already written off for the season and has been cut down. A small colony of aphids there is acceptable to keep the ladybugs around over the rest of the summer.
Napalm would work fine.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 17, 2013, 09:19:03 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 17, 2013, 09:17:23 PM
Meanwhile, I'm setting off a bug bomb tomorrow morning. Pests have no business sharing my space.
You should stay away from those public restrooms. It's always crab season there.
I saw them crawling around a urinal at the Orlando airport. Freaked me the fuck out. Walked to a different bathroom to pee.
Never rub anothr man's rhubarb.
Ladybugs are rad and will eat the shit out of the aphids. I support Jacob in his non-chemical pest management methodology.
Quote from: derspiess on June 17, 2013, 10:25:09 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 17, 2013, 09:19:03 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 17, 2013, 09:17:23 PM
Meanwhile, I'm setting off a bug bomb tomorrow morning. Pests have no business sharing my space.
You should stay away from those public restrooms. It's always crab season there.
I saw them crawling around a urinal at the Orlando airport. Freaked me the fuck out. Walked to a different bathroom to pee.
WTF?
Quote from: lustindarkness on June 17, 2013, 10:23:11 PM
Napalm would work fine.
Like I said in a discussion of the same subject elsewhere - I'm afraid I might burn my house down, and that would count as a win for the aphids. Can't have that.
Quote from: garbon on June 17, 2013, 10:28:30 PM
WTF?
I'm guessing that's what they were. It was like 4 or 5 years ago and the thought still makes me cringe.
Quote from: derspiess on June 17, 2013, 10:38:16 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 17, 2013, 10:28:30 PM
WTF?
I'm guessing that's what they were. It was like 4 or 5 years ago and the thought still makes me cringe.
Crabs are pretty small.
Quote from: garbon on June 17, 2013, 09:17:23 PM
Meanwhile, I'm setting off a bug bomb tomorrow morning. Pests have no business sharing my space.
Same here. Three-fold attack in our home begins tomorrow. Heating the rooms to excessive levels to decimate the masses. Following up with biochemical warfare to destroy the young, with continued use of WMD monthly for the next six months to a year to verify complete eradication.
I don't mind bugs in nature, but I will not - WILL NOT, I say! - allow them in my fortress of solitude. :mad:
The tarp and double sided tape has been deployed.
The lady warriors are exiting their stasis.
T - 5 minutes to deployment
Quote from: merithyn on June 17, 2013, 10:50:18 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 17, 2013, 09:17:23 PM
Meanwhile, I'm setting off a bug bomb tomorrow morning. Pests have no business sharing my space.
Same here. Three-fold attack in our home begins tomorrow. Heating the rooms to excessive levels to decimate the masses. Following up with biochemical warfare to destroy the young, with continued use of WMD monthly for the next six months to a year to verify complete eradication.
I don't mind bugs in nature, but I will not - WILL NOT, I say! - allow them in my fortress of solitude. :mad:
:hug:
When I was in Madagascar I made friends with a few locals and was hanging out with them in one of the more shanty-townish parts of Antanivaro. We walked by a butcher shop (basically a hole in the wall), with the meat all on display on the wooden board that served as the counter (in 30+C weather). They kept away the flies using two techniques - 1) a traditional hair fly swatter; 2) a big can of aerosol bug repellent, occasionally sprayed liberally over the flies and meat. It worked passably well, but I decided that sardines from a can and fresh baguettes were a better bet for dinner that night.
Why were you in Madagascar?
It is done.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on June 17, 2013, 11:02:29 PM
Why were you in Madagascar?
Ports hadn't been closed.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on June 17, 2013, 11:02:29 PM
Why were you in Madagascar?
Vacation :)
It was in 2003, I believe; a few months after Marc Ravalomanana survived the attempted coup against him. The rolling blackouts at the capital had just ended by the time I arrived.
I was more adventurous back in those days. Though, I believe Madagascar is (was) pretty safe for travelling - especially as compared to South Africa. I didn't hear - and haven't heard - any stories of bad things befalling tourists.
Quote from: garbon on June 17, 2013, 10:28:30 PM
Quote from: derspiess on June 17, 2013, 10:25:09 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 17, 2013, 09:19:03 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 17, 2013, 09:17:23 PM
Meanwhile, I'm setting off a bug bomb tomorrow morning. Pests have no business sharing my space.
You should stay away from those public restrooms. It's always crab season there.
I saw them crawling around a urinal at the Orlando airport. Freaked me the fuck out. Walked to a different bathroom to pee.
WTF?
Everything grows bigger down there, you know.
I've no idea. Number of my visits to Florida equals 1.
Quote from: garbon on June 17, 2013, 11:03:40 PMPorts hadn't been closed.
The airport was still open as well.
Anyways, I thought that the ants would protect their aphids? Won't they outnumber the ladybugs by quite a bit?
Quote from: jimmy olsen on June 18, 2013, 01:12:09 AM
Anyways, I thought that the ants would protect their aphids? Won't they outnumber the ladybugs by quite a bit?
Ants can't fly. Ladybugs have Teh Edgez.
Where did you buy Lady bugs?
Where is the AAR :mad:
Quote from: merithyn on June 18, 2013, 08:32:47 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on June 18, 2013, 01:12:09 AM
Anyways, I thought that the ants would protect their aphids? Won't they outnumber the ladybugs by quite a bit?
Ants can't fly. Ladybugs have Teh Edgez.
Air superiority is always the key.
It's not yet A the A yet, but here's a report nonetheless.
The Lady Regiment was deployed (under a tarp, according to the strategic plan devised by the supplier of the Lady Regiment).
Inspecting the front this morning, it appears that about five of the ladies never awoke from stasis, but Command considers 2% pre-deployment casualties acceptable. Otherwise, the troops appeared to be in fine spirit.
The ladies were observed patrolling the elderberry bush in force. Some seemed to have misunderstood their orders and had relocated to an adjacent blueberry bush, as of yet unmolested by the enemy. I give them a talking to, and they explained they were acting as a strategic reserve.
More worrying, the ant countermeasures - double sided sticky tape - have proven ineffective and the the bastards are still moving around at will.
Alas, I won't be able to offer my guidance to the troops until late this evening or tomorrow morning, but I expect great things from the Ladies.
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 18, 2013, 09:22:33 AM
Where did you buy Lady bugs?
A garden store. Apparently you can order them online as well (via Amazon, natch).
@ Jake :D
Quote from: Jacob on June 18, 2013, 10:33:29 AM
It's not yet A the A yet, but here's a report nonetheless.
The Lady Regiment was deployed (under a tarp, according to the strategic plan devised by the supplier of the Lady Regiment).
Inspecting the front this morning, it appears that about five of the ladies never awoke from stasis, but Command considers 2% pre-deployment casualties acceptable. Otherwise, the troops appeared to be in fine spirit.
The ladies were observed patrolling the elderberry bush in force. Some seemed to have misunderstood their orders and had relocated to an adjacent blueberry bush, as of yet unmolested by the enemy. I give them a talking to, and they explained they were acting as a strategic reserve.
More worrying, the ant countermeasures - double sided sticky tape - have proven ineffective and the the bastards are still moving around at will.
Alas, I won't be able to offer my guidance to the troops until late this evening or tomorrow morning, but I expect great things from the Ladies.
General, for another option against the ant brigade, I recommend a wall of Borax rather than the sticky tape.
Quote from: merithyn on June 18, 2013, 11:31:06 AMGeneral, for another option against the ant brigade, I recommend a wall of Borax rather than the sticky tape.
How do I deploy it?
Quote from: Jacob on June 18, 2013, 11:32:34 AM
How do I deploy it?
Construct said wall (sprinkle liberally) where you had the tape. The ants can't ascend the wall, leaving them trapped away from their aphid counter-parts with no way to protect them. Baby powder has a similar affect.
Yeah, I have used baby powder in the past to great effect.
I'm not sure how it'll stand up to the coming rains, though.
You can try it. Can't do worse than the sticky tape.
Ants also won't walk past a line of chalk for some reason.
Do we have enough interest on Languish to warrant a general Gardening thread? I could use some advice on my tomatoes... :hmm:
I still think naplam would have made for an interesting AAR. :(
Quote from: Barrister on June 18, 2013, 11:43:32 AM
Do we have enough interest on Languish to warrant a general Gardening thread? I could use some advice on my tomatoes... :hmm:
Container or gardenbed?
Quote from: Barrister on June 18, 2013, 11:43:32 AM
Do we have enough interest on Languish to warrant a general Gardening thread? I could use some advice on my tomatoes... :hmm:
You bet.
Quote from: merithyn on June 18, 2013, 11:49:27 AM
Quote from: Barrister on June 18, 2013, 11:43:32 AM
Do we have enough interest on Languish to warrant a general Gardening thread? I could use some advice on my tomatoes... :hmm:
Container or gardenbed?
Container. 2 plants.
I grew a planterbox herb garden that mostly turned out well, so this year I branched out to 2 tomato plants and a red chilli plant. They seem to be doing well, but what do I know...
You guys are scaring me, I have a garden & it's been mainly hands off since it was put in ground outside.
I am going to need to do some scouting.
Bleach is an great anti personnel weapon for ants. But you may want to consider the collateral damage to the plants before you begin carpeting bombing with it.
Quote from: merithyn on June 18, 2013, 11:41:44 AM
You can try it. Can't do worse than the sticky tape.
:lol:
Very true.
I mean, the sticky tape did take out a few ants since they got covered up as I wrapped it around the bottom of the bush... but I suspect there are many more of the little fuckers where they came from.
Quote from: Jacob on June 18, 2013, 10:33:29 AM
Some seemed to have misunderstood their orders and had relocated to an adjacent blueberry bush, as of yet unmolested by the enemy. I give them a talking to, and they explained they were acting as a strategic reserve.
:thumbsup:
Quote from: Barrister on June 18, 2013, 11:53:10 AM
Container. 2 plants.
I grew a planterbox herb garden that mostly turned out well, so this year I branched out to 2 tomato plants and a red chilli plant. They seem to be doing well, but what do I know...
Container tomato plants need to be fed nutrients if you want decent fruit from them. They're greedy little things. I use Miracle Grow Tomato food, but you might be able to find something cheaper.
Herbs aren't nearly as greedy, though if you've planted fennel, that needs a good bit of food, too.
Quote from: merithyn on June 18, 2013, 12:09:45 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 18, 2013, 11:53:10 AM
Container. 2 plants.
I grew a planterbox herb garden that mostly turned out well, so this year I branched out to 2 tomato plants and a red chilli plant. They seem to be doing well, but what do I know...
Container tomato plants need to be fed nutrients if you want decent fruit from them. They're greedy little things. I use Miracle Grow Tomato food, but you might be able to find something cheaper.
Herbs aren't nearly as greedy, though if you've planted fennel, that needs a good bit of food, too.
Yup. gave them some general Miracle Grow when planted, and gave them a bit more after one month.
One plant has at least a dozen tiny little tomatoes on it, other just has one or two (but lots of flowers). Watering daily - they're also really thirsty plants. The soil in the herbs can stil be damp, but the tomatoes are dry.
My question is really - I'm supposed to prune it, but how much? I haven't done anything other than pinch off a couple of suckers, and took away any leaves from the bottom couple of inches (they weren't doing real well to begin with).
You shouldn't need to prune much. Are they in full sun?
Also - water the base of the tomato plants; try and avoid watering the leaves.
Quote from: Barrister on June 18, 2013, 11:53:10 AM
Quote from: merithyn on June 18, 2013, 11:49:27 AM
Quote from: Barrister on June 18, 2013, 11:43:32 AM
Do we have enough interest on Languish to warrant a general Gardening thread? I could use some advice on my tomatoes... :hmm:
Container or gardenbed?
Container. 2 plants.
I grew a planterbox herb garden that mostly turned out well, so this year I branched out to 2 tomato plants and a red chilli plant. They seem to be doing well, but what do I know...
I have two words for you - Alpaca poo. I believe there are some Alpaca hobby farms in your area. Get yourself some of the Alpaca poo and dig it into your soil. You will become the best damn gardener on your block without changing anything else.
Ok, I have some more words for you.
Make sure you prune the tomato plant when you get enough blossoms so that it doesnt expend all its energy on growing bigger. Instead its resources will be spent on growing the tomato bigger.
Water it a lot. Tomato plants take up a lot of water.
Make sure you have the branches properly supported so that they dont break.
Quote from: fahdiz on June 18, 2013, 12:18:54 PM
You shouldn't need to prune much. Are they in full sun?
Disagree. Pruning is the secret to a good crop - as with all other fruits. Those vines can really get going out of control especially on into late July early August.
Quote from: Barrister on June 18, 2013, 12:12:36 PM
Yup. gave them some general Miracle Grow when planted, and gave them a bit more after one month.
One plant has at least a dozen tiny little tomatoes on it, other just has one or two (but lots of flowers). Watering daily - they're also really thirsty plants. The soil in the herbs can stil be damp, but the tomatoes are dry.
My question is really - I'm supposed to prune it, but how much? I haven't done anything other than pinch off a couple of suckers, and took away any leaves from the bottom couple of inches (they weren't doing real well to begin with).
They'll need fertilizer probably once more this summer, but then you should be good.
I prune any spindly branches, any that look like they're drying, or any that don't seem to have many flowers on them (less than one or two flowers mean they go bye-bye). When you container garden, it's imperative that you only maintain as much of the plant as is producing for you.
Quote from: fahdiz on June 18, 2013, 11:42:53 AM
Ants also won't walk past a line of chalk for some reason.
So you saw that on TV the other day as well? :lol:
Quote from: Jacob on June 18, 2013, 10:33:29 AM
The Lady Regiment was deployed (under a tarp, according to the strategic plan devised by the supplier of the Lady Regiment).
Sounds so incredibly British. I bet they use British salute etiquette as well. Did you play
Scotland the Brave during deployment?
Quote from: crazy canuck on June 18, 2013, 11:54:19 AM
Bleach is an great anti personnel weapon for ants. But you may want to consider the collateral damage to the plants before you begin carpeting bombing with it.
Good idea, McNamara. Nothing like blowing back the tree line a few klicks.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 18, 2013, 01:05:30 PMSounds so incredibly British. I bet they use British salute etiquette as well. Did you play Scotland the Brave during deployment?
I should have now that you mention it, but I went with Ride of the Valkyries. Can't go wrong with that.
Quote from: Jacob on June 18, 2013, 01:11:40 PM
I should have now that you mention it, but I went with Ride of the Valkyries. Can't go wrong with that.
So not Ladybuggish. For God's sake man they're Paras, not Air Cav. OPERATION MARKET JACOB GARDEN
Quote from: crazy canuck on June 18, 2013, 12:22:48 PM
Quote from: fahdiz on June 18, 2013, 12:18:54 PM
You shouldn't need to prune much. Are they in full sun?
Disagree. Pruning is the secret to a good crop - as with all other fruits. Those vines can really get going out of control especially on into late July early August.
"Much"
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 18, 2013, 01:02:45 PM
Quote from: fahdiz on June 18, 2013, 11:42:53 AM
Ants also won't walk past a line of chalk for some reason.
So you saw that on TV the other day as well? :lol:
:blush:
Quote from: fahdiz on June 18, 2013, 01:23:29 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 18, 2013, 01:02:45 PM
Quote from: fahdiz on June 18, 2013, 11:42:53 AM
Ants also won't walk past a line of chalk for some reason.
So you saw that on TV the other day as well? :lol:
:blush:
Unemployment is a motherfucker. But hey, you definitely get your TV time in. :lol:
I fucked my ant.
Quote from: fahdiz on June 18, 2013, 01:23:13 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on June 18, 2013, 12:22:48 PM
Quote from: fahdiz on June 18, 2013, 12:18:54 PM
You shouldn't need to prune much. Are they in full sun?
Disagree. Pruning is the secret to a good crop - as with all other fruits. Those vines can really get going out of control especially on into late July early August.
"Much"
So how much do I prune, and when?
Quote from: Barrister on June 18, 2013, 03:36:16 PM
So how much do I prune, and when?
:mellow:
Quote from: merithyn on June 18, 2013, 12:39:58 PM
They'll need fertilizer probably once more this summer, but then you should be good.
I prune any spindly branches, any that look like they're drying, or any that don't seem to have many flowers on them (less than one or two flowers mean they go bye-bye). When you container garden, it's imperative that you only maintain as much of the plant as is producing for you.
Quote from: DGuller on June 18, 2013, 12:08:10 PM
Quote from: Jacob on June 18, 2013, 10:33:29 AM
Some seemed to have misunderstood their orders and had relocated to an adjacent blueberry bush, as of yet unmolested by the enemy. I give them a talking to, and they explained they were acting as a strategic reserve.
:thumbsup:
:lol:
Quote from: Barrister on June 18, 2013, 03:36:16 PM
Quote from: fahdiz on June 18, 2013, 01:23:13 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on June 18, 2013, 12:22:48 PM
Quote from: fahdiz on June 18, 2013, 12:18:54 PM
You shouldn't need to prune much. Are they in full sun?
Disagree. Pruning is the secret to a good crop - as with all other fruits. Those vines can really get going out of control especially on into late July early August.
"Much"
So how much do I prune, and when?
Now we enter the true art of gardening. There is much discussion about this. My wife has developed a certain feel and expertise for this over the years. A lot will depend on the quality of your soil and your weather (ie growing conditions). While you are getting the feel for it you will likely either under or over prune.
But basic rule of thumb - if you already have fruit growing on it - start pruning the new growth.
Living in the bottom of a river valley during a wet English spring/summer, I have bigger, deadlier garden opponents, namely slugs and snails. :mad:
First part of the assault was to remove/dig up all nooks and crannies that these critters hid in, for instance discarded overgrown paving slaps behind one of the sheds have been removed, I then tackled some of the invasive species growing in from other peoples gardens/borders.
We've now moved on to the combined operations element of the assault; my garden fed air legions of blackbirds,sparrows,thrushes and robins have joined the fray, resulting in pleasing numbers of snail shells being discard around the place.
Next I intend to replant a lot of potted plants(tending towards bushes/trees) in the ground, hopefully removing still more slug and snail hiding places. :)
Quote from: mongers on June 18, 2013, 05:06:44 PM
Living in the bottom of a river valley during a wet English spring/summer, I have bigger, deadlier garden opponents, namely slugs and snails. :mad:
If all else fails you must follow the example of Rome's treatment of Carthage and salt the earth!
Quote from: crazy canuck on June 18, 2013, 05:44:21 PM
Quote from: mongers on June 18, 2013, 05:06:44 PM
Living in the bottom of a river valley during a wet English spring/summer, I have bigger, deadlier garden opponents, namely slugs and snails. :mad:
If all else fails you must follow the example of Rome's treatment of Carthage and salt the earth!
:D
Used up a lot of creosote over the weekend, they don't like that one bit, the couple I accidentally painted.
For tomatoes I've been using cages. I got some large and tall square cages to go with smaller round cages someone gave me. Those help a lot with supporting the tomato branches as the plant gets big. I use a lot less ties that way, otherwise tying up branches takes dozens of ties over the summer. Right after planting I do put one stout pole next to the plant and use a few ties as the plant grows, especially until it gets large enough to be supported mainly by the cage.
As for ties I buy a roll of plastic ties from the hardware store made for using on plants. Just pull out and cut off the length needed, then twist it around the branch to secure it to a pole. Very easy, much easier than using string or something you need to tie.
I probably don't prune enough, but I take off the "suckers", small branches that grow in the crook of the plant branches and trunk. I'm going to check out on how to prune tomato plants, as my cherry plants get huge and tall.