It looks like I'm in the early stages of a nasty whitefly infestation. They're all over the place, especially near the house, but they only seem to be negatively impacting the chard so far. In thinking about a strategy to combat whiteflies, obviously I can't whip up an insectary over the weekend, but an insectary is something I'm interested in the longterm. Some key points in thinking about strategy: > This is my first six months in this house, and my first year trying to suppress a yard full of oxalis. 90% of the 75' x 25' yard is sheet mulched with cardboard covered with up to 6" of wood chips. This means that the annual exotic grasses, such as foxtail and wild oats (neither of which I would mind as they're easy enough manage), are also suppressed, so there's not much habitat for beneficial insects. Should I even bother with predator insects if there's hardly a place for them to settle? > I've got neem oil and yellow sticky traps on hand, and I've got Delphrastus pusillus and Encarsia formosa coming in the mail. I'm also thinking of getting some ladybugs. Should I apply the neem oil a day before I release any insect predator, as the neem oil could kill the predator in addition to the pest? Is there a strategy to placing yellow sticky traps? I think I placed one too high up and I caught a honey bee this morning. That's not good, although I did manage to set her free. > Whiteflies population is densest near the house, where they cover all kinds of inedible surfaces--the siding, the metal security gate. They were getting in the house when we left the backdoor open, but they seem to die in a day because there's nothing to eat in here (one Billbergia nutans and one ZZ plant, neither of which have whiteflies on them). Primarily they're going for the chard, the Bergenia, and the invasive morning glory which covers the fence. The chard was volunteer when I moved in and I wouldn't mind pulling it all out. The Bergenia I want to save. The morning glory I would be happy to be rid of, but I'd have to ask my neighbor as I think it's coming from his yard. Whiteflies are also around the compost and worm bin. What could they be eating in there? Worm bin is full of shredded phone book, used bunny litter, and far gone kitchen scraps. Compost is kitchen scraps, used bunny litter, and straw from the feed store. Thankfully, they're not going for the brand new Western Redbud, even though it's right near the worm bin. > I'm in Oakland, CA, where we've been affected by a four-year drought. The whitefly population has exploded all around the neighborhood after two weeks of heavy storms followed by weeks of warm, sunny days. I'm taking a multifaceted approach of sticky traps, neem oil/plant soap, and predator/parasitic insects. If anyone's got any ideas above and beyond that I'm all ears. I'd like to get this problem taken care before tomatoes go in the ground in six weeks or so. At that time, if need be, I may lay aluminum foil around tomato plants.

I truly hope everyone in this discussion gets help for their Bismarks. They are magnificent trees, although they need some babying. I received so much help on this site and will always be grateful. We took a sickly tree and not only saved it, but turned it into a 38 foot tower of beauty. She was a sight to behold, with a diameter of 2 plus feet. Much time and very much babying turned her into a sight to behold. Thank you all so much, especially Bob. Follow advice given here, you can't go wrong. Unfortunately we lost her to IAN, she was totally crushed, as was I. Best of luck with your Bismarks!!

OK...links with photos here....(3rd photo shows nudules that seem to be more prevalent on the trunk of this tree than the others). http://www1.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=248783149/PictureID=8822596012/a=104491102_104491102/t_=104491102 http://www1.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=248783149/PictureID=8819932012/a=104491102_104491102/t_=104491102 http://www1.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=248783149/PictureID=8819933012/a=104491102_104491102/t_=104491102 At least I think these are the links. The one to the whole album is below....last 3 are the palms. Here is a link that might be useful: Album w/ Photos...last 3 are palm.

With all my roses pruned, there is no activity nowadays. However, when I complained to my rose nursery that the roses this year were not healthy, he sent me another pack, most roses of his own choice, at 80% discount. I am dealing with this rose nursery since long and many a times he sents a few roses free of cost Penelope (Hybrid Musk, Pemberton 1924) Brandy, (HT, Herbert Swim 1981) Memorial Day (HT, Tom Carruth 2001) Elizabeth of Glamis (Floribunda, McGredy 1958) Black Caviar (Astrid Grafin Von Hardenberg, Shrub, Tantau 2001) Daftrausch (Senteur Royale, HT, Tantau 1986) Andre le Notre (Betty White, Meilland 2000) Niclole Carol Miller (Grandiflora, Meilland, 2005) Pink Peac, (HT, Meilland 1958) JFK, (HT, Eugene Boerner, 1965) Souvenir de Baden-Baden (Pink Enchantment, HT, Kordes 2000) Princess Alexandra of Kent An un-tagged rose I already have two bushes of Princess Alexandra but he sends me a third at his own. No problem. I am not paying . I am fascinated to have Penelope, Memorial Day, Black Caviar and Andre le Notre. Have heard good things about these roses. I spent whole friday afternoon planting these roses... On Saturday morning me and my sons went up Margalla Hills for hiking. Margalla Hills National Park starts less than a km from my house. Here is one of the biggest trees that I saw in many years.... growing on the foot hills of Margalla. Yes, this is one tree. It is certainly hundreds of years old and Banyan tree do spread like this over the centuries; each root that touches the ground becomes a tree. This was last week. This tree is not that old but it is located high up on the Margalla mountain. We reached this spot after 2 hours of hiking. And here are few photos of one of my favourite palms, growing in the wild in Margalla National Park. Phoenix rupicola is indeed makes a majestic bush when fully grown. Phoenix rupicola grows up in the Margalla mountains at medium ranges. Here is one majestic specimen, isn't it? Another specimen This one has been through a jungle fire. The trunk is old but the leaves on top are few. Look how majestic this one looks. I am quite certain that if I grow this plant in my house (which is just 2 hours walk and in aerial distance, around 5 km from this place where this plant is going naturally), it will perhaps never grow this well. This is what I try to discover during my hikes. In nature, what makes the plants grow so well. What is God's Recipe for this lush growth? I think Straw would be interested to know this.... So many Phoenix rupicola growing naturally near the top of the mountain. I am so lucky to have this place just two hours hike from my house (in distance, it would be around 5 km aerial distance). Since there are no rose pics to show.... I thought we can talk about Banyan tree and Rupicola Palms I guess All photos shown above have been taken by me during my hikes in Margalla mountains. best regards