The following statement was made: "I asked him if we can extrapolite mite behaviour from one mite to another in the same genus; his answer was no." H.Kuska comment. Of course each species has its own unique characteristics. This is probably why each species is so selective as to which plant it feeds on. James W. Amrine has coauthored a review article titled: "Behavioural studies on eriophyoid mites: an overview" This review indicates (to me) that eriophyoid mites have characteristics in common such that it is worth while to write a general review. But of course they also have differences. Concerning feeding it states: "Finally, after landing on the host and discriminating whether it is a proper one, the eriophyoid mite can start to feed. After probing, which takes several seconds, the mite takes a typical feeding stance, i.e. it slightly bends its body and anchors the rostrum to the host surface and contracts the telescopic palpal segments, which allows protrusion of the cheliceral stylets for a short distance into the plant tissues (Krantz 1973; Gibson 1974; McCoy and Albrigo 1975; Nuzzaci 1976). Information concerning the feeding behaviour of eriophyoid mites was summarized by Westphal and Manson (1996) and no new detailed data have been provided since." http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs10493-009-9319-2.pdf --------------------------------------- I consider Dr. Raymond A. Cloyd (Professor and Extension Specialist in Ornamental Entomology/Integrated Pest Management Department of Entomology at Kansas State University, to be one of the mite experts among rose rosette virus interested scientists. " Rose rosette is vectored or transmitted by the eriophyid mite, Phyllocoptes fructiphilus, which is native to North America. Phyllocoptes fructiphilus is robust, spindle-shaped, and yellow to brown in color, 140 to 170 microns in length, and approximately 50 microns in width. The mite has four legs, which differs from other mite species that typically have eight legs. Mites may be observed with the use of 10X hand-lens or high-powered (200X) microscope. The mites are typically located in the angles between leaf petioles and axillary buds. Adult mites overwinter on rose canes between partly opened buds and the angles between rose stems and petioles. Phyllocoptes fructiphilus needs living, green tissue in order to survive. In early spring, the mites migrate onto developing shoots where females lay eggs. Females may live up to 30 days; laying one egg per day. Young mites develop within the leaf folds of new shoots or under leaf petioles. The mites may move from plant-to-plant via attaching to insects. They may also be dispersed via air currents (wind) from infested rose plants. Mites may start a new infection, by feeding on the succulent, rapidly growing tissues, after landing on an un-infected garden plant or multiflora rose." H.Kuska comment. Please note: "by feeding on the succulent, rapidly growing tissues," http://www.ars.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Dr-Cloyd-Rose-Rosette-Disease-April-2011.pdf Here is a link that might be useful: link for Dr. Cloyd's article

Holly, Sorry about your Cherokee Green. Brown stain in the stalk! Yikes, but that probably nails it down. As for products purporting to be for sealing tree wounds, they are superfluous and probably cause more damage than good. At least the generally accepted standard among tree people is that they should not be used. Of course, manufacturers still make them and sell them and they can say anything on the label that they wish to. I'm just trying to keep in mind that plant physiology is very different from the physiology of human beings. But now, back to VW. My question and possibly yours now, is what to do about it. I've done a lot of searching and find a couple of possibilities. Two of them are solarization and biofumigation, neither of which is likely to be easy. Considering that the VW stays in the soil for many years it seems unacceptable to just go ahead and plant again next year. If I suppose that my "recovering" tomato plants make a few blossoms in the next week or so then I can hope to have my first "real" tomatoes of the year sometime in the back half of September and then expect frost a few weeks later. That's really sad after all the work involved. So, I'm looking for an answer. Most of the solarization and biofumigation I've seen is done on a very large scale and I'm not sure how well it can be adapted to a smaller garden. If anyone is interested, I can post some of the urls I've found. Also, if anyone else has information or experience in these techniques, I'd like to see it. Possibly in a new thread. What do you all think?

I think the jury is still out on these "anti-fungal" diets. I think diets high in refined carbohydrates can have all kinds of health side effects, (weight gain, high cholesterol, and as mentioned, diabetes or pre-diabetes, allergies, etc.) and one would be wise to limit them, if not cut them out all together. However, I don't recommend going without grains all together, since I personally need the fiber. Lack of fiber, IMHO, is another thing that causes health problems in people who eat high sugar/refined carb diets. I personally don't believe it is just "yeast" that is the culprit. There are approximately 6 billion little bacteria that live on you and in you. You are an ecosystem, and you can get out of whack. Good stewardship of one's body can help. No cure all, but neither are all the creams and pills, which often do not cure at all either. I followed a no-gluten diet for months to curb menstrual cramps, and it had no effect. Exercise on the other hand, goes a long way for me in helping that problem. However, following a diet high in fiber and with a good balance of carbs and protein helps with a whole lot of systemic health problems. Good fuel keeps the body running well, and that in turn helps the immune system fight off yeast infections. Also may help good bacteria establish themselves in your gut and also on your skin. That's a whole other aspect to the story. Modern vinegar is a far cry from the original fermented product. We're using all kinds of weird bacteria and doing all kinds of things that cause bacteria to mutate, not just "yeast." People are getting mutated e-coli establishing itself in their guts too. I have persistent urinary tract infections that are hard as heck to control too, and I've tried all the suggestions of conventional and alternative medicines, and spent THOUSANDS on tests that showed NOTHING. Here's is a recipe Web site that I like. I am no purist when it comes to anti-yeast dieting, but I think the recipes here are very good and very healthy. Oh, and then there's the issue of all the pesticides and hormonal mimics, and food grown on unnatural fertilizers, etc. It is no wonder that many of us are feeling unwell. We're stressing the earth's immune system and then wondering why our own immune systems are having a tough time. Trying to find good wholesome food, fresh air and pure water and time to de-stress and exercise are quite the luxuries nowdays. I have to balance the cost of healthy food vs the benefits, which is hard to do. I also recommend coconut oil, it is a great food. Not a panacea, but worth including in one's diet. Don't know about yeast issues, but oatmeal is a godsend for helping me with my IBS. But not the instant stuff, that's very refined, the old style rolled oats or oat groats. Modern yogurt, dairy and cheese is a far cry from the old style stuff with natural bacteria in it. One of the worst substances for health is this ultra pasteurized milk that is on the market too. They even sell "organic" versions but ultra-pasteurizing things is not a good idea as a substitute for good hygiene in the processing of food. Here is a link that might be useful: Candida diet recipes

I mention this because no one said it yet... If anyone is getting yeast infections often, there is a good chance your body's pH is off (usually way too acidic). You can get pH paper on amazon to check (you can get a roll for about 6 bucks), I think some homeopathic stores also sell the paper. Get a roll that is in the range of 3 to 8 and spit on a piece of the paper at a time when you haven't eaten in 2 hours (otherwise you'll be getting a false reading). It should be around 7 on a person with a good normal pH. If its crazy low, like 3 to 5, that is way too acidic. You're as tart as coca cola! To fix this, you will need to go on an alkalizing diet. It will take a long time, but it will fix the problem permanently when you get your pH back up (even just up to 6 will fix your troubles). You can search on google for alkalizing diet to get the specifics, but basically you eat very little to no meat, and cut out all sugar, and no alcohol, tea or coffee. Milk and eggs are fine to eat. After about a year of that diet you will be able to reintroduce some of the bad foods if you want because you will have gotten the Ph up a bit by then and you'll be okay. If you can't stand to not have meat, give up the sugar. If you can't stand to give up the sugar, give up the meat. Try to be reasonable - both of those (meat and sugar) are very acidifying, so unfortunately, if your pH is way too acidic, one of those groups will have to go for awhile if you want to be rid of this thing, so if you can't stand to give up either, just limit yourself and eat as little of them as you can.