Re: Myrtus

John MacGregor wrote:
> 
> on 1/14/03 2:54 PM, Lindsay, Deborah at Deborah.Lindsay@kaiseral.com wrote:
> 
> > I'm thinking of using Mytus communis 'Compacta' as a hedge in the sunniest,
> > warmest part of the roof garden. I have a couple of concerns though that
> > some of
> > you might be able to help me with:
> >
> > 1) Is Myrtus susceptible to Phytophthera, which is taking down the current
> > 42 yr old hedge of Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine)?
> > 2) If it is in full sun and happy, how susceptible might it be to thrips?
> > (which are a problem on M. communis here in part-sun).
> >
> > Deborah Lindsay
> > Oakland, Ca.
> 
> Deborah,
> 
> I don't have any experience with  phytophthora on Myrtus communis
> 'Compacta',  but the answer to your second question is: Yes, M. communits
> 'Compacta' is just as susceptible to greenhouse thrips as the nominate
> species is.  And just as difficult to cure--perhaps more so--since the
> leaves are so small and dense.  It is very difficult to get spray onto the
> undersides of the leaves, which is where the thrips are.
> And the sprays that are even partially effective are pretty toxic.

I don't know if it is the same in your area, but here we tend to find
that thrips is much more prevalent in the garden in very dry summers. We
can sometimes go several years without any trouble when there are
unusually moist seasons and then a dry one will bring them out with a
vengence.. In our "no-summer" last year I saw none at all in the open
garden, but I am being much more vigilant this year when already we have
had one fairly long run of completely dry weather. So far all is well
and the(very welcome) inch or so of rain we have had over the last few
days may stave 'em off a bit longer.

This makes me wonder if an occasional brisk hosing would help to stave
off attacks.

One further point, where one already has had trouble with them they may
die away in winter but they apparently often leave eggs behind on the 
plants they have fed on  and so it is suggested one should spray
previously-infested plants quite early in the season, even before any
symptoms are visible, to try and catch the first hatchings.

Moira
-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan,
Wainuiomata, North Island, NZ.     Pictures of our garden at:-
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/cherie1/Garden/TonyandMoira/index.htm
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index