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Japanese Beetles


Japanese Beetles became a major issue on some of the other lists I
subscribe to.  According to one source, JBs absolutely love Mirabilis
jalapa (aka: Four'O'Clocks or Marvel of Peru).  The idea is that the
beetles love them to the near exclusion of all other plants and it's easy
to collect and destroy them.  Another source agreed with that but went so
far as to suggest that the plant is toxic to the beetles.  Of course, this
sounds *waaaaaayyy* too good to be true.  None-the-less, I'm growing them
this year just to observe.  I actually don't have a problem with them yet; 
I'm surrounded by thousands of acres of farmland and JBs thrive in
cultivated lawns.  But my six acres of (slowly disappearing) "mowing hell"
may be enough for me to start worrying about. With a growing collection of
over 100  Roses, I had better.

The other option for those plagued by them is Milky Spore Disease, which
I've seen available in garden centers this year.  Quite costly, though; I'd
rather spend the money on plants. I'm going with the .65 cent package of
Mirabilis seed first.

Happy gardening!

Keith, self-exiled city boy in zone 5, Western New York, in the company of
skunks, raccoons, chipmunks, deer, squirrels, 'possums, voles, moles, mice,
mink, fox, beaver, coyote, wild cats, and the occasional stray cow.  I
don't need no stinkin' Japanese Beetles..........



>******
>I know O. missourienisis does well in hot, humid Southern Indiana
summers.
>I once tried to start the white flowered form from seed....and got lots
of
>yellow-flowered plants.
>
>Very nice plants.  Japanese beetles *love* them, too.  <sigh>
>
>Barb in Southern Indiana    Zone 5/6     <dorsett@kiva.net>



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