Thoughts and opinions on the life and culture we have and need.
Eupeodes americanus is a hoverfly species with a range from Alaska to Mexico - and maybe beyond and even in Europe. Hoverflies are often mistook for bees - or so I hear. They do have yellow/black or white/black markings, but unlike wasps or bees, they have short antenna, enormous fly-eyes, and only one pair... Continue Reading →
The winterized garden: November, 2019. The rains have come. It was actually a wet September, which for us, is unusual. For the trees and my garden, it was welcomed - besides splitting my tomatoes and abruptly putting an end to the season for some more sensitive crops. October had been relatively nice, and we have... Continue Reading →
Since the popularization of the modern greenhouse in Victorian England, non-chemical, greenhouse pest-control, as we know it, has been practiced. It was before modern chemical pesticides were available, and it was at this same time that Phytoseiulus persimilis (common name: Persimilis) became cosmopolitan and the standard for two spotted spider mite control. Without the sophistication... Continue Reading →
Harvesting early and managing summer pests
In some areas, thrips begin to appear in early spring. Most of us become aware of thrips during a large influx late in the spring and throughout the summer. Thrips don't fly, rather, they tumble and in days of atmospheric convection, they (like many mites) use the electro-static conditions to levitate and travel large distances.... Continue Reading →
A Sample Veggie Garden Rotation It’s time to take a closer look at what is growing, now that the heavy work is out of the way. I’ll walk you through what I am growing in each bed - in the order through which they will rotate. But first, I’ll discuss the reasons I am rotating... Continue Reading →
What to Grow and When Spring-Cleaning is impossible when you’re hands are in the dirt. That has been me (or at least my excuse) for a solid week now. Only a week? (You ask.) Yes, because on the weekend of March 9th I meant to work the soil (after doing a morning seminar at a... Continue Reading →
This is all my fault. In the last week of January, I took my wife and kids to Hawaii with another couple (a firefighting friend from Vancouver) and their kid. While there, my friend and I visited Honolulu Fire Hall #11 - an extraordinary place. Once we had explained who we were and where we... Continue Reading →
Quietly gaining recognition for spider mite control amongst the giants (figuratively-speaking) of the industry like phytoseiulus persimilis, amblyseius andersoni, fallacis and californicus, stethorus punctillum is making itself known to growers thanks to its’ flight, hunger, and suitability for hot crops, low humidity and sticky plants. The “giants” previously listed are all predatory mites. Stethorus is... Continue Reading →
