I was expecting cicadas
lucillle
12 days ago
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carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
12 days agolucillle
12 days agoRelated Discussions
Morning Glories and Cicada Worries
Comments (1)I pulled up a website on the cicadas by doing a web search on the internet. Like you, I had the same concerns about all the seedlings I had started. To my surprise, I found that the cicadas feed on the roots underground and the only damage done is from when the female lays her eggs in the branches of small trees (larger, more established trees can survive the damage caused with no problem) The site I found also stated that any damaged caused is not from them feeding on your plants. Hope this helps. Nicole...See MoreHow do I know if I need to net for the 17-yr cicadas?
Comments (5)I think maybe I'd paint the scaffolds and trunk with a diluted white latex paint and water mixture and see if that helps ward them off those important areas. I'm not an expert at all on fruit trees, so this is just an idea! I've had them get my roses, though. The slit they make is no problem for an older rose (they heal so well), but it can hurt the younger ones. I saw a slit the other day on a rose that I'm thinking may be them. I've only seen one shell this year, but maybe they really like roses? I'm not sure which plants they like best out of plants they do like. I'm watching things, too. My orchard is very young, and a big brood was predicted for my area....See MoreCicadas due this week - can I plant new perennials?
Comments (11)You can absolutely plant new perennials - the cicadas won't bother them at all - though you may find a shell or two on them in the morning. Just wear a hat while you do it :-). The don't eat foliage, and they're not as much interested in short plants as they are in tall trees, and they won't hurt either of them - the only reason people cover their small shrubs and baby trees is to protect them from too much damage when the cicadas make small slits in the ends of the branches to lay their eggs. As I get older, I find myself more and more tolerant of the creepy crawly stuff in my garden that used to "freak me out", I think it's because I love gardening so much that nothing's going to keep me from it, and because I've learned how few of those creepy crawlers will hurt me.:-) I'm fascinated this year by the cicadas - they only come out every 17 years, and they are kinda fun to watch...of course, I'm saying that now while they're just beginning to emerge in my suburban Chicago area - I might not be so fascinated in a week or two when they're flying into my face and making so much noise that I can't sit out on my patio! It's just all part of what nature has to offer. Watch, learn, enjoy! Happy gardening to all of you...I'm off to the garden center now to shop for a backyard fountain - I'm very excited!...See MoreCicadas? !?!
Comments (4)Thank you Grannymarsh! I have been getting consistent information that they won't harm flowers or dahlias. In case anyone else comes here, I'll share the latest. At some point, you just have to have faith. I contacted Central States Dahlia society and spoke to a very nice gentleman who is very involved with dahlias in his retirement. He believes the cicadas won't harm them... so I'm not going to worry either. They do like trees... after mating the females go up and try to find a pencil thin branch which they slit somehow, to lay their eggs. So, young trees and shrubs are very much at risk, but he believes they distinguish between trees and needing a woody place to lay the eggs and vegetative matter which is what a dahlia plant is. So, cross your fingers! Thank you all for your help and good luck with your dahlia growing season. I should also put in a plug for the various societies, check it out in your area. There's the American Dahlia Society, apparently, and then various state and local societies that form. I'm going to join, and it's only $12 for Central States for my wife and me for this year. They do garden walks to members gardens, they have dahlia sales (tubers, cuttings and more). This year they are apparently hosting the main dahlia show (convention?) in early September here in Illinois at Pheasant Run, and I will likely go to that too. Lots of activities and 5000 or more dahlias will be shown so I bet it will be fun, informative, and I just have a feeling that those of us who love dahlias are good people to hang around with....See Morearcy_gw
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