University of Florida IFAS Extension

Rhizomal perennial peanut, which has underground stems, has shown promise as an ornamental groundcover in Florida. Ecoturf, Needlepoint and Waxy Leaf are common rhizomal perennial peanut varieties resistant to drought, nematodes, and pathogens and have minimal fertilizer requirements. Unfortunately, these varieties are not commonly available in Polk County. However, they can be ordered on-line and shipped to you. Please note that there is a stoloniferous variety (with above ground stems like St. Augustinegrass) currently available at many retail garden centers in Polk County. This variety is not drought tolerant. So, be sure to ask for a rhizomal variety when buying drought tolerant perennial peanut for the landscape.

Why should palms be pruned? 1) Removing dead or dying fronds improves the appearance of the palm. 2) Dead and dying fronds can fall from a tall palm and injury someone below. 3) Pruning can remove messy fruit clusters. and 4) Pruning can remove sprouts from the base of the trunk. Unfortunately, many palms are pruned in an aggressive manner which may affect the life of the palm.

Unfortunately, many of our cold sensitive plants in Polk County were devastated by the freeze on the morning of Jan. 3. The question now is what to do with these freeze damaged plants. The general recommendation is to delay pruning until warm weather returns and the plant begins to put out new growth.

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Many Polk Voice readers probably had plant damage from the Jan. 3 freeze. This is just the first of January - more cold weather may be ahead. What can you do to protect your plants from the cold?

The "lovebug" is a seasonally abundant member of a generally unnoticed family of small flies related to gnats and mosquitoes. The larvae serve a useful function as they break down plant material into a form which can be re-utilized by plants. However, the adults can pose a problem to drivers as they impact onto vehicle paint, windshields and radiators. To prevent permanent damage to the finish, dead bodies should be removed within 24 hours.

Citrus greening is a new bacterial disease of citrus in Florida which is transmitted by a small insect called a psyllid. The disease ruins the quality of fruit in a few years and eventually dehabilitates the tree. The impact on homeowner citrus production could be severe.