Monroe County Master Gardener Association

Last year, I made a post about my roses getting chewed up. I discovered saw flies and tried treating them organically by picking off the larvae and spraying off as well. Not sure if the weather has much to do with it…but the saw flies are at an epidemic level. Time for some first aid. Hoping for some predator wasps, along with some Neem Oil and Sevin. Ugg, hate using it…but can’t loose everything to them.

There seems to be two different species here

This was increased in size to see into the bud where the saw flies are getting their share of pollen.

So yesterday was one of the first days I was able to get out into my garden to relax and/or plant. Rain, Rain, go away. Next to my chairs I have a pine…I noticed white spots on the needles. Hummm, What can that be…I hope it’s not scale. Sure enough Pine needle scale. I’m hoping I’ve caught it in it’s crawler stage. I sprayed it all over with Neem oil. It’s not on the new growth yet. I am hoping to saw it, but if not I just might have to burn it in my outdoor fireplace.

A close up show there are still some crawlers before developing the scales.

Well, we will see what happens. Hopefully, I can show you all healthy plants at our tour in August.