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June 21st marks the official beginning of summer, however from a temperature/humidity standpoint our summer began in the last week of April. June also officially launches our rainy season. Some old notes written by Eric Golby indicate that in 1931 they only had 0.1 of an inch and in 1930 they had 25 inches! That certainly points out that June’s rainfall can vary widely from year to year. After only a short period of contemplation, we realize that the rainfall of any month in the year can vary widely. Which brings us to our oft repeated thought that we have to be sure to water our plants if mother nature doesn’t. This is particularly true as we enter our months of 90 degree weather when our plants require considerable water just to stay alive – and even more to grow and produce blooms. The previous sentence may provide an answer to questions about why some of our members have very few hibiscus blooms during the summer months.
Our hibiscus are not only thirsty, but they are hungry too. Continue with a regular ferlization program since even though it may be too hot for our hibiscus to eat much of the fertilizer we provide, it is washed through the soil—past the feeder roots—with all the watering and rain of summer. For instance, it appears the slow release fertilizer obtained and sold by our Chapter will not last three months during the summer weather. Perhaps a monthly or some other application frequency may be called for.
Young grasshoppers have hatched and are active now. Sevin will get the young ones so if you see evidence of grasshoppers, spray sevin weekly during June. Adult grasshoppers are almost impossible to control, although you might try the old remedy of a rock and a hammer. I think it was Bob Hunter who said to use diazinon or chlordane which may not kill them (the adult grasshoppers), but will make the leaves distasteful enough so they will fly to your neighbor’s yard. Sounds like a way to go –
May July
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