Our pecan tree is loaded with large nuts, but the squirrels are having a hay day with them. Can I harvest them while the shuck is still green?
Generally, pecans are mature and ready to harvest after the shuck begins to open. In our area, this generally starts in October. Unfortunately, squirrels like to get a jump on us humans and start their harvesting program in September. They are the main mammal pest of pecan trees and can consume up to 50 pounds of nuts per year. Envision a 50-pound bag of fertilizer, multiplied by an uncountable number of squirrels, and that is a lot of pecans sacrificed.
If the green shucks of your pecans have not started to open, they are not quite ready for you to harvest and the pecans will not likely ripen after picking at this stage. However, when you first notice that the shucks are starting to open, you can try to beat the squirrels to what is left of your crop.
Nuts that are harvested early in the season have a high moisture content and will likely need to be dried before you will be able to release them from their shells. Remove them from their shucks and dry them out on elevated screens or in small mesh bags in well ventilated areas, at room temperature and out of direct sunlight. Once shelled, pecans are best stored in air-tight containers in the freezer until ready for use.
My Meyer lemon tree is covered with that sooty mold. I have seen tiny, flying white insects around the tree. What should I do?
Sooty mold is a common fungus that appears on the leaves of a variety of plants when they play host to insects that feed on or suck the juices from the leaves of the plants.
From your description, it sounds as though you have an infestation of the citrus whitefly. As the insects suck the juice of the leaves, they exude a sticky honeydew-like substance, which drops to the leaves below. This, in turn, attracts a dark colored fungus that looks like soot - hence the term sooty mold.
To treat the sooty mold, you must first treat for the insect. I would avoid the use of fungicides or pesticides on your citrus or any other plant in your garden that you plan to consume. Instead, try an insecticidal soap or lightweight horticultural oil, found at your local garden store. As always, follow the instructions on the label. Apply to the underside of leaves in the early morning or late afternoon. Do not apply during times of full sun exposure. This could cause leaf burning.
It may take a couple of applications spaced seven to 14 days apart. Check back periodically for reinfestation. Once the insects are under control, you should see the sooty mold start to disappear.
Paula Lamb is a master gardener with the Duval County Extension Service and the University of Florida/IFAS.
