Lestv said:There is Ortho termite killer you can get at Home Depot or Lowes that should work pretty well. I am guessing you need more drainage out of that area of the bed too. Were there lots of tree roots in that area? Just wondering what attracted the termites.

Nothing but trees, this was back in April.

No termites here, thank heavens.

I just recently had a pest inspection and asked the guy about termite traps. He told me not to use them because they attract the termites. I've covered my field with wood chips for around 10 years, so there's subterranean termites out there.

Same thing is true for Japanese Beetles, Rob. I used those traps for a few years -- the dang bags would get so heavy with beetles that they'd fall on the ground. What a stinking mess. Stopped using them and just sprayed beetles where I would see them -- this year I had very, very few. Those bags were attracting beetles from the whole county, I'm sure!!

I recommend you buy the Japanese beetle traps for your (not too friendly) neighbor a way down the road as a "gift".

I have yet to see one here this summer. Last year I think I saw a couple, but it's been nice not having my white lilies chewed up before they are completely open. Or my sweet corn silk chewed off. My surrounding neighbors farm land has been crop sprayed for the past few years, and I think that may be the reason.

Don't think that hasn't crossed my mind, Tom...................

So it's been said before, but how long should I soak a rhizomes roots? Should it just be plain Jane water as well?

Whether and how long you soak has to do with how dried out they are. If they are nice and green just plant them and water them in for a few days. If they came from a box store and look dead, then they might need to have the roots only soaked for a couple days, or until you see evidence of life. If just a couple of the outer leaves are dead, then I soak them for a few hours, or over night depending on how dry they are. The box store dry types I would also add a bit of Miracle Grow to the water. In any case just soak the roots and a bit of the bottom of the rhizome is OK, but don't submerge it.

I just put a batch in for an over night soak that have been on the garage floor for about two weeks. I will pit up around 12 noon when the sun and heat drive me out of the yard

When I get a box I soak the roots overnight almost every time. My recent boxes from MidAmerica and Stout's didn't really need a soak but I am sure the nice drink wasn't going to hurt. Especially as it is so hot and dry right now outside.

UndertheSun said:I just recently had a pest inspection and asked the guy about termite traps. He told me not to use them because they attract the termites. I've covered my field with wood chips for around 10 years, so there's subterranean termites out there.

I keep hearing good thing about nematodes attacking termites. Has anyone here sprayed these? I may email Ginny Spoon because they spray them for borers..I really want to use this raised bed again. The rot issue may be from something else, but termites just suck in general.

Yes they do.

I know it's been talked about, but how exactly do you freeze pollen?

What should it be stored in?

How long can it stay frozen?

If a micro-climate doesn't work can I save it over the winter till early season?

Gabe, I've read about folks using little glassine envelopes for storing and freezing pollen. I know of breeders storing pollen from a late bloomer till the next year to cross with early bloomers, so it must freeze and store well for at least a year.

What do you mean about micro climate?

And they freeze it in the freezer in their refrigerator.

Neal, I live on the edge of 7a and 7b. My irises at my property sit on the west side of the city, but receive mostly sun all day and gets really hot quick.My mother's property is only a 8 minutes north, but the garden in the backyard is in the south. It's a little cooler and a lot shadier. Blooms start at my property first and hers about a week or more later.

I planted some of the same cultivars on both properties in hopes I can dab early season blooms with mids and so on. I can simply drive 8 minutes with the pollen if necessary.

I'll have to Google Glassine envelopes..

" I planted some of the same cultivars on both properties in hopes I can dab early season blooms with mids and so on. I can simply drive 8 minutes with the pollen if necessary. "
Smart move, Gabe

Or drive fast, Gabe!

Good idea Gabe. I have not frozen pollen but use the glascine envelops & drying material used to preserve flowers. I am out & don't know where to find some. Two places which I called don't have it. I used 'Flower dri' in the past.

Looked up glacine envelopes, pretty cheap.

I didn't know you need a preservation agent though

Luckily I have half the year to study up on this.