What can we say about our weather? This year? Different isn't it? Historically we look for botrytis, powdery mildews, damping off, and various leaf spots during the early months. But this year!

OK, these disease problems are showing up, especially in plugs where the warm days shortened crop time, stretched the plants, and forced early shipping. And that may result, often as not, with various diseases manifesting along the way. Crop times from last year are not cutting it this year.

Great new fungicide from Syngenta, Palladium, perfect for this time of year. Dr. Ann Chase, who we know and love, has toured the state helping introduce Palladium. She advises Palladium as a fabulous botrytis product (good on many leaf spots too). But take care; it must not be used as a drench, or come in contact with roots. Tends to damage them. So we must be careful when applying, especially to plugs or young plants. You can find the label and MSDS on Syngenta's web site, which I add here because I tend too forget; www.GreenCastonline.com.

But what I see in southern California's plantings that is so interesting, for me anyway, are aphids and mites. Lots of mites. Not the usual this time of year. Perhaps it is perfect timing for OHP to introduce their new miticide Sirocco. This is one of those combination products that the manufactures say they can combine better than applicators in the field. And it is true that OHP is using a different formulation, perhaps making the combination of Abamectin (Avid) and Carbazates (Floramite) safer to use. Sirocco is more than a miticide, it is an insecticide too, suppressing thrips, aphids, and those whiteflies. This new introduction has an REI of 12 hours and a Warning label.

I worry about rotation amongst miticides. We do not want to see resistance to any control product. It is a good thing we have so many effective products that rotating should not be an issue. But it could be if we don't take care and do it right. Residual activity of Sirocco could be from 21 to 28 days. Unless your plants are so easy to spray and complete spray coverage is achieved, don't count on any of our miticides lasting or controlling mites that long. When the pressure is on, weekly applications are certain. Rotation amongst the various mitecides can be achieved, but pricy, with numerous miticides waiting their turn in the storeroom.

One more thing - do not wait! - get on it now, while the populations are young and controllable.

There is a cabinet in our home that is full of so-called natural products that are supposed to be, among other things, natural and healthier for you. My in-laws were the impetus for the bottles of capsules full of things like blue-green algae from the Artic.

I got home the other day and found a new bottle in the cabinet that I did not recognize, and when I saw that it was an alternative to refined sugar and that it was sweetener made from agave, I got curious and hit the Internet.

The core of the agave plant contains the aguamiel or "honey water," the substance used for syrup production. In addition, and more importantly to some of you, when it is fermented it is the source for tequila. Although the syrup from agave is a natural product, the form that you can buy has been processed to form a syrup or nectar, which is what is in my cabinet at home. They claim that it is sweeter than honey or sugar, and boy is it. They also claim that it is more natural and healthier for you than refined sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. Unfortunately, the "honey-water" is processed much like high-fructose corn syrup and is not much different. Some doctors even claim that it is even worse for you.

Regardless, I have a feeling that the bottle in my cabinet is going to be there a very long time. My family is intimidated by new things and especially if they are in a blue plastic see through bottle that they don't recognize.

That was a long introduction to a new problem for the ornamental plant industry in San Diego County. There are more than 200 species of agave distributed throughout the southern and western United States and central and tropical South America. They are succulents with thick fleshy leaves, and along with Yucca, they are popular ornamental plants. In our area, the succulents are gaining popularity with many new cultivars being produced every year.

Unfortunately, as succulents become more popular and marketed out of the county and state, interceptions of insect pests that are not found in other counties and states begin to become more prevalent. The latest insect pests of agave cannot be identified to species, which certainly gives it a special rating by the CDFA, "Q", until they know more. When the threat to agriculture is uncertain, an insect cannot be identified, they are treated with great caution by the CDFA.

The latest pests are two species of mealybug, Paracoccus spp. and Pseudococcus spp. The "spp." means there are multiple species in the genus and that they cannot identify the mealybug to the species level taxonomically. In all likelihood, these insects are native to the southwest where agave is prevalent, but regardless, when there is an unknown threat posed to agriculture, the CDFA must remain cautious.

Mealybugs as you are aware are very difficult to control due to their feeding habits and the waxy covering they posses. They also cover their eggs with a waxy covering as well. Be aware, agave in southern California nurseries are going to need to be free of this mealybug before they will be allowed to move out of the county or state. You can be assured that county inspectors are going to be on the lookout for this pest as well since a new pest advisory has been issued by the CDFA.

Mealybugs on the agave plants can be well protected in all the tight crevasses on the plants, and on larger plants, they are protected on the dead plant material around the potted plant surface and around the whorl. Therefore, there are three applications that will assist in the elimination of the mealybugs on agave, and all three should be employed. First, clear the dead tissues away and clean the plants as best as possible. Then spray the plants with a high-pressure treatment application (hydraulic sprayer) of a surfactant. Choose a surfactant that has a legal insecticide application on the label. In addition, the surfactant you choose should be one that you are sure will not cause phytotoxicity, color changes, or spotting on the agave. If you are not sure, you should test some plants first. This application will allow a great chance of contacting the insects and clear some of the mealy or waxy layer away exposing the insects.

The second application is a spray with a tank mix of an organophosphate and a pyrethroid. This is a very effective tank mix and a good clean up combination for most difficult pests.

Lastly, you should make a soil applied systemic application at the highest recommended rate on the label. Any of the neonicotinoid insecticides would be appropriate for this pest. Follow the label on each of these products to get the best effect on the pest.

This situation is a new one for the industry, so be prepared to deal with it proactively. You may want to check all of your succulents for persistent pests, and deal with them likewise. Remember, the CDFA has issued an advisory, so they are on the lookout for these pests.