Shade Loving Perennials

Shade loving perennials are described as a hardy plant that persists for several years in little to no sunlight areas. These plants will grow bigger and bigger every year and some even until you can divide and split them to plant more. Shade loving perennials will take the cold a lot better and won’t need as much water compared to sun loving perennials. These perennials can be planted under trees or along a house where it is cool and moist.

Ferns have stems, leaves, and roots but do not produce seeds. On the underside of the leaves are spores that contain the genetics needed to grow a new fern. They may be green, yellow, black, brown, orange, or red in color. Ferns are very beautiful, green, and lush plants. They have deep fibrous roots and love wet woodland type areas. Ferns will go dormant in hot, dry weather however will perk back up in the late summer to fall rain.

Hostas can bring lots of color and texture to your flower bed. They are low growing and clump forming which means they can be divided and planted. They have large leaf coverage, and some varieties even produce flowers that are very pleasing to the eye as well as fragrant. Leaf tips of hostas will become sun scalded and scorched in full sun. They will develop deep, rich colored leaves in cool, dark areas. Leaf lengths can range from inches to feet. Their leaves can also have many well as shapes. Textures include smooth, veined, or kinds of textures as puckered. Shapes include heart shaped, cupped, or lance like. 

Ferns and hostas will be a great addition to your flower bed. Bringing in a variety of colorful leaves are well as fragrant flowers. It will be very easy to maintain as well since you won’t have to water as much or worry about deadheading as you do most flowers. Another perk is you will save money on having to buy more plants since hostas will multiply and ferns can reproduce with their spores! Other shade perennials [see link for list] include bleeding hearts, hellebores, columbine, coral bells.

Common Corn Smut, a Disease or Delicacy?

If you’ve ever shucked sweet corn and found gray, swollen growths within the husk, you've encountered corn smut. This fungus, *Ustilago maydis*, thrives in young, developing corn during warm, dry weather. The spores penetrate and germinate with the help of moisture, causing the corn kernels to swell and form galls. These can appear white, gray, black, or brown. Corn injuries can increase susceptibility, and annual yield loss ranges from 2% to 10%, potentially higher in localized areas.

Many farmers and consumers dread the sight of smut, but others see massive potential. In Mexico, corn smut, known as huitlacoche, is considered a delicacy. This "Mexican truffle" can fetch higher prices than the corn itself. The ideal specimens are immature galls, harvested about a week before peak corn season. As Rick Bayless, chef of Topolobampo in Chicago, suggests, "Pick it when it feels like a pear starting to ripen." Popular huitlacoche dishes include tamales, quesadillas, and even ice cream.

Depending on your perspective, you’ll either want to prevent or encourage its growth. Preventive measures include planting spore-resistant varieties and balancing the soil. Fungicides have limited effectiveness. Ancient Aztecs would scratch stalks at soil level to promote smut growth, and modern growers experiment with inoculation by isolating the fungus and directly contacting the corn.

Common corn smut can be both a disease and a delicacy, depending on how you look at it. Whether you're looking to eliminate it from your crops or savor it in your next meal, understanding this unique fungus is key. So next time you see those swollen kernels, remember: one person's crop disease is another's culinary delight.

Photo Credit - Alan Bergo

Are Earwigs Really That Eerie?

European Earwigs (Forficula auricularia) are common insect pests throughout the United States. They feed on plants, including flowers, garden vegetables, and fruit trees. The common name “Earwig” is based on the false notion that this insect could enter a human ear and cause substantial damage. Earwigs are predominantly reddish brown and adults are typically ¾ of an inch long. The most identifiable feature of the earwig is the appendages at the tail end of the insect which appear to be pinchers or forceps and are referred to as cerci. The male earwig has strongly curved cerci while the female cerci are nearly straight. Earwigs have wings but are rarely seen flying.

Earwig damage to seedling plants, soft fruits, and new flowers can be substantial while damage to mature plants is limited and usually of little concern. Since earwigs are omnivorous, they can be useful as they can feed on aphids and insect eggs. Earwigs are mainly nocturnal creatures that prefer damp and dark locations but can be seen during daylight hours, especially if their hiding places are disturbed. Earwigs often enter homes and other buildings during hot and dry weather or when temperatures drop as in the late fall. Depending upon access points, large numbers of earwigs can invade occupied homes and cause distress for some but they are little more than a nuisance. Earwigs can cause significant damage to certain crops such as stone fruits when they create holes that deeply penetrate fruits. Strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries can also suffer damage although the most substantial damage can occur when earwigs feed on corn silk which will cause pollination problems and poor kernel development. The most typical and obvious damage to plants by earwigs is when they make irregular holes in leaves and flower blossoms.

Controlling or reducing earwig populations can be more than a little challenging. When the goal is to prevent house infestations, residential insecticides, when used according to label instructions, can help. The best method to keep earwigs out is to properly and completely seal around doors and windows with caulk as those are the most prominent entry points. When the goal is to prevent garden or orchard infestation, appropriate insecticide sprays used according to label instructions can suppress the earwig population, especially when conducted soon after dark since earwigs are mostly nocturnal.

Because earwigs beneficially consume other insects, especially aphids, and are a non-dangerous nuisance indoors, it turns out that earwigs aren’t that eerie after all.