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Home , Agave americana, Yucca baccata

VOL. 11, NO. 9 The University of Cooperative Extension SEPTEMBER 2000 8XVW^]cWT4TbTac

Cochise County Master Gardener

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The University of Arizona and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

laws see the website at Hesperaloe funifera - Coahuilan Cool , http://agriculture.state.az.us/ Hesperaloe PSD/nativeplants.htm Hesperaloe parviflora 'Red' Cacti, , Hesperaloe parviflora 'Yellow' americana var. mediopicta Hesperaloe nocturna and Other Fun Agave chrysantha for the Garden Agave colorata Opuntia basilaris - Beavertail Agave ferdinand-regis - container Cactus This month we will focus on the plant/not hardy in High Opuntia macrocentra “accent plants” for the garden. Agave harvardiana Opuntia santa-rita x basilaris These plants provide a bold state- Agave lechuguilla Opuntia santa-rita 'Tubac' ment in the garden and look won- Agave murpheyi - container plant/ derful planted among desert plants. not hardy in High Desert aloifolia - Spanish bayonet As an added bonus most of these Agave parryi var. huachucensis Yucca baccata - Yucca plants do well and look great in clay Agave parryi var. neomexicana Yucca recurvifolia pots and can be moved around the - Pendulous Agave parryi var. truncata garden. Yucca Agave parrasana Yucca rigida - Blue Yucca Agave palmeri In the ground they require rainfall - Mohave only needing supplemental irriga- Agave parryii Yucca tion during a long spring/summer Agave scabra - container plant/ Yucca schottii - Mountain Yucca drought period. In containers I find not hardy in High Desert Yucca thompsoniana - Thompson they only need watering two times a Agave schottii Yucca month during the hot weather and Agave sisalana - container plant/ not hardy in High Desert Cheri Melton once a month in cool weather. Master Gardener Agave victoriae-reginae Please remember that many of Agave weberi these plants are protected by Ari- Agave vilmoriniana - container zona Native Plant Laws. Ensure plant/not hardy in High Desert plants are grown by seed or have been salvaged and tagged Euphorbia antisyphilitica - Can- with Arizona Department of Agri- delilla culture tags. For more on native Fouquieria splendens - Ocotillo

Cochise County Cooperative Extension www.ag.arizona.edu/cochise/mg/

1140 N. Colombo, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 450 Haskell, Willcox, AZ 85643 (520) 458-8278, Ext. 2141 (520) 384-3594 Lions, Tigers, I have recently beauty of the butterfly as it flits seen the return about in out gardens. Well, folks and Bears, of the horned they come from those nasty creepy lizards to my crawly caterpillars that we love to OH MY! little piece of hate. I try now to physically paradise. When remove them and place them in PART 3: OTHER I first moved to the Huachucas, I, plants that are less delicate rather CREEPY CRAWLIES like most everyone else, engaged in than blasting them incessantly with ceaseless chemical warfare against toxic chemicals. I also expect This is the last in a series of ants. Perhaps that was the legacy damage to plants and accept it as articles about creepy crawly of my growing up in the South part of the natural cycle. If you varmints that you may find in your where imported fire ants are a very want perfection, stick with plastic garden here in the High Desert. painful problem. So I engaged in a or silk . Caterpillars The first article dealt with chemical holy war against any ant themselves can be a thing of beauty venomous snakes and the second mound found in my yard. Even the (I draw the line at the tomato dealt with spiders and scorpions. admonitions of my younger brother hornworm—yuck!). However even Most of the varmints that will be (he is younger anyway), an the repugnant tomato hornworm discussed in this article are entirely environmental chemical engineer changes into the sphinx moth which harmless. could not deter me. Then one day I delight in watching feed in my while talking about the singular garden as it flies about in I love watching my three Scotties wonders of the Southwest with a hummingbird fashion. spending countless hours attempt- female co-worker (a rather rare ing to capture the numerous lizards bird—an Arizona native!), I had an Even millipedes and centipedes that thrive around my house. I epiphany—an awakening to the no longer threaten as I know the often hear their high pitched error of my ways. She was difference. I have learned that not hunting yips as they probe through lamenting how the population of everything that looks threatening is the rocks with upright tails many of the horned lizard actually dangerous. The giant wagging in excitement as they has so declined in the local area vinagarone is a great example. futilely try to find the elusive since her childhood. The most With those big pinchers and lizard. My home has a plethora of likely reason, in my mind, was the whiptail, it presents a foreboding lizards of all kinds. Perhaps the destruction of habitat and image. Nevertheless, it is quite reason for this is that I provide an elimination of food sources. I harmless and just another example ideal environment for them. I have remembered back to my childhood of the tremendous biological rock landscaping near my home’s and visiting family in and diversity in this magical place we foundation which provides plenty watching a horned lizard resting call home. of hiding places for the little guys. conveniently near an ant hill and I seldom use pesticides around my feasting on any ant that ventured So friends, a little education and home. I kind of feel like if all the too close. So now I am much more tolerance for our insect and animal critters are thriving both inside and tolerant and don’t nuke the ants neighbors can go a long way in outside my home than I am living just because they dare to live in my helping us to live in harmony with in a much healthier environment. space. I will dispatch those who get the natural world. You simply The lizards are a welcome addition in my house however (I don’t go don’t want your home listed on the in this nontoxic environment as into theirs so fair is fair). My federal governement’s superfund they keep the populations of reward has been the welcome list or find out on the evening news unwelcome varmints down. The return of these desert natives to my that the pesticide you have been kinds of lizards present in our local land. overusing has been found to cause area are too numerous to discuss brain damage in laboratory here; please consult the Audubon I have also tried to make it a animals. (I don’t know about you, Society’s Field Guide to the point to become more educated but I can’t afford to lose any of my Southwestern States for descrip- about the natural world and to very limited supply of brains.) tions and pictures. become more tolerant. Who among us does not marvel at the delicate John Phillips Master Gardener

Page 2 Cuttings Baffling Bats without being pollinated by the bats. The flowering season is a ‘N’ Have your daytime hummingbird wave of nectar starting with Agave feeders turned into evening bat palmeri in Arizona through Sierra Clippings feeders? If so, enjoy the show! The Madre. Agave shrevei provides migration of two species of nectar for Southern and Cochise County Master nectar-feeding bats—the Lesser , . Found Gardeners Association will resume Long-nosed Bat and the Mexican through Durango and Zacatecas, their monthly meetings on Long-tongued Bat—are traveling Mexico is Agave durangensis September 6 at the Sierra Vista from the back to which flowers in November and Library from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. The their Mexican wintering grounds. December. South of this region is guest speaker is Lee Basnar, They arrive in Arizona in April to a group of winter blooming agaves Chairman of Sierra Vista roost in caves and mine shafts. that feed bats migrating to Central Environmental Affairs Commis- Females spend April through July America. This shows a strong sion, speaking on the work of the in areas with flowering saguaros migratory pathway of bats and a commission. and organpipe cactus. Their young nectar corridor that has mutually The High Desert Garden Fair are born in May or June and can evolved. will be held at the University of fly by July or August. The Arizona South Campus September maternity colonies break up and Unfortunately, breaks in this 16. For more details see the back adults and juveniles begin to move migratory chain have occurred page of this newsletter. Plan to stop south through the semidesert possibly due to agave harvests in by. There will be lots to see and grasslands to forage on agave Mexico for the liquor industry. do! blossoms. Also, the reduced populations of The Fall Xeriscape Garden desert plants in Southeastern Tour is set for September 23 from Agave blossoms, particularly Arizona due to development may 9:00 am until 1:00 pm. For details those of Agave palmeri, have a be negatively affecting the species. and a map contact the Sierra Vista strong, putrid smelling scent to Bat populations are also threatened Cooperative Extension Office attract bats. The flowers start to by loss of suitable mine and cave (458-8278, Ext. 2141). open and release the strongest roosting habitat and disturbance to Check out the Master Gardener concentration of nectar around 10 maternity roosts. Currently the web site: p.m. A large amount (a teaspoon) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service list www.ag.arizona.edu/cochise/mg/ of dilute nectar is produced and is the Lesser Long-nosed Bat as an index.htm about 20% sugar. Although the endangered species. The Threat- for information on the Western bats do not collect pollen, it ened Native Wildlife in Arizona Region Master Gardener Con- becomes attached to their fur while lists the Mexican Long-tongued ference October 14 - 16 at the foraging and is ingested while Bat and the Lesser Long-nosed Bat Mesa Conference and Community grooming. Proteins from the pollen as threatened species. Center, Mesa, AZ (tel #602- are an important part of their 470-1556, press 1017). It is open nutrition. Bats feeding at hummingbird to the public. feeders may be doing so to ensure Now available on our web site Studies have shown that bats are that they have the energy needed to Ask a question and Frequently important pollinators of agaves, migrate to the next nectar-feeding asked questions! Check it out!!! especially Agave palmeri, which source on their long journey south. are native to our high desert region. Feeders may be taken indoors at This is called a “bat-agave night or covered to prevent bats symbiosis,” meaning over the years from visiting. Better yet, plant the bat and the agave have some agaves in your garden to help developed a special relation with conserve the agave/bat population. Robert E. Call each other. The bats cannot make Extension Agent, Horticulture their southward journey without the Cheri Melton energy providing nectar of the Master Gardener Carolyn Gruenhagen Editor agave. The agave cannot set seed

Page 3 are also small, stunted, and 6HSWHPEHU unusually colored. The can 7KH 9LUWXDO *DUGHQHU³ 5HPLQGHUV even be bumpy and have warts! $UL]RQD 1DWLYH 3ODQW /DZV There are several different Keep on watering! viruses that infect this family of plants. They include: cucumber In her article on agaves, cacti, You can always plant some- mosaic virus (CMV), squash and yuccas in this newsletter, Cheri thing–try cool curl virus (SLCV), squash mosaic Melton mentions Arizona native season veggies virus (SQMV), watermelon mosaic plant laws. Since many people are Start shopping for bulbs virus (WMV), and zucchini yellow not familiar with these laws, I (Bulbs for Southern Arizona mosaic virus (ZYMV). Each of thought that this might be a good bulletin is available from the these pathogens usually have topic for this month. The definitive Cooperative Extension offices) several strains. Sometimes an source for information about on infected plant may have more than this topic can be found at the URL one virus causing the symptoms. listed in Cheri’s article Therefore, it makes an exact diag- (http://agriculture.az.us/PSD/ nosis difficult without laboratory nativeplants.htm.). analysis. Viruses cannot survive outside of Arizona native plant law, “A” is for apple living organisms. They may be contained in Chapter 7 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, was There were 6 apples in a present in seeds when planted. This enacted to safeguard endangered basket and 6 women in occurs with SQMV. Insects serve native plant species and to prevent the room. Each woman as vectors (transmitting agents) for unbridled exploitation of other took 1 apple, yet 1 apple many viruses. Sucking insects like Arizona native plants. Arizona has remained in the basket. aphids and white flies and chewing a large of valuable plant How could this be? insects such as cucumber beetles species such as cacti sought by (answer on page 5) and grasshoppers transmit virus particles from infected plants to collectors around the world. healthy ones. Without some restraints on the Control: When virus resistant commercial harvesting and export varieties are available their use is of these plants, we would soon find Call’s Classic advisable. Control host plants such these them disappearing from the as related weed species and wild. Although unrestricted com- Comments infected crop plants which serve as mercial harvesting could lead to reservoirs of viruses. Destroy these disaster in a short period of time, Are the of your cucumber, plants as soon as symptoms even collecting by individuals who pumpkin, or squash plants appear. Control insects which only want to collect a single discolored and distorted but show transmit viruses. I know of no specimen for their own yards poses no signs of insect damage? It chemical or natural cures for a threat over the long haul. appears your curcurbits (squash viruses in plants. In many cases and melon family) have been plants will survive in a weakened Protected native plants are infected with a virus. Plants have state much like what happens to grouped into five different mottled leaves, that is patches of humans when we get a viral flu or categories, each with its own green and yellow, often in varying cold. restrictions: hues, mixed in the leaf. Whole Source: September 1993 Cochise plants and leaves are usually County Master Gardener Newsletter Group 1 includes highly smaller than normal and many safeguarded native plants that are times deformed and fragmented. Robert E. Call in danger of extinction or are likely Cucumber, melon, and squash fruit Agriculture Agent, Horticulture (continued on next page)

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, James A. Christenson, Director, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of Arizona and Arizona Counties cooperating. The University of Arizona College of Agriculture is an equal opportunity employer authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to sex, race, religion, color, national origin, age, Vietnam Era Veteran’s status, or disability. The information given herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Cooperative Extension is implied. Any products, services, or organizations that are mentioned, shown, or indirectly implied in this publication do not imply endorsement by the University of Arizona. Page 4 to become jeopardized in the different foreseeable future. These plants species. Ten Fall Xeriscape may only be collected or salvaged of the plants by scientists or other officials who on Cheri’s Garden Tour obtain special permits from the list are on Arizona Department of Agri- the restricted The fall xeriscape Garden Tour culture. The protection of these list. These is set for September 23 from 9:00 plants extends to seeds and include Agave chrysantha, Agave a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Featured will as well as to the plants themselves. parryi (var. huachucensis), Agave be three gardens, one just about In fact, the law also prohibits even palmeri, Agave schottii, Fouquiera one year old. The backyard is an the destruction, mutilation, or splendens, Opuntia basilaris, “Outdoor Room” with a fireplace cutting of these plants. The list of Opuntia macrocentra, Yucca built into the corner with a sitting highly safeguarded native plants baccata, Yucca schidigera, and area. The existing mesquites have includes 44 different species from Yucca schottii. been incorporated into the 18 different plant families. Two of landscape and the yard is the agaves species on Cheri’s list Group 3 includes salvage assessed designed to attract guests— Agave murpheyi and Agave native plants. To harvest these including butterflies and birds. schottii (var. treleasei) are on this plants you must also have a permit The second yard features mature list. and tag the plants with salvage cacti and succulents. This seven tags. This list is fairly short, year old yard is not on drip yet it Group 2 includes salvage re- containing only ten tree species sculpts with texture and shape. stricted native plants. Although from two plant families, including The third yard blends desert with these plants are not in immediate desert willows (Chilopsis linearis), urban. In town, this yard soothes danger of extinction, they are palo verdes (Cercidium sp.), the eye with mature shade trees, protected because there is a high mesquites (Prosopis sp.) and the functional meander- ing riverbeds potential for damage by theft or smoke tree (Psorothamnus dotted with wildflowers, lantana, vandalism. Plants on this list may spinosus). rosemary and trailing indigo only be taken from the original bush. growing site by a person having a Group 4 are harvest restricted Call the Cooperative Extension valid permit issued by the Arizona plants which must be protected Office in Sierra Vista (458-8278, Department of Agriculture. If the from overharvesting because of Ext. 2141) for a map and details. plant is growing on privately their intrinsic value. The list owned land, the collector must also includes eleven species from two have the written permission of the different plant families. Trees on land owner. Seeds or fruits, but no the list include ironwood (Olneya ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ living parts, of plants on this list testota) and several mesquites may be collected from state-owned (Prosopis sp.). Other plants on the lands without a permit or on list include plants that are COUNTY FAIR TIME!!! privately owned lands with the harvested for their fiber (Nolina sp. permission of the owner. Before and Yucca sp.) Cochise County Fair is collecting anything from Federal September 28 - October 1 at the lands, check with the Federal Group 5, the last group, are export restricted plants. These plants are Douglas Fair Grounds. Fair agency under whose jurisdiction books are available at the they fall. State laws and endangered by over depletion if their exportation from the state is Cooperative Extension offices regulations may not apply on and the Chamber of Commerce not controlled. Federal lands. of each County city. The list of salvage restricted We’ll continue our discussion of plants includes 303 species from Arizona native plant laws next ANSWER:“A” is for apple — 32 different plant families. The month. Until then, happy surfing. The first 5 women each took an th largest number of species comes Gary A. Gruenhagen, Master Gardener apple. The 6 woman took the from the cactus family with 124 [email protected] basket as well as the apple in it.

Page 5 ARIZONA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PRSRT STD Cochise County POSTAGE & FEES PAID 450 S. Haskell Avenue USDA Willcox, AZ 85643-2790 OFFICIAL BUSINESS PERMIT NO. G268 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300

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Cochise County Master Gardeners Association in conjunction with The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension presents . . . 8XVW4TbTac7PaST]6PXa Farmer’s Market Local Nurseries Garden Crafts Outdoor Living Saturday, September 16, 2000 Books Irrigation University of Arizona South Campus Information on: Forestry 1140 N. Colombo, Sierra Vista, AZ Wildlife Water Wise 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Recycling Gardening Sustainable Systems Seminars on: The Winter Garden (9:30 am) Preserving the Edible Garden All for free! (11:00 am) Autumn Beauty: Plants for Year Round Interest (12:30 pm) Plus lots more!!!