Ear-Like
Jelly Fungi Said Harmless
Dear Plant Doctor: I found the
enclosed slimy fungus that looks
like an "alien's ear" growing in my
yard. This what-ever-it-is comes up
in an area that is regularly irrigated
and fertilized. After a few weeks, it
turns dark and dries up. What is it
and do 1 need to be womed? ? Long
Beach
Answer: Did you recently see the
movie called "The Blob"?
You have enclosed what looks to
be the fruiting body of one of my fa
vorite fungi, the Jelly fungi.
This unusual group of bizarre
looking mushroom relatives are con
sidered to be generally harmless to
man and plants. However, the Jelly
fungi are in a sub-class of fungi that
contains some of the most plant
pathogenic fungi known (like the
rusts and smuts) to agriculture.
The Jelly fungi are saprophytes
and play a vital role in helping con
sume dead plant matter in your lawn
and garden. Jelly fungi species are
known throughout North America.
I suspect the specimen you sent
me is in the family Auriculariaceae.
This group is well known for the un
usual ear-like gelatinous fruiting
body produced when environmental
conditions are right
The Jelly fungi will not harm
your plants, it is just one of Nature's
oddities to be enjoyed. If they really
bother you, then remove the fungi
by hand or rake.
Dear Plant Doctor: 1 need to
have information on how to take
care of a red tip. The leaves are
falling off. I just moved here from
the mountains and I need all the help
I can get to grow plants in this area.
Also, can you tell me when and
how to plant seed of the banana
shrub'.' ? Southport
Answer: First, find out if you
IA/vIUK
C. BRUCE
WILLIAMS
Extension Area
Ttof Specialist
have a problem. Take a small branch
or limb with diseased leaves at
tached to the Cooperative Extension
office. Red tips ( Pholinia x fraseri )
are very susceptible to a disease
called Entomosporium Blight. If
your plant has this disease you
should either spray fungicide regu
larly or cut down the plant to pre
vent further spread of the disease.
Banana shrub (. Michel ia figo) was
introduced to the United States in
1789, but for some reason unknown
to me, is difficult to find in the nurs
ery trade.
I see this species growing in
many of the fine old gardens. Based
upon my observation it is well
adapted to the coastal plains soils.
This evergreen shrub produces beau
tiful dark green foliage and fragrant
fruity-smelling flowers during April
and May.
I could find nothing about propa
gating this species from seed. How
ever, the species is easy to root dur
ing the summer under intermittent
mist. Use semi-hardwood cuttings, a
talc-based or liquid rooting hormone
dip, and place cutting under mist un
til rooted.
You may want to contact a com
mercial nurseryman for help.
Dear Plant Doctor: I am very
confuscd Last week I picked up in
formation at the Extension office on
fertilizer application. The informa
tion instructed me to apply one-half
pound of slow-release nitrogen to
every 1,(XX) square feet of my lawn.
How can I apply this little amount
of fertilizer? How do I go about fig
uring out the area of my lawn? This
fertilizer stuff is getting too darn
complicated for me. ..please help. ?
Fayetteville
Answer: I will try to simplify the
information as much as possible but
it does get complicated fast.
Improper or overfertilization is a
serious environmental problem.
Homeowners cultivate gardens and
yards that make up an estimated 1.7
million acres in North Carolina
(roughiy 20 percent of all cultivated
land in the state) Know something
about your fertilizer and the proper
use.
The numbers on the fertilizer bag
indicate the percent of nitrogen (N),
phosphorus (P) and potassium (K)
contained in the fertilizer. A 50
pound bag of 16-4-8 fertilizer con
tains 16 percent actual nitrogen or 8
pounds, 4 percent phosphorus or 2
pounds of phosphorus equivalent,
and 8 percent potassium or 4 pounds
of potassium equivalent.
The total amount of NPK in the
50-pound fertilizer bag is 8 + 2 + 4
or 14 pounds.
The majority of the remaining 36
pounds is filler (which is usually
coarse ground limestone). Many fer
tilizers also contain sulfur, calcium,
magnesium, and many other sec
ondary and trace nutrients.
Stale law requires that the amount
of these nutrients in the fertilizer be
included on the fertilizer label.
Check the label to ensure the nitro
gen is a slow-release formulation.
1. To apply 1 pound of nitrogen
per I, (KM) square feet: Divide 100 by
the first number on the fertilizer bag.
Example: For a 16-4-8 fertilizer, 100
divided by 16 equals 6.25.
Therefore, 6.25 pounds of 16-4-8
fertilizer applied per 1,000 square
feet will deliver 1 pound of nitrogen,
0.25 pounds of phosphorus, and 0.5
pounds of potassium.
2. To apply 0.5 pound of nitrogen
per 1,000 square feet: Divide 50 by
the first number on the fertilizer bag.
Example: For a 16-4-8 fertilizer, 50
divided by 16 equals 3.125. There
fore, 3.125 pounds of 16-4-8 fertiliz
er per 1,000 square feet will result in
0.5 pounds of N being applied. How
much P and K will be applied?
Calculating the total area of your
lawn is easily accomplished by di
viding your lawn into imaginary rec
tangles or squares. Measure the
sides of each, multiply the length by
the width, and then add up the
square feet from each to find the to
tal area of your lawn. This gives you
a good ballpark figure that is suit
able for most lawn fertilization pur
poses.
Is that simple enough for you? If
not, contact your local Cooperative
Extension agent for additional infor
mation. Most agents will be glad to
review these calculations for you.
Send your gardening questions
and comments to The Plant Doctor,
P.O. Box 109, Bolivia. N.C. 28422.
CLUB BRIEFS
Calabash AARP To Have Covered
Dish Dinner At Firehouse Thurs.
The Calabash American Associ
ation of Retired Persons (AARP)
Chapter 3640 will meet today
(Thursday, Dec. 2) in the Calabash
Firehouse on Persimmon Road.
A covered dish supper will pre
cede the business meeting. Serving
will begin at 6:30 p.m. Members are
being asked to bring their dishes be
fore 6:30.
A short business meeting will in
clude the installation of officers for
1994. The group will then be enter
tained by the Shallotte Ladies Bar
bershop Chorus, who will present a
selection of Christmas songs.
The chapter will present four food
baskets to poor families in the area
this year. Members are asked to
bring plenty of food for donation
and to bring a gift for poor children.
Gifts should be wrapped and noted
as to age group and whether the gift
is for a girl or boy.
NARFE To Meet
The Brunswick County Chapter
of the National Association of Re
tired Federal Employees (NARFE)
will hold its monthly meeting at the
Sandfiddler Restaurant in Southport
on Tuesday, Dec. 14, at noon.
The group will be entertained by
John Gavlik, accordionist. Partici
pants are asked to bring a toy to be
given to a needy child.
All members and prospective
members are welcome. NARFE
meetings are open to the public;
membership is available to all feder
al retirees and federal employees
with at least five years of service.
Jet Set Party
The Jet Set, a social group for
area residents age 50 and over, will
hold its Christmas Party on Monday,
Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. at the Sizzling Sir
loin Stcakhouse in Shallotte.
All members are asked to bring a
wrapped gift to exchange. Newcom
ers are welcome to join the club,
which usually meets the first Mon
day of each month at noon in Jen
nies Branch Church, Brick Landing.
Santa At Optimist Lot
Santa Claus will be at the South
Brunswick Islands Optimist Club
Christmas tree lot each Saturday
from Dec. 4 through Dec. 18 from
10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Children are invited to visit Santa
at the sales lot, which is located in
Shallotte Plaza parking lot. Main
Street, Shallotte. No purchase is
necessary, said spokesman Kerry
Craig.
The club will also award a free
Christmas tree during halftime of
the West Brunswick-Tarboro foot
ball game Friday night Dec. 3.
The tree lot is open 11 a.m. to 9
p.m. Monday through Saturday and
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday until Chris
tmas Day.
PORTRAIT SPECIAL
(1) 8x10 ? (3) 5x7s ? (12) Wallets
ONLY $19.95
Come in before Dec. 15. No sitting fee plus receive
10 FREE photo Christmas cards!
112 Sundial Center. North Myrtle Beach, SC. (803)249-5554
C1993 THE BRUNSWICK BEACON
Lower Cape Fear Hospice
& Century 21 Sunset Realty
invite you to share the beauty of the holidays this
year by sponsoring a. . .
Love Light Tree
Situated on the corner ofHwys. 179 & 904 at Sea
side, the tree will symbolize the true spirit of
? Christmas. For a donation of $5 or more, you may
sponsor a light on the tree in honor of some
one you love or admire. For a $25 donation
you may sponsor a light on the star atop the
tree. All donations go to Hospice, and a card
will be sent to notify the honoree of your gift.
candle lighting ceremony will be held Dec.
16 at 6:30 p.m.
To make your contribution, complete the form
below and mail with your check. For details,
contact Hospice 754-5356 or Century 21 Sunset Realty 579-1000.
1
YOUR NAME
YOUR ADOflESS. CITY. STATE. ZIP
NAME OF PERSON TO BE REMEMBERED OR HONORED
NAME OF PERSON TO BE NOTIFIED
THEIR AD0RESS. CITY. STATE. ZIP
$5 per tree light $25 per star light
Make check payable to : Lower Cape Fear Hospice, Inc. ATTN- Vanpssa
Hewett, 502 N. Sunset Blvd., Sunset Beach, NC 28468
I ^ ^LLCONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Free Crisis Hotline Offered
Throughout Holiday Season
A toll-free 24-hour crisis hotline is being offered throughout the holi
day season by calling 1-800-992-3671.
"The holidays are meant to be a time of joyous celebration, family re
unions and festivities. However, for some people the holidays become a
time of depression, financial crisis, stress and anxiety," said Seth Smith,
community relations representative of the Wilmington Treatment Center.
"Although everyone experiences problems from time to time, when a
crisis arrives, many people are unsure of who to turn to for help."
The service is free and will operate through Jan. 31. Counselors will
be available around the clock, seven days per week.
All conversations are private and confidential, Smith said.
"Counselors talk to callers to determine what the problem or problems
are, and then work to find the caller the appropriate assistance. There are
numerous services available through public and private agencies to help
people."
Several Homes To Be
Featured In Oak Island's
Seventh Christmas Tour
The seventh annual Christmas by
the Sea Tour of Homes will take
place on Oak Island Dec. 5 from 1-5
p.m.
Seven homes will be featured on
Caswell Beach, Yaupon Beach and
Long Beach.
The event is sponsored by the
Oak Island Beautification Club. All
proceeds from the tour will be used
to fund club projects, including
plantings throughout Oak Island.
Tickets are $5 per person and will
be available the day of the tour at the
Long Beach Recreation Center, 3003
E. Oak Island Dr., Long Beach.
Advance tickets may be pur
chased at Sweetreat in Southport,
from the Southport-llak Island
Chamber of Commerce, Pelagian
Station Cards and Gifts, Nice and
Pretty on Long Beach Road, Lynn's
Hallmark Treasure Room and B&B
Garden Center in Yaupon Beach and
Boat House Gifts in Long Beach.
Participants may begin or end
their tour at the Long Beach Recre
ation Center, where live entertain
ment and refreshments will be pro
vided from 1-5 p.m.
Christmas
Sale
Limited
Time
Limited
Supply
Lay away for Christmas
With the purchase of an Elna 6000
i Computer Sewing Machine, Get an Elna
T34 3/4 Thread Serger for only $99
Elna 5000 Christmas Sale Price
$1,299.99 MSRP $1,699
Elna T34 MSRP $749
THE NEEDLE G
THREAD SHOPPE
M-Sat. 9:30-5:30 ? 91 0-457-4636 EO
7945 River Rd., SE, Southport
Financing Available
CHRISTMAS TREES
Fresh-cut Frasiers $24.99
and up
Christmas Wreaths
Decorated and ready to hang
Poinsettias
Florist quality
Fresh-Cut Boughs
PLANTABLE
ITALIAN FIR TREE
Each is decorated, grows to
approx. 30 inches. Great for
apartment and condo living
and year 'round enjoyment!
at
wt
CITG0 Of CALABASH
PJ'S Coastal Beverages
and Car Wash
Hwv. 179. Calabash. S79-10I I
Golden Anniversary Couple
The Rev. Tracie Varnum and wife Clementine celebrated 50 years
of marriage on Dec. 1. The couple will be honored by their chil
dren and their families with a family celebration Dec. 4.
Southport 2000 Plans Christmas
Celebration Saturday Dec. 1 1
Southport 2(MM), an economic and
community development organiza
tion, will host the Southport
Christmas Celebration on Saturday,
Dec. 1 1 .
Events will include a tour of his
toric homes. Christmas concert and
candy cane hunt for the kids.
Included on the tour will he the
Old Brunswick Inn, St. Phillips
Episcopal Church and the Northrup
House, which was the setting for the
movie "Crimes of the Heart."
The nine-stop tour will begin at 5
p.m. and end around c> p.m at
Franklin Square Art Gallery, where
refreshments w ill be served.
The "Sea Notes" will perform a
Christmas concert in the gazebo at
Franklin Square Park at 7:30 p.m.
There will be luminaries on the wa
terfront and throughout the park.
Children's activities will include a
candy cane hunt at Franklin Square
Park at 2 p.m. It will be followed by
Christmas caroling and a visit from
Santa Claus.
Tickets for the tour will cost $8
and are available at Southport 2000.
Franklin Square Art Gallery and
from local merchants.
For more information, contact
Southport 2000 Program Director
James McKee at 457-7927.
\ zeNQ'S gxiroeN
CTV>tr>ese J3-csZTcvvn~cxr?tr
LUNCH BUFFET FAMILY NIGHT
Monday-Friday BUFFET
11 -2:30 PM Monday-Saturday
NEW HOURS:
Monday-Thursday 11 AM-3, 4:30-8:30 PM
Friday 1 1 AM-3. 4:30-9 PM
Saturday 4:30-9 PM
LSunday 1 1 AM-3 PM
For take-out cail
754-5280
Eac? Gate Square. Holden
Peach Road ? Shallofte
New Owners? 4' i
Randy & Renee Tankersley JJ ]
Randy was formerly the executive
chef at the Parson's Table.
fine. 'Dining
Winter Hours:
Lunch Tues.-Sun. 11-3
Dinner Wed. -Sun. 5-10
Open Tuesday through Sunday
ALL ABC PERMITS
NIGHTLY SPECIALS
$9.95
SUNDAY BRUNCH
$6.95
DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS
Reserve now for
Christmas Parties & New Year's Eve
For reservations & details
can (919)579-6577
?? Located at the stoplight in Calabash.
CHICORA
Medical Group
Complete Primary Care
Lee Langston, MD ? Jon Langston, PAC ? Roger F. Nelson, MD
We have 2 locations for your convenience |
Shallotte Seaside g
341 Whit eville Rd.(Hwy. 130 W) Seaside Plaza (Jet. Hwy. 179 8k 904) |
754-8731 579-8512
f
Call for appointment-Vacationers & Walk-ins Welcome, g
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Care
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