Strawberries and Caneberries

While I do enjoy the company of my family and others here at home during the shelter in place order, nevertheless sitting around on my can all day just writing, reading and talking on the phone isn't exactly what I signed up for folks.

As with my other colleagues from the UCCE, I am working from home to comply with the state order to shelter in place. Doesn't mean I have to not enjoy the time here in the house, for example take a look at the tasty fruity chocolate strawberry snack my wife and I shared yesterday.

You all know the image of US Marines planting the US flag in the rocky soil of Iwo Jima in World War II.

Thanks to some sharp eyed grower colleagues - and well equipped with some impressive hand lens and field microscopes I might add - I got my hands on some good Lewis mites and was able get some pictures. Truly, these do look different than twospotted spider mite.

Introduction: Grafting is increasingly common in vegetable crops such as cucumbers, tomatoes and watermelons as this technique has continued the possibility of production of these commodities in disease infested soils which can no longer be fumigated or chemically treated.