Home Made Japanese Beetles Repellent / Trap and Bait

This is a follow up from previous post here. I decide to make a Japanese Beetles repellent, the idea is inspired by Sara's blog theherbgardener (Thanks, Sara!). I use some cooking oil and antiseptic mouthwash to replace soap, which is slightly different than the original recipe to create non-toxic and $0 repellent. After catching those beetles, smash and place it in a plastic container with tiny v-shaped holes on the cover, and put it close to the tree. The rotting beetles with oil scent will warn all beetles to stay away. So far, this method works, it is more effective than toxic insect repellent. Imagine when outdoor temperature closes to 100 degree, the cooking oil will probably fry whatever left inside the container. If it rains, the oil will float on the top of water to prevent mosquitoes. The other recipe is using water, sugar, mashed banana, and yeast; it also works as a trap and bait, but I didn't use that because I'm afraid it will attract more beetles. I know we should treat all living things equally, but the insects are destroying the garden like viruses killing human beings. What would you do?

Vegetable/ Herbs in Our Garden Can Prevent Cancer (part 1)

Do you know which plants in your garden can prevent cancer?

Top 20 Cruciferous Vegetables We Should Grow In Our Garden

Broccoli sprouts or broccoli can reduce the risk of stomach ulcers, and prevent stomach cancer. The scientists at Johns Hopkins University found that broccoli sprouts contain 20 to 50 times more sulforaphane than mature broccoli. That means a few tablespoons of broccoli sprouts contain as much sulforaphane as is found in a pound of mature broccoli. It also helps reduce the risk for cancer of the esophagus, bladder, skin and lung, among others.^[1]

Besides broccoli^[2], cauliflower^[3], brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables also contain phytonutrients that can prevent the onset and halt the progression of colon, breast, prostate, thyroid, cervical, and other cancers.

Watercress is an exceptionally rich source of potent cancer-fighting isothiocyanates, including the much-studied compound known as phenethyl isothiocyanate, or PEITC. It suppresses production of an enzyme that facilitates the spread of breast cancer to other tissues.^[4]

So, what are those 20 cruciferous vegetables we should grow?

1. Arugula

2. Beet greens

3. Bok choy

4. Broccoli

5. Broccoli sprouts

6. Brussels sprouts

7. Cabbage

8. Cauliflower

9. Chinese cabbage

10. Collard greens

11. Daikon

12. Horseradish

13. Kale

14. Kohlrabi

15. Mustard greens

16. Radishes

17. Rutabaga

18. Swiss chard

19. Turnips

20. Watercress.

Other than cruciferous vegetables, these are some of the "must have" plants in our garden:

· Sweet potatoes contain many anticancer properties, including beta-carotene, which may protect DNA in the cell nucleus from cancer-causing chemicals outside the nuclear membrane.^[5]

· Rosemary provides vitamin D and synergistic support in cancer prevention. According to researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center, it also improves memory, relieve muscle pain and spasm, stimulate hair growth, and support the circulatory and nervous systems^[6]

· Carrots - a component of carrots called falcarinol may be able to prevent cancer.^[7]

· Garlic has immune-enhancing allium compounds (dialyl sultides) that appear to increase the activity of immune cells that fight cancer and indirectly help break down cancer causing substances.^[5]

· Mushrooms - There are a number of mushrooms that appear to help the body fight cancer and build the immune system - Shiitake, maitake, reishi, Agaricus blazei Murill, and Coriolus Versicolor.^[5]

· Turmeric (curcuma longa), a member of the ginger family, is believed to have medicinal properties because it inhibits production of the inflammation-related enzyme cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2), levels of which are abnormally high in certain inflammatory diseases and cancers, especially bowel and colon cancer.^[5]

· Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that attacks roaming oxygen molecules, known as free radicals, that are suspected of triggering cancer.Herbs and vegetables really help to shield us against daily toxic compounds such as unhealthy food, air, water, and environment pollution, and protect us from cancer. So, the best way is to take action in our garden, grow some healthy vegetables, our health in our hands. Hope all the gardeners can live longer and have a healthy life :-)

Free books from National Cancer Institute
(if less than 20 copies - totally free, no shipping cost)
https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/ncipubs/searchres.aspx

---

^[1] http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2009/04_06_09.html

^[2] http://www.med.yale.edu/eph/news/august07/broccoli.html

^[3] http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=13

^[4] Rose P, Faulkner K, Williamson G, Mithen R. 7-Methylsulfinylheptyl and 8-methylsulfinyloctyl isothiocyanates from watercress are potent inducers of phase II enzymes. Carcinogenesis. 2000 Nov;21(11):1983-8.

^[5] http://www.cancure.org/cancer_fighting_foods.htm

^[6] http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/rosemary-000271.htm

^[7] http://nutrition.about.com/od/healthyfood1/a/carrotscancer.htm

Yellow / Orange Apricot Edge Mini Rose

The bi-colored is a deep orange color rose that blends into a bright yellow lower on its inner petals. It is characterized by the contrasting colors of its blossoms with dainty edged, the large head opens into an intense classic bloom with triangle edges. This beauty was this year's valentines gift, it did add a special touch to my home bouquet/ table centerpiece for a while. Recently, I transfer it from a small flower pot to the ground to allow the roots to have more room. You can see some tiny pepper grow around the roses, it's the same spot that used to grow green pepper last year. So, probably by end of this summer, you will see some bird peppers grow taller than the roses :-)

Downtown Roses

I took a walk around downtown, and saw these beautiful blossom roses, so I used the cell phone to take some photos. Isn't nice to see some spring blossom when you take a break?

Blackberries

blackberries start to produce tiny fruits

Gardenia Jasminoides - Kleim’s Hardy, White Fowers w/ 6 Petals Yellow Stamens

Some unknown white flowers are blooming in my garden; it is yellow center to pure white flower shrub, about 2.5 ft. tall. I don't know the name because it is planted by the home builder. I am not sure it is white Cistus or not, so I call it "egg flower" as nickname.

Thanks to RainGardenee, Stephanie, Bangchik and Kakdah suggestions. I finally lookup on the Web and found out it is Gardenia jasminoides ‘Kleim’s Hardy.’
Learning is a good thing, it will keep us young!

Source: http://www.portlandnursery.com/plants/treePicks/trees_gardenia.shtml
White flowers are single form with six petals and yellow stamens. Fragrance is classic Gardenia. Leaves are dark green, glossy and evergreen. Grows slowly in a rounded mounding habit to 2-3 feet tall and wide.
Link to more images

Day Lilies and Mixed Flowers

My summer lilies have bloomed; see the changes over several weeks (photos below). I have to relocate it to a higher ground due to a landscape drainage or clay/mud problem. The problem is finally solved by using some castle bricks to plant it on a higher ground.

Beautiful Spring Wild Flowers

We are taking a road trip heading Charlotte this long weekend, and see lots of beautiful wild flowers along the highway. I am taking this photos on the passenger side, when the car is going 70 miles/hour. Do you enjoy spring wild flowers?