musillid
1327758167
Posted 1407669440
Reply with quote #1
I have been watching a thin orange filament wrap itself around and through one of my figs. It has little orange clusters that have now turned white and are beginning to show themselves as tiny white flowers. Armed with this information, I searched the internet and found that I have been invaded by Cuscuta, or dodder, a parasitic plant. The USDA says this parasite is present in all forty-eight contiguous states and Hawaii. I have never seen it before this summer. Can anyone suggest how harmful it is to fig trees?
Charlie
1404043833
Posted 1407671472
Reply with quote #2
I don't know how it may or may not affect your fig tree but have read about it as a supplement taken for various conditions. It may be a gift to you from nature. :)
greysmith
1394039826
Posted 1407673137
Reply with quote #3
That Dodder is weird looking stuff. I've only seen it close to streams. We had some in the bottoms when I first moved here but it didn't come back the next year. Don't know how harmful it is for the plant but it doesn't seem like one of those invasive's that are hard to get rid of. I think it can be used as a dye too. It may well be a gift to you from nature.
Hershell
1396922438
Posted 1407674206
Reply with quote #4
It grows around here quite often and I like to look at it, however I dint think I would want it on a small or potted fig. If it was on a large tree I would enjoy watching it grow.
SoniSoni
1362273241
Posted 1407675974
Reply with quote #5
If this is what we called "witches hair" in So Cal, it turns bright orange when it dries. It wasnt known to harm anything.
seeking Galicia Negra, Bianchi Guido, Violette de Sollies, Emerald Strawberry
Chivas
1283819505
Posted 1407677084
Reply with quote #6
If it is able to attach itself to the vascular system of them plant, it will weaken the immune system, I would take it off, it is an annual but will set seeds and grow again next year. It is from the nightsahde family so I would suggest gloves and long sleeves while removing it.
DesertDance
1247674606
Posted 1407678794
Reply with quote #7
Yuck! I'd follow Chivas advice. I've seen it here in So CA, but the main parasite we have is mistletoe, and it seems to prefer Sycamore and Oak trees. Takes years, but it will kill them.
musillid
1327758167
Posted 1407691984
Reply with quote #8
Thanks for all the advice. I better get to it before it sets seed.
greysmith
1394039826
Posted 1408107753
Reply with quote #9
Here is something else I ran across about it.
rcantor
1309799312
Posted 1408128764
Reply with quote #10
There's no way I'd let that near a fig tree. If you have a weedy patch they can be quite beautiful. In London they have a specimen called 'The Artful Dodder'
musillid
1327758167
Posted 1408146097
Reply with quote #11
Tom, Your link didn't work.
greysmith
1394039826
Posted 1408150203
Reply with quote #12
You're right! Lets try it this way. http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/08/14/scientist-discovers-new-language-spoken-by-plants/ If clicking on it doesn't work you can copy and paste to get it to open
musillid
1327758167
Posted 1408156843
Reply with quote #13
Tom,
