What Causes of Unhealthy Lawn? – Gardening and Hobby 8

Sunday, October 18, 2020

Fig 01- Moth caused lawn damages


I was familiar with large number of moths in my lawn about two years ago. They flew away when I walked on the grass. Their size is small around 0.75 inches (1.95 cm)


I have no ideas about relationship between moth influx and lawn healthiness on that time.


After reading from several articles, these moths may damage our lawn. At least there are three species of lawn moths:

- Nomophila noctuella.

- Tehama bonifatella.

- Crambus sperryellus.


Adult moths take nutrition directly from grass leaves. They love juice from leaves interior.


Fig 02- A webworm is a worm stage of the moths


The abundance of moths may lead to damage of lawn permanently, but harmless if they are in lower numbers.


Female moths lay eggs on grass leaves, the eggs then hatch after several days or a week.


Fig 03- A house with beautiful lawn, just for illustration


Larvae or worm stage is veracious stage, dangerous pests for grass. These larvae may destroy grass significantly, especially turf grass.


The signs of our lawn has been damages and infected are:

- appearing of dead brown patches on the grass

- growing of weed

- present of vine grasses

- growing of moss around the house.

- number of birds feeding on lawn, because a lot of worms.


How to control the larvae?


Using soapy water is one of good ways to get rid off Webworms from lawn. We may mix proper amount of liquid dish soap water.


People usually use 2 table spoon liquid soap per gallon of water, then spray on the infected grass.


Have you got problem with your lawn? What problem?

Have you Tried Rainbow Baby Carrot? - Food Variety 2

Friday, October 16, 2020

 

Fig 01- Multi colors of baby carrots


We just notice what is called “rainbow baby carrots” in the grocery recently. It is said the products actually appear in the market since 2015. We did not know about it.


The rainbow baby carrot is multiple colors baby carrots within the 340 gram package. They have 6 different colors:

- deep orange

- burgundy red

- deep purple

- tangerine

- yellow

- white


The carrot is an organic product which are cut, peeled and washed, thus ready to be consumed.


Fig 02- A bag of rainbow baby carrots


Yes, the baby carrots are crunch, and be eaten as salad or appetizers with other vegetables.


I think the taste is no different between a rainbow baby carrot and other normal orange baby carrots.


Fig 03- Baby carrots on the plate


Both standard carrots and rainbow baby carrots are healthy. They contain vitamin A, beta and alpha carotene pigments.


These pigments (beta and alpha carotene) may promote body to produce vitamin A. As we know this vitamin is good for our eyes.


Some people love purple baby carrots. In fact purple carrots contain:

- twice of beta and alpha carotene pigments compared to orange carrots.

- antioxidant, namely anthocyanins


Have you eaten rainbow baby carrots? What color do you love?

Can Animal Get Covid 19? - Virus 23

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

 

Cat may be infected by coronavirus, SARS Cov 2


I just read a report that minks transmitted corona virus to human in the Netherlands recently.


This accident triggered government to close mink industries, and killed about 800,000 minks so far.


The Netherlands is one of countries to produced mink pelts in the world. The top 4 countries have fur farmers are:

- China

- Denmark

- Poland

- Netherlands


Thus, yes, animal can get Covid 19. Do other animals may be infected by virus as well? How about with pets?


Two dogs are playing on the yard


Some reports (please double check from other sources) said our pets may get infected, other animals as well. Just for examples, they are:

- cat

- dog

- lion

- tiger

- Rhesus macaques


Dogs and Cats may be infected by owners, but no proved that dogs spreads the SARS Cov 2 virus to other dogs.


It is suggested by Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) that owners do not let their own pets to interact with other people, especially people they do not know at outside.


By searching in internet, yes, we may test our pets for Covid 19 in some veterinary centers if we suspect of our pets strange behaviors.


Do you know people who tested their pets for Covid 19? What the result? 

My Neighbor Small “Paradise” at Backyard – Gardening and Hobby 7

Sunday, October 11, 2020

Fig- 01- Little pond with small waterfall


One of our neighbors designs their yard with a nice small pond for Koi fish. Lovely place to sit around, especially during hot seasons (days).


I believe the pond characteristics are following:

- size 12 feet x 16 feet x 6 feet (3.7 meter x 4.9 meter x 1.8 meter), twelve feet by sixteen feet with six feet deep.

- at least 2000 gallon of water.

- there are more than 10 koi fish in the pond.


Water fall makes the pond not only beautiful, but also good for water circulation which has “trickle down” effect on:

- more oxygen creation to keep more fish

- healthy plants in the pond

- chemical and thermal stratification will be prevented


Fig- 02- Koi fish swimming in the pond


There are many types of Koi fish available, based on their size, at least there are 3 kinds:


1) Domestic Koi fish

- sizes between 12 to 15 inches (30.5 cm to 38 cm) long


2) Japanese Koi

- fish may grow from 22 inches to 26 inches (56 cm to 66 cm) long


3) Jumbo Koi fish

- sizes between 34 to 36 inches (86 cm to 91 m) long


Fig- 03- One corner of backyard


In general, Koi fish could reach their maximum size in 3 years, but Jumbo koi may reach its maximum size in 2 years only.


In nature of Koi fish, everything might be available in their environment, include:

- bugs

- insects

- algae

- plants.


Interestingly, this critter may consume human daily foods as well, such as:

- cereals

- rice

- peas

- watermelon

- lettuce


Have you ever have Koi fish as a pet? What is length size?



The Helicopter in the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV)

Friday, October 9, 2020

Fig- 01- The helicopter starts to take off


As far as I remember, I came to Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) in my city for several times.


The business I did in DMV:

- apply for ID card

- testing (paper and road) for driving licensed

- voting registration (register as Democrats, Republicans or independents).

- notice of vehicle transfer

- plate relate things (order personalized, return and cancel plates)


In term of vehicle transfer notice, we have donated, sold and traded our vehicle long time ago.


One day, people from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stop our car, and guide us to DMV parking lot.


Fig- 02- The copter is getting to fly


Then, they check our car emitting gas, luckily our car is the range of normal. The EPA let us go.


Fig- 03- Copter is flying away.


Actually, we check our cars gas emission every year at the state authorized test centers near by our neighborhood.


Testing is to keep our car emission within the range of state regulations. The cost is US$ 18 only.


Surprisingly, when we visit DMV this morning, we saw Copter in the parking lot. We wonder why?


Some people said the helicopter is belong to the police institution. They use this flying vehicle to fight crimes.


By using copter, the police may get very good a crime scene or “bird’s eye view of” to any suspect objects.


Finally, have your city police’s helicopter to combat crime?  

Are Yellow Elder Blooming in the Fall? - Gardening and hobby 6

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Fig– 01- Blooming of Yellow Elder in early Fall


We just walking regularly this morning in the city garden after stopping a while because of pandemic.


Surprisingly, many flowers are blooming in the early fall season with lower temperature, below 21 C (70 F) degree.


One of them is Yellow Elder. This flower has several species, the popular one is called with scientific name Tecoma Chrysantha.


It is said that Yellow Elder is a good shrub flower for both big landscape and our home garden. Other best flowering shrubs are:

- Paper-Chase Tree

- Golden Dewdrop

- Bougainvillea

- Purple Wreath

- Allamanda


Fig- 02- beautiful color


The interesting features of Yellow Elder:

- flowers are very bright yellow with trumpet like

- leaves are green and look like head of spears

- tolerant of drought

- good to grow in areas of temperatures about F 35 (C 1.7) degree, also well growing in warm regions.


Fig- 03- Flowers are climbing the roof


What I like that it is said the flowers are able to attract critters such as:

- hummingbirds

- butterflies

- bees


Fig- 04- Shining and beautiful yellow flowers


Hummingbirds and butterflies are my favorite critters, I am planning to grow this flower in my small garden by near coming future.


Other feature of Yellow Elder is its ability to climb the objects. Thus, it is good to cover:

- wall

- fence

- old tress


Is there Yellow Elder flower in your area?

What is a Monoclonal Antibody to Treat Donald Trump? - Virus 22

Saturday, October 3, 2020

A Covid 19 Antibody (credit to BioPharma reporter)


As all of us know that Donald Trump infected by corona virus, Sars Cov 2 last Friday, might be even early.


After brought to army medical center, Walter Reed hospital, president got two treatments with:

- a dose of Remdesiver

- a monoclonal antibody


We talked about drug called Remdesiver at previous post. You may read the article:

Is Remdesivir a Potential Drug Against Covid-19? - Virus 11 | Tanza Erlambang Update


Then, we might wonder: What is a Monoclonal Antibody to Treat Donald Trump?


A monoclonal Antibody is a synthetic antibody which able to mimic human (natural) antibody to fight infection.


A supplement for increase immunity, just for illustration.


In case of virus, synthetic antibody manufactured by company called Regeneron, proved to reduce Corona virus from Covid 19 patients.


Based on trials (very first trial) to 275 patients, the monoclonal antibody killed the virus which attached body systems in certain degree, and improve the health condition of patients.


Moreover, Trump was injected with a 8 gram dose of “experimental” antibody. It is said higher dose, since dose used in the trials is 2.4 gram. Lower dose shown good result (please read Science, October 2, 2020).


In addition to Remdesiver drug and Monoclonal antibody, Trump was given supplement as well. They are:

- zinc

- vitamin D

- vitamin C

- an acid reducer

- melatonin

- aspirin.


We will know whether the treatments for Donald Trump are success or fail in the next coming days or at least next 48 hours.


Just wait and see!!