I often see questions from new members wondering how to tell if the weeds they've found are free of pesticides. I took a few pictures that might help.
We've had heavy rains this spring in California and weeds are exploding everywhere; it's an excellent time to go out and about.
As always, use caution whenever you are looking for weeds. Don't pick close to roads, as the car exhaust isn't good for plants. If you are near a trail, you need to get far enough off it to be sure a dog hasn't been there. Be prepared to get your shoes dirty and a few stickers on your clothes.
Getting started:
You need to find some plant pests, as that's the reason plants get sprayed--to kill them. Some signs are easy to find. Bright red ladybugs are everywhere right now. Ladybugs eat smaller bugs so if you see one, chances are good you are in the right place.
You might see other bugs and snails that eat the plant directly. Our snails are very bold right now.
Usually I'm not this lucky and I have to look closer for tiny bugs. Most of the time it's aphids, tiny bugs that suck the juices out of plants.
This sow thistle looks pretty good at first.
But when you look at the stems up close, some of them are covered with tiny black aphids. They make the stems look a little fuzzy.
When you check the leaves at the bottom of the plant, they are purple or yellowed, with tiny holes--the result of having been sucked dry.
Aphids aren't always black or as obvious to see. The back of this bristly ox tongue leaf has a few aphids scattered about. There are actually a few small yellow aphids on this plant, too light for my phone to capture. Aphids can be orange as well.
Other plants will be infested with fuzzy white mites, like this bristly ox tongue.
Other plants have been eaten by "chewing" bugs like caterpillars or grasshoppers. Snails also leave obvious holes. This mallow and wild mustard made a good meal for some small critter.
Sometimes what you find isn't even a bug. Look at the front of this mallow leaf, it's covered with tiny yellow spots, they are almost see through.
When you turn it over, it's covered with tiny yellow or brown lumps. This is caused by a fungus (like athlete's foot for humans). It looks gross but it means the plant hasn't been sprayed with a fungicide either, something that is common in commercially raised plants and gardens. This rust virus is common to mallows so chances are you'll see some of it on the weeds you pick. The one below looks particularly bad.
But how does it taste?!
While these plants don't look very appetizing to us, your tortoise doesn't care how they look. I rinse mine off and hand them over.
Hopefully you'll find something safe for your tortoise, too!
We've had heavy rains this spring in California and weeds are exploding everywhere; it's an excellent time to go out and about.
As always, use caution whenever you are looking for weeds. Don't pick close to roads, as the car exhaust isn't good for plants. If you are near a trail, you need to get far enough off it to be sure a dog hasn't been there. Be prepared to get your shoes dirty and a few stickers on your clothes.
Getting started:
You need to find some plant pests, as that's the reason plants get sprayed--to kill them. Some signs are easy to find. Bright red ladybugs are everywhere right now. Ladybugs eat smaller bugs so if you see one, chances are good you are in the right place.
You might see other bugs and snails that eat the plant directly. Our snails are very bold right now.
Usually I'm not this lucky and I have to look closer for tiny bugs. Most of the time it's aphids, tiny bugs that suck the juices out of plants.
This sow thistle looks pretty good at first.
But when you look at the stems up close, some of them are covered with tiny black aphids. They make the stems look a little fuzzy.
When you check the leaves at the bottom of the plant, they are purple or yellowed, with tiny holes--the result of having been sucked dry.
Aphids aren't always black or as obvious to see. The back of this bristly ox tongue leaf has a few aphids scattered about. There are actually a few small yellow aphids on this plant, too light for my phone to capture. Aphids can be orange as well.
Other plants will be infested with fuzzy white mites, like this bristly ox tongue.
Other plants have been eaten by "chewing" bugs like caterpillars or grasshoppers. Snails also leave obvious holes. This mallow and wild mustard made a good meal for some small critter.
Sometimes what you find isn't even a bug. Look at the front of this mallow leaf, it's covered with tiny yellow spots, they are almost see through.
When you turn it over, it's covered with tiny yellow or brown lumps. This is caused by a fungus (like athlete's foot for humans). It looks gross but it means the plant hasn't been sprayed with a fungicide either, something that is common in commercially raised plants and gardens. This rust virus is common to mallows so chances are you'll see some of it on the weeds you pick. The one below looks particularly bad.
But how does it taste?!
While these plants don't look very appetizing to us, your tortoise doesn't care how they look. I rinse mine off and hand them over.
Hopefully you'll find something safe for your tortoise, too!
