Popular amaryllis known to produce 3-4 blooms during the season.
‘Tis the season to start thinking about decking the halls with holiday décor, which may include some of the season’s most colorful flowers.
“Now is the time to start amaryllis if you wish to have them in bloom for Christmas,” said Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini.
Amaryllis, genus name Hippeastrum, are ready to bloom when purchased. Hippeastrum means “horse star” which is an appropriate name since this plant can produce blooms as large as 8-10 inches across.
“Amaryllis bulbs can be huge – approaching the size of a grapefruit,” Domenghini said “The larger the bulb, the larger the flowers and the more expensive the bulb.”
Despite its size, this plant prefers tight quarters, according to Domenghini: “Select a container about one-inch larger in diameter and twice as tall as the bulb with drainage holes in the bottom.”
Domenghini explained how to properly pot the amaryllis:
Hold the bulb so the roots hang down into the pot and add potting mix.
Firm the mix around the roots carefully so that they are not snapped off.
Water thoroughly and place the plant in a warm, sunny location.
A day temperature in the 70s and night temperature in 60s is optimal for the amaryllis to bloom, according to Domenghini.
“Once the flower buds begin to show, move the plant to a cooler location and out of direct sunlight so the flowers last longer. Amaryllis can remain in bloom for about a month,” she said. “In order to keep the plant from expending energy to form seeds, flowers should be cut off after blooming.
Domenghini added: “Place the plant back in a sunny location until it is warm enough to be placed outside. Sink the pot in the soil in an area that has dappled shade.”
Before the first frost, bring the plant inside and place it in a dark location, withholding all water so the leaves can completely dry. Leaves can be cut off close to the top of the bulb. The amaryllis can usually be left in the same pot for several years, but eventually will need repotting.
Amaryllis can produce 3-4 blooms on a 1-2 foot stem, according to Domenghini, meaning there will be plenty of blooms to admire this holiday season if planted now.
Domenghini and her colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens.
Although it has mostly been discussed as a concern for the cattle industry, the threat of New World screwworm is also causing unease within the wildlife and big game industry. Wildlife officials in Texas are particularly concerned because of the state’s proximity to the Southern Border and Mexico where NWS has been detected.
Kory Gann, big game program director with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, said white-tail deer hunting is a $9.6 billion industry in Texas and last year 753,000 hunters harvested 837,000 whitetails in the state.
“Hunting in Texas is extremely important economically, and we’ve got the rural economies that depend on it,” Gann said.
Deer are like cattle in that they are prime hosts for NWS. However, there is also potential for many more species of wildlife to become infested, die, and spread this parasite that eats living flesh.
“When we think about New World screwworm on the wildlife side, deer are definitely going to be a host,” Gann said. “But we’re also looking at every warm-blooded animal—rabbits, raccoons, opossums, potentially even turkeys.”
The last time NWS was confirmed in an animal within the United States border, it was in the Florida Keys’ Key Deer population in 2016. The outbreak was contained in about six months, but more than 130 deer died, which amounted to about 14 to 20% of the Key Deer population, according to the University of Florida, The Wildlife Society and Eagle Hill Institute.
Modes of infestation
Gann said two major modes of NWS infestation are common in deer. Bucks are prone to sustaining small wounds during the rut when they spar with other deer, and NWS are attracted to those open injuries and will lay their eggs in them. Gann said the majority of the infestations in Florida’s Key Deer population were in bucks that had been through the rut.
“The only caveat would be that when we look at the Florida Keys, that’s a very tropical environment, and so they didn’t have that lull in screwworm activity that you might see here,” Gann said. “A lot of times that rut period is going to happen during colder weather, so maybe we won’t see the same impacts as they did in Florida.”
New World screwworm larvae. (Photo courtesy USDA APHIS.)
According to Sonja Swiger, Extension entomologist at Texas A&M University, NWS prefer temperatures between 64 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit, with peak activity occurring around 86 degrees. When temperatures fall below 59 degrees Fahrenheit, they have little to no activity. Many are optimistic about a pause in NWS progression because fall is underway, and winter is just around the corner, but not every part of Texas enjoys those cool temperatures. Some areas will still be under threat even in their coldest months.
“We have portions in south Texas, up the coast, where we would expect activity to probably lessen, but not completely go away,” Gann explained. “It’s almost November right now, and my truck still says 93 degrees.”
The other mode of infestation is in newborn fawns, specifically through the umbilical stump area that is an exposed wound for a period after birth. Fawns and calves are highly susceptible to becoming infested with NWS and have an extremely high mortality rate.
“When fawns are born, it’s typically right in the peak time period of when we would expect New World screwworm to be the most active in the United States,” Gann explained. “When we’re looking at Texas, that’s going to be May, June, July, so it’s definitely a problem. While we don’t have great data on previous infestations in the 60s and 70s on the wildlife side, some of the anecdotal information is that we might lose 80% of our fawns due to New World screwworm infestation.”
“We’ve obviously got a lot more wildlife hosts than we had 50 years ago. The white-tailed deer population then was about a million in the state of Texas, and it’s about 5 million today.”
When it comes to the spread, the big concern is about live animal movement. However, Gann was less concerned with the wild deer spreading the pest than humans moving captive deer or cattle that have been infested.
“White-tailed deer do not move extremely long distances,” Gann said. “If we look at even a yearling in the late spring, they may only move 10 to 20 miles at most, so we’re not looking at a big migration. We’re going to obviously see a lot more movement with the transport of animals, which we’re trying to get a handle on.
Fighting NWS from all sides
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Health Commission, and TPW are all working together to prevent the spread of NWS into the U.S., but Gann said hunters can also be a piece of the puzzle.
“We’ve got a million white-tailed deer hunters going out into the field in Texas, running trail cameras and sitting in blinds and observing wildlife, and that’s going to be extremely important on the surveillance side to help us detect that initial case, if it should get here, or give ourselves some reassurances that we don’t have it,” he said. “Our general message to hunters is if they see maggots in live animals, they should contact their county TPW wildlife biologist.”
Gann said unknowingly transporting maggots from one location is a major concern when hunters are harvesting deer. Since NWS need living flesh to feed on, soon after that animal dies its body temperature will start to drop, and the maggots will begin to come out of the carcass and look for a new host. He recommends every hunter inspect their kill for open wounds or maggots prior to moving it.
Making a splash and building big thanks for our local community heroes, SEA LIFE Kansas City and LEGOLAND Discovery Center Kansas City are offering free admission during their Military Appreciation Month now through November 30th. Visuals and offer details are below.
Not only can military personnel enjoy free admission now through November 30th, they also receive 30% off for up to six friends and family members so they can enjoy a memorable day together. Families of the community heroes can enjoy a day at the ultimate indoor LEGO playground where creativity never ends and then become ocean explorers by discovering thousands of sea creatures, come face to fin to sharks and rescued sea turtles, and touch real sea creatures.
Offer Details and Timing:
Free admission for military personnel is only available at SEA LIFE Kansas City and LEGOLAND Discovery Center Kansas City during the month of November, and tickets will be available a few days prior to November for military personnel at these websites: SEA LIFE Kansas City and LEGOLAND Discovery Center Kansas City. Military personnel must provide military ID or pay stub at admissions. Military personnel must purchase a ticket to receive one free admission ticket.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss among adults over 65. This condition affects the back of the eye where light is processed by macula. The macula is the part of the retina providing sharp, detailed vision needed for reading, driving, and recognizing faces. Two categories of macular degeneration are “dry” and “wet”. This article will focus on dry macular degeneration and therapy options to help slow vision loss from it.
Macular degeneration begins silently. Early symptoms may include mild blurring, difficulty seeing in low light, or the appearance of wavy or distorted lines. Later on, a dark or empty spot near the center of the vision can develop. In advanced stages, central vision may be lost entirely. Regular eye exams are crucial because early AMD can be detected during a dilated retinal examination or with specialized imaging.
A few major risk factors include age, family history, current smoking, and genetics. Individuals with a family history of AMD should be especially vigilant about screening.
Routine eye exams with an optometrist or general ophthalmologist are the first line of defense in identifying AMD. However, once AMD is suspected or diagnosed, referral to a retina specialist is essential. Retina specialists undergo additional years of fellowship training specifically in identifying and treating diseases of the retina and macula. This specialized expertise allows for detailed diagnostic imaging, tailored treatment plans, and access to the latest clinical advances in emerging therapies for AMD.
For patients with intermediate dry AMD, one of the most promising new therapies involves photobiomodulation (PBM) using the Valeda Light Delivery System, an FDA-authorized device. PBM works by exposing the retina to specific wavelengths of light that stimulate the mitochondria—the “powerhouses” of our cells. By energizing these tiny structures, PBM helps improve cellular metabolism and reduce oxidative stress thought to have a role in slowing AMD. Clinical trials, including the LIGHTSITE III and LIGHTSITE IIIB, have shown that PBM can lead to improved visual function and contrast sensitivity in patients with intermediate AMD. These studies support PBM as a safe, non-invasive treatment option for eligible patients. In addition, there are FDA-approved injections for geographic atrophy, a more advanced stage of dry AMD. These treatments aim to slow progression and preserve remaining vision, marking a major milestone for patients who previously had limited options.
For AMD that has advanced beyond the ability to benefit from the therapies mentioned there are still options. Many vision aids and tools are available today that can help optimize remaining vision. Getting a referral to a Low Vision specialist is another step available to help individuals affected by advanced AMD. Early identification and intervention is key. Just like controlling blood pressure or diabetes early to prevent complications later on, addressing macular degeneration before it becomes advanced can make a significant difference in the long run. Current therapy slows down AMD to keep vision better for longer, but does not completely stop or reverse dry AMD. Regular follow-ups and referral to a retina specialist can ensure timely diagnosis, access to cutting-edge treatments, and personalized care to preserve sight for as long as possible.
Dr. Jed Assam is a board-certified, fellowship-trained retina specialist dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of AMD along with other macular and retinal disorders. He is the founder of VRA Vision in Sioux Falls, a Center for Excellence in Macular Degeneration, and is passionate about patient education and early intervention to prevent vision loss. Follow The Prairie Doc® at www.prairiedoc.org Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok includes On Call with the Prairie Doc®, a medical Q&A show (most Thursdays at 7pm YouTube and streaming on Facebook), 2 podcasts, and a Radio program (on SDPB, Sundays at 6am and 1pm).
A mature shade tree like an oak can have around 200,000 leaves in a year. Those leaves fall off this time of year making for a lot of organic matter to deal with. Leaves are a great material for making compost to use in your garden! Making compost from organic materials as they become available is a very slow process. The process can be accelerated by making hot compost. Start with a 6- to 8-inch layer of “brown” materials such as straw, old mulch, or tree leaves. Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of “green” materials such as grass clippings, coffee grounds, weeds, kitchen waste, or freshly harvested plant material. Alternate brown and green layers until the pile is 3 to 5 feet high. If green materials are in short supply, add a small amount of commercial garden fertilizer (about 1 to 2 cups per square yard) or an inch or two of manure. The fertilizer or manure provides nutrients that allow microorganisms to build up in the compost pile to ensure decomposition. Water after each layer. Brown materials can be difficult to find at certain times of the year. Stockpile leaves bagged in the fall and add them to the compost pile as needed.
The top of the compost pile should be dish shaped, so it is slightly lower in the center than on the sides. This allows rainfall to soak into the pile instead of running off. In dry conditions, the pile should be soaked weekly so it stays moist. The compost pile eventually will reach 150 to 160°F before it begins to cool down. When this happens, it is time to turn the pile. Slice through the layers and turn the materials upside down. Move materials from the outside of the pile to the inside. After mixing, form the dish at the top and water. Let the pile heat up and cool down as before. Compost should be ready four to six months after the pile is started. Most gardeners keep two piles or divide the pile into two sections, using one side to accumulate new material and storing last year’s compost in the other.
As the compost pile progresses, check for signs the process is going well. The pile should shrink or sink in two to three weeks. If not, loosen it with a shovel or fork to aerate, adding moisture if compost is dry. A strong ammonia smell or other offensive odors may indicate overwatering or an imbalance in materials. Ammonia odors can occur when composting a lot of fresh, green plant material, especially grass clippings. After four to five weeks the inside of the pile should be hot. Push a wire or stick deep into the pile, pulling it out and touching it to check temperature. In three to four months, the pile should be about half its original height. Compost will be dark, moist, and crumbly and should smell like moldy leaves with a rich, earthy odor.
