CLOSED: What is this caterpillar called?

Name of this caterpillar?

It's not a caterpillar. It's a millapede.

and maybe they need to get a room......

Hi,

I was wondering if anybody knew if the millapede was GOOD or BAD?

Does it help our plants or are pests to our plants?

Thx,

Debi

I believe they eat only decaying plant material, so are neutral to good. spell it Millipedes

Hi Sally,

Thank you for your help.

Also with my spelling........lol lol lol

A Friend from Downunder,

Debi

you're quite welcome, Debi !
does that make me 'up-over?'

HaHahaHaHa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I suppose it does mate. LoL

I am trying to get an idea of doing a pretty cacti and some succulents Metal Round Tub.
Big enough to wash a dog in.

I sort of want to make it "the" centre point of this garden as The tub will be sitting on a tree stump to try to hide it.

I have inclosed a photo of the corner, now if you wish to throw some idea's that mix well feel free. But, most of all be true to you.............................................Amen!

I am really starting to build up a collection, so I am thinking of getting the pest man in to spray for spider's.
I have lots of spider's as my left side of the house and the emplty block behind me is just like nature unspoiled...............................Yet!

Happy New Year Mate, hope 2008 is a great year for you.

Thanks my friend.

Hi Sally,

I forgot to tell you that I have two green mesh greenhouses that I don't use.

It would be great to put them to use.

One I would say is for plants that needshade or a dampish atmosphere.
The other one is in the yard and I think the plants that go into it would like indirect or heat.

I am learning what goes with what, considering watering, etc.

Thanks Heaps,

Debi

Good morning, Debi,
I think a tub there will look great! I can envision it with cacti and succulents. It sounds close to (maybe bigger than) the metal tub I scavenged from an old farm last year and hope to use this summer for elephant ears. I haven't done much at all with planters so I don't have much to offer specifically. The best ones I see have a lot of contrast, meaning one plant small leafed, another large, one grassy or spiky/tall, another rounded leaf, another trailing.. that kind of mixture. We get rain here so it would have to have drainage holes in the bottom for here.

I know spiders can take over. I found two black widows this year which is surprising and a bit scary. How many did I NOT find... I thnk they came over from that farm- old barns and sheds that all got torn down to build yet another overpriced housing dev'm't for age 55 plus. I try to leave nature alone but if it comes down to human safety you maight have to draw a line.

Well, looking at your second picture again, it looks like you get good rain. Looks like around here, in summer. I would put in the mesh greenhouses whatever strikes your fancy that wants those conditions. Raise caterpillars to butterfly !!!! Thats what i would do if somebody just magically ploppedthat in my yard along with a litttle cashbonus. You can mailorder eggs os something, and get the food plants, then they'll eat and grow, chrysalize (?) on the mesh and emerge inside so you can see them before letting them go. Maybe orchids?? elephant ears? would you have to bring it inside for winter? Whatever, you sure have potential there to explore plants. I like to try some new things every year for the novelty and learning.

Maybe you should do a thread on the Garden Design forum to get more input. I haven't been that helpful!



This message was edited Jan 2, 2008 12:23 PM

Sally,

Any help is helpful.

As I am still learning everyday what beauty Mother Nature can produse on her own.

We sometimes get afternoon storms but we can also get very humid days to go with it.

My area is called Sub-Tropical, if that helps at all.

I have included a pic of the tub, remember, ALL help is helpful, Thks my friend,

Debi

good morning Debi (for me!)
Thats a great tub. I will be lookng to add some kind of tubs, pots or otheritems likethat in my flower beds this year. I think it is a great addition.

First off, will it have drain holes? If it totally holds water you could have a problem. One shot of being totally waterlogged short time would kill everything. Punch holes or be sure you can keep a close eye on the moisture.
So you have a nice tall one to start with. I would go to a nursery when its planting time and get some sedums. Autumn Joy is a popular one, gets about16 inches tall for me. How about a prickly pear? That would be cactus type large round pads that may bloom. I would ask for a grass for that thin , grassy lol, texture. Then another sedum that is low growing,spreading that can trail over the edge. OH, or maybe fill up the spaces with Portulacas for bloom. At the nursery you can put the pots next to each other and see how you like it. I think you would want as many pots as you can plant right nextto each other in the tub. So , you may get more than one of some of these. If they get too packed in a year or two, then you can take a little out. I have only done a few containrs and I think mine did poorly because I left too much room to grow and it doesn't work well that way.
I would be sure to use a potting mix thats very coarse, like has lots of bark or perlite in it. A plain, really peat mossy soil won't last long, from what I'm reading and seeing in my own plants.
Last idea is one of those metal stakes about six feettall, next to the planter, with a birdhouse hanging on it, or lantern, or other decor item, to add height to the whole corner and make sure it gets attention.
Well, I warn you, I am lots better at planning for somebody else than myself,where you take the actual risk..LOL. , but this is what I would do. Of course, there still is a Container Gardenng forum you can try for more input. I certainly wouldn't be offended by asking for more than just my two cents, mate!