Q: I read your post about people reacting to canna lilies. It sure seems similar to what I experienced after pruning my canna lilies. Any time I’m working with them, I get blisters and bumps on my arms/hands. I am allergic to bananas, but I’m unsure of a connection between cannas and bananas. I want to be better educated on cannas, so I can safely interact with them. I know of the banana-latex allergy connection, as I’m violently allergic to latex and react to any latex adhesive or medical items made of latex. — Wendy C. Royall, Humble, Texas
A: Someone slipping on a banana peel is sometimes funny but an allergic reaction to bananas is not a laughing matter. Your banana allergy is not common but is linked to cannas because they, as well as ginger and bird-of-paradise, all belong to the Zingiberales order. It is usually the juice of the plant that causes the reaction. This leads us to another fact: People who are allergic to bananas are usually also allergic to latex products derived from the rubber tree, which is totally unrelated to the previously mentioned plants. Bottom line: Canna and banana allergies are not unheard of. When working with these plants, wear non-latex gloves and a plastic raincoat. As you know, washing thoroughly with soap and water shortly after working with cannas is important.
Q: Last year my azaleas were attacked by lace bugs. Now, after the winter cold, I don’t see any bugs or evidence. I would prefer to use a systemic solution and be proactive. When do I start and with what? — Peggy Saunders, Atlanta
A: Despite the cold earlier this year, there are still plenty of lace bugs lurking on the plants. Lace bugs have a very high reproductive rate. A few will become many before you know it. One of the best systemic insecticides is Imidacloprid. It is sold by several online purveyors as Dominion. A small amount of Dominion goes a long way. Be careful when you mix it and follow the label instructions carefully.
Q: I need a fast growing evergreen to screen from neighbors that are 20 feet above my backyard. The area has a 2- to 3-foot wide planting area as it’s next to a concrete sluice way and gets partial sun all day. What would you suggest? — Stephanie Beasley, Atlanta
A: The narrow planting area concerns me because your 20 foot tall tree will not have good anchoring. Partial sun might be adequate for a tree that grew in that site all its life, but introducing a new tree that’s probably been growing in full sun all its life is a recipe for failure. I don’t know of any trees that will meet your needs.
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