Q:I love purple allamanda. Could you tell me more about it?

J.L., Miami

A: Purple allamanda (Allamanda violacea) is a purple flowered vine, which is originally from Brazil. The size of the plant is dependent on the size of the support or can be trained as a shrub. It is fairly fast growing, can be grown in zones 10-11 (South Florida), and flowering peaks in summer. Grow this vine in full sun in most soil types; however, it is not salt tolerant. This plant is poisonous and should not be used in areas where young children frequent.

Q:I recently purchased a lychee tree and I have noticed that some type of bug is munching on the leaves.

F.O., Hialeah

A: If you don't see insects during the day on your tree, it's probably the Cuban May beetle. Place white buckets with a couple inches of soapy water under the tree. They will be attracted to the trap, fall in the water and drown. To learn more about May and June beetles as well as other South Florida pests, visit http://trec.ifas.ufl.edu

/mannion//pests.shtml.

Adrian Hunsberger is an entomologist/horticulturist with the UF/IFAS Miami-Dade Extension office. Write to Plant Clinic, 18710 SW 288th St., Homestead, FL 33030 or e-mail aghu@ifas.ufl.edu.

To send plant samples, wrap them in paper in a padded envelope or box; no plastic bags.

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