Latest news with #Fudge
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- General
- Tom's Guide
Monstera infested with fungus gnats? So was mine — here's how I nursed her back to health
I never thought I'd be a plant parent. I used to find houseplants very daunting, and anytime someone gifted me a plant, it would die under my care — yes, I killed the cactus my best friend gave me for my birthday. Then I met my partner. When we first got together, she had nearly 10 houseplants she doted on. And ever since we've started living together, that collection has grown to nearly 20 — I never thought I'd say this — I've become a plant mom. It's always been my dream to own and nurture a monstera deliciosa (commonly known as a Swiss Cheese Plant), so we bought one that had just one leaf from an independent plant store a year and a half ago. We named her Fudge, as we name all of our houseplants. Fudge was thriving, popping out leaves with fenestrations every so often... and then tragedy struck. I spotted a few tiny flies, which I later realized were fungus gnats, buzzing around her lush leaves and in her soil — and I panicked. I immediately texted one of my best friends who works on a gardening magazine and asked her for advice. She walked me through it, and I did some research, spending way too much time on r/monstera. Et voilà, Fudge was free of fungus gnats within a month. If your monstera is struggling with a fungus gnat infestation, let me walk you through what I did — and hopefully, your monstera will be sprouting new leaves within no time, just like Fudge. I won't lie, fungus gnats are nasty and gross. These tiny flies aren't harmful to humans or otherwise healthy plants, but if you have a baby houseplant, they can seriously damage the root system. Fungus gnats appear when the top layer of your soil stays moist for long periods, and they're attracted to the organic-rich environment of the soil. If you're overwatering your plants, chances are you'll attract a few fungus gnats. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Once they appear, they start breeding, laying eggs in the plant's soil (yep, gross), and they multiply like crazy. The larvae munch on the roots and, like I said, can severely damage your plants. So you see why I freaked out? Fudge, our monstera, is very precious to me. We grew her from scratch and I'd be damned if I let anything happen to her. Also, if you don't get rid of fungus gnats promptly, they will spread to other houseplants. Trust me, I speak from experience. To get rid of fungus gnats (again, so gross), you need to kill the problem at the root (pun not intended) — you need to destroy the foundation. Fungus gnats lay eggs in your plant's soil, and there are a couple of things you can use to kill them. The first thing you need to do is grab a bag of mosquito bits. Mosquito bits contain Bacillus thuringiensis serotype israelensis, a type of larvicide that kills the eggs laid by fungus gnats in your plant's soil. It's the first line of defence. Mosquito bits contain BTI — Bacillus thuringiensis serotype israelensis — which is an organic larvicide, and you can buy a big bag for $14 / £24 at Amazon. While you're waiting for your order, remember to isolate your infested plant. Like I said, fungus gnats spread quicker than you can imagine. After Amazon promptly delivered the bag of mosquito bits the next day, I made what's called a "tea." I don't know how many times I can say this but again, vile. I then soaked four tablespoons of bits per 4.5 litres of warm water, and kept them soaked for 30-60 minutes. Then, I used a strainer/sieve to separate the bits from the water. These bits contain corn, so if they find their way into your plant soil, they will mould. I then watered the top layer of my monstera's soil and let it soak through. I used the solution every 4-5 days until I was sure I'd killed the larvae. While the mosquito bits are working on killing the larvae, you need to get a pack of sticky fly traps. Even if you kill the larvae, the step would be moot if adult fungus gnats are still flying about because they'll just lay more eggs (this is going to make me throw up). Sticky fly traps are bright yellow, and fungus gnats are attracted to that, so adult ones will fly right at them and get stuck to the glue. Fungus gnats are attracted to bright colors, like yellow, so adult gnats will fly straight at these sticky fly traps and get stuck to the glue, which will keep them from reproducing. I'd recommend grabbing a pack of 36 sticky fly traps, available for $9 / £4 at Amazon. Yes, you're gonna need a few. After I bought mine, I stuck a couple in our monstera, Fudge-y, and two each in every other plant that was in her vicinity when this problem started. The morning after, I was disgusted to see how many adult gnats were stuck to the sticky fly traps. But hey-ho, I had actually gotten rid of most of them over the span of 30-odd days! To ensure that I had gotten rid of all the fungus gnats and to ensure our monstera had a healthy, thriving environment, I also decided to change her soil. I ordered a bag of repotting mix for just £8 at Amazon U.K. I took our monstera to our balcony, carefully pulled Fudge out of her original soil (keeping the moss pole/stake intact), and wore a pair of gloves to separate the oil from her massive, healthy roots. This is the repotting mix I bought in the U.K. but any soil you know is of good quality will do. While I was doing this, I noticed there were still a few fungus gnats crawling at the bottom of her pot and flying around in a frenzy, trying to escape. One of them flew into my mouth. Yes, that happened, and I still haven't recovered because a) gross, b) disgusting, and c) ew. I'll wear a mask next time (but hopefully there won't be a next time). Anyway, I washed our monstera's roots with warm water and then placed her in a new pot and added the repotting mix to it. I quickly and easily did this, then watered her, cleaned her leaves, and misted them. I placed her in my home office, away from the other houseplants, to control exposure and give Fudge time to recuperate. A week later, I spotted a new leaf growing on Fudge, which was a sign that she was healthy and happy and getting enough sunlight. I haven't spotted a fungus gnat around her since, but if it does happen again, at least I'll be prepared. It all paid off, and in the end, I did it all for under £40 — but I'd easily spend as much as needed to ensure our monstera's health and safety. Yes, I am a very protective plant mother. Never saw this coming, but man, does talking to my plants and looking after them fill me with unbridled joy. Have any of your houseplants ever gone through a fungus gnat infestation? How bad did it get and are there any tips and tricks you'd like to share? Let me know in the comments!
Filipino Times
12-06-2025
- Health
- Filipino Times
McDonald's UAE to donate 100% of Sundae sales on June 12
McDonald's UAE will mark its first-ever McHappy Day on Thursday, 12th June with a nationwide initiative aiming to improve access to free healthcare for those in need across the UAE. For the full day, 100% of proceeds from all Sundae sales at McDonald's UAE restaurants, and through the McDonald's App, will be donated to the Red Crescent Medical Center. This initiative builds on McDonald's UAE's longstanding partnership with Emirates Red Crescent, now in its seventh year. As temperatures rise across the country, customers are invited to cool down and enjoy one of McDonald's signature menu items – the Sundae, available in Caramel, Strawberry and Hot Fudge flavors, while supporting a meaningful cause. The special day reflects McDonald's UAE's ongoing commitment to the local community, with every Sundae purchase helping to enhance the Red Crescent Medical Center's medical services. 'McHappy Day is about coming together to create meaningful change,' said Walid Fakih, CEO at McDonald's UAE. 'We've been raising donations for the Red Crescent Medical Center for the past two years and we've seen first-hand the difference this support makes. In the spirit of the UAE's Year of Community, with the continued generosity of our customers, we remain committed to finding new and impactful ways to raise donations and support communities across the UAE.' The Red Crescent Medical Center is the only healthcare facility in the UAE offering free treatments to individuals, regardless of age, gender, or nationality. McHappy Day builds on McDonald's UAE's year-round support for the Medical Center, which includes ongoing donation through the in-store kiosks and via the McDonald's App through Rewards Points. McDonald's UAE invites everyone to take part in McHappy Day on June 12 by visiting any McDonald's UAE restaurant, or order through the McDonald's App, to enjoy a Sundae and make a meaningful difference.
Straits Times
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Show Picks: Concerts by Pat Metheny and Ernie Zakri, Fudge party
(Clockwise from top left) American jazz guitarist and composer Pat Metheny, home-grown singer-songwriter Dita Jacob and Malaysian singer Ernie Zakri. PHOTOS: PAT METHENY/FACEBOOK, GROOVETOP, SAH ENTERTAINMENT Esplanade Presents – Mosaic Music Series – Pat Metheny Dream Box/MoonDial Tour American jazz guitarist Pat Metheny will be back in Singapore. This time for a show that is part of his global tour in support of his last two albums, Dream Box (2023) and MoonDial (2024). The 20-time Grammy winner will play songs off the two albums, as well as cuts from his extensive and genre-stretching discography. MoonDial, which comprises songs written while he was on a tour for Dream Box, features him playing solo with a custom-built nylon-string baritone guitar. He will perform originals, as well as covers such as US jazz great Chick Corea's You're Everything and The Beatles' Here, There And Everywhere. Metheny last performed in Singapore at the same venue in March 2020, right before live concerts were cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Where: Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Drive MRT: Esplanade When: May 30, 8pm Admission: From $65 via Sistic (go to or call 6348-5555) Aura: Ernie Zakri – Live In Concert Singapore Malaysian singer Ernie Zakri will stage her first solo concert in Singapore. PHOTO: SAH ENTERTAINMENT Malaysian singing powerhouse Ernie Zakri's upcoming show will be her first solo concert in Singapore. The 32-year-old first made her name after she won prominent Malaysian singing competition Bintang RTM in 2009. She has since racked up hits such as Aku Cinta (2017), a duet with her husband and fellow singer Syamel; Gundah (2019); and Masing Masing (2023), a duet with Indonesian singer Ade Govinda. The singer has won multiple awards throughout her career, the latest being the Best Vocal prize at the 39th Anugerah Juara Lagu awards in February. Where: The Theatre at Mediacorp, 1 Stars Avenue MRT: one-north When: May 31, 8pm Admission: $78 via Sistic Fudge Home-grown singer-songwriter Dita Jacob is one of the acts performing at Fudge, a party celebrating Indian and South Asian music. PHOTO: GROOVETOP Billed as a multisensory celebration of Indian and South Asian music, Fudge is a multi-genre party that brings together some stellar talents from the home-grown music scene. The music ranges from classical ragas and hip-hop to house music and electronica, and the line-up feature s live musicians and DJs. They include singer-songwriter Dita Jacob, guitar virtuoso Isuru Wijesoma and veteran percussionist DrummerNoor, as well as DJs Ramesh, Tashasan and NashD. There will also be henna artists as well as dosa tacos from Maha Co, the Mexican-Indian eatery co-founded by Singapore rapper Yung Raja. Where: Ida's Bar, 02-21 Gillman Barracks, 9 Lock Road MRT: Labrador Park When: May 31, 6pm Admission: From $40, go to Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Irish Sun
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Huge Brit pop star teases massive bombshells in new memoir & reveals she broke down in tears ‘a lot' while writing it
BRITISH music icon Lulu says writing her memoir has forced her into therapy because it was so distressing. Advertisement 3 Lulu says writing her memoir has forced her into therapy because it was so distressing Credit: Getty 3 Lulu with The Sun's Howell Davies Credit: Supplied During an exclusive chat with Bizarre's Howell yesterday, 'The message I got was, 'Don't tell anybody anything. "Keep it to yourself'. So they became secrets. 'Everything was a secret and it was pushed down. And I've had issues. Advertisement read more on lulu 'There's a lot of things in my life I have never spoken about that I talk about in this book. "So it's been intense. I've had to go into therapy. "It's been quite a thing this past year. 'It came about because somebody said to me, 'People think Advertisement Most read in Bizarre "Because I keep things to myself. 'I push them down and actually dislodging them, pulling them up, dredging them up, it was not easy. Huge British pop icon announces shock retirement after glittering 60-year career "That was like, Oh my god. That took a lot of physical, mental effort.' She added: 'I know I would hide it, but I always felt different, awkward, and alone. Advertisement 'And now, you don't have to feel that way.' The experience has encouraged her to launch charitable fund Lulu's Mental Health Trust. Her first initiative was a walk across London yesterday, which raised more than £15,000. It started at the school in Shadwell, East London where she filmed 1967 movie To Sir With Love, and ended at the old studio in Camden, North London, where she recorded Shout. Advertisement Lulu, who posed with her cockapoo Fudge at the start is busier than ever as she also has a popular podcast and has just announced Lulu said: 'Through the difficulties I have had help, I have survived, and not just survived. "I am probably in a better place than I have ever been in my whole life. 'CRAZY WOMAN' 'Part of me likes getting older, although part of me still thinks she's 15. I'm kind of incorrigible, you know, I'm a crazy woman.' Advertisement Remarkably, it is 56 years since she won Lulu said: 'I can't bear to watch it and us lose again. I just can't. 'I have to wait and say, did we win? Oh, we won! Then I can watch it back. 'But those lovely girls, Advertisement ' And as for what the UK should do for its entry next year? Lulu said: 'See if they can get Elton to write a song, or Gary Barlow.' She might just be on to something. Advertisement 3 Lulu with her cockapoo Fudge Credit: PA Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
CBC
19-02-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Land & Sea: One step ahead of nature
It's a crisp morning in November and an early frost has come over the fields at Mountain View Farms in Wooddale, just outside Grand Falls-Windsor. It's turned the harvest into a bit of a slog. But that's just the kind of thing Kent Fudge has gotten used to. "I guess if you wanna be a farmer, you better love the outdoors. You better love all types of weather. If you don't like it, it's going to be a living hell," said Fudge. Fudge grew up farming alongside his father. His mother still owns the farm next door, and his brother the farm next to that. It's not an easy life, or an easy business, but it's one his family wouldn't trade. "There's nothing better than plowing over the ground first thing in the spring, and then you plant your crop and it's starting to come up and everything looks nice ... it just makes you feel good," said Fudge. WATCH | Check out the full episode of Land & Sea: Seeing those first shoots is never a sure thing in Newfoundland and Labrador where the weather can be unpredictable. But for the past several years, vegetable farmers have had more certainty about their yield thanks to a program at the Centre for Agricultural and Forestry Development, also located in Wooddale. Vegetables are grown inside greenhouses in the early spring, then those young plants are distributed to farmers to be transplanted in their outdoor fields. The centre had been focused on growing tree seedlings since 1974, but when the departments of forestry and agriculture merged in 2017, a seed of an idea began to grow. If the centre could nurture young trees, why not young vegetables too? "It was realized that there were periods of the tree production cycle that there are greenhouses actually empty. So we saw an opportunity at that time to establish the vegetable transplant program," said Sabrina Elsworth, provincial director of agricultural production and research. She says the demand from farmers is growing faster than the vegetables, "so we give them the head start on these plants, which means they can get the plant in the ground. So for a short-season crop, they can get the full maturity out of the crop, and they can harvest earlier." "I'll take advantage of the government's program, because I'm getting the plants, good good quality plants that I can use. So I'm putting in almost all transplant rutabagas where years ago I put in the seeded stuff. But the plants are already six weeks old, five or six weeks old. So you get a five or six week head start," she said. This past season there were nine kinds of veggies sprouting at the centre, including leeks, potatoes, and cabbage. More than 120 farms across the province are now receiving shipments of vegetables ready for planting. In June, Fudge's fields are lush and ready for new growth. He and his crew sew seeds the way they've always done, but they also plant vegetable transplants. Fudge knows which crops are the better bet. "The problem is, if it gets too hot or too dry or the seed's too wet, they could rot or dry up, you don't know exactly what you're getting. Whereas with the transplant program, you're putting in transplants, the plant's already grown, half your battle is conquered already," said Fudge. The vegetable transplant program has produced more than 2.7 million kilograms of food, so far. Every kilogram of food grown from transplant veggies is a kilogram that doesn't have to be imported. "The stores don't have very much storage. What you see on the shelf is mostly what they have. The warehouses have enough for Newfoundland for about three days. If we don't grow it ourselves, after three days we're in trouble," said Fudge. A farmer's good fortune is a province's increased food security. A big win from tiny seeds.
