Pam Bennett, Barb Bloetscher, Joe Boggs, Jim Chatfield, Erik Draper, Dave Dyke, Dave Goerig, Tim Malinich, Jane Martin, Amy Stone, Curtis Young, and Randy Zondag
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September 28, 2006
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This is the twenty-ninth 2006 edition of the Buckeye Yard and Garden Line (BYGL).
BYGL is developed from a Tuesday morning conference call of Extension
agents, specialists and other contributors in Ohio.
BYGL is also made available on the Internet from the Ohio State University
Horticulture and Crop Science (HCS) in Virtual Perspective website
(http://bygl.osu.edu). Additional fact sheet information on any of
these articles may be found through the OSU fact sheet database (http://plantfacts.osu.edu).
BYGL is a service of OSU Extension and is aided by major support
from the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (ONLA), with additional
funding from the Ohio Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture
(ISA) to the OSU Extension Nursery Landscape, and Turf Team (ENLTT).
Participants in the September 26, 2006 conference included: Pam Bennett (Clark); Barb Bloetscher (Entomology/C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (CWEPPDC)); Joe Boggs (Center at Piketon/Hamilton); Erik Draper (Geauga); Dave Goerig (Mahoning); Dave Dyke (Hamilton); Tim Malinich (Lorain); Dave Shetlar, (Entomology); Amy Stone (Lucas); Curtis Young (Allen); and Randy Zondag (Lake). .
Additional factsheet information on any of these articles may be found
through the OSU Factsheet Database (http://plantfacts.ohio-state.edu/)
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WEATHER WATCH
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This week's weather summary includes data from September 1-September 27, 2006. Precipitation totals again are higher than normal ranging from plus 0.11" to 3.71".
This weather summary includes information from 4 OARDC weather stations across the buckeye state.
| Weather Station |
Region of Ohio |
Ave. High Temp F | Ave. Low Temp F | Ave. Temp F | Normal Ave. Temp F | Total Precip " | Normal Precip " | | Perry |
NE |
70.2 |
55.7 |
------
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NA |
4.09" |
------ |
| Hoytville |
NW |
73.6 |
52.2 |
62.3 |
64.6 |
2.65"
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2.54" |
| Miami |
SW |
76.3 |
57.6 |
66.2 |
65.0 |
4.36" |
2.31"
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| Jackson |
South |
74.1 |
53.4 |
62.9 |
65.8 |
6.53" |
2.82" |
For a link to the OARDC Weather Stations, check out: .
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HORT SHORTS
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PLANTS OF THE WEEK
Read all about perennials and landscape trees and shrubs in the ONLA publications "Perennial Plants for Ohio" and "Landscape Plants for Ohio." The descriptions and photographs of plants were provided for these publications by the OSU ENLT Team along with other industry plant lovers. These full-color publications are available at http://Buckeyegardening.com for $5.00. Click on "garden store" and then "onla plant guides." ONLA members can purchase these in quantities at a reduced price at http://onla.org .
* PERENNIAL PLANT OF THE WEEK. Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii) is a really cool-looking plant for fall blooms. The turtlehead-shaped flowers occur in clusters on the ends of the stems and are attractive against the dark green foliage. The plant grows around 24" tall and is best-suited in moist soil, along streams or a water garden.
The Genus Chelone has lots of stories and the one that Allan Armitage shares in his book "Armitage's Native Plants for North American Gardens," is as follows: Chelone was a nymph who insulted the gods by ridiculing (or not attending) the marriage of Zeus to Hera. Not a good thing for Chelone to do -- the gods punished her by turning her into a turtle. The Greek word for tortoise is chelone; this works too!
*WOODY PLANT OF THE WEEK. Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata and hybrids) is beginning to show its true colors and the reason for planting this great landscape shrub. This small, spreading moisture-loving shrubs is deciduous and really begins to put on a show once the leaves drop. The clusters of brightly colored red berries are clustered along the stem and are quite noticeable in the winter landscape. It can grow to 10' tall. Stems can also be used for cut arrangements. Try the various cultivars for the different berry characteristics. These include 'Winter Red', 'Red Sprite', and 'Afterglow'. Don't forget, as with all hollies, you have to have a male plant nearby the females in order to have the berries.
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BUG BYTES
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THE NAKED TRUTH
Barb Bloetscher reported a recent caterpillar identification challenge. An image was e-mailed to the Clinic showing a caterpillar that was responsible for sending a homeowner to the hospital. A number of Ohio caterpillars are armed with specialized bristles and hairs, called urticating hairs, which defend the caterpillars against predators. Some urticating hairs only penetrate the skin, causing discomfort and a type of dermatitis, while others can deliver a painful toxin. The challenge: the image showed a naked caterpillar, virtually free of hairs!
Fortunately, the caterpillar eventually molted to reveal its born identity .. a very hairy HICKORY TUSSOCK MOTH (Lophocampa caryae) caterpillar clad in stiff black and white hairs. Tussock moths belong to the family Lymantriidae. The urticating hairs on tussock caterpillars do not inject toxin; however, the barbed hairs may induce severe allergic reactions when they penetrate the skin of some people. The severity of the reaction is proportional to the severity of the exposure. Dave Shetlar noted that the caterpillar may have become denuded when it dropped down the shirt collar of the unfortunate homeowner. An obviously severe exposure!
This is the time of the year when a number of armed caterpillars reach maturity and begin to wander towards close encounters of the painful kind. The most notorious belong to the families Magalopygidae (flannel moths / puss caterpillars) and Limacodidae (slug caterpillar moths). Caterpillars in these families have urticating hairs that inject toxins. Danger in nature can be packaged in some of the most beautiful colors, patterns, and innocent-looking forms. To be safe, avoid handling hairy caterpillars!
 
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THE MARCH OF THE MONARCHS HAS BEGUN
Summer is over (BOO HOO)! Fall is descending upon us as witnessed by the plummeting temperatures in the nights, the leaves of trees and shrubs turning color, and shorter days and longer nights. One of the most astonishing events that is triggered by the change of the seasons is the mass migration of MONARCH BUTTERFLIES (Danaus plexippus). In the fall, monarchs in the north gather and begin to move south. In North America there are two large population groups that follow separate migration paths. Most monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains overwinter in the Sierra Madres in central Mexico where they slumber in fir forests at high altitudes. These butterflies travel between 1,200 and 2,800 miles or more between their starting points in the north to their overwintering destinations in the south.
BYGLers made note of the numbers of monarchs visiting the late blooming flowers in gardens and fields. This is part of the typical "stop and go" nature of the monarch's migration. The monarchs do not make their trip in one non-stop flight; they must stop to rest and refuel multiple times during their arduous trip. The weather does not always cooperate as well. Monarchs move during windows of opportunity and rest and refuel in between. Along the flight path, monarchs will visit numerous gardens and fields to refuel and rest in trees, especially eastern white pines, at night and on cold, rainy days. It truly is a beautiful site to watch white pines come alive with orange and black wings on mornings when the sun shines brightly on the resting migrants and warms their bodies to start their journey anew.
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NEW SITES FOR VIBURNUM LEAF BEETLE
The viburnum leaf beetle (VLB) (Pyrrhalta viburni) is a relatively new invader of Ohio. Cooperative Agricultural Pest Surveys (CAPS) have revealed that VLB has been in Ohio since at least 2002. Initially VLB was only known to exist in Conneaut, Ohio (Ashtabula County). In 2005, Curtis Young discovered that VLB has now spread into at least three additional Ohio counties, Lake, Mahoning and Summit. Curtis has now discovered VLB in two more Ohio counties, Lorain and Medina. This brings the total number of infested counties to six. Expectations are that Curtis will find more new populations before the end of this year's survey.
These populations were discovered mostly on ARROWWOOD VIBURNUM (Viburnum dentatum) located in wood lot areas. Curtis was able to discover these populations by closely examining hosts plants for signs of VLB activities. These activities include: larval defoliation (skeletonized leaves that mostly have only the main veins of the leaf left); adult defoliation (holes chewed through the leaves); adult beetles on the plants; and egg masses that are laid in pits on the twigs and stems of the plants.
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LOOK, A WHEEL BUG!
The intimidating wheel bug, Arilus cristatus has been reported in Ohio recently, inducing both alarm and intrigue. This true bug, belonging to the Order Hemiptera, is a type of assassin bug, with a piercing, sucking beak.
The wheel bug is truly awesome as it grows 1 3/8" in size, with a cog-like wheel structure on its back, directly behind the head. At rest, the beak is tucked under its body, near the base of the first pair of legs. When it sees its next meal, or is alarmed, the beak will curve outward, for possible attack. When a prey is sighted, it will slowly sneak up with the beak extended, then suddenly pierce the hapless prey and suck it dry. The wheel bug is a great predator, as it eats caterpillars, flies and other insects. Indeed it has been reported sucking the life out of Japanese beetles!
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WINDSHIELD WIPES
Catalpa Sphinx Caterpillars were submitted to the CWEPPDC on half eaten catalpa leaves. The homeowner complained that the tree had been attacked by these caterpillars most of the season, and as evident from the sample, various stages of the caterpillars were still active. Fortunately for the inquirer, generally high populations of caterpillars is usually followed by downsides, as predators and parasites soon follow to decimate them.
* Dave Shetlar noted OAK SAWFLY CATERPILLARS still skeletonizing the bottoms of oak trees. Depending upon the tree species, several sawflies may be present: the scarlet oak sawfly, Caliroa quercuscoccineae on scarlet, pin, black and white oaks; pin oak sawfly, C. lineate, and C. petiolata. Although two generations may occur, the second one tends to cause more damage.
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TURF TIPS
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JAPANESE BEETLES STILL ACTIVE
Adult Japanese beetles have been reported in the western third of Ohio continuing to skeletonize leaves of roses, grapes, ornamentals, and even raspberries. The obvious question to Dr. Shetlar was, why are they still here, and will their grubs survive the winter?
Dave Shetlar acknowledged that he has noticed seeing small stages of Japanese beetle grubs, as well as the 2- 3rd instars. He explained that in 1998-99, Ohio experienced a severe drought in July and August. Although the earlier emerging beetles laid eggs in late June, those that emerged in July waited to lay eggs once the turfgrass recovered, since the eggs require moisture to hatch. The late hatching grubs that survived have since formed a divergent later generation, with the adults emerging later in the season.
What factors will enable these late hatching grubs to survive the winter? Adequate soil moisture and favorable temperatures that extend the fall season will allow these grubs to reach the 2nd instar, thus ensuring a greater possibility of survival.
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FALL TURF
Adequate fall moisture can turn a mediocre lawn into a lush carpet of thick and tall turf. Fall lawn care should not deviate far from normal care but there are a couple practices that should be on your fall turf care calendar.
As stated in last week's BYGL, best management practice, is to schedule mowing so that you never have to remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade at a time. This may be twice per week at this time of year. Removing more than 1/3 of the leaf blade weakens turf. Frequent rains often discourage mowing. If the lawn is dry enough to safely mow without leaving muddy tire tracks then the grass can be cut. A cutting height of around 2 1/2" results in thick, deep turf that shades developing weeds that would germinate late this fall or early next season. Mowing heights can be reduced for the final one or two cuttings of the year, but do not reduce cutting height by more than an additional 1/ 2".
Late fall applications of fertilizer provide turf with a jump start the following spring. Fall fertilizer is applied close to the date of the final mowing but before the turf has gone dormant. This can be as early as November in Northern Ohio and as late as December in Southern Ohio. Fall fertilized lawns green up faster and get a head start with warm spring temperatures.
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INDUSTRY INSIGHT
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FALL CULTIVATION
During Randy Zondag's report this week, he mentioned the soils were dry enough in the Lake county region that growers were back in the fields performing fall cultivation. Wet soils and heavy machinery are never a good combination. Field growers and landscapers alike should always be mindful of soil compaction issues in wet weather. Mechanical cultivation is an effective cultural weed control in the nursery and landscape industry. Randy also reported the summer weeds he has seen in nurseries that have escaped chemical controls are now producing seed.
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COMING ATTRACTIONS
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60TH PLANT DIAGNOSTIC WORKSHOP FOR THE GREEN INDUSTRY
Thursday and Friday, October 5-6 marks the annual flagship 2-day Ohio Plant Diagnostic Workshop, held this year in Wooster, Ohio at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Secrest Arboretum and OSU Extension Center at Wooster.
The program this year features: Dave Shetlar: Of Mites and Men; Hannah Mathers/Randy Zondag: Diagnosis of Nutrient Disorders and Herbicide Injury; Dennis Lewandowski: Symptoms of Viral Diseases; Landon Rhodes: Common Decay Fungi of Landscape Plants; Joe Boggs and Jim Chatfield: Plant Galls from Both Sides Now; The Season of 2006 in Samples and Examples; Night Diagnostic Walk and Bonfire at Secrest Arboretum; Clinic Catharsis Sample Sharing, Diagnostic Walks, Field Trips and Gourmet Lunches.
Cost for the two day program is $50 or $30 for single day registration, either day. Various recertification credits are available. For more information, contact Sue Beasley at the OSU Extension Center at Wooster for registration details. Her information is: beasley.37@osu.edu, (330) 263-3799 (FAX = 3667), Extension Center at Wooster, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691.
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TREE SURVIVAL SCHOOL
This school is a cooperative program with OSU Extension and Associated Industries. The three-day program will occur on October 4, 5, & 6, 2006, at Community House, 303 Cahoon Road, Bay Village, OH. Instructors include the dynamic-duo of Alan Siewert (ODNR) and Randy Zondag (OSU).
The school will be helpful to anyone who purchases, plants or cares for trees in a commercial or public landscape. The three days are divided between classroom and hands-on outdoor learning experiences. City service directors, tree commission members, cemetery workers, professional groundskeepers, and school groundskeepers should consider attending this program. Participants are asked to dress for the weather and bring proper pruning tools (pruning saw, hand pruners, pole pruners, pole saw) and eye protection. Participants will be making a nursery visit and doing a tree planting. The class is limited to 35 applicants. The class will provide 15 ISA Credits for Certified Arborists, and 1 hour ODA Pesticide License Credit. ONLA Credits, & ASLA Credits are applied for. If you have questions, call Alan Siewert at (440) 632-5299. For registration questions or directions call (440) 225-7613.
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OCTOBER 11 TREE FORUM
The "Why Trees Matter" Community Tree Forum, featuring the "Environmental, Economic and Social Benefits and Impacts of Community Forests" will be held on October 11 at OSU's OARDC in Wooster. This forum is a program of the OSU Next STEP (Street Tree Evaluation Program), OSU's Secrest Arboretum, and the OSU Extension Center at Wooster. "Why Trees Matter" is for all those interested in Ohio's community forests, including street tree commissions, mayors, arborists and urban foresters, utility companies, economic development and resource managers, nurserymen and landscapers, and all citizens of Ohio interested in the resource of trees in our urban and suburban areas.
The keynote address will be by Dr. David V. Bloniarz, the project coordinator of the USDA Forest Service's Northeast Center for Urban and Community Forestry at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst. Dr. Bloniarz has worked on numerous urban forestry projects throughout the northeast U.S., including volunteer street inventories in communities of various sizes in Massachusetts and in New York City. He is a key scientist in developing models and software for determining values of streetscape trees, developing volunteer-driven inventories of urban forests, and in community and natural resource management in community forests. Dr. Bloniarz will address "Why Trees Matter" in terms of current and emerging research of environmental, social and economic benefits of trees.
Additional programs at the Forum will include the current and future Street Tree Evaluation Program of OSU partnering with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry and the development of the new OSU Community Tree research plots at Secrest Arboretum and in communities throughout Ohio. For further information and registration materials for October 11, contact Sue Beasley at the OSU Extension Center at Wooster beasley.37@osu.edu, 330-263-3799, fax = 330-263-3667, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691).
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BYGLOSOPHY
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"Seeds - all were somehow triumphing over life's limitations."
-Loren Eiseley
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