Pam Bennett, Barb Bloetscher, Joe Boggs, Jim Chatfield, Erik Draper, Dave Dyke, Gary Gao, David Goerig, Tim Malinich, Amy Stone, and Curtis Young.
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June 28, 2007
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This is the Thirteenth 2007 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 June 26, 2007 conference included: Pam Bennett and Carolyn Allen (Clark); Barb Bloetscher (Entomology/C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic); Joe Boggs (OSU Extension Center at Piketon/Hamilton-Clermont); Erik Draper (Geauga); Dave Dyke (Hamilton); Dave Goerig (Mahoning); Michael Loos (Cuyahoga); Dave Shetlar (Entomology); Nancy Taylor (Plant Pathology/CWEPPD Clinic); 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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BYGLers across the state are still lamenting the dryness in some areas. Participants noted that rainfall has been spotty at best, being heavy in some areas and light in others. Most of the state appears to be on the dry side. Some in southwestern Ohio are even speculating that this may be as bad as the summer of 1988, especially since the dry conditions are also coupled with high temperatures. Only time will tell.
The following weather information has been summarized from data collected from June 1-19, 2007. BYGLers have selected six locations to highlight different regions of the state to be included each week as seen in the table below. Additionally, there are weather station sites in Avon (Lorain County), Madison (Lake County), Perry (Lake County), at the Muck Crops Research Station (Huron County), at the North Central Research Station (Sandusky County), and at the Western Research Station (Clark County). The weather data collected from all the sites can be seen at http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/newweather/ .
Monthly Summary, June 2007
| Weather Station |
Region of Ohio |
Ave. High Temp F |
Ave. Low Temp F |
Total Precip " |
Normal Precip " |
| Ashtabula |
NE |
78.2 |
53.8 |
NA |
4.2" |
| Wooster |
NE |
81.2 |
55.9 |
1.97" |
3.9" |
| Hoytville |
NW |
83.9 |
58.2 |
1.54" |
3.6" |
| Delaware |
Central |
87.2 |
55.0 |
0.30" |
4.2" |
| Piketon |
South |
84.3 |
59.2 |
0.59" |
3.9" |
| Jackson |
South |
83.5 |
57.8 |
3.48" |
3.7" |
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Year-To-Date Weather Summary, January - June 2007
| Weather Station |
Region of Ohio |
Ave. High Temp F |
Ave. Low Temp F |
Total Precip " |
Normal Precip " |
| Ashtabula |
NE |
52.2 |
33.8 |
7.10" |
16.9" |
| Wooster |
NE |
55.8 |
35.0 |
13.05" |
20.1" |
| Hoytville |
NW |
55.8 |
35.0 |
5.69" |
16.2" |
| Delaware |
Central |
55.9 |
34.3 |
14.69" |
20.7" |
| Piketon |
South |
69.3 |
44.9 |
6.80" |
21.4" |
| Jackson |
South |
61.2 |
37.2 |
15.23" |
22.3" |
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HORT SHORTS
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GDD (GROWING DEGREE DAYS)
GDD is a measure of the daily maximum and minimum temperature and directly relates to growth and development of plants and insects. The GDD of any zip code location in Ohio is estimated using the GDD of ten OARDC weather stations and available on the web at the site below.
The range of GDD accumulations in Ohio from north to south is 986 to 1,504. Following is a report of GDD for several locations around Ohio as of June 27, 2007: Painesville, 986; Cleveland, 1,071; Toledo, 1,200; Canfield, 1,104; Lima, 1,206; Wooster, 1,154; Coshocton, 1,171; Columbus, 1,280; Springfield, 1,368; Dayton, 1,389; Cincinnati, 1,437; Ironton, 1,466; Portsmouth, 1,470; Piketon, 1,504; Marietta, 1,432; and Jackson, 1,451.
To put these GDD accumulations into perspective, the following is an abbreviated listing of plant and insect species with their respective phenological event and average GDD accumulations at which these events occur. Due to variations in weather, temperature, humidity, etc., these events may occur a few days earlier or later than predicted by the average GDD. By looking at a city, town, or village near you from the above list, or visiting the above web site, you can see what could be taking place in the landscape around you.
Japanese beetle, adult emergence, 970; rosebay rhododendron, first bloom, 1,010; June bride littleleaf linden, full bloom, 1,115; bottlebrush buckeye, first bloom, 1,158; panicled goldenraintree, full bloom, 1251; rose-of-Sharon, first bloom, 1347; pine needle scale egg hatch, 1349; euonymus scale, egg hatch - 2nd generation, 1,923; magnolia scale, egg hatch, 1,938; and banded ash clearwing borer, adult emergence, 2,195.
Take some time to go to the GDD website at http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/gdd/ and see what it offers because it is more than just current GDDs. New additions to the 'Summary of Phenological Events' chart include links to factsheets, bulletins and images related to most of the plants and pests highlighted on the web page. The information covered by these materials includes diseases, pests and research.
This is the last reporting of GDD for this year. Most locations for which GDD is reported have accumulated enough GDD's to have exceeded most of the pests and flowering plants that are included in the phenology table. Reporting of GDD will return in next year's BYGL. Thanks for following along!
 
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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 OF THE WEEK. Coneflower (Echinacea spp.) - The number of cultivars in this genus has exploded in the past few years! The plant is fantastic for hot dry areas in the garden and blooms from mid-June into late summer, depending upon the cultivar. Some like to leave the seed heads for the birds and goldfinches especially love the seeds; however, take note, certain cultivars are prolific seeders and take over garden areas if allowed. The flower colors and characteristics as well as heights vary according to cultivar. 'White Swan' is 36-40" with large white blooms; 'Magnus' was the Perennial Plant Association's award winner in 1998 and has rosy-pink petals that are almost horizontal rather than the normal drooping petals; and 'Kim's Knee High' is a shorter cultivar that grows 18-20" with pink flowers. A recent introduction, 'Fragrant Angel' has a marvelous smell.
*WOODY ORNAMENTAL OF THE WEEK. Smokebush (Cotinus coggyria) - This somewhat sprawling, rangy shrub has wispy flowers panicles that are very ornamental and add interest to the garden. It's in full bloom in central Ohio at this time. The leaves can be either dark green or purple, depending upon the cultivar. It grows to around 15' tall and almost as wide. It is a great addition to the shrub border. 'Velvet Cloak' and 'Royal Purple'; are excellent purple leaf forms.
*ANNUAL OF THE WEEK. Angelonia - Growing in popularity, angelonia or summer snapdragon is an outstanding, low-maintenance plant for the garden or in container plantings. The vase-shaped plant grows to around 2' tall and spreads as much as 18" depending upon the cultivar. Blooms start in early June and continue through a hard frost; the best feature is that they don't require deadheading throughout the summer! Flower colors range in the pinks, whites, and purples. The flowers are excellent and long-lasting when cut and used in a vase. Angelonia plants have ranked highly in the Gateway Learning Gardens field trials in Clark County for the last 5 years. Check out the various cultivars for the differences in growth habits and colors.
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THE WEEKLY WEED
CANADA THISTLE (Cirsium arvense) is noticeably blooming in Northeast Ohio and can be found anywhere, causing problems in many different crops. This rhizomatous perennial has spiny leaf margins that if touched, cause prickly pain to even the most callused gardener's hand. If pulled from the ground using hand or mechanical methods, Canada thistle will snap off easily from the main root causing this weed to sprout up again creating large colonies. Because of that tendency, many gardeners will bypass the urge for hand weeding controls and reach for the herbicide. Canada thistle is in the Aster family. Its purple flowers can be seen from June through August and produce copious amounts of wind-blown seed. Successful methods to control this weed require incorporating both pre-emergent and post-emergent products.
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BUG BYTES
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BROWN RECLUSE BITES AGAIN-MAYBE NOT!
Bites attributed to brown recluse spiders have been circulating in the news again, yet most likely the "bites" are misdiagnosed. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Division of Vector Borne Diseases keeps records of brown recluse identifications in Ohio, and states "they are rarely seen in Ohio". In fact, even in the southern states where they are common and dwell within homes and buildings, very few bites have actually been documented.
In many cases, the so-called bites are actually an infected puncture wound from items encountered in the home, landscape, or other surroundings, or occasionally from a weed, insect or spider. If not cleaned and covered, any puncture wound can become infected. Wounds which do not begin to improve within a few days should be examined by a doctor, instead of waiting until the infection worsens.
If a brown recluse spider is suspected, contact the local county extension agent or the local ODH branch, for verification. If it can not be identified from a telephone call, the spider should be placed in a plastic bottle containing rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), and clearly labeled with the inquirer's name, address, phone number, and sent to the C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (614-292-5902) for identification. It is extremely important that these spiders be properly identified and recorded with ODH, to keep their records viable. An excellent factsheet can be found to help with identification at http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2061.html .
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HICKORY TUSSOCK MOTH caterpillars
HICKORY TUSSOCK MOTH caterpillars were noticed by Dave Shetlar this week, along with yellow-necked caterpillars. Both were in the first instar of development. Hickory tussock caterpillars, Lophocampa caryae, are covered with tufts of white hairs with long tufts of black hairs on each side behind the head, and two more on opposite sides toward the tip of the abdomen. A series of short black tufts may be seen in the center of each abdominal segment.
Although their favorite food is oak and hickory leaves, they are willing to munch on a wide variety of deciduous trees and shrubs.
Yellow-neck caterpillars, Datana minstra feed gregariously at first but hide on the bottom of leaves where they often undergo several instars before the damage is noticed. These caterpillars undergo a color change as they mature. Initially they are orangey with white stripes down the back and then become black with white stripes and fine white hairs. Their most distinctive characteristic is the red hump directly behind their head, and the fact that when disturbed, they simultaneously raise their head and tail end to defend themselves. They eat leaves of apple and other Rosaceae trees, oak, birch, willow, and other deciduous shrubs and trees.
When populations are high, damage can occasionally occur on small trees. Monitor trees to make sure that heavy populations dont damage susceptible trees.
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FLAMING BLACK LOCUSTS
Joe Boggs reported that the annual flaming of black locusts caused by LOCUST LEAFMINER (Odontota dorsalis) is getting underway in southern Ohio. Damage by this insect should be familiar to travelers motoring on Ohio's interstate highways. Larval and especially adult feeding activity produces a captivating reddish-brown leaf coloration that highlights infested trees, allowing black locusts to be positively identified at highway speeds! Usually, "flamed" trees do not become apparent until later in the season.
The adults are less than 1/4" long and are orangish-red with a median black line down the center of the back. They are fairly flat beetles and frequently feed in clusters. In the spring, overwintered beetles emerge to feed as skeletonizers on the leaves of their namesake host as well as several other tree species including beech, cherry, crabapple, dogwood, elm, hawthorn, and yellowwood. They may also be found on a number of herbaceous plants such as soybeans.
Eventually, the adult beetles will begin laying eggs. While black locust is the preferred larval host, the beetles will also select yellowwood. Eggs are laid in clusters of three to five in late May or early June on the undersides of leaves. The larvae hatching from these eggs work their way into the leaf through one entrance hole and live in a common blotch mine. Later, they go to other leaves and make separate mines. Larvae feed for about three weeks, pupation takes place in the mine, and beetles emerge a week or 10 days later. The beetle has two generations per year in much of Ohio.
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BAGWORMS, IT IS TIME TO TREAT!
If you have not already taken action against this year's batch of bagworm caterpillars (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) , NOW is the time! Based on observations of BYGLers across the state, the vast majority and most likely the entire crop of bagworm caterpillars for this year have hatched. Dave Shetlar reported that the bagworms are now reaching the third instar stage (1/2-3/4" long) in the southern half of Ohio. Curtis Young reported that the bagworms are just reaching the late second and early third instar stages (1/2" long and smaller) in the northern half of Ohio. The feeding activity of these very young caterpillars can be quite noticeable on many plant hosts, especially those upon which numerous bagworms hatched and are feeding ravenously, and on very young hosts where there wasn't a lot of foliage for the baggers to feed on in the first place. Hopefully, tree and shrub owners have taken notice of the skeletonization damage caused by these early instar bagworms and know which plants to target with their treatments. Some trees that are already showing severe skeletonizing by the bagworm include lindens, sycamores, hornbeams, honeylocusts, maples, arborvitae, and spruce. Again, the younger trees are especially showing these symptoms.
Fortunately, the young bagworms are still very easy to control with normal caterpillar insecticides. There are numerous products that can be used to target the little baggers including standard chemicals- Bifenthrin (Talstar), Acephate (Orthene, Orthenex, etc.), Carbaryl (Sevin), Deltamethrin (DeltaGard), Malathion, and Permethrin (Ambush, Pounce, Bug-B-Gon, etc.); and bioloigical material- Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Bt) (Biobit, Caterpillar Attack, Dipel, Javelin, Thuricide, etc.). However, Bt is only going to be effective in the northern part of Ohio for a short time more, while in the southern part of Ohio, it is already past its peak of effectiveness and should not be relied upon in those areas. The keys to success with any of these materials are timing (which we have reached right now) and thorough coverage of the target site. This could be challenge if trees are very large. Hand/can spraying equipment will not be adequate to reach the tops of large trees (anything over 10'). One will have to hire a professional company with a high pressure pump sprayer and spray gun to get any higher.
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WINDSHIELD WIPES
BYGLers also ran into or over a few other insects this week including:
*Several BYGLers reported seeing increases in the emergence of several species of scarab adult beetles especially the JAPANESE BEETLE (Popilla japonica). Keep monitoring the most preferred and susceptible to beetle feeding damage in landscapes such as roses and flowering ornamental fruit trees (e.g. sandcherries, purple-leaf plums, crabapples, etc.). These trees and shrubs may need to be protected from the adult feeding with foliar sprays that also may need to be re-applied over the season while the adults are active. One positive note to this emergence is the dry weather. The reproductive success of the scarab is going to be highly impeded by the dry soils. Those areas that may be most in peril are turfgrass that has been under irrigation throughout the dry spell.
*Curtis Young reported receiving a sample of ASH FLOWER GALL MITES (Eriophyes fraxinivorus) that had attacked leaf buds instead of flower buds on a green ash. The eriophyid mites caused a similar type of brushy gall to form out of the leaf buds as they do out of the flower buds.
*Curtis Young also reported observing RED-HEADED ASH BORERS (Neoclytus acuminatus) actively mating and laying eggs as they scampered up and down the trunk of a dead ash tree in the Lima area. Frequently these beetles are discovered in association with firewood, but they are just as much at home in standing trees in nature.
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DISEASE DIGEST
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MOIST CHAMBER
The emergence of specific symptoms due to infections of diseases during the week included:
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TURF TIPS
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NEW WEEVIL IN OHIO
The annual bluegrass weevil, Listronotus anthracinus, commonly known as the hyperodes weevil, was discovered last week on a golf course near Cleveland Ohio. Although suspected to be in Northeastern Ohio since it has been found in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York, and other New England states, this weevil has never been confirmed as being established in Ohio.
Joe Rimelspach received a sample via the CWEPPDC, in which the annual bluegrass had vanished, leaving only fairly healthy creeping bentgrass. After some sleuthing and digging, he and his grad student found two weevils that were identified as the annual bluegrass weevil. This weevil has the characteristic snout of its family and is 1/4" (4.5mm) long. It is black and rough-textured with small hairs and gold scales on the wing covers. It becomes active in early spring whereupon the females lay eggs in the base of turfgrass stems and inserts 2-9 eggs. As the larvae develop, they tunnel down the main stem to then crawl out to feed on the crown and other organic debris. After several weeks, they burrow below the thatch to pupate, and then emerge as adults for a second generation in late June-July.
Because the sample did not show any diagnostic symptoms, Joe visited the course and found areas along the collar of the green with small brown, depressed spots, very similar in appearance to leaf anthracnose disease. As he fingered the yellowing annual bluegrass, grass flew out as if it had been cut at the base of the stem. Sure enough, when he cut a sample for closer examination, he saw the typical "U" shaped notched stem base, made by the tiny, white, legless larvae; and pupae under the soil surface!
The importance of this new pest in Ohio only demonstrates the importance of accurate diagnoses and submitting a representative sample for diagnosis. The superintendent was wise enough to check the declining turfgrass for insects instead of treating for the "obvious" symptoms of anthracnose, and Joe was inquisitive enough to investigate the situation further, and dig deeper for the answer.
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INDUSTRY INSIGHT
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MAKE A DONATION TO HELP FIGHT EAB!
BYGL updates regarding emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis) in Ohio have been dominated by reports of newly found infestations. Such reports seem to paint a grim picture for the future of ash in the state.
However, this week BYGLers discussed a more positive development on the EAB scene. For the first time, the American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA), Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) http://www.anla.org/research/index.htm has established a fund dedicated to supporting a single initiative- EAB research. The fund was developed through the support of the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association, and the tireless efforts of landscapers and nurserymen in Ohio, Kentucky, and other states.
The single most serious impediment to slowing the spread of EAB has been the general lack of funding support for research. While great strides have been made, there is much that remains to be learned in order to mount a more broad-based response to this devastating insect. What actually attracts EAB to ash trees? Does the insect have a sex pheromone that can be used, similar to what is being used for gypsy moth for mating disruption? Why do insecticides sometimes fail to provide protection? Are there natural enemies of EAB in the U.S.? These are only a few questions that need to be answered.
Support EAB research by making a contribution to the HRI EAB Project fund. Contributions are tax deductible. Send your contribution to:
The EAB Project c/o
Horticultural Research Institute
1000 Vermont Ave, NW, Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20005
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HERBICIDE DRIFT PROBLEMS
Curtis Young reported being called out to visit a landscape that had several species of trees and shrubs with deformed leaves. The trees and shrubs included an ash, sycamore, apple, boxelders, and redbuds. Symptoms included feathering or strapping of leaves, many leaves were curled or cupped, leaves felt thickened and waxy, and there was interveinal chlorosis (yellowing of tissues between leaf veins). Leaf malformations and distinct cupping (usually upward) is usually caused by growth-hormone herbicides such as 2,4-D and dicamba (Banvel). Being that there were several different species of trees and shrubs showing similar damage symptoms, it was relatively strong evidence of herbicide injury. The landscape was also surrounded by agricultural fields that most likely were treated this spring with one or more of these herbicides that could easily have drifted across the area. Most of these plants will recover from this exposure, but some, such as the redbud, are much more susceptible than the others. The redbud may not recover from the exposure. Since so much time had passed between when the exposure occurred and when it was reported, not much can be done to rectify this issue. However, if cases such as this one are discovered earlier in the season, the Ohio Department of Agriculture is the enforcing agency for investigating and levying fines for herbicide drift and misapplications cases.
One word of caution when dealing with potential herbicide drift and misapplication problems is to be sure one knows what is normal for the appearance of different plants. Some cultivars of trees and shrubs have foliage that normally looks like it has herbicide damage. As an example of a tree that has strapped-like, herbicide affected foliage is the cut-leaf silver maple (Acer saccharinum 'Laciniatum' ). The leaves of this maple, when first emerging, are twisted and strap-like with deep serrations or clefts in the leaf margins that could be mistaken for herbicide injury.
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COMING ATTRACTIONS
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10th ANNUAL GREEN INDUSTRY SUMMER SESSION SET FOR AUGUST 1
This August 1, 2007, all Northwestern Ohio industry professionals are invited to attend the 10th annual educational event, held at Owens Community College in Toledo, OH. Credits for ONCT, ASLA, ISA, Pesticide Applicators, and/or Master Gardeners will be available. If there are questions contact OSU Extension, Green Industry Center (419-354-6916).
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40TH ANNUAL NURSERY GROWERS OF LAKE COUNTY OHIO (NGLCO) FIELD DAY
40TH ANNUAL NURSERY GROWERS OF LAKE COUNTY OHIO (NGLCO) FIELD DAY is August 14, 2007. The NGLCO Field Day will be held at Holden Arboretum in Kirtland Ohio. The program this year will feature garden tours of the 3500 acre Holden Arboretum, which is has a new feature- a garden railroad. Time and location information will be on the following website http://www.nglco.com/fieldday.htm . Master Gardeners and students will receive a special price. For further information call 440-241-7969.
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BYGLOSOPHY
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"Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it." -Russel Baker
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