Pam Bennett, Barb Bloetscher, Joe Boggs, Jim Chatfield, Erik Draper, Dave Dyke, Gary Gao, David Goerig, Tim Malinich, Amy Stone, and Curtis Young.
August 23, 2007
This is the twenty-first 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 August 21, 2007 conference included: Joe Boggs (OSU Extension Center at Piketon/Hamilton); Cindy Burskey (Clermont); Dave Dyke (Hamilton); Gary Gao (Delaware); Dave Goerig (Mahoning); Tim Malinich (Lorain); Dave Shetlar (Entomology); Amy Stone (Lucas); 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/)
WEATHER WATCH
In addition to our weekly weather summary, BYGLers thought it was important to capture some weather highlights from across Ohio. While the northerners spoke of recent rains, Cincinnati remains hot and dry. Ninety-plus degree temperatures were recorded 17 of 20 days in August thus far. On 2 of those days, temperatures peaked at over 100 degrees F. Windy conditions and the lack of significant measurable rain has made matters worse in the south. On the flip side, Findlay (Hancock County) in northwest Ohio made the national news on Wednesday, August 22, because of flooding. Rainfall amounts ranged from 4" - 9" in some northwest Ohio counties. The State Highway Patrol had to close a seven-mile stretch of Interstate 75 north of Lima because of flooding on the highway. County fair festivities were dampened in Lorian County, where roads were closed and yards became lakes. Tim Malinich reported that this is the third time this year that some landscapes have been underwater. The following weather information has been summarized from data collected from August 1 - 22, 2007. BYGLers have selected four 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), Jackson (Jackson 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/ . Weather Station Region of Ohio Ave. High Temp F Ave. Low Temp F Total Precip " Normal Precip " Ashtabula NE 77.8F 61.3F 1.84" 3.1" Wooster NE 82.5F 63.3F 4.71" 2.7" Hoytville NW 83.4F 63.5F 9.31" 2.2" Delaware Central 88.2F 66.7F 1.33" 2.4" Piketon South 90.4F 65.6F 0.21" 1.9"
HORT SHORTS
PLANTS OF THE WEEK *PERENNIAL OF THE WEEK. Ornamental grasses are our focus this week. Members in the genus PENNISETUM are commonly known as the fountain grasses. P. alopecuroides is a perennial hardy to USDA zone 5 and native to China. Chinese fountain grass is a soft, fine textured addition to the landscape. Its arching leaves are not much wider than 1/4" and can grow up to 4' high. P. alopecuroides creates a mounded affect in the garden. Plant this hardy plant in full sun. It mixes well with other hardy late flowering favorites. *WOODY PLANT OF THE WEEK. Are you looking for a plant that can be used as a natural, unsheared, eye level, hedging, plant material? The plant we're thinking of is in the Myricaceae family and in hardy well into USDA zone 3. Our woody plant selection this week is deciduous to semi-evergreen and its foliage is a dark green color. It produces a very aromatic scent when crushed. If you are not using this North American native plant in your designs you should be. The NORTHERN BAYBERRY (Myrica pensylvanic) is known to be salt spray tolerant and virtually insect and disease free. M. pensylvanica thrives in poor soils and conbines well with broadleaf evergreens. As you may have suspected, bayberry is the plant that produces the scent for the aromatic candles. * ANNUAL OF THE WEEK. CAPSICUM 'BLACK PEARL' (Capsicum annuum). In addition to being a 2006 Best of the Zoo award winner in the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden annual plant trials, this outstanding ornamental pepper plant is also an All-America Selections (AAS) Flower Award winner for 2006. The article, "New Ornamental Wins Prestigious Award", the United States National Arboretum, August 21, 2007 , sums up the attributes of this rather new plant release nicely. "One look at 'Black Pearl' and it is easy to see why it won this award. The compact, upright plants bear distinctive semi-glossy, deep purple to black leaves, complemented with scores of shiny round black-purple "pearls" of fruit that mature to bright red. 'Black Pearl' performs well as either a bedding or pot plant, where it offers a vibrant accent to home gardens throughout the summer and fall seasons. This selection also offers nursery growers a new crop to add to their inventory of landscape plants."
THE WEEKLY WEED JAPANESE KNOTWEED (Polygonum cuspidatum) is in bloom over much of the state of Ohio now. The blooms are white panicles that arise from the leaf axils. P. cuspidatum stems are hollow bamboo-like shoots that can grow to 7'. Despite the stems resembling bamboo (Bambusa sp.), the broadly egg-shaped leaves are not grass-like and are alternately arranged on the shoot. If you are looking to discover this aggressive, rhizomatous, perennial, plant, look no further than a roadside ditch or uncultivated riparian area as you drive down the road. It is a member of the Polygonaceae or Smartweed family. It is native to Asia and was introduced to the U.S. in the mid-late 1800's. Chemical control of this thick rooted plant is best achieved this time of year with repeated applications after the plant regenerates itself. Japanese knotweed is a dicotyledon. It is recommended that a 0.5% non-ionic surfactant be used with the herbicide spray material in order to penetrate the leaf cuticle.
GROUNDHOGS AND SQUIRRELS GNAWING TREE BARK BYGLers had a lively discussion about groundhogs and squirrels gnawing tree bark. It is not surprising to us that squirrels can climb on trees and chew on tree barks and trunks. However, some of us were surprised by the fact that groundhogs can climb all the way to the major limbs of a mature shade tree. Quite a few BYGLers are avid hunters and have seen many "agile" groundhogs, while the city slickers only saw "slow" and "clumsy" groundhogs being run over by fast moving vehicles. The Division of Wildlife, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, has a wealth of information on their website regarding control and prevention of nuisance wildlife. Log on to their website at http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/wild_resources/tabid/5720/default.aspx or call 1-800-WILDLIFE for information. Here are several excerpts from the website. "Squirrels - Squirrels are never found far from the shelter provided by trees". They are opportunistic foragers feeding on acorns, nuts, fruits, berries, corn, fungi, flower bulbs, and bird seed. They readily adapt to suburban and urban areas. Chasing a frantic squirrel inside your house can result in additional damage. If a squirrel is trapped, open a door or window, block off the room it is in and quietly wait for the squirrel to exit. Once the squirrel is gone, identify where the squirrel entered and seal the access. If the squirrel is in the fireplace, close the damper, block off the room and open an exterior door or window to provide an escape route for the squirrel. Squirrels trapped inside the chimney flue can be freed by closing the damper and lowering a 1/2" diameter rope into the chimney from the roof. The rope must be long enough to reach down to the damper. Anchor the upper end and wait for the squirrel to climb out, then cover the chimney. Before evicting a resident squirrel from the attic determine if young are in the nest and where the female's entrance is located. If there are no young, scare the squirrel out by banging on the rafters inside the attic or wait until the squirrel leaves for the day. Seal the entrance with 1/4" hardware cloth or with sheet metal. Extend the seal at least six inches beyond the hole. If young are present, locate the entrance and install a one way door until all have left the nest, then proceed as previously described. Groundhog Control - Control methods should be implemented during early spring when active burrows are easy to find, young groundhogs have not scattered, and there is less likelihood of damage to other wildlife. In later summer, fall, and winter, game animals will scurry into groundhog burrows for brief protection and may even take up permanent abode during the period of groundhog hibernation. Groundhogs can be controlled by using fumigants or by shooting. Fumigation is the most practical method of controlling groundhogs. Around buildings or other high fire hazard areas, shooting may be preferable. Groundhogs will be discouraged from inhabiting the embankment if the vegetal cover is kept mowed. Gas cartridges may be purchased at local farm exchanges or farm supply centers.
BUG BYTES
WEBWORMS SACKING TREES Several BYGLers reported that the nests of second generation FALL WEBWORMS (Hyphantria cunea) and third generation MIMOSA WEBWORMS (Homadaula anisocentra) are rapidly expanding towards their zeniths for the season. Despite its common name, mimosa webworm is found primarily on honeylocust in Ohio. Fall webworms may graze on more than 120 species of deciduous trees and shrubs. Caterpillars of both species of moths feed gregariously as skeletonizers on leaves within webs spun over the foliage. Leaves damaged by mimosa webworms turn orangish brown and appear fire scorched, while leaves damaged by fall webworms simply fade away to mid-veins and petioles within the sack-like silken nests. The female moths of both of these webworms lay eggs on nests produced by earlier generations. Consequently, the nests of each of these moths keep getting bigger with each generation. Fall webworms have two generations per season on Ohio, while mimosa webworms have at least three generations, and occasionally a fourth generation. The increased density of nests produced by succeeding generations presents a serious challenge to managing both of these webworms. The dense nests currently appearing on Ohio trees will impede the penetration of insecticides. This is particularly true for mimosa webworms as they interweave leaflets with silk to produce a tight leaf-mass. Thus, it is too late to suppress populations using insecticides. Fortunately, both of these webworms have a wide complement of predators and parasitoids. It is not uncommon for these beneficial insects to cause localized high populations of webworms to fail to reappear the next season.
CALICO SCALE CRAWLER DAMAGE The collective feeding activity of high populations of adult soft scales, such as calico scales (Eulecanium cerasorum), can cause significant harm to tree hosts. However, landscape and nursery managers should be aware that the immature stage (crawlers) of soft scales also sucks plant juices. While much smaller than the globular adults, the combined feeding activity of huge numbers of crawlers can likewise produce damage. Dave Shetlar and Joe Boggs reported that high populations of calico scale crawlers currently attached to honeylocust leaflets are causing leaves to turn yellow-to-brown in central and southwest Ohio. Both noted that the leaf discoloration may be mistaken for moisture stress. The tiny crawlers are tannish-brown, flattened, and oval shaped. They are attached to the midvein on the underside of honeylocust leaflets. Like adults, the crawlers also exude sticky honeydew, although in lower quantities compared to adults. As fall approaches, the crawlers will move to stems, where they overwinter. Calico scale can infest a wide variety of deciduous trees. The stems of off-colored trees should be closely examined for globular, reddish-brown, or dark-brown dead female scales. Trials in Ohio have indicated calico scale can be managed by using soil drenches of neonicotinoid systemic insecticides such as imidacloprid (e.g. Merit, Marathon), clothianidin (e.g. Arena), and dinotefuran (e.g. Safari) made from September into November.
WINDSHIELD WIPES BYGLers also ran into a few other insect and mite problems this week including: Dave Shetlar reported that stinging commentaries regarding social wasps, such as PAPER WASPS, YELLOWJACKETS, and HORNETS (Family = Vespidae), should soon be on the rise as colonies are now producing reproductives. This conversion in colony activity singles signals a rapid late-season buildup in numbers, and available stingers! BYGLers debated a number of management strategies; however, Dave stressed that the buzz words are "trash management." Public facilities should use strong trash bags that will not split and are able to be closed tightly, and dumpsters should be dumped...frequently! Dave Goerig reported an unusual occurrence of TARNISHED PLANT BUG (Lygus lineolaris) damage to gladiolus. Dave noted the petals were crinkled, or crumpled, and lacked the streaking normally associated with thrips, the most notorious glad pest. Dave Shetlar indicated that while the plant bugs are most often considered seed-feeders, they will also feed on flower buds, causing the emerging petals to be deformed. He recommended that the glad grower examine nearby weeds, particularly those in the Aster family, since these plants can provide a reservoir for damaging populations of the plant bug. Dave Goerig also reported an interesting diagnostic challenge with small, shiny, black spots appearing on cars in a parking lot in the Youngstown area. He noted that his first thought was shotgun (artillery) fungus; however, upon making a site visit, he observed large numbers of CARPENTER BEES (Family = Xylocopinae) over-flying the cars. Oddly, the bees were peppering the cars with fecal material...and their bombing runs were highly accurate.
DISEASE DIGEST
PHYTOPHTHORA ROOT AND STEM ROT ON PETUNIAS AND CELOSIA Phytophthora root and stem rot has been a serious problem on petunias for several years in the Cincinnati area. This disease, caused by the pseudo fungus Phytophthora parasiticais, was recently diagnosed by the CWEPPDC on petunias and celosia sent to the clinic by Dave Dyke and one of his commercial clients. Following is a summary of some of the pertinent details of this disease derived from several consultations with a leading researcher of Phytophthora on petunias, Margery Daughtrey, Senior Extension Associate in the Department of Plant Pathology at the Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y: This disease has traditionally been associated with the warm environment of greenhouses. It started to be diagnosed as a landscape problem on petunias several years ago in the south. More recently, it has been diagnosed as a common problem throughout the mid-west in the last year or so. Margery speculated that has been due to the warmer weather we have experienced. However, it was diagnosed as a serious problem 4 years ago at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden (following an initial planting the year before, which experienced minimal Phytophthora problems) and it has been a constant problem since that time. Randy Zondag has also reported that it (and Pythium) has been, at times, a significant problem on petunias, celosia, and other plants in large planters in the Lake County area. As stated above, this disease tends to thrive in moist soil conditions. However, the disease will still kill plants that are properly watered and grown in well-drained soil if Phytophthora is present. In fact, no soil has to be present at all. Phytophthora stem rot can be caused by simply splashing infested water on stems. It is not known at this time if strains of Phytophthora are specific to certain plants. Susceptible plants should not be grown in the same bed for more than one year. In southwest Ohio it has been a very common to have beautiful petunias the first year in a bed and then to experience the total loss of all plants in that bed the following year. Petunia trials are being conducted at Clemson University by Steve Jeffers to determine degree of susceptibility to Phytophthora. Those trials are being closely watched by Ball (and some of us at OSUE). SubdueMAXX can provide the most effective chemical control in the landscape. However, some Phytophthora strains are very resistant to this chemical. If used, it should be applied at planting and then once every 2 months. Aliette can also be used. However, it is generally less effective and should be applied at planting and once a month thereafter.
ARMILLARIA 'SHROOMS Dave Shetlar reported that he recently spotted (and of course photographed!) a mound of Armillaria spp. mushrooms sprouting at the base of a maple stump in the Shetlar-scape. The dead maple was basally pruned this season. Looking about, Dave observed other mushroom mounds rising near a declining maple in a neighbor's yard. The appearance of the mushrooms, which are sometimes called "honey mushrooms" due to their amber color, provided evidence that the maples were possibly being colonized by an Armillaria root rotting fungus. The Armillaria genus includes the notoriously pathogenic species, A. melia, which was once thought to be the most malevolent form of this fungus, and the species most commonly associated with the disease "Armillaria root rot." However, in recent years, pathologists have determined that there are a number of other species of Armillaria that may also infect woody plants. In their book "Diseases of Trees and Shrub, 2nd Edition," Sinclair and Lyon indicate that there are 10 known species of Armillaria that occur in North America. Some, like A. calvescens and A. cepistipes, are only mildly plant pathogenic, while others like A. melia and A. ostoyae are aggressive plant pathogens. The Armillaria fungi are collectively referred to as "shoestring" fungi for their black shoestring-like structures (called rhizomorphs) found under the bark, around roots, or in the soil. The fungi may also appear as white, fan-shaped mycelial mats beneath the bark. The rhizomorphs grow freely through the soil and penetrate roots, causing new infections. They are the principal means for the tree-to-tree spread of the pathogenic species of Armillaria fungi. The outward symptoms of infection include: thinning foliage that becomes discolored, turning yellow, then brown; reduced shoot and foliar growth; and branch decline and dieback. The pace of symptom development varies with trees vigor. Trees that are stressed by other factors, such as drought or pest infestations, may rapidly decline and die. Lesions or cankers may form at the base of infected trees, and removal of the bark over the affected areas will reveal the mycelial mats and rhizomorphs. Since the fungi spread through the soil, tree decline may occur simultaneously to groups of trees. Identifying different species of Armillaria in the field is difficult. All will produce rhizomorphs. An odd characteristic of Armillaria is that they are bioluminescent. Indeed, the eerie greenish-blue glow seen in forests after dark, commonly called "foxfire," may indicate the presence of Armillaria. However, this characteristic will not illuminate the exact species, nor is it a sure-fire identifier of Armillaria since there are other glow-in-the-dark fungi. Mushrooms (fruiting structures) do provide a more reliable identification feature, with the honey mushrooms most often being associated with A. melia. A word of caution: Armillaria mushrooms are considered edible; however, eating wild mushrooms should be viewed as a high-risk endeavor. Their harvest should left to cautious, well-trained experts. Remember the quote, "there are old mushroom hunters, and bold mushroom hunters, but no old, bold mushroom hunters!"
TURF TIPS
RUST ON TURFGRASS Gary Gao noticed that his soccer shoes had orange dust on them when he played soccer with his friends in Dublin this past Sunday. Dave Shetlar also mentioned that a few owners of white dogs were shocked when their precious pets turned orange! Joe Boggs said that if Gary Gao can run as fast as Teddy Gin, Jr., he would not get any rust on his shoes. Gary admitted that he may not even be able to compete with Ted Ginn, Sr. Putting all jokes aside, this "orange dust" is from rust disease of turfgrass. It was reported earlier this year in the BYGL. However, this is the time for this disease to arise again. Rust, a fungal disease (Puccinia spp.) of turfgrass, affects all common turfgrasses grasses used in the United States. In Ohio, it is most common on Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. Rust usually affects turfgrass in the late summer and fall. The disease is usually associated with slow growing perennial ryegrass. It is especially severe on drought stressed sites and compacted soils where perennial ryegrass or bluegrass is growing slowly and the disease is damaging leaf tissue faster then new leaf blades are being produced. Rust causes the turfgrass to take on a generally yellow to orange appearance. Symptoms are more evident when the weather is dry. The tiny rust colored spores of the fungus can be a real nuisance. They rub off easily on shoes, lawn mowers, pets, fingers, and clothes. This occurs because the fungus causes the epidermis of the leaf to rupture and release enormous amounts of spores which are orange/yellow/rusty in color. If the disease has been a problem in the past most likely it will reoccur year after year. Newly seeded juvenile stands of perennial ryegrass (less than a year old) often have the disease more severely than mature established turfgrass lawns and spots fields. Prevention of the disease is important to be successful in control. Use blends of more resistant turfgrass cultivars. The National Turf Evaluation Program http://www.NTEP.org . has free information on turfgrass cultivar quality & disease tolerance. Additional management strategies include: providing adequate water and fertilizer to keep the grass growing; core aerating sites to improve water and fertilizer use by the plant, reduce soil compaction, and improve growth and health; and applying a preventative fungicide. Research at OSU has suggested that the sterol inhibitors and strobilurins show good to excellent efficacy (e.g. Bayleton, Eagle, Banner, Heritage, Insignia are some produces to consider). The key is to apply preventatively or at the very onset of the disease. If applied once the disease is severe, results are often disappointing
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
CINCINNATI FLOWER GROWERS ASSOCIATION GREENHOUSE/GARDEN CENTER TOUR Twenty-nine members of the Cincinnati Flower Growers Association (CFGA) participated in what has become an annual event, a garden center/greenhouse tour outside of the southwest Ohio area. This year the tour was 4 days, from August 14 - 17, and included the following stops: Bobs Market and Greenhouses, Mason, WV; Ashcombe Farm and Greenhouses, Mechanicsburg, Pa; Country Market Nursery, Mechanicsburg, Pa; Waterloo Gardens, Exton, Pa; Hersheys Chocolate World, Hershey, Pa; and Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pa. Bob's Market and Greenhouses is a must-stop for any greenhouse grower. Its facilities are top notch and it utilizes a rather large number of sophisticated production equipment. Bob's annual production includes several million pansy plugs for Ball, millions of other plugs, hundreds of thousands of flats of annuals, and plants for Dumen. The hosts, Bob and Bobby Barnitz, were very open and full of great ideas. What a productive and enjoyable stop! The garden centers all were quite upscale, especially the last 2. They offered a wide range of hard goods, including lawn furniture, in addition to plant materials. Longwood Garden was delightful, especially the conservatory and fountains.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
THE ISA NORTHERN SUMMER MEETING This meeting will be held Friday, September 28 at the Ehrnfelt Recreation & Senior Center, 18100 Royalton Rd., Strongsville, OH. Pesticide and Arborist CEUs available. Call Chris at 614-771-7494 or Al at 216-854-0508 or go to the Ohio Chapter ISA website. The cost is $65.00 (Ohio ISA or AGI Associated organization rate) and $75.00 for non members.
BYGLOSOPHY
"Every garden is unique with a multitude of choices in soils, plants and themes. Finding your garden theme is as easy as seeing what brings a smile to your face." - Teresa Watkins

Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made to produce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears the responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department o f Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension. All Ohio State University Extension educational programs are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability, or Vietnam-era veteran status.

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